some observations made upon the serpent stones imported from india shewing their admirable virtues in curing malignant spotted feavers / written by a countrey physitian to dr. burwell, president of the colledge of physitians in london. peachi, john, fl. . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing p estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) some observations made upon the serpent stones imported from india shewing their admirable virtues in curing malignant spotted feavers / written by a countrey physitian to dr. burwell, president of the colledge of physitians in london. peachi, john, fl. . burwell, thomas, - . pechey, john, - . p. [s.n.], london : . attributed also to john pechey--nuc pre- imprints. reproduction of original in the british library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng therapeutics -- early works to . - tcp assigned for keying and markup - spi global keyed and coded from proquest page images - judith siefring sampled and proofread - judith siefring text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion some observations made upon the serpent stones , imported from the indies : shewing their admirable virtues in curing malignant spotted feavers . written by a countrey physitian to dr. burwell , president of the colledge of physitians in london . london , printed in the year . some observations made upon the serpent stones , shewing their admirable virtues in curing malignant spotted feavers . in a letter , &c. sir , i received your letter of thanks for the last specifick i communicated to you , and that hath proved so successful , that i find you very importunate with me to acquaint you with what i have found most effectual against malignant spotted feavors . i am sorry to hear that london physitians are so often disappointed in the use of vulgar medicines . the great dr. sidenham in his discourse of feavors , tells the world his art is defective in that distemper ; and that if any man can be found who can propose a better method , or communicate a good specifick , for the more effectual cure of that distemper which carryeth so many thousand to their graves , he will prove himself a good citizen . for my own part i declare , i knew no better remedy than the indian serpent stones , for it powerfully expels poysons of all sorts , both externally and internally applyed , it resists putrefaction , promotes insensible transpiration , raiseth the vital spirits , comforts the heart , and gives a new fermentation to the blood , and helps nature to cast off all malignity . i have found it more serviceable than any sort of alexipharmics . mr. boyl in his discourse of specifick remedies , gives very strange accounts of the extraordinary virtues of these stoney concretions , said to be found in the heads of indian serpents , and particularly of an experiment he made himself upon a cat bitten by an enraged viper , which caused its tongue and head to swell , and made the cat raving mad , yet upon giving it a little of the powder of this stone inwardly , it had recovered , had not the rude people killed it by violence . he confesseth that there are many of them counterfeits , and such were those that mounsieur redi made experiments upon . he also tells us , that an eminent physitian of the colledge performed a very great cure by the external application of one of the stones . i was sent for unto a young man who had a very dangerous feavor , and all the symptoms of malignity very well known to physitians ; i gave the usual remedies prescribed in that case ; his distemper threaten'd every day more and more , and all friends despaired of recovery ; at length i gave him a tincture drawn out of these stones , with the powder in substance , and it powerfully expels all the malignity by gentle breathing sweats , and the patient speedily recovered , and gained his strength beyond humane expectation . an ancient gentlewoman who had a high malignant feavor , being first surprized with a rigor , and shivering coldness in her back , and afterwards a hot burning fit , which lasted many hours without any intermission , a low weak pulse , cold , clammy , faint sweats , purple spots in the skin , little or no thirst , a pale thin urine , and very delirous , but no complaint of any pains in the head , or other parts ; a hitch-cough , frequent sighing and dozeing ; i finding all remedies fruitless , gave this specifick , and found a speedy recovery attend it . i could tell you of several familes in our countrey that have been seized with these malignant feavors , that have been secured from the dangers , by the use of this specifick remedy : but i find people generally displeased when physitians mention their names in print , if it be in english ; they are prone to suspect the world never thinks them sound afterwards , and therefore i omit names . i knew one man about fifty , who was seized as if he had been infected with the plague , had swellings under his arms , and all other pestilential symptoms upon him ; and only giving him a few drops of a mixture made with the powder of this stone , he was restoared to health in a miraculous manner . i could name one patient who was saved from death , when two in the same family dyed of the spotted feaver , after they had taken large quantities of bezoar and goa stones . i can truly say with dr. sidenham , in his discourse of pestilential feavors , that i have delivered faithfully all things relating to practice , and never proposed any thing but what i had often and sufficiently tryed ; and when i come to dye , i hope i shall have a chearful witness within my own breast i have done my duty . finis . the london dispensatory, reduced to the practice of the london physicians wherein are contain'd the medicines, both galenical and chymical, that are now in use ... / by john pechey ... pechey, john, - . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing p estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) the london dispensatory, reduced to the practice of the london physicians wherein are contain'd the medicines, both galenical and chymical, that are now in use ... / by john pechey ... pechey, john, - . [ ], , [ ] p. printed by f. collins for j. lawrence ..., london : . reproduction of original in cambridge university library. includes index. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng dispensatories. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images - robyn anspach sampled and proofread - robyn anspach text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion the london dispensatory , reduced to the practice of the london physicians . wherein are contain'd the medicines , both galenical and chymical , that are now in use . those that are out of use are omitted : and such as are in use , and not in the latin copy , are added ; with vertues and doses . by john pechey , of the college of physicians , in london . london : printed by f. collins , for j. lawrence , at the angel in the poultrey . . the preface . having for several years endeavoured to render the art of physick as plain and easie as the nature of it would allow ; by separating practice and experience from the vain fictions of a sort of men , whose business it is , to make every part of it obscure and misterious . i thought among other things , the reducing the london dispensatory to the practice of the present times , and the adding to it such medicines as are frequently used ; would be a work very acceptable to those , that have not time or opportunity to peruse the prescriptions of the london physicians : to which end i carefully viewed the files of some london apothecaries , and the bills of the most eminent physicians , and reviewed the best modern authors . now by this treatise young phisicians may know what medicines are used , and so prescribe accordingly ; whereas , before the apothecaries were w●nt to discover , and ridicule raw practitioners for their obsolete and unfashionable prescriptions ; and commonly upon reading such bills would say , this or that doctor was a novice in practice . and apothecaries in the country may by this dispensatory provide medicines that are agreeable to the present practice , and so save the patient the trouble , ( besides the loss of time ) in sending to london for some medicines , prescribed by london physicians , as oft as they are called into the countrey , or advised with by letter in extraordinary cases : tho i know some of them in great towns especially , are well furnished with all things necessary . but ( which is most considerable ) t is probable , that many of the simples and compounds that are rejected and out of use , either never had really the virtues assigned them ; or by a long tract of time , the diseases for which they were used are now altered , and some of them worn out ; and that others succeed which require other medicines and methods of cure . as to the virtues of each composition , i have set down briefly those that i thought did peculiarly belong to the medicine . lastly , i have added a table of diseases . reader farewel , from the angel and crown in basing-lane , london . john pechy . the index of the medicines . a a ethiops minoralis aloes to purifie alum to burn ibid. ambar volatile salt anacardiums to prepare antimony diaphoretick antimony its cinnabar antimony its glass antimony its liver antimony its common regulus aq. lact ▪ alexit . aq. mirabilis arcanum corallinum b balsam of sulphur benzoin flowers bezoarric bole armonick to prepare brass to burn briony lees butter may ibid. c cerecloth of galbanum cerecloth of sanders conserves coral prepared crabs eyes prepared ibid. d decoctions bitter of dodder ibid. for a glister pectoral sennae gerionis ibid. white ● of the woods wound e earthworms electuaries . confection of alkermes confection of hyacinth caryocostinum catholicon diacrocuma diaphaenicon diasatyrion diascordium ibid. of the egg extract of cassia for glisters hiera picra simple lawrel berries lenitive mithridat philonium romanum of the juice of roses p. sassafras treacle venice treacle london elixir proprietatis elixir salutis ibid. extracts f fat 's to prepare g goats blood to prepare h hartshorn burnt hellebore roots to prepare i jalap rofin l lac to prepare lapis calamminaris to prepare lapis lazuli to prepare lapis medicamentosus lapis prunellae laudanum liquid laudanum litharge to prepare lucatellus balsam lungs of a fox to prepare m mars its opening saffron mars its astringent saffron mars its salt ibid. mercurius vitae mercury water mercury corrosive mercurius dulcis mercury precipitat red merc precipitat white ib. millepedes prepared o oesypus to prepare opium to prepare oyls simple by expression . of sweet almonds of bitter almonds ibid. of the yolks of eggs simple oyls by infusion or decoction . of cammomile of castor ibid. of dill of elder flowers of euphorbium of water lillies of marjoram of mastich ibid. of mint of myrrh ibid. nard of orris of roses compleat of roses omphacin of rue p. of savin ibid. of scorpions violet ibid. of wall flowers worms wormwood compound oyls by infusion . oyl of foxes of st. john's ▪ wort of swallows chymical oyls . of ambar of bricks of cinnamon of dill of guajacum of juniper berries ibid. of nutmegs of sulphur by the bell of turpentine ibid. of wax of wormwood ▪ simple oyntments . aegyptiacum bayes basilicon ibid. diapompholigos sharp pointed dock elecampane elecampane with mercury ibid. for the eyes gum elemi marsh-mallows nutritum pomatum red drying ibid. tobacco white oyntments more compound . of alablaster apostles ibid. aregon of the countess martiatum mastich ibid. naples nerve ibid. pectoral piles poplar sowbread splanchnick sumach p pearls to prepare pills of agarick agregative ibid. aleophang aloes rosat ● ambar coch. major coch. minor faetid golden hermodactiles hiera with agarick ibid. hounds tongue imperial p. lapid lazuli macri ibid. mastich matthews rudii ruffi stomach with gums storax ibid. tartar two plaisters . ammoniacum barbarum magnum bayberries ibid. bettony blistering caesaris cummin diachalcitis ibid. diachylon simple diachylon with orris ib. diachylon the great ▪ diachylon the great with gums frogs head hemlock with ammoniacum hermodactiles hysterick lapid calamminaris red lead ma●●ich ibid. melilot simple ibid. mucilages nerve flower of oyntments oxycroceum ruptures de sandice soap ibid. sticticum stomach ibid. r robor sapa . of barberries juice of liquorice ibid. s salts fixed sacharum saturni salt of vitirol salts volatile scammony prepared spirit of sal armonia●k spirit of salt sweet spirit of salt spirit of vitriol spirit of nitre dulcified spirit of wine rectified spirit of hartshorn spurge roots to prepare squills to prepare steel prepared infernal stone styptick water sugars p. flowers of sulphur magistery of sulphur ib. syrups of ammoniacum apples balsamick bizantine simple buckthorn of the juice of citron citron peel ibid. coral cupmoss ibid. diacodium dodder syrup of elder berries gilly-flowers ground pine white horehound liquorice maidenhair ibid. marsh-mallows ibid. mint mouseear mugwort ibid. myrtles oak of jerusalem the five opening roots ib. peach flowers peony pomgranats poppies red ibid. quinces roses ▪ solutive roses dryed rhubarb scabious comp . stechas steel succory with rhubarb turneps violets wormwood t tartar vitriolated tartar creame tinctures of ambar antimony benzoin castor roses ibid. sacra saffron ibid. salt of tartar sulphur troches of agarick alhandal ambar camphir capers ibid. cherries winter cypheos dr. gordms hedichroy ibid. lemnian earth lozenges pectoral black lozenges pectoral white maudlin myrrh p. polyidae ibid. rhubarb spodium squills ibid. vipers white of rhasis turbith mineral turpentine boiled tutty prepared ibid. u medicated vinegars . destilled vinegar rose vinegar ibid. treacle vinegar w compound waters of angelica alum ibid. bezoartick briony cinnamon cinnamon hord ibid. epidemick ibid. gentian heavenly lavender comp. peony queen of hungaries horse radish ibid. saxony scordium ibid. snaile-water stephans ibid. treacle walnut ibid. worms wormwood ibid. medicated wines . blessed squills steel ibid. wormwood an index of the diseases . aches p. , ▪ , , . agues tertian apoplexy , , appetite to procure , , asthma , b. back pains , biting of venomous creatures , , , bladder the pain of it bladder diseases , blisters to dress blood to purifie p. , , blood spitting , , , blood to stop , , bowels to empty , breast to purge , breast crude humours of it to concoct breast obstructed breast pains breast swelled ibid. bruises , , , burns , c. catarrh , chanchre chaps child bed purgations to force , cold diseases collick , , , , , , concoction to help , consumption , , , , , convulsions , , , , , , coughs , , , , , , , , , , cough hooping coughs tickling , , , cramp , d deafness , , , digestion to help , , , , dropsy , , , , , , , , , , , , , e. epilepsy , , expectoration to help , , , , , eyes inflamed , f. fevers , , , , , , , , fevers hectick , , fistula's to hèal , flesh proud to ▪ eat down , , fluxes of all sorts to stop , , , , , , , , , , , fluxes of blood flux to raise , fluxes immoderate of the hemorrhoids and courses french pox , , , , , fundament fallen g. gall bladder obstructed galls to cure giddiness p. gonorrhea to stop gout , , , , , gravel to expel , , green sickness , , gripes in children gripes , h. ill habit of body , , , head ach , , head diseases , , , , , , , , , , head to strengthen heart to chear , hemorrhagies to stop hickops hoarsness , , humors sharp to correct hysterick diseases , , , , i. jaundice , , , , , , , , infection to prevent , , , inflamations to asswage , , , joint diseases joints stiff joints to strengthen , , joint pains itch , , itching to take off , , k. kidney diseases kidneys the pain of kings evil , l. lameness letharge , limbs to comfort liver hard liver inflamed liver obstructed , , liver swelled loosness , , lungs inflamed lungs obstructed lungs to purge m. mad people to purge , malignity to expel , , , , , ▪ , , , melancholly hypochondriack , , , ▪ , , , melancholly to purge , , , milk to drive away miscarriage , , mother fits , , , , , ●nflamation of the mouth n. nerve diseases , , , , nerves to purge nerves to strengthen , , , , , , nipples chap'd o. obstructions to open , , , , , , , , , , , , oyntment for childrens breast p. pains cold , , , pains to ease , , , , , , , , pains of the joints , , pain of the limbs palsy , , , , , , , , piles pimples , plague , , , , , , , , , pleurisy , , , , , poison to resist small pox , pulse to heighten putrefaction to resist q. quinsy r. reins ulcerated rest to procure rheums , , rheumatism , rickets , , , , , ringworms , , rottenness of the bones running of the reins , , , , , , ruptures , , , ▪ s. scabs , scabs pocky scaby heads of children sciatica , schirrous scurvy , , , , , ● shortness of breath side pains skin diseases , , , , , , ▪ skin rough sleep to promote , , sores to skin sores old p. , , spleen hard spleen swelled , spleen obstructed , spirits to refresh , , , spots in the face strains stomach , , , , , , , , , , , , , , stone , , , , swellings cold , swelling to ripen , swellings , , , , swellings hard , , , , t. teeth to cleanse tettars , , thirst to quench , throat ulcered tooth-ach u. vapours venery to provoke ulcers sinnuous ulcers old ulcers to heal , , , , , , ulcers of the lungs , , , , , , ● u. ulcers of the mouth ulcers of the yard ulcers of the guts ulcers in the bladder , , ulcers to dry , ulcers to cleanse ulcers to ease , ulcers of the head ulcers to digest ulcers pocky vomiting to provoke , , , , , vomiting to stop , , , , , , , , w. a wash for the face water to purge , , , whites to stop , , wind to expel , , , , , , , , , , , , womb to cleanse womb diseases , womens delivery womens obstructions worms , , wounds of the head wounds to heal , , roots . angelica asarabacca asparagus avens birthwort long , round . bistort briony white , black. bugloss burdock butterbur greater celandine china comfrey contrayerva sweet costus wild cucumber long cyperus dandelyon white dittany sharp pointed dock ground elder elecampane eringo fennel hogs fennel figwort . filipendula galingal garlick gentian ginger grass five leav'd grass restharrow hellebore white , black. hounds-tongue jalap kneeholm white lilly water lilly liquorice madder marsh-mallows masterwort mechoacan onions orris florentine orris parsly pellitory of spain periwinkle garden radish horse radish rubarb monks-rubarb rue sarsaparilla scabious scorzonera smallage virginian snakeweed solo●ons seal sorrel wood sorrel succory sow bread swallow-wort turbith turmerick valerian zedoary barks . ash barberry bullace tree roots of capers cinnamon citron elder ground elder elm fistichnuts frankincence guajacum lemon mace oake oranges peruvian pine pomegranate sassafras tamarisk winteran woods . aloes box guajacum lentiscinum nephritic rhodium sanders white , red , yellow . tamarisk flowers . white arch-angel balaustians betony borrage broom lesser centaury cammomile coltsfoo● cowslips elder st. john's-wort july-flowers lavender water lillies marigolds melilote mullein oranges peach male-peony red poppies primrose rosmary red roses saffron sage ●techas ●ans●e violets herbs , leaves ▪ and buds ▪ adders-tongue agrimony arsmart asarabacca avens balm basil bears breech be et betony borrage bramble broom brooklime bugules bugloss burdock burnet cabbage calamint cammomile camels hay carduus benedictus greater celandine centory ceterach chervil cleavers colts-foot costmary water cresses columbine cypress dandelion daisies dill dittany of creet dwarf elder feverfew fumatory germander goats-rue golden rod ground pine groundsei harts-tongue hedge hyssop hedge mustard hemlock hemp-agrimony henbane herb robert white horehound horse-tail hounds-tongue houseleek hypoglossum hyssop st. john's-wort ground ivy knotgrass ladies mantle ladies smock lavender lillie of the vallies lovage liverwort lung wort maidenhair mallows marjoram wild marjoram marshmallows meadowsweet mercury millefoil misleto monywort mouse eat mugwort mullein navelwort nep nepethe nettle oak of jerusalem parsly pellitory penny royal pepperwort periwinkle pimpernel primrose rosemary rue sage wild sage sanicle savine savory saxifrage scabious self-heal scordium scurvygrass senna shepherbs-purse sopewort southern-wood speedwel spikenard indian , celtic . strawberries succory tamarisk tansie tea thorowwax tobacco tormentil thyme wild thyme valerian vervein violets wormwood roman wormwood wood sorrel frvits . almonds bitter , sweet . anacardiums apples barberries cardamoms cassia winter cherries black cherries citrons citruls cloves coco nut coffee cubebs cup of acorns currants cypress-nuts dates elder berries figs fistich nuts galls hips jujubes juniper berries ivy berries kermes berries lawrel berries lemons myrtle berries myrobolans nutmegs oranges grains of paradise pepper white , long , pine nuts pomgranats white poppy heads prunes quinces raisins of the sun sebestens tamarinds red vetches wall-nuts seeds . anise angelica ash barly basil bishops weed burdock cardamoms carraways carduus chastree citrons columbine coriander water cresses cummin dill dwarf elder endive fennel sweet fennel fenugreek flax goards gromwel hemp henbane st john's-wort lettice lovage mallows marsmallows melons mustard nettles nigella parsnip male peony plantain white poppies psyllium purslain quince rice rocket red roses rue bastard saffron scurvygrass secely smallage gums . ammoniacum arabic asa faetida dragons blood galbanum ivy lac opopanax sagapenum sarcocolla tragacanth native resines . caranna colophony frankincense laricea tacamahacca turpentine cyprian , chios , venice . factitious resines . aloes guajacum got jalap pitch burgundy , ship , liquid . scammony gummy resines . bdellium camphir mastich myrrh storax calamit balsams giliad copaiha peruvian tolu concreted juices . acacia elaterium euphorbium liquorice hypocistis opium sugars . white red crystalline candied liquid juices kermes lemmons oranges oyl woodsorrel verjuice vinegar wine those things that grow on plants . agaric the cups of acorns dodder galls the spunge of the dog rose misleto animals . cantharides cochinel bees earthworms grashoppers pidgeons leches snails swallows toads vipers woodlice parts of animals their excrements , and things taken from them . the grease of ducks , geese , hens , mans ▪ album graecum . bezoar oriental , occidental the bone of a stags heart . butter cats blood . castor caul of a sheep civet crabs eyes cuttlebone dung of pidgeons , stone horse , goose , dogs , peacocks , cows . eggs of hens white , yelk , shells . ants . kites gaul elks hoof hartshorn honey common , virgins . hare down isinglass ivory liver of a wolf , of a frog . lungs of a fox , of a hare . milk of asses , cows , goats , womans . mummy musk swallows neast pikes jaw pearls man's skull fasting spittle suet beef , sheeps . spermaceti spiders web vipers flesh urine wax yellow , soft . whey sea simples . ambar greese ambar coralline coral white , red. spunge phisical earths bole armoniac chalk lime lemnian earth salts . roch alum sal armoniac common salt gemminae nitre tartar vitriol white , roman . phisical stones . calamaris hematitis judaic osteocolla metals . gold silver lead iron minerals cinnabar of antimony , factitious . quicksilver antimony native metallic recrements . misy sory factitious recrement of gold litharge . of silver factitious recrement of lead minium . factitious recrement of brass , pompholix . the five opening roots . smallage asparagus fennel parsly kneeholm the five emollient herbs . marsh-mallows mallows beet mercury violets the five capillary herbs . black maiden hair white maiden hair ceterach hartstongue black english maiden hair the four cordial flowers borrage bugloss roses violets the four greater hot carminative seeds . anise carraways cummin fennel the four lesser cold seeds . amomum bishops weed smallage daucus the four greater cold seeds . citruls cucumber cucurbites melons the four lesser cold seeds . endive lettice purslain succory common simple destilled waters . of the leaves of agrimony angelica balm bettony brooklime carduus benedictus the lesser centory celandine dragons endive fennel feverfew figwort fumatory goats rue grass hyssop ground ivy. lettice maries thistle meadow sweet mint mugwort night ▪ shade oak buds parsly pellitory penny-royal plantain purslain rosemary rue saxifrage scabious sorrel wood sorrel succory tormentil wormwood of the flowers of broom cammomile cowslips elder flowers water lillies lilly of the valleys lime flowers peony red poppies red roses damask roses of fruits . fragrant apples citrons elder berries black cherries oranges rasberries strawberries of parts of animals , and their excrements . cows dung spawn of frogs simple waters that are to be drawn after digestion . agrimony bettony celandine cowslips elderflowers fumatory ground ivy meadow sweet peony flowers rue saxifrage the london dispensatory . compound waters . magisterial water of alom , in latin aqua aluminosa magistralis . take of the waters of plantain and red roses , each one pound , of roch alum , and sublimat , ●ch two drams beat the alum and sublimat , and oil them together in a glass that has a narrow neck , ●ll half is consumed ; after it is clear by standing ve days , strain it , and keep it in a glass for use virtues . it cleanses old sores , eats down proud esh , it dries , and is astringent ; the part affected ●ing washed with it . note . when it is used to ulcers in the throat , it ●ust be mixed with water , and the patient must ●resently after gargle his mouth and throat with ●me cooling gargarism ; this water cures chancres ● admiration . compound spirit and water of angelica , in atin , spiritus & aqua angelicae magis comosita . take of the roots of angelica , of the leaves carduus benedictus , each six ounces , of balm ●d sage , each four ounces , of the seeds of ange●a , six ounces , of sweet fennel seeds , nine ounces , the dryed herbs and seeds gros●y poudred ; add of the species called aromatick rosat , and sweet diamosch , each an ounce and one half ; infuse them two days in sixteen quarts of spanish wine , and then distill them with a gentle fire ; add to every pint two ounces of sugar , dissolved in rose-water ▪ the first three pints are called spirits , the rest is the compound water . virtues . it is cordial and alexipharmick , and good in the plague ; it provokes sweat , and is good in malignant diseases . dose . one ounce or two ounces may be taken at a time . note . once for all , that compound waters ar● generally taken , mixed with simple waters , and syrups proper for the disease . bezoartick water , in latin aqua bezoartica take of the leaves of celendine the greater with the roots , three handfuls , of rue one handful , of scordium two handfuls of dittany of cree● , and of carduus benedictus , each one handful and an half ; of the roots of zedoary and angelica , each three drams , of the outward peel of citro● and lemon , each five drams , of july flowers , on● ounce and an half , of red roses and of the flowers of the lesser centaury , each two drams ; c● those things that are to be cut , and infuse them thre● days in spirit of wine and malago sack , each thre● pints and an half , of vinegar , of july flowers , and th● juice of lemons , each one pint , distil them in a bath , i● a glass vess●l , to the distilled liquor add cinamon thre drams , cloves two drams and an half , mithridate a● ounce and an half , venice treacle three ounces , camphor two scruples , troches of vipers half an ounce , mao two drams , wood of aloes one dram ▪ yellow sande● one dram and an half , of the seeds of carduus benedictus one ounce , of the seeds of citron three drams , infnse them two days , and distil them with a gentle fire twice or thrice , and draw half . virtues . this water isused to the same purposes as the former ; but is undoubtedly more effectual , it also clears the heart , and is good in melancholly . dose . an ounce of it may be taken at a time . compound briony water , in latin , aqua brioniae composita . take of the juice of the r●ot of briony , two quarts , of the leaves of rue and mugwort , each two pound , of savin three handfuls , of fever-few , catmint , and penny royal , each two handfuls , of garden basil , and dittany of creet , each an handful and an half , of the yellow peel of fresh oranges four ounces , of myrth two ounces , of castor an ounce , good canary six quarts , digest them four days , and then distil them in hot water , when you have drawn off half , strain what remains and evaporate it , to the consistence of an extract . virtues . it is frequently used for mother fits , and diseases of the womb , the extract is much better than the water , and doctor gideon harvey 's tincture of the ingredients is much more powerful then either , it is made in the following manner , take of dryed briony roots , beaten to a gross powder , two ounces of the leaves of rue , and dryed mugwort , each half a pound , of savin dryed , three quarters of an handful , of f●verfew , catmint , and penny royal dryed , each half an ●andful ; of the fresh yellow pee● of an orange , of myrrh , each half an ounce , of castor two drams , of the ●est nants brandy one quart ; put th●m into a glass , and let them infuse six days in warm ashes , then strain ●he liquor off , and keep it in a glass bottle well stopped . dose . an ounce or two of the water may be taken at a time , the extract is best taken in pills , or made up in a bolus , with some proper conserve that will make it more palatable , ten grains of the extract may be taken at a time ; a quarter of a spoonf●l of the tincture may be taken morning and evening , in penny royal water sweetned with sugar ▪ when it is used for womens obstructions , bleeding and purging must go before . the heavenly water , in latin , aqua caelestis . take of the best cinnamon one ounce , of ginge● half an ounce , of all the sanders each six drams , of cloves , galingal and nutmegs , each three drams , and an half , of mace and cubebs one dram , of both the cardamoms , each three drams , zedoary half an ounce , of the seeds of pepperwort , three drams , of anise , sweet fennel , and wild carrot and of garden basil , each one dram and an half , of the roots of angelica , avens , liquorice , lesser valerian , sweet smelling flag of the leaves of cla●y , thyme , calamint , penny royal , mint , wild thyme , marjoram , each two drams , of the flowers of red roses , sage , rosmary , betony , stechas , bugloss , and borrage , each one dram and an half ▪ of citron peel three drams ; beat those things that are to be beaten , and infuse them fifteen days in six quarts of spirit of wine , in a glass well stopt , the● distill them in hot water , then to the distilled wate● add of the species diambra , aromatick , rosat sweet diamosch , diamargarit frigid , diarrhodon a● batis of the electuary of gems , each three dram● of yellow sanders bruised two drams , of mosc● and ambergrease tyed up in a fine rag , eac● one scruple , of the clear julep of roses one pint , shake them well together , that the julep may be well mixed with the water , then put them up into a vessel close stopped with wax and parchment untill the water be clear . virtues . it is a good water for the head and stomach . dose . half an ounce may be taken at a time . cinnamon water , in latin , aqua cinnamomi . take of cinnamon bruised two ounces , of rectified spirit of wine a quart , infuse them four days in a large vessel stopped with a cork and bladder , shake it twice or thrice a day and dissolve a part , half a pound of sugar candy in a quart of rose water ; mingle both the liquors , and put to them half a scruple of ambergrease , and four grains of musk. virtues . it is an excellent s●omach water ; it is ●cordial , and is very proper to stop vomiting , and is good for the colick , gripes , and loosness . dose . a spoonful of it may be taken at a time . cinnamon water hordeated , in latin , aqua cinnamomi hordeata . take of pure barly water eight pints , of the best cinnamon twelve ounces , infuse and distil them in hot water . virtues . this water is used for the same intentions with the former , and is more proper than that , when the patient is weak , or an infant , or hath a fever . dose . three or four ounces of it may be taken at a time . epidemick water , in latin , aqua epidemica . take of the roots of angelica , masterwort , butterbur , peony , each a pound and an half , athamantick spignel , scorzonera ▪ each four ounces , of virginian snakeweed two ounces , of the leaves of rue , rosmary , balme , carduus benedictus , scordium , marygolds with the flowers , dragons , goats rue , mint , each four handfuls , pour upon all duly prepared ; four gallons of fountain water , and two gallons of brandy , and after having infused them three days in a gentle heat , distill off four gallons , wherein hang half an ounce of saffron tyed up in a rag , to each pint of this water add an ounce and an half of white sugar and strain it . virtues . this is peculiarly good for the plague , and other malignant distempers . dose . one ounce . gentian water , in latin , aqua gentianae composita . take of the roots of gentian sliced a pound and an half , of the leaves and flowers of the lesser centaury four ounces , infuse them in six quarts of good white wine for eight days , and then distill them in hot water . virtues . this is a good stomach water , and purifies the blood , it is proper in the dropsie and the jaundice , and other diseases which proceed from an ill habit of body . dose . two spoonfuls of it may be taken at a time . aqua lactis alexiteria . take of the leaves of meadow sweet , carduus benedictus , goats rue , each six handfuls , of mint and common wormwood , each five handfuls , of rue three handfuls , angelica two handfuls , bruise them and add three gallons of new milk , and distill them in a cold still . virtues . this water is commonly used as a simple water , for the making of cordials and juleps ; it is a gentle alexipharmick , and may be conveniently used with other proper things , to expell malignity and to prevent infection . dose . four or five ounces may be used of it a time . aqua mirabilis . take of cloves , galingal , cubebs , mace , cardamoms , nutmegs ▪ ginger , each one dram , of the juice of celendine half a pint , spirit of wine one pint , white wine three pints ; infuse them twenty four hours , and draw off a quart . virtues . it 's excellent for the stomach and expels wind ; but the apothecaries use it more for entertainment of their friends then for the sick , therefore they ought to be careful not to take too great a dose of it . peony water , in latin , aqua paeoniae composita . take of the fresh flowers of lilly of the vallies one pound ▪ infuse them in four gallons of spanish wine ; take of lime how●●● half a pound , peony flowers four ounces , infuse them two days , and then distill them in hot water until the ingredients are dry , in the distilled liquor infuse two ounces and an half of male peony root , gathered in due season , of white dittany root , and of the root of longbirthwort , each half an ounce , of the misteto of the oak , of rue , each two handfuls of castor two scruples , of cubebs and mace , each two drams ▪ of cinamon an ounce and an half , squills prepared three drams , of the flowers of rosemary six pugils , of arabian stechas , of lavender flowers , each four pugils , of the flowers of bettony , july flowers , and couslips , each eight pugils , then adding two quarts of the juice of ●back cherries distil all in a glass vessel as above . virtues . this is a head water , and is used for a● the diseases of it , as apoplexies , lethargies , head-aches ▪ giddiness and the like , it is also good for con●ulsions ▪ and the palsy . dose . an ounce of it may be taken at a time . queen of hungarys water , in latin , aqua reginae hungariae . fill a glass or earthen cucurbit half full of rosmary flowers , gathered when they are at best , pour upon them a sufficient quantity of spirit of wine , so infuse them , set the cucurbit in a bath , and joyning its head and receiver , lute close the junctures and give it a digesting fire for three days ; after which unlute them , and pour into the cucurbit that which may have been distilled , refit your limbeck and increase the fire , so as to make the liquor distil drop by drop ; when you have drawn about two thirds of it , put out the fire , and unlute them , and put the water so distilled into a viol well stopped . virtues . it is good in ●●a●●●e , lethargie , apoplexy , and for h●●●●●ick diseases ; it is likewise used outwards for burns , tumors , cold , pains , contusions , palsie , and in all other cases , wherein it is requisite to revive the spirits , ladies use to mix half an ounce of it with six ounces of lilly water , or bean-flower-water , and wash their faces with it . dose . a dram or two drams may be taken of it , in some convenient liquor . horse radish water , in latin , aqua raphani composita . take of the leaves of both the scurvy-grasses gathered in the spring and cleansed , each six pound , bruise them and press out the juice , whereunto add of the juice of watercresses , and brook lime , each a pint and an half , of white wine four quarts , welve lemons sliced , of fresh briony roots four ●ound , of horse radish roots two pound , of wakobin root half an ounce , of winteran ba●k , and ●utmegs each four ounces , infuse them three days , nd then distill them in hot water . vertues . this water is proper for the scurvy , and force vrine . dose . two ounces of it may be taken at a time . saxony water , in latin , aqua saxoniae cordialis . take of the juice of borrage , bugloss , bistort , ●aulm , tormentile , scordium , vervain , sharp pointd dock , sorrel , goats rue , chervil the greater ●d lesser , blew-bottle , roses , marygolds , lemons , ●itrons , each six ounces , burnet , cinquefoyl , each ●ree onnces , white wine vinegar a pint , of the seeds ● purslain , of the flowersof water lilly , each two ●nces , of the flowers of borrage , bugloss , violets , ●d july-flowers , each one ounce , of the species of ●e three sanders six drams , infuse them all rightly ●epared three days ; then distill them in glass ves●s in hot water , add to the distilled liquor three ●ams of pearls finely powdered , mix them well ●d keep them for use . virtues . this is a good coolng water , fit to be used feavers . dose . you may take two or three ounces at a ●e . scordium water , in latin , aqua scordii composita . take of the clarified juice of g●ats rue , sorrel , ordium , and citron , each a pint , of london trea● two ounces ▪ infuse them three days , and distil them in a glass limbeck in hot water . virtues . this is chiefly designed to expel malignity , and may be well mixed upon such occasions with the bezoartick water or epidemick water or th● like . dose . is two ounces . snail water , in latin , aqua limacum magistralis . take of the juice of ground-ivy , colts-foot ▪ scabious , and spotted lungwort , each a pint and a● half , of the juice of plantain , purslain , capadocian oak , speedwell , each a pint , of fresh hogs bloo● and of white wine each two quarts , of garden snails cut two pints , of roots of liquorice poudered two ounces , of the roots of elecampane ha● an ounce , of florentine orris one ounce , of coton seed● an ounce and an half , of the greater cold seeds , and of anise-seeds , each six drams , of saffron one dram , of the flowers of red roses six pugils , of violets , ando● borrage flowers , each four pugils ; infuse them warm three days , and then distil them in a glass limbec● in hot water . virtues . it is used for consumptions and othe diseases of the lungs , and to help expectoration . dose . two ounces may be taken at a time . doctor stephan's water , in latin , aqu● doctoris stephani . take of cinnamon , ginger , galingal , clove● nutmegs , grain of paradice , seeds of anise , fennel , caraways , each three drams , leaves of thyme and wild thyme , mint , sage , pennyroyal , pellitory , rosmary , flowers of red roses , camomil , wil marjoram , lavender , each one handful , steep the● in six quarts of gascoign wine for the space of a day , then distill them in hot water . virtues . it is very good for the stomach , and expels wind . dose . an ounce or two may be taken at a time treacle water , in latin , aqua theriacalis . take of the juice of the green shells of walnuts two quarts , juice of rue three pints , of carduus benedictus , marygolds , and baulm , each two pints , of the fresh roots of butterbur a pound and an half , of burdok one pound , of angelica and masterwort , each half a pound , of the leaves of scordium four handfuls , of old venice treacle and mithridate , each eight ounces , of good canary wine six quarts , of the sharpest vinegar six pints , of the clarified juice of lemons a quart ; digest them two days in warm water , the vessel being well stopt , then distill it , of what remains may be prepared the extract of treacle . virtues . this water is much used to provoke sweat , and to expel malignity . dose . an ounce or two ounces may be taken at a time . compound water of walnuts , in latin , aqua juglandium composita . take of the green shells of walnuts one pound and an half , of the roots of garden radishes one pound , of the green leaves of asarabacca six ounces , of the seeds of radishes four ounces , bruise them and pour upon them three pints of white-wine vinegar , digest them three days , and distill them in glass vessels in hot water . virtues . two spoonfuls of this water will vomit . water of worms , in latin , aqua & spiritus lumbricorum magistralis . take of worms well cleansed three pints , of snails with the shells well cleansed two gallons , bruise them in a morter , and put them into a convenient vessel , and add to them of the leaves of stinking nettles with the roots six handfuls , of wild angelica four handfuls , of bears breech seven handfuls , of agrimony and betony three handfuls , of rue one handful , of common wormwood two handfuls , of the flowers of rosmary six ounces , of the roots of sharp pointed dock ten ounces , of wood-sorrel five ounces , of turmerick , and the inward bark of the barberry tree , each four ounces , of the seeds of fenugreek two ounces , of cloves poudered three ounces , of harts-horn and ivory , each four ounces , of saffron three drams , of small spirit of wine four gallons and an half , infuse them twenty four hours and distil them in glass vessels in hot water , the first four pints are called spirit , the rest magisterial water of worms . virtues . it is good for consumptions , good for the jaundice and scurvy . dose . half an ounce of the spirit may be taken at a time , or one ounce of the water . spirit and water of wormwood compound , in latin , spiritus & aqua absynthii composita . take of the leaves of dry wormwood two pound , of anise-seeds half a pound , infuse them in six gallons of small spirit of wine twenty four hours ; then distill them in hot water , and draw four gallons ; add to each pint of the liquor distilled two ounces of fine sugar ; the first quart is spirits , the rest compound water of wormwood ; by the same way without anise-seeds may be drawn the spirit and water of angelica , baulm , mint , sage , of the flowers of rosemary , july-flowers , of the seed of carraways , of juniper-berries , of the barks of oranges , citrons and lemons . virtues . this is a good stomach water , expels wind , and helps concoction , and is good in the dropsie . dose . a spoonful of the spirit may be taken at a time , and two spoonfuls of the water . tinctures . tincture of ambar . reduce into animpalpable powder five or six ounces of yellow ambar , put it into a bolt head , pour upon it spirit of wine , the height of four fingers , stop this bolt head with another , to make a double vessel , and having exactly luted the junctures with a wet bladder , place it in digestion in hot sand , and leave it there five or six days , or until the spirit of wine is sufficiently tinged with the ambar colour ; decant this tincture , and put more spirit of wine to the matter , you must digest it as before , then having separated the impregnation , mix it with the other , filtrate them , and distil from them in an alembick with a very little fire , about half the spirit of wine , which may serve you as before , keep the tincture that you will find at the bottom of the alembick , in a viol well stopt . virtues . it is good for the apoplexy , palsy , epilepsy , and for histerical women . dose . you may take from ten drops to a dram in some proper liquor . tincture of antimony , in latin , tincture antimonii . take of the best antimony , of salt of tartar , each what quantity you please , melt them in a crucible red hot for the space of half an hour , then the matter being taken out , and freed from its feces whilst it is hot , reduce it into a powder , whereupon pour the best spirit of wine , so much as may cover it the breadth of three or four fingers ; digest them together some time till the tincture is extracted , then evapourate the superfluous part of the spirit of wine . virtue . it opens obstructions of the liver and spleen , it forces the courses , cures the green sickness , the jaundice and dropsy . dose . eight or ten drops of it may be taken at a time in sack. tincture of castor , in latin , tinctura castorei . take of castor powdered half an ounce , of spirit of castor half a pint , digest them together in the cold for ten days , strain it and keep it for use . virtues . it is good for mother fits , and diseases of the head and nerves , it provokes the courses , and is good for deafness . dose . ten drops of it may be taken inwardly at a time in some proper liquor . tincture of roses , in latin , tinctura rosarum . take of red roses dryed one ounce , of warm water three pints , of spirit of sulphur or vitriol one dram and an half , infuse them six hours ; to the strained liquor add half a pound of white sugar . virtues . it is good for a rheumatism and the like . dose . a draught of it may be taken twice or thrice a day . tinctura sacra . take of the species of hiera picra one ounce , of canary sack one pint ; infuse them in the cold for the space of a week , shaking the glass twice or thrice a day , then let it stand until it is clear . virtues . it cleanses and strengthens the stomach , opens obstructions of the liver and spleen , it is good for the jaundice , dropsy an ill habit of body , and for obstructions of the courses , and an asthma . dose . three or four spoonfuls , more or less according to the age and constitution of the patient , may be taken at a time in a morning fasting . tincture of saffron , in latin , tinctura croci . take of saffron two drams , of treacle water eight ounces , digest them six days , and strain out the tincture , and keep it close stopped for use . virtues . it chears the heart , concocts crude humours of the breast , it is good for the jaundice , for the plague , and other malignant diseases , it is much used to drive out the small pox ; but undoubtedly it does many times much hurt , by inflaming the blood and occasioning frensies , and making them flux . dose . half an ounce of this tincture may be taken at a time in any proper liquor . tincture of sulphur , in latin , tinctura sulphuris . take four ounces of flowers of sulphur , put them into an earthen pan , melt them gently , when they are melted , add four ounces of salt of tartar , stir it about till it is very red , then let it cool , powder it , and put upon it a quart of water , let it stand over a very gentle heat , to extract the salt of tartar from the sulphur , then decant the water , and put the sulphur into a bolt head , pour upon it a pint of canary sack ; place it upon a gentle heat for the space of twenty four hours ; this is doctor willis's tincture of sulphur , whereof his syrup is made in the following manner ; pour the tincture above-mentioned into an earthen pan , and with a pound of white sugar boil it to the consistence of a syrup . virtues . this is an excellent medicine for coughs that forerun a consumption , and for consumptions too , if no feaver accompanies them . dose . a spoonful of this syrup may be taken twice or thrice a day , either by it self or mixed with any proper liquor . tincture of salt of tartar , in latin , tinctura salis tartari . take of fine salt of tartar twenty ounces , melt it in a crucible in a great fire , and when it is in fusion cover it with a tyle and put coals round it ; blow about it so as to raise a greater heat than if you were melting gold ; continue this degree ▪ of fire about six hours , or until the salt of tartar is of a red marble colour , which you may know by thrusting the end of a spatula into the crucible , for when it is drawn out you may look upon a little matter that is stuck to it , then take out the crucible with a pair of tongs , and turn it upside-down into a warm morter , the matter will coagulate in a little time , powder it presently , and put it into a matrass warmed before hand , pour upon it spirit of wine tartarized , ●til it swims four fingers above the matter , stop ●e matrass with another to make a double vessel , ●te the junctures close with wet blader , set your ●atrass in sand , and heat it with a gradual fire , to ●ake the spirit of wine boyl seven or eight hours , ●uring which time it will assume a red colour , af●r that let the vessels cool and unlute them ; sepa●te by inclination this most fragrant tincture , and ●eep it in a viol well stopped ; you may pour more ●irit of wine on the remaining salt of tartar , and ●roceed as before , as long as it will draw out any ●incture . virtues . it opens obstructions , purifies the blood , ●nd resists malignity , and is used in the scurvy . dose . it may be taken from ten to thirty drops , ● some convenient liquor . medicated wines . blessed wine , in latin , vinum benedictum . take of crocus metallorum powdered one ounce , ●f mace one dram , of spanish wine a pint and an half , ●fuse them . virtues . this is an excellent vomit , and more ●requently used then any other : this and some other ●omits are used with great success , in curing the drop●e , the jaundice , the pthisick , and diseases of the head : ●hey are often used at the beginning of feavers , and ●efore the small pox come out , and certainly do a great ●eal of good by evacuating part of the peccant humour . dose . half an ounce , an ounce , an ounce and an ●alf may be given at a time , according to the age and rength of the patient . note . vomits are not to be given to those that ●ave a weakness or defluctions on the eyes , to such ●s are long necked , to ancient people , or such as have ruptures , or to women that are subject to v●pours : they are best taken in an afternoon abo● four hours after a light dinner , the patient must dri● large draughts of posset drink every time they wor● if bleeding be thought necessary , or if blood aboun● it will be convenient to bleed before giving a vom● if it works beyond measure , the patient must b● put to bed , and two scruples of venice treac● must be given him , or the following mixture ; tak● of mint water one ounce , of strong cinnamon w●ter two drams , of liquid laudanum sixteen drop● syrup of quinces half an ounce , mingle them but when there is an inclination to vomiting , whe● no vomit hath been used , the following mixtu● generally takes it off : take salt of wormwoo● one scr●ple , in a spoonful of fresh juice of lemo● add to it twenty drops of t●●cture of cinn●mo● this must be taken every third hour till the vomi●ing ceases . wine of squils , in latin , vinum scilliticum take of the roots of white mountain squills , gathered about the rising of the dog star , slice them and lay them a drying for a month . put a pound o● them into a glass , and pour on them four quarts o● old french white-wine , infuse them forty days , an● then take out the squills . virtues . it is a gentle vomit , but is rarely used b● it self , but most commonly with the above mentione● blessed wine . dose . an ounce of it may be taken with half a● ounce of the wine above . steel wine , in latin , vinum chalybeatum . take of prepared steel one ounce , of saffro● powdered and tyed up in a rag eight grains , of white ●ne a quart , infuse them in the cold three or four ●ys , shake the vessel often , strain it and keep it for ●e . virtues . this steel wine and steel medicines in ●neral , are used in cachexies or ill habits of body , ● dropsies , obstructions , scurvy , hypochondraick me●cholly , and all histerick diseases , and in many other ●ses . dose . two or three ounces of this wine may be ●ken morning and evening . note . steel medicines must be taken constantly ●r a long while , and in most cases the patient must ●ercise himself often . the learned doctor lower ●equently prescribed steel courses for six or nine ●onths ; but there are some sort of constitutions at can by no means bear steel medicines , there●re they must not be obstinately insisted upon , where ere is such a reluctancy in nature , though most at take them find at first some disorder in their boes . before any one enters upon a steel course ●ey must be well purged , but whilst he is in the ●urse , purging is not allowed , only care must be ken , that the body be not too much bound up . wormwood wine , in latin , vinum absynthites . take of dryed wormwood one handful , to each ●llon of wine , stop it well up in a vessel , and let remain in infusion ; the same way rosmary flow● wine , and eyebright wine may be made . virtues . wormwood wine is used to strengthen the ●mach , to procure an appetite , and for a dropsy . note . this wine and wormwood beer , are better the cases above mentioned , then any other prepara●on of wormwood . medicated vinegars , in latin , aceta m●dicata . distilled vinegar , in latin , acetum dist●latum . put six quarts of strong vinegar into an earth● pan , evaporate about a quart in a bath , which is th phlegmatick part , and pour that which remains i● to a glass or earthen cucurbit , and distil it in a stron sand heat , until there remains nothing at botto● but a substance like honey , keep this vinegar w● stopt , some call it spirit of vinegar . virtues its principal use is to dissolve or precipitate bodies , it is sometimes mixed in cordial potion to resist putrefaction , it is mixed with water , this ● called oxycrate , which is used to stop hemorrhagies , a● being outwardly applyed it asswages inflamations . dose . half a spoonful of it may be taken at ● time in some proper liquor . rose vinegar , in latin , acetum rosaceum take of red roses before they are full blow● the white being cut off , one pound , they must b● dryed in the sun , add to them six quarts of vinegar ▪ set them in the sun for the space of forty days , the● strain the vinegar , repeat the infusion with fresh roses ; after the same manner is made vinegar of e●derflowers , rosmary flowers , and clove gilly flowers note . that these vinegars are prescribed fo● sauces , according to the various diseases of the sick as vinegar of rosmary flowers , for instance in diseases of the head and the like . treacle vinegar , in latin , acetum theriacale norimberg . take of the roots of the greater celandine one nce and an half , of the roots of angelica , masterort , gentian , bistort , valerian , burnet , white dit●y , elecampane , zedoary , each one dram , of the ot of the greater plantain one dram and an half , the leaves of mousear , sage , scabious , scordium , ittany of creet , of blessed thistle , each half an ndful , of the bark and seeds of citron , each one am and an half , of bole armonick one dram , of ●ffron three drams , of hartshorn one dram and an ●if , of these let the saffron , hartshorn , dittany ●d bole be tyed up in a rag , and infused with the her ingredients for many days , in five pints of the arpest vinegar ; you must infuse them in a glass ell stopped in a moderate heat , strain out the viegar , and dissolve in it six drams of the best treae , shake it often and keep it for use . virtues . this is proper to be used in the plague me and against malignity , and to prevent infection . dose . half a spoonful of it may be taken at a ●ne , in some proper liquor . decoctions . common decoction for a glyster , in latin , decoctum commune pro clystere . take of the leaves of mallows , violets , pellito● , beet , mercury , each one handful , of the flow●s of camomel two pugils , of sweet fennel seeds alf an ounce , of linseed two drams , boil them in sufficient quantity of water to a pint . virtues . this is used in general to empty the bowels , but it will not work well , unless you add to it quarter of a pound of brown sugar . decoction of dodder , in latin , decoct● epithymi . take of myrobalans , called chebulae and in of each half an ounce , of arabian staechas , raisins of the sun stoned , of dodder , of thy● and senna , each an ounce , of fumitory half ounce , of hemp agrimony five drams , of the ro● of polypody of the oak six drams , of turbith h● an ounce , of whey made of goats or cows m● two quarts , boyl all but the dodder to a quart , the add the dodder , and make it just ready to bo● after , then take it from the fire , and add of the roo of black hellebore a dram and an half , of agari● half a dram , of sal gemma a dram and an half , i● fuse them ten hours and press it out strongly . virtues . this is a proper purge for mad or mela●cholly people . dose . four ounces of it may be taken at a tim bitter decoction , in latin , decoctum ● marum . take of the tops of the lesser centaury , of th flowers of camomel each one pugil , of the roo of gentian half a scruple , of the leaves of sen● cleansed , and of carduus benedictus seeds each o● dram , boyl them in a sufficient quantity of fountai water to four ounces . virtues . this is much used to strengthen the st●mach and to purifie the blood . dose . four ounces of it may be taken for sever mornings together . note . ten grains of salt of wormwood is comonly added to this decoction , and thereby it s made ear , and more agreeable to the stomach . decoctum sennae gereonis . take of the leaves of senna two ounces , of the oots of polypody of the oak half an ounce , of inger one dram , of raisins of the sun stoned two ●nces , of sebestens and damask pruns , each num●r twelve , of the flowers of borrage , violets , red oses , rosmary , each two drams , boil them in two ●arts of fountain water till half is consumed . virtues . this is used as a common decoction for ●rging potions . dose . four ounces of it may be taken at a time , ut to make it work well you must add some purg●g syrup , viz. an ounce of syrup of roses soluve , buckthorn or the like . the pectoral decoction , in latin , decoctum pectorale . take of raisins of the sun stoned one ounce , f sebestins and jujubes , each number fifteen , of ●ates number six , of fat figs number eight ; of barly ●eansed one ounce , of liquorice half an ounce , of ●e leaves of maidenhair , hysop , scabious , colts●ot , each one handful , boil them in three pints of ountain water to the consumption of a third part . virtues . this is good for diseases of the breast , and elps expectoration . dose . a quarter of a pint of it may be taken ●orning and evening . the wound decoction , in latin , decoctum traumaticum . take of white and pithy sarsaparilla an ounce and a half of the roots of china one ounce , of th● roots of fennel , of the tender roots of burdock ne● tles , rhapontick , comfry , liquorice , avens , ea● six drams , of long birthwort half an ounce , o● white dittany two drams , of the leaves of bettony , st. john's wort , agrimony , rib'd plantai● ground ivy , bugles , wintergreen , sanicle , each ha● a handful of raisins of the sun stoned one ounc● of the seeds of anise , coriander , and nettles , ea● two drams , of juniper berries one dram , of har● horn and ivory rasped five drams , boil them in sufficient quantity of water to a quart ; strain it a● add four ounces of good white-wine , of clarifie● hony and white sugar candy , each a pound . virtues . this is of excellent use for healing wound ulcers and fistulas , both inward and outward ; it also good to stop spitting of blood , a gonorrhea , and th● whites . dose . four ounces of it may be taken twice o● thrice a day . decoction of the woods , in latin , decoctu● ex lignis . take of the roots of sarsa-parrilla four ounce● of gujacum three ounces , of the bark of the sam● two ounces , of sassafras one ounce and an half , o● the roots of burdock , and butterbur , each two ou●ces and an half , of rhodium wood , and yello● sanders , each one ounce , of carduus seeds , an● fresh juniper berries , each six drams , of the ou●er bark of dryed citron two drams , infuse them ● who le night in six quarts of fountain water , the● boil half away . virtues . this diet drink is good for the frenc● pox , kings-evil , for rheums and coughs . d●se . half a pint of it may be taken four times ● day for the space of a month , but the sick must ●urge once a week . the white decoction , in latin , decoctum album . take of calcined hartshorn powdered two oun●es , of fountain water two quarts , boil it till half ●s consumed , strain it gently through a linnen rag , ●nd add to it three ounces of syrup of oranges . virtues . it 's an excellent drink against the worms ●n children , for a loosness and for feavers . syrups . syrup of rubarb , in latin , syrupus rhabarbaro . take of the best rhubarb , of the leaves of sen●a , each two ounces and an half , of the flowers of ●iolets one handful , of cinnamon a dram and an ●alf , of ginger half a dram , of the waters of bet●ny , succory , and bugloss , each a pint and an half , ●t them be mixed together warm all night , and in ●e morning strained and boyled to a syrup , with ●o pound of fine sugar ; add at last four ounces 〈◊〉 syrup of roses solutive . virtues . it is a very gentle purge , proper for chil●en , and weakly people . dose . one ounce , or an ounce and an half may ●e taken at a time . syrup of succory with rhubarb , in latin , syrupus e cichoreo cum rhabarbaro . take of whole barly , of the roots of smalage , ●nnel , and asparagus , each two ounces , of the herbs succory , dandelyon , endive , smooth sow thistles , each two handfuls , garden lettice , liverwort , fumitory , of the tops of hops , each one handful , of maidenhair , white and black ceterach liquorice , of the seeds of winter cherries , and dodder , each six drams , boyl them in six quarts of fountain water , till two quarts is consumed , in the strained liquor dilute and boyl six pound of white sugar , add towards the end six ounces of rhubarb and six drams of spicknard , tyed together in a rag which must be infused in hot liquor , and often pressed out , and so make a syrup . virtues . it is a good cooling gentle purge , a●● chiefly used for children . dose . dose an ounce , or an ounce and an hal● or two ounces may be given at a time . syrup of dodder , in latin syrupus de ep●thimo . take of dodder of thym twenty drams , of myrobalans , citron , and indian , each fifteen drams , embelick and bellerick mirobalans , of the roots polypody liquorish , agarick of the herbs thy● calamint , bugloss , stechas , each six drams , dodder , fumitory , each ten drams , of red ro● sweet ▪ fennel seeds ▪ and anise seeds , each two dra● and an half , of sweet pruns ten pair , raisins of 〈◊〉 sun stoned four ounces , of tamarinds two oun●● and an half , after having infused them twenty fo●● hours in ten pints of fountain water ; boyl to 〈◊〉 consumption of four pints ; then take it from 〈◊〉 fire , and strain it ; add to it five pound of fine sug● and make a syrup . vertues . it is a proper purge for melancholy 〈◊〉 ple. dose . an ounce and an half , or two ounces of it may be taken at a time . magisterial syrup of apples , in latin , syrupus de pomis magistralis . take of the juice and water of fragrant apples , each one pint and an half , of the juice and water of borrage and bugloss , each nine ounces , of the leaves of oriental senna cleansed , half a pound , of the ●eeds of anise and sweet fennel , each three drams , of dodder , of thym of creet , two ounces , of the whitest agarick , and of the best rhubarb , each half an ounce , of ginger and mace , each four scruples , of cinnamon two scruples , of saffron half a dram , infuse the rhubarb and cinnamon apart by themselves in white wine , and the juice of apples each two ounces , infuse the rest , except the saffron , in the waters above mentioned ; the day after pour on the juices , which being boyled , scummed , and strained , boyl it to a syrup , with four pound of white sugar , dipping now and then the saffron in it , being tyed up in a rag , and pressing it out again . lastly , add ●he iufusion of rhubarb , and let it boil gently again to make a syrup . virtues . it is a proper purging syrup for melancholly people . dose . an ounce or two of it may be taken at a ●ime , in some proper purging decoction . syrup of buckthorn , in latin , syrupus de rhamno cathartico . take of the juice of ripe and fresh buckthorn ●erries , gathered in september , a quart , let it be cla●ified by standing ; then add of cinnamon and nut●egs , each three drams ; infuse them in hot water for the space of a day ; then press out hard , and with a pound and an half of white sugar make a syrup . virtues . this syrup purges strongly watry humours , and therefore is good for dropsies and the like . dose . an ounce , an ounce and an half , or two ounces may be taken at a time , but it is most commonly mixed with some purging potion . and then it works most kindly . syrup of peach flowers , in latin , syrupus florum mali persici . take of fresh peach flowers one pound , infuse them a whole day in three pints of warm water ▪ then press them out , add fresh flowers to the same liquor and proceed as before five times ; then strain it , and add two pound and an half of the best sugar , and boyl it to a syrup in hot water . virtues . it is a gentle purge for children . dose . an ounce , or an ounce and an half may be taken at a time . syrup of roses solutive , in latin , syrupus rosarum solutivus . take of boyling fountain water , two quarts , pu● into it as many fresh damask roses , as it will contain , let them infuse twelve hours in a close vessel then press them out hard , and in the liquor heate● as before , infuse the same quantity of fresh flowers do so three or four times , increasing the quantity o● the fresh roses , according to the increase of the liquor , which is every time a third part more than ● was before ; then add four parts of white sugar ● six parts of this liquor , and make a syrup in h● water . virtues . it is a gentle , cooling , and purging syrup , and is commonly used with purging potions . dose . an ounce and an half or two ounces , may be taken at a time . altering syrups . syrup of ammoniacum . take of maudlin and ceterach , each four handfuls , of common wormwood one ounce , of the roots of succory and asparagus ▪ and of the bark of roots of cappers each two ounces , make an infusion of them for twenty four hours in three ounces of white wine , and of simple radish water , and fumitory water , each a quart ; boyl them to a pint and an half , let the strained liquor stand until it clears , dissolve a part in four ounces of the strained liquor warm , two ounces of gumm ammoniacum , dissolved first in the sharpest white wine vinegar ; boil the rest to a syrup , with a pound and an half of fine sugar , adding the dissolution of the gumm towards the end . virtues . this syrup opens obstructions , and is good for diseases of the skin . dose . an ounce of it , or somewhat more may be taken at a time . balsamick syrup , in latin , syrupus balsamicus . take of balsam of tolu two ounces , barly water a pint , boil them over a gentle fire till the barly water smells strong of the balsam , then add a pound of fine sugar and make a syrup . virtues . this is good for coughs , hectick feavers , and consumptions . dose . a spoonful or two may be taken of it morning and evening . simple byzantin syrup , in latin , syrupus byzantinus simplex . take of the juice of the leaves of endive and smallage , each a quart , of hops and bugloss , each one pint , let them boil together , take off the froth and clarifie them with the white of an egg ; add two pounds and an half of white sugar , to two quarts of the liquor , make a syrup by boiling i● gently . virtues . it opens obstructions , and is good for the dropsy , and green-sickness . dose . an ounce , or an ounce and an half may be taken at a time . syrup of the juice of citrons , in latin , syrupus e succo citri . take of the juice of citrons strained and clarified by standing , one pint , white sugar clarified and boiled to the consistence of tablets two pound make a syrup by boiling it up once or twice . thi● way are made other acid syrups , as of oranges barberies , quinces , lemons , and wood sorre● mulberries , and the like . virtues . it expels malignity , is good in feave●● and strengthens the stomach . dose . an ounce of it may be taken at a time . syrup of citron peel , in latin , syrupus co●ticum citriorum . take of yellow , ripe , and fresh citron pee● five ounces ▪ of chermes berries , or their juice brougt over to us , two drams , of fountain water thr● pints , infuse them a night in a bath , strain them and with two pound and an half of white suga● boil them to a syrup in a bath , keep the one half without musk , persume the other half with three grains of musk tied up in a rag . virtues . it resists poyson , is cordial and good for the head and stomach . dose . one ounce , or an ounce and an half may be taken at a time . simple syrup of coral , in latin , syrupus e coraliis simplex . take of the reddest coral finely powdred four ounces , dissolve it with the heat of a bath , in a pint of the juice of barberries clarified , it must be put into a matrass well stopped , and having digested it three or four days , pour off that which is dissolved , and pour on more juice as before , and so proceed till all the coral is dissolved , add a pound and an half of sugar to one pint of this juice , and boil it gently to a syrup . virtues . it cools and refreshes the spirits , and is good in hectick feavers , and for all sorts of fluxes . dose . half an ounce of it may be taken at a time . syrup of cup moss , in latin , syrupus musci pyxidati . take of cup moss one ounce , boil it in a quart of hysop water till half is consumed ; then strain it , and make a syrup with a pound of sugar candy . virtue . this is reckoned a specifick for the hooping or chincough . dose . a spoonful of it may be taken twice or thrice a day . diac●dium . take fourteen ounces of the heads of white poppeys well dryed , in●u●e them twenty four hours i● eight pin●s of fountain water , boil them well , th●● press them out , and put a pound and an half of sugar to the liquor , then boil it to a sy●up . virtues . this syrup eases pain , stops tickling cough● ▪ and is in general a good anodyn medicine , and much i● use . dose . half an ounce , an ounce , and an ounc● and an half may be given at a time in some prope● liquor . note . that such medicines as are of an opiat nature ought not to be given to such as are weak , o● whose lungs are much obstructed , or at the beginnin● of feavers , or plurisies , or the like ; they succeed bes● when evacuation by vomiting or purging hath wen● before . women that are subject to vapours , or me● that are hypcchondriack , must be sure to lye long i● bed the next day after taking an opiat , for otherwise their heads will be much disturbed when the● rise . compound syrup of elder berries , in latin , syrupus sambucinus compositus . take of ripe elder-berries freed from the stalk● two pound , of corinthian currants cleansed and cu● one pound , of the dryed flowers of borrage , bugloss , violets , and red roses , each half an ounce , red wine a quart , bake them in an oven , and to the clear liquor strained , add as much fine sugar as will equal it in weight and boil it to a syrup . virtues . this syrup is alexipharmick , and sudorifick , is good in dropsies , for the scurvy , and heat of vrine . dose . a spoonful of it may be taken in ale or beer ●r any other proper liquor , every morning for the ●pace of one month . syrup of groundpine , in latin , syrupus chamaepityos . take of the herbs , groundpine two handfuls , marjoram , sage , rosmary , poly-mountain , wild marjoram , calaminth , hors-mint , penny-royal , hysop , thym , of garden and wild rue , of bet●ony wild thym , each one handful , of the roots of ●weet smelling flag , birthwort , long and round bryony , white dittany , gentian , hogs-fennel , va●erian , each half an ounce , of smallage , asparagus , fennel , parsly , butchers broom , each one ounce , pellitory of spain , half an ounce , of ste●has , of the seeds of anise , bishops weed , carrawa●s , fennel , lovage , sesely , each three drams , of raisins of the sun stoned two ounces , after their ●eing digested twenty four hours in five quarts of ●ountain water warm , distil off five pints , then ●ressing out the feces hard , let a sufficient quantity of the clear liquor be boiled with two pound of the best honey , and two pound of fine sugar , to the consistence of tablets , then adding the distilled water make a syrup in a bath , and arromatize it with half a scruple of oyl of cinnamon , and of nu●megs . virtues . this syrup is used for the gout , and dis●ases of the nerves . dose . half an ounce or an ounce of it may be taken in some proper liquor . syrup of white horehound , in latin , syrupus de prasio . take of the fresh leaves of white horehound two ounces , of the roots of liquorice , polypod of the oak , smalage and fennel , each half an oun● of the leaves of white maidenhair , wild marjora● hyssop , calaminth , thyme , scabious , savory , colt● foot , each six drams , of anise-seeds and quint seeds t●ed up in a rag , each three drams , of raisins of the su● stoned two ounces , of fat figs number ten ; havin● digested them a whole day in four quarts of ho● small mead ; boil them in a bath , press them o●● hard , and to five pints of the clear liquor , add ● clarified honey , and white sugar clarified , each tw● pound , of the roots of florentin orris one ounc● boil it to a syrup in a bath . virtues . it is an excellent medicine for diseases ● the lungs , and helps expectoration . dose . a spoonful of it may be taken three o● four times a day . syrup of gillyflowers , in latin , syrupus florum tunices . take of fragrant gillyflowers , the white being cut off , one pound , pour on them a quart of spring water , and let them stand all night , then strain the liquor , and being gently warmed , dissolve therein four pounds of the whitest sugar , and make a syrup without boiling . virtues . it is cephalick and cordial . dose . half a spoonful of it may be taken at ● time in some proper liquor . syrup of liquorice , in latin , syrupus glycyrrhizae . take of green liquorice cleansed and bruised two ounces , of white maidenhair one ounce , of hyssop half an ounce , pour on them three pints of hot fountain water , let them stand in infusion twenty four hours , strain it and clarify it , and with the best honey and fine sugar each ten ounces , make a syrup . virtues . it is used for diseases of the lungs , and helps expectoration . dose . a spoonful of it may be taken twice or thrice a day . syrup of maidenhair , in latin , syrupus capillorum veneris . take of maidenhair five ounces , of liquorice two ounces , infuse them a natural day in three quarts of warm fountain water , then boil them gently in a bath , press them out , to two quarts of the strained liquor , add three pound of clarified sugar . virtues . it opens obstructions of the lungs , and is good for pains in the side , or in the kidneys or bladder , it gently provokes vrine , and expels stones and gravel . dose . an ounce of it may be taken at a time in some proper liquor . syrup of marsh-mallows , in latin , syrupus dialthaeae . take of the roots of marsh-mallows two ounces , of meadow grass , asparagus , liquorice , rasins of the sun , red chich pease , each half an ounce , tops of marsh-mallows , mallows , pellitory of the wall , burnet , saxifrage , plantain , white and black maiden hair , of each one handful , of the four lesser and greater cold seeds , each three drams ; wash and cleanse the roots from their dirt , pith , and string● and slice them , and having boiled the grass roots ● quarter of an hour , first in eight pints of fountai● water , put into the decoction the roots of marsh-mallows and asparagus , and let them boil well for half an hour , then add the rasins cut , and the chich pease whole ; when they have boiled a little while put in the tops of the mallows , and marsh-mallows , pellitory , and shred and boil them abou● a quarter of an hour among the rest ; after that add the liquorice sliced , and the maidenhair cut , and when they begin to boil , put in the cold seeds , thrust them down into the docoction , and take the whole off the fire , and strain them a quarter of an hour after , then clarifie the liquor with the white of an egg , add four pound of sugar , and boil it on a moderate fire to the consistence of a syrup . virtues . it eases pain , and corrects sharp humors , it is chiefly used for diseases of the blade● and stone in the kidneys . dose . an ounce of it may be taken at a time in some convenient liquor . syrup of mint , in latin , syrupus menthae . take of the juice of sweet quinces , and o● those that are sowrith , of the juice of sweet pomgranats , and of those that are sowrish , each a pint and an half , of dried mint half a pound , of red roses two ounces , let them infuse a day , then boil them half away in a bath , strain it and with four pound of sugar make a syrup . virtues . it strengthens the stomach , helps concoction , and stops vomiting . dose . a spoonful of it may be taken at a time . syrup of mouse-ear , in latin , syrupus de pilosella . take of mouse-ear three handfuls , of the roots of ladies-mantle an ounce and an half , of the greater comfry , madder , white dittany , tormentile , bistort , each one ounce , of the herbs wintergreen , horsetail , ground-ivy , plantain , adders-tongue , strawberries , st. john's wort with the flowers , golden ▪ rod , agrimony , bettony , burnet , avens , of the greater cinquefoyl , red colworts , balaustines , red roses each one handful , boil them in six pints of plantain water gently , till half is consumed , then press it out hard ; when it is clear by standing , add of the mucilage of gum tragacanth , of the seeds of psyllium , marsh-mallows , quinces extracted a part , in three ounces of strawberry water , and as much bettony water , boil it to the consistence of honey with two pound of the whitest sugar . virtues . it is healing and astringent , and good for spitting of blood , and the like . dose . half an ounce of it may be taken at a time . syrup of mugwort , in latin , syrupus de artemisia . take of mugwort two handfuls , of pennyroyal , calaminth , wild marjoram , balm , unspotted arsmart , dittany of creet , savin , marjoram , ground pine , st. john's-wort , germander , feverfew , with the flowers , lesser centaury , rue , bettony , vipers , bugloss , each one handful , of the roots of fennel , smalage , parsly , asparagus , kneeholm , sagifrage , elecampane , cyperus , madder , orris , peony , each one ounce , of juniper berries , the seeds of lovage , parsly smalage , anise , nigella , cubebs , true costu● woody cassia , cardamoms , sweet smelling flag of the roots of asarabacca , pellitory of spain and valerian , each half an ounce ; having cleansed cu● and beat these things , infuse them twenty four hour● in six quarts of clear water , and draw off eigh● pints of water ; put what remains in the still into a press and strain it , boil six pounds of white sugar in a sufficient quantity of the strained liquor clarified with the white of an egg , to the consistence of tablets , then add the water before distilled and make a syrup , aromatize it with cinamon , and spiknard , each three drams . virtues . it opens obstructions , forces the child bed purgations , and strengthens the nerves . dose . a spoonful of it may be taken at a time syrup of mirtles , in latin , syrupus myttinus . take of myrtle berries two ounces and an half of white and red sanders , sumach , balaustins , barberries , red roses , each an ounce and an half , o● medlars sliced half a pound , beat and boil them i● four quarts of clear water to two , strain them , the● add four pound of sugar , and boil it to a syrup put to it towards the end , of the juice of quince● and acid pomgranats , each six ounces . virtues . this is an excellent astringent syrup good for spitting of blood , and all other fluxes . dose . an ounce of it may be taken at a time i● any proper liquor . syrup of the five opening roots , in latin , syrupus de quinque radicibus . take of the roots of kneeholm , fennel , asparagus , parsly and smalage each two ounces , of fountain water three quarts ; digest them hot , then boil them in a bath , to two quarts of the liquor pressed hard out , add eight ounces of vinegar , and five pound and an half of white sugar , make a syrup in a bath . virtues . it opens obstructions and forces urine . dose . an ounce of it may be taken at a time . syrup of the oak of jerusalem , in latin , syrupus botryos . take of the herbs , oak of jerusalem , hedge mustard , nettles , each two handfuls , coltsfoot one handful and a half , boil them in a sufficient quantity of fountain water in a bath , to a quart of the clear liquor strained , add the juice of turneps paired and boiled in fountain water , change the water twice , and when they are soft press out the juice gently ; add of this juice , having cleared it self by standing , one pint , fine sugar three pound , boil it to a syrup in a bath , when there is occasion to use it . virtues . it is a good pectoral syrup , and cures ulcers of the lungs . dose . an ounce of it may be taken at a time . compound syrup of peony , in latin , syrupus paeoniae compositus . take of the fresh roots of both the peonies gathered at full moon , sliced and insused a day , in fragrant white wine each an ounce and an half , of contrayerva half an ounce , syler mountain si● drams , of elk's hoof one ounce , of the herbs 〈◊〉 rosmary with the flowers one handful , of bettony hyssop , wild marjoram , ground pine , rue , each three drams , of the wood aloes , cloves , the seeds o● the lesser cardamon , each two drams , of ginge● and spicknard , each one dram , of stechas and nu●megs , each two drams and an half , after a warm digestion for a day in three quarts of the distille● water of the roots of peony , boil them to two in ● bath , strain it , and with four pound and an half o● white sugar boil it to a syrup in a bath . virtues . it is excellent for diseases of the head an● nerves . dose . one ounce of it may be taken at a time . syrups of pomgranats , in latin , syrupu● granatorum . take of white sugar a pound and an half , o● the juice of pomgranats clarified one pint , make a syrup in a bath . virtues . it strengthens the stomach , and is astringent , and quenches thirst , and is used for ulcers of th● mouth . dose . an ounce of it may be taken at a time . syrup of red poppies , in latin , syrupus de papavere erratico . take of the fresh flowers of red poppies two pounds , pour upon them two quarts of hot fountain water , after they have stood a day , make a new infusion of fresh flowers , strain it clear , and boil i● to a syrup in a bath , with an equal weight of sugar . virtues it is an excellent syrup for plurisies , ●nd inflamations of the lungs , and is somewhat aodyn . dose . half an ounce or an ounce of it may be ●ken at a time . syrup of quinces , in latin , syrupus cydoniorum . take of the clear juice of quinces three quarts , oil it gently till half is consumed , take off the ●um as it rises , and add to it three pints of red aringent wine , with four pound of white sugar , nd boil it to a syrup , add to it a dram and an half f cinnamon , of cloves and ginger two scruples . virtues . it is an excellent syrup for the stomach , nd stops vomiting and fluxes of the belly . dose . an ounce of it may be taken at a time . syrup of dryed roses , in latin , syrupus de rosis siccis . take of fountain water two quarts , make it ery ho● , and infuse in it by degrees half a pound ● red roses dryed in the sun , strain it the next ●y , and with two pound of sugar make a syrup . virtues . it is an astringent syrup , and good in ●xes , and strengthens the stomach and stops vomi●g . dose . an ounce of it may be taken at a time . compound syrup of scabious , in latin , syrupus scabiosae compositus . take of the roots of elecampane , polypody of e oak , each two ounces , of raisins of the sun ●ned one ounce , of sebestens twenty , of the leaves coltsfoot , lungwort , savory , calaminth , each an handful and an half , of liquorice cleansed h●● an ounce , of the best spanish tobacco , and of th● seeds of stinging nettles , each three drams , bo them all in a bath , the first two roots being infus● the day before in a sufficient quantity of white-wi● diluted with warm water , strain out hard two quar● clarifie it , and add of the juice of scabious cla●fied , four ounces and an half , of white sugar fi● pound , make a syrup in a bath , add to it twen● drops of spirit of sulphur by the bell . virtues . it is a good syrup for the lungs , wh● they are obstructed , and it is also reckoned good in t● itch . dose . a spoonful of it may be taken at a time syrup of stechas , in latin , syrupus de st●chade . take of the flowers of stechas four ounces , ● rosmary half an ounce , of the herbs thym , cal●minth , wild marjoram , each an ounce and an ha● of sage and bettony , each half an ounce , of t● seeds of rue , peony , and fennel , each three dra● having digested them a day or two with a suffici● quantity of warm fountain water , boil it i● bath , strain it , and to five pints of the clear liq● add five pound and an half of sugar , make a 〈◊〉 in a bath , add to it a few drops of the oyl cinnamon . virtues . it is good for the head and nerves . dose . an ounce of it may be taken at a tim● syrup of turnep , in latin , syrupus ra● take of sliced turneps and white sugar , ●● half a pound , put them an earthen pot , mak● a lay of one , and a lay of one another , cove● ●ith paper , and bake it with bread , when it is drawn ●ess out the juice , which will be of the consistence ● a syrup . virtues . it is good for coughs , and at the begin●ng of consumptions . dose . take a spoonful of it morning and even●g . syrup of steel , in latin , syrupus chalybis . take of the filings of steel or iron one ounce , of ●ace two drams , of white-wine a pint , mingle ●em and shake them every day , for the space of a ●onth , with a pound of white sugar make a sy●up . virtues . it opens womens obstructions , is good for ●ypochondriack melancholly , the scurvy , dropsy , and 〈◊〉 like . dose . a spoonful of it may be taken night and ●orning , for the space of a month , two , or three . syrup of violets , in latin , syrupus violarum . take of fresh flowers of violets cleansed one ●ound , of hot clear water two pints and an half , ●eep it close stopped in a new glass pot a day ; ●hen press it out , in a quart of the liquor , dissolve in ● bath four pound of fine sugar , take off the scum ●s it rises , and make a syrup without boyling . virtues . it is a good cooling syrup , and is pecto●al , and is used in fevers , and sometimes mixed with ●lysters . dose . half an ounce of it may be taken inward●y at a time . simple syrup of wormwood , in latin , sy●pus absynthii simplex . take of the juice of common wormwood ● rified , of sugar clarified each four pound , make syrup ; the same way are prepared the simple ●rups of the juice of bettony , borrage , bug●● carduus benedictus , camomel , succory , end●● hedge mustard , strawberries , fumitory , grou● ivy , st. john's-wort , hops , mercury , of the f●● tops of mousear , plantain , apples , purslain , ra● berries , sage , scabious , scordium , housleek , co● foot , speedwel , and of other juices that are not ●cid . virtues . syrup of wormwood is good to strength the stomach , to stop vomiting , and for a dropsy . dose . half an ounce of it may be taken a● time . honey medicines , and medicines ma● of honey and vinegar , in lati● melita & oxymelita . mercurial honey , in latin , mel merc●riale . take of the juice of mercury three pints , of h●ney two pound , clarifie and boil them to the co●sistence of honey . virtues . it is used in glisters . honey of mulberries , in latin , diamoro● take of the juice of mulberries , of the tree a● shrub gathered before they are ripe , and before● sun is up , and cleared by standing , each a pint a● an half , of strained honey clarified two pou● ● them to a due thickness in a bath . virtues . it is commonly used for inflamations , and ● mouths . honey of roses , in latin , mel rosarum . take of red roses not full blown two pound , the best honey six pound , set them in the sun ac●ding to art . virtues . it is used to heal ulcers of the mouth and ●at . simple oxymel , in latin , oxymel simplex . take of the best honey two pound , of the clear● water three pints and an half , boil the honey ●d water in a glazed earthen po● , scuming of it ●tinually with a spoon that hath holes ; add by ●rees one pint of white wine vinegar , boil i●●r a gentle fire to the consistence of a liquid sy● . virtue . it cleanses ulcers of the lungs ; it may taken with a ▪ liquorice stick . simple oxymel of squills , in latin , oxymel scilliticum simplex . take of clarified honey three pound , of vine● of squills a quart , boil them according to art . virtues . it is very cleansing and healing to the ●ngs , and helps expectoration ; it is a gentle vomit , ● is most commonly given with other things . dose . when you design to vomit with it , you ●y give two ounces of it at a time , when it is u● for obstructions of the lungs , it is best to mix ●f an ounce of it with two ounces of some pect●l syrup , as with syrup of liquorice , maiden ▪ hair , ●he like . oxymel julianizans . take of the bark of capper roots , of the ro● of orris , fennel , parsly , kneeholm , succory , ● paragus , cyperus , each half an ounce , of ● herbs , harts-tongue , tamarisk , schenanth , ●● half an handful , of the seeds of sweet fennel ● an ounce , infuse them in vinegar and water , ● each a pint and an half , afterwards boil away ●● strain it , and with clarified honey and sugar , ● half a pound , make a syrup of the thickness honey . virtues . this opens obstructions , is good for ● eases of the lungs , and hypocondriack melanc●● and for the rickets , it also forces vrin . dose . two or three ounces of it may be ta● at a time . rob , or sapa . rob of berberries , in latin , rob de b●beris . take of the juice of barberries strained one p● of white sugar half a pound , with the gentle ● of a bath , boil them to a due thickness . virtues . it quencheth thirst , cools and strength the stomach , and procures appetite . juice of liquorice , in latin , succus g●cyrrhizae simplex . take of liquorice roots well cleansed , and g●ly bruised , as much as you please , infuse them t● days in fountain water , so much as may rise t● fingers breadth above them , then boil it a little ● press it out , afterwards boil it with a gentle hea● the due consistence of a juice . virtues . it is good for coughs and for diseases of ● lungs . lohoch's . lohoch of the pine , in latin , lohoch e pino . take of pine nuts fresh and cleansed , fifteen ●ams , of sweet almonds blanched , of hazel nuts ●ntly tosted , of gum tragacanth , arabick , of the ●wder of liquorice , and juice of the same , of white ●rch , maiden hair , and the roots of orris , each ●o drams , of the the pulp of yellow dates two ●nces , of bitter almonds a dram and an half , honey of raisins , and of white sugar , each ●r ounces , of oyl of sweet almonds , to be added the time it is used , if there be occasion half an ●nce , of the best hony a pound and an half , dis●ve the gums in four times their weight of maiden●ir water , till they are quite soft , pulp them through hair sive , and mingle with them two pounds of ●e best honey over a gentle fire , stirring it a long ●ile with a wooden spatula ; afterwards sprinkle the fine powders of orris , maidenhair , liquorice , gar , starch , then the dates , pin nuts , almonds , ●d hazelnuts , which must be cut small , and beat ●e apart , in a marble morter , and mix them well , ●n add the gums mixed with the honey of rasins , herein the juice of liquorice is first to be dis●ved ) and take the vessel from the fire , and stir the things a little while , that they may be well ●xed , add the fresh oyl ; if you are to use it pre●tly , and make a lohoch . virtues . it is good for coughs and heat of vrine , is to be taken with a liquorice stick . lohoch of purslain , in latin , lohoch ● portulaca . take of the juice of purslain strained , a qua● of the troches of the lemnian earth two dra● of the troches of ambar , of gum arabick , of dr●gons blood , each one dram , of the blood stone ● hairs down burnt , each two scruples , of white s●gar one pound , mix them , and make a lohoch . virtues . this is an astringent medicine , and good for fluxes , ruptures , and the running of ● reins . dose . two or three drams of it may be take at a time . lohoch of the lungs of a fox , in latin , l●hoch e pulmone vulpis . take of the lungs of a fox rightly prepared , the juice of liquorice , maidenhair , the seeds of nise and fennel , each equal parts , of sugar boil● to a syrup in coltsfoot , and scabious water , th● times as much as all the rest ; add the other thi● finely powdred , and mix them very well togeth and make a lohoch . virtues . it is excellent for ulcers of the lung● the healing lohoch , in latin , lohoch s●nans . take of the leaves of garden hyssop , and calaminth , each half an ounce of jujubes , and ● bestines , the stones being taken out , each fifteen p● of raisins of the sun stoned , and of fat figs , of fr● dates , each two ounces , of linseed , and fenugre seeds , each five drams , of maiden-hair one ha●ful , of the seeds of anise , and fennel , and the ro ●f orris cut , of liquorish bruised , and cinnamon , ach half an ounce , boyl all in two quarts of clear ●ater , until half is consumed , then add penidiat , ugar two pound , of gum tragacanth , and gum ●rabick , dissolved in the decoction above mentio●ed , each three drams , boil it to a syrup ; afterwards cut small and bruise five drams , of pine ●uts , sweet almonds blanched , liquorice and starch , 〈◊〉 three drams , of roots of orris two drams , sprin●le these into the syrup taken off the fire , and stir t well about with a wooden spatula , till it is white . virtues it is very good for coughs , and diseases of he lungs . conserves of roots , stalks , flowers , fruits , barks , pulps . take of eringo roots , as much as you please , ●leanse them within and without , and take out the ●ith ; infuse them one or two days in clear water , ●hange it some times , and dry them with a cloath ; hen take an equal weight of white sugar , put it nto as much rose water as is sufficient to dissolve it ; ●move it from the fire , and take off the scum , aferwards boil it up almost to the consistence of a syrup , add the roots which are also to be boiled a ●ttle , till the superflous moisture is consumed , and it ●as obtained the consistence of a syrup ; much in ●he same manner are preserved the roots of sweet meiling flag , angelica , borrage , bugloss , succory , ele●ampan , burne● ▪ satyrion , comfry , ginger zedoary . take of the stalks of artichoaks not too ripe , as ●ahy as you please , of which take only the pith , ●oil them with an equal quantity of sugar , as before , till they are preserved ; so are preserved the talks of angelica , burdock and lettice , gathered before they are too ripe . take of the bark of fresh oranges , as much ● you please , take off the outward yellow peel , i● fuse it three days in fountain water , change the water often , then put them into sugar , boiled as before , and preserve them , in like manner are prese●ed the peels of citrons , lemons , and the like . take of the flowers of citron , as many as y● please , and preserve them in sugar ; the same wa● are preserved the flowers of oranges , borrage , pri● roses , and the like . take apricocks as many as you please , peel ● the outward skin , and take out the stones and min● them with an equal weight of white sugar , then●ter four hours take them out , and boil the sug● without any other liquor ; then put them in aga● and boil them according to art : other fruits a● preserved much in the same manner , as whole b● berries , cherries , cornels , quinces , peaches , co●mon apples , the five species of myrobalans , haz● nuts , walnuts ▪ nutmegs , raisins , peper in the bran●es from india . garden and wild pruns , pears , and grapes pul● are also preserved , as of barberries cassia , citro● hips , quinces , wild pruns , and the like . take of barberries as many as you please , b● them in a sufficient quantity of fountain water , ● they are soft ; then pulp them through a five , th they may be cleared of their stones , afterwa● boil them in an earthen vessel , over a gentle fire , f● them often least they should burn , till the watry h●mor is consumed , then to six pound of the pulp a● ten pound of sugar and boil them to a due cosisten● broom-buds capers , olives , and the like , a preserved in pickle , lastly , among barks , cin●mon , among flowers , roses , and marygold flowers , among fruits , almonds , cloves , pine-apples , ●istaches , and the like , are said to be preserved , so al● seeds and twigs , but with this difference ; that ●r the most part , they are crusted with sugar , and ●erefore are more properly called confections . conserves and sugars . conserves . of the herbs wormwood , and wood sorrel , of ●e flowers of bettony , borrage , bugloss , marygolds , gillyflowers , and succory , of the leaves of curvy-grass , of hipes , of the roots of elecampane , ● the tops of fumitory , of broom-buds , of red ro●s , flowers of rosemary , peony , violets ▪ lilly of ●e valleys , of all these are made conserves , with ●rice their weight of fine sugar : but it is to be no●d , that they are not all to be mingled alike ; for ●me are to be first cut , bruised , and gently boyled , ●hers are to be neither cut , bruised , nor boyled , and ●me lastly require only one of these , and others all ; ●e but one of these . but any artist may easily a●id mistakes by this one premonition . sugars . pearled sugar . is made with sugar boyled in half the weight of ●ose-water , towards the end , add to each pound ● sugar half an ounce of prepared pearl , and eight ● ten leaves of gold. penidiat sugar , in latin , saccharum penidium . it is made with sugar dissolved in barly water , ●er a gentle fire , and well beat with whites of eggs ●d twice clarified . as it boyls , strain it through a cloath , and boyl it again gently , until it risein bubbles , and being chewed does not stick to your teeth , then pour it upon a marble besmeared with oyl of almonds , ( letting first the bubbles sink , after it is removed from the fire ) bring back the outsides of it to the middle , till it looks like larch rosin ; then your hands being rubed with white starch ▪ you may draw it into threads , either short or long , thick or thin , as you please . sugar of roses , in latin , sacharum rosatum tabulatum . take of the flowers of red roses , the whites cu● off and dryed quickly in the sun , one ounce , of fine sugar one pound , dissolve the sugar over the fire in four ounces of red rose water , and in four ounces of the juice of the same , which being evaporated by degrees , add the roses powdred , mingle them , and pour them on a stone , and so make tablets . species , or powders . aromatick rosat , in latin , aromaticum rosatum . take of red roses , the white being cut off , fifteen drams , of liquorice rasped , seven drams , o● the wood of aloes , and of yellow sanders , each three drams , choice cinnamon five drams , of clove and mace , each two drams and an half , of gum arabick , and tragacanth , each eight scruples , o● nutmegs , the greater cardamoms , and galinga● each one dram , of spick indian , and nard , and of ambergrease , each two scruples , of musk one scruple , make a powder to be kept in a glass or glazed pot . virtues . it is cordial , strengthens the stomach , an● expels wind . dose . half a dram or a dram of it may be ●aken at a time . compound power of crabs claws , in latin , pulvis e chelis cancrorum compositus . take of prepared pearl , of crabs eyes , red co●al , white amber , har●s horn prepared philosophi●ally , oriental bezoar stone , each half an ounce , ●owder of the black tops of crabs claws , the weight ●f all , make a powder , which with the gelly of ●nglish vipers skins , may be made into small balls , 〈◊〉 be dryed carefully , and to be kept for use . virtues . this is commonly called gascoigns pow●er , and is reckoned good to expel malignity and to ●vive the spirits . dose . twenty grains or half a scruple of it may ●e taken at a time . the temperate cordial species , in latin , species cordiales temperatae . take of the wood of aloes , of the spodium of ●ory , each one dram , of cinnamon , cloves , bone 〈◊〉 a stags heart , of the roots of angelica , avens , ●ormentile each a dram and an half , of prepared earl six drams , of raw silk tosted , of both the ●orals , each two drams , of hyacinths , emeraulds , ●d saphyrs , each half a dram , of saffron one scru●e , of the leaves of gold and silver , each ten ; 〈◊〉 ambarg●ease , and musk , each half a dram , ●ake a powder according to art . virtues . it is reckoned good for melancholy , and ●revives the spirits . dose . a scruple , or half a dram may be taken a time . species of calaminth , in latin , diacalaminthes simplex . take of mountain calaminth , pennyroyal , wil● marjor●m , the seeds of stone parsly , english and macedonian , of sesely each two drams , of the seed● of smalage , and of the tops of thyme , each ha● an ounce , of the seeds of lovage , and of whi● pepper , each one ounce , make a powder according to art . vertues . it expels wind , forces urine , and t● courses , and strengthens the stomach . dose . half a dram of it may be taken at a tim● compound powder of wake-robin roots , ● latin , pulvis radicum ari composit● take of the powder of the roots of wake-rob● two ounces , of common water flag , and of burn● saxifrage , each one ounce , crabs eyes half an ounc● of cinnamon three drams , of salt of wormwoo● and juniper , each one dram , mingle them , an● make a powder . virtues . it is reckoned an excellent powder for t● scurvy , it is said to be good to provoke the courses , a● to expel malignity . dose . half a dram of it may be taken at a tim● species of urris roots simple , in latin , speci●diaireos simplex . take of orris roots half an ounce , sugar candy an● the species diatragacanth frigid , each two dra● make a powder . virtues . it is good for ●oughs and colds , h●a●ness and shortness of breath . d●se . a dram of it may be taken at a time . species of gum lac , in latin , species dialaccae . take of gum lac prepared , of the roots of ●haponticum , each three drams , schenanth of spike ●ndian , and nard , and of mastich , of the juice ●f wormwood , and agrimony thickned , of the ●eeds of smalage , bishops-weed , fennel , anise , ●avin , bitter almonds cleansed , myrrh , zedoary , ●he roots of madder , asarabacca , birth-wort , round ●nd long , gentian , saffron , cinnamon , d●yed hys●op , woody cassia , bdellium , each a dram and an ●alf , black pepper and ginger , each one dram ; ●ake a powder according to art . virtues . it purifies the blood , it opens obstructi●n of the liver , spleen , and gall bladder , it is good ●or the dropsy , and jaundice , and expels wind . dose . half a dram of it may be taken at a time . the cordial magisterial powder , in latin ▪ pulvis cardiacus magistralis . take of orientale bezoar stone , of the bone of ● stags heart , each a dram and an half , of white ●nd red coral prepared , of white ambar , of pr●●ared pearls , of hartshorn prepared , of ra●ped ●vory , of oriental bole , of german , samos , and lemnian earths , of elks hoof rasped , and of the ●oots of tormentile , each one dram , of the wood of aloes , and the bark of citron , of the roots of angelica , and zedoary , each two scruples , twen●y leaves of gold , a scruple of ambergrease , six grains of musk ; mix them , and make a powder . virtues . it is good for malignant and pestilential diseases , it stops fluxes , is cordial , cures melancholly , and revives the spirits . dose . half a dram of it may be taken at a time the species diamargarit frigid , in latin , species diamargariton frigidae . take of the four greater cold seeds cleansed , ● the seeds of purslain , white poppy , endive , wood● sorrel , citrons of the three sanders , wood of alo● ginger , the flowers of red roses , the whites being c● off , water lilly , bugloss , violets , myrtle-berries of the bone of a stags heart , ivory , the roots o contrayerva , cinnamon , each one dram , of both the corals , each half a dram , of clear pearles thre● drams , of ambergrease , and camphor , each si● grains , of musk two grains , make a powder . note . the greater cold seeds , and the poppy seed● are to be added when this species is to be used , and the● you are to add a scruple of the seeds to every dram 〈◊〉 the species , the like is to be observed in the rest of the species , whereof these seeds are ingredients . virtues . it is good in fevers , for coughs , and for pains of the stomach . dose . a scruple or half a dram of it may be take● at a time . species diambrae . take of cinnamon , roots of angelica , cloves , mace , nutmegs , indian leaf , galingal , of each three drams , of indian spick , the greater and lesser , cardamoms , each one dram , of ginger one dram and an half , of the wood of aloes , yellow sanders , and long pepper , each two drams , of ambergrease one dram and an half , musk half a dram , make a powder . virtues . it expels wind , strengthens the stomach , and the spirits . dose . half a dram of it may be taken at a time species diamoschu dulcis take of saffron , galingal , zedoary , wood of a●es , mace , each two drams , of white pearls , of ●w silk dryed and powdered , of white ambar , nd red coral prepared , gallia moschata , of the ●eds of basil , each two drams and an half , of giner , cubebs , and long pepper , each one dram and n half , of nutmeg , indian leaf , or cinnamon , nd of cloves , each one dram , of musk two scrules , make a powder . virtues . it strengthens the stomach , it is good ●r diseases of the head , and revives the spirits . dose . a scruple or half a dram of it may be aken at a time . species of rosmary flowers , called , species dianthos . take of rosmary flowers one ounce , of red r●●s , violets , and liquorice , each fix drams , of cloves , ndian spike , nutmeg , galingal , cinamon , ginger , ●edoary , mace , wood of aloes , the lesser carda●oms , the seeds of dill and anise , each four scrules , make a powder . virtues . this is good for diseases of the head , exels wind , and strengthens the stomach . dose . a scruple or half a dram may be taken t a time . diarrhodon abbatis . take of white and red sanders , each two drams nd an half , of gum tragacanth , arabick , ivory , each wo scruples , of the roots of asarabacca , mastich , inian spike , cardamoms , juice of liquorice , saffron , ●ood of aloes , cloves , gallia , moschata , the ●eds of anise , fennel , cinnamon , rhaponticum , of the seeds of basil , barberries , succory , pursla●● of the four greater cold seeds cleansed , of whr● poppy , each one scruple , of pearls , and of the bo● of a stags heart , each half , a scruple of 〈◊〉 roses , the white cut off an ounce and three dra● of camphor seven grains , of musk four grains make a powder . virtues . it is cooling , and good for coughs , a● helps expectoration . dose . half a dram of it may be taken at a ti● species diatragacanthi frigidi . take of gum tragacanth two ounces , gum arabick , one ounce and two drams , of white star● half an ounce , of liquorice , of the seeds of m●lons , white poppies , each three drams , of citru● cucumbers , gourds , each two drams , penidiat s●gar , three ounces , of flowers of water lilly o● scruple , make a powder . virtues . it is used in coughs , for catarrhs , and pleurisy . dose . a dram of it may be taken at a time . species of the three sanders , in latin , sp●cus diatrion santalon . take of all the sanders , sprinkled in beating with few drops of rose water , of red roses each three dram● of rhaponticum , ivory , juice of liquorice , seeds ● purslain ▪ each two drams and fifteen grains , of gum ●rabick , tragacanth , the seeds of mellons , cucumbe● citruls , gourds , succory , each one dram and an ha● of camphor one scruple ; make a powder . virtues . it is good for ulcers in the lungs running the reins , and for heat of urine . dose . a dram of it may be taken at a time . pulvis haly. take of the seeds of white poppy ten drams , of ●hite starch , of gum arabick and tragacanth , ach three drams , of the seeds of purslain , marsh●allows , mallows , each five drams , of cucumbers , mellons , gourds , citruls , and quinces cleansed , each seven drams , of ivory and liquorice , each three ●rams , of white ambar two drams , penidiat sugar the weight of all make a powder . virtues . it is good for heat of vrine , a pleurisy ▪ vlcers of the lungs , and is excellent for coughs , and catarrhs . dose . a dram of it may be taken at a time ▪ species l●etificans . take of the flowers or seeds of sweet basil , of saffron , zedoary , yellow sanders , cloves , barks of citron , galingal , mace , nutmegs , storax calamit , each two drams and an half , of ivory rasped , of the seeds of anise , thyme , dodder of thyme , each one dram , of the bone of a stags heart , of pearls , camphor , ambergrease , and musk , each half a dram , of the leaves of gold and silver , each half a scruple , make a powder . virtue . it is counted good for melancholy . dose . half a dram of it may be taken at a time ▪ species confectionis liberantis . take of the roots of tormentil , of the seeds of sorrel , endive , coriander and citron , each one dram and an half , of all the sanders , of the roots of white dittany , each one dram , of bole armoniack , and lemnian earth , each three drams ▪ of pearls , of both the corals , of white ambar , of ivory ▪ and of the bone of a stags heart , of the roots of virginnian snake-weed , of avens , angelica , cardamoms , cinnamon , of each a dram , of mace , wood of aloes , wood of cassia , saffron , zedoary , each half a dram , of penidiat sugar , fragments , o● emeraulds , jacynth's , granats , flowers of water lillys , bugloss , red roses , each a scruple , campho● seven grains , musk , ambergrease , each three grains ▪ make a powder . virtues . it is counted good against malignant diseases , and to prevent infection . dose . a scruple or half a dram of it may be taken at a time . powder called thuraloes . take of franckincense one dram , of aloes half a dram ; make a powder , when you use it , mix it with the white of an egg , and bring it to the consistence of honey , mixing with it hares down . virtues . it is good to be used in wounds , to stop blood ; it must be applied over all the wound , and bound well on . compound powder of senna , in latin , pulvis sennae compositus major . take of the seeds of anise , carraways , fennel , cumin , spicknard , cinnamon , galingal , each half an ounce , liquorice , gromwel , each an ounce , of senna the weight of all , make a powder . virtues . it is a gentle purge , and expels wind . dose . two or three drams of it may be taken at a time . the earl of warwick's powder , in latin , pulvis comitis warvicencis ▪ take of scamony sulphurated , two ounces , of diaphoretick antimony one ounce , of crystals , of tartar , half an ounce , mingle them and make a powder . virtues . it purges watry humors , and is good for rhumatisms , dropsies , and pox. dose . a scruple , or half a dram of it may be taken at a time . electuaries . confection of alkermes , in latin , confectio alkermes . take of the juice of fragrant apples , of rose-water , each a pint and an half , syrup of the grains of kermes a quart , of sugar a pound , boil them to the consistence of honey , take it from the fire , and while it is hot , add two drams of ambergrease , dissolved in a few drops of oyl of cinnamon , having well mixed them , add the following powders , of choice cinnamon , of the best wood of aloes each six drams , of clear pearls prepared two drams , of ●eaf-gold , one dram , of the best musk half a scruple , mingle them . virtues . it is reckoned cordial , and good in pe●tilential feavers . dose . a dram of it may be taken at a time . electuary of sassafras , in latin , electuarium e sassafras . take of the fragrant wood of sassafras two ounces , of common water three pints , boil it to the consumption of a third part , adding towards the ●nd , half an ounce of cinnamon bruised , strain ●he liquor , and with two pound of white sugar , ●oil it to a thick syrup , adding to it two drams of cinnamon powdered , of nutmegs powdred half a ●cruple , of ambergrease , xxxij . gr . musk gr . iij. of the leaves of gold number ten , of spirit of vitriol four drops , make an electuary . virtues . it is a good drying medicine , and is proper for tickling coughs , and consumptions . dose . a dram of it may be taken at a time . electuary of lawrel berries , in latin , electuarium e baccis lauri . take of the leaves of rue dried ten drams , of the seeds of bishop-weed , cumin , lovage , wild marram , nigella , carraways , wild carrots , parsly , bitte● almonds , black and long pepper ▪ , horse-mint ▪ sweet smelling flag , lawrel berries , castor , each two drams , sagapenum half an ounce , opoponax three drams , clarified honey a pound and an half ▪ the things to be beaten being beaten , towards the end add the gums dissolved in white-wine , and make an electuary . virtues . it is good for the cholick , strengthen the stomach , and expels wind . dose . a dram of it may be taken at a time half an ounce of it is commonly given in glister● for the same purposes . confectio de hyacintho . take of the fragments of jacynth , of red coral , of bole armonick , of sealed earth , each ha● an ounce , of the grains of kermes , of the roots● tormentile , and dittany , of the seeds of citro cleansed , of sorrel , of pu●slain , of saffron , ● myrrh , of red roses , the whites cut off , of all th sanders , of the bone of a stag's heart , of hart● horn , of the raspings of ivory , each four scrupl● of saphyrs , emeraulds , topaz , pearls , leaves ● gold , and silver , each two scruples , of campho musk , and ambargrease , each five grains , with syrup of lemons make a confection . virtues . it 's cordial and good in the plague , it revives the spirits , and is good in hectick fevers . dose . a seruple or half a dram may be taken at a time . diatsayrion . take of the roots of fresh satyrion three ounces , of the pulp of dates , sweet almonds , of pine apples , pistaches , and of ginger candied , and of eringo roots candied , each one ounce , of cloves , galingal , long and black pepper , each three drams , of ambargrease , one scruple , of musk two scruples , of penides four ounces , of cinnamon , and saffron , each half an ounce , of malago sack three ounces , of nutmegs , mace , and grains of paradise , each two drams , of the seeds of the ash , of the bellies and loyns of scinks , of factitious borax , and benzoin , each three drams , of the wood of aloes , and cardamons , each two drams , of the seeds of nettles and onions , and of the roots of avens , each one dram and an half ; beat all the simples , and mix them , then with two pound and one half of syrup of ginger , make an electuary . virtues . it is chiefly used to provoke languid venery . dose . half an ounce of it may be taken at a time . diascordium . take of cinnamon , woody cassia , each half an ounce , of true scordium one ounce , of dittany of crete , tormentile , bistort , galbanum , gum arabick , each half an ounce , of storax calamit , four drams and an half , of opium , and the seeds of sorrel , each one dram and an half , of gentian half anounce , bole armonick , of lemnian earth sealed , half an ounce , o● long pepper , and ginger , each two drams , of white honey clarified , two pound and an half , of sugar of roses one pound , of good canary eight ounces ▪ make an electuary . virtues . it is good against malignity , and t● prevent infection ; it is good to stop all sorts of fluxes ▪ and it gives rest ; it is also good to stop the hickup . dose . a dram , or two drams of it may be taken at a time , but a scruple or less may be sufficient for a child . mithridat , in latin , mithridatium . take of arabian myrrh , saffron , agarick , ginger , cinnamon , spicknard , franckincense , tr eacle mustard seed , each ten drams , of sesely seeds , opobalsam ▪ or , oyl of nutmegs by expression , of sweet smelling rush , of arabian stechas , of true costus , of galbanum , cyprian turpentine , long pepper , castor ▪ of the juice of hypocistis , of storax calamit ▪ opopanax , of fresh indian leaf , or for want of it ▪ of mace , each one ounce , true woody cassia , polymountain , white pepper , scordium , of the seeds of cretick , daucus , carpo-balsamum , or of cubebs , troches , cypheos , bdellium , each seven drams , of celticknard cleansed , of gum arabick ▪ of the seeds of macedonian parsly , opium , the lesser cardamoms , seeds of fennel gentian , flowers of red roses , dittany of crete , each five drams , the seeds of anise , asarabacca , sweet smelling flag , the greater valerian , sagapenum , each three drams , of athamantick spicknard , acacia , the bellies of scinks , the tops of st. john's-wort , each two drams ●nd an half , of the best canary wine , as much as ● sufficient to dissolve the gums and juices , viz. a●out twenty six ounces , of clarified honey thrice ●e weight of all , except the wine , make an ele●tuary . virtues . it is good in malignant diseases , and to ●revent infection ; it is good for bitings of venomous ●reatures , it promotes sleep , and eases the pain of the ●olick , and stops fluxes . dose . a dram of it may be taken at a time . philonium romanum . take of white pepper , of the seeds of white ●enbane , each five drams , of opium two drams ●nd an half , of woody caffia one dram and an ●alf , of the seeds of smalage one dram , of ma●donian parsly , fennel and daucus , of crete each ●o scruples and five grains , of saffron a scruple and ● half , of indian spike , pellitory of spain , and ●edoary , each fifteen grains , of cinnamon one dram ●d an half , myrrh , and castor , each one dram , ● clarified honey , thrice the quantity of all ; make ● electuary . virtues . it 's good to ease pain , and is good in the ●one , and to expel malignity . dose . half a dram or a dram may be given at time . electuary of the egg , in latin , electuarium de ovo . take a fresh hens egg , and having made a small ●le , extract the white , fill the vacuity with good ●ffron , not powdred , leave the yelk within , after●ards cover it again with an other shell put over and ●t it by agentle fire in an earthen vessel , till all shall begin to grow black ; but take care the saffron b● not burnt , for if it should , it would be an injury 〈◊〉 the whole composition , take out the matter an● dry it , and powder it , then add to it of whi●● mustard powdred an equal weight ; then take 〈◊〉 white dittany , or of fraxinel , and of tormentil● each two drams , of myrrh , hartshorn , and of t●● roots of butterbur , each one dram , of the roo● of angelica , burnet , juniper-berries , zedoary and camphor , each half an ounce , mingle all together in a morter ; and then add of venice treacle t●● weight of all ; beat them together for about thre● hours , pouring on a sufficient quantity of syrup of l●mons make an electuary . virtues . it is used in pestilential diseases , to pr●voke sweat , and to expel the malignity . dose . a dram or two drams of it may be 〈◊〉 at a time . venice treacle , in latin , theriaca andromachi . take of troches of squills forty eight dram of troches of vipers , long pepper , of thebaic● opium , and troches hedycroy , each twenty 〈◊〉 drams , of red roses dryed , the white being cut o● of sweet illyrick orris , of the juice of liquoric● of the seeds of sweet navew , of the tops of sco● dium , opobalsam , cinnamon , agarick , trochisca●ed , each twelve drams , of myrrh , sweet cost●● or zedoary , saffron , true woody cassia , indi● nard , scenanth , white and black pepper , olib● num , dittany of crete , rhapontick , arabian s●●chas , horehound , the seeds of macedonian parsl● calaminth dryed , cyprian turpentine , the roo● of cinquefoyl , and ginger , each six drams , t● ●ops of cretick poly , ground pine , the roots of ●eltick nard , amomum , storax calamit , the roots ● athamantick , spicknard , tops of germander , ●e roots of rhapontick , lemnian earth , indian ●eaf , chalcitis burned , or instead of it roman ●itriol burned , the roots of gentian , gum arabick , ●e juice of hypocistis , carpo-balsam , or nutmeg , ●r cubebs , the seeds of dryed anise , cardamoms , ●ennel , sesely , acacia , or instead of it the thicked juice of sloes , the seeds of treacle mustard , ●op of st. john's-wort , the seeds of bishops-weed , ●nd of sagapenum each four drams , of castor , of ●he roots of long birthwort , of judaic , bitumen , ●r ambar , of the seeds of cret●c daucús , opo●onax , and the lesser centaury , and of fat galba●um , each two drams , of old canary wine , as much as is sufficient , viz. forty ounces , wherein ●re to be dissolved the moist simples , and such as will melt , of clarified honey three times the weight ●f the dryed species , make an electuary . virtues . this is really an excellent medicine , it 's ●sed in the plague , to expel malignity , to prevent ●nfection , and to provoke sweat , it 's good for mother●ts , and the gout , when it is struck in , it 's good for 〈◊〉 loosness , the gripes and collick , and is frequently ●sed with good success in great colds ; but care must ●e taken that the sick do not catch fresh cold after it . dose . half a dram , a dram a dram and an ●alf may be taken at a time , two drams of it giv●n in a glister , with half a pint of milk , is ex●ellent for easing the pains of the gripes , and co●ck , and stopping a loosness , and the bloody flux . london treacle , in latin , theriaca lond●nensis . take of hartshorn rasped two ounces , of 〈◊〉 seeds of citron , wood sorrel , peony , and ba●● each one ounce , of scordium , and coralin , ea● six drams , of the roots of angelica , tormentil● peony , of the leaves of dittany , lawrel , and j●niper berries , each half an ounce , of the flowers 〈◊〉 marygolds , gillyflowers , rosmary flowers , of t● tops of st. john's-wort , nutmegs , and saffron , ea● three drams , of the roots of gentian , zedoary , gi●ger , mace , myrrh , of the leaves of scabious , d●vils bit , carduus benedictus , each two drams , 〈◊〉 cloves and opium , each one dram , good cana●● wine a sufficient quantity , of clarified hon●● thrice the weight of all ; make an electuary . virtues . it is much of the same virtue with the former . dose . a dram of it may be taken at a time . diacrocuma . take of saffron , of the roots of asarabacca , o● the seeds of parsly , daucus , anise , smalage , eac● half an ounce , of rhubarb , of the roots of athamantick spicknard , and indian spike , each six drams ▪ of true wood of cassia , costus , myrrh , scenanth ▪ cubebs , of the roots of madder , of the juice o● wormwood , and maudlin thickned , of opobalsam , or of oyl of nutmeg , each two drams , of cinnamon , and sweet smelling flag , each one dram & an half , of scordium ceterach , and juice of liquorice , each two drams and an half , of tragacanth one dram , of white sugar eight times the weight of all , dissolved in endive water , and clarified ; make an electuary . virtues . it opens obstructions , it is good in the ●one , and expels malignity . dose . a dram , or a dram and an half of it ●ay be taken at a time . purging electuaries . caryocostinum . take of cloves , of candied costus , or of ze●ary , of ginger , and cumin , each two drams , of ●ermodactiles cleansed from the bark , of diagry●um , each half an ounce , of honey of roses , rice the weight of all , powder all , except the di●rydium , and mix them well with the honey , then ●d the diagrydium powdred apart ; make an e●ctuary . virtues . it is chiefly used for pains of the limbs , ●d gout . dose . two or three drams of it may be taken 〈◊〉 a time . extract of cassia for glysters , in latin , cassia extracta pro clysteribus ▪ take of the leaves of violets , mallows , mer●ry , beets , pellitory of the wall , ●lowers of vio●s , each one handful , make a decoction in a suf●ient quantity of water ( adding at the end the ●wers of violets ) whereby the cassia may be ex●cted , and the canes washed within ; then take ● the cassia extracted by this decoction , and boil● to a consistence , one pound , of brown sugar ●e pound and an half ; make an electuary by boil●g it . virtues . it is used in cooling glisters for the stone , ●nd running of the reins . dose . two ounces of it may be given at a ti● diaphaenicon . take of the pulp of dates cleansed and boil● in hydromel , half a pound 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 penids thre● ounces , of sweet almonds blanched 〈◊〉 ounces a● an half ; all being beat and m●xed add a pou● of clarified honey , boil them a little , then sprin●● into them of ginger , long pepper , and mace , c●namon , of the leaves of rue dryed , of the seeds ● fennel and daucus , each two drams , of turb● finely powdred four ounces , of diagrydium ● ounce and an half ; make an electuary . virtues . it is used in glisters , to expel wind , dose . h●lf an ounce , or six drams may be gi●en at a time . catholicon . take of the pulp of cassia and tamarinds , a● of the leaves of senna , each two ounces , of t● roots of polypody , violets , rhubarb , each 〈◊〉 ounce , of the seeds of anise , penid's sugar-ca●dy , liquorice , of the seeds of gourds citru● cucumbers , melons , each two drams , powder th● things that are to be powdred , and take of fresh p●lypody bruised three ounces , of the seeds of fen● six drams ; make a decoction in two quarts of fou●tain water ; boil it till the third part is consume● to the strained liquor add two pound of the b● sugar , boil them again to the thickness of a syr● then to the pulps of cassia and tamarinds dissol●ed in part of the decoction , and put over the f●● pour by degrees the syrup , and add the powde● and make an electuary . virtues . it is most commonly used in glisters , to ●l and loosen . dose . two ounces may be given at a time . lenctive electuary , in latin , electuarium lenitivum . take of raisins of the sun stoned , of fresh poly●dy of the oak , of oriental senna , each two ●nces , of mercury one handful and an half , of ●jubes and sebestens , each number twenty , of mai●nhair , violets , cleansed barly , each one handful , ● damask prun's , and tamarinds , each six drams , ● liquorice half an ounce ; boil them in five quarts ● water , to the consumption of a third part , then ●ain them out hard in one part of the liquor , dis●lve of the pulp of cassia , and tamarinds , and of esh prunes , and violet sugar , each six ounces , in ●e other part of the liquor , dissolve two pounds of ●e sugar : lastly , add an ounce and an half of the ●wder of senna , and two drams of the powder ● anise-seeds , for every pound of the electuary ▪ ●d so make an electuary . virtues . it cools and purges gently . dose . an ounce , or an ounce and an half of it ●ay be taken at a time , two ounces of it may be ●ed in a glister , with milk and sugar . the following composition is an excellent cooling purge . take of lenitive electuary two drams , of cream ● tartar half a dram , of powder of jalap two ●uples ▪ make a bolus with a sufficient quantity of ●rup of buckthorn , add to it three drops of oyl of ●niper ; this cools and purges watry humors strongly , for weakly people use the following medicin take of lenitive electuary one dram , of cream● tartar half a dram , of powder of jalap one s●●ple , of rhubarb powdred ten grains , with a su●cient quantity of syrup of roses solutive , and th● drops of oyl of juniper , make a bolus . electuary of the juice of roses , in latin , e●ctuarium e succo rosarum . take of sugar , and juice of red roses clarif● in the sun , each one pound and four ounces , of ● three sanders each half an ounce , of mastich th● drams , of dragridium twelve drams , of camp● one scruple , the sanders must be rasped , and th finely powdred , and sifted through a fine sive , a● the diagrydium , powdred apart , with a drop of ● oyl of sweet almonds ; then add the camph● likewise powdred , the mastick finely powdred , la with the juice of roses boyled to a syrup w● the sugar , and while it is hot make an elect●ry . virtues . this purges strengly watry humors . dose . two , three , or four drams may be ta● at a time . the following potion will purge , w● scarce any thing else will ; take of tamarinds● an ounce , of the leaves of senna two drams , rhubarb one dram and an half , boyl them i● sufficient quantity of fountain water to three o●ces , to the strained liquor add of manna , and ●rup of roses solutive , each one ounce , of syrup buckthorn half an ounce , of the electuary of juice of roses two drams , mingle them and m● a potion : but it must be given only to strong pple . hiera picra simplex take of cinnamon , mace , roo●s of asarabacca , ●piknard , mastich , and of saffron , of each six drams ▪ of aloes not washed twelve ounces and an half , of clarified honey one pound and three ounces , make ●n electuary . virtues . it opens ▪ obstructions , and purges gently , ●nd strengthens and cleanses the stomach . dose . two or three drams of it may be taken ●t a time . pills . pills of agarick , in latin , pilulae de agarico . take of agarick trochiscated three drams , of ●e roots of our orris , with the sky coloured flowrs , of mastich and horehound , each one dram , f turbith five drams , of the species of hiera pi●a , half an ounce , of the troches of alhandal , of sa●ocol , each two drams , of myrrh one dram , of ●pa a sufficient quantity ; make a mass for pills . virtues . it is good for purging the breast and ●ungs . dose . half a dram , or a dram may be taken t a time . aggregative pills , or pills that have many virtues , in latin , pillulae aggrega●ivae five polychrestae . take of citron myrobalans , and rhubarb ▪ ach half an ounce , of the thickned juice of hemp ●grimony , maudlin , and wormwood , each two rams , of diagridium five drams , of agarick , troches of alhandal , and of fresh polypody , eac● two drams , of the best turbith and aloes , each si● drams , of mastich red roses , sal gemma , dodd● of thyme , anise , and of ginger , each one dram with the syrup of pale roses , make a mass 〈◊〉 pills . virtue . it is a general purging pill . dose . a dram , or four scruples of it may be ta●en at a time . pilulae aloephanginae . take of cinnamon , cloves , the lesser cardamoms , nutmeg , mace , sweet smelling flag , carp● balsam , or berries of juniper , scenanth , yello● sanders , goats rue , red roses , each half an ounce powder these grosly , and draw a tincture wi● spirit of wine , in a glass vessel well stopt ; in thr● pints of the strained liquor , infuse a pound of p● aloes , to which when it is dissolved , add of mstich , and myrrh powdred , each half an oun● of saffron two drams , of peruvian balsam one dr● then evaporate the superfluous humour over a●● or in a bath , and make a mass for pills . virtues . it purges the head , and cleanses the smach , and procures an appetite . dose . a dram , or a dram and an half may taken at a time . aloes rosat , in latin , aloe rosata take of clear succotrine aloes powdred four o●ces , of the juice of damask roses clarified one pi● mingle them , digest them in the sun , or in a b●●ill the superflous moisture is evaporated , repeat ●gestion , and evaporation four times , and make a ●ass for pills . virtues . it cleanses and strengthens the head and ●mach , and helps digestion . dose . half a dram , or a dram of it may be tak● at a time . take of aloes rosat , half a scruple , of the ice of liquorice eight grains , of the pills of sto●x , and hounds-tongue , each three grains , make ●ree pills to be taken at bed time . these pills do ●od in a catarrh . golden pills , in latin , pilulae aureae . take of aloes , diagrydium , each five drams , red roses , and the seeds of smalage , each two ams and an half , of fennel and anis● , each one ●am and an half , of mastich , saffron , troches of ●handal each one dram ; powder them , and make ●m up into a mass , with honey of roses strain● ▪ virtues . they purge the head , expel wind , and ● good in the dropsy . dose . half a dram , or a dram of them may be ●en at a time . pilulae cochiae majores . take of the species of hiera picra ten drams , ●oches of alhandal three drams and an half , of agrydium two drams and an half , of gummy ●rbith , of the flowers of arabian stechas , each e drams , with a sufficient quantity of the syrup stechas make a mass . virtues . it purges the head , breast , and sto●ch . dose a dram of it may be taken at a time ▪ pilulae cochiae minores . take of clear alces , of fine scammony , and 〈◊〉 the pulp of coloquintida , each one ounce , powder them and mix them with a sufficient quanti●● of sy●up of wormwood , and buckthorn , of ea●● equal parts ; make a mass ; add to it of oyl 〈◊〉 cloves two scruples . virtues . they purge water powerfully . dose . a scruple , or half a dram may be take at a time . pills of hounds-tongue , in latin , pilulae d● cynoglosso . take of the roots of hounds-tongue dryed , 〈◊〉 the seeds of white henbane , of prepared opi●● each half an ounce , of myrrh six drams , of o● banum five drams , of saffron , castor , and sto● calamit , each one dram and an half , the roots hounds-tongue , the seeds of henbane , and 〈◊〉 castor must be powdred together ; but the my● saffron , and olibanum , by themselves , the op● cut small must be dissolved in rose water ; a● wards add the powders , and with syrup of ste● make a mass . virtues . it is good for rheums , and tickling cou● and causes sleep . dose . ten or fifteen grains of it may be ta● at a time . pills of two , in latin , pilulae ex duobus . take of coloqintida , and scammony , each one ●unce , of oyl of cloves a sufficient quantity to moi●en them , then with syrup of buckthorn make a ●ass . virtues . it is a very strong purge , and therefore to be used only in strong bodies ; unless it be mixed ●ith some gentler pill , it purges the head , and is good 〈◊〉 the pox , and running of the reins . dose . fifteen grains , a scruple , or half a dram ●ay be taken at a time . fetid pills , in latin , pilulae saetidae . take of aloes , troches of alhandal , opopanax , ●mmoniacum , sagapenum , myrrh , the seeds of rue , ●pithimum , each five drams , of scammony three ●ams , of the roots of turbith , half an ounce , ●nd of the lesser spurg prepared , and of hermo●ctiles , each two drams , of ginger one dram and ● half , of spicknard , cinnamon , saffron , castor , ●ch one dram , of euphorbium prepared one scru●e , of oyl of ambar rectified half a dram , the ●ums must be dissolved in juice of leeks ; strain ●em , and boil them ; then add the powders , and ●ix them well ; make a mass with syrup made of ●e juice of leeks and sugar . virtues . they are peculiarly proper for womens ●structions . dose . two scruples , or a dram of them may be ●ken at a time . pills of hermodactiles , in latin , pilulae d● hermodactilis . take of sagapenum six drams , of opoponax thr●● drams , dissolve them in a sufficient quantity of 〈◊〉 juice of colworts , and strain them through a linn● rag , then boil them to a moderate consistence , and tak● of hermodactiles , aloes , citron myrobalans , tu●bith , troches of alhandal , and of soft and fresh b●dellium , each six drams , of prepared euphorbiu● a dram , of the seeds of rue , smalage , casto● and sarcocol , each three drams , of saffron o●● dram and an half , make a mass with the syrup mad● of the juice of colworts and honey . virtues . they are a proper purge for the gout , a● pains of the joints . dose . two scruples , or a dram of them may b● taken at a time . pills of hiera with agarick , in latin , p●lulae de hiera cum agarico . take of hiera picra of agarick each half ● ounce , of the best aloes one ounce , of hone● of roses a●ufficient quantity , make a mass . virtues . it is much of the same nature with h●era picra . dose . two scruples , or a dram of it may be ta●en at a time . imperial pills , in latin , pilulae imperi●les . take of aloes two ounces , of rhubarb one ounc● ●nd an half , of agarick , of the leaves of senna ●eansed , each an ounce , of cinnamon three drams , ●f ginger two drams , of nutmegs , and cloves , ●f spicknard , and mastich , each one dram , mix ●em with syrup of violets , and work them to a mass , with the hands besmeared with oyl . virtues . they purge gently , and bind after they ●urge , and cleanse the stomach , and stop vomiting . dose . a dram , or a dram and an half may be ●aken at a time . pilulae de lapide lazuli . take of the azure stone powdered , and often ●ashed five drams , of dodder of thyme , polypo●y , agarick , each one ounce , of scammony , and the ●oots of black hellebore , of sal gemma , each two ●rams and an half , of cloves , and the seeds of a●ise , each half an ounce , of hiera picra fifteen ●rams , with syrup of the juice of fumitory , make mass . virtues . they are peculiarly proper for mad and ●elancholy people , and are good for diseases of the ●kin , as itch , leprosie , and the like . dose . half a dram , a dram , or a dram and an ●alf may be taken at a time . pilulae macri. take of the best aloes , two ounces , of mastich , ●alf an ounce , of the leaves of marjoram dryed , ●wo drams , of salt of wormwood , one dram ; ●owder them all together , and with the juice of colworts and sugar make a mass . virtues ▪ they are good for the stomach and head . dose . half a dram or a dram may be taken at a time . pills of mastich , in latin , pilulae mastichinae . take of mastich , two ounces , of aloes , four ounces , of agarick trochiscated , and of species hi●ra picra , each one ounce and an half , make a mass with syrup of wormwood . virtues . they strengthen the head , and strengthen and cleanse the stomach . dose . two scruples , or a dram of them , may be taken at a time . pilulae rudii . take of coloquintida , six drams , of agarick scammony , the roots of black hellebore and turbith , each half an ounce , of succotrine , aloes , one ounce , of cinnamon , mace , and cloves , each two scruples ; the coloquintida must be cleared from the seeds , and cut small , the agarick rasped , the hellebore , turbith , and spices powdred gros●y ▪ then pour on so much spirit of wine as will rise six fingers breadth above the matter ; infuse them four days in a gentle heat ; then strain it hard , and dissolve in it , the scammony and aloes well cleansed ; then put the liquor into a glass alembick , and distil it , till what remains becomes of the consistence of honey , of which make a mass . virtues . it is an excellent general purging pill . dose . a scruple , or two scruples may be taken at a time . pilulae ruffi . take of fine aloes , two ounces , of choice ●yrrh , one ounce , of saffron , half an ounce , with e syrup of wormwood make a mass . virtues . they help digestion , are good in surfeits , engthen the head , cleanse the breast , and strengen and cleanse the stomach , and force the courses . dose . half a dram or a dram of them may be ●en at a time . the stomach pill , with gums , in latin , pilulae stomachicae cum gummi . take of fine aloes , one ounce , of the leaves of nna , five drams , of gum ammoniack dissolved in ●er vinegar , half an ounce , of mastich and ●yrrh , each one dram and an half , of saffron , and ●t of wormwood , each half a dram ; with syp of buckthorn make a mass . virtues . they open obstructions , strengthen the ●d , cleanse the lungs , cleanse and strengthen the sto●ch , and are good in surfeits . dose . a dram of them may be taken at a time . pills of storax , in latin , pilulae e styrace . take of storax calamit , of olibanum , myrrh , d the juice of liquorish thickned , and of opium , ●h half an ounce , of saffron , one dram ; with up of white poppies make a mass . virtues . these pills are used for cough● and ●arrhs . dose . ten or sixteen grains may be taken at time . pills of amber , in latin , pilulae de succino . take of white amber and mastich , each tw drams , of the best aloes , five drams , of agari● trochiscated , one dram and an half , of long bir● wort , and of hartshorn burnt , each half a dra● of nutmegs , half a scruple , with syrup of wo● wood make a mass . virtues . they purge the head and womb . dose . a dram , or a dram and an half may ● taken at a time . pills of tartar , in latin , pilulae tartariae ▪ take of chrystals of tartar , three ounces , polypody of the oak , two ounces , of corinthi● currants , an ounce and an half , of the flowers bugloss , borrage , water lillies , each one pug● boyl them in a sufficient quantity of fumitory a● harts tongue water , till half is consumed . take of this decoction clarified , two pints , the juice of fragrant apples , one pint ; add to the three ounces of senna cleansed , of turbith , the roots of true black hellebore , each an ou● and an half , of choice myrrh , an ounce , of ma● cloves , cinnamon , and dodder of thyme , e● half an ounce ; infuse them in a glass stopt f● days ; then press them out , and dissolve in the ● quor , four ounces of prepared aloes , and set it ver a gentle fire , and reduce it to a due consisten● when it is almost cold , add of the species laetifins and dialacca , each a dram , of salt of worm●od , and of the ash , each two drams , of the ●ence of saffron , two scruples , of oyl of anise , few drops ; make a mass for pills . virtues . they are good in melancholy , and for ●eases of the skin . dose . half a dram may be taken at a time . laudanum . take of thebaick opium extracted in spirit of ●ine , one ounce , of saffron extracted the same ay , a dram and an half , castor , one dram , ake them up with a tincture made of half an ●nce of the fresh species of diambra , in spirit of ●ine ; then add presently of ambergrease and musk , ch six grains , oyl of nutmegs ten drops , evapote it in a bath to a due consistence . virtues . it is used to ease pain in general , and to ●p fluxes , and is much better then liquid laudanum ; ● all tinctures loose of their virtue by standing , and they cannot be so easily dosed . dose . one , two , or three grains may be taken ● a time . troches , in latin , trochisci . troches of agarick , in latin , agaricus trochiscatus . take of white and light agarick rasped small , and ●ted three ounces ; infuse it in a sufficient quantity ● white wine , wherein two drams of ginger ath been infused ; make troches . virtues . they are good for an ill habit of body , and the jaundice , provoke urine , and the courses , they purge gently . dose . a dram , or a dram and an half may be taken at a time . trochisci albi rhasis . take of ceruss washed in rose water ten drams , of sarcocol three drams , of white starch two drams , of gum arabick , and tragacanth , each one dram , of camphor half a dram , make troches with rose water , or with womans milk. virtues . they are good for inflamations , and pain● in the eyes , and for ulcers in the yard , they strengthen and dry , they may be dissolved in rose water , or poppy water . dose . a dram or a dram and an half may be taken at a time . troches of alhandal , in latin , trochisc● alhandal . take of the white and light pulp of coloquintida , freed from the feeds and cut small , and rubbed well with an ounce of oyl of sweet almonds , and two days after finely powdered , ten ounces of gum arabick , tragacanth , and bdellium , each six drams , infuse the gums three days or four in a sufficient quantity of rose water to melt them , then with the pulp above-mentioned , and part of this mucilage , make troches , dry them in the shade , and then powder them again , and make them up again with the rest of this mucilage . virtues . it is a violent medicine , it purges thick and glutinous flegm , and other humours , from the re●notest parts of the body , as from the head , nerves , joynts , and the like . dose . a strong man may take fifteen grains , or a scruple , but it is most commonly mixed with pills to quicken them . troches of winter cherries , in latin , trochisci alkekengi . take of the fruit of winter cherries three drams , of gum arabick , tragacanth , olibanum , pine nuts , bitter almonds , white starch , juice of liquorice , bole armonick , the seeds of white poppies , each six drams , of melons , cucumbers , citrules , gourds , each three drams and an half , of smalage , white henbane , white ambar , lemnian earth , and opium , each two drams , with the juice of fresh winter cherries make troches . virtues . they are used to expel gravel , and to provoke vrine . dose . two scruples of them may be taken at a time . the white pectoral lozenges , in latin , trochisci bechici albi . take of fine sugar one pound , of white sugar candy , and penids , each four ounces , of the roots of florentine orris half an ounce , of liquorice six drams , of white starch an ounce and an half , with a sufficient quantity of the mucilage of tragacanth , extracted in rose water , make small lozenges , they may be perfumed upon occasion with four grains of ambargrise , and three of musk. virtues . they are good for coughs , and help expectoration . the black pectoral lozenges , in latin , trochici bechici nig●i . take of the juice of liquorice , and of white sugar , each ten drams , of tragacanth , and sweet almonds blanched , each six drams , with a sufficient quantity of the mucilage of the seeds of quinces extracted in rose water , make troches . virtues . they are much of the same virtue with the former . troches of camphor , in latin , trochisci de camphora . take of camphor half a dram , of saffron two drams , of white starch three drams , of red roses , gum arabick , tragacanth , ivory , each half an ounce , of the seeds of cucumbers cleansed , purslain , liquorice rasped , each one ounce , with the mucilage of the seeds of psyllium extracted in rose-water , make troches . virtues . they are good in malignant diseases , for the whites and running of the reins . dose . a scruple , or half a dram may be taken at a time . troches of capers , in latin , trochisci de capparibus . take of the bark of the roots of capers six drams , of the seeds of agnus castus , of gum amoniack , each half an ounce , of the seeds of cresses , and nigella , of the leaves of calaminth , and rue , of the roots of acorus , and long birthwort , of the juice of maudlin thickned , of bitter almonds , each two drams , of the leaves of harts-tongue , of the roots of round cyperus , madder , and gum lac , each one dram , powder them all , and with ammoniacum dissolved in sharp vinegar , and boiled to the consistence of honey , make troches . virtues . they open obstructions , and are good for the rickets , and melancholly . dose . two scruples , or a dram may be taken in a morning . troches of ambar , in latin , trochisci de carabe . take of ambar one ounce , of hartshorn burnt , gum arabeck of red coral burnt , of tragacanth , acacia , hypocstis , balaustins , mastich , lac washed , the seeds of black poppies rosted , each two drams and two scruples , franckincense , saffron and opium , each two drams , with a sufficient quantity of the mucilage of the seeds of psyllium , extracted in plantain water , make troches . virtues . they are very astringent , and are used to stop fluxes of blood . dose . half a dram of them may be taken at a time . trochisci cypheos , for the making of mithridate . take of the pulp of fat raisins of the sun cleansed from the skins and stones , of cyprian turpentine , each three ounces , of myrrh and scenanth , each one ounce and an half , of cinnamon half an ounce , of sweet smelling flag , three drams , of the roo●● of round cyperus , of indian spicknard , of wood of cassia , of juniper berries , bdellium , wood o● aloes , each two drams and an half , of saffron one dram , of the best honey clarified a sufficient quantity , and a little canary wine ; the myrrh and bdellium must be beaten in a morter with the wine , to the thickness of liquid honey , then presently add the turpentine , the pulp of raisins , and the powders , then with clarified honey , well boiled make a mass for troches . troches of maudlin , in latin , trochisci de eupatorio . take of the juice of maudlin , clarified and thickned , of calabrian manna , each an ounce , of red roses half an ounce , of spodium of ivory three drams and an half , of the roots of spicknard three drams , of rhubarb , asarabacca , and the seeds of anise , each two drams , beat together the nard , the anise , and the roses , powder finely apart the spodium , asarabacca , and rhubarb , then mix the manna and the juice of maudlin , in a morter ; add the powders , and with fresh juice make t●oches . virtues . they open obstructions , and mollifie hard swellings of the liver , and spleen , are good for an ill habit of body , and for the green sickness . dose . a dram of them may be taken at a time . dr. gordons troches , in latin , trochisci ●ordoni● . take of the four greater cold seeds skinned , of ●ite poppies , mallows , cotton , purslain , quinces , ●yrtle-berries , gum tragacanth arabick , pistaches , ●ne-nuts cleansed , sugar-candy , penids , liquo●e cleansed , barly cleansed , the mucilage of e seeds of psyllium , sweet almonds blanched , each ●o drams , of dragons blood , spodium of ivory , d roses , myrrh , each half an ounce , with a suf●ient quantity of hydromel , make troches . virtues . they stop tickling coughs , fluxes of ●od , the whites , and are good for ulcers of the reins , ●ts , bladder , and lungs , and for the running of the in s . dose . a dram of them may be taken at a me . trachi●ci hedychroi for making treacle . take of yellow sanders , leaves of marjoram , mastich , thyme , and of the roots of asaracca , each two drams , of rhapontick , costus , ●eet smelling flag , wood of aloes cinnamon , enanth , opobalsam , or oyl of nutmegs by exession each three drams , of woody cassia , indi●f , or mace , indian spicknard , myrrh , and saffron , ch six drams of amomum , or the lesser cardamons , e ounce and an half , mastich ʒ j. dissolve the yrrh in wine , then presently add the saffron and astich well powdred , then the opobalsam , and af●wards the rest powdred , with pouring wine on ●m by little and little , make a mass for thick ●oches , to be dryed gently in an oven , after bread is ●wn . troches of myrrh , in latin , trochisci ● myrrha . take of myrrh three drams , of the flowers ● lupins five drams , of the roots of madder , th● leaves of rue ▪ horse-mint , dittany of crete , seed of cumin , assa fetida , sagapenum , opopana● each two drams , dissolve the gums in a decoctio● of mugwort , or juniper berries in wine : add th● rest , and with the juice of mugwort make troches . virtues . they are used to force the courses , an● childbed purgations , and for mother-fits . dose . two scruples , or a dram of them ma● be taken at a time , trochisci polyidae . take of pomgranat flowers twelve dram● of roch allum three drams , of frankincense , myrr● each half an ounce , of chalcanthum two dram● of bulls gall six drams , of aloes one ounce , wit● rough wine , or with the juice of nightshade , 〈◊〉 plantain , make troches . virtues . they dry , cleanse , and heal sores . troches of rhubarb , in latin , trochis● de rhabarbaro . take of choice rhubarb , ten drams , of the jui● of maudlin thickned , and of bitter almonds , eac● half an ounce , of red roses , three drams , of t● roots of asarabacca , madder , indian spike , ● the leaves ●f wormwood , anise , and smalag● ●ch one dram , with wine wherein wormwood has ●een boiled , or the juice of maudlin clarified , ●ake troches . virtues . they are good in an ill habit of body , for ●struction of the courses , dropsie and jaundice . dose . a dram , or a dram and a half may be ●ken at a time , troches of squills for treacle , in latin , trochisci de scylla ad theriacam . take a squill full and white , and of a middle ●gness , at the beginning of july , after the leaves ●ud stalks are withered ; peel off the outward bark , ●nd take out the hard part , to which the roots ●dheres , then put it into past made of wheaten ●ower , and bake it in an oven , till the squill is ●nder all over , then take it out and beat it well in morter , and mix with it eight ounces of the flow●● of white orobus , or red cicers , finely searched , ● every pound of the squills , and make troches , ●ch weighing two drams , your hands being be●eared with the oyl of roses ; dry them on the ●●p of a house , on the south-side in the shade , ●rn them often till they are quite dry , then keep ●em in a glass or tin pot . troches of spodium , in latin , trochisci de spodio . take of red roses , twelve drams , of burnt ●ory , ten drams , of the seeds of sorrel , six ●ams , of purslan and coriander infused in vine●ar , and torrified , of the pulp of sumach , each ●o drams and an half , of white starch tosted , balaustines , barberries , each two drams , of gum● arabeck tosted , one dram and an half ; with th juice of unripe grapes make troches . virtues . they are good to stop fluxes , a cough , spitting of blood , and running of the reins . dose . a dram may be taken at a time . troches of lemnian earth , in latin , trochesci de terra lemnia . take of lemnian or sealed earth , of bole ar● monick , acacia , hypocistis , gum-arabick tosted dragons blood , white starch tosted , red roses● seeds of red roses , blood-stone , red coral , am● ber , balaustines , spodium of ivory , the seeds ● purslain a little tosted , olibanum , harts-horn burnt cypress nuts , saffron , each two drams , of the seed of black poppies , tragacanth and pearls , each ● dram and an half , of opium prepared , one dram● with the juice of plantain make troches . virtues . they are very astringent , they stop flux● of all forts , and running of the reins . dose . half a dram of them may be taken at ● time . troches of vipers for treacle , in lati● trochisci de vipera ad theriacam . take of the flesh of vipers ( the skin , entrail● head , fat , and tail being taken away ) with di● and a little salt boyled , eight ounces of very white-bread , or rather twice baked , grated an● sifted , two ounces ; let small troches be made , th hands being besmeared with opobalsam , or th oyl of nutmegs by expression , dry them on th bottom of a sieve , turned upwards in an open ●lace , where there is a free air ; turn them often ●ll they are dry , and keep them in a glass ; they will keep good a year ; but it is best to make trea●e soon after they are made . oyls . simple oyls by expression . oyl of sweet almonds , in latin , oleum amygdalarum dulcium . take of sweet almonds fresh dryed , as many as ●ou please , break the shells , and blanch them , beat ●hem in a stone mortar , put them in a press , and ●ress out the oyl without heat . virtues . it is often used for coughs and hoarsness , ●or the stone , and outwardly for plurisies , the side be●ng anointed with it ; it is also very good in the choick and gripes of children . dose . half an ounce or an ounce may be taken ●t a time . oyl of bitter almonds is made the same way , 〈◊〉 is chiefly used for deafness , and diseases of the ears . oxyrhodinum is made of four or five parts of oyl of roses , and one of vinegar . virtues . it discusses and repels . oyl of the yolks of eggs , in latin , oleum ex vitellis ovorum . take of the yolks of as many fresh hens egg as you will , boil them till they are hard , brea● them with your hands , or in a mortar with a pestle , fry them in an earthen glazed pan , till they are red , and stir them often least they burn ; whe● thep look fatty , put them hot into a linnen bag sprinkle aromatick wine upon them , and strain o● the oyl in a press . virtues . it cures chaps in womens niples , fistul● and malignant ulcers , and tettars , ring worms , an● the like . simple oyls by infusion or decoction . oyl of roses omphacine , in latin , oleum rosaceum omphacinum . take of red roses before they are ripe , th● whits being cut off , and bruised in a stone morta● with a wodden pestle , four ounces of omphacin oyl washed several times , a pint , expose them to the heat of the sun in a glass well stopt , for the space of a week , shake them daily ; then boyl them gently in a bath , press them out , and put in fresh repeat them a third time , and keep the oyl upo● one pint of the juice of roses . virtues . it cools and eases pain . note , that oyl omphacin is made of the pulp of olives before they are ripe . oyle of roses compleat , in latin , oleum rosaceum completum . it is made in the same manner of sweet and ●e oyl , often washed , and of red roses full own , bruised and sunn'd , and gently boiled in a ●uble vessel ; but the third time you place it in the ●n , it must remain there forty days , then keep ●e oyl and roses together without expression . oyl of wormwood , in latin , oleum absynthites . it is prepared in the samn manner of four ounces ● the tops of common wormwood , repeated ●rice , and three pints of ripe oyl ; only at last ●u must put in four ounces of the juice of worm●ood , which must be evaporated by gentle boyl●g . virtues . it strengthens the stomach , and helps ●gestion , the stomach being bathed with it . oyl of dill , in latin , oleum anethinum . it is made of ripe oyl , one pint , of the flowers ●d leaves of dill , four ounces , thrice repeated . virtues . it discusses and strengthens the stomach , ●d is good for convulsions , and eases pains of the head , ●rves and joynts . oyl of camomel , in latin , oleum cam● melinum . it is made of ripe oyl , and fresh camomel fle●ers , ( the white leaves being taken away ) being ● and bruised , and covered with a single linnen clo● set in the sun and pressed out , and thrice repeat as before . virtues . it is anodyn , gives each in the ●ho● and plurisie , by bathing the affected part ; or it given in clysters for the same purpose . oyl of wall-flowers , in latun , oleum chrinum . it is made of wall-flowers and ripe oyl , as ● of dill. virtues . it is good in the palsie , cramp , and stre● thens the nerves and joynts . oyl of caster , in latin , oleum de ●storeo . take of castor , one ouhce , of oyl , one p● of generous wine , two ounces , powder the ● stor , and infuse it two days , ; then add the ● and boyl it to the consumption of the wine . virtues . it is good in cold diseases of the br● back and nerves , and of any other part of the 〈◊〉 being dropt into the ears , it cures deafness and n●● it is good for the rickets , convulsions , palsie and ● thargy . oyl of orris , in latin , oleum i●inum . take of the roots of florentine orris , a pound , ● the flowers of purple orris , two pound , of the ●ater wherein other roots of orris were boyl● , a sufficient quantity , of sweet oyl washed , six ●nts , boyl them in a double vessel , put in fresh ●ots and flowers , as in oyl of roses . virtues . it digests crude humours , dissolves hard ●ellings , mollifies , discusses , digests , and eases ●in . oyl of euphorbium , in latin , oleum euphorbii . take of euphorbium , six drams , of oyl of all-flowers five ounces , of fragrant wine , three ●ces , boyl them together in a double vessel , till wine is evaporated . virtues . it is much of the same virtue with oyl castor . oyl of lillies is made in the same manner as oyl of ●s . oyl of worms , in latin , oleum lumbricorum . take of earth-worms , half a pound , first was● worms in water often changed , then with white●e , wherein infuse them an hour , then pour off wine , and put the worms into a double vessel , pour upon them a quart of oyl of olives , ●hite-wine , half a pound ; boyl them till the wine is evaporated , then strain it through a linnen cloth , and keep it for use . virtues . it gives ease , and is good in all cold diseases of the joynts and nerves , for bruises and wound● and the rickets . oyl of marjoram , in latin , oleum majoranae . take of the herb bruised , four ounces , of goo● whitewine , six ounces , of ripe oyl , one pi● mingle them , set them in the sun , put in fr● herbs thrice ; press out the herbs and boyl them i a bath , to the consumption of the wine . virtues . it is good for the head , and the cold d●eases of it , for the stomach , and diseases of ● nerves . mastich oyl , in latin , oleum masti●inum . take of rose omphacin oyl , one pint , of ● stich , three ounces , of fragrant wine , four ounce mix them , and boyl them in a double vessel , ● all the wine is consumed ; strain it , and keep for use . virtues . it stops vomiting and fluxes , and i●● ful in diseases of the head and nerves . oyl of melilot , in latin , oleum meliloti made of the tops of the herb , after the same ●ner of oyl of cammomi●e . virtues . it eases pain . oyl of myrrh , in latin , oleum myrrhae . boyl eggs until they be hard , then cutting them ●n two , separate the yolks , and fill the white with myrrh powdred , set them on little sticks , placed conveniently on purpose , in a plate or earthen pan , ● a cellar , or some such moist place , and there ●ill distil a liquor to the bottom of the vessel . virtues . it cleanses the skin from spots , and half ●ounce taken inwardly with sugar-candy , is good for ●●rsness and a cough . oyl of mint is made of the herb , and om●acin oyl , as oyl of roses is . virtues . it stops vomiting , and strengthens the ●mach , it being anointed therewith . oyl of myrtles , in latin , oleum mirtinum , is ade of one part of myrtle berries , bruised and ●inkled with rough wine , and of three parts of yl of roses omphacin ; set them in the sun ●enty four days ; during which time let the bers be thrice renewed , boyled , and strained . virtues it is very astringent , it stops vomiting d fluxes , hinders the falling of the hair , and strengns the limbs . oyl of water-lillies , in latin , oleum nenupharinum . take of the fresh flowers of water-lillies ( the ow and green leaf in the middle being taken part one , of omphacin oyl , parts three , re● the flowers thrice , as in oyl of roses . virtues . it is very cooling , and cures inflammations , it procures sleep , the forehead and ●emples being anointed with it . nard oyle , in latin , oleum nardinum . take of spiknard , three ounces , of sweet oyl , a pound and an half , of fragrant white ▪ wine and pure water , each two ounces and an half ; boyl them in a double vessel over a gentle fire , stirring them frequently to consume the watry humor . virtues . it heats and strengthens , it is good fo● cold diseases , and strengthens the head , and is good for convulsions , palsies , sleeping diseases ; it stops vomiting , and helps digestion . oyl of rue , in latin , oleum rutaceum . it is made of the bruised herb , and ripe oy● as the oyl of roses is . virtues . it warms and strengthens the joynts 〈◊〉 nerves , and is good for convulsions and palsies . oyl of savin , in latin , oleum sabinae . it is made as the former is made . virtues . it cures and cleanses ulcers , and childre● s●abby heads . oyl of elder-flowers , in latin , oleum sa● bucinum . it is made of the flowers and oyl , as oyl roses is . virtues . it discusses , mollifies , and resolves . oyl of scorpions , in latin , oleum scorpionum . take of live scorpions of a middle size , catched while the sun enters leo , number thirty , of oyl of bitter almonds , a quart , set them in the sun forty days , strain the oyl , and keep it for use . virtues . it is good for the kings-evil , cancers , old sores , cures inflammations , and vices of the skin , it gives ease in the stone , the reins being anointed with it , and cures the bitings of poysonous beasts . oyl of violets , in latin , oleum violaceum . it is made of omphacin oyl and flowers of violets , as oyl of roses is . virtues . it moistens , cools , and mollifies . compound oyls by infusion and decoction . oyl of swallowes , in latin , oleum hirundinum . take of whole swallows , number sixteen , of cammomile , rue , plantain , the greater and lesser , the leaves of bays , penny-royal , dill , hyssop rosemary , sage , st. john's wort , cost-mary , each one ●andful , of common oyl , two quarts , spanish wine a pint . if you take so much may butter as ●ou do of oyl , and boyl the ingredients above mentioned in it ; it will have the name and consistence of an oyntment . virtues . it is good for lameness and old aches , and for pains and weakness of the joynts . oyl of st. john's-wort , in latin , oleum hyperici . take of fragrant white-wine , one pint , of the tops of st. john's-wort , with the flowers and seeds , four ounces , infuse them three days in a glass well stopt , in a pint of old oyl of olives , in the sun or in a bath ; in the same manner repeat the infusion of st. johns-wort , after the third infusion , boy● away almost all the wine and strain it , and ad● three ounces of turpentine , and one scruple 〈◊〉 saffron , boyl it again a little , and put it up for use . virtues . it is an excellent cleansing and heali●● oyl , and comforts the limbs and joynts , it is good fo● bruises and old aches . lucatellus balsam , in latin , balsamum l●catelli . take of the best yellow wax , one pound , m● it over a gentle fire , in a pint of canary-wine then add of the best oyl of olives , and of veni● turpentine , washed till it is white in rose-wate● each a pound and an half ; boyl them gently till th● wine is evaporated , then take it from the fire , 〈◊〉 sprinkle into it two ounces of red sanders fin● powdred ; continue stirring of it till it is cold . virtues . this is an excellent balsam , cures ulcers , either within or without the body , is good 〈◊〉 bruises and old aches , and is good for coughs and 〈◊〉 beginning of consumptions ; but of it self it is a nau●eous medicine , and offends the stomach . the following composition makes it more agreable to the stomach . take of conserve of hips , and of this balsam , each equal parts . dose . the quantity of a nutmeg may be taken morning and evening . oyl of foxes , in latin , oleum vulp●num . take a fox as fat as you can get him , of middle age , catched by hunting in the autumn , kill him , and take out his guts , flea him , and cut his flesh in pieces , break his bones , boyl him in white-wine and fountain-water , each three quarts , add three ounces of salt , the tops of dill , thyme , ground pine , each one handful , boyl half the liquor away , strain it , and add to it two quarts of the best old oyl , of the flowers of sage and rosemary , each one handful ; then evaporate by boyling the watry humor and the wine ; strain it again hard , and separate in a tunnel the water from the oyl ; which keep for use . virtues . it is good for pains of the joynts , sciatica and aches , and is good for convulsions and palsies . chymical oyls , in latin , olea chymica oyl of ambar , in latin , oleum s●c●i●● fill with ambar grosly beaten , two thirds of a● earthen retort , or gla●s one luted , place it in ● furnace on two iron bars , sit to it a large receiver ▪ and luting the juncture close , give under it a small fire to warm the retort , and to drive out the 〈◊〉 afterwards augment it by little and little ; there well come forth a spirit and an oyl , continue the fire until there comes no more , then let the v●ssel cool , and ●nl●te them , pour about a pint of warm water i●to the receiver , stir it well , dissolve some volat●● salts that often stick to the sides of the receiver ; pour all the liquor into a glass alembick , fit to it a receiver , a●d luting well the junctures , make a small fire to heat the vessel , then augment it a little ; the water and spirit will rise , and carry with them a little white oyl ; continue the fire until there rises no more , and the thick oyl remains at the bottom of the cucurbit without boyling ; separate the white oyl that swims above the spirit and flegm , and keep it in a viol well stopt . virtues . it is used inwardly for the falling sickne● apoplexy , and palsie , and for hysterick diseases . dose . two , three or four drops of it may be taken at a time in some proper liquor . the black oyl which remains in the cucurbit , is good to anoint the nostrils and wrists in hysterick discases . note . the water and spirit being evaporated over a gentle fire , to the consumption of two thirds , is an excellent aperitive , and is used for the jaundice , stopage of vrine , vlcers of the neck , of the bladder , and the scurvy . dose . ten , or twenty drops of this spirit may be taken at a time in some convenient liquor . some think , that the oyl of petre , in latin , paetroleum is a liquor drawn from ambar , by means of subterranean fires . oyl of cinnamon , in latin , oleum cinnamomi . bruise four pounds of good cinnamon , and infuse it in six quarts of hot water , leave it in digestion in an earthen vessel well stopt two days , pour the infusion into a large copper limbeck , and fitting a receiver to it , and luting the junctures with a wet bladder , distil with a pretty good fire three pints of the liquor , then unlute the limbeck , and pour into it by inclination the distilled water , you 'll find at bottom a little oyl , which you must put in●o a viol close stopt ; distil the liquor as before , then ●eturning the water into the limbeck , take the ●yl you find at the bottom of the receiver and mix ● with the first . repeat this cohobation , untill there ●ises no more oyl . virtues . the oyl of cinnamon is an admirable cor●oborative and strengthens the stomach , it eases womens ●elivery , forces the co●●ses , and encreases seed . dose . a drop of it is commonly mixed with a ittle sugar candy , to make the el●osacharum , which is easily dissolved in cordial , or hysterick waters ▪ oyl of gujacum , in latin , oleum guajaci ▪ take the shavings of guajacum , fill a large retort with them three quarters full ; pláce it in a reverberatory furnace , and join to it a great capacious receiver , begin the distillation with a fire of the first degree , to warm the retort gently , continue it in this condition until there comes no more drops , which is a sign that all the flegm is distilled ; throw away that you find in the receiver , and fitting it again to the neck of the retort , lute well the junctures ; you must afterwards increase the fire by degrees , and the spirit and oyl will come forth in white clouds ; continue the fire untill there comes no more ; let the vessels cool and unlute them , pour that which is in the receiver into a tunnel lined with brown paper , set in a bottle or some other vessel ; the spirit will pass through , and leave the thick and very fetid oyl in the tunnel , pour it into a viol , and keep it for use . virtues . it is an excellent remedy for rottenness of the bones , for the tooth-ach , and it will cleanse old ulcers . oyl of juniper-berries , in latin , oleum ● baccis juniperi . take of fresh berries of juniper fifty pounds bruise them , and put them into a wooden vesse● with ten quarts of fountain water , and one poun● of sharp leaven , keep them in a celler , the vesse● being well stopt three months , then distil them i● an alembick , with a sufficient quantity of simpl● water ; after the oyl is separated , keep the water for a new destillation ; in the same manner is made the oyl of ivy-berries , bay-berries and the like ; or you may draw oyl from the foresaid berries bruised , and steept twenty four hours in warm water , adding to every pound of berries six pints of water ; or if the berries are very dry , five quarts of water , and distil them in an alembick . virtues . it is peculiarly good for the stone in the kidneys , the colick , and to expel wind , it provokes sweat , and is proper in the plague , and to expel poyson . dose . six or ten drops of it may be taken at a time . oyl of nutmegs by expression , in latin , oleum nucis moschatae per expressionem . take sixteen ounces of good nutmegs , beat them in a mortar until they are almost in a past , and put them upon a boulter , cover them with a piece of strong cloath , and an earthen pan over that ; put your cloath over a kettle half filled with water , and set the kettle upon the fire , that the vapour of the water may gently warm the nutmegs ; when you shall find upon touching the pan , that it is so hot you cannot endure your hand upon it , you must take off the boulter , and putting the matter into a ▪ linnen cloath , take its four corners and tye them quickly together ; put them into a press between a couple of warm plates , set the pan underneath , and there will come forth an oyl , which congeals as it grows cold ; express the matter as strongly as you are able , to draw out the oyl ; then keep it in a pot well stopt . virtues . this oyl is very stomachick , being taken either inwardly , or outwardly applied . dose . six or ten grains may be taken at a time . the following medicine is generally used to anoint childrens breasts in colds . take of oyl of nutmegs by expression , of pomatum , and the oyntment of flowers of oranges , each equal parts ; make an oyntment . oyl of bricks , in latin , oleum lateritium philosophorum . take of bricks broke to peices , to the bigness of beans , of pigeons eggs , heat them red hot , and quench them in old oyl , let them ly in it till they are cold , then take them out and powder them finely , put the powder into a retort with a convenient receiver , and distill them by degrees in an open fire , keep the oyl in a glass well stopt . virtues . it softens hard swellings , cases the pain of the spleen , and reins , and is excellent for sciatica , and all cold diseases of the nerves and joints . oyls distilled from herbs and flowers . oyl of wormwood , in latin , oleum absynthii . take of dryed wormwood one pound , of fountain water ten quarts ▪ infuse them twenty four hours , and distil them in a copper limbeck , separate the oyl from the water in a tunnel , or separating glass ; keep the water for a new distillation . virtues . it strengthens the stomach stops vomiting , helps digestion , and expels wind . dose . five or ten drops of it may be taken at a time , but you must drop it upon sugar , if you intend to mix it with any liquor . the same way may be prepared oyl of hyssop , marjoram , mint , garden cresses , wild marjoram , penny royal , rosemary , rue , savin , sage , savory , thyme , and the like , of the flowers of cammomile , and of lavender , and from all other hot herbs and flowers ; and the same way may be also prepared oyls of the dryed barks of oranges , citrons and lemons . oyl of sulphur by the bell , in latin , oleum sulphuris per campanum provide a great earthen pan , and set in the middle of it , a little earthen pan turned upside down , and then another such pan on this filled with melted sulphur , cover both these pans with a great glass tunnel made on purpose , with a neck as long as ●hat of a matrass , and the bigness of a thumb , fire the sulphur , and do not stop the hole of the tunnel , but let the air come in to increase its burnng , for it would otherwise go out ; when your sulphur is spent , put new in its place , and continue o do so until you find under the lower pan , as much ●pirit as you need ; keep it in a viol . virtues . so much of it is put into juleps as to ive them an agreeable acidity , to qualify the heat ● continued fevers , it is also good to force u●ne . oyl of turpentine , in latin , oleum terebinthini . take of venice turpentine as much as you please , common water four times as much ; put them ●o an alembick , and make a convenient fire under em , and a thin white oyl like water will distil , and at the bottom will remain the colophony , th● clear oyl may be drawn commodiously , and fre● from danger of burning , in a glass still with i● head in a bath . virtues . this oyl is excellent for cold pains , ● cleanse ulcers , and to recover the natural heat of ● parts when it is decayed , it is also good in gangrea● and mortifications , and it is excellent for stopping blood in wounds , being applied hot . oyl of wax , in latin , oleum cerae . take of yellow wax melted two pounds , mi● with it three or four pounds of potters earth powdred , or so much as is requisite to make a paste of ● form it into little pellets , and put them into ● earthen retort , or glass one coated , a third whe● of must remain empty , place the retort in a re●●beratory furnace , fit to it a receiver , and luting ● joints , give a small fire at first , there will come for flegm , then a spirit ; increase the fire a little a● a liquor will distil , that congeals in the receiver 〈◊〉 butter , continue the fire till nothing more co●forth , then unlute the joints , separate the sp● mixed with flegm from the butter , and keep i● a viol well stopt . virtues . it opens obstructions . dose . is from ten drops to twenty , melt the b●ter of wax in an earthen pan , and make a paste it with a sufficient quantity of potters earth po●dred , form this past into little pellets , put them ● to a glass retort , set your retort in a sand heat , to it a receiver , and luting the joints , begin ● distellation with a small fire ; a great many sp● will come forth mixed with flegm , after which ●ase it a little , and a clear yellow oyl will come ; ving distilled about three ounces of it , change e receiver , for that which comes at last is as thick butter , it may be rectified with other clay or tters earth , and it will change into as transpant oyl as the other , separate the oyl from the spi● , and keep it in a viol . virtues . it discusses tumors , and is good for cold ●ins . oyl of seeds . oyl of the seeds of dill , in latin , oleum ex semine anethi . take of the seeds of dill beaten two pound , of ountain water ten quarts , infuse them twenty four ours , then distil them in an alembick , with its re●geratory , separate the oyl from the water in a tun●l ; keep the water for a new distillation . virtues . it digests , discusses , and ripens tumors . the same way is made the oyl of the seeds of nise , caraways , cummin , daucus , fennel , parsly , ●xifrage , and the like , the same way are also pre●red the oyls of spices , as of cinnamon , cloves , ●ace , nutmegs , pepper , and the like ; which ●ust not be powdred , but broken and beaten a ttle . simple oyntments . white oyntment , in latin , unguentum album . take unripe oyl of roses nine ounces , of ceass washed in rose water , and well rubbed three unces , of white wax two ounces , having melted the wax in the oyl , add the ceruss after it 〈◊〉 been frequently washed in fountain water , and ●terwards in rose water , being dried and sifted m●● an oyntment , add of camphor rub'd with a 〈◊〉 drops of the oyl of almonds two drams , and th● it is camphorized . virtues . it is an excellent cooling and drying oy●ment , and is g●od for burns , and inflammations , ●dries ulcers , cures galls , and takes off itching . unguentum aegyptiacum . take of verdegrease finely powdred parts 〈◊〉 of honey fourteen parts , of sharp vinegar sev● parts , boil them all with a gentle fire to a due co●sistence , and redish colour . virtues . it 's an excellent oyntment to cleanse s● did ulcers , and to eat down proud flesh . oyntment or liniment of gum elemi , ● latin , unguentum , sive linimen●●● gummi elemi . take of gum elemi and of turpentine of 〈◊〉 firr each an ounce and an half , of old sheeps s● cleansed two ounces , of old hogs grease o● ounce , mix them and make a liniment . virtues . it eases pain in sores , it heal ulcers many parts of the body ; but is chiefly used for wo●● and ulcers in the head . basilicon . take of yellow wax , of rosin of the pine , beef suer , greek or ship pitch , turpentine , o● banum , myrrh , each one ounce , oyl five ounces , owder the olib●num and myrrh , and with the ●●st being melted , make an oyntment . virtues . it is esteemed a good digestive , it asswa●s all manner of pains , it in●●rns and heals , it al● gives ●ase in the gout . oyntment of marshmallows , in latin , unguentum di●l●heae . take of th● fresh roots of marsh-mallows bruis● two pound , of linseed , and fenugreek seed , ●ch one pound , infuse them three days in four quarts ● water , then boil them gently , and press out the ●ucilage , whereof take two pound , common oyl ●o quarts , boil them together , till the wa●ry part ● the mucilage is consumed ; then add of wax ●e pound , of rosin half a pound , of turpentine ●o ounces , boil it to the consi●tence of an oynt●nt . virtues . it softens , discusses , digests , eases the ●ns of the breast and sides , and of a pleurisy , the ●ts affected being anointed with it . unguentum diapompholigos . take of oyl of roses twelve ounces , of the ●e of the berries of garden night-shade , six oun● of white wax , and of ceruss washt , each four ●ces , of lead infused in the sharpest vinegar , ● dried and beaten , of pompholix prepared , ● two ounces , of pure franckincense one ounce , ● the oyl and juice gently , till the juice is consud , then add the wax , then the powders made fine ▪ stir them continually till they are cold , then mak● an oyntment . virtues . it cools , dries , and gives ease , and i● e●cellent for curing ulcers . oyntment of elecampane , in latin , ungu●●tum enulatum . take of the roots of elecampane boiled in v●negar , that is not very sharp , bruised and p●lp● one pound , of turpentine washed in the same ●coction two ounces , of yellow wax one ounce , ● old hogs lard salted , and of old oyl , each ●o● ounces , of common salt half an ounce , to the l●● wax , and oyl melted , add the turpentine , ● pulp of elecampane , and the salt finely powder● make an oyntment . virtues . it cures scabs , itch , tetters , ring-w●● oyntment of elecampane with mercury , latin , unguentum enulatum cum m●curio . it is made of the foregoing oyntment , with● ounces of quicksilver added to it extingui●● not only with the spittle or the juice of lem● but also with the oyl of turpentine , kept a ● for this purpose , and with part of the lard , they ● be well mixed by continual stirring in a ● mortar . virtues . it is more powerful then the for● it is used for pains and nod●s in the skin , ● seabs and ulcers . note . purging must be used often , when this ●yntment is ordered ; for otherwise there will be ●nger of its fluxing . oyntment of bays , in latin , unguentum laurinum . take of bay leaves bruised one pound , berries the same bruised half a pound , colewort leaves ●r ounces , ox-feet oyl ●ive pounds , beef suet two ●unds , boil them and strain them , make an oynt●ent . virtues . it is good to be used in all cold distempers , ●ich affect the nerves and joynts , it expels wind ●en in glysters . unguentum nutritum . take of litharge of gold finely powdred , half ●ound , wine vinegar five ounces , oyl of roses ●ound , grind the litharge in a mortar , pouring ●on it by turns , sometimes the oyl , sometimes the ●negar ; stir it till the vinegar does not appear , ●d till the oyntment is white . virtues . it is cooling and drying , and gives ease , cures diseases of the skin . oyntment of tobacco , in latin , unguentum è nicotiana . take of the leaves of tobacco two pounds , of ●sh hogs grease well washed one pound , beat it a marble mortar , add three ounces of red wine , ●u●e them all night , then boil them over a gentle ●e , to evaporate the wine ; strain it , and put it upon the fire again , and add to it of the juice tobacco a pint , of venice turpentine four ounc● boil it again to evaporate the juices . lastly , a● of the roots of round birthwort powdered , t● ounces , of yellow wax a sufficient quantity ; m● an oyntment . virtues . it 's an excellent oyntment to ease p●i● it is good for bruises and wounds , for the biting● venomous beasts , for old scabs , itch , tetters , ri●●orms . oyn●ment of sharp pointed dock , in la●i● unguentum ex oxylap●tho . take of the roots of sharp pointed dock , bo●ed in vinegar till they are sof● , pulp them , of s●phur washed in the juice of lemons , each an ou● and an half , of hogs grease washed often in 〈◊〉 juice of scabious , half a pound , of popul●● oyntment , moistned with the juice of elecamp●● half an ounce , add a few drops of oyl of r●o●um , and mingle them all in a mortar , and so m● an oyntment . virtues . it is chiefly used for the itch , and 〈◊〉 cu●aneous diseases . o●ntment for the eyes , in latin , unguetum ophthalmicum . take of sheeps suet well washed in plan●● and rose water , one ounce , of lapis calam●ris , and prepared tutty , each two scruples , white lead washed two drams , mingle them ● and make an oyntment . virtues . it is good for inflam●ation of the eyes , to ●e pains , and to dry up rheums . pomatum . take of fresh hogs lard three pounds , of fresh eeps suet nine ounces , of apples called pom-wa●s , paired and sliced one pound nine ounces , of ●grant rose water six ounces , of the roots of flo●tine orris grosly powdred six drams ; boil them gether in a bath till the apples are soft ; then strain without pressing , then heat it again a little , and ash it with fresh rose water , and add to every ●und of the oyntment twelve drops of oyl of ●odium . virtues . it is cooling , and eases pain , it takes off ● roughness of the skin and pimples , and heals chaps the hands and lips , and the like . the red drying oyntment ▪ in latin , unguentum rubrum desiccativum . take of oyl of roses , omphacin , one pound , ● white wax five ounces , melt them and sprinkle ●o them , of lemnian earth , bole armonick , ● lapis calamminaris finely powdred , each four ●nces , of litharge , of gold , and ceruss , each ree ounces , of camphir one dram , make an yntment . virtues . it dries , heals and skins / sores , and stops ●xes of humours . oyntments more compound . alabastrin oyntment , in latin , ungu●●tum de alabastro . take of the juice of cammomile four ounces ▪ red roses , and the roots of marsh-mallows , ea● two ounces , of fresh rue and bettony , each ● ounce and an half , of oyl of roses omphac● one pint and an half , of pure alabaster finely po●dred , three ounces , mingle them , and let the● stand till the next day , then boil them till the juic● are evaporated , then with six ounces of white w●● make an oyntment . virtues . it is good for head-aches , the fore●●●● and temples being anointed with it . the apostles oyntment , in latin , ungu●●tum apostolorum . take of turpentine , rosin , yellow wax , a●moniacum , each fourteen drams , of the roots ● long birthwort , male franckincense , bdellium , e●● six drams , of myrrh , galbanum , each half ● ounce , of opoponax three drams , of verdegre●● two drams , of litharge nine drams , oyl a qu●●● of vinegar a sufficient quantity to dissolve the a●moniacum , the opoponax , and galbanum ; the bdellium , galbanum , ammoniacum , and opop●nax must be infused twelve hours in vinegar up● hot ashes , then boil them , and when they are melte● strain them , and with a gentle heat reduce them ● the thickness of honey ; put in the turpentine whil● ●y are hot , mix the litharge finely powdered with ●rt of the oyl over a gentle fire , then add by ●grees the rest of the oyl , and then melt the wax the same , and the rosin grosly powdred , then ke it from the fire , and mix first the gums , then e birthwort , myrrh , and lastly the franckincense , ●d verdegrease powdered ; stir it well , and make ● oyntment . virtues it cleanses old and sinuous ulcers , and eats ●n proud flesh . unguentum aregon . take of the flowers and tops of rosemary ▪ mar●am , wild thyme , and rue , of the roots ● wake-robin , and wild cucumber , each ●r ounces and an half , of the leaves of bays , ●ge , savin , and of the roots of briony , each three ●nces , of flea bane , spurge , lawrel , each nine ●nces , the leaves of wild cucumber , and of calaint each half a pound , they must be all gathered ●sh in may , cleansed and bruised , and infused se●n whole days in five pints of the best oyl , and in ●e pint of spirit of wine ; boil them gently till e watry humor is evaporated , strain out the oyl , ●d melt in it fifteen ounces of yellow wax , of ●ars grease , and oyl of bays each three ounces , ● moscheleum , half an ounce , of petroleum one ●nce , of butter four ounces , stir them , and sprine in the following powders , of mastich , and oli●num , each six drams , of pellitory of spain , eu●orbium , ginger and pepper , each one ounce ; ●ke an oyntment . virtues . it is good for all cold diseases , for palsies , convulsions , cramps , stifness of the joints , it ' good for the colick ▪ pains of the back and reins . oyntment of sow-bread , in latin , unguentum de arthanita . take of the juice of sow-bread , or for wanto● it , a strong decoction of the roots three pints , o● the juice of wild cucumbers , and cows butt●● each one pound , of oyl of orris a quart , of th● pulp of coloquintida four ounces , of poly pod● six ounces , of euphorbium half an ounce , powde● finely the poly pody and euphorbium , and cut smal● the coloquin●ida ; infuse them in a glazed pot eigh● days , afterwards boil them in a double vessel , ti●● the juices are almost ▪ evaporated , strain it , and dissolve in the liquor five ounces of yellow wax , an● while it is yet hot , mingle with it sagapenum , dissolved in vinegar , and bulls gall boiled to the consistence of honey in a bath , each one ounce , the● sprinkle in the following things powdred , of sc●mony , turbith , coloquintida , the berries or leave● of mezereon , and of aloes , each seven drams , ● sal gemma half an ounce , of euphorbium , lo● pepper , myrrh , ginger , and the flowers of camm●mile , each three drams , make an oyntment . virtues . it purges the belly , being anointed wi●● it below the navel ; but anointed above the navel ● the stomach , it occasions vomiting . the countesses oyntment , in latin , unguentum comitissae . take of the middle bark of acorns , chesnuts , ●●d of oak of small black beans , myrtle berries , ●orse-tail , of green galls without holes , of grape●nes , and unripe services dryed , unripe medlars , ●e leaves of wild prunes , the roots of bistort , and ●ormentile , each an ounce and an half , powder ● grosly , and boil them in five quarts of plantain ●ater , till half is consumed , then take of new yel●w wax eight ounces and an half , of simple oyl of ●yrtles two pound and an half , of the juice of ●ypocistis half an ounce , melt all these , and wash ●m nine times in the decoction above mentioned , ●ided into so many parts ; when they are washand dissolved , sprinkle into them the fine powders the middle barks of the acorns , chesnuts , and oak , of the galls without holes , of the ashes of the ●es of ox legs , of myrtle berries , of grape●es unripe , of unripe services dryed , each half ounce , of the troches of ambar two ounces , ●gle them , and with a sufficient quantity of ●l of mastich unwashed , make an oynt●t . virtues . it is very astringent , and strengthengood for luxations , ruptures , and prevents the ●ng of the fundament and miscarriage , the belly reins being anointed with it ; it also stops all ● of fluxes . oyntment for the piles , in latin , unguentum hemorrhoi●●le . take of the mucilage of the seeds of psyllium , of the seeds of quinces , extracted in the water of night-shade , each half an ounce , oyl of roses compleat , one ounce , the yolk of one egg , of hens fat two drams , let them be mixed together in a leaden mortar , with a leaden pestle , by adding a little yellow wax , make an oyntment . virtues . it is peculiarly proper for the piles , the fundament being anointed with it . unguentum martiatum . take of fresh leaves of bays , three pounds , o● garden rue two pounds and an half , of marjora● two pound , of mint one pound , of sage , wormwood , costmary , garden basil , each half a poun● of oyl of olives ten quarts , of yellow wax fo● pound , malago wine a quart ; bruise them , infu● them , boil them , and press them out , and so ma● an oyntment . virtues . it discusses cold swellings , strength●● the nerves and joints , and takes away aches , and good for the head . oyntment of mastich , in latin , ungue●tum mastichinum . take of the oyls of mastich , of wormwo● and nard , each one ounce , of mastich , mi● red roses , red coral , cloves , cinnamon , wo● of aloes , scenanth , each one dram , of wax a sufficient quantity , make an oyntment . virtues . it strengthens the head , and nerves , and stomach , and is astringent . the naples oyntment , in latin , unguentum neapolitanum . take of hogs lard , washed in the juice of sage one pound , of quicksilver strained through ●eather four ounces , of oyl of bays , camomel , ●nd worms , each two ounces , of spike an ounce ●nd an half , of spirit of wine one ounce , of yel●ow wax two ounces , of turpentine washed in ●he juice of elecampane three ounces , of the pow●er of ground pine , and sage , each two drams , ●oil the lard over a gentle fire , with the juice of ●age , till the juice is evaporated ; then mingle the ●yls of camomel , wormes and of spike , and the ●ax , stir them till the wax is melted , and well ●ixed ; then taking them from the fire , add the ●e oyl of bays , in the mean while let the mercury ●e extinguished in a mortar , by rubbing it well ●ith part of the lard , and the turpentine , after●ards mingle them all and stir them about ; then ●●d the powders , and spirit of wine , and stir them ●out again , and so make an oyntment . virtues . it is used for raising of fluxes . nerve oyntment , in latin , unguentum nervinum . take of the leaves of cowslips , with the flow●s , of sage , ground pine , rosmary , lavender , ●ys , with the berries , camomel , rue , smalage , melilot with the flowers , and wormwood , each one handful , of mint , bettony , peny-royal , parsly , of the lesser centaury , st. john's-wort , each half an handful , of the oyl of sheeps feet , or bullocks feet five pints , of sheep or beef suet , or the marrow of either , two pound , of oyl of spike half an ounce , bruise and boil the herbs with the oyl and suet , and so make an oyntment . virtues . it is good for the nerves , and palsies , convulsions , bruises , and old aches , and for the colick , for the palsy and the like , the neck and back bone must be anointed with it . the pectoral oyntment , in latin , unguentum pectorale . take of fresh butter washed in violet water six ounces , of the oyls of sweet almonds four ounces , of camomel and violets , each three ounces , of hens and ducks grease , each two ounces , of the roots of orris two drams , of saffron half a dram , of white wax three ounces , the orris and saffron being finely powdred and the rest melted , make an oyntment . vertues . it is chiefly used for obstructions of the breast , for plurisies , and the like . oyntment of poplar buds , in latin , unguentum populneum . take of the fresh buds of black poplar , a pound and an half , of the leaves of violets , navelwor● of the wall , each three ounces , of fresh hogs lard ▪ unsalted and freed from the skins , and washed , two pound , to all of them being bruised , mixed , and infused together all the month of may , add the tender tops of brambles , of the leaves of black poppies , of mandrakes , or of the berries and leaves of mountain elder , of henbane , night-shade , lettice , houseek , the lesser and the greater , of the greater burdock ▪ each three ounces , bruise them again , and having mixed them all , and having poured upon them after ten days a pint of rose water , boil them over a gentle fire stirring them continually till all the superfluous moister is consumed ; strain them in a press and make an oyntment . virtues . it is very cooling , eases pain , and is used in fevers , to give rest , the temples being anointed with it . unguentum splanchnicum . take of the oyls of capers one ounce , of white lillies , camomile , new made butter , the juice of briony and sow-bread , each half an ounce , boil them till the juices are consumed , then add of gum ammoniacum dissolved in vinegar two drams and an half , of hens-grease , oesypus , the marrow of calves legs , each half an ounce , of the powders of the barks of tamarisk , of the roots of capers , of the roots of fern , and ceterach , each one dram , of the seeds of agnus castus , and broom , each one scruple , of wax a sufficient quantity , make an oynment . virtues it is good for obst uctions , and hardness of the spleen and liver , and for hard tumors , and rickets in children , the parts being anointed with it . oyntment of sumach , in latin , unguentum sumach . take of sumach , unripe galls , myrtle berries , balaustins , pomgranat peels , the bark of acorns , of cypress nuts , of true or german acacia , and of mastich , each ten drams , of white wax five ounces , of oyl of roses washed often in alum water , one pint and ten ounces , powder all those things finely that are to be powdred , and infuse them four whole days in the juice of medlars and unripe services ; then dry them by a gentle fire , and with the oyl and wax , boil it to an oyntment . virtues . it stops fluxes , hinders miscarriage , the reins and belly being anointed with it . cerecloths . cerecloth of galbanum , in latin , ceratum de galbano . take of galbanum prepared an ounce and an half , of turpentine one ounce , of assa fetida half an ounce , of bdellium one dram , of red myrth two drams , of wax two ounces , of the seeds of daucus one scruple , of the leaves of fetherfew , mugwort , each half a dram ; dissolve the gums in vinegar , except the assa fetida , which is to be dissolved with the turpentine , and make a cerecloth . virtues . being applied to the belly it kill● worms , expels wind , provokes the courses , and i● good for mother-fits , and cleanses the womb after labour . cerecloth of sanders , in latin , ceratum santalinum . take of red sanders ten drams , of white and yellow sanders six drams , of red roses an ounce and an half , of bole armonick seven drams , of spodium of ivory half an ounce , of camphor two drams , of yellow wax one pound , of oyl of roses omphacin six ounces , powder all the sanders together , the roses , the bole , ivory , and camphor apart , then melt the wax over a gentle fire , and when they are a little cold mix the powders , and last of all the camphor dissolved in oyl ; mix them well together and make a cerecloth . virtues . it is good for inflamations of the stomach , liver , and other parts , it is good for pains and weakness of the back and reins . plasters , in latin , emplastra . plaster of ammoniacum , in latin , emplastrum de ammoniaco . take of ammoniacum , of wheaten bran well sifted , each an ounce , of the oyntment of marsh-mallows , of compound plaster of melilot , of the powders of the roots of briony and orris , each half an ounce , of the grease of ducks , geese , and hens , each three drams , of bdellium , and galbanum , each one dram and an half , of the rosin of the pine , and yellow wax , each five ounces , of oyl of orris and turpentine , each an ounce and an half , boil the grease and the oyls with the muci● lage of linseeds , and fenugreek seeds , each thre● ounces , till the mucilages are consumed , strain it ▪ and add the wax , rosin , turpentine , oyntmen● of marsh-mallows , with the plaster of melilo● , and when it begins to cool , add the ammoniacum dissolved in vinegar , then the bdellium powdred with the other powders , and so make a plaster . virtues . it dissolves hard swellings , eases the pain of the breasts , and dissolves the swellings of them . plaster of bayberries , in latin , emplastrum è baccis lauri . take of bay-berries skinned two ounces , of franckincense , mastich , and myrrh , each half an ounce , of cyperus , costus , yellow wax , turpen●ine and oyl of bays , each one ounce , of honey just heated four ounces , let the cyperus costus , and bay-berries be finely powdred together , and mixed with the hot honey , the frankincense , mastich , and myrrh , must be powdred apart , and added to the honey , then add the oyl of bay-berries , the turpentine , and the wax melted together , and make a plaster . virtues . it expels wind , and strengthens the stomach , and ●ases pain proceeding from cold or wind . emplastrum barbarum magnum . take of dry pitch eight pound , of yellow wax ●ix pound eight ounces , of rosin of the pine five pound four ounces , of judaick bitumen , or of mummy four pound , of oyl one pint and an half , of verdegrease , litharge , and ceruss , each three ounces , of frankincense half a pound , of liquid alum , or of roch alum not burnt , an ounce and an half , of roch alum burnt four ounces , of opoponax , scales of brass , galbanum , each twelve drams , of aloes , opium and myrrh , each half an ounce , of turpentine two pounds , of the juice of mandrakes , or of the bark of the roots dryed six drams , of vinegar five pints ; the litharge , ceruss , and oyl must be boiled to the consistence of honey , the pitch being melted and incorporated with the powder of the bitumen , then add and boil the other things , till the vinegar is consumed , at last add the turpentine . virtues . it is reckoned good for the biting of venomous creatures , to take off inflamations , and for pains and weakness of the joints . plaster of bettony , in latin , emplastrum de betonica . take of green bettony , burnet , agrimony sage , penny royal , mille-foyl , the lesser centaury , the greater comfry , clary , each six ounces , frankincense , mastich , each three drams , of orris , round b●rthwort , each six drams , of white wax and turpentine , each eight ounces , of rosin of the pine six ounces , of gum elemy , and oyl of firr , each two ounces , of white wine three pints ; beat the herbs well in a morter , and infuse them a whole week in the white wine , stir them , and boil them ; having strained out the wine hard , and boiled with ● gentle fire to the consumption of a third part , add the oyl of firr ▪ then the wax melted ▪ presently after the rosin and the gum , then the turpentine ; having boiled them a little , and removed them from the fire , and cool them by degrees , add the powders of orris , and of birthwort , stir them well , and make a plaster . virtues . it is used for diseases of the head an● joints , and for cementing broken bones . emplastrum caesaris . take of red roses an ounce and an half , of the roots of bistort , cyperuss-nuts , all the sanders , mint coriander seeds , each three drams , mastich hal an ounce , hypocistis , acacia , dragons blood seal'd earth , true bole , red coral , each two drams of turpentine washed in plantain water four ounces of oyl of roses three ounces , of white wax twelve ounces , rosin of the pine ten ounces , of pitch si● ounces , of the juices of plantain , housleek , and orpin , each one ounce ; to the wax , rosin , and pitch melted together , add the turpentine and oy● then the hypocistis , and acacia , dissolved in the ●oresaid juices , lastly the powders , and so make ● plaster . virtues . it is very astringent , it strengthens th● back , and takes off the pains of it , and is good for th● weakness of the joints . a plaster for the head , in latin , emplastrum cephalicum . take of clear rosin two ounces , of black pitc one ounce , of labdanum , turpentine , the flower of be●ns , and orobus , and pidgeons dung , eac● half , an ounce of gum of juniper and nut●megs each two drams , dissolve the myrrh with th● labdanum in a hot morter , and mingle the res● and so make a plaster ; if you desire to have i stronger , add of the powder of euphorbium , of pellitory of spain , and of black pepper each two scruples . virtues . it strengthens the head , and eases the head-ach , being applied to the crown of the head shaved , and to the temples , but is commonly applied to the soles of the feet , to draw humors from the head . the plaster of hemlock with ammoniacum , in latin , emplastrum de cicuta cum ammoniaco . take of the juice of the leaves of hemlock four ounces , of vinegar of squills , and gum ammoniacum , each eight ounces , dissolve the gum in the juice and vinegar , after due infusion strain them , and boil them to a plaster . virtues . it is good to soften hard swellings , and to take off inflamations . plaster of cummin , in latin , emplastrum è cymino . take of the seeds of cummin , bay berries , and yellow wax , each one pound , of rosin of the pine two pound , of common rosin three pound , of oyl of dill , half a pound , mingle them and make a plaster . virtues . this is good for windy ruptures , and to expel wind . plaster called diachalcitis , in latin , emplastrum diachaciteos . take of old fresh hogs lard , cleansed from the skins , two pound , of old oyl of olives , litharge of gold powdred and sifted , each three pound , white vitriol burnt and powdred four ounces , the litharge , lard , and oyl , must be boiled together over a gentle fire , with a little plantain water , to the consistence of a plaster ; take it from the fire and add the vitriol , make a mass . virtues . it is cooling , drying , and binding , it is commonly used to drive away milk. this was formerly called diapalma . simyle diachylon , in latin , diachylon simplex . take of the mucilages of fenugreek , and linseed , and of the roots of marshmallows , each one pound , of old clear oyl three pound , of litharge of gold , a pound and an half , that you may have a sufficient quantity of the mucilage ; take of the seeds of fenugreek , and flax seed , and of the roots of marsh-mallows , each three ounces , of common water three quarts ; the litharge must be finely powdred , and being well mixed with the oyl must boil over a gentle fire to the consistence of honey ; take it from the fire , and let it cool , then add the mucilages , and boil them with a gentle fire , till the watry part of them is evaporated , and make a plaster . virtues . it mollifies , discusses , and heals . diachylon with orris , in latin , diachylon ireatum . it 's made of the foregoing plaster an ounce of powdred orris being added to every pound of the plaster . great diachylon , in latin , diachylon magnum . take of the mucilages of raisins of the sun , of fat figs , of the roots of marsh-mallows , of linseeds , and fenugreek-seeds , and of bird ●ime , the juice of orris , squills , oesypus , or of the oyl of sheeps feet , each one ounce and an half , of oyl of orris , camomel , and dill , each eight ounces , of litharge of gold finely powdred one pound , of turpentine three ounces , of rosin of the pine , and yellow wax each two ounces ; the litharge must be finely powdred , and well mixed with the oyl , then boil it over a gentle fire , and stir it continually till it is thick ; then take it from the fire , and when it is a little cool add the mucilages , first boiled with the oyls and strained , and gently boiled to the consumption of the superfluous moister ; afterwards add the birdlime and oesypus , dissolved with the juice of orris and squills , boil them till the juices are consumed ; in all these whilst they are boiling must be melted the wax and rosin ; then take them presently from the fire , and mingle with them the turpentine , stirring it well , that the whole mixture may obtain the consistence of a plaster . virtues . it is cleansing and healing , and is good for swellings and inflamations ; for it discusses , softens , and is anodyn . great diachylon with gums , in latin , diachylon magnum cum gummi . take of bdellium , sagapenum , ammoniacum ▪ each two ounces , dissolve them in wine and strain them , and boil them to the consistence of honey ▪ then add them to the mass of the great diachylon . virtues . it dissolves , digests , and ripens hard swellings , and is indeed an excellent plaster for those purposes . plaster of the mucilages , in latin , emplastrum è mucilagnibus , five diachylon compositum . take of the mucilages of the middle bark of the elm , of the roots of marsh-mallows , of linseed and fenugreek-seed , each four ounces and an half , of oyl of cammomile , lillies and dill , each an ounce and an half , of ammoniacum , galbanum ▪ sagapenum , and opoponax , each half an ounce ▪ of yellow wax twenty ounces , of turpentine two ▪ ounces , saffron two drams , the mucilages being extracted with water , boil them over a gentle fire with the oyls , to the consumption of the watry moisture , melt the wax , cut in peices in these , and stir them with a spatula ; take them from the fire , and whilst it is yet warm , add by degrees the gums dissolved in turpentine , and stir them well ; lastly add the saffron finely powdred , and so make a plaster . virtues . it is an excellent plaster to suppurate tumors a blistering plaster , in latin , emplastrum epistpasticum . take of simple melilot plaster three ounces , of venice turpentine , and whole cantharides , each one ounce , of burgundy pitch three drams ; make a plaster . virtues . blistering plasters applyed to the neck , arms , and wrists , or legs , do good in fevers , by evacuating the humors , and diverting them from the head ; they are also used to the neck , for head aches , apoplexies , and defluxions on the eyes or teeth . the plaster called the flower of oyntments , in latin , flos unguentorum . take of rosin , rosin of the pine , yellow wax , and sheep-suet , each half a pound , of olibanum four ounces , of turpentine two ounces and an half , of myrrh and mastich , each one ounce , of camphor two drams , of white wine half a pint ; boil them to a plaster . virtues . it dissolves and digests tumors , it is drawing , cleansing , and good for strains . the plaster of lapis calaminaris , in latin , emplastrum griseum de lapide calaminari . take of lapis calaminaris prepared one ounce , of litharge two ounces , of ceruss half an ounce , of tutty one dram , of turpentine six drams , of white wax an ounce and an half , of deers suet two ounces , of choice franckincense five drams , of mastich three drams , of myrrh two drams , 〈◊〉 camphir one dram and an half , melt the turpe●tine , wax and suer , and then add the powders 〈◊〉 franckincense , mastich and myrrh , and the●e bein● well mixed , add the powder of lapis calaminar●● litharge , ceruss , and tu●●y , and last whilst it ▪ ● yet hot add the camphir dissolved in a little spiri● of wine , make a pla●●er . virtues . it cools , heals , and drys , it is good fo● inflamations and to ease pain . plaster of hermodactiles , in latin , emplastrum de hermodactilis take of the mass of the plaster diachalclti●●ight ounces , of burgundy p●●ch melted and strained through canvass , four ounces , of white venice soap , and of new yellow wax , each three ounces , of butter of oranges one ounce , of the seeds of cummin , hermodactiles , each an ounce and an half ▪ of the leaves of dryed wormwood , of the flowers of cammomile , and of florentine orris , each half an ounce ; powder those things finely that are to be powdred ▪ and make a plaster . virtue . it eases pains of the gout . plaster for ruptures , in latin , emplastrum ad herniam . take of galls , cyperus-nuts , pomgranat peel , bal●u●in● , acacia , the seeds of planta●● ▪ fleabane , cresses , cups of acorns , beans torri●ied long and ●ound b●rthwor● , my●●les ▪ of each half an ounce , powder all ●hese things ▪ and i●fu●e them four days in rose vinegar , then torrifie and dry them ; th●n ●ake of the greater and lesser comfry , of horse●aile , woad , ceterach , of the roots of royal os●und and fern , each one ounce , of franckincense , myrrh and aloes , mastich and mummy , each two ●unces , of bole armonick washed in vinegar , la●●s calaminaris prepared , litharge of gold and ●ragons blood , each three ounces , of ship pitch ●wo pound , of turpentine six ounces , or so much 〈◊〉 is sufficient to make a plaster . virtues . it is used for ruptures , strengthens the ●ack , stops fluxes , and prevents miscarriage . hysterick plaster , in latin , emplastrum hystericum . take of the roots of bistort one pound , of the ●ood of aloes , yellow sanders , nutmegs , the ●ones of barberries , rose-seeds , cinnamon , cloves , cenanth , flowers of cammomile , each half an ●unce , franckincense , mastich , alipta moschata , ●allia moschata , storax calamit strained , each ●e dram , of the best musk half a dram , of yel●w wax one pound and an half , of turpentine ●lf a pound , moscheleum four ounces , labdanum ●ur pound , ship pitch three pound , the wax and 〈◊〉 must be melted in oyl , then must be added ●e labdanum and turpentine , then the storax , to 〈◊〉 being well mixed and cooled add the powders , ●●n the alipta , and the gallia moschata , and last ● all ▪ the musk dissolved in aromatick wine ; stir ●m well together , and make a plaster . virtues ▪ it is good for hysterick fits , being ap●●d to the navel . the plaster of mastich , in latin , empstrum de mastiche . take of mastich , three ounces , of bole a●●nick washed in red wine an ounce and an half , red roses six dramss of ivory and myrtle ●ri●s , each half an ounce , of turpentine , c●phony , tacamahaca , labdanum , each two ou● yellow wax half a pound , oyl of myrtles 〈◊〉 ounces , powder those things apart that are 〈◊〉 powdred , then melt the wax in the oyl ; ta● from the fire and add the turpentine , afterward bole , the roses , and the ivory finely powdred , of all the mastich : all must be very well 〈◊〉 in a mortar somewhat hot ; make a plaster . virtues . it stops defluxions and vomiting , strengthens the stomach , being applied to it . simple plaster of melilot , in latin , em●strum de meliloto simplex . take of pure rosin eight pound , of yellow ● four pound , of sheeps suet two pound , melt 〈◊〉 add to them of green melilot cut small five po● and make a pla●●er . virtues . it draws gently , and is most c●m● used for dressing of b●●sters . red lead plaster , in latin , emplas●● de minio . take of red lead nine ounces , of oyl of roses a pint and an half , o● white wine vin six ounces , boil them to a plaster , it is also p● ●d without vinegar . as , take of red lead on●●und , of oyl of roses a pint and an half , of wax ●lf a pound , make a plaster ; the wax also may ● left out . virtues . it is a good cooling , healing , and drying ●●ster . nerve plaster , in latin , emplastrum nervinum . take of oyl of cammomile and roses , each ●o ounces , of mastich , turpentine and flax , ●ch an ounce and an half , of clear turpentine ●ur ounces , of the suet of a gelded calf , and of hee goat , each two ounces and an half , of the ●rbs rosmary , bettony , horstail , and the lesser ●entaury , each one handful ; of earthworms wash● and purged in wine three ounces , of the tops of 〈◊〉 john's-wort one handful , of mastich powdred , ●um elemi , and the roots of madder , each ten ●ams , ship pitch and rosin , each an ounce and ● half , of litharge of gold and silver , each two ●nces and an half , of red lead two ounces , of ●albanum , sagapenum , and ammoniacum , each ●ree drams , boil the roots , herbs , and worms in pint and an half of wine , till half is consumed ; ●en press it out , and boil the liquor again with the ●yl , suet , litharge and red lead , till the wine ● consumed ; then add the gums dissolved in fra●ant wine , then the turpentine , and lastly the ro●n , pitch , and mastich powdred , and make a pla●er . virtues . it is good for weakness of the nerves and ●ints . oxycroceum . take of saffron two ounces and an half , ship pitch , colophony , yellow wax , each s● ounces , of turpentine , galbanum ▪ ammoniac● myrrh , olibanum , mastich , each one ounce ● three drams ; to the wax melted add the p● cleansed from its filth and strained , then the colopny ; to these melted and taken from the fire a little cooled , add the galbanum and ammo●cum , dissolved a part in vinegar and strained , a boiled to the consumption of the vinegar , and mi● with the turpentine ; then sprinkle in the franckcense , mastich and myrrh powdred , finely apart ; l●ly the saffron finely powdred mix them well , a make a plaster . virtues . it comforts the limbs , is good for ac● is emollient , and discusses cold tumors . plaster of frogs , in latin , emplastrum ranis . take of live frogs number six , of worms waed in wine three ounces and an half , of oyl of ●momel , dill , spike , or of broad leaved laven● extracted by distillation , and of lillies each t● ounces , of oyl of bay-berries one ounce and an half oyl of saffron one ounce , of the fats of a hog an● calf , each one pound , of a viper two ounces ▪ and half , of euphorbium five drams , of franckince●ʒ x of the juice of the roots of elecampane and gro● elder , each two ounces , of scenanth , stechas , a of fever-few with the flowers , each one hand● of fragrant wine two pints ▪ of litharge of g● one pound , of clear turpentine two ounces , yellow wax four ounces , of liquid storax an ounce d an half , of quicksilver four ounces , boil the ogs , the worms ▪ and the herbs , with the juices , d oyls of cammomile , dill , lillies ; the grease d fat ▪ and with a pint and an half of the wine ; the strained liquor add , the litharge , the wax ● small , and the remaining half pint of the wine ; ● them again till all the wine is evaporated , and ●il it does not stick to the fingers ; then add the l of saffron , bay-berries , of spike , and the fat the viper , afterwards the powder of franckinnse , and the euphorbium , lastly when it is alost cold , the quicksilver well mixed with the orax and turpentine , and stir them altogether at they may be well mixed ; and make a plaer . virtues . it is chiefly used to dissolve hard swel●gs . emplastrum de sandice . take of the oyls of calves , orof neats feet , of flax , ●ch one pound , of white lead , and red lead , each ●ght ounces , of rosin and yellow wax , each four ●nces , of camphir half an ounce ; mingle them ; ●ke a plaster . virtues . it gives ease , is drying , and nd for inflamations plaster of soap , in latin , emplastrum e sapone . take of common oyl two pound , red lead one ound , set them on the fire , and stir them until they e mixed ; take it from the fire , and mix with them half a pound of venice soap cut in small pi●ces , whilst it is yet hot . virtues . it is proper for the gout , and pains the joints . emplastrum sticticum paracelsi . take of oyl of olives six ounces , of yello● wax an ounce and an half , of litharge powdre four ounces and an half , of ammoniacum and b dellium , each half an ounce , of galbanum , op●ponax , oyl of bays , lapis calaminaris , of bo● the birthworts , myrrh , and franckincense , eac two drams , of pure turpentine one ounce , boil th oyl and litharge together , keep them stirring , an let them be well mixed ; when it will not stick t the fingers , take it from the fire and melt the wax then add the turpentine mixed with the gums , afterwards add the powders , and when they are a● cold , add the franckincense , then the oyl of bays and make a plaster . virtues . it is commonly used for bruises and aches the magisterial stomach plaster , in latin emplastrum , stomachicum magistral● take of mint , wormwood , stechas , the leave of bays , each one dram , marjoram ▪ red roses yellow sanders , each two drams , sweet smelling flag , wood of aloes , flowers of lavender , nutmegs , cubebs , galingal , long pepper , mace , each one dram , of mastich three drams , of cloves two drams and an half , of oyl of mint an ounce and an half ▪ of nard oyl one ounce , oyl of spike one dram , rosin , wax , each four ounces , labdanum ●ee ounces , storax strained half an ounce ; make plaster . virtues . it comforts and strengthens the stomach . chymical medicines that are frequently used . bezoardicum minerale . melt in hot ashes two ounces of the butter of atimony , and pour it into a viol or bolt head , drop ●o it good spirit of nitre , until the matter is perctly dissolved ; commonly so much spirit of nitre requisite as there is butter of antimony ; during the solution there will rise up vapours , that you must ave a care of , and therefore will do well to place e vessel in a chimney ; pour your solution into glass body , or an earthen dish , and evaporate it a gentle sand-fire , until it is dry , there will re●ain a white mass , which you must let cool , then our upon it two ounces of spirit of nitre ; set the essel again in the sand , and evaporate the liquor s before , once more pour two ounces of spirit of nitre unto the white mass , and having evaporated he humidity , increase the fire a little , and calcine he matter for half an hours time , then take it off he fire and you will have a white powder , which ou must keep in a viol well stopt . virtues . it is sudorifick and serves for the same ses as diaphoretick antimmy . dose . is from six to twenty grains , in broth or ●me proper liquor . diaphoretick antimony , in latin , antimonium diaphoreticum . powder and mix well together one part of antimony with three parts of purified salt petre , and having heated the crucible red hot in the coals , cast into it a spoonful of your mixture , you 'll hear ● noise or detonation , after that is over , cast in another spoonful , and continue to do so , till all you● powder is in the crucible ; leave a great fire about it two hours , then throw your matter , which will be white into an earthen pan , almost filled with fountain water , and leave it a steeping warm ten or twelve hours , that the fixed salt petre may dissolve in it ; separate the liquor by inclination ▪ wash the white powder that remains at bottom five or six times with warm water , and dry it . this is called diaphoretick antimony . virtues . it is good to procure sweat , and to resist poyson , for malignant diseases and the plague . dose . it may be given from six grains to thirty ▪ in some proper liquor . liver of antimony , in latin , crocus metallorum . take a pound of antimony , and so much salt petre , powder them and mix them well together ; put this mixture into an iron mortar , and cover it with a tyle , leave an open place nevertheless , through which you may convey a coal of fire , and take it out again ▪ the matter will flame , and cause a great detonation , which being over and the mortar growing cold , strike against the bottom , that the matter ●ay fall down , then separate the dross with a ham●er from the shining part , which is called liver of antimony , to make the emetick wine , you must ●fuse an ounce of the liver of antimony , pow●red in a quart of white wine four and twenty hours , ●nd so let it settle . the dose of this wine is ●rom half an ounce to two ounces ; that which is ●alled crocus metallorum , is nothing but the liver ●f antimony washed several times with warm wa●r , and afterwards dryed . dose . is from two to eight grains . glass of antimony , in latin , vit●um antimonii . calcine in a small fire a pound of antimony in ●owder , in an earthen pot unglazed , stir the mat●● continually with an iron spatula , until vapours ●ise no longer ; but if notwithstanding your stir●●g , the powder should chance to run to lumps , as ● often happens to do ; put it into a mortar and ●owder it , then calcine it again ▪ and when it will ●●e no more , and is of a grey colour , put it into good crucible covered with a tyle , and set it in wind furnace , wherein you must make a very vi●ent coal fire round about the crucible , to the ●d the matter may melt , about an hour afterwards ●cover the crucible , and put in the end of an i●n rod into it , see whether the matter that sticks to is become diaphanous ; if it be , pour it upon a ●arble well warmed , it will congeal , and you 'll ●ve the glass of antimony which you must let cool , ●d so keep it for use . virtues . it is of it self the most violent vomit that made of antimony . dose . it is given in substance from two grain● to six . the following vomitive pill was frequently used wit● ex●ellent success , by a famous mountebank in england . take of glass of antimony powdred , and crea● of tartar , each one ounce , with a sufficient quantity of common treacle , make pills of the bigne● of a large pease ; sprinkle them with fine wheate● flower ; one is a dose . mercurius vitae . melt in a hot sand butter of antimony , mad● in the following manner , powder and mix six oun●ces of regulus of antimony , with a pound of sub●limat corosive , put this mixture into a glass retor● whose half remains empty , set your retort in san● and after having fitted to it a receiver , and lut● the junctures ; you must first make a small ●i● under it , and there will distil a clear oyl , after th● augment the ●ite a little , and there will come for● a white thick liquor like butter , which will stop t● neck of the retort and break it , if you did not ta● care to set the live coals near it , that it may me● and run into the receiver , continue the fire , un● you see a red vapour come forth ; then take aw● the receiver and put another in its place filled wi● water : increase the fire by degrees , to make t● retort red hot , and the mercury will run into t● water ; dry it and keep it for use as other me●curies . virtues . the butter of antimony is caustick . melt , as i said before , the butter of antimony , ●our it into an earthen pan , wherein are two or three ●arts of warm water , a white powder will pre●pitate , which must be sweetned with many lotions , ●d then kept for use . it is improperly called mer●ius vitae . virtues . it purges strongly upwards and down●rds . dose . it may be taken from two grains to eight , ● broth or some proper liquor . common regulus of antimony , in latin , re-regulus antimonii . take sixteen ounces of antimony , twelve oun● of crude tartar , and six ounces of salt petre ●ri●ied , powder them and mix them well together , ●n heat a large crucible red hot , throw into it a ●onful of your mixture , and cover it with a tyle ●il the detonation is over , continue to throw into ● crucible spoonfuls of this mixture , one after other , until all of it is spent , then light a great ● about it , and when the matter has been some ●e in fusion , pour it into a mortar or an iron ●uld greased with suet and heated ; then strike ● sides of the said mould or mortar with tonges , make the regulus precipitate to the bottom ; ●en it is cold , separate it from the dross that re●ins at the top of it with a hammer , and after ● have powdred it , melt it in another crucible , 〈◊〉 throw into it a little salt-petre , there will rise ●e little flame from it ; then pour out the matter ● an iron mortar well cleansed and greased , let ●ool , and you have four ounces and an half of ●ulus ; if you melt it over again , and form it into balls of the bigness of a pill , you have a per● petual pill ; that is to say , such as being taken an● voided fifty times , will purge every time , yet ther● is hardly any sensible diminution . this regulus 〈◊〉 melted in a crucible , and then cast into moulds t● make cups , but it is somewhat hard to do it , by reason of a sharpness in the regulus , that hinders i● parts from uniting , so as to spread well ; if ●o● put white wine in these cups , it will vomit lik● the emetick wine . cinnabar of antimony , in latin , cinnabaris antimonii . fill a retort half full of sublimate corrosive an● antimony , powdr●d and mixed well together , s● the retort in sand , in a small furnace , and fittin● a receiver to it , and luting the junctures , procee● in the distillation , in the same manner as i shewe● in making butter of antimony . when the re● vapours begin to appear , take away the receiv● and put another in its place , without luting the ju●ctures , increase the ●●re by little and little , till yo● make the retort red hot , continue it so three 〈◊〉 four hours , then let the retort cool and break 〈◊〉 you 'll find a cinnabar sublimed , and adhering 〈◊〉 the neck ; separate it , and keep it . virtues . it is a good remedy for the pox , and f●ling sickness , it forces sweat . dose . it may be given from six to fifteen grai● note . the butter of antimony distilled in t● first part of this operation is caustick , like the ●th● before described . mercury c●rr●sive , in latin , mercurius sublimatus corrosivus . put a pound of mercury revived from cinnabar 〈◊〉 a matrass ; pour upon it eighteen ounces of ●e spirit of nitre , ●et your matrass in sand a lit●e warm , and leave it there till it be all dissolved ; ●our your dissolution which will be clear as water , 〈◊〉 a glass or ●arthen pan , and evaporate the li●or gently in sand , until there remains a white ●lass , which you must powder in a glass mortar , ●●d mix with a pound of vitriol calcined white , and ● much salt decrepitated , put this mixture into a ●atrass , two thirds whereof must at least remain ●pty : place your matrass in sand , and begin with ●v●ng a small fire , which you must continue so for ●ree hours , then increase it with coals to a pretty ●od strength there will rise a sublimat to the top ● the matrass , the operation must be ended in six ● seven hours , let the matrass cool then break it , ●oiding a kind of light powder that flies in the air , ●●en the matter is stirred , you 'll have a pound of ●ry good sublimat ; keep it for use : the red sco●● that are found at the bottom , must be flung a●y as useless . virtues . this sublimat is a powerful escharotick , ●eats proud flesh , and cleanses old ulcers very well : half a dram of it be dissolved in a pint of lime ●er it turns yellow , and makes that which is called 〈◊〉 phagedenick water , which is used for she same pur●●s , but is more gentle . mercury water . take of the roots of white lillies two dram● boil them in a sufficient quantity of fountain wate● to a pint , strain it , and add to it two drams of bi●ter almonds blanched , dissolve in it in a glass mo●tar , two drams of mercury sublimat , make a whi● water . virtues . this is good to take off spots or pimpl● from the face , and to beautisie it . sweet sublimat , in latin , mercurius ducis . powder sixteen ounces of sublimat corrosive 〈◊〉 a marble or glass mortar , mix with it by little an● little , twelve ounces of mercury revived from ci●nabar ; stir this mixture with a wooden pestle , u●til all the quicksilver becomes imperceptible ; the● put this gray powder into several viols , or into matrass , two thirds whereof remain empty ; pla● your vessel in sand , and give a little fire at firs● then augment to the third degree , continue it 〈◊〉 this condition until your sublimat is made , whi● usually happens in four or five hours ; break your v●ols , and fling away a little light earth that is fou● at bottom ; separate also that which sticks to t● neck of the viols or matrass , and keep it for oyn● ments against the itch , but gather up carefully a● that is in the middle , which is very white , and ha●ing powdred it , resublime it in viols or a matra● as before ; separate once more the matter that is 〈◊〉 the middle , and resublime it in other viols as befor● lastly , separate the earthy matter at the botto● ●nd the fuliginous that lies in the neck of the viols , ●nd keep the sublimat that is in the middle ; for it 〈◊〉 sufficiently dulcified . virtues . it is used for all sorts of venerial diseas●s , it opens obstructions , and kills worms ; it purges ●ently by stool . dose . it may be given from six to thirty grains , ●in pills or the like . white precipitat , in latin , mercurius praecipitatus albus . dissolve in a glass cucurbit sixteen ounces of mercury revived from cinnabar , with eighteen or twenty ounces of spirit of nitre ; when the dissolution is made , pour upon it salt water filtrated , made of ten ounces of sea salt , in two quarts of water , add to this about half an ounce of the volatile spirit of sal armoniack , there will precipitate 〈◊〉 very white powder , that you must leave for a sufficient time to settle , then having poured off the water by inclination , wash i● several times with fountain water , and dry it in the shade . 〈◊〉 it is used to raise a flux with , and to ●ure tettars and the itch . dose . it may be given inwardly from four to fifteen grains in pills ; when it is used outwardly , a dram or two drms of it may be mixed with an ounce of pomatum . red precipitat , in latin , mercurius praecipitatus ruber . take eight ounces of mercury revived from cinnabar , dissolve it in eight or nine ounces of spirit of nitre ; pour the dissolution into a viol o● matrass with a short neck , set it in sand and evaporate all the moisture with a gentle heat , until there remains a white mass , then quicken the fire by little and little to the third degree , and keep it in this condition till all your matter is turned red ; the● take it off the fire , let the viol cool , and break it to obtain your precipitat , which weighs nine ounces . virtues . it is a good escharotick ▪ it eats proud fiesh , and is used for laying open of chancres , mixed with burnt alum , aegyptiacum , and the common suppuratives ; some give four grains of ●it inwardly to raise a flux ; but unless rectified spirit of wine be burnt upon it two or three times , it is dangerous to be given inwardly . turbith mineral , in latin , turpethum minerale . put four ounces of quicksilver revived from cinna●ar into a glass retor● ▪ and pour upon it sixteen ounces of oyl of vitriol ; set your retort in sand , and when the mercury is dissolve● , 〈◊〉 fire ●nderneath it , and distil the humidity ; make the fire strong enough towards the end , to drive out some of the last spirit of all ; afterwards break the retort , and powder in a glass mortar , a white mass you 'll find within it , which weighs five ounces and an half , pour warm water upon it , and the matter will presently change into a yellow powder which you must dulcifie by a great many repeated lotions ; then dry it in the shade : you 'll have three ounces and two drams of it . virtues . it purges strongly both by vomit and stools it is given in venerial diseases . dose . six or nine grains of it may be given at a time in pills . aethiops mineralis . take of the flowers of sulphur two parts , of crude mercury one part , mingle them well together in a glass mortar , then fire it , and so make a black powder . virtues . it is used in the french pox , for a dropsy and for old sores . dose . half a dram of it may be taken night ●nd morning mixed with a little syrup of gilly●owers , or made into a bolus with conserve of ro●s , for the space of three weeks , or a month ; but ● will be convenient to purge once a week , although ●here is no fear of its fluxing . arcanum corallinum . put red pr●cipirat into an earthen pot , and pour ●pon it spirit of wine well rectified , then fire it , ●●d when the spirit is consumed add more ; do so ●x times . virtues . it purg●s , and sometimes procures a vo●it , it opens obstructions , and dissolv●s a schirrou● , ●nd cures the pox . dose . three or six grains may be given at a ●●me . steel prepared , in latin , chalybs praeparatus ▪ take of the filings of steel separated from the filth by a loadstone , as much as you please , moisten them twelve times with sharpe white wine vinegar , and dry them in the sun , or in a dry or warm air , then grind them upon a porphyry stone , pouring upon them a little cinnamon water , and le● them be reduced to a very fine powder , and kep● for use . it may be also prepared by thrusting role● of brimstone upon red hot steel , for then it wil● melt by drops into a bucket of water placed unde● it ; dry it , and powder it , and keep it for use . virtues . it is good to open obstructions , an● sweeten the blood , and for hysterick , and hypochondriack difeases . dose . eight or ten grains of it may be taken i● a morning , mixed with conserve of roman wormwood , for the space of a month , drinking upon i● a good draught of wormwood wine or beer . opening saffron of mars , in latin , crocus martis aperitivus . wash well several iron plates , and expose then to the dew for a good while , they will rust , and yo● must gather up this rust , set the same plates again t● receive the dew , and gather the rust as before continue to do so till you have gotten enough , th● rust is really better then all the preparations of iron that is called crocus . virtues . it is excellent for obstructions of th● liver , pancreas , spleen , and mesentery ; it is use very succesfully for the green sickness , stopping 〈◊〉 the courses , dropsies , and other diseases that proceed from obstructions . dose . the same with the former in lozenges or pills . astringent saffron of mars , in latin , crocus martis astringens . take equal quantities of filings of steel and sulphur powdred , mix them together , and make them ●nto a paste with water ; put this past into an earthen ●pan , and leave it a fermenting four or five hours , ●fter which put the pan over a good fire , and stir ●he matter with an iron spatula ; it will flame , and when the sulphur is burnt , it will appear black , but ●ontinuing a good strong fire , and stirring it about ●wo hours , it will be of a very red colour , then wash it five or six times in strong vinegar , leaving 〈◊〉 to steep an hour at a time , then calcine it in a ●ot , or upon a tyle in a great fire five or six hours , ●fter that let it cool , and keep it for use . virtues . it stops a loosness , the immoderate fluxes 〈◊〉 the hemorrhoids and courses dose . a scruple or a dram may be t●ken a time 〈◊〉 lozenges or pills . salt or vitriol of mars , in latin , sal martis . take a clean frying pa● , and pour into it an e●●al weight of spirit of wine and oyl of vitriol ; ●t it for some time in the sun , and then in the shade ●ithout stirring it ; you will find all the liquor in●rporated with the mars , and turned into a salt that you must dry , and then separate from the pan , keep it in a viol well stopt . virtues . it is an admirable remedy for all diseases that proceed from obstructions . dose . six or twelve grains may be taken at a time , in broath or some proper liquor . note . syrup of steel may be made presently of it in the following manner . take of salt of mars two drams , of compound gentian water one ounce , of altering syrup of apples nine ounces ; mingle them . volatile spirit of sal armoniac , in latin , spiritus salis armoniaci . take eight ounces of sal armoniack , and twenty four ounces of quicklime , powder them apart , and when you have mixed them in a mortar , pour on them four ounces of water , and put it quickly into a retort , half whereof must remain empty ; set your retort in a sand furnace , and fitting to it a great receiver , and luting the junctures exactly , begin the distillation without fire for a quarter of an hour ; afterwards increase it by little and little , unto the second degree , continue it till nothing more comes forth ; take off your receiver , and pour out the spirit immediately into a viol , turning away your head as much as may be , to avoid a very subtle vapour that continually ri●es from it , stop the bottle close with wax , to keep the spirit in ; you will have of it five ounces and six drams . virtues . it is an excellent remedy for all diseases that proceed from obstructions , and corruption of humors , as malignant fevers , the falling sickness , palsy , plague , and the like ; it drives by perspiration or by urine . dose . it may be taken from six drops to twenty , in a glass of balm or carduus water . spirit of salt , in latin , spiritus salis. dry salt over a little fire , or else in the sun ; then powder finely two pounds of it , mix it well with six pounds of potters earth powdred , make up a hard past of this mixture , with as much rain water as is necessary ; form it into little pellets of the bigness of a nut , and set them in the sun a good while a drying ; when they are perfectly dry , put them into a large earthen pot , or glass one luted , whereof a third part must remain empty ; place this retort in a reverberatory furnace , and fit to it a large capacious receiver , without luting the junctures ; give a very moderate heat a● 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the retort , and make an insipid water come forth drop by drop ; when you perceive some white clouds succeed these drops , pour out that which is in the receiver , and having refitted it , lute the junctures close , increase the fire by degrees to the last degree of all , and continue it in this condition twelve or fifteen hours , all this while the receiver will be hot , and full of white clouds ; but when it grows cold , and the clouds disappear , the operation is at an end ; unlute the junctures , and you will find the spirit of salt in the receiver ; pour it into an earthen of glass bottle , and stop it well with wax . virtues . it is an aperitive , and is used in juleps to an agreeable acidity , for such as are subject to the gravel , it is also used to cleanse the teeth , being tempered with a little water , and to consume the rottenness of the bones . sweet spirit of salt , in latin , spiritus salis dulcis . mix equal parts of spirit of salt and spirit of wine ; set them in digestion two or three days in a double vessel , in a gentle sand heat . virtues . it 's esteemed better than the other to be taken inwardly , because it 's less corrosive . dose . it may be given from four to twelve drops in some proper liquor . lapis medicamentosus . powder and mix together colcothar , or red vitriol that remains in the retort after the spirit is drawn out ▪ or for want of it , vitriol calcined to a redness , two ounces of litharge , alom , and bole armonick , each four ounces ; pu● this mixture into a glazed pot , and pour upon it good vinegar enough to cover the matter two fingers high , cover the pot , and leave it two days in digestion ; then add to it eight ounces of nitre , two ounces of sal armonick , set the pot over the fire , and evaporate all the moisture , calcine the mass that remains about half an hour in a strong fire , and keep it for use . virtues . it is a good remedy to stop the running of the reins , a dram of it being dissolved in eight ounces of plantain water , or smiths water to make an injection into the yard : it is also good to cleanse the ●yes in the small pox ; seven or eight grains of it must be dissolved in four ounces of plantain water , or eye-bright water ; it 's also good to stop blood , being outwardly applied to wounds . styptic water , in latin , aqua styptica . take colcothar , or red vitriol that remains in the retort after the spirit is drawn out , burnt alum , and sugar candy , each half a dram , the urine of some young person , and rose water each half an ounce , plantain water two ounces ; stir them altogether a good while in a mortar , then pour the mixture into a viol , and when you use it , separate it by inclination . virtues . if you apply a bolster dipt in this water to an opened artery , and hold your hand a while upon it ; it stops the blood . in like manner , you may wet a pledget in it , and thrust it into the nose when an hemorrhage continues too long ; taken inwardly it cures spitting of blood , the bloody flux , and the immoderate flux of the hemorrhoids and courses . dose . when 't is taken inwardly , half a dram or a dram may be given at a time in knotgrass water . spirit of vitriol , in latin , spiritus vitrioli . fill two thirds of a large earthen retort , or glass one luted , with vitriol calcined to whiteness , place it in a close reverberatory furnace , and fitting to it a great receiver , give a very small fire to warm the retort , to make the water come for● , that may still remain in the vitriol , and when there will distil no more , pour the water out of the receiver into a bottle ; this is called flegm of vitriol , it 's used in inflamations of the eyes , to wash them with . refit the receiver to the neck of the retort , and luting the junctures exactly , increase the fire by degrees , and when you perceive clouds to come forth into the receiver , continue it in the same condition till the receiver grows cold , then strengthen the fire with wood to an extream violence until the flame rises through the tunnel of the reverberatory , as big as ones arm , the receiver will fill again with white clouds , continue the fire after this manner three days , and so many nights , then put it out , unlute the junctures when the vessels are cold , and pour the spirit into a glass body , set it in sand , and fit to it quickly a head with its receiver , lute the junctures close with a wet bladder , and distil with a very gentle fire about four ounces of it ; this is the sulphureous spirit of vitriol , keep it in a viol well stopt . virtues . it s good for an asthma , palsy , and diseases of the lungs . d●se . six or ten drops of it may be taken at a time in some convenient liquor . change the receiver , and augmenting the fire , distil about half the liquor that remains in the body , this is called the acid spirit of vitriol . virtues . it 's mixed with juleps to give an agreeable acidity . that which remains in the body , is the most acid part of the vitriol , and is improperly called oyl . virtues . it may be used like the acid spirit for continual fevers , and other difeases that are accompanied with violent heat . salt of vitriol , in latin , sal vitrioli . take two or three pounds of colcothar that remains in the retort after distillation of the vitriol , ●et it infuse in eight or ten pints of warm water , ●or ten or twelve hours ; boil it a little while , and ●hen let it settle , separate the water by inclination , ●nd pour new water upon the matter ; proceed as ●efore , and mixing your impregnations , evaporate ●ll the moisture in a sand heat , in a glass or earthen ●essel , there will remain a salt at bottom . virtues . it 's used to vomit , it works gently , saf●y , and quickly . dose . half a dram , or a dram of it may be ●iven at a time , dissolved in posset drink . spirit of nitre dulcified , in latin , spiritus nitri dulcis . put into a large bolt head eight ounces of good spi●it of nitre ▪ and so much spirit of wine , well de●egmated , set you bolt head in the chimney , upon ● round of straw ; the liquor will grow hot with●ut coming near the fire , and half an hour afterwards or an hour ▪ it will boil very much ; have a ●are of the red vapours that come out a pace at ●he neck of the bolt head , and when the ebulition s over ▪ you 'll find your liquor clear at the bottom , 〈◊〉 to have lost half what it was ; put it into a glass retort and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ●●●eiver , distil it off till it is dry , cohobat it twice , put it into a viol , and keep it for use . virtues . it is good to expel wind , for the cholick , and nephritick pains , hysterick diseases , and all ●structions , and being added to cordials , it gives ●em a fragrant smell , and revives the spirits . dose . eight , or ten drops of it may be taken at a ●e in some proper liquor . spirit of wine rectified , in latin , spiritu● vini rectificatus . take four gallons of brandy , put it into a● alembick , with half a peck of ordinary salt , or bay salt well dryed , lute on the head , and make a gentle fire , draw off as long as you find it will burn all away , which you may know by trying a little now and then in a spoon ; if it be good brandy half of it will burn away ; this is rectified spirit of wine ; that which distills after , and will not burn all away , must be kept for other uses . virtues . it is used in chymistry , to draw tinctures and the like , outwardly applied it discusses tumors , and cures burns , if it be presently used . cream of tartar , in latin , cremor tartari . boil in a great deal of water what quantity of white tartar you please , until it be all dissolved , pass the liquor hot through hippocrates's sleeve into an earthen ves●●● and evaporate about half of it ; set the vessel in a cool 〈…〉 three days , and you 'll 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ●ri●tals on the sides , which you are to separate , evaporate again half the liquor that remains , and remit the vessel to the cellar as before , there will shoot out new cristals ; continue doing thus till you have gotten all your tartar. virtues . crystal or cream of tartar is aperitive● good for dropsies and astmatical persons , it is also purgative , but it is most commonly used with other purg●s to quicken them . dose . it may be given from half a dram to three drams in some proper liquor . oyl of tartar per deliquium is made by exposing salt of tartar in a cellar , in a wide glass vessel . virtues . it 's used for tettars , and to discuss tumors ; ladies mix it with lilly water , to clear the complexions , and to cleanse their hands . tartar vitriolated , in latin , tartarum vitriolatum . put into a glass body what quantity you please of oyl of tartar , made by deliquium ; pour upon it by little and little rectified spirit of vitriol , there will be a great effervescency , continue to drop more in , till there is no further ebulition ; then place your cucurbit in sand , and evaporate the spirit with a little fire , there will remain a very white salt ; keep it in a viol well stopt . virtues . it is a good aperitive , and is also a little purgative , it is given in hypocondriacal cases , the kings-evil , to open obstructions , and to force vrine . dose . it may be given from ten to thirty grains in some proper liquor . spirit of harts horn , in latin , spiritus cornu cervi . take six pound of hartshorn , it must be broken or sawn an inch long , and split in the middle , put the pieces into a pottle retort , and place it in a chappel furnace , letting your sand be but an inch high in the pot , when you put in the retort , then cover it with sand up to the neck , and lute on a gallon receiver , then make fire by degrees , viz. in the first degree about four hours you may perceive the flegm to drop into the receiver , increase your fire to the second degree , continue it in that degree for four hours more , and by that time you will perceive ●he white fumes to come into the receiver , and the volatile salt beginning to shoot , then increase your fire to the third degree , let it continue there two hours , then your receiver will be full of white fumes , and the salt will shoot in the form of stags horns , increase your fire to the fourth degree ; continue it there till the fumes cease , and then the distillation is ended . rectification of spirit of harts-horn . take off the receiver , separate the spirit from the oyl by a glass tunnel , which you may do by holding your finger at the bottom of the tunnel , the spirit will come forth ; put the spirit into a tall glass cucurbit , with the volatile salt , you may put to it a sheet of brown paper , to keep the oyl from rising that came with the spirit ; lute on an alembick , and to that a receiver , set it on a digestive furnace in the second degree , and in an hour or two's time , you 'll perceive the spirit to drop , and the salt begin to shoot in the head ; let it continue there till all the salt is gone out of the head , which is a true sign that the spirit is all come over ; then take off your receiver , and if there be any oyl upon the spirit , separate it as before with a glass tunnel , or with a filter of cap-paper : if it be notclear from the oyl , it must be rectified again . virtues . the spirit is chiefly used for vapours , and for diseases of the head , and is often used outwardly to the nostrils to suppress vapours . dose . ten drops of it may be given at bed time in a glass of canary . the volatile salt of it is frequently given in cordials to heighten the pulse when they are languid ; four or five grains of it may be given a● a time . balsam of sulphur , in latin , balsamum sulphuris . put into a small matrass an ounce and an half of flowers of sulphur , and pour upon it eight ounces of oyl of turpentine , place your matrass in sand , and give it a digesting fire two hours ; afterwards increase it a little for four hours , and the oyl will take a red colour , let the vessel cool , then separate the clear balsam from the sulphur that could not dissolve . virtues . it is excellent for ulcers of the lungs and breast , it is also used 〈◊〉 cleanse ulcers . dose . five or six drops of it may be taken at a time in some proper liquor , or mixed with sugar . to make the aniseed balsam of sulphur , you must use the oyl drawn from aniseeds instead of oyl of turpentine , and proceed as before . vertues . it is also good for the lungs . flower of sulphur , in latin , flos sulphuris . put about half a pound of sulphur grosly powdred into a glass body ; place it in a small open fire , and cover it with a pot , or another cucurbit turned upside down , one that is unglazed , so as that the neck of one may enter into the neck of the other ; change the upper cucurbit every half hour , adding another in its place ; add likewise new sulphur , gathering your flowers which you find stick in the cucurbit , and continue to do thus until you have got as much as you desire ; then put out the fire , and let the vessels cool ; there will remain at bottom only a little light insignificant earth . virtues . flower of sulphur is used in diseases of the lungs and breast ; it is also used in oyntments for the iteh . dose . it may be taken from ten to thirty grains , in lozenges or in an electuary . magistery of sulphur , in latin , lac sulphuris . take four ounces of the flower of sulphur , and twelve ounces of the salt of tartar , or salt petre fixed by the coals ; put them into a large glazed pot , and pour upon them six or seven pints of water ; cover the pot , and setting it on the fire , make the matter boil five or six hours , or until being become red , the sulphur is all dissolved ; then filtrate the dissolution , and pour up it by little and little distilled vinegar , or ●ome other acid , there will presently appear a milk , let it settle , that a white powder may pre●ipitate to the bottom of the vessel ; pour off by nclination that which is clear , and having washed the powder five or six times with water , dry it in he shade . virtues . it is thought good for all diseases of the lungs and breast . dose . it may be given from six to sixteen grains , ● some proper liquor . flower of benjamin , in latin , flos benzoini . take an earthen pot high and narrow , with a ●ttle border round it , put into it three or four ounces of clean benjamin grosly powdred , cover the ●ot with a coffin of paper , and tye it round about under the border ; set the pot into hot ashes , nd when the benjamin is heated the flowers will ●blime ; take off the coffin every two hours , and ●x another in its place , stop up quickly in a glass he flowers you find in the coffins , and when those ●hich afterwards sublime begin to appear oily , take he pot off the fire . virtues . they are good for asthmaticall people , ●d to fortifie the stomach . dose . they may be taken from two grains to ●e in an egg or lozenges . tincture of benjamin , in latin , tincture benzoini . take three ounces of benjamin , and half a● ounce of storax , powder them grosly , and pu● them into a bottle or matrass half empty , pou● upon them a pint of spirit of wine ; stop the vessel close , and set it in warm horse dung , leav● it in digestion for a fort-night , after which filtrat● the liquor , and keep it in a viol well stopt ; som● add to it five or six drops of peruvian balsam , to give it a better smell . virtues . it is good to take away spots in th face . dose . a dram of it is put into four ounce of water , and it whitens it like milk ; th● water serves for a wash , and is called virgin milk. ens veneris . take of the best hungarian , or of the be● dantzick vitriol , calcine it in a strong fire , ti it be of a dark red , dul●●tie it , by such freque● effusions of hot water , that at length the water that has passed through it , appears full ● tastless as when it was poured on ; dry it , an grind it with an equal weight of sal armoniack put this mixture into a glass retort , either in ● strong a heat as can conveniently be given in san● or else in a naked are , force up as much of as you can to the top or neck of the retort ; an this sublimation being ●nded , break the retort ●ay aside all the caput mortuum , and take all the sublimate and grind it well again , that if any part of the sal armoniack appears sublimed by it self , it may be reincorporated with the colc●thar ; resub●ime this mixture per se in a glass retort as before , and if you please , you may once more ele●ate the second sublimate : but it is not always nesessary that that which is reddest is best . virtues . it provokes swe●t , and gently urin ; it ●s good for the rickets , and disposes to sleep . dose . little children may take two or three ●rains for many nights together : grown person●●ay take five or six grains at a time ; it may be ●aken in two or three spoonfuls of sack , or in some cordial . lapis prunellae . bruise two and thirty ounces of purified salt petre , and put it in a crucible , which you must set 〈◊〉 a furnace among burning coals ; when the salt petre is melted , throw into it an ounce of flow● of sulphur , a spoonful at a time , the matter will ●resently flame , and the more volatile spirit of salt petre fly away ; when the flame is over , the mater will remain in a very clear fusion ; take the crucible out with a pair of tongs , and turn it up●e down into a very clean bason a little warm● . virtues . it is given to cool and work by u●ine ▪ in ●rning fevers , quinsies , and other diseases that pro●ed from heat and obstructions , and for the running ● the reins . dose . half a dram , or a dram of it may b● given at a time in some proper liquor . volatile salt of ambar , in latin , sal volatile succini . put two pounds of ambar powdred in a larg● glass or earthen cucurbit , three quarters of th● cucurbit must remain empty ; set the cucurbit in sand , and after you have fitted the head to ● and a small receiver , lute well the junctures , and light a little fire under it for about an hour ; the● when the cucurbit is grown hot , increase the fire b● little and little to the third degree , and there will dist● first of all a flegm and spirit , then the volatile sa will rise , and stick to the head in little crystals , a●terwards there distils an oyl , first white and the red , but clear . when you see the vapours rise ● longer you must put out the fire , and when t● vessels are cold unlute them ; gather the volatile salt with a feather , and because it will be b● impure as yet , by reason of a little oyl th is mixed with it ; you must put it into a v●ol big enough , that the salt may fill only a four● part of it ; place the viol in sand , after you ha● stopt it only with paper , and by means of little fire you will sublime the pure salt in 〈◊〉 crystals to the top of the viol ; when you percei● the oyl begin to rise , you must then take yo● viol off the fire , and letting it cool , break it to ● parate the salt , keep it in a viol well stopt , you have half an ounce . virtues . this salt is a very good aperiti●●● is ●sed for the jaundice , ulcers in the bladder , the scur●y , fits of the mother , and to force urine . dose . it may be taken from six to eight grains ●n some proper liquor . rosin of jalap , in latin , resina jalapii . put a pound of good jalap grosly powdred into a large matrass , pour upon it rectified spirit of wine four fingers above the matter ; stop the matrass with another , whose neck enters into it , and luting the junctures with a wet bladder , digest it three days in a sand heat , the spirit of wine will receive a red tincture ; decar●t ●t , and then pour more upon the jalap ; proceed ●s before , and mixing your dissolutions , filtrate them through brown paper , put that which you have filtrated into a glass cucurbit , and distil in ● vaporous bath , two thirds of the spirit of wine , which may serve you another time for the same ●peration . pour that which remains at the bot●om of the cucurbit into a large earthen pan fil●ed with water , and it will turn into a milk , which you must leave a day to settle , and then separate the water by inclination , you 'll find the rosin at the bottom like unto turpentine , wash ● several times with water and dry it in the sun ▪ ● will grow hard like common rosine , powder ● fine , and it will become white ; keep it in a ●iol . virtues . it purges watry humors , and is good fo● dropsies ; it is ordinarily given with other purging medicines to quicken them . dose . it is given from four to twelve grains , with other purgatives . saccharum saturni . take three or four pounds of geruss , powde● ir , and put it into a large glass or earthen vessel ; pour upon it distilled vinegar fou● finge● high , an ebulition will follow without any sensible heat ; put it in digestion in hot sand for two o● three days ; stir about the matter every now and then , then let it settle , and separate the liquor by inclination , pour new distilled vinegar upon th● ceruss that remains in the vessel , and proceed a● before , continuing to pour on distilled vinegar and to separate it by inclination , until you hav● dissolved about half the matter : mix all your impregnations together in an earther glass vessel ; evaporate in a sand fire with a gentle heat , abou● two thirds of the moisture , or till there rises a little skin over it ; then set your vessel in a cella● or some cool place , without jogging of it , ther● will appear white crystals which you must separate ; evaporate the liquor as before , and set i● again in the cellar ; continue your evaporation and cristalizations , till you have gotten all you● salt ; dry it in the sun , and keep it in a glass . virtues . it is commonly used in pomatums , fo●tettars and inflamations , and dissolved in water is goo● for dis●ases of the skin , taken inwardly in is re● koned good for quinsies , for the fluxes of the hemorr●oids , and courses ▪ and for the bloody flux . dose . it may be given from two grains to four , in knotgrass or plantain water , or mixed with gargles . the general way of making extracts . they may be prepared of any thing almost that belongs to the materia medica , or of any medicine whether it be simple , as herbs , flowers , seeds , and the like ; or compound , as species , pills , and the like ; which is wont to communicate a tincture to the menstruum wherein it is infused ; wherefore , take as much as you please of any thing of the materia medica , cut it , bruise it or otherwise prepare it as is necessary for the infusion ; pour upon it a sufficient quantity of spirit of wine , or any distilled water , that is agreeable to the phyficians intention ; let them remain in infusion in a bath , or some other gentle heat two days , more or less , as the density or the tenuity of the matter requires , until the liquor has a sufficient tincture ; then separate the tincture by inclination , put in more liquor as before , and after infusion separate it as before ; mix the tinctures , and fi●ter them through paper , and then evaporate the moisture , till the matter at the bottom of the vessel , be reduced to the consistence of honey . keep it for use ; whereunto may be added two scruples , or half a dram of some proper salt to every ounce of the extract , to keep it from drying . the way of making salts . the way of making volatile , or essential salts . take a sufficient quantity of any fresh succulent plant , beat it in a wooden or stone mortar ; then pour a large quantity of clear fountain water upon it , boil it till half is consumed , strain it hard , and boil it again to the consistence of honey ; put it into a glass vessel or glazed pot , and set it in a cold place for eight days at least , and a crystal salt will grow together in the manner of sal gemma , which by pouring out the decoction may be collected ; it must be washt in its own water and dryed for use . this way is made the salt of wormwood , carduus benedictus , mugwort , and of other bitter herbs easily , but of others very difficultly . the way of making fixed , or elementary salts . the method of preparing consists in these four things ; calcination , solution , filtration , and coagulation ; first the medical matter must be reduced into ashes by calcination , but care must be taken that the ashes be not turned into glass by too great a fire , then by pouring clear hot water upon the ashes to extract all the salts , make a lie ; filtrate and boil it in an earthen vessel over a gentle fire , till all the water is evaporated , and only salt remains , which must be dissolved , filtered , and coagulated once and again , till it is free from all its impurities , and becomes white , and so are made salts from plants , parts of animals calcined , and the like ; of these the following are best ; salts of wormwood , thyme , rosmary , the lesser centaury , mugwort , carduus benedictus , masterwort , parsly , rest-harrow , ash , dwarf elder , gujacum , box , cammomile , st. john's-wort , succory , celandine , scurvy-grass , bettony , hemp agrimony , baulm , ceterach , and the like . the preparation of some simple medicines . the way of preparing fat 's . fresh fat , the little veins , fibres , and skins being taken out , must be washed in fair water till it is freed from blood ; afterwards being well bruised , it must be melted in a double vessel , then strain it into water , and there let it remain till it is cold ; then drain the water from it , and keep it in an earthen pot in some cool place , it will keep a year . the same way is prepared marrow taken out of the bones , in the autumn chiefly . the burning of brass . make a lay of small brass plates in an earthen ●pot , and a lay of common salt , or sulphur powdred , which is called , stratum super stratum , burn then sufficiently , and dulcify the ashes with hot water , by pouring hot water often on them . the way of purifying aloes . take what quantity you please of aloes finely powdred , put it into a glazed pot , and pour as much spirit of wine on as will rise three fingers breadth above the matter ; stir it with a spatula , till the purer part of the aloes is dissolved by the spirit of wine ; then pour it off , and pour on more as before , and having stirred it about , pour it off , that the impure parts may be separated ; reduce it to a mass by evaporating the moisture , and so keep it for use . the burning of alum . take what quantity you please of alum , put it into a new earthen pot and burn it so long till it has done bubling , and does no longer emit froth , cool it , and keep it for use . the way of preparing anacardiums . powder them , and infuse them in a moderate quantity of vinegar , and when they have sufficiently imbibed it , dry them by gently evaporating the vinegar . the preparation of bole armonick . grind the bole armonick , and moisten it with may dew , and dry it in the shade . the lees of bryony , in latin , feculae bryoniae . take of the roots of bryony what quantity you please , scrape them with a knife , and strai● out the juice in a press , put them in a vessel , and do not move it ; after a few hours it will put off a white lee like starch , which must be dryed in a glass , having first poured out the water . in the same manner is made the lees of wake-robin , horse-radish , of our orris , and the like . may butter , in latin , butyrum majale . take fresh butter unsalted , made about the middle or end of may , put it into a large glazed por , and place it in the sun beams , that it may be ●ll melted ; and when the sun shines hottest , strain it without pressing , through a thick linnen cloath , and expose it to the sun again , and when it is white , strain it again , and keep it a year . the preparation of lapis calaminaris . take of lapis calaminaris what quantity you please , make it red hot twice or thrice , and quench it as often in plantain and rose water , then grind it upon a stone , and with the same water make i● into balls . the infernal stone , in latin , lapis infernalis . take the lee of black soap , boil it to a stone in a frying pan , yet take care that all the moisture be not evaporated ; when it is cold , cut it into small pieces , and keep it in a glass well stopt . this is a caustick , and is used to open tumors . the way of preparing coral , pearls , grab● eyes , and of precious stones . take of these any quantity you please , grind them to a very fine powder , in a steel or porphyry mortar , dropping upon them now and then a little rose water , and then form them into balls . the burning of harts-born , ivory , and other bones . take of hartshorn , ivory , or of any bone , wha● quantity you please , burn them in a crucible til● they are quite white , then powder or grind them very fine , and make them into troches with ros● water . the way of making elaterium . take wild cucumbers almost ripe , cut then and press out the juice gently with your formof fingers , strain it through a fine sive , into a clean glazed vessel , ▪ and let it settle till it has put off its grosser parts , pour off by inclination the thin , juice that swims on the●rop , what remains filter ; dry the sediment in the sun , and keep it for use . the thinner part may be reserved if you please , for making the oyntment de arthanita . the preparation of the bark of spurge roots . infuse the barks well cleansed for three days in sharp vinegar , then dry them , and keep them for use : the same way may be prepared the leaves of spurge , lawrel , mezereon , and the like . the preparation of euphorbium . put euphorbium cleansed and powdred into a glass vessel , and pour upon it so much juice of lemons clarified as will rise four fingers above the matter ; then place them in a hot bath , till the euphorbium is dissolved by the juices ; then strain it through a clean cloath , and evaporate all the moisture of the juice in a bath , and keep the euphorbium for use . the preparation of the roots of black hellebore . infuse the roots of black hel●ebore , that we have three days in the juice of quinces , in a moderate heat ; then day them , and keep them for use . the preparation of goa●● blood. put the blood of a middle aged ▪ goat into an earthen pot , and having covered it with a cloath , expose it to the sun , that it may coagulate , throw away the watry p●rt , dry the thicker part , powder it ; keep it in a glass for use . the preparation of lac. take of lac not cleansed , broken a little , not reduced to powder , boil it in water , that it may be cleansed from its impurities ; dry what is pure and keep it for use . preparation of lapis lazuls . grind the sky coloured stone , wash it with water , dry it , and keep it for use . the preparation of litbarge . grind the litharge to a fine powder , pour on it clear water , and stir it till its thick , then pour it off into another vessel , and put in fresh water , stir it as before , then pour off this water to the other ; continue to do so till the feces sink to the bottom of the mortar , and the thinner part is carried off wit● the water , let it stand without being moved , that the pure litharge may settle to the bottom ; then pour out the water , and gather the litharge , and grin● it so 〈◊〉 upon a stone , that no roughness of it may be perceived by the tongue . preparation of earth-worms . slit the worms in the middle , and wash them clean in wine , then dry them , and keep them for use . the preparation of millepedes . put millepedes cleansed into a new earthen pot , place them in a warm oven after the bread is drawn , that by the moderate hea● they may be dryed , and reduced to powder . the way of preparing oesypus . take of wool uncleansed , sheared from the neck huckle bone , and shoulder pits of tired sheep , pour upon it hot water often , and wash it well , till all the fat swims upon the water ; afterwards press out the wooll , and the far and filthy water must be poured high from one vess●l to another , til● it becomes frothy ; then you must let it stand till the froth goes off ; then take off the fat that swims upon the water ; then pour the water from one vessel to another as before till it froth , then take off the fat as before ; continue to do so till no more s●● not froth appea●s then wash all ●he f●ts with the froth in clean w●ter sti●ring i● about with your hand , and change the water osten , till the fil●h is washed away , and ●ill the 〈◊〉 does not ●ite the to●gue , keep it in a clean thick earthen vessel in a cold place . preparation of opium . dissolve opium in spirit of wine , strain it and evaporate it to a due consistence . the preparation of the lungs of a fox . wash the fresh lungs of a fox well in white wine , wherein hyssop and scabious have been first boiled : but you must take out the wind pipe ; put them into an earthen pot and dry them in a gentle heat take care they are not burnt , keep them in a glass stopt with wax . preparation of scammony . put the powder of scammony into a quince made hollow , covered with past , bake it in an oven , or rost ●it under the ashes , take out the scammony and keep it for●se . this is called diagrydium . another way of preparing scammony with sulphur . take of scammony powdred as much as you please , put it upon a paper , hold the paper over live coals , whereupon brimstone is c●st , till the scammony melts or grows white ; this is called scammony sulphurated , but you must be sure to sti● it all the time it is over the fire . pr●paration of squills . take a large fresh squill , pull off the outward dry tunicks , wrap it up in bread past , and bake it in an oven with bread till it is tender , which you may know by thrusting a bodkine into it , then take it out of the oven , and pull off one by one the coats , casting away the middle , which is hard , run a thread through them , and hang them in a dry place till they are dry ; but you must take ca●e they do not touch one another whilst they are drying , and in this business you must use a woodden or ivory knife for cutting or piercing them . boiled turpentine . take of venice turpentine one pound , pour upon it twelve quarts of water , wherein boil it till it is so thick , that it will break like rosin or glass when it is cold . preparation of tutty . tutty being prepared the same way as lapis calaminaris is , tie it up in a clean rag , which is to be stirred about in a vessel full of clean water , that the fine and useful parts may come through into the water , the gross and impure remaining in the rag ; then let it settle , and pour off the water ; continue to do so , till all that is good is washed out of the rag . sprinkle this powder with a litte rose water , and make it into balls to be kept for use . addenda . elixir propietatis . take of myrrh , aloes and saffron , each half an ounce , of spirit of wine rectified ten ounces , of spirit of sulphur by the bell half an ounce : first draw a tincture from the saffron in the spirit of wine , by digesting of it six or eight days ; then add the myrrh and aloes grosly beaten , and the spirit of sulphur ; digest them in a long viol well stopt for the space of a month , shake it often ; pour off the black tincture from the feces , let it stand quiet a night , then pour it out , and decant it so often as you find any feces at the bottom . virtues . it is alexipharmick , stomachick , anodyn , and uterine , it cures tertian agues , and is an universal medicine fit for all ages , for men , women , and children ; it alters , evacuates and strengthens . dose . two drams will purge , when you do not design purging , fifteen or twenty drops may be taken in a morning , in a glass of wine or a small draught of beer . elixir salutis . take of the leaves of senna four ounces , of gujacum , and of the roots of elecampane dryed , of the seeds of anise , carraways , and coriander , and of liquorice , each two ounces , of rai●ins of the sun stoned half a pound , steep them in the cold in three quarts of aqua vitae for the space of four days ; strain it . virtues . it is excellent for the cholick and gravel . dose . two , three , or four sponfuls , more or less , according to the age and strength of the patient . it may be taken in a morning . liquid landanum . take of spanish wine one pint , of opium two ounces , of saffron one ounce , of cinnamon , and cloves powdred , each one dram , infuse them together in a bath for two or three days , till the liquor has a deep tincture ; strain it , and keep it for use . virtues . it is good in general to ease pain and to stop fluxes . dose . twelve or sixteen drops of it may be taken at a time . matthew's pill . take of salt of tartar prepared with ni●●e four ounces , of oyl of turpentine eight ounces , mix them and let them stand in a moist and cold place , eight , nine , or ten months , or more , till the salt has taken thrice its weight of oyl , and is become one thick mass like soap ; in the mean time you must stir it often , and add the oyl as it incorporates , take of this soap six ounces , of the best opium two ounces , of black and white hel●bore powdred , and of liquorice , each two ounces ; mix them exactly , adding as much oyl of turpentine as is sufficient to make a mass for pills ▪ which must be kept moist with oyl of turpentine . virtues . this is in general proper to give ease ▪ and is proper for pains of the back , for the stone and gravel , and ulcers of the bladder . dose . ten grains of it may be taken at a time . compound spirit of lavender , in latin , spiritus lavendulae compositus . take of the flowers of lavender one gallon , pour on them three gallons of the best brandy ; stop the vessel close , let them infuse in the sun for the space of six days , then distil them in an alembick . take of the flowers of sage , rosmary , bettony , each one handful , of borrage , bugloss , lilly of the vallies , and cowslips , each two handfuls ; infuse all these flowers gathered in season in a gallon of the best brandy , and mingle with it the spirit of lavender above-mentioned , adding the leaves of baulm , feverfew , oranges , flowers of stechas , of oranges , and bay berries , each one ounce , after sufficient digestion distil them again , and at length add of orange and citron peel , and the seeds of peony , each six drams , cinnamon , nutm●gs , mace , cardamoms , cubebs , and yellow sanders , each half an ounce , of the wood of aloes one dram , digest them twenty four hours , strain them ; add of prepared pearl two drams , of ambargrease , musk , and saffron , each half a scruple , of red roses dryed , and red sanders , each half an ounce , of yellow sanders , and the bark of dryed citrons , each two drams , hang the species in a rag in the spirit above mentioned . virtues . it is good for diseases of the head and nerves . dose . half a spoonful of it may be taken at a time . finis . books printed for , and sold by john lawrence , at the angel in the poultrey , over against the compter . ge●●s remaines , being sundry pious and learned notes , and observations on the new testament , opening and explaining it ; wherein jesus christ , as yesterday , to day , and the same for ever , is illustrated ; by that learned and judicious man dr. r. gell , late rector of st. mary aldermary , london . christian religions appeal from the groundless prejudice of the sceptick , to the bar of common reason ; wherein is proved , . that the apostles did not delude the world , . nor were themselves deluded , . scripture matters of faith have the best evidence , . the divinity of scripture is as demonstrable as the being of a deity . by john smith , rector of st. maries in colchester . quarto . the jesuits catechism , according to st. ignatius loyola ; wherein the impiety of their principles , perniciousness of their doctrines , and iniquity of their practises are declared . the reverend mr. samuel slater's sermon on the thanksgiving day , october th . . at crosby square . — his sermon at the funeral of mr. john reynolds minister of the gospel , who dyed in london december the th . . — his sermon preached feb. . . upon the funeral of that late excellent servant of our lord jesus mr. richard fincher , who finished his course feb. th . . an apology for the ministers who subscribed only unto the stating of the truths and errors in mr. william's book . shewing , that the gospel which they preach , is the old everlasting gospel of christ , and vindicating them from the c●lumnies wherewith they ( especially the younger sort of them ) have been unjustly aspersed , by a letter from a minister in the city , to a minister in the country . the answer of giles firmin , to the vain and unprofitable question put to him , and charged upon him by mr. grantham , in his book inti●uled , the infants advocate : viz. whether the greatest part of dying infants shall be damned ? which advocate , while he shuts all infants out of the visible church , and denies them baptism , opens heaven to all dying infants ; justifying those of his party , who admit them all as he doth into heaven without regeneration . the preface may be very useful for the children of godly parents . some remarks upon the anabaptist answer [ sold by john harris ] to the athenean mercuries ; and some upon his answer , who stiles himself , philalethes pasiphelus . by giles firmin . a brief review of mr. davi●'s vindication , giving no satisfaction ; being for the greatest part of it no direct answer to what is charged upon him , but meer evasions to deceive the reader . things that ●end to practice are chiefly insisted upon , other things but lightly touched ; to which is added remarks upon some passages of mr. crisp . in his book intituled , christ alone exalted . the reason of the authors ingaging in this controversie , is given in the preface to the reader , by giles firmin one of the united brethren . a proposal to perform musick , in perfect and mathematical proportions ; containing , . the state of musick in general , . the principles of present practice ; according to which are , . the tables of proportions , calculated for the viol , and capable of being accommodated to all sorts of musick ▪ by thomas salmon , rector of mepsall in the county of bedford . approved by both the mathematick professors of the university of oxford , with large remarks upon this whole treatise , by the reverend and learned john wallis , d. d. a sermon preached before the right honourable the lord mayor , and aldermen of the city of london , at st. mary-le-bow , jan. th . / ▪ by william stephens b. d. rector of sutton in surrey . octave . several discourses , viz. . of purity and charity . . of repentance . . of seeking first the kingdom of god. by hezekiah burton , d. d. late rector of barns near london , and prebendary of norwich . published by the most reverend father in god dr. john tillotson , arch-bishop of canterbury , with his lordships preface . de succo pancreatico , or a physical and anatomical treatise of the nature and office of the pancreatick juice ; shewing its generation in the body , what diseases arise by its visitation , from whence in particular , by plain and familiar examples , is accurately demonstrated , the cause and cure of agues , or intermitting fevers , hitherto so difficult and uncertain ; with sundry other things worthy of note . written by the famous physician d. regdi graaf of delph , and transated by c. pack med. lond. illustrated with divers copper plates . praxis catholica : or , the country-mans universal remedy : wherein is plainly and briefly laid down , the nature , matter , manner , place and cure of most diseases incident to the body of man , not hitherto discovered ; whereby any one of an ordinary capacity may apprehend the true cause of his distempers , wherein his cure consists , and the means to effect it ; together with rules how to order children in the most violent disease of vomiting and loosness , &c. useful for seamen and travellers . also an account of an incomparable powder for wounds or hurts , which cures any ordinary ones at once dressing . written by robert couch , sometimes practitioner in physick and chyrurgery , at boston in new england . now published with divers useful additions ( for publick benefit ) by c●br . pack , operator in chymistry . remarks on a late discourse of william lord bishop of derry , concerning the inventions of men in the worship of god. by j. boyse . an earnest call to family-religion : or , a discourse concerning family-worship ; being the substance of eighteen sermons , preached by samuel slater , a. m. minister of the gospel . bishop wilkins discourse of the gift of prayer : shewing what it is , wherein it consists , and how far it is attainable by industry ; with divers useful and proper directions to that purpose , both in respect of matter , method , expression . — his ecclesiastes : or , a discourse concerning the gift o● preaching , as it falls under the rules of art. the seventh edition much inlarged . twelves . an account of the holy life and death of mr. henry gearing , late citizen of london , who departed this life january the th . . aged ▪ with the trial and character of a real christian , collected out of his papers for the examination of himself , from which several other particulars are added , for the instruction , i●couragements , and imitation of christians . a discourse of tempting christ . by mr. john shower . family-religion in three letters to a friend . by mr. john shower . the death , rest , resurrection , and blessed portion of the saints ; in a discourse , on dan. . . together with the work of the redeemer , and the work of the redeemed . by dan. burges minister of the gospel . a discourse of family-worship , in answer to this question , upon what scripture grounds and reasons may family-worship be established and enforced . undertaken upon the request of the united ministers in and about london . by geo. hammond , m. a. and minister of the gospel , with an appendix by mr. matthew barker . miscellane a sacra . containing scriptural meditations , divine breathings , occasional reflections , and sacred poems . a plain and short treatise of an apoplexy, convulsions, colick, twisting of the guts, mother fits, bleeding at nose ... and several other violent and dangerous diseases ... : shewing the sick or by-standers what ought presently to be done : together with proper remedies for each disease and plain directions for the use of them / by j. pechey ... pechey, john, - . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing p estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all 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(eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) a plain and short treatise of an apoplexy, convulsions, colick, twisting of the guts, mother fits, bleeding at nose ... and several other violent and dangerous diseases ... : shewing the sick or by-standers what ought presently to be done : together with proper remedies for each disease and plain directions for the use of them / by j. pechey ... pechey, john, - . [ ], p. printed for the author and sold at his house ..., london : . reproduction of original in british library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng medicine -- early works to . - tcp assigned for keying and markup - aptara keyed and coded from proquest page images - ali jakobson sampled and proofread - ali jakobson text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion a plain and short treatise of an apoplexy , convulsions , colick , twisting of the guts , mother fits , bleeding at nose , vomitting of blood , stone in the kidnies , quinsey , miscarriage , hard labour , cholora morbus : and several other violent and dangerous diseases that come of a sudden , and require present help . shewing the sick or by-standers what ought presently to be done . together with proper remedies for each disease , and plain directions for the use of them . by j. pechey , of the college of physicians in london . london , printed for the author , and sold at his house in basing-lane , near bread-street , . the preface . having often considered , that there are several diseases so surprizing , and withal so very vioent , that the patient is often dead , or past all hopes of recovery , before a skilful physitian in many places can be called , or advised with ▪ i thought a plain english treatise of such kind of diseases might be of general use , and that it may suit all conditions of men , all by the frailty of nature lying open to one or other of these suddain incursions , i have reduced it to a small compass , that it may be the easier read over , and that each disease may be the soon , er turned to upon any suddain occasion . ordinary readers being as often at a loss in a large book as travellers in a wood ; and it is composed in a small character , that as every one may need it , so every one may be able to buy it , and i have written it in a plain stile that every one also may be able to understand it . this little book may be an assistant to charitable ladies and gentlewomen in the country , who like the good samaritan , have never an hand but what is ready to help their distressed neighbours , here they may find plain directions , and the most celebrated medicines , such as the londonphysitians most frequently make use of in these diseases . the traveller and sea-faring man when they are far distant from physitians , and destitute of all other help , may here also find releif . the medicines prepared by my self that are often mention'd in this treatise , are of great vertue , and efficacy , and have bin found successful to admiration in cureing several of these diseases . and they keep good many years , and will endure the excess of heat and cold in various climates . therefore very proper for those that live in the country , and in the plantations abroad , or go to sea. and indeed every one that has been once seized with any one of these diseases , will undoubtedly wheresoever he dwells , think it no small comfort and security to have an approved remedy ready at hand , in time of need . chap. i. of sleepy diseases , coma , lethargy , carus , and apoplexy . these four sorts of preternatural sleep proceed from the same causes , and require the same methods of cure ; and therefore shall be treated of together in this chapter . when any person is seized with a sleepy disease , the by-standers must endeavour by all means to rouse him , by offering violence to all his senses ; and therefore you must expose his eyes to the sun-beams , or to a clear light , his ears must be filled with violent noises and clamours , and you must be sure to call him aloud by his own name : sharp things are to be blown up his nostrils ; the sence of touching must be revived by rubbings , vellications , plucking of the hair , binding of the members , squeezing of the fingers together , and the like : he must be presently blooded if he has strength but his strength is not to be judged of , by the present circumstances , but by such as he was in before the disease seized him . you must first bleed in the arm , and then in the jugular vein , presently after give the following vomit . take of the blessed wine , one ounce and an half ; of carduus water one ounce ; of spirit of juniper-berries , two drams . make a vomit . inject two or three sharp glisters in a day . take of the carminative decoction with bay-berries and juniper-berries , ten ounces ; of the electuary of bay-berries ●ne ounce ; of blessed wine and brown-sugar , each three ounces ; of c●ymical oyl of juniper , ten drops : mix them and make a glister . if a glister be not rendred in an hour's time , provoke the belly by a suppository . take of hiera ●i●ra , half an ounce , of sal gemma one dram ; of honey , a sufficient quantity : make suppositories . the spirit of sal armoniack must be held often to the nostrils , or my cephalick tincture , which is one of the best midicines in the world for sleepy diseases , and indeed for all diseases of the head and spirits . things of all kinds that cause revulsion must be used , not only frictions and ligatures , but also cupping-glasses set on the back , shoulders , arms and thighs : but in an apoplexy you must not apply cupping-classes to the back or hypochondres , left the muscles of the breast and belly , should be contracted , and so respiration more hindred . cupping-glasses applyed to the head are counted very proper , apply a blistering plaister with euphorbium to the neck ; some , according to the custom of the antients , hold a red-hot frying-pan to the head at such a distance , as it may burn the hair , but not the skin . take of the waters of rue , balm , and black-cherries , each three ounces ; of compound peony-water , and compound syrup of peony , each one ounce and an half ; of tincture of caster , one dram ; of spirit of sal armoniack , half a dram ; mingle them , make a julop . give four or five spoonfuls often , or ten drops of my cephalick tincture in two ounces of compound peony-water , or in a small glass of canary . in the general cure of these diseases , you must take notice , that in those which poceed from blood , medicines that heat the least , are to be used : but bleeding is to be used freely , and afterwards a vein in the forehead is to be opened , and things that purge choler are to be mixed with those that purge flegm . if the brain be very much cooled , the sick after universal evacuations may use tablets made in the following manner . take of ambergrease , half a scruple ; distilled oyl of the seeds of anise , cinnemon , and nutmegs , each three drops ▪ of oyls of cloves , one drop ; of sugar dissolved in orange flower-water , four ounces ; make tablets . let him take a dram or two every morning , and let him be sure to take twenty drops of my cephaclic tincture in two ounces of compound peony-water at bed-time , three nights before the new moon . it is also proper to hold a nutmeg often in the mouth , and to chew it ; and perfumes are often to be held to the nostrils , especially apoplectick balsam , or my cephalick tincture . spices are to be used with meats , and the following digestive powder after meals , take of the seeds of coriander , sweet-fennel , caraways , each fifteen grains ; of white amber , one dr●m ; of the yellow peel of citrons ; and flowers of rosemary , each one dram and an half ; of nutmegs , half a dram ; of white sugar , three ounces : powder them grosly , and give half a spoonful after meals . if from too great a quantity of blood , a sleepy disease is feared , the patient must be sufficiently blooded , and the utmost endeavours must be used to make the hemorrhoids flow , than which nothing can be more advan●agious . purging must be also ordered to prevent a relapse . take of the pill of amber , and of the lesser coeh , each two scruples ; of the best castor , six grains ; of oyl of amber a sufficient quanty : mix them , make pills , take six for a dose , and the other six three days after . or , take my pills , which are excellent in these diseases . after purging let the sick use the following medicine . take of the conserves of the flowers of male-peony , and of rosemary , each one ounce ; of the bark of citron candied , ●●x drams ; of the species call'd diambra aud dian●bos , each one dram ; of castor powdered , two scruples ; of compound spirit of lavender , half a dram , with a sufficient quantity of the syrups of gilly-flowers , and of compound peony make an electuary . give the quantity of a nutmeg , morning and evening daily , and let the sick take two spoonfuls of black cherry-water , and ten drops of my cephalic tincture morning and evening , presently after the use of the electuary . take of amber powdered , one ounce ; sprinkle the fourth part of it upon the head every night at bed time . chap. ii. of bleeding at nose . bleeding at the nose comes at any time of the year , and afflicts those chiefly that are weakly , and of a very hot constitution ; and more frequently when they are old than when they are young. in this case you must do all you can to restrain the violent heat and ebullition of the blood , from whence arises the said unusual extravasation , and to turn the fore : of it another way . to which end bleed often in the arm , and take away blood freely : order also a cooling and thickening di● , as three parts of fountain-water and one of milk boyled together , and drank cold ; roasted apples , barly broaths , and such like things as are made without flesh : order the sick to keep from bed for some time daily , and give a gentle cooling glister every day , and let it not be once omitted . give also a draught made of half an ounce of diacodium and cowslip-water at bed time to quell the fury of the blood : but because a sharp humour often accompanies bleeding at nose , and the like which being mingled with the blood , furthers it's motion , and opens the orifices of the veins , besides revulsion and cooling , i usually give the following purging potion when the disease is even at it's height . take of tamarinds , half an ounce , of sena two drams , of rhubarb , one dram and an half ; boyl them in a suff●cient quantity of water , to three ounces of the strained liquor add of manna , and syrup of roses solutive . each one ounce , make a potion , and after it has done working , i give at bed time a draught made of two ounces of water of red popies , and one ounce of diacodium , and when the bleeding ▪ is gone quite off i give the patient some purging potion again . as to outward applications , a linnen bolster dipt in cold water , wherein sal prunella has bin disolved , may he applyed to the nape of the neck , and to both the sides of it often in a day ; and after bleeding and purging the following liquor may be used . take of hungarian vitriol , and allom , each one ounce ; of flegm of vitriol , half a pint ; boyl them till all is dissolved ; filter the liquor when it is cold , and seperate it from the cristals that sometimes rise : to the remaining liquor add a twelfth part of oyl of vitriol ; and put a tent dipt in this liquor into the nostril from whence the blood flows , and keep it in two days . rags moistened in this liquor and applyed stop blood , from what parts soever it flows spitting of blood , which betwixt spring and summer befalls weakly people of a hot constitution , whose lungs are infirm , and rather young people than old , is almost of the same nature with the bleeding at the nose , and requires almost the same method of cure , only it will not bear purging , by which , especialy if repeated , the sick is apt to fall into a consumption ; but bleeding used often , a glifter injected every day , a draught made of d●a odium taken at bed-time , and a dyet thickening and cooling will do the business eff●ctually . chap. iii. of vomiting of blood. vomiting of blood , from what cause soever it arises , is very dangerous ; for if too great a quantity of blood be evacuated , their is danger of death ; if it coagulate in the stomack , and corrupt there , it occasions ●ainting . it must be cured by medicines that cause a re●ulsion of the blood from the stomach , and by such as attemperate it , and stop the opening of the veins . and first , because an orderly diet is of great use in this case , the common diet ought to be astringent and cooling , as barley-broths , almond and rice diet , water-gruel , and especially starch boiled in milk , whereunto may be added , a little rose-water , hard eggs may be also used , dipt in vinegar , also bread dipt in water and chicken broath with wood-sorrel , purslain , and plantian boyled in it : but at the beginning of eating some astringent things should be taken , as a quince baked under the ashes , medlars or the like . let the sick abstrain from all salt , pepper'd , and fryed meats , and also from such things as yield a great deal of nourishment , unless the weakness of the sick requires that they should be taken sparingly . he must drink but little , and when he does , it must be water , wherein iron has bin quenched with a little juice of lemon in it . the sick must not expose himself to the winds , nor to the rays of the sun , he must sleep moderately , and his body must be kept open . bleeding must be used sparingly , and it must be repeated . the members must be rubbed and bound , and cleansing glisters must be injected , cupping-glases must be applyed to the buttocks , legs , and loins . let two spoonfuls of vinegar and water mixed be given , if there be a suspition of clotted blood ; for by the use of it , it may be easily disolved , and driven from the veins of the stomach , and they will be stop'd thereby ; foment the region of the stomach also with it cold . let the sick take morning and evening four ounces of the juice of plantain cold . take of old conserve of roses , and of comfry roots , each one ounce , of marmalade of auinces half an ounce , one myrobalane candied , troches of amber and lemnian earth , each two drams , of coral prepared , and of saffron of mars each one dram ; with syrup of dryed roses , make an electuary , and let the sick take the quantity of a nutmeg morning and evening . troches of amber do not only bind , but also disolve clotted blood ; and therefore are frequently to be used . tincture of coral made with the juice of lemons is also very good . but when the blood is evacuated violently , and cannot be stoped by the forementioned medicines , narcoticks must be taken inwardly and injected by glisters , and the region of the stomach must be anointed with the oyl of roses and myrtles washt in vinegar ; and after you have anointed it , sprinkle on powder of coral , bolearmenick , and seal'd earth . bleeding being sufficiently used , gentle and frequent purging must be ordered , whereby the blood may be cleared from serous and cholerick humours , occasioning this disease : but they ought to be made of rhubarb , myro●alans , tamarinds , and the like which bind as well as purge , and do not stir the humours . they may be given in the form of a bolus with syrup of myrtles or dryed roses , or in a potion made of a decoction of sorrel , succory , purslain , or the like . when purging is used , the fore mentioned electuary , syrup of coral , or some other astringent and corroborating medicine must be used at bed-time . lastly , to prevent a relapse , a dram of rhubarb must be given once a week for a long time . chap. iiii. of childrens convulsions . childrens convulsions are so frequent , that they are almost the only species of convulsions . they are chiefly subject to them in the first month , and at the time they breed teeth ; but they also happen at other times and proceed from other causes in such as are disposed to them . sometimes they do not come presently after the birth , but lie hid until the breeding of teeth , or not till a great while after , and take their rise from an unhealthy or big-bellied nurse , from milk clotted or corrupted in the stomach , from a feverish disposit on , from ulcers or scabs of the head or of other parts suddenly disappearing , from changes of the air or the like . we must endeavour to prevent these convulsions in children and infants , or to cure them when they are come ; for if the former children of the same parents have been subject to convulsive fitts , this disease ought to be prevented by the early use of remedies in such as are born after . to this end it is customary to give to new born babes as soon as they begin to breath , some medicine proper for convulsions : some upon this occasion give some drops of pure honey , others a spoonful of canary wine sweetned with sugar , or oyl of almonds fresh drawn ; others give a drop of oyl of ambar : but besides these things used at first , which certainly do good , some other remedies ought to be given ; for instance give a spoonful twice a day of the following liquor . take of the waters of black-cherries and rue , each one ounce and a half ; of langiuses antiepileptick water , one ounce ; of syrup of coral , six drams ; of prepared pearl , fifteen grains ; mingle them in a viol. the third or fourth day after the birth , make an issue in the neck , and if the countenance be florid , bleed , and take away an ounce and an half or two ounces from the jugular vein : but take care that too much blood does not flow out in sleep : rub gently the temples with the following oyntment take of oyl of nutmegs by expression . , two drams of balsam of copaiba , three drams , of ambar , one scruple : mix them . hang round the neck the roots and seeds of male ptony sewed up in a rag. moreover medicines proper for convulsions must be given daily to the nurse : let her take morning and evening a draught of whey wherein the roots of male-peony , or the seeds of sweet fennel have bin boyled , and let her be very orderly in her diet. but if an infant be actually seized with convulsions , because the issue does not run well , you must apply a blister to the neck , or behind the ears ; and if the infant be not of a cold constitution , blood must be drawn from the jugular veins by leeches , and linnements must be used to the temples , nostrils and neck , and to the soles of the feet , and glisters of milk and sugar must be injected . take of the oyls of copaiba , and of castor , each two drams , of ambar , half a dram , make a linnement ; and every fixth or eight hour give a paper of my powder for convulsions in a spoonful or two of black cherry-water , sweeted with syrup of peony , when by reason of breeding of teeth , difficultly convulsions happen , a thin and cooling diet must be ordered , and bleeding and glifters must be often used . when children are seized with convulsions , not presently after the birth , or upon breeding of teeth , but from other occasions and accidents ; the cause for the most part of such is either in the head or in the bowels : when the former is uspected , as is wont to be known by the signs which shew watry humours heaped up in the brain , my powder for convulsions , and the medicines abovementioned must be used . moreover for those who bear purging well , a vomit or gentle purge must be prescribed . when tho cause of convulsions seems to be lodged in the bowels , or when worms or sharp humours in the belly are the cause , my worm-powder is of excellent use . chap. v. of the colick . it takes it's name from the gat colon , which is the part affected : the causes of the colick are excrementious matter , wind , the excrements hardened , costivness , thick , cold , and flegmatick humours , also cholerick and melancholy humours . there are other causes of the coli●k , but less frequent , as stones growing in the guts , worms , hard bodies obstructing the guts , as cherry-stones , hard cheese and the like . the external causes are a cold constitution of the air gross meats of hard disgestion , immoderate sleep immoderate venery , and other external causes , which may injure the concoction of the stomacht but from what cause soever this tormenting disease is occasioned , there is no med cines yet known that do so certainly cure it , as my elixir and cordial drops . but to prevent a relapse , and to strengthen the bowels , and to open obstructions i advise the sick to ride often . chap. vi. of mother fits , and vapours . these diseases are the most frequent of all chronical diseases , and they are not only frequent , but so wonderfully various that they resemble almost all the diseases poor mortals are subject to : sometimes they possess the head , and occasion an apoplexy , and this seizes women very often after delivery , or is occasioned by hard labour , or some violent commotion of the mind . sometimes they produce violent convulsions , very like the falling-sickness , the belly and bowels swelling towards the throat , the woman strugling so violently that tho' at other times her strength is but ordinary , she now can scarce be held by all the strength of the by standers uttering some odd and inarticulate sounds , and striking her breast : these convulsions are commonly called mother fits. sometimes they possess the outward part of the head causing violent pain continually fixt in one part , which may be covered by the top of your thumb ; and violen● vomiting accompanies this pain : this pain chiefly afflict● maids that have the green-sickness . sometimes falling upon the heart , they occasion a violent beating of the heart , so that the women who are afflicted with it , verily believe that the by-standers may hear the found of the heart thumping upon the ribs . this chiefly afflicts those that are of a thin habit of body and of a weak constitution , and also young maids that hav● the green-sickness . sometimes the patient choughs without intermission but brings up nothing : this chiefly invades women tha● abound in flegm . sometimes rushing violently upon the belly the vapours occasion violent pain much like the twisting of th● guts , and the woman vomits exceedingly : this chiefl● seizes those that are of a lax and crude habit of body , and those that have suffered much in bringing forth great children . when the vapours fall upon one of the kidneys , they plainly represent , by the pain they cause there , a fit like that of the stone ; nor is the bladder free from them , ●or sometimes they do not only cause pain there , but also ●●op the urine just as if there were a stone : but this kind ●●izing the bladder very seldom happens ; that which re●embles the stone in the kidneys is not so rare . sometimes falling upon the stomach they cause a●ontinual vomiting and sometimes a loosness , when they are settled upon the guts and as the vapours afflict almost all the inner parts , so sometimes they seize also the outward parts , and occasion pain and sometimes swellings in the jaws , shoulders , hands , thighs , legs ; nor can the teeth free themselves from the assaults of vapours , tho' they are not hollow ; at these pains and swellings which afflict the outward parts chiefly seize those women that are in a manner quite 〈◊〉 out by a long series of vapours , and by the force of them . but among all the torments the vapours occasion , there 〈◊〉 none so common on as a pain in the back : and this is worth observing , that often a notable cold of the outward parts makes way for these fits of the vapours , which for the most part does not go off till the fitt ends : and moreover all women troubled with vapours complain of a dejection and sinking of the spirits . lastly , every one knows that women troubled with vapours sometimes laugh excessively , and sometimes cry as much without any real cause for either : but among all the symptoms that accompany vapours , this is the most proper and almost inseperable ; namely an urine as clear as rock water , and this women in vapours evacuate plentifully : and it sometimes happens that they belsh up ill fumes as often as they eat , tho' they eat only moderately , and according as they have an appetite ; and sometime the wind that comes from the stomach is as sower as vinegar . nor are they unhappy only for that their bodies are so ill affected , and as it were tottering like ruined houses just about to fall ; for their minds are more diseased that their bodies , and an incurable desperation is mixed with the very nature of their disease ; and what the roman orato● said of the superstitious exactly agrees with these melancholy people . sleep , says he , seems to be a refuge for the laborious and careful , but from thence cares and fears arise whilst only funerals and apparitions of their deceased friends are represented in dreams , and they are so tormented in body and mind , that one would think their lives were a purgatory , wherein they were to purifie themselves , and to expiat crimes committed in some other state. nor does this happen only to mad people , but also to those who , if you except these impetuosities of mind are very prudent and judicious , and who much excell for deep thought , and wisdom of speech , others whose minds were never excited by these provokments to thinking . but this dreadful condition of mind which i have above described , seizes only those that have much and a long while conflicted with this disease , and have been at length wholly vanquished by it ▪ especially if adversity , care o● trouble of mind , or the like joined with an ill habit o● body , have added oyl to the flame . in order to the cure , let eight ounces of blood be taken from the right arm , and the following plaister applyed to the navel . take of gal●anum dissolved in tincture of castor , and st●ained , three drams ; of tacamahaca , two drams , mix them make a plaister . the next morning let her make use of the following pills : take of the pill coch : major , two scruples , of castor powdered , two grains , of peruvian balsam , four drops , make four pills . let her take them at five in the morning , and sleep after them . repeat them twice or thrice , every morning , or every other morning according to their operation , and the strength of the patient ▪ after the purging pills are taken , she must take two of my pills for vapours early in the morning , and at five in the afternoon for thirty dayes drinking after them morning and evening , three spoonfuls of compound br●ony-water ▪ and so the vapours are most commonly cured , ●nd most obstructions in women , especially the green-sickness , and also all suppressions of the courses tu●bridge-waters are also very proper for the cure of these diseases ; and riding abroad in the air , if the woman has strength to bear it . when a fit of the vapours seizes any woman , suddenly you must hold to her nostrils assafaetida , galbanum , castor , spirit of salarmoniae or the like , and give inward●y ten drops , of spirit of hartshorn in three spoonfuls of compound briony-water . chap. vii . of twisting of the guts . this dreadful disease , which has hitherto been accounted mortal by almost all , arises from the in●erted and preposterous motion of the guts . when it appears by glisters vomited up and other ●●gns , that there is a twisting of the guts , you must endeavour three things , first , that the contrary motion of the stomach , which occasions the same motion of the guts , may be hindred ; secondly , that the intestines being weakened by sharp humours may be strengthened , thirdly , that the stomach and guts may be freed from the humours ; and that you may answer these indications , you must order the cure in the following manner . first prescribe one scruple of salt of wormwood , in a spoon●ul of juice of lemons to be taken morning and evening , but at other times of the day order some spoonfuls of mint-water without sugar , or any thing else , to be taken twice in an hour , and order a live ki●ling to lye always on the naked belly : but after the pain and vomiting has whollyceased , for the space of two or three days , give one dram of the pill coch major dissolved in mint-water , which must be also used very often all the time of the working of the pills , to hinder the return of the vomiting ; nor is the kitling to be removed before the patient has taken the pills , the sick must observe a very thin diet , namely some spoonfuls of chicken broath must be taken twice or thrice a day , and he must keep his bed till signs of perfect health appear , and when he is well , he must persist in the use of mint-water for a long time , and keep his belly warm with flannels doubled , that there may not be a relapse ; to which this disease is more obnoxious than an other . chap. viii . of the stone in the kidneys . when any one is seized with a fitt of the stone , setting aside all other remedies , let him presently drink a gallon of posset drink wherein two ounces of the roots of marsh mallows have been boyled , and let the following glister be injected . take of the roots of marsh mallows and lillies , each one ounce , of the leaves of mallows , pellitory of the wall , and of the flowers of camomile , each one handful , of flax and fenugreek seeds each half an ounce , boyl them in a sufficient quantity of water , to a pint and a half ; dissolve in in the strained liquor , brown sugar , and syrup of marsh-mallows , each two ounces , mingle them make a glister . as soon as he has rendred all the posset drink by vomiting , and rejected the glister , let him take thirty of my cordial drops in a glass of white wine , and compose himself to rest on his bed. but to prevent this disease , let him drink acton or richmond waters , or other purging waters often , especially when he finds a pain in his back or heat of urine ▪ and every summer if his condition will allow of it , tunbridge waters or the like , for the space of a month or whey for the same time , when he has not an opportunity to drink these waters . riding ou horse back is also very good for prevention ▪ but it is to be noted ; that if the stone is too large to pass , neither the waters nor riding are proper , for some old men have hastened their end ; by attempting in vain to cure this disease by such remedies , the stone by this means being thurst forward , when it was too big to pass . if a bloody vrine be occasioned by the stone in the kidnies , take two ounces and a half of manna , dissolved in a quart of whey once a week for some months , and when you are to walk or ride , be sure , to drink a large draught of small beer before you go out , and in the way if you stay long a broad . chap. ix . of vomiting and loosness , call'd cholera morbus . this disease is easily known , for there are violent vomitings , and an evacuation of ill humours with great difficulty and trouble by stool , there is a violent pain of the belly , an heart burning , thirst , a quick pulse and often convulsions , fainting , and a coldness of the extream parts , and such lik symptoms , which frighten the by-standers , and kill the patient in twenty four hours . for the cure of this dreadful disease , proceed in the following manner , boyl a chicken in about gallons of spring water , and let the sick drink several large draughts of it a little warm , or for want of it posset-drink : at the same time a good quantity of the liquor will serve for several glisters , to be given successively , untill all the liquor is consumed and evacuated upwards and downwards . the filth being ejected by these means , which require three or four hours , give twenty of my cordial drops in a spoonful of cinnamon-water , or the ●ike . but it must be carefully noted that if the vomitting and loosness continue many hours , suppose ten or twelve , and the sick is worn out , so that the extream parts ●ax cold , and the use of the liquor above mentioned has been neglected , you must immediately give my cor●i●● drops as above directed , and sixteen of them must be also given morning and evening daily , till the sick has recovered his strength and health . chap. x. of hard labour . that is said to be hard labour , which does not observe the due and ordinary course of nature , and longer time is spent in it , and the pains are more violent than usual , and the symptoms that accompany it are more grievous . many causes may be assigned for it , both external , and internal , the internal depend on the mother , the womb ▪ or the child . as to the mother , the natural weakness of the whole body may make the labour difficult , or her age , she being too young or too old , or it may be occasion'd by diseases , which she had with her big-belly , leanness on two much dryness of the body , or fat compressing the passages of the womb , or the ill-conformation of the bones encompassing the womb , as in those that are lame , may also occasion it , wind swelling the bowels , a stone on preternatural tumour in the bladder that presses the womb , may be the cause . so may the ill constitution of the lungs , or the parts serving respiration , for the holding of the breath is very necessary to help the exclusion of the child . as to the womb , various diseases of it , may render the delivery difficult , as tumours , ulcers , obstructions , and the like . as to the child , hard labour is occasioned , when by reason it is dead , or putrified , or any way diseased , it cannot confer any thing to it's own exclusion . also when the body or head of it is large , or when there are many , so twins most commonly cause hard labour ; or when it is ill situated , as when the hands or the feet offer first , or when one hand or foot comes out , or when it is doubled , or when the membranes break too soon , so that the water flows out , and leaves the orifice of the womb dry at the time of exclusion . or when the membranes are too thick , so that they cannot be easily broken by the child . the external causes depend on things necessary and contingent ; things necessary are those which are commonly call'd non-natural , so cold and dry air , and a north wind are very injurious to women in labour , because they bind the body , and drive the blood and spirits to the inner parts , and they are very injurious to the child coming from so warm a place . hot weather also dissipates the spirits and weakens the child . crude meats and such as are difficulty concocted , and those that bind , taken in a great quantity before labour , render it difficult , the stomach being weakened , and the common passages contracted , which ought to be very open in this case . drowsiness hinders the action of the mother and child , and shews that nature is weak . the unseasonable motion of the woman much retards the delivery ; as when she refuses upon occasion to stand , walk , lye , or sit , or flings her self about unadvisedly , so that the child cannot be born the right way , being turned preposterously by the restlesness of the mother . the retention of such things as should be evacuated at the time of labour , as of urine , that swells the bladder , or excrements in the right gut , the p●●es also much swelled , narrow the neck of the womb , and so hinder natures endeavours . lastly violent passions of the mind , as ●ear , sorrow and anger , make the labour difficult . to things contingent ought to be referred , a blow , a fall , or a wound , which may much obstruct labour , also the want of by-standers , which ought to assist the woman , namely strong women or maids which may lift her up just at the time of her delivery . an unskilful mid-wife , that orders the women to endeavour an expulsion , and to stop her breath , when the ligaments stick fast to the vvomb , so that the vvoman is tired before the time of her delivery . difficult labour is known by the vvoman , the by-standers , and the midwife . and first if the vvoman continue a long time in labour , namely two , three ; four or more days , whereas a natural birth is finished in twenty four hours . languid pains returning at long distances are a sign of difficult labour ; also the pains tending backward , rather than forward . but the causes of difficult labour may be known by the womans relation , and most commonly upon sight , so the weakness of the woman , or leanness , or over fatness may be seen by the habit of the body . the diseases of the womb may be known by their proper signs . the weakness of the child by the weak and slow motion of it . the bigness of the child may be judged of by the stature of the parents , especially if a gigantick man be married to a dwarfish woman , but when there are none of these causes , and the womans and child's endeavours are strong , and yet the labour is difficult , they signifie that the secundine is so strong that it cannot be easily broken , and this will be confirmed , if no water , or moisture flows out in labour . the proposterous figure of the child may be perceived by the midwife . as to the cure of hard labour . first all those things that retard it must be removed , as much as may be . afterwards medicines that further labour must be given : and first it is common with women to give a spoonful or two of cinnamon water , or cinnamon powdered with a little saffron , or half a dram of confection of alkermes in broath , or half a scruple of saffron alone in some br●ath , or every hour a little wine . if these things are not sufficient , the following may be used , which have been frequently very effectual give five grains of extract of saffron , or five drops of oyl of cinnamon , or thirty drops of my cephalick tincture , in a glass of wine ; for it powerfully hastens delivery . sneezing is also very beneficial : it may be provoked by the following powder . take of white hellebore , half a dram , of long pepper , one scruple , of castor five grains . make a powder : let the quantity of a pease be blown up the nostrils . but difficult labour must be helpt also by outward remedies . let the midwife frequently anoint the womb with oyl of sweet almonds , and let the belly be somented with an emollient decoction made of the roots of marsh mallows , the leaves of mallows , and mugwort , linseeds , fenugreek seeds , and the flowers of camomile and melilot . and sharp glisters must be injected : anoint the navel with the oyl of amber . if the child begins to come forth preposterously , as with one arm , or first with a foot , or the like ; the midwife ●ust thrust them back , and turn the child right , which may be done by placing the woman in a bed upon her back , with her head low and her feet high , and then she must thrust the child gently into the womb , and endeavovr to turn it right , namely the face towards the mothers back , and the buttocks and legs must be elevated towards the mothers navel to hasten a natural birth . chap. xi . of miscarriage . miscarriage is the exclusion of an imperfect , or unripe child . the causes of miscarriage are some inward , some outward . the inward may be reduced to four heads , namely to the humours , to the child , to the womb , and to the disease of the mother . the humours may occasion miscarriage when they offend in quantity or quality . they offend in quantity either by way of excess or defect . the quantity is excessive when there is more blood than is requisite to nourish the child ; for then it flows into the veins of the womb , and is excluded like the monthly courses , and so the child comes away with it . there is too small a quantity of the nutritious humour when the child's nourishment is by any means lessened , as by fasting , and when the woman with child nauseats all sorts of of food , or vomits it up again , or the like . in respect of the child miscarriage may happen , if it be too big , so that by reason of it's ●ulk it cannot be contained in the womb. and for this reason little women often miscarry , especially if they are married to men bigger than ordinary . plurality of children may also occasion miscarriage , as when one , or two , or three are contained in the womb at one time . the womb it self occasions miscarriage , if it be not large enough , or if it be inflamed , or impostumated , or moist and slack , so that it cannot contain the child so well as it ought to do . miscarriage comes two ways from the disease of the mother . first when her disea●es are communicated to the child , whereby it is killed or so weakened that it cannot receive due nourishment or growth , such are continual fevers and agues , the fr●nch pox , and many such like . secondly when the said diseases of the mother cause great evacuations or great commotions of the body , as large bleeding from what part of the body soever , fluxes of the belly , grievous swooning , falling sickness , vomiting , and a continual endeavour to go to s●ool called tenesms , which above all other is wont to occasion miscarriage : outward causes which further miscarriage do some of them kill the child , others draw away the nourishment , and others dissolve the bands wherewith it is fastened to the vvomb . the child is killed by great commotions of the mind , by anger , sadness , frights and the like ; by meats earnestly longed for and not obtained , by strong purging medicines , by things that provoke the courses , and by ill smells , especially the stink of a candle ill put out : violent exercise , as dancing , running , riding , jolting in a coach or cart , carrying or lifting from the ground an heavy weight , a violent fall , a blow on the belly , vehement motion of the belly , coughing , vomiting , loosness , sneezing , convulsions , crying out , immoderrate or over wanton embraces , vehement motion of the arms , and the like occasion miscarriage the signs of present miscarriage are manifest of themselves : but such as go before and shew the same are these , an unusual heaviness of the loyns and hips , an unwillingness to stir , appetite gone , shivering and shaking coming by fits , pain of the head , especially about the roots of the eyes , a straightening of the sides and belly above the navel ; the flaging or falling , and extenuation of the dugs . but if frequent and almost continual pains torment the reins and loyns , with endeavours to evacuate the womb , the woman will certainly miscarry in a short time . if from violent external causes , as a blow , fall , and the like , vehememt pain and disturbance arise in a woman with child , she ought to bleed presently , and to keep her bed three or four days , or longer . the cure of miscarriage consists in preservation ; for that which is past cannot be helpt : but all the symptoms which follow miscarriage are the same which accompany women duly brought to bed. the preservation from miscarriage consists principally in these two things ; the one concerns the woman before she is with child , and the other when she is with child : before the woman is with with child , all indispositions of the body , which are wont to cause miscarriage , must be removed , as fullness of blood , ill humours , and peculiar diseases of the womb. if the woman be too full of blood , when she is with child , she must be blooded in the first months twice or thrice if need be ; but much blood must not be taken away at a time ; and if she be troubled with abundance of ill humours , gentle purging must be repeated , especially in the middle months ; in the mean while astringent and strengthening medicines must be used all the time the woman is with child . take of conserve of roses , two ounces , of citron peel candied , six drams , of myrobalans candied , and of the pulp of dates , each half an ounce , of coral prepa●ed , pearl prepared , and shavings of harts-horn , each one dram , with syrup of quinces make an electuaery , of which let the woman take the quantity of a nutmeg every other night at bed time . but that the success of this medicine may be good , the woman must keep her self as quiet , both in body and mind , as possibly she can , and abstain from coition . but if by reason of the vehemency of the cause , whither internal or external , the woman is ready to miscarry , you must do the best you can with the following remedies . and in the first place , so soon as the pain shall be perceived in the lower parts of the belly , we must endeavour to allay them both by medicines taken inwardly , and outwardly applyed ; for if miscarriage be caused by crudities and wind , which is most usual , when it begins from an inward cause , a powder must be given made of aromaticum rosatum and coriander seeds , give of each half a dram , or three or four spoonfuls of dr. stephen's water , if flegm and wind abound ; at the same time let carminative medicine be applyed below the woman's navel , such are bags o● anniseeds , fennel seeds , fenugreek seeds , flowers of camomile , elder , rosemary , and stechas mixed together , o● a rose cake fryed in a pan with rich canary , and sprinkled with powder of nutmegs and coriander seeds ; if by these means the pains cease not , inject a glyster made of win● and oyl , wherein halfe an ounce of venice treacle must be dissolved , and after the glyster is come away , you mus● give sixteen of my cordial drops , in a spoonful of stephen's water . but if blood begins to come away , you must bleed immediatly , and rub the upper parts , and tye th● members ; and if the flux of blood continues , give tw● ounces of the juice of plantain , sweetened with an ounce 〈◊〉 syrup of poppies , to which add one scruple of bolearmeni●● and apply hot a little bag full of red roses and balaustine● boyl'd in smiths water and red wine , to the womans belly . chap. xii . of an immoderate flux of the courses . an immoderate flux of the courses invades , either i● child-bed , or at other times ; as to the first , that afflicts women most on the first days after a difficult labour , and is accompanined with a long train of hysteri●● symptoms ; and as it happens only on the first days , so us●ally it do's not last long ; for if a thickning diet be o●dered ▪ it soon abates . the following drink may be all used take of plantane water , and red wine , each one pint , boyl them till a third part is consumed , sweeten it with a sufficient quantity of white suger ; let the woman take half a pint of it twice or thrice a day . but as to the flux which happens out of child-bed , tho' it befalls women at any time , yet most commonly it invades a little before the time they leave them , namely when they are about forty five years of age , if they have them young , and about fifty if it were late before they begun to have them ; and by reason of the great quantity of blood , which is continually evacuated , they are almost continually afflicted with vapours . in order to the cure , you must bleed in the arm , and eight ounces of blood must be taken away ; the next morning the following purge must be given . take of tamarinds , half an ounce , of sena two drams , of rhubarb , one dram and an half ; infuse them in a sufficient quantity of fountain water , and in three ounces of the strained liquor dissolve of manna , and syrup of roses solutive , each one ounce , make a purging potion ; which must be taken thrice , three days betwixt each purge ; and every night at bed time , through the whole course of the disease , twelve of my cordial drops must be taken in two spoonfuls of small cinnamon water , or the like . take of the conserve of dryed roses , two ounces , of the troches of lemnian earth , one dram and an half , of pomgranate pill , and red coral prepared , each two scruples , of blood-stone , dragons blood , and bolearmenick , each two scruples ; with a sufficient quantity of simple syrup of coral , make an electuary ; whereof let her take the quantity of a large nutmeg in the morning and at five in the afternoon , drinking upon it six spoonfuls of the following julep . take of the waters of oak bud , and of plantain , each three ounces , of cinnamon water hordeated , and of syrup of dried roses , each one ounce ; of spirit of vitriol , a sufficient quantity to make it pleasantly acid . take of the leaves of plantain , and of nettles , each a sufficient quantity , beat them together in a stone mortar , and press out the juice , clarifie it , and give six spoonfuls of it cold three or four times in a day . after the first purge , apply the following plaster to the loins . take of diapalma , and of the plaster for tuptures , each equal parts , mix them and spread them upon leather . a cooling and thickening diet must be ordered , and a glass of claret may be allowed once or twice a day to recover the strength . this method may be also used to prevent miscarriages , but the juices and purges must be omitted . chap. xiii . of a suppression of the childbed purgations . there is so great a flux of humours from all parts to the womb , when a woman is with child , and during the commotion in her labour , that in case there be not afterwards sufficient evacuation of them , the woman is in great danger of very ill accidents , and sometimes of death it self ; because these humours corrupted by their stay , there will certainly cause a great inflamation , and this is the reason why the suppression of these childbed purgations is one of the worst and most dangerous symptoms which can befall a woman after delivery , especially if they be wholly and suddenly stopt the first three or four days , which is the time they should come down plentifully , for then follow an accute fever , great pains in the head , pains in the breast , reins and loyns , suffocation of the mother , and an inflamation which is suddenly communicated to the belly , which thereupon becomes much swelled and blown up ; there happens also a great difficulty in breathing , choakings , beating of the heart , fainting , convulsions , and often death it self , if the suppression continues . and if the vvoman outlives it , she is in danger of an abscess in the vvomb , and afterwards of a cancer , or there may happen great imposthums in the belly ; also the gout , sciatica , and lameness ; or an inflamation and abscess in the breast . the causes of the stoppage of the child-bed purgations , proceed either from a great loosness , or strong passions of the mind , also from great colds and cold drink . to bring the child-bed purgations well down , let the vvoman avoid all perturbations of spirit , which may stop them ; let her ly in bed with her head and breast a little raised , keeping her self very quiet , that so the humours may be carried downwards by their natural tendency ; let her observe a good diet , some what hot and moist , and apply the plaster mentioned in the chapter of vapours to her navel . take of the conserves of roman wormwood , and of ru● each one ounce , of the troches of myrth , two drams , of castor , english saffron , volatile salt of salarmoniak , and of assafoetida , each half a dram ; with a sufficient quantity of the syrup of the five opening roots make an electuary . let her take the quantity of a large nutmeg every third hour , drinking upon it three or four spoonfuls of the following mixture , take the waters of pennyroyal and balm , each three ounces , of compound briony water , two ounces ; of sypup of mugwort , three ounces and an half ; of saffron , two drams ; of castor tyed up in a rag and hanged in the glass , one scruple ; mingle them . if these things are used presently upon the suppression , they generally take it off , chap. xiv . of quinsey . a quinsey comes at any time of the year , especially between spring and summer , and chiefly seizes young men , and such as are of a sanguine complection , and red haired people more than any other . the sick shiver and shake , presently a fever follows , and a little after a pain and inflamation of the jaws ; and if the sick be not presently relieved , he can neither-swallow nor draw his breath , so that he is under the apprehension of being strangled , by reason the jaws are stoped by the inflamation and swelling . there is great danger in this disease , for it sometimes destroys a man in a few hours . in order to the cure , bleed presently in the arm , and take away a large quantity of blood , and presently afterwards open the veins under the tongue , and then touch the inflamed parts with honey of roses made very sharp , with spirit of vitriol or sulphur ; and the following gargarism must be used often , not in the common way ; for it must be kept in the mouth without motion till it wax hot , and then it must be spit out . take of the waters of plantain , roses , and frogs spawn , each four ounces ; the whites of three eggs turned to a water by beating , of white-sugar-candy , three drams ; make a gargarism . the patient must also take daily of the emulsion to be mentioned in the cure of a pleurisie ; the next morning bleed again , unless the fever and difficulty of swallowing abate , and defer purging till the next day : but if both these are lessened , give presently the lenitive purge , mentioned in the chapter of the immoderate flux of the courses . if the fever and other symptoms are like to be troublesome after purging , they will be quelled by bleeding , repeated as before , and by applying a large and strong blister to the neck , and by a glister of milk and sugar injected every morning , except when the sick purges through the whole course of the disease ; the use of all kinds of flesh , and their broths are to be forbid , and the patient must be dieted with oatmeal and barley broths , roasted apples , or the like , and he must drink small-beer , and he must keep from bed some hours every day . chap. xv. of a pleurisie . this disease is very frequent , and comes at any time , but especially betwixt spring and summer ; it chiefly seizes those that are of a sanguine constitution , and often country people , and those that are accustomed to hard labour ; it most commonly begins with a shaking and shivering , and then heat , drough , restlesness , and other symptoms of a fever follow : after a few hours ( but sometimes it is much longer before this symptom comes ) the patient is seized with a violent pricking pain in one of his sides about the ribs , which sometimes reaches towards the shoulder-blades , sometimes towards the back-bone , and sometimes towards the breast ; he coughs frequently , which occasions great pain ; so that sometimes he holds his breath to prevent coughing ; the matter which is spit up at the beginning is little and thin , and often sprinkled with particles of blood : but in the process of the disease , it is more and more concocted and mixed with blood. tho' this disease has an ill name , and is of it self more dangerous than any other , yet if it be well managed , it is easily cured , and indeed as certainly as other diseases . as to the cure , ten ounces of blood must be taken presently away from the arm of the side affected ; then presently after bleeding give the following draught . take of red poppy-water four ounces , of salprunella , one dram ; of syrup of violets , one ounce ; mingle them ●ake a draught . take of sweet almonds , number seven ; of the seeds of melons and pompions , each half an ounce ; of the seeds of white-poppies two drams ; beat them together in a marble mortar , pouring gently upon them a pint and a half of barley-water , of rose-water , two drams ; of sugar-candy , half an ounce ; mingle them , make an emulsion ; give four ounces every fourth hour . pectorals must also be taken frequently . take of the pectoral decoction a quart , of the syrups of violets and maiden-hair , each one ounce and an half , mingle them , make an apozem : let him take half a pint thrice a day . take of the oyl of sweet-almonds two ounces , of the syrups of violets and maiden-hair , each one ounce ; of sugar-candy half a dram ; mingle them , make a linctus , of which let the patient lick often in a day . oyl of almonds by it self , or linseed-oyl is often used with good success . as to diet , you must forbid all flesh , and the broaths of it , tho' never so thin : but the patient may be dyeted with oaten and barley broaths , and panada , and let him drink of a ptisan made of barley-water , and the roots of sorrel , and liquorish , aud sometimes small-beer . anoint the pained side morning and evening with the following ointment , applying upon it a cabbage-leaf . take of the oyl of sweet-almonds two ounces , of ointment of marsh-mallows and pomatum , each one ounce ; mingle them , make an ointment . the sick must persist in the use of the said remedies through the whole course of the disease . if the pain be very violent , you must take away ten ounces of blood again on the first day , or else the day following , and so the third day ; and after this manner four times one day after another , when the pain rages violently . but if the disease be more moderate and less dangerous , and if the patient being weak , cannot well bear bleeding so often , it must not be repeated again after it has been twice used , till a day or two be past betwixt each bleeding . you 'l seldom find that a confirmed pleurisie can be cured in grown people , with less than the loss of forty ounces of blood , or thereabouts ; tho' in children once or twice bleeding is most commonly sufficient . all the time of the disease , care must be taken that the patient be not over-heated ; and therefore he must be taken every day out of his bed , and kept up some hours according to his strength ; for if he be kept continually in bed , neither so large and an evacuation of blood , nor other remedies how cooling soever will sometimes do any good . presently after the last bleeding , it will be convenient to give a gentle purge . chap. xvi . of swooning . the next and immediate cause of this disease , is a defect of the vital spirits . when any one is seized with a fainting fit , you must lay him on his back , and sprinkle water on his face , and provoke sneezing : put some good wine , or cinnamon-water into his mouth ; call him aloud , shake him , pull him by the nose : double his fingers , pull his hair , and rub him . if he faints for want of nourishment , you must refresh him with a piece of bread dipt in wine . if he faint by reason of a malignant quality , give a scruple of venice-treacle dissolved in some cordial water . if he faints by reason of immoderate evacuations , he must be refreshed by good meat and drink , sleep and rest . if it proceed from too great loss of blood , lay him in a bed with his head downward , sprinkle his face with cold water , and give a little wine mixed with water . if it proceed from purging , give twelve of my cordial drops in a spoonful of cinnamon water , and let him lie on a bed. if fainting proceed from a fright or fear , blood must be let . finis . the index . apoplexy , pag. . bleeding at nose , . blood spitting , . blood vomitting , . bloody vrine , . carus pag . child-bed purgations suppressed , . cholora morbus , . colick , . coma . convulsions , . courses immoderate , . labour hard , . lethargy , . loosness , . miscarriage , . mother-fits , . pleurisie , . quinsey , . sleepy diseases , . stone in the kidnies , . swooning , . twisting of the guts , . vapours , . vomitting , . advertisement . the following medicines are prepared by the author , and are to be sold at his house at the angel and crown in basing-lane , being the second turning in bread-street from cheapside . . my cephacick tincture is excellent for all cold and moist diseases of the head , brain , nerves , and womb : it cures the head-ach , giddiness , takes off dullness and drowfiness , and is very proper for a palsie , and old aches , and takes off womens after-pains , the belly being well bathed with it , and a flanne● applyed over , and it hastens delivery , and is good for mother-fits . for outward uses , bath the part affected with it morning and evening , and rub it well in with a warm hand . for inward uses , give twenty drops morning and evening in a glass of canary . price one shilling the viol. . you must give one paper of my powder for childrens convulsions every sixth hour , in a spoonful of black-cherry-water , or the like ▪ price d. the paper . . my powder for worms must be taken for three mornings following , one paper at a time , in a spoonful of white-bread and milk. price d. the paper . . my cordial elixir , for the colick and gravel ▪ be taken by spoonfuls , or spoonfuls , according to your strength , or so many as you find will give three or four stools ; and presently after it has done working , take twenty four of my cordial drops , in two spoonfuls of cinnamon-water ▪ price s. d. the bottle of my elixir for the colick and gravel . . my cordial drops must be taken according to the directions in the foregoing treatise , and you will find them in all the cases where they are mentioned in this book , to be of wonderful vertue and efficacy . price s. the viol. . my stomach drops cleanse and strengthen the stomach , for which they are highly to be valued , for from a foul and weak stomach proceed a numerous train of diseases , as crudities , nauseousness , vomittings , loss of appetite , and the like ; and if the stomach which prepares nourishment for the whole body be vitiated , the nourishment , and the blood with which 't is mix'd , must unavoidably be vitiated also , and by consequence all the animal and natural functions must be perverted . they also expel wind , and are good for the jaundice and dropsie , and restore to pale virgins a fresh and pleasant countenance . twenty drops must be taken every morning for the space of a week in a glass of wine , mum , or beer . price s. the viol. . my pills for the vapours must be taken according to the directions in the chapter of vapours . price s. d. the box. . my electuary for agues , certainly cures 〈…〉 taken presently 〈…〉 take the quantity 〈◊〉 nutmeg every fou●●● hour , and eight days , after the taking the last 〈◊〉 of the electuary , take another pot of it in the same manner , tho' the agne be gone , to prevent its return . price of a pot s. s. . my electuary for coughs and consumptions ▪ is an excellent remedy for the diseases of the lungs ; it must be taken often in a day , the quantity of an hazel nut at a time . price of a pot s. d. . my purging pill cures the scurvy , and purges the head , breast , stomach , and reins , and is peculiarly proper for a dropsie , womens obstructions , and to purifie the blood after the small-pox , they are also of excellent use for those whose bodies are surfeited by heats and colds ; and for seafaring men , and such as live in unwholsom airs , and moist places , two of them may be taken at bed-time , and two , three , or four , the next morning early , according to the strength of the body they may be swallowed down alone , or taken in the pap of a roasted apple , or honey , or stewed prunes , or in a little syrup , and when they work , drink posset-drink , water-gruel , warm 〈◊〉 or tea . i have found this pill by many years experience , excellent for cleansing the body of ill humours , of what kind soever they be ▪ each box contains eighteen pills ; price ●● . d. a general treatise of the diseases of infants and children collected from the best practical authors by john pechey ... pechey, john, - . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; 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(eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) a general treatise of the diseases of infants and children collected from the best practical authors by john pechey ... pechey, john, - . [ ], , [ ] p. printed for r. wellington ..., london : . advertisements: p. [ ]-[ ] at beginning and p. [ ]-[ ] at end. reproduction of original in british library. includes index. beginning-p. and p. - are tightly bound in filmed copy. beginning-p. photographed from royal college of surgeons library, london copy, and inserted at the end. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng infants -- diseases -- early works to . pediatrics -- early works to . - tcp assigned for keying and markup - apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images - derek lee sampled and proofread - derek lee text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion a general treatise of the diseases of infants and children , &c. books lately printed for , and sold by r. wellington at the lute in st. paul's church-yard . there is in the press , and will speedily be publish'd , a mathematical companion ; or the description and use of a new sliding rule , by which many useful and necessary questions in arithmetick , military orders , interest , trigonometry , geometry , geography , gauging , astronomy , navigation , fortification , gunnery , and dialling , may be speedily and exactly resolv'd , without the help of pen or compasses , with an exact abridgment of the laws of excise . by will. hunt , ●●ilomath , and superviser of his majesties excise for the county of kent . the whole works of that excellent practical physician , docter thomas sydenham . wherein not only the history and cures of acute diseases are treated of , after a new and acurate method , but also the shortest and safest way of curing most chronical diseases ▪ translated from the original latin ▪ by john pechey of the college of physicians in london . the family physician , or a collection of choice , approv'd and experienced remedies , for the cure of almost all diseases incident to humane bodies , whethe internal or external ; useful in families , and very serviceable to country people ; containing some hundreds of considerable receipts an secrets of great value , with obsevations of great cures . togethe with the true english wine-celler an the right method of making english wines , or metheglin : with a colection of the choicest and safest cosmetick remedies for preserving the beauty and complexion of ladies : never before published by george hartman , phylo-chymist , author of the preserver and restorer of health , who liv'd and travel'd with the honourable sir kenelm dighy in several parts of europe , the space of seven years , till he died . price s . d . reflections on ancient and modern learning , by william wolton , b. d. chaplain to the right honourable the earl of nottingham . mrs. behn's novels collected in one vol. viz. oroonoko , the sair jilt , or p. tarquils agnes de castro , or the force of generous love. love ▪ s watch , or the art of love. the ladies looking-glass . the lucky mistake . and love-letters never before printed . the rover ; or banisht cavaliers ▪ as it was acted by his majesty's servants , at the theatre in little ▪ lincolns-inn-fields . writen by mrs. ann behn . the second edition . unnaturàl brother , a tragedy ▪ written by mr. filmer . spanish wives , a farce , by mrs. mary pix . ibrahim , a tragedy , by the same hand . poems , on several occasions , by mr. robert gould . a general treatise of womens diseases . a physical store-house , containing a general practise of physick . a compleat herbal of physical plants . the last three writ by john pechey , &c. old batchelor , a comedy , by mr. congreve . and all sorts of plays , romances , histories , novels , and poetry , are sold by r. wellington , at the lute in st. paul's church-yard . . a discourse upon the nature and faculties of man , in several essays ; with some considerations upon the occurrences of humane life . by tim. nourse gent. a general treatise of the diseases of infants and children . collected from the best practical authors . by john pechry of the college of physicians in london . london : printed for r. wellington , at the lute in st. pauls-church-yard . . the preface . children , if they are virtuous , are great blessings , and a publick good . it is therefore the duty of parents to inure them betimes to a regular course of life , nor ought persons of the best quality to think the guidance of their children beneath them . for cornelia , the mother of the gracchi ▪ and aurelia the mother of augustus caesar , were governesses to children ; and cato , tho' he kept a tutor in his house , did himself frequently instruct his son : so did augustus his grand-children , and the great theodosius wou'd often sit by the tutor ▪ while he was instructing his son. and certainly it is best and safest for parents to have their children under their own eye and inspection . but above all , the fathers example is of greatest force to instruct the son , and his actions authorise the same in the child , nor can the father chastize him , for what himself is guilty . but to come to the business in hand , parents shou'd endeavour as much as in them lies , to provide for the health of their children . the father must not enfeeble his body by excessive drinking or any other vice , for thereby the child suffers for the fathers fault : nor ought such as have hereditary diseases to marry . the mother , during pregnancy , must observe a good diet suitable to her temperament , custom , condition , and quality , and the right use of all the six non-naturals . she must not lace her self so close as she was wont to do , for strait lacing hinders the growth of the child , and often makes it either abortive or mis ▪ shapen . if the mother can't or will not suckle the child herself , care must be taken to procure an healthy , strong , and vigorous nurse , of an age not under twenty five , nor above thirty five , and her milk must be throughly purified after her lying in before she gives suck ; her breasts ought to be pretty big , firm , and fleshy , and her nipples must be a little raised , and of a moderate bigness and firmness , and well perforated with many little holes ; and she must have a sufficient quantity of milk for the childs nourishment , and the colour of it must be white , and the smell of it must be sweet and pleasant : she must be merry and cheerfull , and smile often to divert the child . to conclude , the young physician must take notice that great caution must be used in prescribing opiats and vomits for children , for many dreadfull symptoms have been occasion'd thereby . from the angel and crown in bazing lane , london , january d . . the index . a. almonds inflamed . page . . apthae , and bladders in the gums . ibid. b. breeding of teeth . p. . breathing difficult . p. . c. children new-born , their diet and way of ordering . p. . convulsions . p. . cattarrh , cough . p. . costiveness . p. . childrens wasting . p. . d. diseases , and symptoms of infants in general . p. . e. ears inflamed , pains , moisture , vlcers and worms of them . p. ● . f. fevers of children . p. . frights in sleep . p. . falling of the fundament . p. . g. galling of children . p. . gripes . p. . h. hickops . p. . hydrocephalus . p. . i. inflamation of the head. ibid. inflamation of the belly and hypochondres . p. . l. loosness . p. . loosening the string of the tongue and the ranula under it . p. . m. measles . p. . n. navel sticking out . p. . navel inflamed . p. . r. rickets . p. . ruptures . p. . s. stone in the bladder . p. . squinting . p . scabs , and vlcers from milk. p. . syriasis . p. . small-pox . p. . t. tinea . p. . v. vomiting . p. . vrine difficult . p. . vrine involuntary . p. . of childrens diseases . chap. i. of the dyet and ordering of children new-born . after the navel-string is cut and bound up , and the infant is washed , you must inquire about the constitution of it : 〈…〉 which purpose you must first consider whether the mother was healthy at the time she was with child ; for that is a sign of a healthful child , esecially if the father be also of a sound onstitution : afterwards you must ind what is the colour of the new born infant ; it is best when the colour is reddish all over the body , for that by degrees turns daily florid : but those children that are at first florid or white , are most commonly of an ill temperament , cold , dull , and not long lived . the crying of the child new born , ought to be loud and clear , because it signifies plenty ▪ of spirits , and a strong breast : but if the child cries low , it is a sign that the vital strength is small , and the spirits few , and the muscles of the breast weak : you must more over consider whether the magnitude , figure , passages , situaon of all the parts be as they ought ; and therefore the midwife should handle it gently , and search whether any thing be amiss in any part that it may be rectified as much as may be : let her often extend and contract the arms and legs , and cleanse them from filth , and she must see whether the eyelids , the ears , the nostrils , the fundament , and privities are as open as they ought to be , and she must take notice of the fingers and toes that they do not stick together . she must put her finger into the mouth and cleanse it from filth , and see whether the child be tongue-tied or not afterwards the child must be swaithed up , and laid in the cradle . galen says that before it is cloathed , the body must be sprinkled all over moderately with salt , that the skin may be rendered thereby more dense and solid than the inner parts ; for he says , they are all equally soft in the womb : but it is to be feard that the salt by its biteing quality should occasion itching and other inconvenienceis , and therefore this custom was soon left off , and instead of it they washed new-born children with wine , and what galen says is not agreeable to reason ; for the skin in the womb has a peculiar constitution different from the internal parts ; nor is it safer to thicken the skin and to hinder transpiration , as galen says in another place , much less is the custom of some barbarous people to be imitated , which was also used formerly in germany , viz. the dipping the warm infant from the womb in the next brook , that thereby it may be rendred more strong and lusty , and to try the strength of their children , whom they chiefly design for the wars ; for without doubt none but strong children would survive such a dipping . before the teat be offered to the child , some honey or oyl of almonds ought to be given it , to carry off from the stomach and bowels some filth collected in the womb ; for a certain black and pitchy matter is contracted in the womb , and ought to be presently evacuated , for if it be not , sits are occasioned , and some think the child ought to be dieted three whole days with fresh oyl of almonds and sugar , and others order some other woman to suckle , the child , till the mothers milk is pure . the child must be defended from all external injuries , and it must be kept in an air moderately hot ; and if it be not of a very good constitution , an air inclining to the contrary must be chosen : but respect must be had to the seasons of the year . the cradle must be placed where there is not too much light , and so as that the light of the sun or of a candle may be seen directly , and great care must be taken that the child be not frightned , and it must never be left alone , left it be injured , by venemous creatures , or some other external injuries , which they cannot resist , for it is known that scorpions , serpents , and such like creatures have crept into childrens mouths , or other wise injured them , or cats by lying upon them have suffocated them . let th child lie in a cradle by it self and not with the mother or nurse , till it has its hands and feet at liberty to help it self , lest , as has been often found , it be suffocated by the nurse , or by the bed , and the cradle should be so made , that it cannot easily be overturned by rocking . infants should sleep more then they do wake , that thereby concoction may be the better perfected , and the spirits invigorated , and therefore if watchings are troublesome , sleep must be endeavoured by singing , rocking , and offering the teat often : but care must be taken that the stomach be not over burthened with milk the new born child must be bathed once a day ; and moderately rubbed ; for such frictions help concoction , and the distribution of the nourishment , and serve instead of exercise and motion , which the infant by reason of its tenderness cannot undergo , and they strengthen the members and make them firm . after bathing , the infant must be swathed up , lest it should move its hands and feet too freely , and thereby distort the bones , which are yet very flexible ▪ but after four months the hands and arms may be let loose , but the whole breast and belly must be swathed for a-above a year to comfort the heart , and to defend the parts , and you must be sure to cleanse the child often , to prevent itching and excoriation . and care must be taken that the body be kept open , which may be easily done if the milk be good , and in a convenient quaintity . but if the belly be bound , it must be anointed below the navel with some oyls , or emollient liniments , or an emollent glister must be injected . moderate crying conduces to the evacuating the brain , to dilate and cleanse the lungs , and excites the natural heat : but when it is immoderate it is wont to occasion fluxions upon the eyes , catarrhs , and ruptures . it does least hurt before sucking , and and when the milk is concocted , but because most commomly children do not cry without a cause , but are provoked by something that disturbs them , a prudent mother or nurse will endeavour to find out what is the cause ●hat that being removed , the child may be at quiet : she will see whither the linnen be foul'd for children love to be clean , and will not sleep quietly till filthy close are removed from them : the mother will see whether they are swaithed too hard , or whether they are not pinched by the wrinkling of the linnen , or pricked by a pin , or whether gripes be the occasion . as to the nourishment it must be fed with milk for some months , and it may suck as often as it will , if it be not subject to a vometing or loosness and provided the stomach be not over-charged , and in suckling of a child you must take notice to offer by turns the right and left breast , especially after it is permitted to use its hands ; for if you do not observe this , it will be accustomed to use one hand . after some months you may feed the child with pap. but it is not convenient to give solid meats before they have their teeth ; for they cannot chew them : but after the teeth are bred , it is convenient to accustom them by degrees to solid food ; yet notwithstanding you must not deny them milk , bread , pulse boyled , and flesh , first chew'd by the nurse may be sometimes given them , but hard meats must not be allow'd . in this mixture of aliment we must take care , while milk is in the stomach that no acid or austere thing be given , which may coagulate or corrupt the milk in the stomach . when the limbs of the infant are strong , and it begins to use its hands and feet you must not too early allow of such motions , much less must you put them upon their feet too soon , as some unskillfull nurses do , and by that means crook their legs but when they are able to stand upon their legs , they must be somewhat sustained by the leading-strings and afterwards that they may be accustomed to go alone , you must put them into running-chairs , such as are common in families , and suffer them to push them along themselves , and by this sort of playing exercise , they will be accustomed to their feet , and learn to go , and to stop themselves : but when they begin to go without help , they must not be left alone , and to prevent all danger it is best to put roll's about their heads . as to bathing , a child new born ought to be washed every day , but from the third month , to the seventh month till they are weaned twice a week . if the child be apt to use its left hand , you must bind it up and leave the right free , that by frequent use it may become agile and strong . the child must not be weaned before it has all its teeth , for till then it cannot chew solid meats ; besides , in breeding the teeth , especially the dog-teeth , children are subject to fevers ▪ pains of the gums , and other symptoms ▪ and it is to be sear d that weaning them encreases their misery . but here can be no certain time set for weaning children ; for those that are brisk may be sooner weaned , and those that are weak may suck longer , and sometimes children are to be weaned before they ought , by reason the nurse or mother are sick , or have conceived ; and therefore some are weaned in the tenth month , and some in the twelfth , and yet it is most convenient that the child suck a year and an half , or two years ; and it is proper to diet them with milk a little longer ; for the parts being strengthened by this agreeable aliment , partake of the benefit of it for the whole life . but at what time soever the child is weaned , unusual meats are not suddenly to be offered to it ; it ought therefore to be accustomed to them by degrees while it does suck ; for all sudden changes are dangerous , and a man is offended by good meats , if he be not accustomed to them ; therefore pape and chicken-broath are first to be given , and when they have been weaned a while , pulse , and flesh of easie digestion and good juice , first chewed by the mother or the nurse . it is better so wean a child in the spring or autumn , than in the summer or winter , least to the alteration of the body , which is occasioned by the new diet , another proceeding from the heat or cold of the ambient air be added to it , and so the child be prejudiced : some women think , and not without reason , that it is better to wean a child at the increase of the moon , than at the decrease : and because it sometimes happens , that children cannot be drawn from the teat by any means , the papes must be anointed with the juice of wormwood , or with the following liniment . take of honey two drams , of aloes half a dram , of the juice of wormwood one dram . but these things must not be used too much , least the lips and gums of the children should be inflam d , or the stomach hurt : and because sometimes some children dislike honey and sweet things , you may anoint the papes with them , and so cause an aversion : but the best way of weaning them is for the mother or nurse to get out of sight ; for if the children do not see them they will not cry for the breast . as to the diet of children that are wean'd till they come to be seven years old , it ought to be very different from that of the adult ; for children are yet weak , and their bodies tender , and so cannot easily bear errors in diet : at this age they ought to be fed often , and so much meat ought to be given them , as may not only suffice for their nourishment , but for their growth also , as hippocrates rightly observes , children says he , are least able to bear hunger , and among such those especially that are of a quick wit. as to the passions of mind , we must endeavour that children be not violently moved with anger ; or affected with sorrow , nor frighted ; for these violent passions of the mind make great impressions upon the body , and so occasion the falling sickness and other diseases ▪ iniquity is connatural to infants , and they are more prone to evil than to good , we must not therefore indulge them too much , but from their tender years we must so endeavour to moderate all the faculties and affections of their soules , that they my be obedient to reason ; for in this age the foundation of a good life is to be laid . do we not see that young lyons and bears , when they are young , can be made so tame , as to obey the very nod of the keepers ; whereas if you let them alone till they are grown up , they will for ever after remain fierce and wild , why then should not the mind of a child be so tamed , as to obey reason , and to harken to advice : but there are not the appearances of all the affections in the first years ; anger shews it self first by crying and the like ; and therefore you should endeavour to nip this animosity in the bud , and they that will not be reclaimed by admonition , must be disciplined by the rod , that in time to come they may be sit to perform the offices of a man : play must be allowed them to moderate their affections , and indeed this age can scarce do any thing seriously , only you must take care that their play does not injure their bodies ; such exercises must be allowed as are agreable to their years , and they must not be bred up in sloath ; for it being necessary that they should be plentifully sed , as has been said , unless they use exercise , the nourishment will not be well distributed to all the body , and the native heat will be suppressed ; in this age they must be often washed : they that converse with them must take a special care that nothing blasphemous , scurillous , or immodest be said or done , so as to give an ill example to them : about the sixth year of their age , they should be put to schoole to a master , who is to instruct them in all things necessary to a good life . chap. ii. of the diseases and symptoms of infants in general . what ever diligence has been used for the right ordering of the diet of infants , yet notwithstanding they are often subject to diseases ; for that blood which was wont to be evacuated every month , and those vitious humours that were wont to be carried off with it , being detained nine whole months in the womb , it may easily happen that the child be injured there by , especially all mothers being not equally healthful , and besides many great errors being committed in diet , many vitious humours are communicated to the fetus with the nourishment ; all which , tho not always , disorder children in the womb , and sometimes after they are born , occasion various diseases and symptoms ; and sometimes the child is injured in the birth , or by the cuting of the navel-string , or by the change of place ; for when it was in the womb , it was encompassed with peculiar coverings , flesh , membrans , and humours all warm and soft . the diseases and symptoms of children are many , some common with the adult , which being added by some authors to treatises of childrens diseases makes them bulky ; and therefore i will here pass them by , and treat only of such as are proper and familiar with them . in the cure of infants a special regard is to be had to the methods and medicines , for children by reason of the weakness of their bodies , cannot under go severe methods or strong medicines : they do not well bear bleeding , nor strong purges , but where purging is required , a suppository ought to be used , or a glister must be injected . for instance . take of the leaves of violets , and mallows , each one handful , of the flowers of camomile , and violets , each one pugil : boyl them in a sufficient quantity of fountain water . take of the strained liquor four or five ounces , according to the age , and add to it of syrup of roses solutive , half a ounce , six drams , or an once of oyl of violets , half an ounce , make a glister : take of the whey of goats-milk a sufficient quantity , add to it of syrup of succory with rubarb , or of honey , or of syrup of roses solutive six drams , of oyl of violets half an ounce , make a glister . but if there be occasion for other purges they are most conveniently given to the nurse or mother ; for the purgative quality is imparted by the milk to the child ; or lenitive purges may given to children , respect being had to their age , as syrup of roses solutive , syrup of succory with rhubarb , cassia , manna , or the like . chap. iii. of the fevers of children . the first indication incuring childrens fevers is to prepare well the acid , that it may be the easier ejected , but this preparation must not be endeavoured by sudorificks , properly so call'd , that is such as heat the body , which are by no means to be used for infants or children ; but such things as absorbe the acid , and gently restrain the ebullition , are to be used the chief of these are crabs-eyes and claws , oyster-shells , cuttle-bones , egg-shells , coral , coraline , pearl , mother of pearl , both the bezoarstones , hearts-horn burnt , burnt ivory , the bone of a stags heart , shavings of harts ▪ horn , bolearmonick , seald-earth , blood-stone , and the like , and among compounds , compound powder of crabs claws , the goastone , and confection of hyacinth . take of compound powder of crabs claws , and of pearl prepared , each one dram , mingle them , make a powder to be divided into six equal parts . or , take simple powder of crabs-claws one dram , of crabs-eyes prepared two scruples , of cochinel six grains mix them , make a sine powder to be divided into six papers ; let one be taken as soon as may be , and another two hours after , and afterwards let one be taken every fourth hour for the first two days , unless the child be a sleep : but let the powders be taken in a spoonful of the following julep , and give a spoonful presently after . take of the aqualactis alexiteria four ounces , of black cherry water , each two ounces , of compound peony and epidemick water , each two drams , of pearled sugar half an ounce ; mingle them , make a julep . or , take of sweet almonds blanched , number ten , beat them in a morter , and pour upon them gently half a pint of barly water , or of aqualactis alexiteria ; strain it and add six drams of simple cinnamon water , half an ounce of white sugar ; mingle them make a julep . sometimes i am wont to use , other things being omitted , a julep that hath much pearl in it , but i order that the glass should be well shook , before it be poured out . take of black cherry water , four ounces , of the water of all the citron two ounces , of aquamirabilis , and prepared pearl , each two drams , of white sugar half an ounce ; mingle them , make a pearl julep , give three spoonfuls at a time . but if the child be troubled with a cough , give half a spoonful of some ●ectoral mixture , or linctus , and let him take less of the powders above prescribed . take of the powder of coraline , and simple crabs claws , each one dram and an half , of the syrups of maiden-hair and marsh-mallows , each one ounce , balsom of tolu half an ounce , of red popy-water half an ounce , mingle them . bolearmonek is often properly mixed with such things to good purpose , it powerfully stops cattarhs flowing upon the lungs . the juice of penny-royal eated , and sweetened with sugar-cany , is also better than most other remeies . oyl of sweet-almonds is very ood , if children can take it , so is brim●●one and the flowers of it . the foresaid powders are to be repeated seldom , or often , according to the degree of the symptoms : but it is here to be noted , the gripes , restlessness , and watchings of children , are as easily apeased by testaceous powders as pains nd watchings by narcoticks in grown eople . the third day , unless the small-pox meazles , or scarlet-fever appear , i order a child of one year old to be purged in the following manner . take of syrup of succory with rubarb 〈…〉 drams , of choice rubarb powder'd fifteen grains , or a ●●uple , of aqualactis ●●●lectiteria one dram , of small cinnamon water thirty drops ; mingle them . or , take of sweet-almonds blanched , number three , beat them in a marble mortar , and pour upon them gently an ounce or an ounce and an half of barly-water : in the strained liquor dissolve three drams or half an ounce of the best manna● mingle them , and make a purging emulsion . sometimes i order this or the like plaister to be applied to the region of navel , especially if children are troubled with worms . take of succortrine aloes , one dram , of the powder of the leaves of savin , of the tops of the lesser c●ntaury , and of the flowers of camomile , each one scruple , with a sufficient quantity of venice turpentine , make a plaister ; let the margin of it be spread with the plaister of cumin to make it stick the better , and sometimes it may be converient to add to the other ingredients a scruple of coloquintida . there is no purging medicine more ●oper for children , and more innocent ●an rubarb , it gently and safely eva●ats the matter occasioning the fever , ●d gently purges off the humours , that ●rthen the stomach and whole body , ●d it strengthens , wherefore it is very ●oper for infants , children big belli● women , old men , and such as have ●en weakned by diseases . after the purge hath done working , ●me powder like the former must be ●ven in the evening , and afterwards ●ust be repeated three or four times in day at fit times for two days , and on ●e third day purging must be used , ●d it must be dosed according to the ●eration of the former . these things being performed , the ●orst symptoms most commonlly ●ase . as to bleeding of children , tho it ●ay be used , when the febrile matter is cast upon the lungs , or for a hooping cough , yet it is plainly a remedy not agreeable to their nature . a child about three years and a● half old was seized with a small fever that was continual , and accompanie● with very irregular exacerbations , she complained of a great pain in the head and sometimes in the belly , she nauseated all meat , and was very sleepy , 〈◊〉 that the standers by thought she would have the small-pox : there was a twitching of the nerves in sleep , and she ha● sometimes a dry cough . i prescribe● the following things . take of aqualactis ale●iteria six ounce ▪ of epidemick-water half an ounce ▪ 〈◊〉 prepared pearl one dram , of the simp● powder of crabs-claws two drams , 〈◊〉 cristaline sugar half an ounce ; ming● them , make a julep , whereof let● her tak● three spoonfuls every fourth hour , shaking the glass before useing of it . take of succotrine aloes one dram , of the tops of the lesser centaury , of the leaves of savin ▪ dry'd , each ▪ half a dram , of burgundy-pitch one dram , of venice-turpentine a sufficient quantity ; make a plaister to be applyed to the navel . the next day she persisted in the use of the julep , and a blistering plaister was applyed to the neck : a glister with milk , sugar , and salt was injected , ●ecause the belly was bound : at bed●ime she took the following bolus . take aethiops mineral , and merourius dulcis , each fix grains , of marmalad● of quinces , two scruples , make a bolus . the next morning she took the fol●owing purging syrup . take of syrup of buckthorn two drams , of the earl of warwicks powders six grains , of choice rubarb powdered twelve grains , of tincture of saffron twen●y drops , of black-cherry-water one dram ; mingle them . on the fourth and fifth day , the fol●owing mixtnre was given by spoon●uls . take of coraline two drams , of the leaves of mint dryed and powdered , one scruple , of the simple powder of crabs claws one dram , of balsamick syrup , and of the syrup of marsh-mallows , each one ounce , of orange-water half an ounce ; mingle them . the evening preceding the sixth day , the bolus before prescribed was repeated , and the morning following the purging syrup , by the virtue where of the child vomited up a worm , and soon after recovered . the fevers which are occasioned by corrupted milk are known , for that the teeth are not come , and there are signs of corrupted milk , grips , frequent yellow or green stools : fevers that come from breeding the teeth known by the signs of breeding teeeth : these fevers most commonly are not dangerous , for the cause being taken away , they cease of themselves ; but if the corruption of the milk continues long , the childrens lives are in danger : those children , says hyppocrates , who have an acute fever upon breeding the teeth are seldom troubled with convulsions ; yet they are sometimes destroyed by a flux of the belly and watchings . if the fever proceed from corrupted milk , you must use cooling and moistening things , because such fevers generally come from choler , and therefore such nourishment must be given to the mother or nurse , viz. lettice , endive sorrel , an emulsion of the four greater told seeds , and a ptisan of barley , and the mother or the nurse must abstain from wine , whilst the childs fever continues , and the nurse must be gently purged with manna , cassia , or syrup of roses solutive ; and alteratives may be given to the child , as the juice ●nd syrup of violets , or the syrup of sorrel or citron ; the waters of succory endive , and violets sweetened with sugar , and the spine must be anointed with an oyntment made of the mucilages of the seeds of quinces and flea●ane , of oyl of violets and a little wax ; or a plaister made of houseleek , plan●ain , night-shade , rue , barley-meal , ●nd the white of an egg may be applyed to the stomach ; and it is necessary when the milk is corrupted , and ●urns to choler , to apply to the stomach ●ooling and astringent things , that the ●orruption of the milk may be preven●ed ; and the concoction helped . take of the oyles of roses and mastich , each half an ounce , of red sanders and coral , each one scruple , of wax a little ; mingle them . but if the fever proceed from breeding the teeth , we must endeavour to make the eruption of them easie , but more of this , when we come to speak of breeding teeth , and the alteratives mentioned before for the fever occasioned by corroupted milk are of use here and do good . chap. iv. of the small pox. there are two sorts of them , the distinct and confluent the distinct begin with a shivering , and coldness , which is presently followed with excessive heat , a violent pain in the head and back , vomiting , a great propensity to sweat in grown persons : but i have not observed , says sydenham , any such disposition in children , either before or after they come out : a pain at the cavity of the breast , beneath the region of the heart , if it be pressed with the hand , dullness and sleepiness , especially in children , and sometimes convulsive fits , and if these happen to them that have all their teeth , i reckon the small-pox are at hand , which , most commonly , coming out a few hours after , sufficiently answer the prognostic●tion : for instance , if the child has a convulsive fit in the evening , as it usually happens , the small-pox appear the next morning ; and more over i have very often observed , that when they come immediately after these fits , they rise in large pustles , and are mild , and favourable , and seldom flux ▪ it is to be noted that sometimes the course of separation is past over gradually without any sickness , but most commonly , as we said before , the sickness before the eruption is most violent . the distinct small-pox usually come out on the fourth day inclusively , and sometimes a little latter , but rarely before , at which time the symptoms most commonly abate , or totally vanish : the eruption is after this manner , first pimples as big as small pins heads here and there shew themselves , and first of all in the face , neck , and breast , and afterwards in the whole body : at this time the jaws are afflicted with a pain , that increases as the pustles rise , which , growing daily bigger and higher , inflame the neighbouring skin and flesh ; for about the eight day , from the first approach of the sickness , the spaces between that before were somewhat white now begin to be red , and swell more or less , according to the number of the pustles , so that sometimes the eyes are swelled up and the patient is deprived of sight : next after the face , the hands and fingers swell more or less , according to the number of th● pustles ▪ th● pustles that were smooth and red to this day , are now grown rough and some what white , which is the first sign of their coming to maturity ; more over they cast out by degrees a certain yellowish matter . on the eleventh day the tumour and inflamation of the face manifestly diminish , and on the fourteenth or fifteenth day totally vanish . that s●rt of small-pox which is called the flux has the same symptoms with the distinct , only they are more violent : moreover a loosness sometimes preceds the erruption , and continues a day or two after it : this sort comes out generally on the third day ; and sometimes so like a erisppelas or the measles , that they cannot be easily distinguished : these do not rise so high as the distinct , especially those in the face : after the eight day they begin to change into a duskish-colour . a loosness afflicts children in the flux-pox , but does not invade children so soon , as spitting does grown people ; but at what time soever it comes , if it be not stopt by art , it continues thro the whole course of the disease . i have always observed , that when the disease was violent , the sick had as it were a fit in the evening , and then the symptoms raged as it were more cruely . as soon as the signs of this disease shew themselves , i keep the sick from the open air , and forbid them the use of wine and flesh , and allow them small bear gentlly warmed with a toast for their ordinary drink , and now and then permit them to drink as much of it as they will. i order them for victuals , oat-meal and barley-broths , and roasted apples , and other things which are neither too hot nor cold , nor hard to be digested , i forthwith prohibit an hot regimen , and the use of all manner of cordials : on the forth day i commit the sick to his bed , and then if the pustles come not out well , some gentle cordial may be properly prescribed , at lest for once to drive them out . among the medicines for this purpose , those they called paregorick , such as liquid laudanum , diascordium and the like , if they be mixed in a small quantity with some proper cordal waters , excell the rest : when the pustles first come out , i then carefully consider whether they be of the distinct or confluent kind , because they differ exceedingly one from the other , though they agree as to some symptoms ; if therefore from the bigness and paucity of the pustles , and the slowness of the coming out , and from the vanishing of sickness and other symptoms , which tire the patient after the eruption of the flux-pox , it appears that they are the distinct sort , i take care that the sick be refreshed with small-beer , oat-meal and braley gruel , and the like : and if the small-pox be but few , and in summer time , and that very hot , i see no reason why the patient should be kept stifled in ●ed , and why he may not rather rise a few hours every day , provided the inconveniences of too much cold or heat may be prevented by the place and cloathing : but if either the cold season of the year , or a large eruption of the puscles put the patient under a necessity of keeping his bed continually , i take care that he lye not hotter , nor has more cloaths on him , than when he was in health , and that he have a fire kindled only in the morning and evening , unless it be winter , nor do i require , that he should be always fixed to one place , least he sweat , which i confidently affirm cannot be promoted without great danger : when the disease is going off , it is proper to give some proper cordial medicine , and at the same time also a little hotter , and more cordial-diet may be allowed : for instance sugar-soaps , and oat-mea●-caudle , and the like ; nor is there any need of any other thing at all in the distinct and gentle sort , if the patient be treated moderately with this method and diet , unless by chance restlessness or watchings should now or then perswade the use of a paregorick . but if the small-pox flux , the case is very hazardous , for this sort is no less different from the other , than the plague is from this , tho among the vulgar , who take names and words for things , the cure of both is said to be the same ; for towards the end of the disease , the sick is in great danger , namely , on the eleventh day , in the common flux-pox , on the fourteenth in a worser sort and on the sevententh in the worst sort , and sometimes tho rarely ▪ on the st . day , the fever , the restlessness , and other symptoms invading together , whereby the sick is generally destroyed , unless art relieve him ; wherefore seeing there is so much danger , when they flux , the physitian should endeavour all he can to hinder their fluxing , by bleeding presently in the arm , if there be the lest suspicion of the flux-pox , and by giving a vomit afterwards , and by keeping the sick up till the sixth day , from the first sickness , afterwards he must be put to bed , and kept there till the end of the disease : but he must have no more cloaths on , nor a greater fire in his chamber , than he used to have , when he was well , and he must drink freely of small beer , or other coolling liquors . but because notwithstanding the sick freequently grows hot , light-headed , and restless , i give an anodyne every night , but a little earlier than is usual ; because in this disease , a sit of heat and restlessness comes , almost every day , towards the evening . but , which is to be lamented , notwithstanding these , and all other physical helps , the sick is very often seized on the eleventh day , or on some other of those days , which we said were most fatal , in the various kinds of flux-pox , with a violently fever , difficulty of breathing , and restlessness , and dies suddenly : therefore in this deplorable case , blood must be taken away , according to the strength and age of the patient ; from a young man ten or twelve ounces must be taken , and in the evening a large anodyne must be given , as before , and so afterwards morning and evening , and sometimes oftener : but it is to be diligently noted , that in some the fury of the disease is so high , that a very large dosed anodine cannot stop its force in twelve hours ; in which case it is necessary to repeat the anodyne every sixth or eighth hour . and because it happens often at the lattor end of the disease , that the body is bound up so much , that the sick is like to be suffocated , and consequently is in great danger ; in this case i have given successfully to grown people an ▪ ounce and an half of lenitive electuary dissolved in four ounces of succory water , or the like , which draught generally gives some stools before night : but if it does not , an anodyne must be given in the evening , and sooner notwithstanding the purge , if great restlessness , or some considerable sickness threatens danger : if therefore the purge does not answer the first day ▪ it must be repeated the next , and then it seldom fails : and in this manner bleeding and purging may be repeated by intervals , as occasion requires . but it is to be noted , that the sick must not be purged till the thirteenth day , or after , nor then , unless bleeding has gone before . for spitting of blood and bloody urine coming upon the small-pox ( for both these hemorrhagies come sometimes at the beginning of the disease ) after bleeding largely once , give an anodyne . take of red poppy-water two ounces , liquid laudanum , drops , of distilled vinegar three drams , of diacodium half an ounces ; make a draught to be repeated every night at bed time . note that bleeding must be ordered and prescribed according to the age and condition of the patient : the like is to be observed in giving anodyens , and dosing other medicines . take of troches of lemnian earth , blood-stone , dragons blood , and red coral prepared , each half a dram , of dragons blood , and red coral prepared , each half a dram , of mastick , and gum arabec● , each one scruple ; mingle them make a fine powder , whereof let him take half a dram every third hour , drinking upon it four or five spoonfuls of the following julep . take of the waters of plantain , and oak-buds , each three ounces , of cinnamon water hordeated , two ounces , of syrup of dryed roses one ounce , make it a little accid with spirit of vitriol . emulsions also of the four greater cold seeds , with white popies do a great deal of good . after the hemorrhagy is quite stopt , you must proceed , according to the method prescribed in the small-pox . the loosness in children must be permitted in the flux-pox , because it evacuates the morbisick matter . at last when the pustles are crusty and hard , anoint the face often with oyl of sweet-almonds . note , if in the distinct small-pox , the face does not swell , you must give an anodyne presently : but if the patient be light headed , and very sick , and makes water often , but little at a time , he can be relieved no other way , death being near at hand , than by giving narcoticks freely , or by taking away a large quantity of blood , and exposing the body to the air : but i would not be so understood here , as if in every frenzy coming upon the small-pox , there being no symptom more frequent , that i should advise bleeding presently , but only in that which therefore happens , because the face does not swell in the distinct kind , tho there be a great number of pustles . note also , for a suppression of urine , which sometimes a●flicts young and brisk people , nothing does so well as taking the sick out of bed , and after he has walked twice or thrice cross the room , by the assistance of the by standers , he will presently make water freely , and be much relieved thereby . note , the symptoms arising from catching cold , or by evacuations unduly used , whereby the small-pox are struk in , must be removed by cordials , and an agreeble regimen : but they must not be continued after the symptoms are gone off , the chief of these are flatting of the pustles , and a looseness in the distinct small-pox ; for in the flux a depression of the pustles is natural , nor is a looseness dangerous in children : in both these cases , a cordial portion made of distilled waters , diacordium liquid laudanum , and the like , is proper , not only to remove these symptoms , but also at any time of the disease , if the sick complains of a pain at the heart , or of sickness : but to speak the truth , symptoms of this kind are very rare compared with those that owe their original to the other extreme , which is more fatal , tho less blamed . when the patient is mending , and and the pustles are falling off , after he has eat meat a few days , namely , about the st , or d day , i think he ought to be blooded , if the disease has been violent , and after bleeding , he must be purged three or four times . chap. v. of the meassels . this disease chiefly invads infants and all those that are together in the same house : it begins with shaking and shivering ▪ and with an inequality of heat and cold , which mutually expel one another the first day : the second day it ends in a perfect fever with violent sickness , drowth , and want of appetite , the tongue is white , but not dry ; there is a tickling cough , with a heaviness of the head and eyes accompnied with perpetual drowsiness , and for the most part an humour distils from the eyes and nose ; and this effusion of tears is a certain sign of the approaching measles , to which this is to be added , no less certain , viz. that tho this disease shews it self most commonly in the face , after the manner of little swellings in the skin , yet in the breast , rather red spots than swellings are perceived , arising no higher than the superficies of the skin : the patient sneezes as if he had taken cold , and the eye-lids swell a little before the eruption ; he vomits , but is oftener troubled with a looseness with greenish stools ; but this chiefly happens to children , that are breeding their teeth , and they are frowarder in this disease , than they are commonly wont to be : the symptoms increase till the fourth day , at which time generally ( tho sometimes they are deferred ) little red spots like fleabites begin to come out about the head , and other parts of the face and being increased in number and magnitude branch into one another , and so paint the face with large red spots of various figures , which are occasioned by little red wheals , not far distant one from another , that are elevated a little above the superficies of the skin , and their protuberancies may be perceived by a gentle touch , tho they can scarce be seen : these spots spread themselves by degrees from the face , which at first they only possessed , to the breast , belly , thighs , and legs : but they affect the trunk and members with redness only , without any sensible inequality of the skin : the symptoms of the measles do not abate by the eruption , the cough and fever increase , with difficulty of breathing , weakness of the eyes , and the defluxion on them , and the drowsiness , and want of appetite continue the same as before : on the sixth day , or there about , the skin breaking , and the pustles drying off , the forehead and face grow rough ; and at that time the spots in other parts of the body are very large and very red : about the eight day , the spots in the face vanish , and are scarce perceived in the rest of the body ▪ but on the ninth day , they totally disappear , and as we said , the measles most commonly vanish on the eighth day ▪ at which time the vulgar , being deceived by reckoning upon the time , the small-pox used to last , affirm they are struck in , tho they have really finished their course , and they think that the symptoms , which come upon their going off , are occasioned by their being struc● in so soon ; for the fever , and difficulty of breathing are increased at that time , and the cough is more vexatious , so that the patient cannot sleep night nor day : children are chiefly subject to these ill symptoms , which appear now at the going off of the measles , by reason of two hot a regimen , ●r hot medicines , that were used to ●orce them out , and by this means ●hey are cast into a peripneumonia , which destroys more than the small-pox ; and yet the measles are not at all dangenerous , if they are skillfully managed : among the rest of the ill symptoms , ● looseness often happens , which either presently succeeds the disease , or continues many weeks after it , and all its symptoms are gone off , not without great danger to the patient ; and sometimes after a very hot regimen , the measles are first lived , and afterwards black , ●ut this only happens to grown people , and they are utterly lost , when the blackness first appears , unless they are presently relieved by bleeding and a more temperate regimen . as the measles are much of the same nature with the small-pox , so is the method of cure much the same , hot medicines , and a hot regimen are very dangerous , how frequently soever they are ●sed by ignorant nurses to drive the disease from the heart : the patient must be kept in his bed only two or three days after the eruption , that the blood may gently breath cut according to his own genius thro the pores of the skin , the inflamed particles , which offend it ; he must have no more cloaths nor fire , than he is wont to have whe● he is well . i forbid all flesh , and allo● oat-meal and early-broaths and the like and sometimes a roasted apple ▪ hi● drink must be either small-beer , or milk boyled with treble the quantity of water . i oftentimes mitigated the cough which almost continually accompanies this disease , with a draught of some pectoral decoction , or with a linct●● fitted for the purpose ; but above all the rest i took care to give diacodium every night thro the whole course of the disease . for instance , take of the pectoral decoction , one pi● and an half , of syrup of violets , and maiden-hair , each one ounce and a● half ; mingle them and make an apozem , take three or four ounces three or four times a day . take of oyl of sweet-almonds , two ounces , of syrup of violets and maiden-hair , each one ounce , 〈…〉 a sufficient quantity ; 〈…〉 them and make a 〈◊〉 us , let the sick 〈◊〉 often of it ▪ especially when his cough troubles h●m . ●ke of black-cherry-water three ounces , of diacodium one o●nce ; mingle them for a draught to be taken every night : but if the patient be an infant , the dose of the pectorals , and of the narcotick is to be lessened with respect to the age. but if by means of two hot cordials , ●d too hot a regimen , the patient be danger of his life , after the measles off , which is very frequent , by rea● of the violence of the fever , and fficulty of breathing , and other accints , that use to afflict those , that ●e a peripneumonia , i have bled the ●allest infants in the arm , and have ●en away that quantity of blood , which ●ir age and strength indicated with ve● great success , and sometimes when the ●ease has been obstinate , i have not fear● to repeat bleeding ; and truly it is not few children that have been at the ●nt of death , by reason of this symp●n , whom by god's blessing i have ●ed by bleeding , nor have i found as ● , any other certain way to vanquish this happens to them , after the ●asles go off , and is so very fatal , that may well be counted the chief minister of death , destroying even more th● the small-pox : and the loosne● which , as we said , follows the measles is also cured by bleeding ; for wherea it ows its rise to vapours of inflame● blood rushing in upon the guts , ( which is also common in a plurisie , peripneumonia , and other diseases , that are occasioned by an inflamation ) whereby they ar● stimulated to excretion ; it is bleedi● alone that gives relief , by causing a revulsion of these sharp humours , and b● reducing the blood to a due temper . nor is there any reason , why any on● should wonder , says sydenham , that bleed young children , whereas , fo● what i have hitherto observed , says he● it may be as safely performed on them as on the adult : and truly it is so necessary , that we can neither cure the symptom above mentioned , nor some other that happen to children withou● it . for instance , by what means can w● deliver those , that are breeding tee● from convulsions , which seize them i● the ninth and tenth month , with a swelling and pain of the gums , whereby th● nerves are oppressed and inraged , an● from whence also , these paroxysms arise but by bleeding , which alone is much to 〈◊〉 preferred in this case , before the most ●elebrated specificks whatever , that are ●et known , whereof some do hurt by ●heir adventitious heat , and whilst they are ●hought to cure the disease by a certain ●ccult faculty they promote it by their ●anifest heat , and kill the patient , not ●o mention at present , that wonderful ●elief which bleeding gives in the hoop●g cough , wherein it far surpasses all ●ectoral medicines whatever . chap. vi. of scabs and vlcers from milk. of all the particular diseases of the parts of the humane body , that are proper to , and familiar with children , if we begin with the head , and so proceed to all parts of the body , these scabs and ulcers are first to be considered ; they come at the time when the child sucks , and perpetually emit a sanies , or purulent matter . the scabs are white , but the ulcers are of another colour : the scabs are also all over the body as well as in the face , whereas the ulcers are chiefly in the head : but because the causes of them do not much differ , and the method of cure is the same , we will treat of them together in this chapter : they arise from excrementious humours which are serous , and accid , and they occasion itching : these humours are collected partly in the womb , and they arise partly from a fault in the mothers or nurses milk , and afterwards are cast out by nature upon the habit of the body : it is commonly held that these ulcers keep children in health , and not without reason ; for by this means nature expels the vitious humours from the inner parts of the body to the habit of it , and if they vanish , children are subject to fevers and other diseases , and hippocrates says , that if there be ulcers in the head , about the ears , in the face , or in any other part of the body , children will be free from fits . these scabs generally go off of themselves in time , but if they continue long , ● tinea is occasioned , and the hairs fall off , and it is to be feared , that these ulcers may foul the skull , if the matter be very filthy ; for it has been observed , that the skull has been so corrupted by these ulcers , that it has fallen off , and the meninges have appeared . but when there is no danger to be feared , especially when the face is not deformed , nor the eyes hurt , the ulcers ought to be left to themselves , yea we ought to endeavour that the other matter be expell d , and if the ulcers vanish , ●nd the child fall sick upon it , we must give fumitory , scabious , carduus-benedictus , harts-horn , or the like to drive the humour out again , and cooling and astringent things , which repel the matter must not be used : but the nurse in the mean while ought to observe a good diet , and to abstain from salt and acid things , and all things that generate ill juries , as ▪ onions , garlick , radish , pulse , salted meat , and the like ; and if her body be foul , the vitious humours must be purged off ; for otherwise the child will be prejudiced , and the disease increased : but if the ill humours are evacuated , these ulcers will soon go off ; wherefore these humours should be altered and prepared with medicines made of borrage , bugloss , fumitory , succory , hops , the roots of polypody , sharp pointed docks , and afterwards they must be purged off with the leaves of senna ▪ epithymum , rhubarb , black hellebore , or with diacatholicon , tryphera , per●●ca , or the like ; and afterwards you must give such things as strengthen the viscera ▪ and attemperate and expel the other humours . as , take of the conserves of borrage , bugloss , violets , fumitory , and succory , each 〈◊〉 ounce , of the candid roots of succory and of the bark of citron candied , ●cah half an ounce , of the sp●cies diarrhodon , abatis , diamargarit frigid : harts-horn prepared , each one scruple , with a sufficient quantity of syrup of gilliflowers make an electuary . or , take of harts-horn prepared two drams , of magistery of goral , one dram , of the species diamargarit , frigid , half a dram ; make a powder , whereof give the nurse daily half a dram , or a dram. ●ome of these medicines ▪ may be also given to the children , as syrup of borrage , fumitory , polypody , and hops , and the childs body may be evacuated , respect being had to its age , with glisters , with manna , or laxative raisins or the like . but if the disease continue long , and here is danger that great putrifaction ●ill arise under the scab , and so foul he skull , we must use topicks , and first he head must be washed with a deoction of mallows and barley , or ●ith a decoction the roots of sharp ●ointed doke , the leaves of a mallows , he greater celandine wormwood , the seeds of fenugreek , vetches , lupines , and beans : if you would have it abstersive , you must boyl the herbs in wine , or you may make a lotion with roots of marsh-mallows boyled in childs urine alone , or mixed with barley-water , afterwards anoint the part with the oyl of roses , and bitter-almonds mixed with a little lytharge : or , take of the ashes of myrtles , and nut-shells , each one dram , of tutty one dram and an half , of old butter washed in rose-water one ounce ; mingle them . or , take of the juice beets , of greater celendine , each one ounce , hogs-lard two ounces , sulphur , one dram , mix them . or , take of lytharge moistened with oyl of roses , one ounce , ceruss half a dram , aloes and frankencense , each one dram and an half , myrrh on dram , oyls of roses and rue , each a sufficient quantity ; mix them in a morter . the following is stronger . take of the powder of red-roses , of the roots of briony , pidgeons-dung , verdegrease , and sulphur , each two drams , oyls of junipir , and wall-flowers , each a sufficient quantity , mix them in a morter , and anoint the part with it every other day : or , take of cerass and lytharge , each two drams , balaustins , and agarick , each one dram , with oyl of roses , and a little vinegar , make an oyntment : or having rubbed the affected part with soft soap , wash it off with a proper decoction . if the skull be hurt by the ulcers , the scab must be first taken off , and mollified with mallows and violets boyled in may butter , or in lard : afterwards the ulcer must be washed and dryed with a lee made of the ashes of the vine beetch , and ash , ●a little butter being added to it ; when the skull appears you must apply honey of roses mixed with spirit of wine ; afterwards you mnst apply the powder of the roots of birthwort , and peruvian balsam , or you may ad turpentine washed in tobacco-water . chap. vii . of a tinea . if the ulcers continue long , or are ill cured , they turu to a tinea , viz. crusty and fetid ulcers of the head , corroding the skin : it is properly reckoned amongst the dieases of children , tho the adult have it too ; for tho grown people are sometimes afflicted with this disease , yet it has its beginning in their infancy , it is called tinea from the moths that spoil cloaths ; because these ulcers corrode the skin as moths do cloaths : it differs from scabs , and the ulcers treated of in the foregoing chapter , by being dry and crusty , whereas they are moist and have always an humour flowing from them , and they sometimes possess other parts of the body as well as the head , but this only the head : the cause of it is a salt and acid humour degenerating to melancholly , taking its rise from the mothers blood , wherewith the child was nourished , or from the ill milk of the nurse , or mother ▪ and by progress of time , and the long continuance of the disease , and neglignce , ( for it most commonly befalls poor peoples children ) it turns to this disease . moreover it is easily imparted to infants , when the cap of that which has it , is put upon another infant : this disease is not always the same , for sometimes it is scaly , sometimes viscous . this disease plainly appears to sight and is commonly known , for some crusty and dry ulcers are seen upon the head , sometimes they are green , sometimes yellow , and sometimes of an ash-colour , scarce any thing flows out of them , and that which does is very fetid . it is very difficult to cure ; that which is new , and of a yellow colour , and a little moist is easiest cured : but that which is old , ●uite dry , of an ash-colour or black , is very hard to cure : if it seiz a child in its infancy , it can scarce be cured till the child come to an age fit to bear the medicines the disease requires , and the severity of the cure ▪ and when it is cured , hair seldom grows upon the place , especially if the skin be hard and testatious , and does not look red when it is rubbed : but if the skin be soft , and looks red upon rubbing , there is hopes hair may ow again , tho not without difficulty . the indications are the same with o●er ulcers , namely magnitude lessen ▪ requires medicines that in●arn , the lution of the continuity requires things ●at conglutinate ; but we cannot satisfie hese indications , unless the corroding humour be taken off , and this must be done by strong cleansing medicines , that you may go to the root of the disease , and therefore the crust must be first taken off by such things as cleanse and corrode : and because the humours are dry and adust , and the skin is thereby dryed and thickned , moistning things must be also used , to loosen and open the pores of the skin . but because tender infants cannot bear these medicines , lest the disease take too deep root , you must in the mean while apply to the ulcers leaves of cabbage or beet , greased with butter or lard , to mollifie and to make a passage for the matter . take of the juice of fumatory , cabbage , sharp pointed dock , elecampane , each one ounce and an half , of litharge half an ounce , with a sufficient quantity of lard , oyl of rue , and wax , make a foft oyntment : or , take of the shells of green wallnuts burnt a sufficient quantity , a little turpentine , and with oyl of eggs make a liniment . but when the child is arrived at such an age , as to be able to bear strong medicines , and the severity of the cure , you must first sufficiently evacuate the body with senna , rubarb , agarick , or the like , and then you must take off the crust with things that cleanse strongly : as , take of sulphur two drams , of mustard half a dram , staves-acre , of the roots of briony , each one dram , of the sharpest vinegar , one ounce , of turpentine half an ounce , with a sufficient quantity of bears fat , make a liniment . or , take water-cresses , and beat them , and fry them with hogslard , and apply them in stead of a cataplasm to the head , let it continue on twenty four hours , to make the crust fall off , and if you continue the use of it , it will cure the disease . the scaby crust being taken off , you must pull out the hairs by the roots ; for the venomous matter sticks most to them , and this may be done by nippers , or by medicines that take off the hair : a pitch cap is ordinarily used for this purpose , the which they apply either to the whole head , or only to the part where the vlcers are ; they keep it on some days , and afterwards pull it off with the hairs with it . or , take of fine wheaten-flower two ounces , of rosin half an ounce , boyl them in water to the form of a pultis , spread it upon strong linnen cloath , and apply it to the s●abs , let it lie on a night and a day , then pull it off . afterwards emolliment things must be used , which may correct the dry intemperies of the skin , and open the pores , and drive away the excrements that lie deep in the skin : as , take of the roots of marsh-mallow , sharp pointed docks , and white lillies , each one ounce , of mallows fumitory , and sage , each two handfulls , boyl them in a lee , and add to it a little vinegar , and wash the head with it every day twice . afterwards . take of the roots of briony , sharp pointed dock , elecampane , each one ounce , of t e leaves of fumitory , greater celandine , and scabious , each two handfulls , of the flowers of camomile and melilot , each one handful , boy them in lee , and wash , or foment the head with it twice every day , afterwards with a course cloath , or with the oyl of staves-acre , or radish , or with the juice of onions , rub the head till it looks red , that the vitious humours that lye deep may be drawn out : or , take of live sulphur , one ounce , of white hellebore , staves-arce , each two drams , of lard a sufficient quantity ; mingle them ▪ or , take of both the hellebores , sulphur , vitriol , quick lime , allom , galls , each half a dram , of verdigrease , two ●rams , with a sufficient quantity of liquid pitch and wax , make a cerate : or , take of burnt allom , and vitriol , on ouncè and an half , of round birthwort , and verdegrease , each two drams of ship-pitch one ounce , of horse fat , one ounce and an half , of old butter half a pound , mix them . some use arsenick , aurepigmentum , quick-silver and the like : but because the asslicted part is so near the brain , some say these things ought not to be used , lest a venemous quality should be imparted to the brain , and so the patient should be destroyed ; but quick-silver is much safer than arsnick , and therefore being killed with fasting spitle , it may be mixed with the medicines above mentioned . the children so affected must forbear salt and acid meats , garlick , onions , pease , cabbage , pork , and other things that breed ill juice . chap. viii . of the lowsie disease . tho grown people , if they live nastily and wear foul cloaths , and do not change often their woolen , as well as their linnen , are subject to lice , yet this nasty disease is most familier to children , nor can gentlemens children be free from them , for they breed in their heads : they are occasioned by putrifaction : it is a troublesome and nasty disease , and occasions great itching , and is dangerous , if they possess the whole body ; for some have died of them . lice forsake people when they are a dying , and run away in troops ; they being offended with the ill vapours that arise from dying bodies . to prevent lice , children must be kept clean , and have an orderly dyet , they must abstain from meats of ill juice , especially figs : but if lice are generated , they must be removed by universal remedies , if their be occasion ; but first such external medicines must be used , as take of the matter that breed lice , and kill them when they are bred , as staves-acre , wormwood , scordium , rue , the leaves of pine , and cypress , the roots of elecampane , long birthwort , lupins , the seeds of nettles , black hellebore , coloquintida , sulpher , bulls-gall , soap ▪ sea-water , of all which lotions or liniments may be made . as , take of long birthwort and lupins , of the leaves of pine and cypress , each equal parts , boyl them for a lotion to the head. or , take of the roots of elecampane two ounces , of briony half an ounce , of beets , mercury and soapwort , each one handfull , of lupins one ounce , nitre , half an ounce , boyl them for a lotion for the head. or you may make perfumed washballs for the same pupose . take of venice soap six ounces , of the powder of cinnamon , half an ounce , of oyl of aniseeds one dram , of musk grains five ; make balls . after washing the head , anoint it with such an oyntment as follows . take of the powder of staves-aere three drams , of meal of lupins half an ounce , of white agarick three drams , of live sulphur two drams , of the gall of an ox half an ounce , with a sufficient quantity of oyl of wormwood , make a linement . or , take of staves-acre one ounce , of wormwood and rue , each half an ounce , of sulphur , and nitre , each two drams , make a powder , and with oyl of laurel make an oyntment . the stronger medicines are white hellebore , quick-silver killed with fasting spitle . some use arsnick , but this is dangerous . as , take of the seeds of staves-acre one ounce , white hellebore three drams , of quicksilver killed with fasting spitle two drams , with lard and oyl of laurel , make an oyntment . but some think that quick-si●ver ought not to be used to tender infants , because it may occasion ill symptoms , besides there are other more gentle medicines that are sufficient to cure this disease . chap. ix . of an hydrocephalus , and inflation of the head. an hydrocephalus is a watery tumor of the whole head , it sometimes seises grown persons , of which carolus piso has two observations ; but it most freequently befalls infants , their heads being so soft , as that they may be easily extended . some children have had this disease in the womb , but many have been afflicted with it after the birth . rhasis says he saw a child , whose head was so increased in length and breadth , that the body was not able to bear it . pareus says he saw four such children , and cured them . if the water be contained within the skull , it is much more difficult to cure than when without , and is most commonly deadly : the indication is to evacuat the waters , and to dry them up ▪ this may be done by medicines applied to the head , ears and nostrils . take snails in their shells number thirty , of marjoram and mugwort , each one handful , and beat them , and add to them one scruple of camphor , and half a dram of saffron with oyl of camomile make a cataplasm , and inject the following water into their nostrils . take of nutmegs , cloves , and cubebs , each one scruple , of common sweet smelling flag , and of the bark of frankincense , each half a dram , of the water of marjoram , three ounces , mingle them . or with the balsom of marjoram , cloves , and nutmegs , musk , and ambre the nostrils may be anointed ; and hot oyls may be injected into the ears . but if the water be not carried off in this manner within twenty days , incision must be attempted , and the brain must be opened , and the water extracted , but by degrees , and by turns , lest the childs strength be too much djected , and care must be taken , that the cold air does not hurt the brain . authors make mention of another tumour in the head , which they call inflation , which is generated by wind contained under the skin of the head , or membranes of the brain , and so it distends the head , and increases the bulk of it ; but wind alone without water can scarce be collected in so great a quantity in this cold part of the body , as to make an inflamation here , but if water be collected here , it is not impossible but some of it may turn to wind ; and if so rarifying and discussing medicines must be applyed to the head , as oyls of rue and camomile , the seed of rue , anise , and the like . chap. x. of a siriasis . this disease is known by a heat in the forepart of the head , and by the cavity in it , by the hollowness of the eyes , redness of the face , dryness of the body , want of appetite , and sleep ; this disease is dangerous and most commonly deadly , according to the opinion of the women , and they suppose any disease will be so , if this bone , or the membrane subside , and make a hollowness ; and indeed the children so affected generally dye in three days , and many apply the th aphorism of the th section of hyppocrates to this disease , quibus cerebrum sideratum est , intra tres dies interiunt , si vero hos superaverint , sani fiunt . because there is a hot intemperies with matter , it indicats refrigeration ; but the humour that flies to the part discussion : but to prevent the flowing of more matter , it is proper to purge , which may be conveniently done by a glister , or by syrup of roses solutive , or by syrup of violets . cooling things may be prepared of the juice of lettice , gourds , or melons , or a fresh gourd may be cut in slices and applyed : but you must take notice in the use of these things , that they must be applied actually cold , and when they grow hot , they must be renewed : but at the same time care must be taken , that the brain which is but just under , and only covered with skin and membranes , be not hurt by the too great use of cooling things ; therefore it is safest to anoint the part with oyl of roses , or , take of oyl of roses half an ounce , populeon oyntment , two drams , the white of one egg of the emulsion of poppy seeds made in rose water , two drams , mingle them . when the fluxion is over , and the inflamation is stopt , things that discuss made of cammomile , dill and the like must be used : as , take of camomile , one ounce and an half , of dill half an on ounce , the yelk of an egg ; mingle them . when the fluxion is over , and the inflamation is stopt , things that discuss made of cammomile , dill and the like must be used : as , take of oyl of camomile , one ounce and an half , oyl of dill half an ounce , the yelk of one egg ; mingle them . take of the tops of dill , half an handful , of the flowers of camomile , one pugil ; boyl them in water ; add oyl of camomile one ounce ; mingle them . or you may apply the waters of camomile or dill. the nurse must observe a good diet , whereby the heat of the milk may be attemperated ; therefore let her use cooling diet , as a ptisan of barley , an emulsion of the greater cold seeds , poppy , lettice , endive , she must wholly abstain from wine , and strong beer , and she must either drink water , or small-beer : the child must be kept in a cool air , and the nurse avoid all great commotions of the body and mind , especially anger . chap. xi . of frights in sleep . to come now to the symptoms of the animal faculty , in the common sense , and imagination two symptoms happen , viz. frights in sleep , and great watchings : and first as to frights in sleep , they are nothing but sleep disturbed by terrible dreams , according to hippocrates , parvis & nuper natis puerulis accidunt pavo res inter dormiendum . tho aristotle says that children do not dream before they are four years old : but experience teaches us otherwise ; for it appears plainly , by their laughing and frights in sleep . the cause of frights are impure vapours mingled with the animal spirits , that disturb them , and represent to the imagination terrible phantasms : these vapours arise from the stomach , and are caused by ill concoction , and therefore this disease chiefly happens to such children , as suck greedily , and more than the stomach can concoct , upon which account the milk corrupts , and raises vapours to the brain , that disturb the animal spirits , and it is not absurd to think that these vapours are sent to the head by the veins as well as by the oesophagus : for as in the night-mare , that is generated by a too great quantity of food , affording blood filled with gross wind , thick vapours ascend thro the vessels to the brain , and occasion this disorder ; so if infants fill their stomach with too much food , blood also full of gross vapours may be generated , which being elevated to the brain occasion this disease . these frights also happen in fevers , and in the small-pox , and measles , and they also sometimes come from worms . this disease is easily known by the standers by ; for the children groan and shake in their sleep , and cry out of a sudden , and a hot and fetid vapour exhals from their mouth most commonly . this disorder must not be contemned , for it is often the forerunner of sits , wherefore you must endeavour to remedy it in time , by removing the vitious humours from the stomach , that corrupt the meat : in order to which , the nurse ought to be healthy , and to eat moderately of meats of good juice , and to abstain from all , that yeild an ill nourishment , that the milk which the infant sucks may be good : the infant also ought to suck sparingly , that the stomach be not burthened , nor must the infant after sucking or feeding be presently laid asleep , but must be kept up a while , that the meat may descend to the bottom of the stomach , and be the easier concocted , and that the corrupt meat may be removed from the stomach , or vomited up : oyl of sweet-almonds may be given to the child , or you may give a spoonful or two of honey of roses solutive , to carry off the vitious humours by stool . the cause of the disease being taken off , the stomach must be strengthened , which may conveniently be done with magistery of coral , and consection of hiacinth given in milk , and you may anoint the stomach with the oyls of wormwood , mint , mastick , or nutmegs : and before sleep it is good to give the child a lozenge of diamosch dissolved in milk : if this symptom proceed from a fever , you must take care of that , if from worms proper remedies must be used . some in this case use amulets , as coral , or the tooth of a wolf hung about the neck . chap. xii . of watchings . all the while the child is in the womb , it is almost perpetually asleep , and for some times after it is born , if it be well , it is always almost asleep , for the brain is yet very moist , and abounds with a great deal of humedity , therefore when it watches much , and cannot be brought to rest , either by rocking , singing , or giving the breast , nor by any other way , it is to be reckoned of a sickly constitution . this disease is very dangerous , and especially to children , because it is so contrary to the nature of them , and occasions , convulsions , fevers , and catarrhs , and other diseases . if those acid vapours that disturb sleep , and occasion watchings proceed from the corruption and fault of the milk , care must be taken for a remedy . if a fever , or some pain be the cause , it must be removed and the child must be cleansed , but medicines that provoke sleep are not so safely used in children , as in grown-persons . some nurses indeed are wont to give infants at bed time sy●up of poppies , or the like , but this is very injurious to them ; but if there be occasion , the nurse ought rather to take things that cause sleep moderately , as sweet almonds , lettice , the seeds of white poppie ▪ and the like . as to externals , the feet may be washed with a decoction of the tops of dill , of the flowers of camomile , and the heads of poppies , and it is very good to anoint the soles of the feet with the marrow of stag's bones , but strong narcoticks must not be applyed to the head ; for the moist and weak brains of infants will be thereby offended . it is safest to use fresh oyl of dill for anointing the temples , or you may anoint them with the oyl of roses mixed with a little oyl of nutmegs , or you may apply a cataplasm made of the seeds of white poppies , a little saffron , and womans milk , and the ●ostrils may be anointed with a little ●yl of violets ; if the brain be dry , a ●ag dipt in violet , or lettice water , and pressed out , may be applyed to the head . chap. xiii . of childrens convulsions . childrens convulsions are so frequent that they are almost the only species of convulsions ; they are chiefly subject to them in the first● months , and at the time they breed their teeth , but they also happen at other times , and proceed from other causes , in such as are disposed to them . sometimes they do not come presently after the birth , but lie hid until the breeding of teeth , or not till a great while after , and take their rise from other evident causes , as from an unhealthy , or big bellied nurse , from milk coagulated , or corrupted in the stomach , from a feverish disposition , from ulcers or scabs in the head , or other parts , suddenly disappearing , from changes of the air , or from the conjunction , or opposite aspects of the sun and moon . we must endeavour to prevent these convulsions in children and infants , o● to cure them , when they are come ; for if the former children of the same parents have been subject to convulsive fits , this disease ought to be prevented by the early use of remedies , in such as are born after . to this end it is customary to give to new-born babes , as soon as they begin to breath , some medicine proper for convulsions , as some drops of pure honey , a spoonful of canary wine , sweetned with sugar , oyl of swee● almonds fresh drawn , a drop of oyl of ambre , or half a spoonful of epileptick water ; besides these things used at first , which certainly do good , some other remedies ought to be administred . for instance , give a spoonful twice a day of the following liquor . take of the waters of black cherries and rue , each one ounce and an half , of langiuses , epileptick water , one ounce , of syrup of coral , six drams , of prepared pearl fifteen grains ; mingle them in the vi●l . the third or fourth day after the birth , make an issue in the neck , and if the countenance be florid , evacuate by bleeding an ounce and an half , or two ounces of blood from the ingular vein : but take care that too much blood do not flow out in sleep . rub gently the temples with the following linement . take of oyl of nutmegs by expression , two drams , of balsam of copiaba , three drams , of ambar one scruple ; mix them . hang round the neck the roots , and seeds of male peony , and elks-hoof sewed up in a rag . moreover medicines proper for convulsions must be given daily to the nurse . let her take morning and evening a draught of whey , wherein the roots of male peony , or the seeds of sweet fennel have been boyled . take of the conserves of the flowers of bettony , male peony , and rosemary flowers each two ounces ; of the roots and flowers of male peony , each two drams ; of red coral prepared , and white ambar , each one dram ; of the the roots of angelica , and zedoary prepared , each half a dram , with a suffient quantity of syrup of peony . make an electuary ; let the nurse take the quantity of a nutmeg of it morning and evening , and be very orderly in her diet . but if the infant be actually seized with convulsions , you must apply a blister to the neck , or behind the ears , and if the infant be of a hot constitution , leaches must be applyed to the jugular veins , and linements must be used to the temples , nostrils and neck , and to the soles of the feet , and glisters , which empty the belly plentifully , must be injected , and every sixth or eighth hour , specifick remedies must be given . take of oyl of copaiba , and castor , each two drams , of oyl of ambar , half a dram ; make a liniment . apply to the soles of the feet the p●●ist●r with euphorbium spread on leather . take of prepared pearle , of the powder de guttita , each one dram , mingle them for twelve papers , whereof let the child take one morning and evening in a spoonfull of the following julep , drinking after it one or two spoonfulls . take of the waters of black cherries , and of lilly of the vallies , each two ounces ; of fennel water and compound peony water , each two drams ; of syrup of red poppies six drams . take of the powder of the seeds of rue , of castor , and asasetida each a sufficient quantity , mingle them , and tye it up in a rag sprinkled with vinegar , and put it often to the nostrils . vnzerus commends much the gall of a sucking kitling , all the juice being taken out out of the bladder , and mixed with a little water of lime-flowers and given to the child ; and an excellent physician says , that he knew several children cured with this remedy . when by reason of breeding teeth difficultly convulsions happen , this symptom is secondary , and less dangerous , and therefore does not require the first and chief work of healing ; in this case we are more solicitous to ease the pain , and to take off the fever ; and therefore we order a thin cooling diet , and the eruption of the teeth is to be endeavoured , either by rubbing , or cutting the gums , and things that are annodyne are to be applyed to the swelld and pained parts , and blisters and bleeding are to be used ▪ often , and we ought to procure sleep , and to qualifie the fury of the blood : but in the mean time temperate medicines for convulsions , and such as do the least stir the humours are to be used , and blisters often do also give relief . but children are sometimes seized with convulsions , from other occasions and accidents ; the cause most commonly of such , is either in the head or in the bowells ; when the former is suspected , as is wont to be known by the signs , which shew watery humours heapt up in the brain , the medicines above-mentioned must be used . moreover for those who bear purging well , a vomit , or gentle purge must be prescribed , wine and oxymel of squills , also mercurius dulcis rhubarb , and rosin of jalap are of good use . when the cause of the convulsions seems to be lodged in the bowels , or where worms or sharp humours in the belly are the cause ; for worms , a purge of rhubarb or of mercurius dulcis with the rosin of jalap , must be given , and the following medicines are also of use . take of the roots of virginia snake-weed powdered , one dram ; of coral calcined till it is white , half a dram ; make a powder . the dose is half a scruple , or a scruple twice a day for three days following , drinking upon it the d●●oction of the roots of grass . take of hiera piera , and of venice treacle , eachone dram ; make a plaister for the 〈◊〉 if the convulsions are thought to proceed from sharp humours , disturbing the bowels and stomach , purging upward or downward is to be ordered by turns ; to this end a gentle vomit of wine of squills , or falt of vitriol is to be given , if the child is inclined to vomiting of its own accord . take of syrup of peony three ounces ; salt of vitriol two scruples , of compound lavender-water one dram . mingle them , give a spoonfull three or four times in an hour , till the child has once vomited , or went to stool once . but if evacation downward seem most proper , give the infusion of rhubarb , or the powder of it , or syrup of succory with rhubarb , or syrup of roses with agarick ; and with these remedies , seasonably used , convulsion fits have been often cured in children ; and moreover glisters are to be used frequently , and external medicines , namely fomentations linements , or emplasters must be applyed to the belly . take of the leaves of camomile cut small , two handfulls , put them into two bags made of fine cloath , or of silk , which being dipt in hot milk , and pressed out , are to be applyed successively to the belly . chap. xiv . of squinting . squinting belongs to animal actions hurt , wherewith new born babes are seized . this disease is either natural , by reason of an ill conformation of the eye , or is co tracted by custom , the infant turning its eye often in the cradle to a candle , or the light ill placed , or it is occasioned by a disease , when after , frequent sits , the muscles of the eyes are distorted . if it be from the very birth , it is hardly cured , or when it proceeds from sits ; but if it arise from an ill custom , it may be cured , if it be taken in time ; but when it is let alone a long while , it is in a manner incurable . it is cured by placing a candle opposite to the part , whereunto the eye is preternaturally inclined , or fine pictures or the like may be offered to the sight in the same manner , and by constant and daily use , the eye may be reduced to a right position , or a mask may be so made that the sight may be directed right . chap. xv. of the pain , inflamation , moisture , vlcers and worms of the ears . amongst childrens diseases , hippocrates reckons the moisture of the ears ; for the brain of children being very moist , part of the humidity is sometimes evacuated by the ears : and this is seldom done without an inflamation ; for most commonly , if superfluous humours flow plentifully to the ears , an inflamation is occasioned , and pain arises from thence , and when it is not discussed by reason of the moisture of childrens bodies , but turned to matter , afterwards blood , matter and senies flow , out , and sometimes worms are bred in the ear . these d●seases are not to be neglected , for the pain which is most commonly joined with them , may kill a grown person in seven days , sayes hippocrates , and much easier a child , or may occasion fits , or great watchings ; besides because childrens ears are very moist , worms are are apt to be generated in them , and sometimes by a continual flux of humours , and by foul ulcers , the bones of the ear are at length corrupted , and if the ulcer is not cured in time an incurable deafness arises , and therefore the cure must be begun early . and first , if the pain be very violent , care must be taken to quiet it ; but childrens bodies cannot bear strong medicines , it is sufficient for them , that their ears be fomented with warm milk , with oyl of roses , or violets , or with a decoction of poppy heads , or you may put into the ear the white of an egg with a little saffron . and to cleanse the care from moisture it is good to use honey of roses , or water of honey which must be put into the ear with a tent ; and if these things are not sufficient , allom diluted with wine must be put into the ear with a little soft wool it ; is also good to put into the ear with soft wool the roots of orris , myrrh , and saffron , nitre , allom , and saffron mixed with wine and honey . or , take of virgin-honey half an ounce , of red wine two ounces , of allom , saffron and nitre , each one scruple . or the fresh oyl of hempseeds mixed with a little wine , may be dropt into the ear . chap. xvi . of aphthae , bladders of the gums , and and an instamation of the almonds . ulcers arise often in the mouths of children , which are called aphthae ; they are occasioned by ill milk , or by corruption of the stomach ; for the internal parts of the mouths of children being very soft and tender , and unaccustomed to meat in the womb , if the milk be sharp or any otherwise faulty , their mouths are soon ulcerated , or if acid vapours arise from corrupted milk in the stomach , their mouths may be easily ulcerated this way ; for the tunick of the jaws is common to the osophagus , and so the faults of the stomach are easily communicated to the jaws . the bladders of the gums are much the same with the aphthae , and are also occasioned by corrupted milk , and the cure is the same . take of lentils excorticated , what quantity you please , powder thém , and chew them , and apply them to the gums . or , take of the flower of millium , half an ounce , of rose water , and omphacine oyl , each a sufficient quantity ; make a linement . hippocrates reckons an inflamation of the almonds amongst childrens distempers , they are most subject to it from the eleventh year of their age to the thirteenth . as to the cure , you must endeavour to keep the belly open , if there be occasion , you must give a glister , and in the beginning repellents must be used , afterwards resolvents must be used with them at length resolvents only in a manner . the part affected must be anointed with honey of roses , syrup of dry'd roses , syrups of myrtills , pomgranats , or diamoron , according as the state of the disease requires ; and the neck must be anointed with the oyls of almonds , camomile , or st. johns wort . in some cases it is necessary to apply a blister to the poll . chap. xvii . of breeding teeth . amongst all the diseases and symptoms which are wont to happen to children , breeding of the teeth is the most proper ; for tho' many other diseases are familiar to children , yet there are very few , that are unavoidable , excepting the breeding of the teeth . altho' the breeding of teeth be natures work , yet by reason of the diseases and various symptoms , which easily accompany it , it is reckoned amongst childrens diseases . as soon as children are born , they have teeth , but they lie in the gums : yet some children have been born with teeth , appearing as pliny relates in his natural history of marcus curius , who was therefore called dentatus . but the teeth most commonly do not come forth till the seventh month ; first those that are called incisores , afterwards the dog teeth , and at length the grinders . there are many preternatural disorders , that arise from the solution of continuity . frst a great itching is perceived in the gu ns , afterwards pricking as it were of needles , and this occasions great pain ▪ wachings , inflamations of the gums , fevers , loosness , convulsions , and these commonly happen upon the coming forth of the dog teeth , commonly called the eye teeth , and therefore it is commonly said , that parents should not reckon much upon their childrens lives , till the eye teeth are come forth . the first teeth fall away about the seventh year , and new ones come in their room , without pain , because the gums were perforated before . tho' children cannot tell the pain they suffer in breeding teeth , yet it may be known , first by the time they use to come out in , which is about the seventh month ; and then because children frequently put their fingers in their months to asswage the pain ; thirdly , because the mother or the nurses perceive they squeeze the nipple harder than they used to do ; fourthly , the gums are white in the place where the teeth endeavour to come out , and sometimes at length various ill symptoms arise , as pains , watchings , loosness , fevers , and convulsions . as to the progn●sticks , breeding of teeth is often very dangerous , and many children dye of the diseases and symptoms that are occasioned thereby . those children that have a loosness in breeding of teeth , are least subject to convulsions , and when an acute fever happens , it most commonly prevents convulsions , because the matter occasioning convulsions is carried off by the fever . children breed their teeth best in winter . as to the cure , we must endeavour to ●oo●en and mollifie the gums , that the teeth may come out the easier , and we ought to use cooling t●ings to ease the pain and inflamation : but they must be mixed with emollients ; therefore rub the gums with the finger dipt in honey , or with honey mixt with butter ; or let the child bite a candle made of virgin wax , or anoint the gums with a mucilage of quince-seed made in mallow water , or rub the gums with the brains of a hare . foment the jaws without with a decoction of marsh mallow flowers of camomile , and dill , or with the mucilage of the seeds of quinces , and marsh mallows mixed with the yolk of an egg , if the gums are inflamed , the juice of night-shade or of lettice must be added to the former things . the nurse must observe a good diet , rather cooling than hot , she must use oatmeal and barley broaths , porched eggs , prunes , indive , lettice , and the like ; she must abstain from salt and acid meats , and from wine . chap. xviii . of loosening the string of the tongue , and of the ranula under the tongue . it happens often in infants , that the tongue is bound so strait by the string , that it cannot well or freely move and sometimes in the place where the bridle of the tongue is , a soft and white swelling appears , which they call ranula . the binding of the tongue is most conveniently removed by surgery ; for tho' midwifes often break the string as soon as the child is born , or cut it with a groat , yet they often err in the operation , and do it many times when there is no occasion , therefore it is much safer to use a skillful surgeon ; afterwards apply the following linement . take of barley meal half an ounce , mingle it with a sufficient quantity of clarified honey , and over a gentle fire let all the humidity exhale , that it may be reduced to a powder , and with honey of roses make a linement . as to the ranula under the tongue ; there are large and conspicuous veins under the tongue , which are sometimes filled with ill blood ; therefore if a flegm●tick humour be gathered here , and sweats out thence , and sticks there within the passage of the flesh , a tumour is occasioned by it and the blood like a fungus generated upon a tree ; and if it continue long and increase , it hinders the speech ; and therefore ought to be timely remedied ; wherefore the tumour is to be removed by the application of salt and frankincense mixed , or with powder of sage mixed with honey of roses and a drop or two of spirit of vitriol . or , take of cuttle bone , sal gemma and pepper , each one dram ; of burnt spunge three drams ; make a powder , wherewith rub the tumour or with the foregoing powder and honey make a linement , and anoint the tumour with it , and apply under the chin a plaister made with equal parts of goose-dung and honey boyled in wine to the consumption of the wine . chap. xix . of a catarrh , cough , and difficulty of breaking . catarrhs arise in children from their natural constitution , and moist temper of their brains , whereby many excrements are heapt up there ; for too great a quantity of milk burdening the stomach sends vapours to the head and sill the brain , and children being unaccustomed in the womb too cold , the extream coldness of the air , or too much heat , or much cloaths upon their heads , pour the matter upon the nostrils jaws , or lungs , and if the excrementitious humours cannot be evacuated by the nostrils they fall upon the aspera arteria , and cause a cough ; but if they fall upon the bronchia of the lungs , they cause difficulty of breathing . these symptoms are easily discovered , but whether the humour be cold or hot , may be known in the following manner : if the humour be hot , the catarrh is thin , the children often sneeze , the face is florid , and the jaws look red , and a hot vapour exhales from their mouths , and the nurses perceive it when the children suck . if the humour be cold ▪ it is thick , and the children do not sneeze , nor is there any redness in the face or jaws nor heat in their mouth . but whether the difficulty of breathing arise from matter coming from the head or from phlcgmatick blood , may be known as follows : if it come from the head , there is a catarrh , and also a cough , and in breathing a noise is perceived , the air not passing freely through the obstructed bronchia : but if it be occasioned by a phlegmatick humour arising from the hypochonders , there is no catarrh nor cough , and the hypochonders appear inflated and tumid . catarrhs , coughs , and difficulty of breathing are not to be neglected in children ; for coughs do not only occasion watchings , and frequent vomitings but also ruptures ; and catarrhs occasion suffocations , and sometimes kill . they are not easily cured , because children cannot bear all sorts of remedies , and besides they do not know how to spit up the matter . we must principally endeavour , that the intempers which occasions the matter be rectified , and the fluxion of the humour to the breast hindered . but because children cannot take or bear many medicines , and nature it , self without the help of medicines , does most commonly concoct the cause of the catarrh , and so stop it , if a good diet be observed ; therefore great care must be taken that neither the child or nurse commit any errour in diet ; wherefore the infants stomach must not be filled with milk , or any other meat , and the nurse must abstain from acid salt , and acid things and all other things which send many vapours to the head , and it is useful to give a pectoral decoction to the nurse . take of figs and jujubs , each number ten , sebestins number thirty , raisins stoned , ten drams , liquorish two drams , maiden hair , hyssop and violets , each half an ounce ; boyl them in three pints of fountain water to the comsumption of a third part . care must be taken to keep the belly loose with honey , syrup of roses , solutive , cassia , manna , or with glisters ▪ it is al● convenient to give a spoonful of oyl of sweet almonds fresh drawn , and mixed with sugar candy ; for it loosens the belly , and eases the cough : or vomiting may be provoked by putting a finger in the childs mouth : but you must take a special care to keep the belly loose if difficulty of breathing arise from an repletion of the stomach , or hypochondres , then it is also proper to give flax-seed with honey , and a little cummin-seed ; afterwards give the juice of fennel with milk or syrup of jujubes and maiden-hair , and if the matter be thick , syrup of hyssop , or an emulsion of sweet almonds and pine nuts made in scabious water : or some other convenient water , and sweetened with sugar candy ; or a linctus may be made of the species diaireos , or diatragacanth : frigid , penidiat sugar , and with syrup of jujubes , or with honey , oyl of sweet almonds , and the juice of liquorish and fennel . but if the catarrh be hot , an emulsion of the four greater cold seeds may be prepared in mallow-water , and the species of diatragacanth frigid , may be added to it ; and to dry up the matter of the catarrh , hot linnen stups sprinkled with red roses and frankincense may be applied outwardly , and the childrens feet may be washed with beer , wherein cephalick herbs have been boiled ; afterwards anoint the soles of the feet with deers-suet , or the o●l of laurel . and because the catarrh sometimes falls upon the jaws and aspera arteria , because the nostrils are stopt , anoint them with butter , or with the oil of bitter , or sweet almonds often in a day . or , take of the juice of beets and majoram , , each two drams , of chickweed half an ounce , of oyl of sweet almonds one ounce , mingle them , and anoint the nostrils therewith . or , put up the nostrils butter to the bigness of a pea ; or you may apply marjoram to the nostrils , that sneezing may be provoked , to evacuate through the nostrils the matter which flows upon the aspera arteria . to conclude , some anoint the breast with butter , hens-fat , or oyl of camomile , and oyl of almonds , to render respiration more easie . chap. xx. of the hickops . the hickops happen to children , by reason of the coruption of meat in the stomach , or by the repletion of the stomach with milk , or because of the refrigeration of the stomach by external air , whereby the expulsive faculty of the stomach is so much offended , and irritated to expel that which troubles it . the hickops , for the most part , are not dangerous in children ; but if the câuse of it be so great , as to be communicated to the rest of the nerves , and to occasion other convulsions , it is most commonly deâdly . if the hickops be occasioned by a corruption of the meat , it ought to be cast up by vomitting , to which end , put your finger in the childs mouth , or a feather dipt in oyl : afterwards strengthen the stomach with things that heat , and lessen the childs diet . if the hickops are occasioned by a corruption , and fault of the milk , it must be amended with proper remedies , and the corrupted milk must be carried off from the childs stomach , with syrup , or honey of roses solutive ; and afterwards conserve of red roses , with powder of coral , and bole-armonick must be given ▪ if the hickops âre occasioned by refrigeration , the stomach must be heated by external and internal medicines , give the infant syrup ôf mint , or of bettony ; foment the stomâch with a decoction of the leaves of mint and wormwood , and with the roots of cyperus , and afterwards anoint with oyl of mint , mastich , or dill ; or apply a cataplasm made of mint and the seeds of dill beaten up with oyl of mastich , or mastich and frankincense mixed wi●● the white of an egg , may be applied to the orifice of the stomach . or , take of mastich one ounc● , of frankincense , and the seeds of dill , each two drams , of cummin-seed one dram ; powder them ; and mix them with the juice of mint ; apply a lenient stup dipt in it to the stomach . chap. xxi . of vomiting . this is occasioned in infants most commonly by sucking too greedily , or by reason of worms : it may also proceed from flegm in the stomach , and sometimes from a weakness of it . if vomiting proceed from too great a quantity of milk , the nurse may soon know it , and the child is at ease presently after vomiting : if it be occasioned from the corruption of the milk , it may be known by what is brought up and it is either yellow , green , or some other vitious colour , and it smells ill . worms may be known by their proper signs . vomiting in children , is most commonly not dangerous , and women commonly say , that those children are longest lived , who vomit sometimes from the very birth ; and this opinion is not irrational ; far infants having collected some vitious humours in the womb , that lie in their stomachs , which is moreover laxed , humid , and weak , they easily generate crudities , by sucking too much , and so the milk is corrupted ; therefore if the vitious humours collected in the stomach , are ejected by vomiting , it is much better , and more for their health , than if these humours were retained , and distributed to the innermost parts of the body . if vomiting proceed from a great quantity of milk , there is little danger ; for most commonly the children are better âfter it : but if it proceed from corruption of the milk , it is ill ; for many other symptoms are apt to accompany it . if it ▪ continue long , it is dangerous ; for it causes a consumption , and often kills . if that which is rejected be white and s●egmatick , it is better than that which is of a safron , green , or blackish colour . if the vomiting proceed from a great quantity of milk , the child must not suck often , nor never fill the stomach . if the vomiting proceed from a corruption of the milk , it must be rectified by proper remedies , and that which is corupted , must be carried off with syrup , or honey of roses solutive ; and to strengthen the childs stomach , you must give syrup of mint , or syrup of quinces . or , take of the wood of aloes , mastich , coral , each half a dram ; of galingal , half a scruple ; mix them with the syrup of quinces , or the powder of them may be taken in the nurse or mother's milk. if the humour be acid and hot , give syrup of pomegranates or syrup of coral : apply to the stomach the stomach cerate , or a toast dipt in malago wine . or , take of the oyls of mastich , quinces , mint , wormwood , each half an ounce ; of oyl of nutmegs by expression , half a dram ; of powder of cloves , one scruple . or , take of red-roses , half an handful ; of mint one pugil ; of the roots ef cyperus , and of myrtle-berries , e●ch two drams ; boyl them in red-wine , dip a spung in the wine , and apply it to the stomach . or , take a white-bread-toast , moistened with vinegar , three yolks of eggs boiled till they are hard ; and of mastich , frankincense and gum-arabick , each a sufficient quantity , with the juice of mint , make a plaister . or , take of mastich , frankincense , red roses , each two drams ; cloves one scruple , with the juice or water of mint , make a cataplasm . if the milk be hot , anoint the stomach with the oils of roses , myrtles , quinces ; as , take of the oyls of roses and myrtles , each one ounce ; sperma ceti two drams ; of the powders of coral , and of all the sanders , each half a dram ; mingle them . or , take of mastich , red-roses , each two drams ; balaustins one dram ; of a toast muistened with rose-vinegar , one ounce and an half ; with a sufficient quantity of oyl of roses , make a cataplasm . coral is counted a specifick in this case , and therefore is hung about childrens necks to prevent vomiting . chap. xxii . of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . gripes frequently happen to 〈◊〉 either with a loosness , or without it : they most commonly proceed from the milk , wind , and acid humours being generated by it ; for if too great a quantity of milk burthens the stomach , crudities and wind are occasioned , and sometimes the nurses eating windy things is the cause , or cold air that offends the child's belly ; and if the milk be corrupted in the stomach , when it descends to the guts , it gnaws , and vellicats them , and so causes pain . worms in the bowels oftimes causes pain . the gripes in children are known by their restlessness , and continual crying , and refusing to suck , and by throwing themselves hither and thither . i● the pain be occasioned by wind , it sometimes remits , and sometimes increases ▪ the belly i● inflated , the child belches ▪ and breaks wind backwards ; if it proceed from an humour , the pain is almost continual ; and if the humour be flegmatick and viscid , the belly is most commonly bound , and the excrements are slimy . if the pain proceed from corrupted milk , or from bilious and cholerick humours , there is most commonly a loosness joined with it , and the excrement is of a saffron , or green colour . if the pain proceed from worms , there are signs of worms . the gripes , if they continue long , weaken children , and occasion convulsions , but the worst gripes proceed from corrupted milk , and acid humours , and those which proceed from worms , are also dangerous . if the gripes take their rise from wind and crude humours , and the belly is bound , it is convenient to inject a glister . take of pellitory of the wall , and of the flowers of camomile , each half a handful , boil them in the broth of flesh ; take of the strained liquor three or four ounces ; of honey of roses strained an ounce , half the yolk of an egg , make a glister . this glister may be given to a child of a month , or two months old , or you may give the child oyl of sweet-almonds fresh drawn , an hour before it eats , for it loosens the belly , and eases the pain . heurnius says , that he has found that a scruple of the seed of anise grosly beaten , being given to children new-born , mixed in a spoonful of pap , has freed them from green choler , and filthy flegm , and that it eases the gripes . we must apply outwardly such things as gently heat , attenuate , dissipate and loosen ▪ and are also anodyne ; to which end you must anoint the belly well with oyl of dill , or pellitory bruised and mixed with oyl of camomile ; or you may make a fomentation of the flowers of camomile . or , take of the flowers of camomile , and of the tops of dill , each one handful ; of the seeds of flax and fen●greek , each half an ounce , boil them in wine , and foment the belly with it twice a day . but if the gripes proceed from corrupted milk , and acid humours , things that cleanse must be used ; give therefore syrup of roses solutive , or honey of roses solutive , or syrup of succory with rhubark , or a glister may be injected made of a decoction of bran and pellitory , and syrup of roses solutive . or , take of barley-water three or four ounces ; of oyl of dill one ounce , or one ounce and half , the yolk of one egg , make a glister . outwardly apply oyl of roses mixed with the oyls of dill and camomile ▪ chap. xxiii . of the inflation of the belly , and hypochondres . it often happens , that the hypochondres and belly of children under the short ribs swell , and are as it were inflated . these swellings arise from sucking , or eating more than they can well concoct ; upon which account crude humours and wind are heapt up in the stomach and neighbouring parts , and so occasion this inflation of the hypocondres . the disease is known by the inflation and hardness of the stomach , and the hypochondres , and the children are afflicted with a narrowness and contraction of the mouth of the stomach , and they breath difficulty . this disease is easily cured , if a good diet be observed ; wherefore the children must feed sparingly , that the crudi●ies may be concocted ; nor should they suck or eat , till that which was eaten before is concocted and it is good ; to purge off the crude humours with honey of roses solutive , and the powder of the roots of paeony , orris , and the seeds may be given , or a linctus may be made of the powders with honey , or the oyl of sweet-almonds and sugar , and the hypochondres may be fomented with a decoction of the flowers of camomile , and the seeds of cummin ; or they may be anointed with the oyls of camomile , rue , or lawrel . chap. xxiv . of a loosness . a loosness is very common to children , and it most commonly happens about the time they are breeding their teeth but sometimes also when they are not breeding their teeth , when either their stomach or bowels are cooled by the external air , and so a due concoction is hindred ; or it may happen though the stomach be very well , when it is over-burthened with too large a quantity of meat or drink , which breeds crudities , and corrupts the meat , and meat that is crude , unconcocted and corrupted , if it be not rejected by vomit , causes a loosness . a loosness may also happen by a fault in the milk or meat , from whence ill chyle is generated in the stomach , which provokes nature to frequent evacuations ; the humidity and loosness of the bowels may be also a cause . a loosness appears of it self , but whether it be occasioned by breeding of teeth , or from some other cause , may be known by the signs of breeding teeth . if it proceed from an intemperies of the stomach and bowels , some external causes went before , which might occasion a cold or moist intemperies in the stomach or bowels . if this flux proceed from an humour falling from the head , it may be known by a catarrh being present , and what the matter is , which is evacuated , may be easily known ; for if the humours are crude , the meat is evacuated unconcocted , the child is troubled with belching , and the excrements are slegmatick and white ; but if the humours are hot , and the meat is corrupted , those things which are evacuated , are yellow or green , and stink , and the child is much griped . what celfus says in general of fluxes in the belly , is also true as to children , viz. that a loosness for a day or more is often good for the health if no fever accompany it , and if it go off within seven days ; and therefore a loosness in children , if they bear it well , must not be presently stopt ; for corrupted humours in the stomach are often commodiously evacuated thereby , whereas if they were retained , many grievous symptoms would arise ; and therefore hippocrates says in his book of breeding teeth , that those children that have a loosness in breeding teeth , are least subject to convulsions . but if children do not well bear their loosness , and it takes away their stomach , and makes them weak , it must be stopt ; and a loosness is dangerous in children , if it come upon an acute fever , and if that which is evacuated be black . in the cure , we must first consider , whether the child sucks or not , and next , whether it be breeding the teeth , or not ; for if the child yet suck , the cure must not be directed to the child , but to the mother , or nurse ; and we must consider whether the milk be good , or not ; for if the milk be bad , it must be amended , or if that cannot presently be done , the nurse must be changed . the nurse must use an astringent diet , and must abstain from fruits , and crude meats , and such as are of difficult concoction . but if the infant does not suck , the cure must be directed to it : but whether it suck or not , the vitious humours that are evacuated , must not be unseasonably stopt , especially when children are breeding their teeth ; for that which would otherwise occasion a fever , and other mischief , is thereby evacuated ; and therefore the business must be left to nature , especially if the flux be not large , and if the child bear it well : but if it does not bear it well , the cause on which it depends must be removed , and the humours must be carried off by such medicines as afterwards bind , as by syrup or honey of roses solutive , or with conserve of roses made with manna . or , take of the decoction of the seeds of millium , and all the myrobalans , each two or three ounces ; of the simple syrup of roses , one or two ounces , make a glister , when the humours are cleansed away , if the cause be hot , give the syrups of dry'd roses , of quinces , myrtles , or coral , or the powders of pearl , coral , mastichs , harts-horn , and red roses , or the powder of myrtles with a little dragons blood. or , take of nutmeg , and mastich , each one scruple , give them mixed with syrup of quinces . let the belly be anointed with the oyls of myrtle , roses , and mastich . as , take of oyls of myrtle one ounce , of oyls of mastich and roses , each half an ounce , wax a little and mingle them . or foment the belly with a decoction of red roses , mullein , and plantain made in red wine or , take of red roses and mullein , each one handful ; of the roots of cyperus , two drams ; of mastich , half an ounce : make a linnen bag , put these ingredients into it , and boil it in red astringent wine , and apply the bag to the belly . or , take of quinces boiled in red wine , and pulped through a sive , four ounces ; of a toast sprinkled with vinegar , one ounce and an half , with a sufficient quantity of oyl of mastich , make a cataplasm . or , take of the roots of comfrey , one ounce ; of the leaves of platain and mullein , each three handfuls ; of red roses , one handful ; of balaustines , half an ounce , boil them in water for a bath . but if the loosness proceeds from a cold cause , and the excrements are white give syrup of mastich , or syrup of quinces , mixed with mint water ; and outwardly apply medicines made of mint , wormwood , mastich , or cummin . as , take of the oyls of nard , mastich , mint , each half an onnce ; of the powder of coral , half a dram ; of oyl of nutmeg by expression , two scruples , with a sufficient quantity of wax , make an oyntment . or you may apply to the belly , mint boiled in wine , or a crust of bread moistened with mint-water , or a bag of mint , wormwood , and red roses , mastich , nutmeg , and cloves . chap. xxv . of costiveness in children . it often happens that children are bound in their bodies , or go to stool seldomer than they ought , which happens by reason of a cold and dry intemperies of the bowels , or because the humours are viscid and flegmatick ; but this chiefly happens by a fault in the milk , when the mother and nurses use a gross , viscid , and astringent diet , and drink too sparingly . a hot intemperies of the liver , spleen , or reins , may also occasion costiveness , or an obstruction of the gall , which should stimulate the guts to excretion . this disease is manifest of it self , but what is the cause of costiveness , or of going to stool seldom , must be carefully considered . if a natural dryness of the guts is the cause , the belly is scarce ever orderly dischârged , if gross and viscid flegm is the cause , the excrements when they are evacuated , are covered with it ; if any error in diet of the nurse or mother be the cause , it may be known by them . if a hot and dry intemperies of some neighbouring part be the cause , it will be manifested by the signs of them ; if choler , which irritates the guts to excretion , does not flow to them , the excrecrements will not be tinctured , but be white , or of an ash-colour , and the colour of the childs body will be yellow . those grown people , whose bellies are bound , are sometimes very healthy , nature being accustomed to evacuate the liquid parts of the excrements , or to discuss them insensibly : but it seldom happens that children , whose bellies are bound , are very healthy ; and it is best for young people to have their bellies open ; for when they are bound , vapours from the excrements are cast upon the whole body , and gripes , pains of the head , and other ill symptoms are occasioned . the cure of costiveness in children is to be performed two ways ; first by removing the cause , and then by loosning the belly . first we must endeavour that the cause of costiveness be removed , and if the temper of the bowels be cold and dry , children must be frequently washed , and when the intemperies is cold , you must use a bath of hot stomach-herbs ; when it is dry , you must use things that moisten , as mallows , marsh-mallows , pellitory of the wall , and bears-breech . if the mother or nurse have used meats , which bind the belly , as quinces , medlars , pears , beans , or the like , they must for the future , abstain from all such things , and instead of them , they must use such things as molli●ie the belly , as mallows , raisins , pruns , and the like . if the infant be pretty big , and eats as well as sucks , it must abstain from all astringent things , and use such things as loosen . if viscid flegm stick to the guts , and the excrements are covered with it , things that incide and cleanse , must be used , as honey of roses solutive , or syrup of horehound , or the like : if any neighbouring part be hot and dry , the intemperies of it must be corrected with the syrups of violets , or succory , or with a decoction of barly , or with an emulsion of the four greater cold seeds , and the like . if the choler does not pass from the gall-bladder to the guts , the obstructed passages must be opened with a decoction of the roots of grass , of fennel , asparagus , maiden-hair and the like . but we must not always wait till the causes are taken away ; for the belly must be seasonably loosned to prevent ill symptoms , which may be done by external and internal medicines . amongst externals are suppositories , which may be made of honey and salt , or with crude honey put into a rag , or with lard , soap , or the root of mallows besmeared with butter . or , take mouse-dung , half a dram , with goats-suet , make a suppository . but nature must not be accustomed to the too frequent use of suppositories ▪ for if so , she will not ease the belly , unless she be provoked by them : it is therefore better to use glisters , and other external things , which may also remove the cause of the disease , and correct the dryness of the guts , or carry off the viscid flegm , according as their is occasion . as. take of common oyl three or four ounces , of brown sugar two or three drams , the yolk of one egg , of salt three grains , make a glister . or , take of the roots of marsh-mallows , half an ounce ; of mallows and pellitory of the wall , each half an handful ; of the flowers of camomile , one pugil ; of the seeds of flax and fenugreek , each one dram , boil them in water . in three , five , or six ounces of the strained liquor , according to the age of the child , dissolve two or three drams , or half an ounce of cassia , of common oyl one ounce , or one ounce and an half with the yolk of one egg ; ●ake a glister . such things may be ap●lied to the navel , as loosen the belly , ● oyl of sweet ▪ almonds alone , or with grain or two of scammony , or colouintida , or butter , or hen-fat , with ulls gall , or with the juice of sowread . or , take of aloes , two drams ; of the gall of bull , one dram ; of scammony , one ●ruple , with a sufficient quantity of butter , ●ake an oyntment ; fill a walnut ▪ shell with ● , and apply it to the childs navel . and the whole belly may be anointed with an emollient oyntment . as , take of fresh butter , and of hens and ●ucks grease , each half an ounce ; of oyls ●f sweet-almonds and of flax , each three ●rams ; of calves marrow , of oyntment ●f marsh-mallows , each two drams , with ● little wax , make an oyntment . or , take of the leaves of mallows and marsh-mallows , each one handful ; of the ●eeds of flax and fenugreek , each half an ●unce ; of figs , number six ; boil them in water , and pulp them through a sive , and add of butter and of hens-fat , ●ach one ounce ; of oyntment of marsh-mallows half an ounce ; of saffron one scruple ; mix them , make a cataplasm , to be applied to the belly . if you would have it loosen more forcibly , you must add aloes , and other purgers ; or you you may make a cataplasm of fine flower , and juice of dwarf-elder . but you must take notice , that these cataplasms , and other purging medicines applied to the belly , must not touch the stomach . to the children that are pretty big , you must give a scruple , or half a dram of cyprean turpentine ; or a decoction of red cabbage with honey ; or syrup of violets , roses solitive , or loosning raisins , or cassia from two drams to six , or manna , which may conveniently be dissolved in milk . or , take of the pulp of fat figs , and of raisins stoned , each two drams ; of jujubes number seven ; of cassia , half an ounce ; of the solutive electuary of sebestins and pruns , each two drams , with the syrup of preserved myrabolans called chebuls , make an electuary . the dose is one dram. young children make take suggared milk , or they may lick honey , and such purging medicines as are agreeable to the age , and constitution of the child , may be given to the nurse . chap. xxvi . of worms . worms are chiefly bred in the bowels of children , and some have them in the womb after they are born , they are generated by eating too much , and by the confusion of the milk with other meats , and by reason of their hot and moist constitution , which is very apt to produce worms ; and the sweet things which children eat , and are delighted with , are apt to generate worms ; but they are chiefly generated by fruit , which children eat greedily . there are three sorts of worms , round and long , like earth-worms ; broad and knotted , and the small which are called ascarides . the first sort are most frequent to children . if worms are ejected by stool or vomit , there is no need of other signs : but because they often lie hid a long while , before they are evacuated , and because children do not understand , or cannot discover what they all , there is need of signs to find out worms . and first in general , when worms lie hid in the bowels , the mouth is full of spittle , which often runs out , and a peculiar stink exhales from the mouth ; they have terrible dreams , as may be known by various motions in sleep , they grind their teeth after an unusual manner in sleep , their sleep is disturbed , they put forth their tongues , scratch their noses often , and seem to chew , they have a dry cough , sometimes they are troubled with nauseousness , vomiting , and hickops , sometimes they have too great an appetite , and sometimes none at all ; and they are most commonly thirsty , the belly is swelled ; sometimes they are bound in their bodies , but most commonly they are loose , their urine is most commonly thick and white , they are grip'd , especially when the belly is empty , and when the worms want to be fed : the body is thin , by reason of the defect of nourishment , which the worms consume . the children are often troubled with cold sweats , and sometime they have flushing in their faces , and presently again they are pale . sometimes they are seized with convulsions , and often with ill fevers : but these signs belong chiefly to long and round worms ; for broad worms , and the little ones called ascarides have other signs ; for those which have broad worms have too great an appetite , and unless they are supplied , they perceive a gnawing and pain in their bellies , and sometimes they faint away , if they are not presently fed ; but otherwise , the gripes are very gentle ; for the broad worm is slow , and sticks to the bowels , and so does not easily move from place to place . the body is much extenuated and weak , and sometime also , some of the signs above-mentioned are present : but the following is the most certain sign , viz. if with the excrements , some corpuscles like the seeds of gourds are ejected . when there are worms called ascarides , there is a violent itching in the fundament , and a continual endeavour to go to stool ; for , sticking in the right gut , they continually provoke it . children have worms often a long time without any great detriment ; but oftentimes grievous symptoms come upon them , such as we mentioned above . the ascarides are the least hurtful ; for they are small , and stick in the right gut , a place far distant from the noble parts , and they are easily cast out ; yet sometimes they occasion ulcers in the right gut. the broad worms are very difficultly cured , and often grow old with the man , yet they do not occasion girevous symptoms , nor death . the long and round worms are the most hurtful for they induce sometimes various symptoms , and it has been found , that they have eaten thro' the guts , and belly too . those that are thin and extenuated , are not so bad as those that are thick and great , and full of blood ; for if they are thin , it is a sign that the matter wherewith they are nourished is not very copious ; on the contrary , it is an argument , when they are big , there are many excrementious humours in the body : white worms are better than yellow , livid , red , or blackish . those that are of a plain figure are better than those that are of a serpentine , or other prodigious figure : it is better that they should be evacuted by stool , than upwards ; and worst of all when they eat their way out . worms are dangerous when they are accompanied with a feaver ; if convulsions , and a grinding of the teeth come upon worms , it is dangerous . if dead worms cannot be expelled by the force of remedies , or by the defect of aliment , it is dangerous . it is better to prevent the generation of worms in infants , than to kill and expel them , when they are generated . the generation of worms is to be prevented by diet and medicines ; the diet ought to be such , as no way conduces to the generation of them , namely , meats of good juice , sprinkled sometimes with the juice of pomgranats , oranges , or citrons ; sweet , fat , and viscid things are to be avoided , especially the frequent use of milk or fish ; also summer fruits , and figs , wine and clear beer , is good against the worms , it is good also to put into the beer shavings of harts-horn . as to medicines , we must endeavour that the matter which generates worms , be either evacuated , or rendered unfit to generate them ; and therefore the belly must be kept open , that the matter may be gently evacuated . some perseribe for children aloes , hiera pi●ra , and rhubarb in the form of pills , or in a bolus , but how they make them take it , i know not ; for the children ▪ now a days , will not take any such thihg , unless they are well grown . a decoction of sebestins is more palatable , or table●s of diaturbith , with rhubarb , or some syrup made of plants that kill worms , with the leaves of senna , agarick , and a little rhubarb . amongst medicines , which resist the generation of worms , bitter things are most proper , as wormwood , scordium , and the like : but because children will not easily take them , those things that are more pleasant , may be sometimes given , as a decoction of the roots of grass , and of mouse ear , the juice of lemons , and citron , and sometimes a drop or two , of spirit of vitriol , may be given in a convenient liquor . but if it plainly appears , that worms are generated , we must endeavour to expel them . amongst the medicines , which may be conveniently given to children , the following are the chief , coralline , wormseed , the roots of white dillany , harts-horn , the water and decoction of grass roots , and mercurius dulcis : as , take of worm-seed , two drams , of coralline and hartshorn prepared , each one dram , of the roots of peony , white dittany , and magistery of coral , each one scruple , make a powder : or , take of worm-seed , coralline , each one dram and an half , of the roots of white dittany , and tormentil , each half a dram , make a powder , or give the essence of peach flower , or half an ounce , or an ounce of the water , or decoction of fern , or half a scruple , or half a dram of the powder of fern. but you must consider , whether a fever accompany the worms ; for if there be a fever , you must use cooling things , and add to them such things as resist malignity , as the juices of lemons , pomgranats , oranges , vinegar , hartshorn , bezoar , and confection of hyacin●h ; or the following potion may be given : take of the water of grass , four ounces , of syrup of sorrel , and citron , each one ounce , of syrup of violets , half an ounce , of spirit of vitriol , two or three drops , mingle them , give a spoonful or two at a time . moreover you must observe , that medicines to kill the worms , especially bitter things , must be taken in by the mouth , and that sweet things must be injected after the manner of a glyster ; for the worms , hating bitter medicines , will go downwards , aud will be allured thither , by the sweet things , and so will be the easier ejected ; and therefore , when medicines are given to kill the worms , a glister of milk must be injected : or , take of raisins , number ten , of figs , number seven , boyl them in a sufficient quantity of water , in four , or six ounces of the strained liquor , disolve an ounce , or an ounce and an half of sugar , and so make a glister . it is to be noted also , that you must not always keep to one medicine , for the worms will be accustomed to it , and so will not be driven away . apply outwardly to the belly , especially about the navel , medicines that are proper to kill worms , as the leaves of peach tree , wormwood , and lupins , of each a like quantity ; or , apply to the belly cummin mixed with bulls gall , or a cataplasm made of wormwood , st. john's wort , bulls gall : or , take of the powder of wormwood , nigella , the lesser centaury , wormseed , the meal of lupins , each half an ounce , of oyl of wormwood a sufficient quantity , of wax half an ounce , mingle them over the fire , make an oyntment , wherewith anoint the belly : or , take of the powder of the seeds of nigella , and of wormwood , each two drams , of the meal of lupins two ounces , of the juice of rue one ounce and an half , of the juice of wormwood four ounces , or if you cannot get the juices , make the cataplasm with oyl of rue and wormwood ; apply is to the navel in a rag , as large as the palm of the ha●d : or. take of venice treacle , half an ounce , dissolve it in the juice of wormwood , and anoint the belly therewith ; or , take of the meal of lupins four ounces , of the powder of 〈◊〉 myrrh , tansie , wormseed , each two drams , of scordium vinegar two ounces , of bulls gall half an ounce , with a sufficient quantity of the juice , or oyl of wormwood , make a cataplasm : or , the following bath may be prepared : take of the leaves of the peach tree , and wormwood , each a sufficient quantity , boyl them in water , and let the child sit up to the navel in it . but if there be a fever , more temperate things must be used : as , take of the juices of purslain , and of peach leaves , each three ounces , of vinegar one ounce ; of the meal of lupins , a sufficient quantity , make a cataplasm . chap. xxvi . of ruptures . children are afflicted with ruptures , by the fall of the small guts into the scrotum , the peritoneum being relaxed , or broken by violent crying , a cough , and much straining in going to stool : but grown children are sometimes bursten by violent motions of the body , and indeed the peritoneum in children is tender , so that it may be easily relaxed , or broken . there is another tumor , which often happens in the god of children new born , which is commonly reckoned amongst ruptures , and yet the peritoneum is sound ; it proceeds from watery humours abounding in the belly . a rupture , or tumour of the scrotum appears to sight : but we must carefully mind , whether the swelling be occasioned by the falling of the gut into the scrotum , or from a watery humour that flowes thither ; in a rupture the swelling is most commonly in one side of the scrotum ; for the peritoneum is seldom broke in both sides , and you may percieve that by touching with your finger , and the hole , through which the gut falls may be felt with the finger : but the watery swelling of the cod is most commonly on both sides , and the scrotum is more inflamed than when there is a rupture , and no hole can be perceived in the peritoneum , and no cause , that might produce a rupture , went before , and there are signs of crudity present . a rupture in children is easier cured than in grown persons , for the peritoneum in them is soft and easily unites . some say , that all watery swellings in the scrotum , are harder cured than a rupture , but this is false in children ; for experience testifies , that this watery swelling is easily cured by discutients , nay , it often goes away of it self , in progress of time , the humours being dried up . in the cure of a rupture , we must endeavour to keep the childrens bodies open , that they do not fill their bellies too much , nor cry much , and if they are some what grown , they must abstain from all violent motion . you must lay them on their backs , and gently put up the gut , and apply a proper plaister , or cataplasm , and bind it on with a truss . take of plaintain , sanicle , each half an ounce ▪ of the meal of lentils , and lupins , and red roses , each two drams , of frankincense one dram , alum half a dram , make a powder , and with a sufficient quantity of it , beaten up with the white of an egg , make a cataplasm to be applied to the part ●ffected : or , take of frankincense , cypress , nuts , aloes , and acacia , each two drams , myrrh one dram , make a powder , mix it with iseing-glass , and apply it in form of a plaister : or , take of cypress-nuts , two drams of balaustins , of the powder of the root of comfry , thorrow-wax , sanicle , rupture-wort , each one dram , bdellium one dram and an half , bole-armentick two drams , dragons ▪ blood four scruples , greek pitch one ounce , rosin of the pine six drams , with turpentine-wax , and oyl of eggs. make a cerate : or , take the green leaves of thorrow-wax , and the fresh roots of comfry , beat them them small , and with a third part of new wax , make a plaister , and apply it to the part affected : or , take the roots of comfry cleansed , beat them , and heat them , and apply them in a linnen rag , and change them every twelve hours . at the same time , inward medicines must be used , which may help to conglutinate . as , take of sanicle , plantam , each half an handful , of agrimony , half an handful , of the roots of comfry , half an ounce , boyl them in a pint of water , in a double vessel , strain the liquor , and sweeten it with sugar , and let the child drink often of it hot . mouse-ear also is very good , gathered in may , the powder of it being taken every day in broath . the powder of the lesser moon-wort , is also good , taken in red wine , or in a decoction of comfry . thorrow-wax is also good , taken in a powder , or in a decoction , so are rupture-wort , and the roots of comfry . if the swelling of the scrotum be occasioned by a watery humour , anoint the scrotum with the oyls of lawrel , elder , or rue , and apply a cataplasm , made of bean-meal , of the seeds of flax , and fenu-greek , of the powder of the flowers of camomile , and elder , and of the seeds of cumin . chap. xxvii . of the sticking out of the navel . the sticking out of the navel is near a kin to a rupture ; it happens when the navel is not rightly bound , or when the peritoneum is relaxed , and humours , and wind are collected there . if the midwife has not rightly cut the navel , but left it longer than it ought to be it is incurable , but it is rather troublesome than dangerous ; but if the navel , being consolidated after the birth , is afterwards two much extended or bursten , or ulcerated , it is often incurable , if it be neglected at first , and if it be not cured in infancy , it may in the adult age occasion a deadly iliack passion , if the guts that lie upon it are inflamed . if the peritoneum be only relaxed , things that bind and strengthen must be used ▪ if it be bursten , you must use things that unite , and consolidate ; and if the causes which extend , relax , or break the peritoneum are present , they must be removed . you must therefore endeavour to keep the child from crying , and as quiet as possible , and to hush it to sleep as often as you can ; if there be a cough , you must endeavour to stop it , and all violent motion must be avoided . baths are not convenient , for they relax the navel , the child and nurse must abstain from windy meats : the belly must be kept open ; for straining in going to stool is injurious . if the peritoneum be too much dilated , and wind extends the navel , make a cataplasm in red wine , with equal parts of the powder of the seeds of cumin , lawrel-ber●ies , and the meal of lupins , and apply it to the navel ; or make a bag of the seeds of cumin , and celtick-spike boyled in red wine , and apply it to the navel : afterwards apply astringents , and a bolster , and bind it on with a swaith . but if the peritoneum be bursten , you must first reduce the guts , and afterwards use those medicines which are proposed in the foregoing chapter , and you must apply a bolster to the navel , and bind it on strait with a swaith , to prevent the falling out of the guts again . take of cypress-nuts , frankincense , myrrb , mastich , sarc●cole , alom , and ising-glass , each one dram , with the whites of eggs make a cataplasm ; or you may apply to the navel mint beaten with the white of an egg , and you may give the child such medicines as are proper for ruptures , as one scruple of comfry root . or , take of the root of comfry , red coral , mastich , shephords-purse , each one dram , make a powder . if the navel be ulcerated , the cure must be ordered , as shall be said in the following chapter ▪ and to the navel must be applied oyl of roses , wherein ceruss washed has been rubbed , or the plaister called gryseum . chap. xxviii . of an inflamation of the navel . the navel is sometimes inflamed in infants , chiefly after the abscission , for by reason of the pain , especially when the ligature is not rightly made ; and by reason of an injury from the external air , the blood flows to it , and occasions an inflamation ; it may be known by the swelling , hardness , redness , heat , and pulsation . if care be taken of this inflamation at first , it is easily cured , otherwise a fever usually happens , which endangers the child . if it turn to an abscess it often kills . as to the cure , as in other inflamations , so here , the pain must be mitigated , and the fluxion stopped , and that which flowed in must be discussed ; apply the following cataplasm to ease the pain . take of mallows boyled and bruised one unce , of barly-meal , half an ounce , of lupins , and fenugreek , each two drams , with a sufficient quantity of oyl of roses , make cataplasm : or , take of coltick spike , half an ounce , of turpentine three ounces ; with oyl of sweet almonds , make an ointment . to repel the blood , use the following : take of the powder of frankincense one dram , of acacia and fleabane , each half a dram , with the white of an egg , make a cataplasm , to be applied to the navel . suppuration must be hindred as much as is possible ; but if it will come to suppuration , use the following . take of turpentine half an ounce , the yolk of one egg , oyle of roses two ounces , mingle them . chap. xxix . of the falling of the fundament . the falling of the fundament ▪ sometimes happens to children , either by reason of the looseness of the muscle which shuts it , or by the too great moisture , and softness of it , which frequently follow upon a looseness ; or it sometimes happens by the too great endeavours in going to stool , or in a tenesmus . it is easily known , but whether it proceeds from too great moisture , and from humours following to the belly , or from too great endeavours in going to stool , may be easily known , by the by-standers . if it proceed from too great endeavours in going to stool , it is easily cured , if it be taken in time ; for the longer it is out of its place , the more it is altered , and the more difficultly put up : but if it proceed from too great moisture , it is difficultly cured , especially if a looseness accompany it ; for it can scarce be perfectly cured , till the flux be stopped : besides medicines that are necessary are not easily retained , and the vertue of them is apt to be spoiled by the excrements . the whole cure consists in putting up the fundament , and retaining it in its place ; it ought therefore to be presently put up ; but if it be so swell'd that it cannot easily be put up , it must first be fomented with a decoction of mallows and marsh-mallows , and anointed with the oyl of white lillies ; or the infant must sit in a bath made of the same herbs ; and afterwards the fundament must be retained in its place by astringent medicines . take of red roses , balaustines , cypress-nuts , pomgranate-pe●l , each half an ounce , of sumach , frankincense , and mastich , each two drams ; boyl them in rough win● , and foment the anus with a spunge dipt in it . after the fomentation , use the following powder : take of red roses , and balaustines , each half a dram , of frankincense , mastich , and myrrh , each one scruple , make a powder , put it in cotton , and apply it to the fundament ; or you may make a fume of the powder . but because it cannot well be received by the child , fume rags dipt in alom-water , and apply them to the anus ; and le●t it should fall down again , the child must keep its legs together : and if they are very young , their legs must be bound with a swaith . chap. xxx . of the stone in the bladder . the stone is frequently generated in childrens bladders , and very seldom in their reins : whereas , on the contrary , old men are generally afflicted with the stone in the kidneys . the stone in the bladder in children is chiefly generated by milk , and if it be impure , not only stones but also other diseases are generated ; but all impure milk does not breed the stone , but only that which is made of gross and viscid meats , and of such as are apt to breed the stone , especially if the child suck greedily , and burthen the stomach with those things that generate crudities : but because we see many children fed with milk , and with pap , and yet are not troubled with the stone , other causes must be added , namely first , some weakness of the liver and stomach , upon which account , the meat is not well concocted , and that which is unprofitable is not seperated , but much of the earthy , and stone making juice remains in the chyle , and moreover the hot intemperies of the reins is a cause . as soon as there is any rudiment of a stone , new matter gathers about it daily , and grows to it ; but boys are more subject to the stone , than girls , because the urinary passages in women is shorter , and more open than in men ; and therefore the matter which is apt to produce the stone is easier ejected in women . you may know the stone in children by the following signs ; they make water with pain , and oft render it drop by drop , yea , often the urine is quite suppressed , and that urine which is evacuated is sometimes clear as water , sometimes as white as milk , or like whey , and sometimes some blood is evacuated with the urine , and sand appears with the urine ; moreover infants perceive an itching in the virile member , and therefore they frequently scra●ch it , and at length there is sometimes an erection . the stone in the bladder is a very desperate ●is●●s● ; for tho' it does not presently kill , ●e● if it be not presently cured , it incre●ses daily , and afterwards it cannot be reme ie● any other way , than by cutting o extraction of the stone , which is very dangerous ; for if the stone be large , children many times dye as well as grown people . if from the difficulty of urine , and other signs it appear , that the child is disposed to the stone , we must endeavour all we can to prevent the breeding of it ; and therefore the stomach must not be filled with too much meat , and the nurse and infant must abstain from all meats , that are gross and viscid , and apt to generate the stone , and the belly must be always kept loose , and the breeding of the stone must be prevented by external and internal medicines ; and therefore a bath must be prepared forthe infant , made of mallows , marsh-mallows , pellitory of the wall , parsly , dill , and of the s●eds of flax and fenugreek . after the bath , the parts about the bladder must be anointed with ointment of marsh-mallows , and oyls of white lillies and scorpions , and a cataplasm must be afterwards applied , made of green pellitory of the wall boyled in the oyl of white lillies , and camomile , and give the child a scruple or two of the powder of crabs-eves , or of white amer , or of goats-blood prepared in parsly-water : and it may be useful sometimes to give half a dram of cyprean turpentine . chap. xxxi . of the difficulty , and retention of the vrine . sometimes children render their urine with difficulty and pain , and often by drops , and sometimes it is quite stopt . in children there are two causes of this , namely that gross humour whereof the stone is generated ▪ which also occasions a stranguary and disury , and then the stone which occasions a suppression of urine : the causes which generate this gross humour , are gross and viscid milk , pap made o● flower and milk , and cheese . the retention of the urine plainly appears , if there be a difficulty of urine , it may be known by being rendred by drops , and by the crying of the child , and the urine is gross and turbid : if there be a stone , that may be found by the catheter , and thereby it may be removed from the orifice of the bladder , to make a passage for the urine . this is a very dangerous disease ; for if it proceed from gross matter , it will turn to the stone , if it be not timely removed if the suppression of urine proceed from the stone , it is as dangerous as the stone it self , and suppression of the urine it self , is dangerous , especially in children , because no natural evacuation in them can be suppressed without danger . the cure therefore must be begun early , and it is in a manner the same with that which was proposed in the foregoing chapter of the stone , namely the causes of the difficulty , or suppression of the urine must be removed ; therefore care must be taken in the first place , that the nurse and child use such meats , which do not conduce to the production of the humour that generates the stone , and then medicines must be given that purge these humours , as honey of roses solutive , cassia and turpentine : afterwards baths , fomentations , and unctions made of those things , which are proposed in the foregoing chapter ; and let such medicines be taken inwardly as are mentioned there ; for those which can expel the stone can carry off the humour that generates it ; and the water of sea-grass , rest-harrow , filipendula , and a decoction of vetches are useful . if the stone obstruct the orifice of the bladder , it must be removed thence by laying the child upon its back , and shaking its legs , or by the catheter . chap. xxxii . of incontinence of vrine . children when they are very young , and when they lye in the cradle , and know not what is filthy or neat , make water in their cloaths , and so by custom , they sometimes do so , when they are grown up in sleep , and some also when they are awake ; for the muscle that shuts the orisice of the bladder is accustomed to let the urine go , when it is irritated by the quantity of it . but sometimes there is also a weakness of the muscle , proceeding from a cold , and moist intemperies of it , contracted from abundance of gross and cold humours , which are in the tender age ; or it may proceed from an obstruction , and compression of the nerve of the sphincter , and sometimes a stone hinders the shutting of the bladder . this disease is not easily known in infants ; for then it is reckoned to proceed from their tender age , and when they are a little grown , it may proceed from custom : but if it be from the stone , it may be found by the signs of the stone . if the occasion be custom , it most commonly goes off , in time of its own accord ; for they being ashamed of it , restrain it : but if the custom grow to a habit , or if some disease be joined with it , it seldom leaves them as long as they live . if it proceed from the stone , it cannot be cu●ed , till the stone is taken away . if it proceed from an ill custom , children must be admonished to make water often . if it proceed from a cold and moist intemperies , such things must be used as alter it , and the flegmatic humour must dried and carried off , and the nurses diet must be hot and dry , and she must eat with her meat , sage , hyssop , marjoram , fennel , and savory , the child must not drink much , and care must be taken , that its belly be kept open , and the region of the bladder must be anointed with oyl of orris , and the like , or a bath must be prepared of sulphur , nitre , and oak-leaves , unless some natural , sulphurous , or alom bath can be had ; and let the following powder be given . take of an hog , or boar's bladder dried , the testicles of a hare dried , the throat of a cock dried , each half an ounce , of accorns , two scruples , of the leaves of catmint , and m●●e , each one scruple ; make a powder , give a scruple , or half a dram , in the water of oak-leaves . chap. xxxiii . of the galling of children . it frequently happens , that the skin of the hips , and the parts there about , in children , is fretted off , which occasions pain , and makes them restless . it is caused by the accimony of the urine , when the linnen is not often changed ; for if they are kept clean , and the linnen often changed , this seldom happens : but those children that have an acridurine , and are fat , are most obnoxious to it . it is easily cured , but if it be let alone , it occasions ulcers in those parts ; therefore the children must be often wa hed , and cleansed with a bath made of mallows , marsh mallows , pellitory , roses , and bran , and after the bath , the parts may be sprinkled , or touched with a rag , filled with white pompholix ; or a fine powder may be made , with lytharge of silver , roses , frankincense , and burnt-alom , or the part may be anointed with the oyntment called drapompholigos . chah . xxxiv . of the rickets . this disease began about sixty years ago , in the west of england , it seizes children when they are about half an year old . the proportion of the parts is irregular . the head is bigger than ordinary , so is the face ; the wit is sharper than is usual in such an age , the members are thin and wasted ; the skin is loose ; the bones are most commonly bowed , and the joynts knotted . the breast is narrow and sharp ; the ribs are knotted , and the belly is big . these things are observed outwardly . as to the inward parts , the liver is larger than usual , the stomach and bowels are larger , than in those that are well ; the mesentery is affected with glanduls , that are larger than ordinary , the lungs are stuff'd and swell'd , and sometimes purulent , and often stick to the pleura . the jugular veins , and the carotide arteries are sometimes larger then they should be . all the parts are weak , and unfit for motion ; and such children will play only sitting , and do not care to stand : and at length , the head cannot be sustained by the weak neck . tho' this disease is not commonly deadly , yet the symptoms growing to a height , it sometimes degenerates into a con sumption , hectic fever , dropsy of the lungs , or an ascites , and so at length is deadly . the sooner it comes , the worse it is , if it be not cured before children are five years old , they are ever after very sickly . an itch coming upon this disease , much conduces to the cure. as to the cure , we must begin with purging ; because most commonly , there is abundance of flegmatick humours heap'd up in the belly , and the bowels are frequently afflicted with scrophulous tumours . if the belly be bound , or the bowels troubled with wind , or gripes , glisters must be used frequently , which must not be only solutive , but sometimes alterative , and corroborative , for instance . take of the leaves of mallows , one handful , of the flowers of melilot , camomile , and elder , each one pugil , of the seeds of anise , and fennel bruised , each half a dram , boyl them in a sufficient quantity of new goats-milk ; to four , five , or six ounces of the strained liquor , add of brown sugar , and syrup of violets and roses , each one ounce , make a glister , inject it warm a good while after eating . corroborative glisters may be make in the following manner . take of fresh stone , hors●dung , one ounce and an half , of the flowers of rosemary , and sage , each one pugil , of juniper-berries , two drams , of the seeds of anise , and fennel , each half a dram , infuse them close and warm in a sufficient quantity of whey . in four ounces of the strained liquor , dissolve one ounce of brown sugar , and six drams of fresh butter ; mingle them , make a glister . there may be also added , if it seem convenient , six drams of manna . if the stomach be burthened with vitious humours , and they tend upwards , vomits may be given : but in the prescription of them , respect must be had to the tender age , and they should rather consist of salt of vitriol , and the wine of squills , than of stybeat medicines ; for it is not safe to give these to infants , for fear of convulsions . give of wine or oxy●el of squills , half an ounce , or an ounce ; half an hour after , give a large quantity of posset drink , and provoke vomitting with the finger , and let it be repeated now and then . some days after vomitting , or if vomittnig be not to be used , gentle purging must be instituted , and repeated by intervals . as , take of the augustan syrup , or of syrup of succory with rhubarb , six drams , or an ounce , of cream of tartar , ten or fifteen grains , mingle them , let them be taken early in the morning , either by themselves , or in a draught of posset drink . if the sick be affected with worms , or the king's-evil , the following bolus may be given by intervals . take of mercurius dulcis , from six to ten grains , rosin of jallup or scammony , two or four grains , of the chymical oyl of juniper , one drop , make a powder , which may be made into a bolus with the pap of a roasted apple ; let it be taken early in the morning . after gentle purging , if the sick be of a sanguine constitution , blood-letting is of use . issues are also very effectual in this disease , especially an issue made betwixt the first and second vertebra of the neck . besides purging and chyrurgical remedies , specific altering medicines are to be used ; to which sometimes diureticks , and diaphoreticks are to be added . the specific remedies , that are found most effectual to cure this disease , are either simple or compound . among simples the following are most approved ; wood of gujacum , and its bark , sassafras , lentisk-wood , rosemary , the knotty part of firr , the roots of china , and sarsaparilla , the three sanders , the roots of osmund royal , or rather the cloves of the roots , the roots of sea-fern , or rather the buds of them . grass roots , the roots of asparagus , eringo , succory , burdock , the barks of the roots of capers , the capillary herbs , and chiefly trichomanes , ceterach , wall-rue , harts-tongue , liverwort , male-speedwell , agrimony , brooklime , watercresses , the leaves and flowers of sage ; rosemary , bettony , dead net●le , and of tamarisk . also steel prepared , or its salt , or vitriol , tartar , castor , flowers of sulphur , earth worms , millepedes prepared , and the like , whereof compositions may be made in the following manner : take of the cloves of the roots of osmund-royal , or the roots of sea-fern , or the twigs of the roots of it , scarcely sprung above ground , one handful , boil them in a pint of milk , or spring-water , to the consumption of a third part , let the strained liquor with sugar be drank twice or thrice a day . take of the leaves of tea , one dram , of the flowers of sage and bettony , each half a dram , put them in a convenient vessel , and pour on them a pint of boiling water , let them stand close and warm about an hour ; sweeten the strained liquor with sugar , and let it be drank in the same manner as the former . take of lentisk-wood , rosemary , of the ro●ts of sarsaparilla , flowering fern , or male-fern , each three ounces , of the herbs agrimony , maiden-hair , speedwell , haris-tongue , sage , bettony , each two handfuls , of the tops of fern and tamarisk , each two handfuls , boil them in so●r gallons of ale , till one is consumed ; when it has done working in the vissel , put into a bag two hundred millipedes washed in white wine , and gently bruised , of juniper-berries , two ounces , of nutmegs sliced , number two , hang the bag in the vessel , and put a piece of steel in it to make it s●●k . if there be any suspicion of the scurvy , you may add of water-cresses and brooklime , each two handfuls , after a fortnight , let it be drunk for the ordinary drink . but the medicine , which is most approved in this disease , is ens veneris , five or six grains of it may be taken every night at bedtime in half a spoonful of syrup of gill●flowers . if the lungs are stopped with viscid humours , as happens often , and the mesentery with scrophulous glands , three or four drops of balsom of sulphur mixed with sugar-candy powdered , may be given morning and evening . note , steel must not be given in coughs , plurises , a stoppage of the lungs , nor when there is a hectic fever . the bath water is very proper , and is excellent to take off the swelling of the belly ; the following artisicial bath as much commended . place the sick in a large vessel , and put round him warm barley fermented , which has been a while infused in boiled water , as is usually done for making beer , cover him well , and let him abide in it to provoke sweat . regard must be had to the symptoms coming upon this disease , the most frequent whereof is a looseness : for the cure of which , gentle purgers , as an infusion of rhubarb , tamarinds , and sanders , or a bolus made of them is of use , and sometimes astringents and gentle opiats may be used ; but purging must go before . sometimes immoderate sweating afflicts the child , which if it follow a feverish fit is critical , and ought not to be rashly stopt : but if it flow in ordinately , it is a sign , that the body is oppressed with ill humours ; therefore this sort of sweat must be corrected by a gentle purge , especially with rhubarb . apperitives also , and such things as help concoction must not be omitted . breeding of the teeth difficultly is familiar to this disease , and often occasions a fever ; in which case , gentle evacuations , especially by glisters , must be made ; and sometimes it is necessary to cut the gums , to make way for the teeth , and to apply a blister behind the ears ; and if there be great pain and watchings , hypnoticks must be used , as a dram or two of diacodium in a spoonful of cowslip water . external things must be used , as exercises of all sorts , and if the child be able , walking srequently , if not , he must play sitting , or be carried about in the nurses arms , or the like . frictions are also good in this case , with warm flannel the parts to be rubbed are the spine , which is primarly affected , and the muscular parts : but you must not rub the bones where they stick out , the concave parts of the bones , you must . ligatures are also of use , which are to be made above the knee , and above the elbow ; but they ought to be soft and loose . boots are also of use : but you must take care that they press a little upon the protuberant part of the bone , and scarce touch the cavity . bodice are also to be used , to keep the body up-right . swinging is also necessary . a formentation of all sorts of wine , and common aqua vita is also very good for this purpose to corroberate the nervous parts , which must be used for the weak parts , and especially for the spine : which being done , the parts must be ●●ointed with oyl , or some proper ointment , which we shall mention by and by ; and instead of wine , the following decoction may be used . take of the roots of osmund royal , or of male-fern , three ounces , of the leaves of bettony , sage , rosemary , marjoram , water-cresses , each one handful , of the flowers of cammomile , melilot , and elder , each one pugil , of the berries of lawrel , and juniper , each half an ounce ; boil them in a sufficient quantity of fountain water to a quart , add of white wine , or of common aqua vitae , one pint . keep the strained liquor for use . take of the leaves of elder , lawrel , marjorum , sage , rosemary , bettony , and the tops of lavender ; each two handfuls , of the berries of juniper , and lawrel , each one ounce ; cut them and bruise them , and put them into a pot , with three pound of may butter , or of fresh butter , and add to them half a pint of aqua vitae , and while the strained liquor is hot , add half an ounce of oyl of nutmegs by expression , and one dram of peruvian balsom , mix them , make an ointment . instead of may butter , beef marrow , or deers suet , and oyl of worms , or oyl of foxes ; each one pound and an half may be used . the ointment must be applied warm , before a hot fire , and the parts must be rubbed with a warm hand , till they are dry . if the belly be hard and swelled , the following ointment must be applied . take of the oyls of capers , worm-wood , and elder , each one ounce , of the ointment above prescribed , one ounce and an half ; of gumm ammoniacum dissolved in vinegar , half an ounce , make a linement whilst the ointments are applied to the hypochondres , the bowels must be handled by the nurse . if the lungs are affected , the breast must be anointed with some pectoral ointment , or with the ointment of marshmallows , and at the time of unction , a little oyl of nntmegs by expression may be mixed with it . chap. xxxv . of chilarens wasting . though the wasting of children may be reserred generally to the diseases of children , yet i think it necessary to mention it here ; because children wax extreamly lean , without any manifest cause , whereas the adult seldom grow lean , but by reason of a fever , a consumption , or some other manifest disease . perhaps it may happen by a fault in the milk , or for want of milk ; and sometimes children wast much with one nurse , but being remove to another , thrive well . worms may be also the cause , for they destroy the nourishment ; and so sufficient blood cannot be generated for the nourishment of the body ; and if blood should be generated , and transmitted thro' the veins to the whole body , yet if there are worms in the back , arms , legs , and almost over the whole body , and there are so sometimes ; the nourishment will be devoured by them . these worms are very small , and are bred in the skin , and the heads of them appear like black hairs upon priction in a bath ; they are generated by vitious matter shut up in the capillary veins , turned into worms , when transpiration is hindred . if the wasting be occasioned by a fault in the milk , the milk must be amended ; if worms in the bowels are the cause , medicines prescribed in the chapter of worms must be used . if small worms in the back , arms , and legs are the cause , the children must be bathed ▪ and honey must be mixed with the bath , and the musculous parts must be rubbed with a liniment made of crumbs of bread and honey . finis . books printed for richard wellington , at the lute in st. paul's church-yard . . sir samuel moreland's vade mecum : or necessary companion ; 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never before printed . price bound four shillings . the novels of mrs. behn , collected into one volume , viz. oroonoko : or , the royal slave ▪ the fair jilt : or , prince tarquin . agnis de castro : or , the farce of generous love. lovers watch : or , the art of love. the ladies looking-glass . the lucky mistake , and love letters , never before printed ; together with the life of mrs. behn . price four shillings . contemplations , moral and divine , in three parts : written by the lord chief justice hale , to which is added the life of the author ; by gilbert lord bishop of sarum , each part may be had single . price of the first and second , five shillings , the three singly , three shillings and six-pence . the saurus geographicus : or , a new body of geography ; containing an exact description of the earth . . by way introduction , the general doctrine and geography , being an account of the situation and bigness of the earth in respect of the rest of the world , &c. together with the doctrine of the sphere , the use of globes , and maps . . a description of the known countries of the earth , an account of their situation , bounds , extent , climate , soil , and production , chief rivers , mountains and seas , with the history and succession of their princes , and the religion , manners and customs of the people . . the principal cities and most considerable towns in the world , particularly and exactly described , shewing the magnitude , principal buildings , antiquity , state , condition of each place ; as also the situation with its distance from other towns , for the easier finding it in the map. . the maps of every country of europe ; and general ones of asia , africa , and america ; fairly engraven on copper , according to the best and latest extant ; likewise , particular draughts of the chief fortified town of europe , with an alphabetical table of the names of the places . price bound , fourteen shillings . plautus's comedies englished , by several hands . price three shillings . reflections on ancient and modern learning : by william wootton , b. d. chaplain to the right honourable the earl of nottingham . the family physician : or , a collection of choice approved and experienced remedies for the cure● of almost all diseases incident to humane bodies whether internal and external ; useful in families , and serviceable to country people . containing some hundreds of considerable receipts , and secrets of great value , with observations of great cures ; together with the true english wine-coller , and the right method of making english wines , or metheglin , with a collection of the choicest and safest cosmetick remedies for preserving the beauty and complection of ladies , never before published : by george hartman , philo-chymist , author of the preserver and restorer of health , who lived and travelled with the honourable sir kenelm digby till he dyed . price three shillings . plays lately printed . spanish wives , a farce : written by mrs. mary pix . ibrahim , the thirteenth emperour of the turks : wirtten by the same author . old batchelor , a comedy : by mr. congreve . cyrus the great : or , the tragedy of love ▪ written by mr. banks , where you may be likewise furnished with most sort of plays , poetry , letters , or romances . the antiquities of palmya is this day published ; containing the history of the cities and emperours , from its foundation to the present time ; with an appendix of critical observations of the names , religion and government of the country , with a comment on the inscriptions lately found there . the history of britain ; that part especially called england : written by john milton . this day is published , a new tragedy , called , the vnnatural brother , written by mr. filmer , gent. printed for richard wellington at the lute in st. pauls church-yard . price one shilling . finis . some observations made upon the root caled casmunar imported from the east-indies shewing its nature and vertues above any other as yet written of in curing apoplexies, convulsions, palsies, lethargies, tremblings, fitts of the mother, giddiness in the head, and all distempers of the brain and nerves / published by a doctor of physick in glocester-shire. peachi, john, fl. . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing p estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) some observations made upon the root caled casmunar imported from the east-indies shewing its nature and vertues above any other as yet written of in curing apoplexies, convulsions, palsies, lethargies, tremblings, fitts of the mother, giddiness in the head, and all distempers of the brain and nerves / published by a doctor of physick in glocester-shire. peachi, john, fl. . pechey, john, - . p. [s.n.], lonlon [sic] : . attributed also to john pechey--nuc pre- imprints. reproduction of original in the british library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng therapeutics -- early works to . - tcp assigned for keying and markup - apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images - mona logarbo sampled and proofread - mona logarbo text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion some observations made upon the root called casmunar , imported from the east-indies : shewing its nature and vertues above any other as yet written of , in curing apoplexies , convulsions , palsies , lethargies , tremblings , fitts of the mother , giddiness in the head , and all distempers of the brain and nerves . published by a doctor of physick in glocester-shire . lonlon , re-printed in the year . some observations made upon the root called casmunar , imported from the east-indies . this rare and excellent root being sent me by my brother , who is factor to the east india company , and it being so wonderfully commended , and approved of by the brachmanes , for its great cures , i could not choose but publish it to the world , for the advantage of mankind . the brachmanes are a sort of indian physicians , much celebrated not only by the natives , but by foreign merchants that reside there , the english preferring them before their own countrey doctors , when they labour under any distempers . they are of the sect of the pythagoreans , and as they eat no flesh , but are nourisht by the produce of the earth , so they rather choose to cure diseases by plants than minerals . they have great skill in herbs , and know their natures , as if they had been instructed by adam or solomon . this root is warm but not hot , of a very temperate quality ; it consists of very fine , subtil , spirituous parts , and hath a peculiar odour , distinct from any that i ever smelled to : it exceedingly recreates the vital and animal spirits , and by its taste and colour may easily be known to be aperative and cephalick , comforting the brain and nerves , and putting the animal spirits into order , when they have been in a tumult by any passion or convulsive motions . when persons are in convulsive fitts , nature seems to be as it were in an earthquake , and in its last agony ; and by the frequent returns of such fitts , those endowments which distinguish us from brute creatures , are in a great measure lost : our understanding , that great light , is darkned , and our memory that excellent repository is broken , and like a sive lets through whatever is put into it . a gentlewoman who had a concussion of her head , caused by a fall down stairs , with great debility of her spirits , was cured by this root , to her and my great admiration ; and although whilest her vapours were upon her , she would not be perswaded but that she was dying ; yet afterwards she would smile at those gentlewomen who talked so , and would name her self as an example of so great folly. perhaps it is the best medicine in the world for women in childbed , or any who have received prejudice by frights , they quickly restore them to the use of their senses , and make them lively and chearfull . a shop-keepers wife at glocester , who had dreadfull fits of the mother , with unusual symptoms , and great oppressions , almost strangled with suffocating vapours in her throat , was cured , that they have not returned , nor i see no suspicion of it . but i must say , that i have ever found the spirit , the tincture , and the extract drawn out of this root , far more effectual than any composition whatsoever . it 's very lamentable to observe , three thousand in a year tumbled into their graves by these distempers , as we find by the bills of mortality . when our compassionate saviour was upon earth , he demonstrared his divine power in the cure of these distempers more than in any other ; because labouring under these diseases , we are neither fit for the service of god or man , nor are capable of the exercise of reason or faith. i could tell you of a learned divine , whose disorder in his head was so great , caused by cephalick distempers and vertiginous fumes , that he could not preach , being attended with frequent convulsive motions in all his nerves , yet by the use of the drops drawn out of this root , was perfectly cured . many young children have been miraculously restored by it from convulsion fits , both in the brain and bowels : for as dr. willis well observes , the griping in the guts is but an affection of the nerves in those parts , and no remedies so efficacious in that disease , as those that strengthen the same . i cannot choose but recommend it to all nurses , to drop into their childrens victuals , it being so exceeding temperate and pleasant , that i have known them take it , when they have refused all other forms of medicines . by this wonderful root some children when they have been toothing , were cured only by rubbing their gumms with the electuary : others by the nurses taking the drops in all her drink , for which cause it 's called by some the childrens guardian . i know a young gentleman , who being subject to convulsions from his cradle , and could have no relief from the best remedies in vulgar use , but was to the grief of his relations cast sometimes into the fire , and sometimes into the water , by the force of this disease ; and at last by the using of these drops every new and full moon , was restored , and married a wife , and none of his children ever had fitts . a poor old woman also who was many years afflicted with fits of the mother , that the common people thought her possess'd , her symptoms of skreeching , and strange motions and distortions were so terrible ; yet by the use of this remedy found great advantage , and recommended it to all she knew . i am credibly inform'd by an eminent chyrurgion who came from the indies , that the inhabitants in those countreys anoynt their bodies with a mixture of the powder of this root , and only by that external application cure many distempers , and live to a great age. an able physician of my acquaintance boyls the sliced root in all his broath , as a great secret against gripings in his guts and bowels proceeding from the wind collick , and finds admirable advantage . i am well assured that there is an hospital in italy , for the cure of lunatical persons , where the doctors use this root with wonderful success , it mightily relieving all discomposures of the brain . to see persons foaming at mouth , tearing their hair , beating their breasts , weeping , and wailing , and gnashing their teeth , is a melancholy prospect , and may well move pity : and therefore none but the devil or his agents can envy mankind the knowledge of so useful a remedy . let none despise this root because it is a simple uncompounded thing , for i remember the great lord bacon reckons it amongst one of the deficients in physick , that we study art more than nature , and elaborate methods more than simple medicins . whereas nine parts in ten of the known world trust to the latter more than the former . a captain of a ship who is extreamly troubled with griping in his guts , and cramps in his bowels , constantly procures ease , only by chewing a bit of this root and swallowing his spittle . i know a modest discreet young gentleman , that on a sudden when he is writing , o● talking with a friend , or at meals , shall be surpriz'd with dreadful convulsive motions , as if he were blown up with a train of gun-powder ; and he finds that the very odour of this root carried about him , and often applyed to his nostrils , prevents many fits , better than spirit of sal armoniack , amber , or harts-horn , which are too strong for him . twenty drops of the tincture are to be taken every morning in tea , the same quantity of the spirits every afternoon in mum , and also twenty drops of the extract at night in chocolate , for men or women ; half the quantity for children . finis . some observations made upon the malabar nutt imported from the indies shewing its admirable virtues in curing the kings-evil beyond any thing yet found out / written by a doctor of physick in the countrey to his friend in london troubled with that distemper. peachi, john, fl. . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing p estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) some observations made upon the malabar nutt imported from the indies shewing its admirable virtues in curing the kings-evil beyond any thing yet found out / written by a doctor of physick in the countrey to his friend in london troubled with that distemper. peachi, john, fl. . pechey, john, - . p. [s.n.], london : . attributed also to john pechey--nuc pre- imprints. reproduction of original in the british library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng scrofula. therapeutics -- early works to . - tcp assigned for keying and markup - apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images - andrew kuster sampled and proofread - andrew kuster text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion some observations made upon the malabar nutt , imported from the indies : shewing its admirable virtues in curing the kings-evil , beyond any thing yet found out . written by a doctor of physick in the countrey to his friend in london , troubled with that distemper . london , printed in the year . some observations made upon the malabar nutt , imported from the indies : in a letter , shewing its admirable vertues , in curing the kings evil , &c. sir , when i call to mind the saying of the excellent mr boyle , viz. that if we were masters of specifick remedies , we might render the ways of curing diseases less painfull , and thereby gratifie sick persons , and not affright them by the use of tormenting methods , by blisters , cupping glasses , purges , vomits , issues , and scarifications : i could not choose but set pen to paper , and communicate this wonderfull remedy , which i have had so much experience of . in the use of the above-named smarting remedies , many that recover endure much more for health , than many that are justly reckoned amongst martyrs , did for religion . upon which account ( saith mr. boyle ) i look upon the discovering of specifick remedies as the greatest acts of charity , and such as by which a man may really more oblige mankind , and relieve more distressed persons , than if he built an hospital . the strange and almost miraculous cures , that i have known wrought by the malabar nutt , in the kings-evil , would fill a man with wonder and amazement : and indeed , to see so many tumors under the throat , and in other parts , to fall and disappear ; to see running soars dry'd up , and weak limbs restored to their strength , upon the use of such a plain simple medicine , is exceeding remarkable , and the author of nature ought to be highly magnified , for giving such vertue unto plants and trees , for the good of his creatures . i am told by a good author , that a divine who was sent to preach the gospel to the indians , being a man skilfull in physick , wrought such wonderfull cures amongst them , by the use of their own remedies , that they thought he confirmed his doctrine by miracles . the nature of this admirable nut , is to rectifie the blood , alter the humours , mend the liver and spleen , restore the digestive ferments of the stomack and bowels , and changes the whole habit of the body , casting salt as it were into the springs of nature , whereby they become pure and wholsome , and thereby conveighs kindly nutriment to the parts . i knew a young lad in our town , who was grievously afflicted with scrophulous tumours under his throat , had been touched by the royal hand , and worn gold , and that a long time , yet the distemper returned spring and fall , untill he was directed unto the use of this soveraign nutt , and then his sores dryed up like a brook in summer . i could tell you of another young man , who had consulted with divers chyrurgeons , and had been stroaked by seven seventh sons , and all to no purpose , untill he applyed himself to the use of this remedy : and then he wonderfully recovered . a pretty young gentlewoman , who had her face extreamly disfigured by the evil , and her spirits broken with grief upon that account , was speedily restored to a great measure of her former beauty , by drops chymically drawn out of this nutt . a woman whose limbs were distorted , like the womans in the gospel , whom satan had bound eighteen years , and when she walked was an object of great pity , gained wonderfull strength in her limbs by the use of this remedy ; but she could not have a perfect cure without a miracle . many young children have received compleat cures by the use of this remedy , whose bodies were wonderfully annoyed with loathsome humours proceeding from this disease , therefore i think the world ought to take notice of it . finis . the compleat herbal of physical plants containing all such english and foreign herbs, shrubs and trees as are used in physick and surgery ... : the doses or quantities of such as are prescribed by the london-physicians and others are proportioned : also directions for making compound-waters, syrups simple and compound, electuaries ... : moreover the gums, balsams, oyls, juices, and the like, which are sold by apothecaries and druggists are added to this herbal, and their irtues and uses are fully described / by john pechey ... pechey, john, - . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing p estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) the compleat herbal of physical plants containing all such english and foreign herbs, shrubs and trees as are used in physick and surgery ... : the doses or quantities of such as are prescribed by the london-physicians and others are proportioned : also directions for making compound-waters, syrups simple and compound, electuaries ... : moreover the gums, balsams, oyls, juices, and the like, which are sold by apothecaries and druggists are added to this herbal, and their irtues and uses are fully described / by john pechey ... pechey, john, - . [ ], , [ ] printed for henry bonwicke ..., london : . two columns to the page. advertisements on p. [ ] at beginning and on p. [ ]-[ ] at end. reproduction of original in yale university library. includes index. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng herbs -- early works to . materia medica -- early works to . botany, medical -- early works to . botany -- pre-linnean works. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - aptara keyed and coded from proquest page images - emma (leeson) huber sampled and proofread - emma (leeson) huber text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion the compleat herbal of physical plants . containing all such english and foreign herbs , shrubs and trees , as are used in physick and surgery . and to the virtues of those that are now in use , is added one receipt , or more , of some learned physician . the doses or quantities of such as are prescribed by the london-physicians , and others , are proportioned . also directions for making compound-waters , syrups simple and compound , electuaries , pills , powders , and other sorts of medicines . moreover , the gums , balsams , oyls , juices , and the like , which are sold by apothecaries and druggists , are added to this herbal ; and their virtues and uses are fully described . by john pechey , of the college of physicians , in london . london , printed for henry bonwicke , at the red lyon in st. paul's church-yard , . the preface . in compiling this english herbal of physical plants , i have chiefly follow'd mr. ray , both for the descriptions and virtues , who is an excellent botanist , and a candid author ; and tho' he be not professedly a physician , it may appear by his writings , he has perus'd the best authors in physick , and well digested them : and yet the good man would not rely on his own judgment , or reading , but took to his assistance several worthy practitioners in physick , who all along suggested the most probable virtues of plants , and their success in practice ; and ascertain'd the doses of many of them , and added some forms of medicines . what i have contributed to this work , i confess , is the least part : some virtues , indeed , i have added , and many good medicines ; but those i borrow'd too . so that , upon a review , i find little or nothing belongs to me , save only the collection , and translation ; and for that i expect censure . and therefore , in hope i may , at least , extenuate my crime , i take leave to expostulate with my adversaries . 't is well known , many are , with good reason , authoriz'd by the spiritual lords to practise physick , who are only skill'd in their mother-tongue , there being not learned physicians enough to attend on the sick in these populous kingdoms ; for if there were , to be sure the right reverend bishops , who are eminent for learning , as well as piety , would of choice prefer the learned . now , i say , it being evident that many practitioners do not understand foreign languages , and so , by consequence , cannot partake of those improvements that are made abroad , or conceal'd at home , in a language to them unknown , i suppose no sober man will blame me , or any other , for writing or rendring into english such things as may be more generally conducive to the health or welfare of our country . but it is to little purpose to appeal to sober men , they being now-a-days the weakest and most contemptible party , and so can yield no protection : he therefore that dares advance any thing for publick good , must expect publick hatred . but , be it so ; 't is better to be beneficial to men , than to be belov'd by them : and the solid comfort of well-doing infinitely surpasses the fleeting praises of the giddy multitude : and no other reward can the best men receive , as long as men are encourag'd in their vices , by great and bad examples . yet it must be own'd , there is a semblance of vertue still remaining amongst us : many take care to give their children good education ; the tender infant , before he can speak plain , lisps the praises of his maker : and he that should look into publick schools , or vniversities , and observe there these excellent precepts that are daily instill'd into youth , would believe that their lives must be ever after unavoidably influenc'd thereby ; but then ( 't is a sad truth ) many vicious parents , by their ill examples , soon poyson those wholsom instructions ; and the striplings are forc'd to abandon their morals , to prove themselves legitimate . so that he that should consider the strict rules of education , and the incongruity of practice thereunto , would be induc'd to believe , that men successively banter one another , by proposing such rules as they think are either impracticable , or not worth the minding : and if so , why does man alone , of all the creatures on god's earth , impose upon his off-spring ? why does he not , with the milder tyger , early instruct his young ones in the art of rapine , and infuse such savage principles as are more peculiarly agreeable to the humane nature , that in due time they may exert them and act like men ? but if , at first view , men dread the fatal consequences of an intail'd war , and would fain promote the happiness of their children , and the peace of the world , let them establish , by an agreeable conversation , those rules of civil life our good fore-fathers injoin'd ; for , after all , good example , is more prevalent , and more instructive than precept ; and the general neglect of it is really the source of all our miseries . in the first part of the following herbal , i have only describ'd such plants as grow in england , and are not commonly known ; for i thought it needless to trouble the reader with the description of those that every woman knows , or keeps in her garden . and , because this treatise is design'd for general vse , and , i hope , may be serviceable to families in the country , that are far distant from physicians , i have added an explanatory table , containing the terms of art , and the explication of them . but here the reader is to be admonish'd , that the constitutions of men are so various , and the signs and symptoms of diseases so abstruse , that it is very hazardous , in many cases , to administer physick without the advice of a physician . in the second part of this book , which treats of foreign plants , i have made no descriptions of the herbs , or trees ; for i account it unnecessary to describe the form or shape of that , which most of us are never like to see . the gums , balsams , juices , and the like , that are particularly treated of in this part , contain the most eminent virtues of the plants or trees from whence they proceed ; and are imported a-part , and sold so by the druggist , and make up a good part of the materia medica ; and therefore may well deserve to be handled separately . to be plain , there is little or no curiosity in this work ; but i believe there will be found more practice in it , than in any english herbal yet publish'd . the virtues are faithfully deliver'd , and not so promiscuously as is customary in treatises of this kind : and the medicines inserted were collected from the best authors , many of which i have found by experience very successful . to conclude , the reader is desir'd to take notice , that some english plants being omitted in the first part , were added in the second ; but the index will set all right , to which i refer him . reader , farewell . john pechey . from the angel and crown in basing-lane , london , february the d . . advertisement . the observations about gathering plants from the various positions of the heavens , or seasons of the moon , are superstitious and vain . but i suppose , in general , 't is best to gather them when they are full of juice that is well concocted , and before the fibres grow woody — chuse a clear day ; and do not gather them till the dew is gone off . flowers are best gather'd when they are full blown : seeds , when they are ripe , and begin to dry . fruits should not be gather'd till they are quite ripe . roots are best gather'd in the spring , just before they begin to spring . 't is best to dry herbs in the sun , tho' physicians generally order that they should be dried in the shade . the explanatory table . a. acid , sharp . acrimony is a quality that bites the tongue , and heats it , as pepper does . agglutinate , glue together . alexipharmick , resisting poison alternately , by turns . anodine . gives ease . aperetive , opening . apozem , a decoction . aqueous , watery . aromatick , odoriferous , having a spicy smell . asthma , difficulty of breathing . astringent , binding . attenuate , to thin . b. bituminous , of the nature of pitch . b. m. hot water . bulbous , round-rooted . c. capiliary , hairy . cardiack , cordial . caries , rottenness . carminative , expelling wind. cataplasm , pultis . cephalick , proper for the head. cicatrices , skins . cholera , a plentiful evacuation of choler , upward and downward . concreted , thickned . consolidates , makes sound . cosmetick , beautifying . d. decant , to pour gently off , leaving the setling behind . diabetes , a vast evacuation of vrine . diaphoretick , sweating . dilute , made thin . discuss , drive away . diuretick , force vrine . e. ebullition , boyling . effervency , working . emollient , softening . empyema , a collection of matter in the breast . epatick , proper for the liver . epithem , an outward application to the more noble parts of the body . erotions , a gnawing . errhine , a medicine drawn up the nostrils . expectorate , bring up matter from the lungs . f. faeces , dregs , fibre , string . filtrate , to strain thro' a paper . flegmagoges , things that purge flegm . frontals , an application to the fore-head . fungous , resembling a spunge . h. hysterick , vaporous . i. incide , to cut . incarnes , breeds flesh . inspissated , thickned . l. lithontriptick , breaking the stone . linctus , a medicine for the lungs lotion , a particular bath . lubricating , smoothening . luxations , members out of joint . m. a mascatory , to provoke spitting . membranaceous , fibrous . millepedes , hog lice . mucilaginous , slimy . n. narcotick , occasioning sleep nephritick , belonging to the reins . nerve , a porous substance , like an indian ca●e . o. oblong , longer than it is broad . obtuse , blunt. oedematous , flegmatick . p. palpitation , beating of the heart . paralitick , subject to the palsie . paregorick , disposing to sleep . perennial , lasting . pugil , as much as may be held between the thumb and two fingers . pulmonick , proper for the lungs . r. resinous , of the nature of rosin . rupture , bursten belly . s. scirrhus , hard tumors . sextary , somewhat more than a pint. siccity , driness . soporifick , gives rest. specifick , a peculiar remedy for some disease . splenetick , proper for the spleen spontaneously , of its own accord stagnate , stand. stomachick , proper for the stomach . styptick , astringent . sublimed , raised to the neck of the vessel . succulent , juicy . sudorifick , procuring sweat. suppurating , bringing to matter . t. tablets , the same with lozenges . thoracick , proper for the breast . torrification , roasting . triangular , three-corner'd . tumor , a swelling . v. vegetable , an herb. vehicle , some proper water . viscous , slimy . umbels , tufts . uterine , proper for the womb. vulnerary , healing . errata . page . line . read lamium , p. . l. . d. vterine . p. . l. . r. officinarum . p. r. gromwel . p. . l. . r. mi●us . p. . r. polygonatum . p. . l. . r. gum ammonia●um . p. . l. . r. tacamahaca . p. . l. . r. vse . p. . l. . r. opium , see white poppies . p. . l. . r. pyrethrum . the english herbal of physical plants . a abele-tree . see poplar . adders-tongue , in latin ophioglosum . the root has many thick fibres , bound together ; especially if it grows in good ground . it tastes at first sweet , but leaves an acrimony and bitterness on the palate . it has a tender stalk , about an hand high , which sustains one leaf , that is oyly , and without nerves ; sometimes narrow and somewhat long , sometimes broad somewhat round and erect ; of a sweetish and clammy taste . a two-fork'd tongue rises from the leaf where 't is joyn'd to the stalk , which grows sharp by degrees , and is a little indented . 't is common in meadows , and moist pastures . it springs in april , and fades in july . 't is an excellent wound-herb , either taken inwardly , or outwardly applied . for ruptures , or bursten bellies , take as much of the powder of the dry'd leaves as will lye on a six-pence , or less , according to the age of the party , in two ounces of horse-tail , or oak-bud-water , sweetned with syrup of quinces . use it every morning for the space of fifteen days . but before you enter upon the use of this , or any other medicine , the gut , if it fall into the cod , must be reduc'd by a chirurgeon , and a truss must be worn to keep it up , and the party must avoid all violent motions , and lie as much as may be in bed , or on a couch . fabritius hildanus says , that some have been cured of great ruptures by lying in bed , when they could be cured no other way . the oyl of it , made in the following manner , is full as good for wounds and ulcers as that of st. john's-wort : take one handful of the leaves , pound them in a stone-mortar , and boil them in a pint of oyl of olives 'till they are dry ; strain it , and keep it for use . common agrimony , in latin agrimonia . most commonly it has but one stalk , two or three foot high , and sometimes much higher . 't is round , hairy , full of pith , surrounded with leaves plac'd at a distance alternately , above an hand in length . the leaves consist , for the most part , of four little leaves , wing'd on both sides , and much indented all about ; they have veins , and are hairy , but the down is not very conspicuous ; they taste a little acrid , and are somewhat styptick . the flowers smell sweet ; they grow alternately to the shaft , in a long series ; and upon the top-branches , like an ear of corn. they are of a saffron-colour , and are compos'd of five leaves ; at the basis of every leaf there are two ears that embrace the stalk . the root is blackish , thick , and of an astringent taste . it cleanses and strengthens the blood , and opens obstructions of the liver ; wherefore 't is good in dropsies , for an ill habit of body , and the jaundice . let those that are afflicted with these diseases use for their ordinary drink , ale or beer wherein the leaves of agrimony have been infus'd . for instance ; put eight handfuls of the leaves into a vessel containing four gallons , drink of it when it is clear . 't is used outwardly in baths and lotions . the powder of the dried leaves is much commended by riverius to prevent involuntary urine . take of the powder half a dram , of conserve of roses a sufficient quantity ; make a bolus to be taken at bed-time , for the space of three weeks . alder-tree , in latin alnus . 't is large , and spreads much if it like the place it grows in : the bark is brown , and the wood redder than elm or yew ; the branches are very easily broken ; the bark of the branches is of a brownish colour and spotted , and yellowish within , and tastes bitter and unpleasant : the wood is white , and full of pith : the leaves are broad , round , and nervous , and somewhat like the leaves of the hasel-tree ; they are indented , green , shining , and clammy . it bears short , brown aglets , like the beech or birch-tree . it grows near water . the green leaves of this tree applied to tumours , discusses them , and takes off inflammations . being put into travellers shooes , they ease pain , and remove weariness . a black colour , like ink , is made with the bark of alder , rubb'd off with a rusty iron , and infus'd in water for some days . some use it to dye . black alder , in latin alnus nigra baccifera . 't is a small tree , which sends forth many streight twigs from the roots , about three yards high , of the thickness of the thumb , divided into tender branches . the outward bark is brown , but sprinkled with sky-colour'd spots ; which being taken off , another appears of a saffron-colour . the substance of the wood is clear , and easily broken ; nigh the middle 't is brownish , and has a great deal of pith. the leaves are somewhat round , and end in an obtuse point , and are of a shining dark-green colour . the flowers are small and palish . the berries are first green , then red , and at last black , and of an unpleasant taste . 't is often found in moist , woody places . the yellow and middle bark , beaten with vinegar , cures the itch in a few days . the inward bark , especially of the root , purges watery humours ; for which reason 't is good in a dropsie : but it ought to be dried in the shade , because when it is green it occasions vomiting : and the decoction of it ought to stand two or three days before 't is used . alexanders , in latin hippocelinum . it has a thick root that is white within ; it smells sweet , and tastes acrid , and somewhat bitter . the stalk is above a yard high , full , branchy , channell'd , and somewhat red . the leaves are larger than the leaves of marsh-smallage , and the pieces rounder : they are of a deep green ; they taste sweetish , and like garden-smallage . it has tufts or umbels of white flowers . the seed is thick , black , and channell'd . 't is frequently used in broths in the spring-time , to cleanse the blood , and strengthen the stomach . the root pickled is a good sauce . half a dram of the seeds powder'd , and taken in white-wine , provokes urine . angelica , in latin angelica . the herb it self , but especially the root and seed , are hot and dry . it opens and attenuates , and is sudorifick and vulnerary . it moves the courses , hastens delivery , is good for mother-fits , and in malignant diseases , and for the plague ; and it expels poison . the root of it is allow'd by all physicians to be very cordial and alexipharmick . for preservation against the plague , the root , infus'd in vinegar , is to be held frequently to the nose , or chew'd in the mouth : for the cure , take one dram of the powder of the root alone , or half a dram mix'd with a dram of venice-treacle , every sixth hour , to provoke sweat. the root or the stalks candied , are reckon'd very good , being eaten in a morning , to prevent infection . they are also useful in cold diseases of the lungs , and take off a stinking breath . lozenges to be held in the mouth in the plague-time . take of the extract of the roots of angelica and contra-yerva , each one ounce ; of extract of liquorish three drams ; of flowers of sulphure , sublim'd with mirrh , five drams ; of oyl of cinnamon eight drops ; of fine sugar twice the weight of all the ingredients ; with the mucilage of gum-tragacanth , made in scordium . water , make lozenges see dr. hodges , for the prevention of the plague , in his book of the london-pestilence , p. . apple-tree , in latin malus . the english apples being accounted the best in europe , i will mention particularly those that are most esteem'd amongst us . first , those that are soon ripe , and soon decay . the gineting , the margaret or magdalene , the king-apple , the aromatick or golden-russeting , the flax-apple , the spice-apple , the summer-queening , the gono-farther or cat's-head , the good-housewife or bontradue , the giant-apple , the pome-water , the summer-pearmain , the kirton-pippin or holland-pippin , 't is called broad-eye in sussex ; the orange-apple , the summer-belleboon , the paradise-apple , the famagusta , the codling , the costard-apple , the sops-in-wine . secondly , winter-apples , and such as last long . the winter-queening , the quince-apple , the winter-pearmain , the nonesuch , the the pealing , the leather-coat , the winter-john , the pome-roy , the lording , the julyflower-apple , the pear-apple , the greening , lones-pearmain , the green-russeting , the red-russeting , the winter-fillet or violet , the winter-belle or bonne , the oaken-pin , the john-apple or deux ans , the westbury , the winter-reed , the flower of kent , the winter-chesnut , the maligar-apple , the short-tart , the pelmell , the thrift , the winter-clary , the fig-apple . thirdly , the apples that are best for making cyder . the redstreak , the bromsberry-crab , the golden-pippin , the gennet-moil , the westbury-apple , the white and red mast-apples , the john-apple , the vnder-leaf the winter-fillet , elliots , stocken-apple , bitter-scale , claret-wine-apple , arrier-apple , richards or grange-apple , coling-apple , olive-apple , fox-whelp , pippins and pearmains mix'd , the gilliflower . the vertues of apples are various , according to the different tastes of them . those that are sowre and harsh are astringent , and therefore are good in fluxes of the belly : and when they are roasted they are proper food for those that have fevers . sweet apples are somewhat hot , and loosening . such as are a little acid , are agreeable to the stomach , and chear the heart . rotten apples take off inflammations and swellings of the eyes . the core of an apple cut out , and a dram of frankincense put in , and roasted with the apple , and eaten , opens obstructions of the lungs , and is good for difficulty of breathing . the same applied outwardly to the side , eases the pain of it . 't is best to eat apples two or three hours after meals . the altering syrup of apples . take of the juice of fragrant pippins two quarts , of the leaves of garden and wild-bugloss , of the flowers of violets , each one pound ; boyl them in b. m. and clarifie them ; add seven pounds of fine sugar , and a pint of rose-water ; boyl them to a syrup . one ounce of this syrup , taken morning and evening , is good for melancholy people . the purging syrup of apples . take of the juice and water of fragrant pippins , each one pint and an half ; of the juice and water of borage and bugloss , each nine ounces ; of the leaves of oriental sena half a pound ; of anise and fennel-seeds , each three drams ; of dodder of crete two ounces ; of white agarick , and the best rubarb ▪ each half an ounce ; of ginger and mace , each four scruples ; of cinnamon two scruples ; of saffron half a dram : infuse the rubarb with the cinnamon a-part , in white-wine and juice of apples , each two ounces : infuse the rest of the ingredients , except the saffron , in the waters above-mentioned ; the next day pour on the juices , and put them on a gentle fire ; take off the scum , and strain it ; then add four pounds of white sugar , and boyl it to a syrup , the infusion of rubarb being put to it , and the saffron being tied up in a rag , and dipp'd often in it , and squeez'd out . this syrup is a very proper purge for melancholy people , but will scarce purge enough by it self ; wherefore take two ounces of it in three ounces of the decoction of dodder ; which see among the vertues of dodder . the confection of alkermes is made with juice of apples , and the ointment called pomatum . cyder is good for the scurvy . apricock-tree , in latin malus armeniaca . the english apricocks are better than the french or italian , and more wholsome than the peach . the oyl of the kernels is excellent for inflammations , and swellings of the hemorrhoids ; and for pains of the ears . the kernels eaten , cure the heart-burning . white arch-angel , in latin laminum album . it has many fibrous roots , it creeps awry in the earth like mint ; the stalks are a foot or two foot high , four-square , and pretty large ; but they are smaller near the earth , and weak , so that they can scarce stand alone : they are empty , pretty hairy and branchy , and have a few joints , and near the earth seem of a purple colour when the sun shines on them . the leaves are plac'd by pairs , opposite to one another , like nettles ; those on the bottom-stalks are plac'd on long foot-stalks , those on the top-stalks on short foot-stalks , and have a short soft down . the flowers encompass the stalks at the joints ; they are white , large , and hooded , without rather pale than white . it flowers at the latter end of april , or the beginning of may. one handful of the herb , beaten up with hog's lard , and applied to king's-evil-swellings in the neck or throat , discusses them . a conserve of the flowers is much commended in the whites : but the cure of them by the following method is much safer and surer . bleed once , and purge thrice with two scruples of pill coch. major . then take of venice-treacle one ounce and an half , of the conserve of the yellow pill of oranges one ounce , of diascordium half an ounce , of candied ginger and nutmegs , each three drams ; of the compound powder of crabs-eyes one dram and an half ; of the outward bark of the pomegranate , of the root of spanish angelica , of red coral prepar'd , of the trochisc , de terra lemnia , each one dram ; of bole-armenick two scruples , of gum-arabick half a dram , with a sufficient quantity of syrup of dried roses : make an electuary . take the quantity of a large nutmeg in the morning , at five in the afternoon , and at bed-time ; drinking upon it six spoonfuls of the following infusion . take of the roots elecampane , master-wort , angelica and gentian , each half an ounce ; of the leaves of roman-wormwood , of white arch-angel , and the lesser centory , and calamint , each one handful ; of juniper-berries one ounce : cut them small , and infuse them in five pints of canary : let them stand in infusion , and strain it only as you use it . stinking arrach , or orrach , in latin atriplex olida . 't is easily known by its stinking smell , which is exactly like old ling. it grows in places where there is rubbish , but it is not common . a conserve of the leaves , or syrup made of the juice , is good for mother-fits , and women's obstructions , the quantity of a nutmeg of the conserve being taken morning and evening , or two spoonfuls of the syrup at the same times . but the following plaster must be applied to the woman's navel . take of galbanum , dissolv'd in tincture of castor , and strain'd , three drams ; of tacamahaca two drams : mingle them , and make a plaster , and spread it on leather , having an hole cut in the middle . the woman must be also purg'd three or four times with the pill coch. major , viz. take of the pill coch. major two scruples , of castor powder'd two grains , of the peruvian balsam four drops : make four pills , to be taken at five in the morning , and let her sleep after them . after purging as above directed , let the woman take of the conserve or syrup , as before mentioned , thirty days , drinking presently after a draught of wormwood-beer or wine . or , if she do not like the conserve or syrup , let her take the following pills for the space of a month. take of the filings of steel eight grains , of extract of wormwood a sufficient quantity : make two pills ; let her take them in the morning , and repeat them in the evening ; and so morning and evening , drinking a small draught of wormwood-beer presently after . common arsmart , in latin persicaria . it has a single , small , woody , white root , with many fibres . it has many stalks , a foot or two foot high , solid , round and smooth , branchy and jointed : when the sun shines on them they are of a reddish colour , otherwise of a yellow green. the leaves embrace the stalks at the joints , and are plac'd on short foot-stalks : they are of a pale green , not spotted , smooth : they are like peach-leaves . the flowers grow upon the upper stalks and branches , in spiky heads , and are very small . some of them are useless , no seed succeeding them ; these consist of four leaves . others are always shut , and contain a pretty large , three-square , shining seed that is black when 't is ripe ; and these are red without . this plant has an acrid and biting taste : it grows in watry places , and ditches . 't is plainly hot and dry : 't is chiefly used outwardly in wounds , hard swellings , and old sores . the water of arsmart is of great use in the stone of the kidnies or bladder , a draught of it being taken every morning for two or three months together . a country-gentleman us'd a load of this herb in a year to make the water , wherewith he cured many of the stone . the root or seed put into an aching hollow tooth , takes off the pain . there is scarce any thing more effectual to drive away flies : for , whatever wounds or ulcers cattel have , if they are anointed with the juice of arsmart , the flies will not come near , tho it is the heat of summer . artichoke , in latin cinara . the germans and french eat the tender stalks boyl'd , with vinegar and butter : and the italians seldom boyl the heads , but eat them raw , with salt , oyl and pepper . they are said to provoke venery , to restore nature , and strengthen the stomach . a decoction of the buds provokes urine . asarabacca , in latin asarum . it has many heads shooting from the roots , whereon are many smooth leaves , every one upon a foot-stalk by it self : they are rounder and bigger than the leaves of violets , and thicker ; and of a darker green shining colour on the upper side , and of a paler green underneath . among the leaves near the earth are six-angled purplish husks , that are hairy , and plac'd on short foot-stalks ; these contain the seeds , that are like the stones of grapes . they have within a white marrow , that tastes somewhat acrid . it purges violently , upwards and downwards , flegm and choler . 't is diuretick also , and forces the courses : wherefore wenches use the decoction of it too frequently , when they think they are with child . 't is good in the dropsie and jaundice . take of the leaves of asarabacca six , seven , eight , or nine ; bruise them , and pour upon them three ounces of white-wine ; strain it . take it in the morning , or at four in the afternoon : drink large draughts of posset-drink after every time it vomits . or , take of the powder of the root one dram , or four scruples ; oxymel of squils one ounce and an half ; mingle them , and take it in a draught of posset-drink . use posset-drink in the working of it , as above-directed . the ash-tree , in latin fraxinus . the seed of the ash powder'd , and taken in wine , forces urine . the juice of three or four leaves taken every morning , makes those lean that are fat . the bark and the wood dry and attenuate , and are supposed to soften the hardness of the spleen by a specifick quality . the juice of the leaves and tender twigs , taken in the morning daily , in a small quantity , is said to do good in dropsies . one dram of the seeds powder'd , and taken in wine , is also beneficial in the dropsie . the salt of it provokes sweat and urine . avens , in latin cariophillata . the root grows oblique , sending down sometimes thick fibres into the earth . 't is of an aromatick taste and smell , like july-flowers . several stalks rise from the same root , two foot high , or higher , round , hairy , small , and full of pith , garnish'd with leaves plac'd alternately ; they are branchy at the top . the leaves that come from the root are hairy and winged , small wings being here and there joyned to the middle-rib . the extremity of the leaf is cut in deep . the leaves that are on the stalks consist of two wings that are pretty large , which adhere to the stalk at the basis of the foot-stalk , as if they were ears ; and they have three jags at the end , almost like a bramble . the flower does not come from the bosom of the leaf , but grows opposite to it , and has long foot-stalks , and five yellow leaves , like tormentil . the cup is composed of ten leaves ; five large , five small . many yellow threads stand round the head , which grows into a roundish bur , compos'd of a great many seeds , placed thick together ; each of them has a tail that turns back at the end , whereby they stick to clothes . it grows in hedges and bushes , and flowers in may or june . 't is somewhat astringent ; it strengthens , and discusses ; 't is cephalick and cordial , and resists poisons . 't is chiefly used inwardly to cure catarrhs , and for quickening the blood when it is coagulated . wine wherein the root has been infus'd has a fine pleasant taste and smell : it chears the heart , and opens obstructions . the root infus'd in beer is excellent for strengthening the joints and bowels . two ounces of the root , or an handful of the herb , boyl'd in a quart of water or posset-drink , to the consumption of a fourth part , has been us'd successfully in curing agues , especially tertians , being taken two hours before the fit , or in the fit. b. barbery-tree , in latin berberis . the berries cool , and are astringent ; they provoke appetite , and strengthen the stomach ; and therefore the conserve of them is frequently used in fevers , a loosness , and the bloody flux . the inward bark of the branches and root , infus'd in white-wine , is an excellent remedy for the jaundice . the juice of the berries , a decoction of the bark , or the juice of the leaves , mix'd with vinegar , cure the pain of the teeth occasioned by fluxion . the conserve of it frequently taken , cures inflammations of the mouth and throat ; or the mouth being gargled with some of the conserve , dissolv'd in water and vinegar . barley , in latin hordeum . the french-barley is much used in fevers , and for diseases of the breast , and for heat of urine . a pultis of barley-meal and butter is very anodine , and eases painful tumours . barley-water . boyl two ounces of french-barley in fountain-water , change the water twice ; boyl it the third time in a quart of water , to a pint and an half ; adding liquorish half an ounce , violet-leaves and strawberry-leaves , each one handful ; sweeten it with sugar , or syrup of violets . the cinnamon-water with barley . infuse twelve ounces of cinnamon in four quarts of barley-water prepared by it self , without the liquorish and other ingredients ; distill them in b. m. garden - basil , in latin ocymum . 't is about nine inches high , and has many four-square branches that are somewhat red , and a little hairy , the leaves are like pellitory-leaves , they are smooth ; some are indented , some not : they have a fragrant smell , but do not taste very well . the flowers are white , or of a purplish colour ; they smell sweet , and are plac'd on long spikes , in whirls . the seed is small , and black . the root is woody , black and fibrous . it grows only in gardens . it comforts the heart , and expels melancholy : it cleanses the lungs , and moves the courses . 't is an ingredient of three compound-waters in the london-dispensatory , viz. gilberts-water , briony-water , and the celestial-water . wild - basil , in latin acinos . it has but one thin root , with but a few fibres . the stalks are one hand high , hairy , red , four-square , branchy , tho' near the earth they seem round . there are two leaves at each joint , and their foot-stalks are contrary one to another ; they are like wild thyme , but larger ; they are indented about the edges , are green above , underneath whitish : their nerves are conspicuous , they are plac'd upon short foot-stalks . the flowers are dispos'd like a whirl at the top of the stalks and branches , and shew themselves of a purple colour . the cup is oblong , channell'd , big-bellied , but narrow at the neck . it grows of its own accord upon chalky hills , and on dry and gravelly ground . it flowers in june . the virtue of it is not certainly known ; and , indeed , one would judge by the smell and taste , that it had no great virtue , tho' schwenckfeld says that 't is hot and dry , and that it forces the courses , and the birth , and removes melancholy . baulm , in latin melissa . 't is reckon'd among the cordial-herbs . it removes melancholy , and cheers the heart . 't is much commended for fainting and beating of the heart , and for the palsie and falling-sickness , and for other cold diseases of the brain . put the green leaves into canary-wine , and drink a glass or two at meals , it provokes the courses , and child-bed-purgations ; and is good for mother-fits , and cures a stinking breath . for madness , take one handful of the leaves , cut them small , and infuse them in four ounces of brandy ; add of prepar'd pearl half a dram ; the dose is two spoonfuls morning and evening . this was counted a great secret at montpelier . for melancholy , take of the conserve of balm one ounce , of the conserve of bugloss and borage-flowers , each half an ounce ; of confection of alkermes one dram ; make an electuary with the syrup of the five opening roots : take the quantity of a nutmeg morning and evening for the space of a month , being first purg'd once or twice . a maid was cur'd of deep melancholy , and the green-sickness , by the use of this medicine . 't is us'd in baths to comfort the joints and sinews ; and for diseases of the womb. it flowers in june , july and august . bay-tree , in latin laurus . a decoction of the bark , berries and leaves makes a good bath for the diseases of the womb and bladder . the berries are very effectual against all poison of venomous creatures , and the stinging of wasps and bees , and also in the plague , and infectious diseases ; and therefore are an ingredient in the london-treacle . they procure the courses ; and 't is said that seven of the berries taken inwardly , will hasten delivery , and expel the after-birth . being made into an electuary with hony , they cure old coughs , and shortness of breath , and stop rheums ; they expel wind , and provoke urine , and comfort the stomach . the oyl which is made of the berries is very useful in cold diseases of the joints and nerves . the electuary of it is frequently used in clysters , to expel wind , and to ease the pain of the cholick . so do the berries themselves . a clyster for the cholick . take of the leaves of mercury , marsh-mallows , pellitory of the wall , each one handful ; of the flowers of camomil one dram ; of the seed of caraways , cumin , of bay-berries powder'd , each one ounce ; boyl them in clear posset-drink , to three quarters of a pint of the liquor strained : add three ounces of mercurial honey , ( which see among the vertues of mercury ) of hiera picra two drams . make a clyster . beans , in latin faba . they are the chief diet all the summer-time in some places , and are certainly very nourishing . a poor country-man , when corn was dear , dieted his children only with beans dried ; and they were better colour'd , and fatter , than other children . the distill'd water of the flowers provokes urine ; and is much used for beautifying the face , and taking spots from thence . for the gravel , make a lee of the ashes , strain it , and sweeten it with sugar : take six ounces , with twenty drops of tincture of cinnamon in it . one that voided blood by stool three or four months , was cured by eating red beans boyl'd in milk , morning and evening , when other medicines would do no good . they provoke venery ; but they are windy , and occasion troublesom dreams . bears-foot , in latin helleboraster . it grows only in gardens . the powder of the leaves kills worms in children : but it is a churlish medicine . beech-tree , in latin fagus . the leaves of the beech-tree bruis'd , and applied to hot swellings , discusses them . the water contained in old and hollow oaks and beech-trees , cures the itch in men , and cattel when they are mangy . white-beet , in latin beta alba . it has a woody root , of the thickness of the little finger , pretty long , and white . the leaves are of a light green colour , thick , and succulent ; of a nitrous taste . the stalk is four foot high , or higher , small , and channell'd ; and has many wings , wherein are the little flowers , in a long series , consisting of yellow tufts . the seed is round , rough and brown . sea-beet , in latin beta maris . 't is like the white-beet , but the leaves are smaller and greener . they are plain and equal ; and have sometimes red veins , and sometimes not . the stalk is also less . 't is common in salt marshes , and on the sea-shore . beet is hot and dry , and loosens the belly by reason of its nitrosity . 't is an errhine , especially the root ; for the juice of it , received into the nostrils , occasions neezing . the young plants , with their roots , gently boyled , and eaten with vinegar , procure an appetite , extinguish thirst , and suppress choler in the stomach . be et , amongst the ancients , was much taken notice of for its insipid taste , martial reproaches it in the following distick . ut sapiant fatuae fabrorum prandia betae , o quam saepe petet vina piperque coquus ? the juice of this herb , drawn up into the nostrils , powerfully evacuates phlegmatick humours from the brain , and cures inveterate head-aches . this is counted a great secret by some . wood - betony , in latin betonica . it grows in bushes and woods . the flower is commonly purple , sometimes white . many vertues are attributed to this plant , taken any way . scroder describes the vertues , in short , thus . 't is hot and dry , acrid and bitter . it discusses , attenuates , opens and cleanses . 't is cephalick , epatick , splenetick , thoracick , uterine , vulnerary , and diuretick . 't is used frequently , inwardly and outwardly , especially in diseases of the head. 't is observed , that the faculties of the root are quite different from the vertues of the leaves and flowers ; for , 't is very nauseous in the mouth and stomach , and occasions nauseousness , belching and vomiting : the leaves , on the contrary , are aromatick , and of a pleasant taste , and agreeable to nature in food and physick . counterfeit tea , made of sage , betony and ground-pine , sweetned , and drank hot , is very good for the gout , head-ach , and diseases of the nerves ; and eases pain , occasioned by these diseases . common - bilberries , in latin vaccinia nigra vulgaris . this small bush has many green , angled sprigs , a foot , or two foot high , which are hard to break . they are divided into many branches , whereon there are many tender , green leaves ; about an inch long , and half an inch broad . they are sharp-pointed , smooth , and curiously indented about the edges , they taste partly acid , and partly harsh . the flowers are placed , each on a foot-stalk , among the leaves : they are of a pale-red colour , with a saffron-colour'd thread in the middle ; and , in form , are like a water-pitcher . to each flower succeeds one berry , like to a juniper-berry ; which is rather of a violet-colour when it is ripe , than black . at first tasting of the berries they seem pleasantly acid , but they leave somewhat that is nauseous upon the palate . it flowers in may : the fruit is ripe in august , and sometimes in july . the berries are cooling , and astringent . they are very agreeable to an hot stomach , and quench thirst . they cure a looseness , and the bloody-flux , occasioned by choler : and are good in the disease called cholera morbus . they stop vomiting , and take off feverish heats . a syrup made of the juice of the berries , is most agreeable : viz. take of the juice strain'd , one pint ; fine sugar , one pound and an half : boyl it to a syrup with a gentle fire . take one spoonful at a time , or mix it with three ounces of some proper water . birch-tree , in latin , betula . the branches of this tree are small and flexible , and most of them hang downwards . the bark is very various ; when the tree is young 't is yellow , or brown ; afterwards it grows lighter . it bears long buds , like long-pepper . it grows frequently in cold and watery places , and on moist heaths . the slender twigs of it were formerly used for the magistrates verge : now they serve to discipline boys , and to tame wild horses , and to make brooms , and to catch birds with bird-lime , and bands for fagots . fishermen in northumberland fish a-nights by the light of this bark : they put it into a cleft stick , which serves for a candle-stick ▪ and so they see how to use their three-teeth'd spear for killing fish . in alsatia the best hoops are made of birch . the leaves are hot and dry , cleansing , resolving , opening , and bitter : for which reason they are of no small use in a dropsie , and the itch , and the like . the bark is bituminous , and is therefore mix'd with perfumes that are to correct the air. the fungus of it has an astringent quality ; upon which account it stops blood miraculously . this tree , in the beginning of spring , before the leaves come forth , being pierced , yields plentifully a sweet and potulent juice , which shepherds , when they are thirsty , often drink in the woods . tragus , helmont , charleton , and others , commend the virtue and efficacy of this liquor , and not undeservedly for the stone in the kidnies and bladder , for bloody urine and the strangury . this tree begins to yield its juice about the middle of february , and sometimes not till the beginning of march. tragus also commends it for the jaundice . some wash their faces with it , to take off spots , and to beautifie . dr. needham cured scorbutick consumptions with it : he used to mix with it good wine and honey . rennet infused in the juice , preserves the cheese from worms , says tragus . the juice of birch cures warts , and pimples in the face , if it be washed with it in the day time , morning and evening , and permitted to dry on . the greater bistort , or snake-weed , in latin bistorta major . the stalks are sometimes more than two foot high , small , smooth , and jointed at the top ; whereon are ears of flowers of a flesh-colour ; and being unfolded , they consist of five small leaves , with tufts of the same colour in the middle . the seed is brown , or almost black , and triangular . the leaves are smaller than those of sharp-pointed dock ; above of a dark-green colour , below gray . the root represents a crooked finger , is red , and very astringent . 't is common in the meadows and pastures about sheffeild in yorkshire , and in several other places of that county . it grows also plentifully in some meadows about tamworth and fasely in warwickshire . it cools and dries . the root of it is very astringent , harsh , alexipharmick , and sudorifick . 't is chiefly used to take off vomiting , and to prevent abortion , and the like . the powder of the root , mixed with conserve of roses , does wonderfully stop spitting of blood , and the bloody flux , and other fluxes . it stops the courses when they are immoderate . the powder sprinkled upon wounds , stops the blood. take of the roots of bistort and tormentil , each one ounce ; of the leaves of meadow-sweet , burnet , wood-sorrel , each one handful ; of burnt harts-horn two drams ; of shavings of harts-horn and ivory , each two drams : boyl them in three pints of fountain-water , to two ; add towards the end three ounces of red roses ; strain them . the dose is six spoonfuls often in a day . vpright - blite , in latin blitum erectius . it has a red and single root , with some small fibres . it roots deep in the earth if the place be agreeable to it ; otherwise it is fibrous . the stalk is nine inches high , channell'd , smooth , solid ; sending forth many branches , near the earth longer than the very stalks . the leaves are plac'd sometimes opposite to one another , but oftner alternately . their foot-stalks are an inch long , smooth , and not so frequent as in other blites . the leaves resemble the leaves of wild-marjoram , but they are somewhat bigger ; from the wings whereof , and from the extremities of the branches , come forth small purple flowers , in clusters . the seed is small , and black . it grows plentifully upon dung-hills , in hop-grounds , and upon fat earth . it mollifies , cools , and tastes insipid . blue-bottles , in latin cyanus . the root is woody , and fibrous . it has many stalks a foot and an half , or two foot high ; they have angles , are hoary , and divided into branches . the lowermost leaves have sharp jags , like scabious , or dandelion ; the other are long , and as broad as a blade of grass ; and have nerves , that run along them : they are sky-colour'd , or whitish . the flowers come from little heads that are compos'd of scales ; they consist of little jagged horns , and are commonly of a sky-colour , sometimes white , or of a light red , or purple . the seed is contain'd in the little head of the flower . the whole plant tastes dry , and somewhat nauseous , and has no good smell . it grows commonly among corn. the flowers and the distill'd water are useful for inflammations of the eyes , and for the blearedness of them . the juice of the flowers distill'd , is good for putrid ulcers . the powder of it , taken inwardly , is very effectual in the jaundice . the flowers infus'd in spirit of wine , or in common water , impart their colour to the liquor ; and they also colour sugar very curiously , as do the flowers of succory , and the like . borrage , in latin borrago . 't is very cordial ; and the flower is one of the four cordial-flowers . the distill'd water , and the conserve of the flowers , comfort the heart , relieve the faint , chear the melancholy , and purifie the blood. this herb is suppos'd to be homer's nepenthe ; by the juice whereof , mix'd with wine , he was wont to expel sorrow . the water of it is good for inflammations of the eyes , and for all fevers ; as is also the conserve of the flowers . the conserve of the flowers mix'd with wine , is said to open women's obstructions . to chear the heart , take of the conserve of borrage-flowers one ounce , of the confection of alkermes two drams ; mix them : the dose is the quantity of a nutmeg ▪ two hours after meals , drinking a glass of canary presently after it . box-tree , in latin buxus . this tree is always green , and full of branches . the bark is white and rough . the substance of it is very hard and yellow , and very heavy , and without pith. it has many leaves ; they are smooth , more obtuse than the leaves of the myrtle , firm , and sometimes concave ; and , which is worth observation , they are double : they smell pretty well , but taste ill . a great many of these trees grow on box-hill , near darking in surrey . 't is seldom used in physick . the oyl drawn from the wood , is much commended for the falling-sickness , and pains in the teeth . 't is said , the decoction of the wood cures the french-pox , as well as guiacum . 't is chiefly used by turners . for the pain of the teeth , drop two or three drops of the oyl upon a little lint , and stop the hollow tooth with it , and it will soon give ease . bramble , in latin rubus . the ancients attributed many virtues to almost every part of this plant. the leaves , the buds , the flowers , and the fruit are astringent ; but the fruit , before it is ripe , is very astringent ; wherefore it is good for vomiting , and all fluxes . 't is good for sore mouths ; and is commended by some for the scurvy , and not without reason ; for , in quality and figure , 't is like the cloud-berry of the alps , which is a specifick for this disease ; and therefore we need not charge children so strictly not to eat them . they do , indeed , occasion children's heads to be scabby ; but it is because they eat immoderately of them : and so any other fruit would produce the same effect . a pleasant and generous wine may be made of the juice of the berries , press'd out , and fermented with a little sugar . a syrup made of the juice , is very good for heat of urine . 't is most commonly prescrib'd in gargarisms to cure sore mouths : take of bramble-tops , of the leaves of columbine , cyprus and sage , each one handful ; boyl them in two quarts of water wherein iron has been quench'd , till one is consum'd : add , allum , one dram and an half ; hony of roses , one ounce : make a gargarism , wherewith wash the mouth often in a day . white - briony , in latin brionia alba . the root is as thick as ones arm , white and fungous , of a bitter and ac●id taste . it sends forth pliant twigs , channell'd , and somewhat hairy ; which spread themselves far and wide by the help of their tendrels , and climb up every thing that is near . the leaves are like ivy-leaves , but larger ; they are hairy , and green . the flowers , joyn'd together , come out of the wings of the leaves , and are of a whitish colour . it grows frequently in hedges . it purges strongly watery and phlegmatick humours . 't is proper for the diseases of the spleen , liver and womb ; for it opens the obstructions of those parts . it drains the water of hydropical people by vomit and stool . it provokes the courses , helps delivery , cures the suffocation of the womb , and the asthma . juglers and fortune-tellers make wonderful monsters of this root , which , when they have hid in the sand for some days , they dig up for mandrakes ; and by this imposture these knaves impose on our common people . conserve of white briony-roots , taken twice a day , to the quantity of a nutmeg , for a long time , cures the falling-sickness , and mother-fits . a piece of the root put into the pot the sick drinks out of , does the same . the compound-water of briony is most in use . i have used this composition that follows , with excellent success , in women's obstructions ; and it is , undoubtedly much better in hysterick diseases , than the common compound-water of the london-dispensatory . take of dried briony-roots , beaten to a gross powder , two ounces ; of the leaves of rue , and dried mugwort , each half a pound ; savine dried , three quarters of an handful ; of featherfew , cat-mint and penny-royal , dried , each half an handful ; of the fresh yellow pill of one orange ; of mirrh half an ounce , of castor two drams , of the best nants-brandy one quart : put them into a glass , and let them infuse six days in warm ashes ; then strain the liquor off , and keep it in a glass-bottle , well stopped . the dose is half a spoonful , to be taken in three ounces of penny-royal-water , sweetned with sugar , morning and evening . the lees of briony , called in latin foecula brioniae , are made after the following manner : take what quantity of the roots of briony you please , slice them , and press out the juice ; this being kept in vessels unmov'd , will in a few hours depose the lees , or foecula ; which being separated by pouring the water away gently , must be dried in a glass-vessel . they are used in a dropsie . common - brook-lime , in latin anagallis aquatica . it grows commonly in little brooks . it heats and moistens moderately . 't is chiefly used in the scurvy ; it powerfully expels the stone of the kidnies and bladder ; it provokes the courses , and expels a dead child . outwardly applied , it cures inflam'd tumours , and st. anthony's fire . 't is much of the same virtue with water-cresses , only not so strong . country-people cure wounds with brook-lime , mix'd with a little salt , and a spider's web , and applied to the wound , wrapp'd about with a double cloth. brook-lime boyld in water , applied to blind piles , has presently eas'd the pain , when other medicines would do no good . fabricius says , he knew a large ulcer that possess'd almost the whole leg , and reached almost to the bone , was cured in a scorbutical person only with brook-lime boyl'd in beer , and applied twice a day . but it is most commonly used inwardly to cure the scurvy : take of the juice of brook-lime , water-cresses and scurvy-grass , each half a pint ; of the juice of oranges , four ounces ; fine sugar , two pounds ; make a syrup over a gentle fire : take one spoonful in your beer every time you drink . broom , in latin genista . 't is common in sandy and barren grounds . it flowers at the latter end of april . 't is splenetick , nepthritick , and hepatick . it expels the stone , and purges watery humours upwards and downwards , by stool and urine : wherefore it is of great use in obstructions of the liver , spleen , and mesentery : and in the dropsie and catarrhs , the flowers , the seeds , and tops are in use . the leaves , the branches , and tops , boyl'd in wine or water , or the juice of them , are good in a dropsie , and all obstructions of the kidnies and bladder ; for they partly purge watery and superflous humours by stool , and partly by urine : one dram of the seed does the same . the flowers , when they are green , are commonly pickled , and make an agreeable sauce ; for they provoke appetite , and force urine . the ashes are most in use , and frequently commended in the dropsie : take of the ashes of broom one pound , infuse them cold in two quarts of rhenish-wine , adding to it half an handful of common wormwood : take four ounces of the clear liquor in the morning , at four in the afternoon , and in the evening , every day . broom-rape , in latin orobanche . 't is two foot high , or more ; the stalk is streight , round and hairy , pale or yellowish , or brownish ; whereon are leaves that are narrow and longish , if they may be called leaves , for they seem rather the beginning of leaves : they soon fade , and flowers succeed them , which are on a spike , like the flowers of orchis , but at a greater distance ; they are of a dull yellow colour . the root is round and scaly , and tastes very bitter . the flowers smell pretty well . the herb candied , or the root , is of excellent use in diseases of the spleen , and for melancholy . an ointment made of it , with lard , is good to discuss hard and scirrhous tumours . butcher's - broom , in latin ruscus , or bruscus . 't is a foot and an half high , and sometimes three or four foot high : it has many tough branches , and is full of leaves , and they are like the leaves of the myrtle ; they are ridged , nervous and prickly ; they have no foot-stalks ; they are hard and strong , and taste bitter . at the middle of the leaf is plac'd a small flower , on a very short foot-stalk . when first it rises it represents a little bunch of small needles ; but being open'd , three little , broadish leaves appear . a round fruit succeeds the flower , that is larger than the berries of asparagus ; 't is reddish and sweetish . under the skin of it lie two great yellow seeds , bunching out on one side , and plain on the other : they are very hard . the root is thick , oblique , and has many fibres that are white and long , like the fibres of asparagus . the root is one of the five opening roots . 't is chiefly used for obstructions of the liver , the urine , and the courses . the syrup of the five opening roots is much in use , and is prepar'd in the following manner : take of the roots of butcher's-broom , fennel , asparagus , parsly and smallage , each two ounces ; fountain-water three quarts ; digest them hot , then boyl them in b. m. to the liquor pressed out hard , and clarified , add eight ounces of vinegar , and five pounds and an half of fine sugar ; make a syrup with a gentle heat . the dose is two spoonfuls , in four ounces of any proper distill'd water . buck-thorn , in latin rhamnus catharticus . this small tree is common in the hedges in some places . the outward bark is black ; there are two within , one green , the other yellow : the wood is pale , and hard . it has many branches , that are plac'd most commonly opposite one to another ; and it has hard , ridged and long thorns plac'd among the leaves , the ends of the branches being thorny also . the leaves are like the leaves of a crab-tree , but smaller ; they are pointed , of a dark green , indented , and nervous , and have an astringent taste . it has many small flowers together , of a light green colour ; each consists of four leaves . the berries succeed the flowers : great numbers of them are plac'd at the roots of the thorns , upon pretty long foot-stalks : when they are ripe they are black , and full of green juice . they have three or four triangular grains , which have a blackish bark , and a white marrow that does not taste ill . the taste of the berries is bitter , and astringent ; and the juice has a certain peculiar taste . the berry of this shrub yields three sorts of colours . those that are gather'd in harvest-time , and dried , and powder'd , and infus'd with water and allum , make a yellow , or rather a saffron-colour ; and is now in use for painting of playing-cards and leather . those that are gather'd in the autumn , when they are ripe and black , being pounded , and kept in a glass-vessel , afford a delicate green , which is called sap-green , and is much used by painters . those that remain on the trees till the feast of st. martin make a red colour . the berries are purging , a dram , or a dram and an half of them being taken at a time . some take fifteen or twenty of the berries at a time : but they work so powerfully , that they are not to be given in substance to weakly people . the syrup is most in use : take of the juice of ripe and fresh berries , gather'd in september , pounds , let it clear by standing ; then add of cinnamon and nutmegs , each three drams ; infuse it in b. m. for the space of a day ; then press them out , and add a pound and an half of white sugar , and make a syrup in b. m. bugle , in latin bugula . the stalk is four-square , empty , and hairy ; an hand , or half a foot high . the leaves are indented , like the leaves of the greater water-brooklime ; two are plac'd by intervals , opposite one to another ; of a violet-colour , or purple , or green : they taste at first sweet , afterwards bitter and astringent . the flowers come out of the wings of the leaves , in a short hairy cup , that is divided into five parts : they are of a sky and changeable colour , and of a sweetish taste . the root is small and fibrous , and tastes more astringent than the leaves . 't is common in woods , and moist meadows ; and flowers in may. the virtues are much the same with those of self-heal . 't is vulnerary , either taken inwardly , or outwardly applied . 't is us'd in the jaundice , in obstructions of the liver , and for stoppage of urine . an ointment made of the leaves of bugle , scabious and sanicle , bruis'd , and boyl'd in lard till they are dry , and then press'd out , is of excellent use for all sorts of ulcers and bruises , and to heal wounds . 't is one of the ingredients for the wound-drink of the london-dispensatory , commonly called the traumatick decoction . bugloss , in latin buglossum . it has many stalks coming from the same root , about three or four foot high , round and rough , with ridgid hairs . 't is branchy at the top , whereon the leaves grow without foot-stalks : they are many , narrow , oblong , of a sky-colour'd green , not wrinkl'd , like burrage ; they end in a sharp point , and are hairy on both sides , and equal about the edges from the wings of the leaves ; and sometimes at their sides , or lower , or a little higher , the branches rise . the flowers come on the top of the stalks and branches , from a cup compos'd of five oblong , norrow , sharp , hairy pieces ; the flowers are less than those of borrage , and consist of one leaf , of a light purple colour ; an oblong thread grows up from the bottom of the cup , which is encompass'd with four seeds that are of a russet colour and wrinkled when they are ripe . the root lives many years , is black without , and white within . it flowers in june and july , and the summer after . it has the same virtues with borrage . the flowers are of great use in melancholy and hypochondriack diseases , and are reckon'd among the four cordial flowers . a person was cured of the falling-sickness by the constant use of the flowers in wine for half a year . take of the leaves of bugloss , borrage , balm , fumitory , water-cresses , and brook-lime , each four handfuls ; of july-flowers , marrigolds , borrage-flowers and cowslips , each three handfuls ; the outward barks of six oranges , and of four limons : all being cut and bruis'd , pour upon them four quarts of posset-drink made with cyder ; distill them in a cold still , and mingle all the water . take three ounces night and morning . bur-dock , in latin bardana . it has a single , thick root , that grows deep in the earth ; without black , within white . the leaves are plac'd upon long foot-stalks ; they are very large , green above , and hairy under ; they have a thick , short down ; they are not exactly round , but a little longish , and end in a sharp point ; they have short , small prickles about the edges , that are scarce visible . the stalk is two foot and an half high , or higher ; thick , round and hairy , and of a purplish colour , and full of pith ; the leaves are plac'd on them alternately , at small distances ; they branch out almost from the bottom . the flowers are plac'd on the top of the stalks and branches , and come out of rough heads , or burrs , with crooked prickles ; they are purplish ; the burs are apt to stick to clothes . the seed is pretty large , oblong , and of a brown colour . 't is drying , pulmonick , diuretick , diaphoretick , cleansing , and somewhat astringent . 't is good in an asthma , for the stone , and spitting of blood ; for old sores , and swellings of the spleen , and of all other parts in gouty diseases , wherein it is peculiarly proper . the seed is an excellent lithontripick , being powder'd , and taken in small beer or posset-drink . the leaves are applied outwardly , to old sores , and to burns . the seed powder'd , and taken forty days together , cures the hip-gout . 't is said , it provokes venery . take of the seeds of bur-dock two drams , of wild-carrot-seeds one dram , of salt of amber one dram , of oyl of nutmegs half a scruple , balsamum capivii a sufficient quantity ; make small pills , take four morning and evening . this is a good diuretick medicine . but the root is chiefly us'd . take of the roots of bur-dock three ounces , of sarsaparilla six ounces , of the wood of guaiacum three ounces , of the bark of the same one ounce , of the roots of notty china three ounces , of sassaphras one ounce and an half , of harts-horn and ivory , rasp'd , each one ounce ; of red and white sanders , and of the sweet-smelling flag , each six drams ; of raisins of the sun , ston'd , one handful ; of the seeds of anise and fennel , each half an ounce : infuse them in eight quarts of fountain-water for twenty four hours in b. m. and cover the vessel close ; then boyl it with a gentle fire , till a third part of the liquor is is consum'd ; towards the latter end of boyling , add of the tops of eye-bright , betony , dried sage , and of the cordial-flowers , each one pugil ; of woody cassia half an ounce ; of nutmegs , number two ; strain it for use . take half a pint four times a day . burnet , in latin pimpinella vulgaris , sive minor . it has a long , slender , brown root , with some fibres . the stalks are a foot , or two foot high , angl'd , branchy , and of a light red colour . at the top of the branches are small heads , from whence arise small purplish flowers . the seeds are short , and four-square . it has many long , wing'd leaves , that lie on the ground , which consist of several small , roundish leaves , green above , and grayish underneath , finely indented about the edges , and set on each side of a middle-rib . it grows commonly on chalky ground , and in hilly pastures . 't is cordial , and alexipharmick . the green herb is put into wine , to chear the heart ; and it renders it very pleasant , by imparting an aromatick smell and taste to it . 't is a good preservative against the plague , and other contagious diseases . 't is also astringent : of excellent use in immoderate fluxes of the courses and belly , and in all hemorrhages , and to dry and heal wounds and ulcers , and the biting of a mad dog. the following water was much us'd in the last london-plague : take of the tops of burnet , rosemary , wormwood , sun-dew , mugwort , dragon's scabious , agrimony , balm , carduus , betony , the lesser centory , one handful each ; of the roots of tormentil , angelica , peony , zedoary , liquorish and elecampane , each half an ounce ; of the leaves of sage , celandine and rue , of the leaves and flowers of marigolds , each one handful ; cut them , and infuse them three days in four quarts of the best white-wine , then distil them carefully , and keep the water for use . the dose was four spoonfuls . butter-bur , or pestilent-wort , in latin petasitis . first it sends forth a stalk about nine inches high , that is concave and downy , with narrow , sharp leaves on it . at the top is a long , spiked head of flowers , of a purplish colour . when the flowers fade , and the stalks die , large leaves succeed , like the leaves of colts-foot , but twice or thrice as large , or larger ; hook'd near the foot-stalk ; they are almost round , and indented about the edges . the root is thick and bitter , and creeps much . it grows in moist places , and near the banks of rivers ▪ the spike and flower flourish in april . 't is much us'd in pestilential fevers . 't is also reckon'd good in coughs , and for an asthma . it expels the broad worms of the belly , and provokes urine and the courses . 't is outwardly applied to bubo's , and malignant ulcers . 't is us'd also to provoke sweat , and to expel malignity : take of the root of bur-dock , virginian snake-weed and contrayerva , each one dram ; of cochinell and saffron , each half a dram ; make a powder . the dose is half a dram ▪ to be taken in a proper water . butterwort , or yorkshire-sanicle , in latin pinguicula . the root has some white fibres , that are pretty large considering the smalness of the plant. it does not grow deep . six or seven of the leaves lie on the earth , and sometimes more ; of a pale yellow green ; they look greasie , and shine as if they were besmear'd ; in length two inches , and in breadth about one ; they are somewhat blunt at the ends , the edges are smooth , the upper part of the leaf is cover'd with a very short down , which is scarcely seen . some foot-stalks , about an hand high , arise amongst the leaves ; at the top of each is plac'd one purplish flower , of one leaf , divided into five parts . it grows in marshy places , and on moist hills . the leaves bruis'd and applied , cure fresh wounds . country-people cure chaps in cows dugs , and chaps and swellings on their hands , by anointing them with the fat juice of this herb. the welsh make a syrup of it , wherewith they purge themselves : they also boyl the herb in broth for the same purpose , for it purges flegm very briskly : they also make an ointment of it , which is of excellent use for obstruction of the liver . the leaves beat , and applied to parts affected with pain , ease the pain . 't is reckon'd vulnerary , and very good for ruptures in children . c. cabbage , in latin brasica . warts anointed with the juice of it , are taken off in the space of fourteen days . the leaves boil'd in wine , and applied to ulcers , and the leprosie , do much good . and so great is the virtue of it , that the urine of those that feed on it is very useful , and proper for curing the fistula , cancer , tetters , and such like diseases . at the beginning of an inflammation of the jaws , ( when we design to cool and repel ) we make use of the liquor of it . a person so over-run with the scurvy that he could scarce go or stand , and had spots all over his breast and legs , was cured by drinking daily three pints of wine , wherein four handfuls of red cabbage had been infus'd , with half a dram of ginger , and two drams of cinnamon . for a pain in the side apply a leaf of it , besmear'd with butter , hot , to the part affected , having first sprinkl'd powder of cumin-seed upon it . 't is said , cabbage prevents drunkenness . sea - cabbage , or colewort , in latin brasica marina . it grows every where , almost , on the sea-shore , in england : our people , in such places , eat it ; preferring it before garden-cabbage . field - calamint , in latin calamintha . it springs up yearly , with many stalks , which are two foot high , small , four-square , stiff and hairy ; they look reddish in sunny places ; they are branchy , and bend downward . the leaves , by intervals , are opposite one to the other , small , hairy , with here and there a jag ; they smell as strong as penny-royal , and almost as strong as water-mint ; they are , for the most part , triangular , of an acrid and quick taste . the flowers are plac'd in whirls at every joint , and are of a pale purple or sky-colour , and have a long tube , with a lip divided into three clefts ; and are plac'd upon pretty long foot-stalks . from the wing of the leaf , on each side , comes forth a common foot-stalk , oblong , and small , sustaining many small flowers , with little , peculiar foot-stalks . the cup of the flower , and the seed-vessel , is oblong , narrow , channel'd , and contains four seeds , joyn'd together at the bottom ; they are very small , and red . it flowers late , about autumn . it grows plentifully in ditches , and near high-ways , and on sandy and barren grounds ▪ 't is hot and dry , stomachick and uterine . it provokes the courses and urine : it opens the liver , and cures a cough . the leaves relieve those that are bit by serpents , being infus'd in beer , or us'd outwardly in an ointment . a decoction of them is good for those that are short-breath'd , bursten , or grip'd : it cures the jaundice , and resists poyson . the herbs us'd in drink , with salt and hony , kills worms . it cures an elephantiasis , if it be us'd frequently . take of the leaves of calamint , savoury and lungwort , each one handful ; one large leaf of tobacco , of liquorish slic'd two drams ; of the roots of elecampane , of polypody of the oak prepar'd , each two ounces ; of currants two ounces ; of sebestens , number fifteen ; of the seeds of nettles one dram and an half : boyl them in sweet wine diluted to a pint and an half , with a pound and an half of sugar make a syrup . let it be taken in the form of a linctus , or a spoonful morning and evening . this is good for an asthma . calve's-snout , or snapdragon , in latin antirrhinum . 't is a very curious plant , consisting of a small , whitish root . the stalks are a foot , or two foot high , round , and hairy . the leaves are plac'd alternately ; they are somewhat red , and fat under , and taste a little acrid and bitterish . the little flowers come out of the wings of the leaves , and they are of two colours , partly white , and partly purple ; five or seven green , hairy leaves encompass the bottom of them . this plant is seldom us'd in physick , but is preserv'd in gardens for the beauty of its flower . those things that are affirm'd of the virtue of this plant against apparitions , enchantments and sorcery , are frivolous , superstitious , and wholly fabulous . camomile , in latin chamaemelum . there is so much camomile in cornwall , that you scent it as you ride there on the road. it digests , loosneth , mollifies , eases pain , provokes urine and the courses ; wherefore it is much us'd in the cholick , and for convulsions that proceed from wind. among ▪ all the plants that are us'd in baths for the stone , none is so effectual as the flowers of camomile . 't is outwardly us'd in paregorick , emollient and suppurating pultesses , and for clysters . the oyl of camomile softens hard swellings , and discusses them , and eases the pain . some drink a decoction of it for the stone . a person that had the stone , and had tried many medicines to no purpose , was wonderfully releiv'd by the following remedy . i took , says he , two handfuls of the flowers of the common camomile , which i infus'd in a quart of rhenish-wine , and digested them in hot ashes two hours ; then i strain'd the liquor , and added two handfuls more of the flowers , and digested them as before ; and repeated the same a third time ; but the last time it must be infus'd no longer time than asparagus or fish are wont to be boyl'd in . it is to be noted , that this decoction is render'd so salt , that one would think a good quantity of salt had been dissolv'd in it . i took two or three spoonfuls of this decoction in a small draught of hot wine ; and by the vse of this simple medicine ( god be prais'd ) the dreadful symptoms were mitigated , and the vreters relaxed ; so that some stones came away by vrine , without any great pain . afterwards i prescrib'd the same for several others that were so afflicted , who found also much relief , especially if they were plac'd in a bath . the saltness he mentions in this infusion , is very remarkable . two or three spoonfuls of the juice of camomile , with a few drops of spirit of vitriol , given in broth before the fit comes , generally cures agues of all sorts . oyl of camomile is made the same way that oyl of roses is . caraways , in latin carum . it has a long , single root , as thick as the thumb , or thicker , and white . the bulk of it is increas'd by some fibres that grow to it , which have an aromatick taste , and are somewhat acrid . it has many stalks three or four foot high , channel'd , smooth , solid and jointed ; and sometimes divided into branches . the leaves have a long-foot-stalk that is like the keel of a ship , but 't is narrow ; they grow partly from the root , and partly from the wings of the branches ; like leaves of wild-carrot , but they bear their wings at a greater distance . the flowers are single , small , round , whitish , or reddish . the seed is oblong , channel'd , and of an acrid and aromatick taste . it grows frequently in fat , pleasant and green fields , and in meadows that are sometimes water'd . the seed is stomachick , and diuretick : it expels wind , and helps concoction ; provokes urine , and strengthens the brain ▪ 't is of great use in the cholick , and for giddiness in the head , and the like . 't is much us'd in the kitchin ; for it is baked in bread , and mix'd with cheese , and boyl'd in broths . 't is sold in the shop candied . the root , when it is tender , is as effectual as the seed , and eats more pleasantly than parsnips . take of the seeds of caraways , coriander and sweet fennel , each fifteen grains ; of white amber one dram ; of the yellow pill of citron , of the flowers of rosemary , one dram and an half ; of nutmeg half a dram ; of the finest sugar three ounces ; make a gross powder of them all : take half a spoonful of it after meals , to help digestion . wild - carrot , in latin daucus offinarum . 't is uterine and diuretick : 't is chiefly us'd in obstructions of the courses , in a suffocation , for the pain of the matrix , and for a flatulent cholick , the hickop , obstruction of urine , and an old cough . the seeds of it infus'd in beer , and drunk , is much commended by some modern authors , especially by charlton , for the strangury , and the stone in the kidnies . two drams of the seed infus'd in white-wine , and drunk , is good for mother-fits . the little purple flower of it is counted a certain remedy for the falling-sickness . mr. boyle , in his book of the vsefulness of natural philosophy , says , that discoursing once with an eminently learned and experienc'd physician of the anti-nephritical virtue of the seed of this carrot , fermented in small ale , he smilingly told him , that he found its efficacy but too great ; for , having prescrib'd it to some of his rich patients , who were wont frequently to have recourse to him for the stone ; after the vse of this drink for a pretty while , he seldom heard of them any more . mr. boyle prescrib'd one ounce and an half of this seed to a gallon of ale. celandine , in latin chelidonium majus . it has divers tender , round , light-green stalks , with greater joints than ordinary in other herbs ; they are very brittle , branchy , and have large , tender , long leaves , divided into many parts , and each of them cut in the edges ; they are placed at the joynts , on both sides of the branches , of a dark-bluish green colour above , like columbines , of a pale bluish green underneath . they are full of yellow sap , which is of a bitter taste , and strong smell . at the tops of their branches , which are much divided , grow yellow flowers , consisting of four leaves : after which come small , long pods , with blackish seeds therein . the root is pretty large at the head , shooting forth divers other long roots , and small fibres ; reddish on the outside , and full of yellow sap within . 't is hot and dry : it evacuates choler by urine and stool , and clears the sight . a syrup made of the whole herb is good in the jaundice ▪ for obstructions of the liver , spleen and kidnies . it cures a tetter ( called in latin herpes miliaris ) effectually , it being anointed with the juice . the juice , or distill'd water of it , outwardly applied , strengthens the eyes , and cures ulcers : but because the juice is very acrid , it must be mix'd with those things that will abate its acrimony . a great quantity of the juice is made use of in the composition of aqua mirabilis , which is made in the following manner : take of cloves , galangal , cubeds ▪ mace , cardamoms , nutmeg , ginger , each one dram ; of the juice of celendine half a pint , of brandy one pint , of white-wine three pints ; infuse them twenty four hours , and then distil a quart in b. m. celendine grows in shady and rough places , and amongst rubbish . the lesser celandine , or pile-wort , in latin chelidonium minus . 't is a little plant , about an hand 's breadth , which has yearly a new root , leaf and flower . the root is inspid , and partly round , as an onion , and partly consisting of many white fibres ; from whence arises a small stalk , near the earth white , above of a light purple ; and at the bottom is a joint , from whence arise two leaves , opposite one to another , with long stalks , that have a broad beginning , and are of a fleshy colour , and end narrow and green : they are somewhat like ivy-leaves , but softer , less and rounder ; they shine , and are nervous , and have sometimes white spots ; as also those two that arise from the root . the leaves upon the stalks are much indented , like the leaves of creeping-ivy ; and they are commonly plac'd alternately , and hang upon short , green foot-stalks . at the top of the branches is plac'd one flower , resembling that of crowfoot , consisting of eight or nine small leaves , of a golden shining colour . the cup consists of three little , short leaves , and has in the middle many yellow threads . a little head , cover'd with pricks , succeeds the flower , of a yellowish green colour , compos'd of the seeds . it flowers at the latter end of march , or the beginning of april ; in may the leaves and flowers vanish ; the roots shoot forth the next spring . it grows in meadows , near ditches , and chiefly in wet grounds . it cools and moistens , and is chiefly us'd for the jaundice , scurvy , and bleeding of the hemorrhoids . outwardly applied , 't is a specifick for excrescencies in the fundament ; and is much commended for cleansing the teeth , and for preserving them from putrefaction . the lesser centory , in latin centaurium minus . the root is small , white and woody , it creeps awry ▪ 'tis full of twigs , without juice , and insipid : it has most commonly but one stalk , nine inches or one foot high , smooth and firm . some of the leaves lie on the ground , others are plac'd on the stalk by pairs , one opposite to another , larger than the leaves of st. john's-wort , smooth and green . they have three great nerves , very conspicuous , on the underside , running according to their longitude . there are many flowers joyn'd together at the top of the stalk and branches , but they have no foot-stalk ; they are expanded from a long tube , into five sharp pieces , resembling so many leaves , and they have five yellow tops . the cup of the flower is compos'd of five narrow , acute , small leaves , long , starvling , little heads succeed the flowers , full of seeds like sand. it flowers in july , and is common in dry pastures . gallen , by reason of the wonderful and great virtue of this plant , wrote a whole book of it . 't is splenetick and hepatick , bitter without biting : 't is cleansing , opening and vulnerary : 't is good in the jaundice , in suppression of the courses , in the gout , and for worms ; and is a specifick for the biting of a mad dog. the decoction of it is us'd with success in tertian-agues ; wherefore 't is called by some the febrifuge-plant . 't is one of the ingredients of the bitter drink , so much us'd by the london-physicians ; which is made in the following manner : take of the tops of the lesser centory , of the flowers of camomile , each one pugil ; of the roots of gentian half a scruple ; of the leaves of sena , and carduus-seed , each one dram ; of salt of worm-wood ten grains ; boyl them in a sufficient quantity of fountain-water , to four ounces . a decoction of the tops of it takes off pimples , spots , morphew , and other diseases of the skin . a lee made of it cleanses the hair , and makes it white . a man almost destroy'd by the jaundice , was cured by drinking every morning a strong decoction of this herb. it will not grow in gardens . common wild charvil , in latin cerefolium silvestre . it has a woody , single , white root , and very small fibres ; 't is as thick as the little finger . the taste of it is somewhat acrid . it has sometimes one , sometimes more stalks . they are a cubit and an half high , or higher , round , channel'd , smooth and empty , and knotted with joints , plac'd at a great distance ; and they belly out under the joints . the branches come out alternately , at each joint , from the wings of the leaves . this is one of the plants that are called umbelliferous . the flowers are small and white , and consist of five leaves , and so many white threads . the seeds are oblong , smooth and blackish when they are ripe , of a sweet and aromatick taste . the leaves are softer , and cut sharper than the leaves of parsly ▪ of an aromatick smell and taste , and of a pale-green colour , and sometimes a little red . the foot-stalks are often red , and somewhat hairy . tho' we said the leaves grow alternately upon the stalks , yet at the top they are plac'd by pairs : and from the wings of these two branches rise , which is common to most other umbelliferous plants . it flowers in may : soon after the seed is ripe it withers away . it springs again in the autumn , and is green all the winter . charvil ( especially that which grows in gardens ) is hot and dry , and diuretick . it provokes the courses , and is lithontriprick : it quickens the blood , when coagulated ; and disposes to sleep . 't is used outwardly with great success for the cholick , and obstruction of urine : used in caraplasms , it discusses tumours and clodded blood , like solomon's-seal . 't is chiefly us'd for swellings , and hardness of the paps . take of the roots of charvil , knee-holm , polypody of the oak , of each one ounce ; of the leaves of water-hemp , agrimony , of the oak of jerusalem , of maiden-hair , and ground-ivy , each one handful ; of the seeds of bastard-saffron one ounce , of the roots of florentine-flower-de-luce , half an ounce , of the seeds of danewort five drams , of the root of the sweet-smelling flag half an ounce ; boyl them in two quarts of fountain-water , to the consumption of a third part ; then strain it , and add one ounce and an half of sena , and two drams of agarick ; mechoacan and turbith , each half an ounce ; of yellow-sanders one dram and an half , of the roots of lesser galanga one dram ; boyl them in a close vessel two hours , then strain the liquor , and add two ounces of the best hony , clarified with the white of an egg ; make a purging mead : the dose is six or eight ounces , twice or thrice a week . this is proper in a dropsie of the breast . cherries , in latin cerasus . cherries , when they are fresh , loosen the belly ; but when dry , they bind : those that are sweet , purge ; but they are offensive to the stomach . sharp and harsh cherries are binding . the distill'd water of sharp cherries , and the cherries themselves extinguish feverish heats , and quench thirst , and create an appetite : and , preserv'd with sugar , they are very grateful to the stomach , and reckon'd by the women the best sweet-meats ; but , by reason of the abundance of their moisture , they cannot be kept long . the decoction of dried cherries is excellent in hipocondriack diseases ; and many have been cur'd by this remedy alone . sweet cherries are peculiarly good for diseases in the head , the falling-sickness , apoplexy and palsie . a lord that was seiz'd with an apoplexy , and was speechless three days , recover'd his speech by takeing spirit of cherries . in stammering , and other vices of speech , wash the mouth often with the spirit of black-cherries ; for they are very cephalick , and do much strengthen the muscles of the tongue and the spirits design'd for their use . the distill'd water of sweet black-cherries is much commended , and us'd for children's convulsions . take an equal quantity of this water , and the water of lime-tree-flowers : the dose is , an ounce , or two ounces , according to the age of the child . wines and potions are prepar'd of cherries several ways ; either by distillation , or infusion , or by mixing sugar with the juice , and fermenting it . in italy they prepare a potion with fresh cherries , which they call marasco ; they drink it before it ferments : 't is sold there in taverns in the summer-time , and is counted a good , cooling liquor . the oyl drawn from the kernels , in a press , is said to take spots and pimples from the skin , by anointing it : and 't is reckon'd good for the gout , and stone in the kidnies and bladder . the gum of cherries , diluted with wine , cures inveterate coughs , quickens the sight , and provokes appetite : 't is counted also lithontriptick , drunk in wine . some , when they eat great quantities of cherries , swallow the stones to prevent surfeits , which is a vulgar errour ; for , many times they lie long in the stomach , and do much hurt . the livers of sparrows grow very big at cherry-time . the following sorts of cherries are much esteem'd here in england , ( viz. ) the may-cherry , the duke-cherry , the arch-duke-cherry , the flanders-cherry , the red-heart-cherry , the carnation and the amber-cherry , the bleeding-heart and the naples , the purple-cherry , the black orleance , and the common black-cherry , luke ward 's cherry , the cluster-cherry , the dwarf-cherry , and the morello-cherry . chesnut-tree , in latin castanea . it is a great and stately tree , as thick as an old oak ; so very large sometimes , that three men , with their arms extended , can scarce encompass the trunk of it . it has many branches , the small twigs are of a crimson colour . it has a smooth bark , spotted , and blackish , and sometimes of an ash-colour , but chiefly the extremity of the branches : and when the tree is young , the wood of it is strong and lasting ; but yet it bends with a burthen , and cracks much in the fire , and its coals are soon extinguish'd . it has large leaves , about two inches broad , and in length about five ; they are thin , wrinkly , and indented like a saw , with many transverse veins sticking on the back , extended from the middle-rib that is most remarkable . long hanging buds precede the fruit , having yellow tufts . the cups are prickly , and like a bur ; within they are hairy , and as soft as silk : they contain two or three nuts , some but one , ending sharp , from a broad basis ; they are about an inch long , flat on one side , and bellying out on the other , and are in shape something like the heart . the nut is white , solid and hard , sweet and palatable ; especially when it is roasted . it chiefly grows on mountains , and rising grounds . there are abundance of them in italy , where the people that live on the mountains eat little else . they bud at the beginning of spring ; and soon after flower . the fruit is ripe about the latter end of september . the good nuts are known from the bad , by putting them in water ; for , if they are sound and good they sink , but if otherwise they swim . we in england make of this wood bedsteads , chairs , tables , chests , and other furniture for houses . in some places beyond sea they make bread and frumenty of the flower of the nuts ; but such sort of coarse diet is no way pleasing to the english , who ( god be thanked ) have plenty of wholsom food , and great abundance of all things necessary . they are either boyl'd whole in water , or roasted on the fire , or fry'd . in italy the gentry and citizens roast them under ashes , and , having pill'd them , mix a little sugar and juice of oranges or limons with them , and so eat them for a second course . but , which way soever they are prepar'd , they are windy , and injurious to the stomach and head , and to those that are subject to cholical pains , and the stone . the nuts are astringent , and consequently do good in fluxes of the belly , and for spitting of blood. they are said to be good for coughs , being eaten with hony , fasting : as also is an electuary prepar'd with the flower of them and hony. an emulsion of chesnuts , made with the decoction of liquorish , and a few white poppy-seeds , is good for heat of urine . chick-weed , in latin alfine . it cools and moistens moderately ; upon which account it is good for inflammations , and against heat , either taken inwardly , or outwardly applied , as purslan , and the lesser house-leek . 't is counted good for such as are in consumptions , and wasting conditions . birds that are kept in cages are much refreshed by this herb , when they loath their meat . common-garden - clary , in latin horminum . the stalk is two foot high , and higher , about the bigness of the little finger , four-square , stiff and hairy , and full of white pith. the leaves are large , hairy and whitish , very much wrinkled ; from a large basis , they end by degrees in a blunt point ; they are somewhat indented about the edges : they are plac'd on long foot-stalks , especially the lower , which come out of the earth ; those of the stalks are placed by pairs , opposite to one another . the flowers are set upon long spikes , on the top of the stalks and branches ; they are compos'd of many whirls , they are of a light blue colour . the seed is pretty large , and smooth , and of a brownish colour . the root is single , and woody , and consists of many fibres . the smell of the whole plant is very strong , the taste is bitter . it grows in gardens : it flowers in june , or july . wine fermented with it is very agreeable to a cold stomach . 't is also good for barren women , and for those that are troubl'd with the whites . the herb powder'd , and applied to the nostrils , provokes sneazing , and cures a catarrh , and purges the head. a decoction of it in water provokes the courses , and expels the after-birth . cakes made of it are reckon'd good to strengthen the reins , and to stimulate venery . the musilage of the seeds is proper for diseases of the eyes . 't is also said to be good for the falling-sickness , and mother-fits . the seed put into the eyes , takes away motes . cloud-berry , knot-berry , or knout-berry , in latin chamamorus . it rises up with slender , brownish stalks , not a foot high ; set with four or five large leaves , one above another , at several winged winged joints , each of them divided into five parts , and each of them pretty much indented , and jagg'd , rough , and , as it were , crumpled : each of them is plac'd on a long foot-stalk , which at the joints have two small pieces , like ears , set thereat . every stalk has one flower set at the top of it , consisting of five roundish , pointed leaves , of a dark purple colour ; after which follows a large berry , like a mulberry , of a reddish colour when ripe , and is of a sowrish sweet taste . the root creeps much , and far , shooting forth small fibres at the knotty joints , whereby it is fastned in the ground ; and from thence divers new stalks shoot . 't is said , that in norway they have so great an opinion of the virtues of knot-berry , for curing the scurvy , and such like diseases , that they remove their scorbutick people to a neighbouring island , where only such inhabit ; and there they are forc'd to abide till they recover their health ; and having no other provision allow'd them , they feed on these berries , whereby they are infallibly cur'd within a few days . but this sort of remedy can be only us'd in summer-time . clowns-all-heal , in latin panax coloni . it has a jointed , creeping root ; it bunches out . the stalks are five or six foot high , somewhat reddish , hairy , rough and four-square , and empty . the leaves are placed at the joints , by pairs , opposite to one another ; they are sharp , hairy , soft , except the rib of the under-side , which is reddish , and a little rough ; they are indented about the edges ; they have a strong smell , and bitterish taste . the flowers are spiked , and consist of several whirls ; each of them is hooded , and purplish , the lip is of several colours in the cup of the flower , which is short , and divided into five acute pieces . the seeds grow four by four , black , shining and triangular . it grows in watery places , and near rivers . our gerard wonderfully extols the efficacy of this herb , in curing wounds . he beats it up with lard , and applies it to the fresh wound . a syrup made of it , is an excellent remedy for hoarsness . col●y-flower , in latin brasica florida . this has the same virtues with the common cabbage . common - colts-foot , in latin tussilago . the leaves are roundish , have many angles , and are like butter-bur-leaves , but much lesser ; under whitish , above green ; with a little cotton upon them , which may be easily rub'd off with the fingers : from the same come several stalks , an hand , and sometimes nine inches high , concave reddish , and have cotton on them , and little leaves , much unlike those that come from the root ; namely , long , sharp , thin , and without foot-stalks ; plac'd alternately , and press'd to the stalk . each of them sustain a yellow flower , consisting of abundance of small leaves . the roots are small , and white , and creep much . the flowers and stalks wither soon , ( but not in a day or two , as some have said ; ) upon which account , it has been supposed to have neither flower , nor cup. it grows in watery places . the fresh leaves are applied outwardly to hot ulcers , and inflammations ; but being dried , are pretty acrid , and hot . the fume of them receiv'd into the mouth , through a tunnel , and swallow'd down , or smoak'd in a tobacco-pipe , is good for a cough , difficulty of breathing , and an ulcer of the lungs . a syrup prepar'd of the leaves , is good for the same use . mr. boyle says , that the leaves powder'd , with saffron and amber , and smoak'd in a pipe , have cur'd a consumption . the whitish down which grows to the root , being cleans'd from it , and wrapped in a rag , and boyl'd a little in lee , adding a little salt-petre , and after dried in the sun , makes the best tinder . take of the leaves of colts-foot , ground-ivy , maiden-hair , harts-horn rasp'd , water-hemp , agrimony , of each one handful ; of the roots of charvil , and butcher's broom , each one ounce ; of the seeds of bastard . saffron , of sweet fennel-seed , each half an ounce ; boyl them in three quarts of fountain-water , to the consumption of half ; adding towards the end three drams of liquorish , and two ounces of raisins of the sun ston'd , and six jujubes , or three ounces of the best hony clarified : make an apozem . the dose is four ounces , hot , twice or thrice in a day . this is good for coughs . columbine , in latin aquilegia . the seed candied , is commended for obstructions of the bowels , and for giddiness . one dram of the seed powder'd , and taken in wine , with saffron , cures the jaundice , if the sick keep in bed , and sweat . the distill'd water of it discusses inward tumours , expels poison , and eases the gripes . the seed of it finely powder'd , and taken in wine , helps delivery : if the first draught does not do the business , repeat it . but it is most frequently us'd in gargarisms , to cleanse the teeth , and to cure the scurvy , and ulcers of the mouth and jaws . take of the leaves of columbine two handfuls , of white-pepper one dram ; boyl them in a quart of posset-drink till half is wasted : make a gargarism . great - comfrey , in latin cons●lida major . it grows in moist and good ground . the root is thick , and full of sprigs , and very clammy , and taste insipid . the stalks are two foot and an half high , and higher , a finger thick , empty , hairy , and rough . the flowers are many together , upon the tops of the stalks and branches , of a pale-yellow colour , and sometimes incline to a purple . the leaves are sharp , wrinkly , prickly , equal about the edges , and dispos'd in no order . the seeds are like the seeds of viper-bugloss . it grows in watery places , or near rivers ; and flowers in may. 't is an excellent wound-herb , is musilaginous and thickning , and qualifies the acrimony of the humours . 't is used in all fluxes , especially of the belly ; and for a consumption . the flowers boyl'd in red wine , are very proper for those that make a bloody urine . outwardly applied , it stops the blood of wounds , and helps to unite broken bones ; wherefore 't is called bone-set . it eases the pain of the gout , and cures eating-ulcers : take of the root as much as you think convenient , beat it in a mortar till it is reduc'd to a mass ; spread it on leather , and apply it to the part affected . this is excellent for abating gouty pains , and the sciatica ; and for pains in the arms ; and has been also us'd for venereal pains , with good success . take of comfrey-roots half a pound , slice them , and put them into an earthen pipkin , with half a pint of alicant , and half a pound of loaf-sugar ; cover it with a paper , and bake it in an oven , as you do apples : eat , night and morning , two or three slices of the comfrey , and take a spoonful or two of syrup presently after . this was prescrib'd for a lady with child , that had her courses immoderately , by doctor willis . and it has cured several others . sea - coralline , in latin corallina . 't is one , two , or three inches high , hoary , and of an ash-colour , sometimes yellowish , reddish , or whitish . it has abundance of thin branches , jointed sometimes , with small twigs growing on the side . it smells like a fish ; the taste also is saltish , and unpleasant : it cracks between the teeth , like sand ; and is easily reduc'd to powder , by rubbing it with the fingers . it grows upon rocks , and on shells and stones near the sea-side . 't is not soft when under water , as caesalpinus writes . being grosly powder'd , it kills and expels worms : half a dram is given to boys , not ten years of age ; a dram to grown people . this is much commended for the worms : take of coralline and calcin'd hearts-horn , each half a scruple ; of virginia-snake-weed one scruple ; make a powder : let the child take a third part of it , morning and evening , in a small draught of the white decoction . female - cornel , dog-berry , or gatter-tree , in latin cornus foemina . it grows commonly in hedges . the wood of it is so very hard , especially when it is dry , that it can scarce be cut . some people make oyl of the berries , for their lamps . costmary , in latin balsamita mas . the roots grow oblique , like the roots of mint ; they are round , and have many fibres . the stalks are two or three foot high , channel'd , branchy , and of a pale-green colour . the leaves are like the leaves of pepperwort , and of the same colour with the stalks ; indented about the edges , but seldom jagged ; it has a very strong scent , and a very bitter taste . on the top of the branches are umbles or tufts of golden yellow flowers , somewhat like the flowers of tansie . the seeds are small , oblong and flat . it grows in gardens . it cures the crudities of the stomach , belchings , vomitings , and a stinking breath ; the gripes , heart-burning , and pain in the head , that is occasion'd by fumes from the stomach : it opens women's obstructions , and is good in the stone . the juice and the seed kill worms . 't is supposed to be peculiarly good against the malignity of opium , and other poisons . it cures wounds presently . an excellent balsam for old ulcers is prepar'd of this herb and adder's-tongue , boy'ld in oyl of olives ; adding wax and rozen to bring it to a consistence . cowslips , in latin paralysis . 't is common in pastures , and flowers in april . the leaves and flowers are us'd amongst pot-herbs , and in sallets ; and are very agreeable to the head and nerves . they are us'd in apoplexies , palsies , and pains in the joints . the juice of the flowers takes off spots and wrinkles from the face , and other vices of the skin . the water of the flowers , the conserve , and the syrup are anodine , and gently provoke sleep ; and are very proper medicines for weakly people . the juice of the leaves and flowers , mix'd with an equal quantity of red-cow's milk , cured an inveterate head-ach , when other medicines would do no good . take of cowslip-water two ounces , of the syrup of white poppies one ounce , of the juice of limons fresh drawn , two spoonfuls ; make a draught . this is commonly used at bed-time , to cause sleep . common-garden - cresses , in latin nasturtium hortense . it flowers in may and june ; and , when the seed is ripe , withers quite away . the herb , especially the seed , is acrid , and hot ; for which reason it opens , attenuates , and cleanses . 't is chiefly used for the swelling of the spleen , for obstructions of the courses , and to expel a dead child . it cuts the tartareous musilage of the lungs , and is good in the scurvy . 't is outwardly used , beat up with lard , to cure scabs in the head , and other parts of the body . 't is used every where in sallets , with lettice , and other herbs : it qualifies the coldness of the lettice , and comforts the stomach , and promotes concoction by its heat . for lethargies , and sleepy diseases , there is nothing better than cresses , either boyl'd , or eaten in sallets . for children's scabs , or scalded heads , nothing is so effectual and quick a remedy as garden-cresses , beat up with lard ; for it makes the scales fall in twenty four hours , and perfectly cures them , if they continue the use of it . water - cresses , in latin nasturtium aquaticum . it grows frequently in brooks , and watery places . it flowers chiefly in july and august , and sometimes before . 't is much us'd in the spring-time , in broths , to purifie the blood. 't is good in the stone ; for it provokes urine , it opens women's obstructions , and relieves those that are in dropsies . spirit of water-cresses : take a large quantity of water-cresses , beat them in a marble mortar , press out the juice , dissolve some leaven with it ; make an heap , and beat them well with your hands ; then put them in a convenient place for eight days , afterwards distil the spirit in b. m. the dose is one spoonful , or two in winter-time , for scorbutical people . the spirit of celandine , brooklime and scurvy-grass may be made the same way . take of water-cresses and brook-lime , each two handfuls ; wood-sorrel one handful ; bruise them , and put the juice into a pint of white-wine ; let it stand close stop'd till the wine is clear : take two spoonfuls of the clear wine in your beer , every time you drink ; continue the use of this for the space of three weeks . this is good for an hot scurvy . cross-wort , or mugweed , in latin cruciata . it grows up in square , hairy , brown stalks , about a foot high ; having four small , broad , and pointed ; hairy , yet smooth ; yellowish green leaves growing at every joint , each against the other , cross-wise . the flowers are of a pale-yellow colour . its seeds are small , round and blackish ; four , most commonly , in every husk . the root is very small , and full of fibres , or threads , which spread much in the ground , it grows amongst bushes , and in hedges . it dries , is astringent , and one of the chief vulneraries , inwardly taken , or outwardly applied . drunk in wine , it is good for ruptures . it also expectorates viscous humours . the common creeping crow-foot , in latin ranunculus pratensis . the root has many white fibres . the leaves are placed upon very long foot-stalks , and have three divisions , and are most like the leaves of smallage ; they are cut in deep , and indented about the edges ; hairy on both sides , of a dark-green colour , and sometimes spotted with white . it has many small stalks , round , hairy and concave , that creep on the ground , and send down roots from the joints , by intervals . the flowers are placed upon long foot-stalks ; they have five leaves , are yellow , and shine as if they were varnish'd . many seeds succeed the flowers ; all joyn'd together , make a a bur : they are black when they are ripe . it grows in moist grounds . this sort is not at all acrid , and therefore may be applied to the body without danger . the german-women eat them in april , when they are tender , with other herbs . round-rooted , or bulbous crow-foot , in latin ranunculus bulbosus . the leaves and flowers are like the former : it differs from it in these six things ; . the root is bulbous . . the stalks are upright , and do not creep at all . . the leaves upon the upper stalks are cut into smaller and longer jags . . the leaves of the cup , when the flower opens , are turn'd back to the foot-stalk . . it flowers earlier . lastly , the heads of the seeds are a little longer , and each seed not prickly at the top , as is every seed of the creeping crow-foot . there are other differences , but these may suffice for the distinction of them . this grows every where in pastures , and is too frequent there . this is called devil's crow-foot by tragus . beggars make soars upon their flesh with this plant , to move compassion . the water of the root , or the infusion made in spirit of wine , is praised in the plague . the root of it burns violently , and therefore must be used only externally . 't is of excellent use for eating down , and drying up hard tumours . it takes off long warts , and the like . camerarius says , that if the root be kept dry a month , it becomes sweet . nicholas chesneaw commends the juice of crowfoot ( i suppose he means the bulbous ) in head-aches , which ( says he ) wonderfully moves the pain , when it possesses a little space . chuse that sort whose leaves are like the leaves of anemony , and bites the tongue when chewed ; beat the leaves of it in a marble mortar ; and having applied a plaster with an hole in it , as is made use of in the application of a caustick , put it on the pain'd part , and apply the leaves , beaten , with the juice in them , in the hole of the plaster ; and then put another plaster over , to keep them in ; and in the spaee of two hours it will open the skin , especially if the herb be gather'd in a place where the sun shines . note , the hair must be shaved , and you must take care not to apply it near the eyes . he mentions many observations of the cure of the head-ach by this medicine . he used it in the gout , with the same success . a priest , says he , that had kept his bed three years with the gout , and was not able to walk , was cured by applying crowfoot to the part most pained , after the manner above-mention'd . one that was seized with the plague , and was in great danger , was cured by two issues made in the groin with the leaves of crow-foot , he having a bubo there . ivy-leav'd , water - crow-foot , in latin ranunculus aquaticus , or hederaceus albus . the stalks of it are round , solid , lie along , and are jointed ; from the joints whereof , the plant spreads it self much , by many white fibres . the leaves are placed at the joints , with pretty long foot-stalks ; they are triangular , and somewhat like ivy-leaves ; they are smooth , shining , and sometimes have a black spot upon them . the flowers grow on the stalks , opposite to the leaves ; they are small , and have five sharp leaves . the cup is divided into five parts , and is white . an head of seeds succeed the flowers , of the bigness of the common vetch : the seeds are not sharp . it grows plentifully in brooks , and ditches that have water in them ; especially on sandy ground . the following medicine is excellent for the scurvy and dropsie : take of the tops of alder , ivy-leav'd-water-crow-foot and sage , each one handful ; infuse them one night in white-wine , and drink the infusion . cuckow-pintle , in latin arum . it has a tuberous root , and sends its fibres every way into the earth . the leaves are oblong , triangular , smooth at top , and shining below , and have sometimes black spots upon them . the taste of the root and leaf is very biting . the stalk is about an hand high , on the top whereof the naked pestel comes out , from a long , membranaceous sheath , and is oblong , and of a dark-purple colour . the berries are of a vermilion colour . the roots , when they are young , yield a milky juice . the root , especially of that which is spotted , green , or dry , taken to the quantity of a dram , is an excellent remedy for poyson , and in the plague . some add to it the like quantity of treacle . the root boyl'd , and mix'd with hony , cures all flegmatick humours of the breast , and is good for an asthma . it cures ruptures , and provokes urine . women use the distill'd water of the root , to beautifie their faces ; but the juice of the root , set in the sun , is much better . the dried root is an excellent medicine for the scurvy ; and is full as effectual in cold diseases of the spleen , and stomach ; especially for wind. the country-people about maidstone , in kent , use the herb and root , instead of soap . the compound-powder of wake-robin is as follows : take of the roots of wake-robin , powder'd , two ounces ; of the roots of sweet-smelling flag , pimpernel and saxifrage , each one ounce ; of crabs-eyes half an ounce , of cinnamon three drams , of salt of wormwood , and juniper , each one dram : make a powder . cucumber , in latin cucumis . the seed of it is one of the four greater cold seeds . it cleanses , opens , and provokes urine . 't is frequently used in emulsions for pleurisies , and the stone in the kidnies . the flower of it is reckon'd good to clear the skin . 't is generally reckon'd , that the substance of cucumber is cold and moist , and of an excrementitious juice ; and therefore to be used only by those , whose stomachs are strong : but i , says schroder , tho' my stomach is not very strong , having liv'd a sedentary life , have eaten plentifully of cucumbers , for many years , as long as they are in season , and fit to eat ; yet never received the least injury or inconvenience by them , though i am now sixty years of age. and when i was at florence , and had a fever there , an english physician prescribed the pulp of cucumber in broth for me ; whereby i was much refreshed , and relieved . but when they are eaten raw , they must be cut into thin slices , and sprinkled with salt , and beat betwixt two dishes , so that the watery humour may be drained from them : after add vinegar , pepper and oyl to them : and being so order'd , they are very grateful to the palate , and stomach ; and , undoubtedly , not unwholsom . the small ones , pickled with salt , pepper and vinegar , dill and cloves , are kept all the year ; and are very good to provoke appetite , and cool an hot stomach . wild - cucumber , in latin , cucumis silvestris . elaterium is made of the juice of it pressed out , and inspissated . it purges flegm and watery humours , upwards and downwards . it moves the courses , and kills the child in the womb ; wherefore it is seldom used ; especially , for that it is accompanied with malignity . 't is the most durable of all juices , for it is supposed to continue good above an hundred years . a certain emperick cured several people of dropsies , by giving them two pills , of the bigness of a vetch , made of wheaten flower and this juice : afterwards he washed their legs with a lotion , made of the stalks ; and then he gave the pills again , and so perfected the cure. common - cudweed , in latin gnaphalium vulgare majus . many small stalks arise from the same root , about half a foot , or nine inches high , upright , hoary , downy , branchy at top . it has many leaves , disorderly placed , downy , narrow , and oblong , much less than the leaves of lavender , press'd to the stalks for the most part , whereunto they grow without foot-stalks . among the leaves grow small flowers , of a brownish yellow colour . after the flowers , come small seeds , wrap'd in down . it grows every where , in dry and barren grounds . the distill'd water of it is of excellent use for cancers , especially of the breast ; for it hinders their growth , and prevents their breaking , rags being dipped in it , and applied to them . but some dip the leaves of asarabacca in the water , and apply them to cancers . 't is of a drying and astringent nature . the country-people in the west of england use the herb infus'd in oyl , to take off black and blue bruises and stripes . it also stops the courses . currant-bush , in latin ribes . currants are cold and moist , and provoke appetite , allay the heat of the stomach , quench thirst ; and therefore are good in fevers . they temper the heat of the liver , and choler ; and resist putrefaction . cypress-trees , in latin cupressus . the wood of cypress is very lasting : the doors of the temple of ephesus were made of it , and lasted four ages : and the gates of st. peter at rome were made of this wood , and continued sound and fresh from the time of constantine the great , to eugenius , the fourth pope ; which was about six hundred years . 't is used in making tables , and chests , and musical instruments , and the like . it has a very curious smell , which continues to many ages . the fruit and leaves are dry and astringent . the decoction of the leaves in sweet wine , helps the strangury , and a cough , short-windedness , fluxes of the belly , spitting of blood , and ruptures . the powder of the leaves provokes urine . the leaves beaten with figs , soften tumours , and are good in the king's-evil , applied outwardly . take of the tops of cypress eight handfuls , of the whites of eggs beaten two pints , of cinnamon half an ounce ; cut them small , and pour upon them four quarts of new milk ; distil them carefully in a common still : take six ounces of the water thrice a day . this is used in a diabetes . d. wild english d●ffadil , in latin narcissus anglicus . the root is bulbous , composed of many coats of a moderate bigness ; it tastes and feels clammy , 't is sweetish , but leaves behind it some bitterness . the leaves are long ▪ of a light-green . the stalk is an hand or nine inches high , channel'd , and hollow ; upon the top of which is one flower , bending downward , about two inches long , consisting of six pale leaves . the seed is at first broadish , and afterwards round . it grows in several places near hedges , especially in moist ground , and in woods . the root is vomitive . the leaves bruised , are proper in an erisipelas . the greater wild white daisies , in latin bellis major . the root is fibrous , and creeping , of an acrid taste ; sending forth many stalks , nine inches high , or higher , five-angled , solid , branching ; and it has many oblong , fat and indented leaves , with obtuse points . the flowers cast forth beams of brightness ; they are white in the circumference , in the middle yellow , and large ; composed of many small , yellow flowers , divided into five little pieces , with a small pillar in the middle of each . the leaves of the cups have a blackish fringe . it flowers in may and june . it grows frequently in pastures . the whole herb , stalks , leaves and flowers , boyl'd in posset-drink , and drunk , is accounted an excellent remedy for an asthma , consumption , and difficulty of breathing . 't is very good in wounds and ulcers , taken inwardly , or outwardly applied . a decoction of the herb cures all diseases that are occasion'd by drinking cold beer when the body is hot . the lesser daisie , or common wild daisie , in latin bellis minor . it grows in meadows and pastures . there is some difference amongst writers , about the temperament of this plant. some say , it is hot and dry : others say , it is cold and moist . but it s sharp taste argues frigidity ; and the effects of it , siccity . both the greater and the lesser are excellent wound-herbs . 't is used outwardly in plasters and fomentations , and inwardly in vulnerary potions ; and upon that account it is called in the shops , the lesser comfrey . women usually give the herb and the flower to children , to loosen their bellies . the roots are used outwardly , with very good success , in the king's-evil . 't is commonly reported , that the roots of the lesser daisie , boyl'd in milk , and given to whelps , hinder their growth . take of the lesser daisie , comfrey , marshmallows , each three handfuls ; clivers two handfuls , liquorish one ounce , half an ounce of anniseeds , four nutmegs ; boyl all , being shred , sliced and bruis'd , in six pints of water , till half is wasted ; after strain it , and dissolve in it four ounces of sugar , and clarifie it . this is good in ulcers of the bladder . dandalyon , in latin dens-leonis . it has many long leaves , much jagged , lying on the ground ; the middle-rib is white , and full of bitter milk. the root is as thick as a little finger , and is full of milk. the stalks are naked , and empty , and sometimes hairy : each of them bears , at the top , a large , yellow flower . the down at the top is as round as a ball , and is soon blown away by the wind , or breath . it grows commonly in gardens , courts and meadows . 't is epatick , and much of the same virtue with endive ; and is also diuretick . take of fresh horse-dung four ounces , of carduus-water one pint and an half ; make an infusion over a gentle fire , in a close vessel , two hours ; then strain the liquor , and add to it two ounces of the syrup of dandalyon , and a dram of the spirit of sal-almoniack : the dose is five or six spoonfuls , three or four times a day . this is very good in pleurisies , and other diseases that proceed from the clamminess of the blood , and from its being coagulated . dane-wort , in latin ebulus . 't is neither tree , nor shrub , but rather an herb ; but it is so like elder , that it is called dwarf-elder . 't is seldom so high as a man , but most-commonly three foot high , and no higher . the stalk is green , and channel'd , and full of pith , like elder ; which withers in winter . the leaves are whiter and greater than those of the common elder , long , and broad , and cut in the edges like a saw. the leaves are placed by couples , and smell strong . the flowers are white , tip'd with red ; and grow at the top of the stalks , in tufts . the berries are black . the root is long , and of the thickness of a finger , not woody . it spreads much , and grows commonly near high-ways , and ditches , and church-yards . it flowers in june , or july ; and the betries are ripe in august and september . 't is said to have the same virtues with elder , but they are stronger . the bark and seeds purge water ; wherefore they are good in dropsies , and other diseases arising from watery humours . the root likewise purges very strongly . the leaves of it , as well as those of elder , applied to burns , cure them . in diseases of the spleen , take four ounces of the distill'd waters of the roots , for the space of ten or twelve days , fasting . take of the roots of dwarf-elder , of our flower-de-luce , each one ounce and an half ; of the leaves of soldanella , and hedge-hyssop , each one handful ; of the roots of asarabacca and wild cucumbers , each two ounces ; of the lesser galangal six drams , of choice jalap half an ounce , of elaterium three drams , of cubebs two drams ; slice and bruise them , and pour upon them three pints of small spirit of wine tartariz'd ; digest them in a close vessel , in a sand-furnace , two days ; strain it , and let it stand till it is clear : take two or three spoonfuls , in a proper vehicle . this is an excellent purge in a dropsie . darnel , in latin lolium album . the root is very fibrous . the straws are two or three foot high , like the wheat-straw , but a little less . they have four or five knots , at each whereof are the leaves ; they are narrower and greener than the blade of wheat ; they shine , and are smooth , fat , channel'd , and are spiky . the grain is less than wheat , and is included in a single , brown husk . it grows too much amongst wheat . 't is hot and dry : it attenuates , resolves and cleanses . being mix'd with malt , it makes the beer heady : and mix'd with bread , it occasions great dulness . it offends the eyes , by sending ill vapours into the head. the flower of it , mix'd with other medicines , is commended by the ancients for putrid ulcers , the itch , the leprosie , the king 's evil , gangreens , and the hip-gout . dill , in latin anethum . 't is very like fennel , yet it differs from it in many things : the root is annual ; the stalk is less , and and lower , for it is rarely three foot high ; the leaves are lighter colour'd , and smell stronger , and not so pleasant ; the seed is broader , of an acrid taste , and not so pleasant as that of fennel ; the tufts of flowers are yellow , but not so large . it grows in gardens , and springs yearly from its seed : but it grows no where spontaneously in england , as i know of . the herb , but especially the seed , digests , discusses and ripens tumours , increases milk , disposes to sleep , lessens venery , cures vomiting , and the hickops . 't is said to be offensive to the eyes ; which seems strange to me , for that it is very like fennel , both in quality , and outward appearance ; and it expels also wind : and fennel is allow'd by all to be good for the eyes . the tender tops , and the root , when fresh , provoke urine , and so very good for those that are afflicted with the stone . our people are wont to put the seeds and leaves into pickle of cucumbers , to better the taste and smell , and to correct the coldness . take of the oyl of the seeds of dill four drops , of oyl of almonds half an ounce ; mingle them for a draught . this is excellent for the hickops , when they proceed from a cold cause . dittander , in latin lepidium latifolium . the root is of a finger's thickness , and thicker , white , of an acrid and hot taste , which soon vanishes . it creeps in the earth . it has many stalks four foot high , sound , smooth , and full of pith ; branchy , less than the little finger , and cover'd with sky-colour'd dust , which may be easily wiped off . the leaves are long and broad , but end sharp ; they are smooth , fat , of a dull green colour , and plac'd alternately ; they are indented about the edges : those which come from the root , and are on the bottom of the stalk , are prop'd by long foot-stalks . the little flowers are plac'd on the top of the stalks and branches ; they consist of three white leaves ; there are many of them . the small seed-vessels succeed the flowers ; they are fat , and pointed . gardiners dislike it , because it spreads so much . the women in suffolk boyl it in beer , to facilitate delivery . the herb is acrid . the root eases the pain of the teeth . sharp-pointed dock , with curled leaves , in latin lapathum acutum crispum . the root is single , and has sometimes sprigs ; it grows deep in the earth ; without brown , and within yellow . the leaves are narrow and long , and of a dull colour , curl'd , and crooked about the edges , especially near the foot-stalks . the flowers are small , hanging down upon long foot-stalks , and many whirls . the seed is of a chesnut-colour . it grows on untill'd grounds , and in courts ; especially in moist places . sharp-pointed dock , in latin lapathum acutum . the leaves are shorter than the former ; the lower grow narrow by degrees , from a broad beginning , and are less than the other . the stalk is small , stiff , and sometimes crooked . the whirls of the flowers are not so thick ; the flowers are smaller , and the seeds not half so large . it grows in moist places , and near water ; and commonly in ditches , and hedges . the root of sharp-pointed dock is much commended for the itch : and , infus'd in beer , is excellent for the scurvy , and the jaundice . the powder of the seeds strengthen the liver , and stop all fluxes of the belly . provide four gallons of small ale ; instead of hops , boyl in it three handfuls of the tops of pines , or firr ; after it has done working in the vessel , put into a canvas-bag three handfuls of scurvy-grass , four ounces of the root of sharp-pointed dock prepar'd , and the peels of four oranges ; hang the bag in the vessel , with something to sink the bag : after it has stood a week , and is clear , drink of it for your ordinary drink . this is frequently used for the scurvy , and is an excellent diet-drink . the dock called monk's-rubarb , or garden-patience , in latin hippo-lapathum . 't is sometimes as high as a man. the stalk is channel'd , and reddish ; above it is divided into many sprigs . the leaves are a foot , or a foot and an half broad , and pointed ; of a dull green colour . the root is thick , long , and has many fibres , and of a saffron-colour . the leaves come out in march , and it flowers about june . the root purges choler , and watery-humours . take of the dried root one dram , of ginger one scruple : those that use it for rubarb take a double quantity . the root expels gravel : take dock-roots prepar'd and polypody , each one ounce ; sena ten drams , rubarb six drams , monks-rubarb five drams , yellow sanders two drams , salt of wormwood , and scurvy-grass , each one dram ; cut and bruise them , and put them into a glass , with snail-water and white-wine , each one pint and an half ; stop the glass , and set it in a cellar twenty four hours : take six ounces of it , or more , according as it works , every morning . this is good for the itch. dodder , in latin cuscuta . this fawning parasite , and ungrateful guest ▪ hugs the herb it hangs upon , with its long threads , and reddish twigs ; and so closely embraces it , that at length it defrauds the hospitable herb of its nourishment , and destroys it by its treacherous embraces . it has no leaves . the flowers are placed thick , at several distances , or intervals : each of them consists of four small , acute leaves , that are thick , and full of juice . this plant has no need of a large description ; for it is distinguish'd from all other plants , by having no leaves , nor root , when it is grown up ; consisting only of long threads , by which it encompasses the neighbouring plants , and sucks away their nourishment . upon which account the country-people in sussex call it hell-weed , or the devil's guts . and so much for the vices of this plant. 't is suppos'd to participate of the plant it adheres to : so that which grows to broom is reckon'd diuretick ; that is counted moist , which sticks to flax ; that astringent , which climbs madder ; that which grows on nettles , is very diuretick . 't is hot , dry , and cleansing : it opens obstructions , and purges melancholy ; is of good use in the itch , for the black jaundice , and obstructions of the liver and spleen . but that which grows on nettles is prefer'd before all the other in physick . take of dodder of thime , and of rubarb , each one dram and an half ; of sena three drams , of yellow sanders half a dram , of coriander-seeds two scruples , of salt of wormwood half a dram , of celtick spike one scruple ; infuse them in a close vessel all night , in four ounces of white-wine , and water of apples : to five ounces of the strain'd liquor , add six drams of syrup of dodder of thyme , and two drams of aqua-mirabilis ; mingle them , and make a potion : for those that are difficult to purge , add a dram , or two drams , of the fibres of black hellebore , infus'd in vinegar . this is an excellent purge for melancholy people . common drop-wort , or filipendula , in latin filipendula . it has many roots ; black without , and white within . the fibres of it are bulbous . it has many leaves at the roots ; they are long , wing'd , and indented almost like burnet-saxifrage . the stalk is most commonly single , upright , nine inches or a foot high , or higher , channell'd branchy , with a few leaves on it . the flowers are placed on the top of the stalk , in a tuft ; they smell sweet , and are white ; they consist of seven leaves . eleven or twelve seeds , more or less , are placed in the form of a star. it grows in meadows , and hilly pastures . the root attenuates , and is somewhat astringent . a decoction of it provokes urine , and expels gravel : it cures the heat of urine , and takes off the difficulty of it . the powder of the root , and the juice of it , is commended by some , in the falling-sickness : 't is excellent for the whites , and the immoderate flux of the child-bed-purgations : the dose is , one dram of the root in wine . it also cures the bloody flux , and ruptures . common dove's-foot , or crane's-bill , in latin geranium columbinum vulgare . it has several small , round , pale-green leaves , cut in about the edges , like mallows : they are placed upon long , reddish , hairy stalks , lying on the ground ; among which rise up two or three , or more , reddish , jointed , slender , weak and hairy stalks , with some such like leaves thereon , but smaller , and more cut in . it has many very small , bright , red flowers , of five leaves a-piece ; after which follow small heads , with small , short beaks , pointing forth , as all other sorts of this kind of herbs have . 't is very vulnerary , either outwardly applied , or taken inwardly . it stops a flux of blood , and resolves coagulated blood : it cleanses wounds and ulcers : it expels gravel ; and eases the pain of the cholick . the powder of the root and leaves taken , in wine , is very effectual for curing ruptures . the dove's-foot , callet herb-robert , and in latin geranium robertianum , has the same virtues with this above-describ'd . dragons , in latin dracontium . 't is easily known , being speckl'd like a snake . it flowers in july . 't is hot and dry , astringent , and of an acrid taste . 't is something of the nature of cuckow-pint . 't is good in coughs , catarrhs , and convulsions . the leaves are good for ulcers , and venomous bitings . the distill'd water is good in the plague , and pestilential fevers . take of dragon-water , and wood-sorrel-water , each four ounces ; of compound-scordium-water two ounces ; of treacle-water , and bezoartick-water , each one ounce ; of prepar'd pearl one dram , of syrup of gillyflowers two ounces , of spirit of vitriol twelve drops ; make a julep : the dose is three ounces often in a day . this is used in the plague . duck's-meat , in latin lenticula palustris . this grows in standing-waters , and is full of shining , round leaves , green above , and black below . they are joyn'd together with white , small threads . it often covers all the water it grows in . 't is cooling , and good in inflammations . it also cures children's ruptures . an infusion of it in white-wine cures the jaundice infallibly , six ounces of it being taken every morning , for nine days , ducks feed upon it very much . e. earth-nut , in latin bulbocastanum . the root is tuberous , white , and solid ; with small fibres at the bottom and sides : it has a sweetish and pleasant taste : it grows deep in the ground . the leaves are cut more sharp than the leaves of parsley . the stalk is single , round , channel'd , with one leaf growing to it : most commonly , before it divides it self into branches , at every division of the stalk a leaf is plac'd , much more cut than those that rise from the root . the flowers are white , and very small . this is one of the umbeliferous plants ; so called , because they sustain their flowers by long foot-stalks , in a circle . the seeds are small , and somewhat long , of a chesnut-colour . it flowers at the latter end of may , or beginning of june ; and grows frequently in sandy and gravelly pastures . when the seed is ripe , the superficies withers immediately , the root remaining in the ground . our country-people eat the root raw ; but when it is pill'd , and boyl'd in fresh broth , with a little peper , it is pleasant food , and very nourishing , and stimulates venery . being mix'd with medicines , it helps those that spit blood , and void a bloody urine . egglentine , or sweet-bryer , in latin rosa silvestris odora . it needs no description , its curious smell will not let it be unknown . the virtues of the flowers are much the same with garden-roses , but more astringent ; wherefore they are of excellent use in fluxes of the womb. the fruit of it is much commended for its lithontriptick virtue . the heads , when they are ripe , contain a pulp of a pleasant , acid taste , which , without doubt , is very useful in fevers , and to provoke appetite . the conserve of it is commonly kept in the shops , and is very good for the hot scurvy , and for spitting of blood. the root is good for the biting of a mad dog , a sort of a sponge grows from the branches when they are broken or hurt , which is of a reddish colour ; which laid on the pillow , disposes to sleep . the ashes of it cure the heat of urine , and kill worms . take of the conserve of hips , and wood-sorrel , each one ounce ; conserve of berberies half an ounce , cream of tartar one dram ; make an electuary , with a sufficient quantity of syrup of limons : take the quantity of a nutmeg thrice a day . this is good in fevers . elder , in latin sambucus . martin blockwitz wrote a whole book of the virtues and use of the elder ; the title of it is , the anatomy of the elder . the inner bark of the elder purges watery humours ; wherefore it is good in dropsies . the tender leaves boyl'd in wine , is likewise very good for the same purpose , and more convenient for weakly people . the inner bark , applied to burns , takes out the fire . the flowers discuss , mollifie and dissolve , and are sudorifick and anodine . vinegar , wherein the flowers have been infus'd , is very agreeable to the stomach , and excites appetite ; and it cuts and attenuates gross and crude humours . the berries are alexipharmick , and sudorifick . the spirit drawn from the berries , provokes sweat , and therefore good in fevers . the wine made of the juice of them , or the juice mix'd with white or rhenish-wine , does much good in dropsies . the seeds cleanse , and purge violently by vomit and stool . a decoction of the middle bark , with syrup of poppies , promotes sweat. but note , that narcoticks , mix'd with sweating medicines , do much provoke sweating . for swellings in the feet , take of the leaves as much as is sufficient , boyl them in oyl , with salt , and foment them with it . in st. anthony's fire , a fomentation is frequently used , made of two parts of elder-water , and one of spirit of wine . this is commonly us'd in london , with good success . my father makes an ointment of the red-lead-plaster and oyl of elder , which he frequently uses for burns : and i have found it very successful also in other inflammations . elecampane , in latin helenium . many leaves , long and broad , come from the root , and bend towards the earth ; they are acute at both ends , above of a pale green , under hoary , indented about the edges . they have short foot-stalks , from the centre whereof the stalks rise , sometimes one , sometimes more ; they are streight , hairy and reddish , five or six foot high , with some leaves thereon , compassing them about at the lower ends ; they are branched towards the tops , and bear great , large flowers , like those of our marigold , of a golden colour . the root is very thick , without brown , within white , and of an aromatick taste , and smells sweet and pleasantly , especially when dried . it grows in moist meadows , and pastures ; but it is not common . it flowers in june and july . the fresh root being candied , or dried , and powder'd , mix'd with hony or sugar , is very good in a difficulty of breathing , an asthma , and an old cough . being taken after supper , it helps concoction . it is also commended as an excellent preservative against the plague . being taken in the morning , it forces urine , and the courses . half a pint of white-wine , wherein the slic'd roots have been infus'd three days , taken in the morning fasting , cures the green-sickness . a decoction of the root , taken inwardly , or outwardly applied , is commended by some for convulsions , contusions , and the hip-gout . the roots boyl'd in wine , or the fresh juice infus'd in it , and drunk , kills and expels worms . wine that is every where prepar'd with this root in germany , and often drunk , wonderfully quickens the sight . elecampane distill'd in common water , yields a volatile salt , that smells , and has the same virtue with salt of harts-horn . take of the roots of elecampane , well cleans'd from the fibres , as much as you please ; boyl them in water till they are salt , and pulp them through a sieve ; whereof take one part , and of hony two parts ; boyl them to the consumption of the moisture . this is a preservative against the plague . take of the roots of elecampane , oris and liquorish , each one dram ; of the flowers of sulphure two drams , hony a sufficient quantity to make an electuary , oyl of sulphure ten drops ; make a linctus . this is good for an inveterate cough . elm , in latin vlmus . the leaves , the branches , and the bark , are astringent . the leaves cure wounds . and , rub'd with vinegar , they are good for a leprosie . the bark boiled in fountain-water , almost to the consistence of a syrup , and the third part of aquavitae mix'd with it , is an excellent remedy for the hip-gout , if the part affected be fomented with it before the fire . the water in the bladders upon the leaves clears the skin , it being wash'd with it ; and it betters the complexion . it helps burstenness in children , clothes being wet in the water , and applied ; but a truss must be kept on also . take of the bark of elm six drams , of the root of liquorish half a dram , of raisins of the sun ston'd number twenty , of red roses two pugils ; boyl them in a sufficient quantity of water , to a pint and an half ; dissolve in it of hony of roses , and simple oxymel , each two ounces ; make a gargarism . endive , in latin endivia . the root is fibrous , and full of milk. the long , broad leaves like on the earth , they are like the leaves of lettice ; sometimes indented about the edges . the stalk is two or three foot high , smooth , channel'd , empty , and has many branches , and is crooked ; being cut , it yields a milk. the flowers come from the wings of the leaves ; they are sky-colour'd , and like the leaves of wild-succory . it grows in gardens . 't is cooling , and the water of it is used in fevers and inflammations . eringo , or sea-holly , in latin eringium marinum . the roots are very long , and spread much ; they have an aromatick taste . the leaves are placed upon long foot-stalks ; they are almost round , yet they are broader than they are long , sometimes an hand 's breadth , and more ; they are thick , whitish , or gray , as is the whole plant. the leaves are sharp and prickly . the stalk is two foot high , and very branchy . the heads are placed amongst the prickly leaves , at the extremities of the branches . the flowers are white . it has two broad seeds joyn'd together , which are encompass'd by prickles on every side . eringo is epatick , nephretick , and alexipharmick . it forces urine , and the courses : it expels wind , and eases gripes , and cures the jaundico . the roots of it candied are accounted excellent sweet-meats , and are provocatives to venery , and are good preservatives against the plague , and the contagion of the air ; and are good for consumptive people . the root candied , cures a gonorrhea , and is useful in the french pox. and , used in the form of a cataplasm , and applied to the belly , it prevents abortion . eye-bright , in latin euphrasia . 't is a small plant , an hand and an half high . the root is single , and crooked ; it has a few large fibres ; 't is woody , and white . the stalks are roundish , hairy , and , where the sun shines , purplish . they have many branches , which come from the wings of the leaves , that are longer sometimes than the middle stalk . the leaves are placed by pairs , on the stalk , opposite to one another , without foot-stalks , and are like the leaves of chick-weed ; they are of a deep green , they shine , are wrinkly , indented , and hairy under , and of a fat and bitterish taste . the little flowers come from the wings of the leaves ; they are white , streak'd within with purple lines , and a yellow spot is in the middle . the seeds are oblong , and of an ash-colour . it grows commonly in barren pastures , and flowers about the middle of summer . eye-bright , which way soever it is taken , either in a powder by it self , or in white-wine , or the juice , or the distill'd water , wonderfully strengthens the eyes , and repairs a weak sight . 't is applied outwardly , being bruis'd , for inflammations , and dimness of sight : or the juice is drop'd into the eye : but especially the water . take of eye-bright two ounces , mace half an ounce ; make a fine powder : some add to it fennel-seed and sugar . this is good for dimness of sight : take one dram of it night and morning ; but the body must be first well purg'd . fabritius hildanus , who is an author of the first rank , says , that the virtues of eye-bright are so effectual in weakness of sight , that he had observ'd some of seventy years of age to have recover'd their sight ( which they had lost by long watchings , and much study ) by the use of it . the oculists in england , and beyond-sea , use the herb in sallets , in broths , in bread , and in table-beer ; and apply it outwardly in fomentations , and other external medicines for the eyes . take of water of eye-bright , and fennel , each one ounce and an half ; of white rose-water one ounce , prepar'd tutty two drams , camphire two grains ; mix them , drop two or three drops into the eye , warm , thrice a day . this is good when the eye is much bruis'd . f. common - fennel , in latin faeniculum vulgare . it grows on hot and stony grounds ; and in england on the sea-banks , and on chalk-hills ; as in cornwal , and in pemsley-marsh in sussex . the powder of the seed , taken daily , in the morning , fasting , with sugar , clears the sight wonderfully . the seed strengthens the stomach , and takes off nauseousness : and being mix'd with pectoral medicines , it relieves those that are asthmatick ; and also resists poyson . the leaves boyl'd in barley-water , increase nurses milk : and a decoction of the leaves and seeds asswages nephritick pains , forces urine , and expels gravel . the roots provoke the courses , and open obstructions of the liver and spleen , and cure the jaundice . the whole herb boyl'd in broths , is reckon'd good to prevent and cure over-fatness . the tender buds of fennel , and the upper part of the root , before the stalks grow out , are used for second course , being prepar'd with oyl and pepper by the italians , and in savoy , dauphiné , provence and languedoc . we commonly use the fresh leaves , cut small , in pickle for fish , and in boyling them . it hinders abortion . and the roots of it boyl'd in wine , and applied to the eye , cured a suffusion in a monk in the space of nine days . take of the seeds of fennel , annis and coriander , each one dram , of carroways half a dram , of shavings of harts-horn , and ivory , each one dram ; of the species aromatick rosat half a dram , of marjoram half a dram , of the cordial-flowers one dram , of the roots of liquorish and elecampane , each one dram ; of ginger , galangal , nutmegs and cloves , each half a dram ; saffron one scruple ; beat them grosly , and add of sugar of roses the weight of all : the dose is half a spoonful , after meals . this has done much good for those that have been troubled with wind in their stomachs . hog's - fennel , or sulphur-wort , in latin pucedanum vulgare . the root is thick , 't is cover'd with a black bark , the substance of it is green : if it be cut , the juice that comes out smells strong , like pitch . the stalk is three or four foot high , or higher ; 't is branchy . the umbels , or tufts , are very large . the flowers are yellow , and have yellow threads . the leaves are large , and divided into three parts ; and each division is again divided into three other parts . the seeds are thin , flat and yellowish , and taste acrid , and bitterish . it grows in marshy ditches , near shorcham in sussex , and near the thames , plentifully . it expectorates and expels choler . 't is chiefly used in diseases of the breast , for coughs , wind , and obstructions of the liver , spleen and reins . it forces urine , and does good in the stone . 't is used outwardly in head-aches . the ancients reckon'd it was good for all nervous diseases ; as , lethargy , frenzy , falling-sickness , giddiness , palsie , and the like . the conserve of it is an excellent histerick and pectoral medicine . fenugreek , in latin foenum graecum . it has one thin , green , hollow stalk , divided into wings and branches , not above a foot high . the leaves are like the leaves of meadow-tree-foil , but they are rounder , and smaller ; above they are green , below of an ash-colour . the flowers come from the wings of the leaves , and are like those of lupines , and are whitish . it has pods an hand , or an hand and an half long , that are plac'd upon very short foot-stalks ; they are thin , narrow , and flat ; in which is contain'd the seed , which is oblong , and almost four-square , and of a yellowish colour , and smells sweet . the root is small , white , single , and woody . 't is sown in many places : i never found it grow spontaneously . the flower of the seed , which is only in use , mollifies , digests , ripens and discusses ; and is anodine : and the use of it is so very frequent , that there is scarce a chirurgeon makes a poultess without it , or its mucilage . 't is also often used in emollient clysters ; for the musilaginous substance blunts the acrimony of the humours , and keeps the guts from erosion . take of the seeds of fenugreek as much as you please , boyl them in water and hony till they are soft ; then beat them , and boyl them again with hony : spread it on a cloth , and apply it for the hip-gout ; it presently gives ease . 't is very good also for the eyes . take of the pulp of sweet apples , boyl'd to the consistence of a poultis , in a sufficient quantity of fennel and vervain-water ; strain it through a sieve , then add of the musilage of fenugreek-seeds , extracted in rose-water , of the blood-stone finely powder'd , each one dram ; of camphire , and prepar'd tutty , one scruple ; of bole-almoniack a little , of rose-water a sufficient quantity : make an epithem for the eyes . for cold swellings of the paps , apply the flower of fenugreek-seed , mix'd with juice of smallage . take of flax and fenugreek-seeds , beaten , each one ounce ; of ordinary barley one pugil , of the flowers of camomile and melilot , each one pugil ; of rye-bran two pugils ; make a decoction of all in water , to half a pint ; in the strain'd liquor dissolve the yolks of two eggs , hony of roses three ounces , brown sugar two ounces ; mix them , and make a clyster . this is good in the bloody-flux . common male - fern , in latin filix mas vulgaris . it grows every where near hedges , and in shady places . the root is reckon'd injurious to women , and occasions barrenness , hinders conception , and causes abortion . 't is peculiarly good for the rickets . female - fern , in latin filix foemina . it grows every where on barren grounds . 't is the largest of all that grows in england . the root is branchy , and creeping . 't is very injurious to husbandmen . of the ashes of this , and the male-fern , are made , with water , balls , especially in warwickshire and staffordshire ; and being dried in the sun , they wash their clothes with them , instead of soap : but before they use them , they put them into a light fire , till they are red hot ; and then they will easily powder . this fern is used in sussex to burn lime ; for the flame of it is very violent , and therefore very fit for that use . the root of it reduc'd into powder , and one dram of it taken in water and hony , kills the broad and long worms of the belly . mounte-banks keep this as a great secret , and use it to kill worms . the juice of the root is good for burns . some poor people have been forc'd ( in great scarcity of corn ) to make bread of this root . the ashes cast upon stones , instead of nitre , make glass of a green colour . flowering - fern , or osmond-royal , in latin filix florida , or osmonda regalis . it shoots forth , in the spring , divers rough , hard stalks , half round , and hollowish , flat on the other side , two foot high ; having several branches of winged , yellowish green leaves on all sides , somewhat like the leaves of polypody . from the top of some of the stalks grows a long bush of small , green , scaly aglets , which are counted the flowers and seeds . the root is rough , thick and scaly , with a white pith. it grows in marshy places , and amongst woods , in many parts of england . the root cures bursten bellies , and ulcers . it does good in the cholick , and diseases of the spleen . the whitish part of the root is very effectual for bruises , and those that are wounded , it being boyl'd in some liquor . 't is excellent in the rickets , a conserve being made of the tender buds of it , and of asparagus . spleen-wort and harts-tongue . feverfew , in latin matricaria . it has a white root , and many fibres . it has many stalks , about three foot high , rigid , channel'd , smooth , pretty large , and full of a fungous pith. it has many leaves , but they are not plac'd orderly . towards the top of the stalks come forth small branches from the wings of the leaves , whereon , as also on the tops of the stalks , many flowers are placed , upon oblong foot-stalks , as it were in a tuft ; they are not very large ; white , short , marginal leaves encompass the middle yellow dish ; when the marginal leaves wither , the dish grows large : the colour of the leaves is of a yellowish green. the whole plant smells strong . it flowers in june or july , and grows in hedges , and amongst rubbish . the leaves are very much cut about the edges . 't is much used in diseases of the womb : a decoction of it forces the courses , and expels the after-birth : it cures the suffocation of the womb : it does all a bitter herb can do . it cures fevers ▪ bees cannot endure it ; wherefore those that abound with good humours in the body , and are most apt to be stung with bees , may secure themselves , when they walk in gardens where bees are , by carrying feverfew in their hands . take of feverfew one handful , warm it in a frying-pan , apply it twice or thrice hot ; this cures an hemicrania : and the crude herb applied to the top of the head , cures the head-ach . a decoction of it , with the flowers of camomile , cures histerical symptoms , and forces the child-bed purgations in great abundance . fig-tree , in latin ficus . fresh figs , if they are ripe , are very soon concocted . galen eat no other fruit , after twenty eight years of age , than figs and raisins . they are pectoral , and are used by physicians in diseases of the lungs . some women eat them to facilitate delivery : and brandy burnt on figs , is freqently used to cure a cough . figs , outwardly applied , ripen , mollifie , and attract . being beat with leaven and salt , they break pestilential buboes , and other tumours , in a few days . king hezekiah used the same medicine , with advice of the prophet , king. . . 't is said that figs , frequently eaten , breed lice . the juice of the fig-tree is very biting , and may be reckon'd amongst the causticks ; and may be used to cure warts , and other sordid excrescencies of the skin . take of raisins of the sun stoned , one ounce ; of sebestens and jujubes , each fifteen , dates six , fat figs eight , french-barley one ounce , liquorish half an ounce , of the leaves of maiden-hair , hyssop , seabious and colt's-foot , each one handful ; boyl them in three pints of fountain-water , till a third part be consumed : the dose is eight spoonfuls thrice a day . this is the pectoral decoction of the london-dispensatory . fig-wort , in latin scrophularia major . it has a stinking smell , like elder . the root creeps awry , is white , and pretty thick , and branches out unequally . the stalk is firm , streight , four-square , hollow and purplish , about four foot high , and is divided into wings . the leaf is large , sharp , indented , and of a dark-green colour . the flowers are placed on hairy foot-stalks , in a five-leav'd cup , and they are of a purple colour . it grows in hedges , and amongst bushes frequently . this , and some other herbs , do good in the king's-evil ; but nothing has been found so effectual , as touching : and he that , on trial , shall find the contumaciousness of this disease , which frequently deludes the best care and industry , will find reason of acknowledging the goodness of god , who has dealt so bountifully with this nation , in giving the kings of it , at least , from edward the confessor , downwards , if not for a longer time , an extraordinary power in the miraculous cures thereof . this our chronicle has all along testified ; and the personal experience of many thousands , now living , can witness the same . 't is also useful in cancers , and eating ulcers . the powder of the dried root , applied to the piles , dries them up . a dram of it taken inwardly , expels worms . the water distill'd from the root , cures a red face . an excellent ointment is made of this herb , for curing the itch : it is composed as follows ; in may take the herb , with the root , and , well wash'd and cleans'd , beat them in a mortar ; keep the juice in a glass , well stop'd , for a year ; and when you would prepare the ointment , take of the juice of wax , and oyl , equal parts , and boyl them to an ointment . for the king's-evil make the following plaster : take one pound of lard , melted over a moderate fire ; then take of the leaves of fig-wort , hound's-tongue , the flowers of white arch-angel , and fox-glove ; cut them small , and boyl them in the lard : do the same three or four times , till the ointment be of a deep green colour ; then add two ounces of turpentine , and an ounce of verdigrease , and a sufficient quantity of wax and rosin ; strain it , and make a plaster , spread on leather , and apply it to the part affected . filberd , in latin corylus sativa . the nut is very pleasant ; but if many of them are eaten , they occasion the head-ach , wind in the stomach , loosness , and the bloody-flux . hoops are made of the branches : and painters use the coal of it , to delineate . gun-powder was made of the coals , before the coals of alder were found more commodious for that use . firr-tree , in latin abies . they say it grows plentifully on the mountains in scotland : but i suppose , the tree that grows commonly there , is that which is called by skilful botanists , picea ; for , that which we plant in our gardens for the firr-tree , is the picea , as appears by the characteristick notes of the picea ; for the cone is slender and long , and hangs downward ; and the rigid and prickly leaves encompass the branches disorderly . theophrastus says , 't is propagated only by the seed ; and that the cutting off the tops causes it to wither and die the same year : but we find by experience , that the branches do not only grow , but take root , and in time become trees . the rosin of it is twofold : first , liquid , which comes from young firr-trees : this the shops fasly call venice-turpentine . secondly , dry ; it is like frankincense . thirty three stately trees of this kind make a fair appearance , on a little hill , near waryton in staffordshire , two miles from newport . the branches and tops are infus'd in diet-drinks , for the scurvy , with very good success . sweet-smelling flag , in latin calamus aromaticus officinarum . it was first observ'd by doctor thomas brown , in the river yare , near norwich . it grows also spontaneously in other parts of england , ( viz. ) near hedley in surrey , and in cheshire . 't is easily known by its sweet smell . 't is hot and dry . 't is chiefly used in obstructions of the courses , liver and spleen , and in the cholick ; it also provokes urine . the root of it candied , tastes very pleasantly , and is grateful to the stomach . the turks usually chew it in a morning , to prevent contagion of corrupted air. the tartars carry it about with them , and will not drink water , unless this root has been infus'd in it . flax , in latin linum sativum . 't is sown in the fields . the oyl is chiefly in use for medicine . 't is taken inwardly in a quinsie , pleurisie , consumption and cholick : outwardly used , it mollifies hard swellings , and eases pains ; it asswages the swellings of the belly . printers ink is made of this oyl and lamb-black . purging , or wild dwarf - flax , or mill-mountain , in latin linum silvestre catharticum . it has a small , white , woody root , and some fibres . it sends forth little stalks , that creep a little , and then rise an hand high , or higher ; they are small , jointed and reddish , branchy at the top , and bending downward . the lower leaves are roundish , and have an obtuse point ; the upper , on the stalks , are plac'd by pairs , opposite to one another ; there are many of them , they are small , and half an inch long ; smooth , and without foot-stalks . the flowers have five white leaves , and are placed on small foot-stalks . the taste of the whole plant is bitter , and nauseous . it flowers at the beginning of june . it grows commonly in dry and hilly pastures . the whole herb infus'd in whitewine , for a whole night , over hot ashes , purges strongly watery humours . take of purging-flax one handful , of sweet-fennel-seeds two drams ; boyl them in a sufficient quantity of fountain-water , to six ounces ; add two ounces of white-wine : make a purging potion . marsh-flea-bane , or bird's-tongue , in latin coniza palustris . the root is thick , and spreads much ; sending forth hollow and crested stalks , three foot high , with many joints and branches , bearing two long leaves at each joint , which are indented about the edges ; green on the upper side , and grey or woolly underneath . at the tops of the stalks and branches stand many small , yellow flowers together , like those of rag-wort . the seeds , when ripe , fly away with the wind. it grows in the fen-ditches , and on the banks , in the isle of ely ; but not very common . it grows chiefly near stretbam-ferry . the herb being spread under-foot , or burnt , in any place , will , as it is believ'd , drive away venomous creatures and fleas and kill gnats ; wherefore 't is called flea-bane . some prepare an ointment of the root and leaves for the itch. flix-weed , in latin sophia chirurgorum . it is two or three foot high . it has many hard , woody branches ; they are round , and a little hairy . the leaves are cut small , like roman-wormwood ; it tastes somewhat acrid . the flowers are many , small , and yellowish . the pods succeed the flower ; they are about an inch long , and very small . the seed is very small , and brown . the root is white . it grows in stony and gravelly places , and on stone-walls , and in untill'd grounds . a dram of the seed is very good for a loosness : and not only the seed , but the whole herb , is commended for the fluxes of the belly , and the bloody flux . 't is used in plasters for wounds , and sordid ulcers . in yorkshire they use the seed to expel gravel , with good success . common purple - flower-de-luce , in latin iris vulgaris . the root hang'd in wine or beer , preserves the beer sweet , and imparts a pleasant taste and smell to the wine , like rasberries . 't is much us'd by bakers , to prepare leaven for wheaten bread. many virtues are attributed to the root of this plant , by the ancient and modern writers ; they are briefly describ'd as follows : by schroder 't is chiefly us'd for coughs , difficulty of breathing , obstructions of the courses , and children's gripes . being outwardly applied , it takes off spots from the skin . mix'd with hellebore and hony , 't is much used in powders for the hair. it cures the dropsie , and jaundice : take from half an ounce , to one ounce and an half , of the juice ; this is commended in a dropsie , to purge away the water . a gentlewoman cured many hydropical people by this juice alone : she gave four spoonfuls of it daily , in the morning fasting , in six spoonfuls of white-wine . the yellow water - flower-de-luce , in latin iris palustris lutea . it grows almost every where , in marshy places , and upon the banks of rivers . whether it be hot , or cold , botanists do not agree ; but almost all allow it very astringent , and the taste of it confirms as much ; wherefore it is commended for the bloody-flux , and other fluxes of the belly and womb : and it stops blood , and therefore is useful to prevent the bloody-flux , and bleeding : the sick must have it hang'd about him ▪ so that it is plain that the apothecaries were in a great errour formerly , when they used this root ( which has quite contrary faculties ) for the root of the sweet-smelling flag . the highlanders in scotland make excellent ink with this root , infus'd , or a little boyl'd in water twenty four hours , by rubbing a white , rough stone upon a knife , or a piece of good steel in it , for some hours . fluellin , or male-speed-well , in latin veronica ma● . it creeps with twigs on the superficies of the ear●h , and sends down roots from the joints . these little stalks , or twigs , are small , round , long , hairy , and jointed . the leaves are placed by pairs , one opposite to another , at the joints ; they are hairy , and indented about the edges ; they taste bitter , and acrid . the flowers come forth spiked from the wings of the leaves , compos'd of four small leaves of a deep sky-colour , with threads of the same colour in the middle . the seeds are contain'd in small receptacles , like shepherd's-purse . the flowers consist really of one leaf only ; for , tho' they seem several , yet they are all entire at the bottom . it grows plentifully on dry places , and on heaths , in gravelly , sandy and sunny places . a large quantity of the decoction of it , used for some time , cured a woman of the stone in the kidnies ; which she had been troubled with sixteen years . the lesser spiked - fluellin , or speed-well , in latin veronica spicata minor . the root grows awry , and is fibrous . the stalk is upright , sometimes four inches , sometimes a foot , sometimes two foot high , or higher . those leaves that are placed at the joints are narrow and sharp , hairy and a little indented ; they are larger at the root . the stalk ends in a long spike , full of sky-colour'd flowers , flowering by degrees , first the lower , then those that are at top ; when they are faded , little , long threads remain . 't is vulnerary , and sudorisick . 't is chiefly used in erosions , and obstructions of the lungs , and spleen ; in the cholick , and consumption ; for the plague , and the itch. 't is of excellent use in cleansing wounds , being outwardly applied ; and for hard swellings of the spleen . purple fox-gloves , in latin digi●alis purpurea vulgaris . 't is sometimes four foot high . the stalk is as thick as the thumb , angled , hairy , reddish , and concave . the root is fibrous , and bitter . the flowers are placed on a long spike ; they are placed on short , hairy foot-stalks , and hang downwards ; each of them has a little , sharp leaf joyn'd to it ; they are like a taylor 's thimble ; without they are of a crimson colour , except in the lower part , which , by the mixture of some white , is of a flesh-colour ; they are purple also within , but in the lower part they have some white spots . to the basis of the flowers grow white or purple threads . the leaf is oblong , and ends sharp ; hairy , and indented about the edges ; above of a dark green , below hoary : those that are at the root are placed on long foot-stalks , those on the stalks are set disorderly , and there are many of them . the cup of the flower consists most commonly of five leaves : the margin of the flower is divided into five pieces . it delights in sandy ground . it varies the flower , and is sometimes white , but very rarely . 't is vomitive . the country-people in somersetshire purge and vomit the sick in fevers with it . 't is very good in the falling-sickness , if you take two handfuls of it , with four ounces of polypody of the oak , and boyl them in beer , and then drink it : for some have been cured by this decoction that have had the falling-sickness above twenty years , and that use to have two or three fits every month. but this medicine must be given only to strong people , for it purges and vomits violently . being bruised , and applied to the king's-evil , or the juice of it made into an ointment , does much good . some confide very much in the flowers , in king's-evil-swellings : they put a great many into may-butter , and set them in the sun : others mingle them with lard , and put them under ground for forty days ; they spread the ointment on a cloth , and apply them to the swellings , and purge every sixth day ; and , in the mean while , use continually a decoction of the herb robert : with the thinner part of the ointment they anoint the red part of the swelling ; the thicker they use on cloth. a large quantity of this ointment ought to be provided , for sometimes it is a year , and more , before the cure is perfected . tho' the ulcers should grow larger at first , you need not be discourag'd ; for when the ointment has dried up all the humour , the ulcers will heal and skin . this ointment is chiefly of use in moist ulcers of the king's-evil . fumetory , in latin fumaria . it purges choler , and purifies the blood , and is much used for a leprosie , the itch , and other diseases of the skin . 't is likewise commended for the french-pox . it opens obstructions of the liver , and cures the jaundice . it is much used in whey , in the spring-time . 't is also good for the scurvy . the juice or water of it , dropped into the eyes , cures dimness of sight . being mix'd with treacle , it is good for the plague . an ointment made of the juice of fumetory , and of sharp-pointed dock , and a little vinegar and hony , cures the itch. take of the conserve of fumetory , and wormwood , each one ounce ; of the conserve of the yellow peel of oranges and limons , each two ounces ; of the simple powder of the root of wake-robin , of yellow sanders , of alloes-wood , of the root of capers , each one dram and an half ; of crabs-eyes one dram , of salt of wormwood two drams , of syrup of fumetory a sufficient quantity ; make an electuary : the dose is , the quantity of a walnut , twice a day . this is good for the scurvy . g. garlick , in latin allium . 't is hot and dry , and alexipharmick . 't is used outwardly , and inwardly , in the flatulent cholick , the worms , for the plague with vinegar , and for the stone , and for the cough . the common people use it frequently , boyl'd in milk ; and therefore 't is called their treacle : but the often use of it is injurious , partly by reason of the intollerable stink ; but especially , because it occasions the head-ach , and drought ; and for that it hurts the eyes , and the organs of all the the senses . zacutus lusitanus relates an observation of an old man , who , travelling a long way in the snow , was taken desperately ill ; the innate heat of his stomach being , in a manner , extinguish'd : and when zacutus had tried all hot remedies to no purpose , he at length , according to avicen's directions , gave him dried garlick , mix'd with hony ; and when he had used this four days , the man found himself better ; and was quite recover'd by using it a month. and experience teaches the northern people the use of this root ; for which reason they eat it often . garlick beat with lard , and applied to the soles of the feet , in the manner of an ointment , opens the stoppages of the lungs . if garlick be applied to the soles of the feet , the breath will stink of it ; but the vapours penetrating the habit of the body , do not occasion that stink ; but particles of the garlick are mix'd with the blood , and , together with it , are brought to the lungs , and so are emitted by expiration , with the sooty effluvia of the blood. take cloves of garlick pill'd , four ounces , boyl them till they are soft , change the water twice , pour the water off , and put the garlick into a vessel ; to which put syrup of vinegar half a pound ; stop it up close , and set it in a skillet with water , put hay under the vessel , and boyl it for half an hour : take four or five of the cloves every day , and a spoonful or two of the syrup . this is much commended for coughs , and the worms . wild germander , in latin chamaedrys silvestris . 't is rooted with a great many fibres . the branches bending to the earth , sometimes turn to roots ; and so by creeping it increases . the stalks are sometimes two foot high , downy , round , small , and weak ; to which the leaves grow by intervals , opposite to one another , without foot-stalks ; they are indented , hairy , very green , and wrinkly ; from a large basis , they grow by degrees pointed , but not very sharp . the flowers come from the wings of the leaves , and grow like an ear , and seem as if they had four leaves , tho' they have really but one , for they are entire at bottom : they are of a pleasant sky-colour , and shine , and are streak'd with deep colour'd lines , and white in the middle , where is a very small violet-pillar , with two threads , sustaining the white tufts . the cup of the flower has four leaves . the flowers are placed upon short foot-stalks , coming from the bosom of a small leaf . the seed-vessels are flat , and twins , like those of speed-well . 't is hot and dry , and somewhat bitter . 't is good for a cough , at the beginning of a dropsie , for an ill habit of body , the green-sickness , an hard spleen , the strangury , and obstructions of the bowels . the garden-germander provokes urine and sweat powerfully ; upon which account it is good in fevers , for the scurvy , and for the blood when coagulated ; but especially for the gout , the jaundice , and suppression of urine . it was commended to the emperor charles v. as an arcanum for the gout . 't is outwardly used for eating ulcers , for the piles , the itch , and to dry catarrhs . 't is frequently used in a decoction to open women's obstructions . 't is called in cambridgeshire english-treacle . take of the dried leaves of germander , ground-ivy , and white hoar-hound , each one handful ; of the roots of elecampane , and florentine-flower-de-luce , each one ounce and an half ; of anniseeds bruis'd two ounces , of liquorish one ounce and an half , of raisins of the sun three ounces ; hang all these in a bag , in a glass that has a large mouth , and put three quarts of lime-water to it ; stop it close , and set it in a cold place ; pour out the liquor as you use it : the dose is four ounces thrice a day . this is good for catarrhs , and ulcers of the lungs . goat's-beard , in latin tragopogon . any part of this plant being cut , yields a white milk , which soon turns yellow , and clammy . the root is streight , about the bigness of a finger . the stalks are empty , and branchy ; larger and stronger-than those of scorzonera . it has many leaves , that are like the leaves of leeks , which are sometimes very broad , sometimes long , narrow , and sharp . the flowers are placed on the top of the stalks and branches , and consist of eight , nine , or ten green leaves ; they are long and sharp , above three inches long , of a deep purple or sky-colour , and at last turn into a soft down , to which the seed adheres ; 't is two inches long , round , streak'd and rough , and black when ripe . the root boyl'd is reckon'd delicate food ; 't is also used raw in sallets . it nourishes much , and therefore good for consumptive people . 't is used in diseases of the breast , and for a cough , and difficulty of breathing . 't is supposed to expel the stone , and to force urine . the juice of the root , and the distill'd water of it , do the same . goat's-rue , in latin galega . it spreads a small , white root in the earth . the stalks are four foot high , or higher , channell'd , empty , and has many branches . the leaves are like the leaves of a vetch , they have a soft , little thorn at the end of them . the flowers are placed upon peculiar twigs , arising from the wings of the leaves ; they grow one above another , like the many flower'd vetch , and are of a whitish colour . the pods are round , small , long , and upright , wherein is contain'd the seed . 't is alexipharmick , and sudorifick . it expels poyson , and cures the plague . 't is used in children's convulsions ; a spoonful of the juice may be given at a time . 't is good for the worms , and for the biting of serpents . the raw herb , or when it is boyl'd , is also eaten in these cases . the distill'd water of it is used to expel contagion , and in children's convulsions . the honourable mr. boyle commends it much , from his own experience , in curing pestilential and malignant diseases . 't is one of the ingredients in the london-plague-water . take of the roots of angelica , master-wort , butter-bur , and peony , each half a pound ; of athamantick spikenard , and of scorzonera , each four ounces ; of virginian snake-weed two ounces ; of the leaves of rue , rosemary , balm , carduus benedictus , scordium , marigolds and their flowers , dragons , goat's rue , and mint , each four handfuls ; pour upon them four gallons of the best brandy , let them infuse gently in b. m. ( the vessel being close stop'd ) for three days ; draw off four gallons , wherein hang in a bag half an ounce of saffron ; to every pint of this , add an ounce and an half of fine sugar . golden-rod , in latin virga aurea . the root is brown , and has many whitish fibres , and is jointed , and grows awry . the stalks are stiff , upright , five or six foot high , channell'd , a little hairy , and full of a fungous pith. the leaves that come from the roots , and those that grow on the stalks , are placed alternately , on long foot-stalks ; and sometimes they have none at all , or very short ones : those that are at bottom are almost an hand 's breadth , and about twice as long ; but here in england they are not so long , nor so broad : the uppermost are of a dark-green , hairy on both sides , and indented about the edges . the flowers are many , and grow on the tops of the stalks , and on peculiar foot-stalks arising from the wings of the leaves ; they are yellow , and at last turn into a kind of down . it grows commonly upon heaths , and in hilly woods and groves . it flowers in august . the flowers sometimes vary . 't is an excellent wound-herb , either taken inwardly , or outwardly applied . 't is lithontriptick , and diuretick . two drams of the powder being taken in white-wine , hot , every morning . 't is very cleansing , and drying . 't is good in the obstructions of the bowels , and for those that are inclin'd to a dropsie , and for stopping all fluxes of the womb or belly , and inward bleedings . goos-berry-bush , in latin grossularia . it loves cold places . it flowers in april ; the fruit comes forth in may , and is ripe in june and july . the fruit is very agreeable to the stomach . being boyl'd in broth before they are ripe , they do good in a fever . they provoke appetite , and stop the fluxes of the belly . they also cure a gonorrhea , and the whites . they are outwardly applied for inflammations , and st. anthony's fire . but before they are ripe , many of them must not be eaten ; for they occasion the cholick , and gripes . wine is made of them , when they are ripe , in the following manner : the berries being put into a tub , they pour upon them a sufficient quantity of hot water , and then , covering the vessel very close , they let them stand three weeks , or a month , till the liquor is impregnated with the juice and spirit of the berries ; then they draw it out , and put it into bottles , with sugar , which they keep close stop'd , till the liquor is well mix'd and fermented with the sugar ; and so it becomes a generous wine . goose-grass , or cleavers , in latin aparine . this herb , beat up with lard , cures the king's-evil . the distill'd water stops the flux of the belly , and is good in the jaundice . the distill'd water , or the herb cut small , and boyl'd in a sufficient quantity of wine , and drunk , is an excellent remedy for the stone and gravel . the herb dried , with the spleen of a calf , in a furnace , is accounted very excellent for tumours of the spleen , and hypochondriack winds . take of the leaves of cleavers , plantane and brook-lime , each four handfuls ; bruise them , and pour upon them three ounces of aqua lumbricorum , and three ounces of aqua raphani composit ▪ then strain them : this is to be taken twice a day ; at eight in the morning , and five in the afternoon . this is good in a dropsie . groncil , or grouncel , in latin lithospermum . the root is about the thickness of the thumb , woody and perennial , and has some fibres on the sides . it has many stalks two or three foot high , streight , firm , round , rough and branchy . it has many leaves , plac'd disorderly ; they are long , narrow , and end in a sharp point , and have no foot-stalks : those that are at the top of the stalks and branches are broader , and shorter , and of a deeper green. the little flowers are placed on short foot-stalks , and come from the wings of the leaves ; they are white , and consist of one leaf , divided into five blunt pieces . the cup is hairy , and consists of five narrow jags . four seeds succeed each flower ; they are of an ash-colour , very hard , and look as if they were polish'd . it grows near hedges in dry grounds , near high-ways , and in bushes . it flowers in may and june . the seed of it cleanses the reins , and provokes urine ; breaks the stone , and expels it . two drams of the seed , or more , may be given at a time . matthiolus prescribes it for women in labour , in a woman's milk. ground-pine , in latin chamaepytis vulgaris . 't is a small plant , of the breadth of an hand , and rarely above an inch , or two inches high . the root is long , woody , and single . the little stalk is round , hairy , and somewhat red near the earth ; in other places green , inclining to a yellow ; as also are the leaves , which are placed at small distances , at the knots , by pairs , opposite to one another ; they are hairy , and resemble the claws of a small bird ; they taste and smell like pitch and rosin . the flowers proceed from the wings of the leaves , are yellow , and have a broad lip , divided into two parts , the upper has red spots instead of an hood ; they have threads of a light purple . the seeds are placed in little cups , four and four in a rank ; and they are three-square . the tube of the flower bellies out , and serves instead of a seed-vessel . it grows in till'd grounds , but is rare in england . it strengthens the nerves ; incides , opens , and is diuretick , and provokes the courses . it expels a dead child , and the after-birth ; and works so powerfully , that women with child are wholly forbid the use of it , because it occasions miscarriage . boyl'd in wine , or powder'd , and made into pills , with hermodactyls and venice-turpentine , does much good in a dropsie . outwardly used , it cures ulcers , by cleansing them , and taking off the hardness . take of ground-pine and worm-wood , each two handfuls ; of scurvy-grass ten handfuls , of mountain-sage six handfuls , six oranges sliced ; put all into a pye , made of two parts of barly-meal , and one of rye ; bake it , and after shred it all small ; then put it into a bag , and hang it in five gallons of midling ale : after six days , drink of it for your ordinary drink . this was used , with excellent success , to a person that was afflicted with the gout and scurvy . groundsel , in latin erigeron . this grows every where in the fields , and gardens , and in courts , too frequently , all the year . the juice of the herb taken in beer , or a decoction of it with hony , vomits gently . outwardly applied , it is good for the inflammations of the paps , and for the king's-evil . 't is very probable that it may be useful against worms , for farriers use it as a present remedy for the botts . h. hart's-tongue , in latin phillitis . it has many black , capillary roots . it has six , eight , or ten long leaves , nine inches , or a foot long , and about two inches broad ; of a curious shining green above , below streak'd with small , and somewhat long , brownish marks . the bottoms of the leaves are a little bowed on each side of the middle-rib . it smells strong , and tastes rough . it grows in moist , stony and shady places , especially on mountains , and in wells and caves . it grows in great abundance by walberton , near arrundel in sussex . 't is used chiefly in swellings of the spleen , for the flux of the belly , and for spitting of blood. outwardly applied , it cleanses wounds and ulcers . the powder of it is of excellent use for the palpitation of the heart , for mother-fits , and convulsions , being taken in small beer , and posset-drink . a conserve made of the green leaves , is used for the same purpose . hemlock , in latin cicuta . 't is very cold , and supposed to be poysonous ; yet it is frequently used now-a-days for tumours and inflammations of the spleen . some physicians say , it is hot . outwardly used , it is anodine . a cataplasm , or the plaster of hemlock , with ammoniacum , discusses powerfully hard swellings , and a ganglion . twenty grains of the powder of the root is an excellent diaphoretick in malignant fevers . common - hemlock , wild-ciceley , or cow-weed , in latin ci●utaria vulgaris . the root is thick , long , and white , especially within : it has an acrid and aromatick taste . the stalks are three or four foot high , or higher , as thick as the thumb , empty , hairy , and reddish . the leaves are like the hemlock above-mention'd , but they are broader , and of a paler green ; they shine , and have a short down , but it is scarce visible . the white flowers are placed in a circle , and each of them consists of five leaves ; the uppermost are larger than the rest . a pair of seeds succeed each flower ; they are long , smooth , and black when they are ripe . it grows every where in hedges , and in orchards , and under trees . it springs in the beginning of the spring , and flowers in may. in the spring , when the leaves are tender , cows eat them greedily ; wherefore our country-people call it cow-weed . j. bauhinus says , he knew two families , who thinking they had gather'd parsnips , by chance found these roots in the winter , without leaves ; ( for they are more like parsnips , than the roots of the above-mention'd hemlock , ) and having eaten a few of them , they were like to be suffocated ; and were senseless , and mad , and just like anticks : he cured them with vomits . and i remember , a whole family , several years ago , was strangely surpriz'd , at a village called huntington , about two miles from the city of chichester , in sussex , upon the like occasion . but some affirm , that old parsnips will cause the same symptoms ; wherefore they call them madnips . hemp , in latin cannabis sativa . the seed of it boyl'd in milk , is good for a cough : and five or six ounces of it taken , cures the jaundice : an emulsion of the seeds does the same . the juice of the herb , and of the green seed , cures pains and obstructions of the ears . 't is suppos'd by some , that it extinguishes venery ; but the persians use it now-a-days , fried , and mix'd with salt , to provoke the same . the oyl of the seeds , mix'd with a little wax , is excellent to take out the pain and fire in burns . galen reckons , that the virtues of hemlock and hemp are much the same . common hemp-agrimonr , in latin eupatorium cannabinum . the root grows awry , and has large , whitish fibres . the stalk is five or six foot high , streight , round , has cotton on it , and is purplish , and full of white pith ; it has an aromatick smell when it is cut , and has many wings . there are many leaves upon the stalks , three upon one foot-stalk , something like the leaves of hemp , oblong , pointed , and indented about the edges , and of a bitter taste . the flowers are placed on tufts , compos'd of five or six small purple flowers . the seeds , when ripe , fly away with the down . it grows on the banks of rivers and brooks , and near standing-waters . it flowers in july . 't is epatick and vulnerary . 't is chiefly used for an ill habit of body ; for catarrhs , and coughs ; for obstructions of urine , and the courses . it cures the jaundice . take of the leaves of hemp , agrimony , hart's-tongue , speed-well , colt's-foot , mouse-ear , and sanicle , each one handful ; of the roots of madder and charvil , each one ounce ; of barley half an ounce , of red vetches half an ounce , of raisins of the sun one ounce and an half ; boyl them in two quarts of fountain-water , till half is consum'd ; sweeten it with hony. this is used in an empyema . common hen-bane , in latin hyoscyamus vulgaris . 't is easily known by its stinking smell . the leaves are soft , downy , fat , and cut deep about the edges , and are plac'd disorderly upon the stalks , which are two foot high , branchy , thick , and cover'd with a thick down . the flowers scarce appear above the husk , they end in five round points , they grow one above another , are of a dull yellow colour , somewhat pale towards the edges ; they have many purplish veins . the seed is of a greyish colour , and contain'd in an hard , close husk . the root is thick , wrinkly , white within , and brown without , and doth not stink so much as the leaves . it grows near most high-ways , in untill'd grounds , amongst rubbish , and on fat earth . it cools and mollifies very much : it disposes to sleep , eases pain , and mitigates acrimony . 't is good for hot and sharp defluxions of the eyes . it stops eruptions of blood , and overflowing of the courses . 't is applied for inflammation of the testicles , and other parts . take of the seeds of hen-bane and white-poppy , each two drams ; conserve of red roses two ounces ; make an electuary : take the quantity of a nutmeg . this stops any hemorrhage . take of the seeds of henbane and white-poppy , each half a dram ; of sugar of roses three drams , of syrup of comfrey a sufficient quantity ; make an electuary : take the quantity of a small nutmeg , drinking upon it a draught of tincture of roses . this is good for bleeding at the nose , and spitting of blood. herb-robert , in latin geranium robertianum . it grows commonly in hedges . it has a small root . the stalks are sometimes nine inches , sometimes two foot high ; they are hairy , knotted , reddish , especially about the joints ; they branch out . the leaves come partly from the root , and partly from the joints ; they are hairy , and are plac'd on reddish , hairy foot-stalks , and are divided almost like the leaves of feverfew ; they smell like parsnips when they are rub'd , and taste astringent . the flowers are purple , and consist of five leaves ; they come from a cup that is hairy , of a deep red colour , and divided into five parts . the beaks are sharp-pointed . 't is vulnerary . inwardly taken , or outwardly applied , it stops fluxes of blood , and resolves coagulated blood. it cleanses wounds and ulcers . it expels gravel , and cures cholical pains . 't is also commended for ruptures . 't is used outwardly in an erisipelas , and for ulcers of the mouth and paps . country-people make a decoction of it for cattle , when they void blood by urine . holly , in latin agrifolium . the berries are useful in the cholick , for they purge gross and pituitous humours by stool , ten or twelve being ▪ taken at a time . this tree is fittest to make arbours , in the northern parts especially ; for it will endure cold very well , it continues always green , is very pleasant to the sight , and will bear sheering : it grows very slowly , so that it will not be injurious to a garden , either by reason of its luxuriant branches , or spreading roots . the way to make bird-lime . pill as many of this sort of trees as you have occasion for , in june or july ; boyl the bark , seven or eight hours together , in water , till it is tender : when it is boyl'd , make an heap with fern ▪ strowing a lay of one , and a lay of the other . this sort of position the chymists call stratum super stratum ; and mark it thus , s. s. s. let it ferment a fortnight , or three weeks ; then take it out , and beat it in a mortar till it may be kneeded like dough ; then wash it in water , it will soon be clean . and so you will have pure birdlime . the prickles of the leaves boyl'd in posset-drink , wonderfully ease the cholick , and pains in the bowels . with this a gentlewoman cured her self , and many others , when other medicines would do no good . common hony-suckle , or wood-bind , in latin periclymenum . it heats and dries much : 't is splenatick , and very diuretick . 't is chiefly used in an asthma , and for a cough . it dries moist and sordid ulcers . it cures scabs , and other diseases of the skin . it helps difficulty of breathing , and hastens delivery , and expels gravel . the distill'd water , and the juice of it , is in use . the leaves also are frequently used in gargarisms ; but some think they are too hot and acrid for such an use . hops , in latin lupulus . they preserve beer , and make it more wholsom , and better tasted ; and render it diuretick . beer purges the blood , is good in the jaundice , and for hypochondriack diseases : but whether it expels gravel , or generates it , is much disputed by some : they that commend it for the stone , argue from its being hot and diuretick : they that condemn the use of it in the stone , say , that it makes the fits worse ; and that ale , on the contrary , mitigates the pain . besides , they say that the stone is much increas'd in england since the use of hops . but i agree with those that approve and commend the use of it in beer ; for the beer is thereby render'd more agreeable to the stomach , and promotes the concoction of the meat the better . nor does it avail any thing , that physicians forbid the use of beer in the stone , and prescribe ale ; for they do so only to lessen the pain ; for which intention ale is very proper , by reason of its smoothness ; but it does no way conduce towards the eradicating the disease , or removing the cause ; but rather promotes the growth of it , by its being clammy , and apt to stick to it : and it plainly appears by mr. graunt's observations on the bills of mortality , that fewer die of the stone , in london , since hops were so much used , than before . the buds of hops , eaten in the spring-time , being first boyl'd and butter'd , purge the blood , and loosen the belly , and open obstructions of the liver and spleen . take of black-soap , and fresh hops , each two handfuls ; of blue-currants a quarter of a pound ; beat them , and mix them , and apply them to the wrists , to cure a quotidian-ague . white hore-hound , in latin marrubium album . it has a single , woody root , with many fibres . it has many stalks , a foot high , or higher ; they are downy , four-square , branchy , and have many leaves on them , two opposite to one another , at each joint ; they are roundish , wrinkly , and indented , and are placed on pretty long foot-stalks . the flowers are whitish , and very small ; they encompass the stalk at the joints , and have short foot-stalks , or none at all . four seeds , joyn'd together , succeed each flower . the smell of the whole herb is strong , and somewhat offensive . it grows near high-ways , and amongst rubbish . the juice of it mix'd with hony , is good for those that have coughs , and are consumptive . the powder of it kills worms . take of the syrup of white hore-hound two ounces , of oyl of tartar per deliquium one scruple ; mix them : let the sick take often of it , a spoonful at a time . this is excellent in the jaundice . the tops of it infus'd in wine , and drunk three mornings , is good to provoke the courses , and to expel the secundine , and to strengthen the stomach , and to cure an ill habit of body . a conserve of the flowers , made with hony , and an ounce of it taken in the morning , for forty days , cured a nobleman of a scirrhus in his liver , when chalybeats , and other medicines , would do no good . horse-tail , in latin equisetum . the root is small , black , jointed , and creeping , and has many small fibres arising from the joints . it springs up with heads somewhat like asparagus , which grow into hard , rough , hollow stalks , joynted at many places , one within another . at every joint grows a bush of rusty , hard leaves , resembling an horse-tail . at the tops of the stalks come forth small catkins , like those of trees . 't is very astringent , and therefore is used to cure the whites , and fluxes of blood ; one dram of the powder of it , or four ounces of the decoction of it in wine , being taken night and morning . three spoonfuls of the distill'd water , taken two or three mornings , cures bleeding , and ulcers of the reins and kidnies . outwardly applied , it cures wounds , even when the nerves are cut . for ulcers of the lungs , drink three ounces of the decoction made in water , or two ounces of the juice , morning and evening . a dram of the powder taken in three ounces of plantane-water , morning and evening , for some days , is commended for a consumption . great hounds-tongue , in latin cynoglossum . the root is thick , black without , white within ; it smells worse than it tastes , it has an odd , sweet taste . the stalks are about three or four foot high ; they are divided into many branches . the first year the leaves are long , and somewhat broad : the second year , when it bears a stalk , they are sharp and pointed , hoary , soft , and downy , and stink . the flowers are of a sordid red colour , divided , for some time , into five pieces ; the flowers and seeds most commonly bend to one part , and each is placed on a foot-stalk an inch long , which has no leaf . the leaves grow alternately to the stalks , without foot-stalks . it grows commonly amongst rubbish , and in fields not cultivated . it flowers in june . it cools , and dries . 't is used to stop blood , a loosness , a gonorrhaea , and catarrhs . an ointment made of the juice , with hony and turpentine , is much commended for old fistulous ulcers . the pill made of hound's-tongue is compounded in the following manner : take of the roots of hound's-tongue dried , of the seeds of white hen-bane , and of opium prepar'd , each half an ounce ; of mirrh six drams , of olibanum five drams , of saffron , castor , and storax calamite , each one dram and an half : the roots of hound's-tongue , the seeds of hen-bane , and the castor must be all powder'd together ; but the myrrh , the saffron , and the olibanum must be powder'd a-part ; the opium must be sliced small , and dissolv'd in rose-water ; afterwards you must add the powders , and with syrup de stecade make a mass : the dose is one scruple . 't is frequently used in catarrhs , and to cause rest . house-leek , or sin-green , in latin sedum magus vulgare . it does not grow spontaneously in england , but it is commonly sown on houses . 't is very cooling , and astringent . 't is used inwardly in bilious fevers , for it quenches thirst , and moderates the heat , the juice of it being mix'd with sugar . rags dip'd in the juice , or distill'd water of it , and applied to any inflammation of the body , especially in the frenzy , are very beneficial . the juice of it cures corns and warts . for ulcers of the matrix , and urinary passage , take of the juice four ounces , and one ounce of litharge , and the yolks of two eggs ; rub them a long time in a leaden mortar ; then make application . in fevers , when the tongue is dry , and chap'd , dip a leaf of it in rose-water , and apply it to the tongue , and repeat it often . take of the juice one spoonful , of white-wine two spoonfuls ; mix them together ; drop one or two drops into the eyes , and apply a double linnen rag , dipped in the same . this is good for an hot distillation on the eyes . hyssop , in latin hyssopus . 't is hot , and acrid : it attenuates , opens , and cleanses . 't is chiefly used in diseases of the lungs . 't is frequently applied outwardly to remove blood that is setled in the eyes . a bunch of it being boyl'd in water , and applied hot to the eye , is also very good for bruises . i. jack-by-the-hedge , or sauce-alone , in latin alliaria . it sends forth stalks , round , channel'd and solid ; small , and somewhat hairy ; three or four foot high . the root is small , woody and white ; and stinks like garlick . the leaves are first round , like ground-ivy , but much larger ; but soon afterwards they are a little pointed , and indented about the edges ; they are of a pale green , and smooth , and set on large foot-stalks ; the smell and taste of them is not so strong as garlick ; they are placed at a great distance upon the stalks . disorderly , upon the tops of the stalks and branches , are many whitish , small flowers , consisting of four small leaves , upon very short foot-stalks ; in the midst whereof are tufts , of a colour betwixt yellow and green. the oblong and blackish seed is contain'd in long cods , that are angl'd , and divided by a membrane that has two valves . it grows in hedges and ditches . country-people use it in sauces . when it is green , it provokes urine ; when dry , it expels poyson . being boyl'd in wine , or mix'd with hony , it cures old coughs . 't is excellent for resisting putrefaction : upon which account , the herb it self , beat up with hony , and the juice boyl'd till it is thick , are put into cataplasms for gangreens , and other putrid and malignant ulcers . the seed applied to the bottom of the belly , cures mother-fits . the seeds rub'd , and put into the nose , provokes sneezing , and purges the head. the herb boyl'd in oyl and water , and taken inwardly , relieves asthmaticks . some boyl the leaves in clysters for the cholick . nephritick pains , and the stone . 't is like true scordium in virtue and smell . fabricius hildanus says , he often found the juice very good for gangreens , and none need wonder why the ancients , especially the arabians , substituted this herb for scordium ; not for that scordium was unknown to them , but because they found , in a manner , the same virtues in this plant. besides , scordium does not grow in many regions , and so it must be had dry and obsolete ; whereas this herb grows almost every where . white iessamin , in latin jasminum album . the flowers are chiefly used to perfume gloves . the oyl of it heals , mollifies , and opens ; and is used in contractions of the limbs ; and the like . iew's-ear , in latin fungus sambucinus . it grows to the trunk of the elder-tree . being dried , it will keep good a year . boyl'd in milk , or infus'd in vinegar , 't is good to gargle the mouth or throat in quinsies , and other inflammations of the mouth and throat . and being infus'd in some proper water , it is good in diseases of the eyes . st. iohn's-wort , in latin hypericon . it has a woody root , that is much divided , and hath many stiff , woody , round , reddish twigs , two foot and an half high , or higher , and divided into many branches . the leaves grow by pairs , opposite to one another , and have no foot-stalks ; they are smooth , and full of holes , which may be plainly perceiv'd if you hold them up against the sun ; they taste dry and astringent , with some kind of bitterness . at the top of the stalks and branches grow yellow flowers of five leaves apiece , with yellow tufts in the middle ; which being bruis'd , yield a bloody juice . after the flowers , come small , round heads , wherein are contain'd small , black seeds . it grows in hedges , and among bushes . 't is an excellent diuretick and vulnerary herb. a decoction of it cures tertian and quartan-agues : it stops spitting of blood , and expels gravel . a tincture of the flowers is excellent in a mania : and the flowers infus'd in spirit of wine , kill worms . the compounded oyl of the london-dispensatory is much us'd , and is made in the following manner : take one pint of white-wine ; of the tops , and flowers , and seeds of st. john's-wort four ounces ; bruise them , and infuse them three days in a pint of old oyl of olives , in the sun , or upon a gentle fire ; and then press it . note , they must infuse in a glass well stop'd . there must be a second and third infusion in the same wine . after the third infusion , boyl it till all the wine is , in a manner , consum'd ; then strain it , and add three ounces of turpentine , and one scruple of saffron ; then boyl it a little , and put it up for use . this is excellent for bruises and aches . for spitting of blood , take of the leaves of st. john's-wort , hart's-tongue , speed-well , mouse-ear , and ground-ivy , each one handful ; of the roots of chervil , and fresh nettles , each one ounce ; boyl them in three pints of fountain-water , to two ; add an ounce and an half of raisins of the sun ston'd , of liquorish two drams , of the byzantine syrup two ounces ; clarifie them with the white of an egg , and make an apozem : take four or six ounces twice or thrice a day , for a month. iuly-flowers , in latin caryophyllus . they are cephalick and cordial . the syrup is chiefly used , and is made in the following manner : take of fragrant july-flowers , the white being cut off , one pound ; pour on them a quart of spring-water , and let them stand all night ; then strain the liquor , and , being gently warm'd , dissolve therein four pounds of the whitest sugar , without boiling it ; and make a syrup . iuniper-tree , in latin juniperus . it spreads it self near the ground . the leaves are like the leaves of furze , but not so large , nor so prickly ; they are always green ; they are stiff , and smooth above ; they are seldom an inch long , and are very narrow . the branches are divided into many twigs . the berries are many , round , and twice as large as pepper ; when they are ripe they are blackish ; they taste acrid and resinous , with a sort of sweetness . the wood being burnt , perfumes the air. the berries are good for a cold stomach , and are good against wind and gripes : they provoke urine , and expel poyson , and are good in diseases of the head and nerves . the oyl of juniper is much in use ; it helps the tooth-ach , and is good in the cholick , and against gravel : the dose is five or six drops , in a proper vehicle . climbing - ivy , in latin hedera arborea . 't is frequently used outwardly , upon issues , and for pains in the ears proceeding from matter contain'd within . the ancients boyl'd the leaves in wine , and applied them to burns , and malignant ulcers . some that are afflicted with the gout apply the green leaves to the pain'd parts . a pugil of the dried flowers , taken in wine , cures the bloody flux . a large quantity of the powder of the ripe berries taken in wine , is an excellent remedy for the plague . a dram of the stones taken in wine , provokes urine , and expels gravel . three of the stones powder'd , and taken , with a little saffron , in penny-royal-water , for some days , in the morning , scarce ever fails to move the courses : it must be taken hot . the berries purge upwards and downwards . the oyl of the berries , drawn by distillation , is very good for cold diseases of the joints : it provokes the courses , expels gravel , and cures sordid ulcers . take one dram of the ripe berries , dried in the shade , and powder'd , in a glass of white-wine : this is very sudorifick , and is good in the plague , and for pains of the stomach . ground - ivy , in latin hedera terrestris . 't is vulnerary , either outwardly applied , or taken inwardly . 't is also diuretick , and moves the courses . 't is frequently used for diseases of the lungs , for obstructions of the kidnies , and the jaundice , and in clysters for the cholick . the people in the north put it into their beer , to clear it ; and therefore it is call'd alehoof . the juice of it drawn up into the nostrils , cures inveterate and violent head-aches . a tincture of the leaves , made in nantz-brandy , is excellent in the cholick . take of the conserve of red roses four ounces , of flowers of sulphure four scruples , of pure oyl of turpentine one dram , of the species of the lungs of a fox three drams , of syrup of ground-ivy a sufficient quantity ; make a linctus : lick of it often in a day , with a liquorish-stick . this is proper to stop a tickling cough . k. kidny , or french-beans , in latin phaseolus . they provoke urine , and are good in the stone , a dram of the powder of them being taken in white-wine . they are of easie digestion , and excite venery . common knot-grass , in latin polygonum mas vulgare . the root is hard , woody , and single , and has many fibres , and is of an astringent taste . it has many stalks ; they are sometimes upright , but they oftner bend towards the earth , or lie on it ; they are above two foot long ; they are small , round , solid and smooth . the leaves are placed alternately ; they are oblong , narrow , and smooth , and are placed on very short foot-stalks . from the wings of the lower leaves , at the knots of the stalks , come forth small branches : and from the wings of the upper , two or three small flowers together , on short foot-stalks ; they consist of five leaves , and are of a light purple colour . the seeds are pretty large , triangular , and of a dark chesnut-colour . 't is vulnerary , drying , and astringent . 't is chiefly used for stopping all fluxes . outwardly 't is used for wounds and ulcers , and for inflammations of the eyes . a certain nobleman that vomited blood , and had used other medicines in vain , was much reliev'd by the juice of this , in a little styptick wine . l. common ladies-bed-straw , in latin gallium luteum vulgare . this ladies-bed-straw rises up with several small , brown and square , upright stalks , a yard high , or more ; sometimes branch'd forth into many parts , full of joints , and with several very small , fine leaves at every one of them , little , or not at all rough . at the tops of the branches grow many long tufts , or branches of yellow flowers , set very thick together , one above another ; they smell pretty strong and resinous . the seed is small , and black ; and two , for the most part , joyn'd together . the root is reddish , and has many small fibres . the tops of it turn milk , like rennet . the herb , or the powder of it , stops bleeding ; and is commended for cancerous ulcers . ladies-mantle , in latin alchimilla . it has a root of the thickness of the little finger , or thumb , consisting of many fibres , that are astringent , and drying . some thin , hairy stalks arise , branching out about nine inches high ; upon which there are small flowers , of a grass-colour , placed in a circle ; each consists of eight leaves , four large , and four small ; placed alternately ; in the middle whereof are little yellow tufts . the flowers grow on the uppermost seminal vessels ; two small , shining seeds are contain'd in each vessel , not exactly round , but somewhat long in one part . some of the leaves arise immediately from the root , with long , hairy foot-stalks , about one handful and an half long : others adhere to the stalk , by a short , or no foot-stalk at all . as to other things , the leaf is like a mallow , of a colour betwixt yellow and green , and hairy under ; divided into eight or nine obtuse angles , peculiar nerves coming into each angle , from the foot-stalks ; they are neatly indented about the edges . it grows in meadows and pastures , especially on hilly grounds , spontaneously . there is abundance of it in the north of england , in yorkshire and derbyshire , where it is commonly called bear's-foot . 't is an excellent wound-herb . 't is hot and dry , and astringent . it stops bleeding , the courses , and the whites . the leaves , the tops , and the roots are used in vulnerary potions , powders , plasters , and ointments . rags dipped in a decoction of it , and applied to women's breasts when they are very lax , renders them hard and solid . it agglutinates inward wounds , and ruptures . and the decoction of it , or the powder of the dried herb , taken in the decoction , or in the distill'd water , is excellent in curing children's bursten bellies . the astringent quality is chief in this plant ; by means whereof it does what it does . take of ladies-mantle , sanicle , golden-rod , sengreen , betony and agrimony , each one handful ; marsh-mallows two handfuls ; fern , flowers of camomile , st. john's-wort , mugwort , briars , origanum , and tormentil-leaves and roots , each one handful ; put them into three bags , then boyl them in the faeces of red wine ; and apply them one after another . these are very astringent , and of good use to stop fluxes . ladies-smock , in latin cardamine . the root is white , thick , and has many small fibres . it has most commonly but one stalk , upright , round , firm and smooth , and about nine inches high , reddish near the earth . 't is divided into branches , at the top whereof are many flowers together , of a light-purple colour ; they are large , and consist of four obtuse , veiny leaves . the cods are of a deep purple colour , and a finger in length , or longer ; they are upright , rigid , and somewhat flat . the leaves are of two sorts ; the lower lie on the earth , and are divided into four or five small leaves , sticking to the rib by intervals ; the uppermost , on the stalk , have no foot-stalks ; they are smooth , and divided into small pieces . it tastes like water-cresses . take of the conserve of ladies-smock and brook-lime , made with an equal weight of sugar , each three ounces ; of the species of the three sanders , of diarrhod● , abbatis , each one dram and an half ; of ivory powder'd one dram , of pearl half a dram , of salt of wormwood and tamaris , each one dram ; make an electuary , with a sufficient quantity of syrup of coral : take the quantity of a nutmeg night and morning . this is good in an hot scurvy . lavender , in latin lavendula . 't is cephalick , and good for the nerves ; and is much of the same virtue with staechas . 't is chiefly used in catarrhs for palsies , convulsions , giddiness , lethargy , and the like . it provokes urine , and the courses , and hastens delivery : and it is used for flatulent gripes . 't is used outwardly in fomentations . the distill'd water , the conserve , and the oyl are in use . the following medicine is counted excellent to hasten delivery : take of the seeds of lavender half a dram , of the seeds of plantane and endive , each two scruples ; make a powder : take it in the waters of endive and holly , each three ounces . the oyl of it kills lice in children's heads , their heads being anointed with it . the spirit of it is most in use , and is , indeed , an excellent medicine . 't is made in the following manner : take of the flowers of lavender one gallon , pour on them three gallons of the best brandy , and stop the vessel close ; let them infuse in the sun for the space of six days , then distil them in an alembeck . take of the flowers of sage , rosemary and betony , each one handful ; of borrage , bugloss , lilly of the vallies , and cowslips , each two handfuls ; infuse all these flowers , gather'd in season , in a gallon of the best brandy , and mingle it with the spirit of lavender above-mention'd , adding of the leaves of balm , feverfew , oranges , and lawrel-berries , each one ounce : after sufficient digestion , distil them again ; and at length add of orange and citron-peel , and the seed of peony , each six drams ; cinnamon , nurmegs , mace , cardamoms , cubebs , and yellow-sanders , of each half an ounce ; of the wood of aloes one dram ; digest them twenty four hours , strain them , then add of prepar'd pearl two drams ; of amber-grease , musk and saffron , each half a scruple ; of dried roses , and red-sanders , each half an ounce ; of yellow-sanders , and the bark of dried citron , each two drams ; hang the species in a rag , in the spirit above-mention'd . common lavender-c●tton , in latin abrotanum faemina vulgare . the root is thick , hard and woody . the twigs are above two foot high ; they are woody , tender , and white with down , and are divided into many branches , and are encompass'd by the leaves , which are about an inch long , and a little indented ; they have a physical smell , and a bitter and acrid taste . 't is chiefly used in obstructions of the liver and kidnies , and to cure the jaundice . it kills worms . and the dried leaves do good for the whites . spurge - laurel , in latin laureola . 't is about four foot high , or higher . the stalk is sometimes single , and sometimes divided into branches . the bark is whitish . the stalk bends easily , but is hard to break . the leaves are placed at the top of the stalk ; they are like laurel-leaves . the whole plant tastes hot . being chew'd , it inflames the jaws . taken inwardly , it provokes vomiting ; and hurts and burns the stomach , and inward parts ; and therefore , by reason of its great acrimony , 't is seldom prescrib'd by physicians . the powder of it infus'd in vinegar , and sprinkled upon cancers , does good before they are ulcer'd . leeks , in latin porrum . they have the same virtue with onions . garden - lettice , in latin lactuca sativa . it cools the stomach , and qualifies choler and heat , and disposes to rest , and increases milk , and yields good nourishment . in frenzies , madness , and burning fevers , and the like , apply to the temples , and the coronal suture , and also to the wrists , double rags , dip'd in lettice-water wherein sal prunella has been dissolv'd , viz. half an ounce to a pint of the water . lilly of the vallies , in latin lilium convallium . it has a small , white , fibrous root . the stalk is angular , and about an hand high . the leaves are like the leaves of the smallest water-plantane . it has small , white bell-flowers , of a pleasant smell . the flowers and leave are counted good in apoplexies , palsies , for the falling-sickness , and giddiness , and other cold diseases of the head. take of conserve of lilly of the vallies six ounces , of the powder of the root of male-peony half an ounce , of humane-skull prepar'd three drams , of the seeds and flowers of male-peony powder'd , each two drams ; of red coral prepar'd , of pearl , and the whitest amber , each one dram ; of salt of coral four scruples , of the syrup of the flowers of male-peony a sufficient quantity ; make an electuary : the dose is two drams , morning and evening . this is commended in an apoplexy . water - lilly , in latin nymphaea . the roots , the leaves , the flowers , and seeds of the yellow and white water-lilly are used in fluxes ; especially for a gonorrhaea , and nocturnal pollutions . they are said to lessen venery . the root of the white water-lilly moderates the flux of the courses . take of the waters of purslane , lettice , roses and water-lillies , each one ounce ; of syrup of violets , and of water-lillies , each six drams ; of sal prunella one dram : take this often , and it will cure the heat of urine . white - lilly , in latin lilium . the distill'd water of it is given to women that have hard labours , and to expel the after-birth . the root is commonly used in cataplasms to asswage pain , and to ripen tumours . the oyl of lillies serves for the same purpose . 't is said , many people in dropsies have been cured with the juice mix'd with barly-flower , and made into bread ; which bread they must use only for the space of a month , or six weeks . lime-tree , in latin tilia . the bark and the leaves repel , and dry , and provoke urine , and the courses . a mucilage of the bark does much good in burns and wounds . the leaves rub'd , and sprinkl'd with water , discuss swellings of the feet . the flowers are cephalick , and smell sweet . the distill'd water of them is frequently used for the falling-sickness , giddiness , and apoplexies : the dose is one ounce , or one ounce and an half . women use it to beautifie their faces : and some take it for the gripes . the berries powder'd , are much commended for the bloody-flux , and other fluxes of the belly . being rub'd with vinegar , and put up the nostrils , they stop bleeding at the nose : and some of them taken inwardly , do the same . liquorish , in latin glycyrr●iza . 't is good for the lungs , and the reins . it mitigates acrimony , and helps expectoration , and gently loosens children's bellies . 't is chiefly used for coughs , hoarsness , consumption , pleurisie , erosions of the bladder , and sharpness of urine . syrup of liquorish is made in the following manner : take of green liquorish , cleansed and bruis'd , two ounces ; of white maiden-hair one ounce , of hyssop half an ounce ; pour on them three pints of hot fountain-water , let them stand in infusion twenty four hours ; strain it , and clarifie it ; and with the best hony , and fine sugar , each ten ounces , make a syrup , according to art. liverwort , in latin hepatica vulgaris . the root of it is as fine as silk . the leaves are a fingers-breadth , and twice as long , or longer ; above they are green , or a little yellowish ; they are scaly , like the skin of a serpent ; they have no flowers . the stalk is white , firm and juicy , and about four inches long ; upon which there is , as it were , a small fungus . it grows in shady , wet places , among stones . it tastes a little bitterish , and astringent . 't is chiefly used in obstructions of the liver and bladder . 't is good in the jaundice , for the itch , and a gonorrhaea . outwardly applied , it stops blood in wounds . lovage , in latin levisticum . the stalk is as high as a man , thick-jointed , hollow , and channel'd . the leaves are large , and divided into wings ; they are of a shining green , and of a strong smell . at the top of the stalks and branches are large tufts of yellow flowers . the seed is pretty large , and flat . the root is thick , and woody . 't is alexipharmick , diuretick , and vulnerary . it strengthens the stomach , and does good in an asthma . it forces the courses , and the monthly purgations ; and expels a dead child . it opens obstructions of the liver and spleen ; and cures the jaundice . 't is used outwardly , in baths , and cataplasms for the womb. the virtues of it are much the same with angelica , and master-wort . half a dram of the seed provokes the courses . the juice of the leaves expels the after-birth . lung-wort , in latin muscus arboreus . it grows on old oaks and beeches , in dark , shady , old woods . it has broad , grayish , rough leaves , variously folded , crumpl'd and gash'd on the edges , and sometimes spotted on the upper side . it bears no stalk , nor flower . 't is drying , and astringent . it stops bleeding , and cures fresh wounds . it stops the courses , and the flux of the belly . the powder , the syrup , and the distill'd water of it are commonly used for diseases of the lungs ; as , coughs , short breath , consumptions , and the like . that which grows on an oak is excellent in curing the jaundice : take one handful of it , and boyl it in a pint of small beer , in a pot well stopped , till half is consum'd : take thirteen spoonfuls of it warm , morning and evening . lupines , in latin lupinus sativus . inwardly taken , it kills worms . but it is chiefly used outwardly , in cataplasms for gangreens , and malignant ulcers , and the like . m. madder , in latin rubia tinctorum . 't is used in vulnerary potions ; but whether it is astringent , or opening , is disputed . they that count it astringent , prescribe it for the bloody-flux , the flux of the courses , and of the hemorrhoids . they that suppose it is opening , use it in the jaundice , for the dropsie , and obstruction of urine . and perhaps it partakes of both qualities , first opening , and then binding , as is the nature of rubarb . white maiden-hair , or wall-rue , in latin adian●um album . ' the root is very small , consisting of very small , black fibres . it grows upon old walls . it has many foot-stalks , that are small , and about half an hand high , and blackish about the roots , or brown ; they are elsewhere green , and somewhat divided at top . from the extremities and sides of these the leaves grow ; they are channel'd , and somewhat stiff , and indented about the edges ; the upper part is green , the under sprinkled with red or brown powder , that seems fine , and tastes somewhat sowre and astringent , with a little mixture of sweetness . it grows in cambridgshire , on the walls of cherry-hinton-church . it removes the tartareous and viscous mucilage that is contain'd in the lungs ; and therefore it is good for those that have coughs , and short breath ; and for others that have pains in the side , or in the kidnies or bladder . it gently provokes urine , and expels stones and gravel ; and is of great use in children's ruptures , the powder of it being given four days together . take of syrup of maiden-hair , and of jujubes , each three ounces ; of oyl of flax fresh drawn two ounces , of fine sugar two drams ; mingle them , make a lohoch : take half a spoonful every other hour . this is good for coughs , and pains of the sides . common mallow , in latin malva vulgaris . it mollifies , eases pain , loosens the belly , mitigates sharpness of urine . 't is used outwardly , in cataplasms , and fomentations , to ripen tumours , and to ease pain ; and in clysters , to loosen the belly in nephritick pains . three ounces of the decoction of the leaves , or the distill'd water of them , with one ounce and an half of syrup of violets , cure heat of urine presently . marsh - mallows , in latin althaea . it softens , discusses , eases pain , brings tumours to suppuration , and corrects sharp humours . the herb , the root , and seeds , are all good for the same purpose . 't is chiefly used for diseases of the bladder , and the stone of the kidnies ; and for an asthma , and pleurisie . 't is also used in clysters , and cataplasms . the syrup of marsh-mallows is made in the following manner : take of the roots of marsh-mallows two ounces ; of meadow-grass , asparagus , liquorish , raisins of the sun , and red chich-pease , each one ounce ; tops of marsh-mallows , mallows , pellitory of the wall , pimpernel , common maiden-hair , and mont pelier-maiden-hair , of each of handful ; of the four lesser and great cold seeds , each two handfuls ; wash and cleanse the roots from their dirt , pith and strings , and slice them ; and having boyld the grass-roots a quarter of an hour , first , in eight pints of fountain-water , put into the decoction the roots of marsh-mallows and asparagus , and let them boyl well for half an hour ; then add the raisins cut , and the chich-pease whole ; when they have boyld a little while , put in the tops of the mallows , marsh-mallows , pellitory , and pimpernel , shred , and boyl them about a quarter of an hour among the rest ; after that , add the liquorish slic'd , and the maiden-hair cut ; and when they begin to boyl , put in the cold seeds , thrust them down into the decoction , and take the whole off the fire , and strain them a quarter of an hour afterwards ; then clarifie the liquor with the white of an egg ; add four pounds of sugar , and boyl it over a moderate fire , to the consistence of a syrup . ointment of marsh-mallows is made in the following manner : take of the fresh roots of marsh-mallows two pounds , flax and fenugreek-seeds , of each one pound ; of fountain-water eight pints ; let them infuse three days , then boyl them gently , and press out the mucilage ; whereof , take two pounds , of common oyl four pints ; let them boyl together till the watery part of the mucilage is evaporated ; then add one pound of yellow wax , rosin half a pound , turpentine two ounces ; boyl them to the consistence of an ointment . vervain - mallow , in latin alcea vulgaris . it has a woody , perennial root , which sends forth many stalks , three or four foot high , or higher ; they are round , fill'd with a fungous pith , and hairy ; the hairs are few , and long ; they are cover'd with a sky-colour'd dust , which may be easily wiped off . the leaves that come from the root , and the lowermost on the stalks , are somewhat round , and indented about the edges , and are placed on long foot-stalks ▪ those that are on the stalks are placed alternately ; the nearer they approach to the top , so much shorter are their foot-stalks ; and they are cut in deeper . there are most commonly five large jags , almost like the leaves of monk's-hood ; they are of a dark-green colour , and hairy , especially on the underside . a flower is placed in every wing of the leaves , and has an hairy , four-square foot-stalk ; and there is great abundance of them on the stalks , and upon the tops of the branches ; they are large , and of a purple colour , and consist of five channel'd leaves , jointed at the bottom . the cup is hairy , and divided into five parts ; under which there are three narrow leaves , that come together when the flower falls , and make a receptacle for the seeds , which are hairy and black when they come to maturity ; joyn'd together , they represent a cheese . it grows frequently among bushes . 't is reckon'd amongst emplastick and emollient medicines . and as it is like , so it agrees in virtue with the mallow . 't is much commended by empericks , for curing dimnness of sight . a decoction of it is good for the gripes . the great maple , commonly call'd the sycamore-tree , tho' falsly , in latin acer majus . i think it does not grow of its own accord amongst us ; yet it is so frequent in courts , and church-yards , and about gentlemen's houses , that it may be well reckon'd amongst those that are ours by adoption . at the beginning of spring , when the buds grow big , but before they unfold themselves into leaves , this tree , being cut in the trunk , branches , or roots , yields plentifully , like the birch-tree , a sweet liquor , fit to be drunk . also in the autumn , presently after the leaves fall off : and in the winter too , when it is cold , and somewhat frosty ; for we have observ'd in this tree , and in the lesser maple , and also in the walnut tree , cut or bored , that after a frosty night , when the sun shines clear , ( if the frost has not been too violent ) the juice flows plentifully when the sun has been up two or three hours , especially about noon . and after a long and hard frost , just when the frost begins to break , it flows most of all . garden - marigold , in latin calendula sativa . the flowers are cordial , hepatick , and alexipharmick ; and provoke sweat , and the courses , and hasten delivery . the distill'd water drop'd into the eyes , or rags wet in it , and applied to them , cures the redness and inflammation of them . take of conserve of marigold-flowers two ounces , confection of alkermes , and of hyacinth , each two drams ; of pearl powder'd one ounce , of syrup of the juice of citron a sufficient quantity ; make a confection : take the quantity of a nutmeg night and morning . this is very cordial , and refreshes the spirits . marjoram , in latin majorana . it digests , and attenuates . 't is good in cold diseases of the head , taken any way . the powder of the dried herb drawn up into the nostrils , provokes sneezing . take of the leaves of marjoram , rosemary and sage , each half a dram ; of tobacco one dram , of white hellebore and ginger , each one scruple ; of musk two grains ; make a sneezing-powder . master-wort , in latin imperatoria . 't is alexipharmick , and sudorifick . it expels wind , and is excellent in the cholick . 't is chiefly used for the biting of venomous creatures , and malignant diseases . it helps expectoration , and cures a stinking breath , and is good for flegmatick diseases of the head , a palsie , apoplexy , and the like . half a spoonful of the powder of it , taken in wine , an hour before the fit comes , is said to cure a quartan-ague . 't is also counted very good for the dropsie , and long fevers . a piece of the root put into an hollow tooth , eases the pain . 't is , in shape and virtue , much like angelica . maudlin , in latin ageratum vulgare . it agrees in virtue and temperament with costmary . stinking may-weed , in latin cotula foetida . the root is single , white , and has many fibres . it has sometimes but one stalk , sometimes more ; they are a foot high , round , and smooth , or with a short down ; they are full of branches , which come from the wings of the leaves , and grow higher than the stalks . the leaves are placed alternately ; they are cut into narrow and sharp jags , and are of a pale-green colour ; they stink . upon the top of the stalks and branches grow pretty large flowers ; they are placed upon long foot-stalks , their leaves are white , the dish or bottom is yellow ; when the flowers fade , the dish grows round . it grows commonly amongst corn , and in till'd grounds . the decoction of this herb is used by some successfully for the king's-evil . meadow-sweet , in latin vlmaria . the fibres of the roots are reddish , and woody . the stalk is three foot high , or higher , upright , angular , smooth , reddish , firm and branchy . the leaves grow to the stalk alternately , by intervals ; they are broad , and wing'd , and deeply indented about the edges ; they are rough , hard , and crumpl'd , like elm-leaves ; above they are green , underneath white ; they smell and taste pleasantly . tufts of white flowers stand thick together on the tops of the stalks and branches ; they smell sweeter than the leaves . the seeds are oblong , naked , and crooked . it grows in moist meadows , and on the banks of brooks . 't is sudorifick , and alexipharmick . 't is good in fluxes of all kinds ; for a loosness , the bloody flux , the flux of the courses , and for spitting of blood ; and also in the plague . the leaves put into wine or beer , impart a pleasant taste to it . 't is an ingredient in the milk-water called aqua lactis alexiteria , which is made in the following manner : take of the leaves of meadow-sweet , carduus b. and goat's-rue , each six handfuls ; of mint , and common wormwood , each five handfuls ; of rue three handfuls , of angelica two handfuls ; bruise them , and add to them three gallons of new milk ; distil them in a cold still . medlar-tree , in latin mespilus . medlars stop vomiting , and all fluxes of the belly . melilot , in latin melilotus . the root is white , small , clammy , and has short fibres . it has many stalks , two or three foot high , or higher , smooth , round , channel'd , empty , weak and branchy . the leaves are placed alternately , by intervals , three on one foot-stalk , about an inch and an half long : the leaves are oblong , smooth , indented , and most times gnaw'd about the edges , and of a dull green colour . the flowers are placed on long spikes , that come from the wings of the leaves ; they are small , and yellow . short , hanging , wrinkl'd cods succeed them , that are black when they are ripe . the seed is yellowish . it flowers in june and july , and grows amongst bushes , and sometimes with corn. it digests , mollifies , and eases pain ; for which purposes it is commonly used in plasters and cataplasms . to ease the pain in a pleurifie , the following fomentation has been used with good success : take of the herb melilot , and true pellitory , each two handfuls ; of betony one handful ; make a decoction , and apply it to the breast often . melon , in latin melo . they are cold and moist , and apt to putrifie in the stomach , and to occasion fevers and gripes . the seed is one of the great cold seeds . take of seeds of melons and pumpions , each half an ounce ; of the seeds of white-poppy two drams , eight sweet almonds blanch'd ; beat them in a marble-mortar , and pour on them gradually a pint and an half of barly-water ; strain it , and sweeten it with fine sugar ; make an emulsion . this is used to cure heat of urine . common english mercury , or all-good , in latin bonus henericus . the root is thick , and yellowish , and has some fibres ; 't is acrid , and bitter . it sends forth many stalks that are channel'd , partly erect , and partly supine ; they have a small down on them , and are a foot , or two foot high . the leaves are triangular , like orache , or cuckow-pint ; above they are smooth , under sprinkl'd with fine flower ; they are placed upon long foot-stalks , joyn'd alternately to the stalks ; they taste somewhat nitrous . the little flowers are placed on the top-branches , in clusters , on an ear ; they are yellow , and have threads ; the come out of a five-leav'd cup ; they are so very small , that the parts of them can scarce be discern'd . the seeds are small , and black when they are ripe , and in figure like a kidny ; they are either included in membranaceous bladders , or in the flowers . it grows in courts , and cross-ways , and amongst rubbish , and also frequently with pot-herbs . it flowers in april and may. 't is excellent for cleansing and healing sordid ulcers . the leaves boyl'd with pot-herbs , and eaten , render the body loose . it kills the worms that are in the putrid ulcers of four-footed beasts , being bruised , and applied to the ulcers . the whole herb , used in form of a cataplasm , mitigates the pain of the gout ; and there is no danger to be fear'd from the use of it in this case ; for it does not repel , but discusses , and digests ; and besides , is anodine : which qualities are rarely found in one simple . take of common english mercury , green , without the flowers , four handfuls ; of camomile and elder-flowers dried , two handfuls ; beat them grosly , and boyl them in a sufficient quantity of elder-water , till they are very tender ; then mix with them of gum-caranna and camphor , each half an ounce ; make a cataplasm for the gout . take of the leaves of mercury , marsh-mallows , and pellitory , each one handful ; of the flowers of camomile one pugil ; of carraway , cumin-seeds , and laurel-berries , each one ounce ; boyl them in clear posset-drink ; to twelve ounces of the strain'd liquor , add three ounces of hony of mercury , and two drams of hierapicra ; mingle them , and make a carminative clyster . this is useful in the cholick . dog 's - mercury , in latin cynocrambe . it has many small , fibrous roots , that are perennial and pliant , of a nauseous , sweetish taste ; both the male and female creep in the ground ; they are fill'd with an hard nerve , like the fibres of hellebore . it has many stalks , round and jointed ; they have large spaces betwixt the joints ; they are a foot high , and without branches ; near the earth they are of a purple colour . the leaves are placed by pairs , upon the joints , one opposite to another , and are two or three inches long , ( those that are below are much less ) and are sharp-pointed , and indented about the edges ; they have short foot-stalks ; they have a nauseous taste . the foot-stalks come from the wings of the leaves . the little flowers are of a greenish colour , and consist of three leaves . it grows commonly in woods and hedges , and other shady places . prevotius , in his book of medicines for the poor , ranks it amongst those things that evacuate serosities gently . milfoil , in latin millefolium . the stalks are sometimes two foot high , and higher ; they are small , stiff , round , channel'd , hairy , and full of pith , and divided at top into twigs . many long leaves lie on the ground , which are finely cut into many small parts , finer than tansie ; they are a little indented about the edges : the leaves on the stalks are smaller and finer near the tops , where stand tufts of small , white flowers , with a yellowish thrum in the middle ; of a strong smell , but not unpleasant . the root is woody , fibrous and blackish . it stops blood. 't is used for bleeding at the nose , and for all fluxes . 't is outwardly applied for bleeding at the nose , and for the head-ach ; and to heal wounds and ruptures . milk-wort , in latin polygala . the root is woody , white , of a bitterish taste , and somewhat aromatick . it has many stalks ; some upright , and some creeping ; they are about an hand in length , and somewhat reddish . it has many leaves , that grow alternately . the little flowers are placed on a spike , and are of a sky-colour ; and sometimes white , and of other colours . the leaves that grow on the stalks are oblong , and sharp ; those that lie on the ground are roundish . it grows commonly in dry pastures . an handful of it infus'd in wine all night , purges choler by stool very much . mint , in latin mentha . it strengthens the stomach , takes off crudities , and the hickops , stops vomiting , and expels wind. two ounces of the water taken often stops vomiting . outwardly applied , it takes off the hardness of the breasts , and dissolves curdl'd milk , and prevents the breeding of it . the distill'd water cures the gripes in children . the smell of it strengthens the brain , and preserves the memory . take of black-cherry-water , and balm-water , each three ounces ; dr. stephens's water one ounce and an half , spirit of mint three drams , confection of alkermes two drams , of syrup of mint a sufficient quantity ; make a julep : the dose is five spoonfuls . this is good for pains of the stomach , and for fainting . misleto , in latin viscus . it grows on apple-trees , pear-trees and crab-trees ; on ashes and oaks ; that which grows on the oaks is most esteem'd . it grows also on the barberry-tree , and the hasel . bird-lime is made of the berries . the wood is chiefly used for the falling-sickness , and is counted a specifick for it . 't is also used for apoplexies and giddiness : 't is taken inwardly , or hang'd about the neck . in all which diseases 't is reckon'd very prevalent by ancient and modern physicians . the powder of it also cures a pleurisie , and forces the courses . some think that the misleto that grows on the hasel-tree is better for the falling-sickness , and other diseases of the head , than that which grows on the oak . henricus ab steers thinks it does not grow on hasel-trees till they are about an hundred years old . a young lady having been long troubled with an almost hereditary falling-sickness , and after having been wearied by courses of physick prescrib'd her by the famousest doctors that could be procured , without at all mending , but rather growing worse ; so that sometimes she would have , in one day , eight or ten dismal fits , was cured only by the powder of true misleto , given , as much as would lie on a six-pence , early in the morning , in black-cherry-water , or in beer , for some days , near the full-moon . mony-wort , or herb-two-pence , in latin nummularia major vulgaris . it has many long , slender branches , that creep on the ground , with two leaves at each joint , opposite to one another ; they are almost as round as a penny , but that they are pointed a little at the ends ; they are smooth , and of a yellowish green colour ; they taste dry , and astringent . from the wings of the leaves come forth large , yellow flowers , two most commonly at every joint ; they consist of five sharp leaves . the seed is very small , and scarce visible . 't is dry , astringent and vulnerary . the flowers and leaves beat , and applied to wounds and ulcers , cure them . taken in wine , they cure dysenteries , and other fluxes , and the whites , and inward wounds and ulcers , especially of the lungs . but it is most of all commended for ruptures in children , the powder of it being taken inwardly , or the herb being outwardly applied . moon-wort , in latin lunaria . it springs up with one dark-green , thick , fat leaf , standing upon a small foot-stalk , about an inch high : but when it is in flower it has a small , tender stalk , about three inches high . the upper part of it , on each side , is divided into five or seven parts , and sometimes more , resembling an half-moon . on the top of the stalk are many branches of small , long tongues , much like the spiky head of adder's-tongue , of a brownish colour . the root is small , and fibrous . the ointment of it , used to the region of the reins , is counted a certain cure in the bloody-flux . cup - moss , in latin muscus pyxidatus . 't is of an ash-colour , and like a cup. the powder of it given in posset-drink , or small beer , cures the hooping-cough by a specifick quality : a scruple of it must be given night and morning . or , take an ounce of the moss , boyl it in a quart of some pectoral water , till half is consumed ; then strain it , and make a syrup with sugar-candy : 't is good for the same . moss of a dead man's scull . it being put up the nostrils , stops bleeding . 't is common in ireland . the honourable mr. boyle was cured of a violent hemorrhage by the use of it . mother-wort , in latin cardiaca . 't is commended by some for diseases of the heart ; but it is peculiarly good for hypochondriack diseases . it provokes the courses and urine , and cleanses the breast of flegm , and kills worms . a spoonful of the powder of it taken in wine , hastens delivery wonderfully . a decoction of it , or the powder mix'd with sugar , is very good in a palpitation of the heart , and for hysterick and hypochondriack diseases . farriers use it , with good success , in diseases of horses , and other cattel . creeping mouse-ear , in latin philosella repens . it grows every where in barren pastures : it creeps on the ground by strings that root , and so it spreads ; they contain a bitter milk. the leaves are like the ear of a mouse , with long hairs on them ; above they are green , below white ; they taste dry . pale yellow flowers are placed on each stalk , which is small , hairy , and about an hand and an half high . it flowers in june and july , and sometimes in may. 't is very astringent , drying , and vulnerary ; wherefore it is used successfully in wound-drinks , plasters and ointments . it cures dysenteries , and other fluxes of the belly , and stops vomiting , and cures children's ruptures , and is excellent in the stone . some commend it for the jaundice , and swellings of the spleen , and at the beginning of a dropsie . 't is also commended for a chin-cough . take wild-thyme one handful , sassafras sliced one ounce , hyssop-water two pints and an half ; infuse them on a gentle heat for six hours , afterwards strain it , and sweeten it with syrup of mouse-ear : give some spoonfuls of it oft in a day . or , take cup-moss powder'd one ounce , white sugar-candy two ounces ; make a powder : give one scruple , twice in a day , in a spoonful of syrup of mouse-ear . let the children continue the use of these things nine days at least , if the cough does not go off before . mug-wort , in latin artemisia . the root is about the bigness of a finger , and creeps awry , sending down sometimes large , white fibres , of an aromatick taste , and somewhat sweet . the stalks are four or five foot high , of the thickness of a finger , round , channel'd , strong , and stiff , of a purple colour , and with short down on them , and full of pith. they have many leaves , placed alternately ; at the tops they are branchy ; the leaves have an aromatick smell , somewhat like lavender ; they are jagged , white above , hoary underneath . the flowers are yellowish . the seeds are small , and inclosed in round heads . 't is frequently used by women , inwardly and outwardly , in all the diseases peculiar to them . three drams of the powder of the dried herb taken in wine , is an excellent remedy for the hip-gout . the green herb , or the juice of it , taken in some convenient liquor , is of great use for those that have taken too much opium . the syrup of mug-wort is made in the following manner : take of mug-wort two handfuls , of penny-royal , calamint , wild-marjoram , balm , unspotted ar●mat , cretick , dittany , savine , marjoram , ground-pine , germander , st. john's ▪ wort , feverfew with the flowers , the lesser centaury , rue , betony , vipers , bugloss , each one handful ; the roots of fennel , smallage , parsly , asparagus , knee-holm , saxifrage , elecampane , cyperus-grass , madder , flower-de-luce , and peony , of each one ounce ; of juniper-berries , of the seeds of lovage , parsly , smallage , annise , nigella , of cubebs of the true costus , woody-casia , the sweet-smelling flag , the roots of asarabacca , pyrethrum and valerian , each half an ounce ; having cleans'd , cut and beat these things , infuse them twenty four hours in twelve pints of clear water ; distil them in b. m. and draw off eight pints of water ; put what remains in the still into a press , and strain it ; boyl six pounds of white sugar in a sufficient quantity of the strain'd liquor , clarified with the white of an egg , to the consistence of tablets ; then add the water before distill'd , and make a syrup according to art , and aromatise it with cinnamon and spikenard . mulberry-tree , in latin m●rus . the leaves are much used in italy , sicily , spain and france , to nourish silk-worms . the fruit of the black mulberry , before it is ripe , cools , dries , and is very astringent ; and therefore proper for a loosness , the bloody-flux the flux of the courses , and for spitting of blood ; and is good for inflammations and ulcers of the mouth and throat . when it is ripe it loosens the belly , quenches thirst , and excites appetite . the syrup of it is much in use for gargarisms ; as is also hony of it . take of spring-water a quart , julep of roses one ounce and an half , hony of mulberries six drams , rose-vinegar one dram , of spirit of vitriol a sufficient quantity to sharpen it : make a gargarism . white mullein , or high-taper , in latin verbascum album vulgare . it has many large , woolly leaves at the root . it has most commonly but one stalk , four or five foot high , round , hairy , stiff , and full of pith. the flower has but one leaf , divided into five obtuse jags ; they stand in a long spike , and are commonly of a yellow colour . the seed is small , and brownish . the root is white , single , woody , and sends forth some large fibres from the sides . 't is used for diseases of the breast , for a cough , and spitting of blood , and for the gripes . outwardly the leaves and flowers are used for easing pain , especially of the piles . the leaves applied to the soles of the feet a few days before the usual time of purgation , gently provokes the courses . the following drink was prescrib'd by a learned physician , for a lady that was afflicted with the king's-evil . take of mullein , st. john's-wort , agrimony , and betony , each three handfuls ; shavings of firr six handfuls ; boyl them in six gallons of ale. she drank of it constantly . dusty mushrome , or puff-balls , in latin fungus pulverulentus . the dust is very drying , and astringent . it stops blood in wounds , and dries old ulcers , and stops the flux of the hemorrhoids . it certainly cures chilblains when they are broken : the sore being dried with a rag , apply the dusty side , and let it lie on till they are well ; if it chance to rub off , apply it again . this i have often used , and it never fail'd me . the dust is very prejudicial to the eyes . mustard , in latin sinapi . it provokes appetite ; is good for mother-fits , the falling-sickness , lethargy , palsie , and all other diseases of the head , being put up the nostrils , or applied in the manner of a clyster . it provokes urine , and the courses ; and is an incentive to venery . it cures catarrhs , and removes hoarsness . it loosens the belly , and discusses tumours . the seed of it beat in a mortar , and mix'd with white-wine , preserv'd the lives of many hundreds that were highly scorbutical , and in a languishing condition , in a certain town that was long besieg'd , and reduc'd to so great want , that the inhabitants were forc'd to eat nasty and unwholsom things , whereby they became diseased ; and many died before they thought of mustard , which grew plentifully in the town-ditch ; which being used as above-said , recover'd them all . take of mustard-seed bruis'd two drams , of the roots of garlick one ounce , of black-soap two ounces , of black-salt one ounce ; make a cataplasm to be applied to the soles of the feet . this is useful in fevers , to draw the humours from the head. hedge - mustard , in latin erysimum . the root is white , woody , and single , and tastes acrid ; seldom so thick as the little-finger . the leaves are jagg'd and hairy , and like shepherd's-purse , but they are blunt at the ends. the stalk is about three foot high , hairy , and branchy . the flowers are small and yellow , and consist of four small leaves ; they are placed on long spikes , flowering by degrees . the cods are short , scarce a finger long , round , hairy , and grow flat to the stalk , upon short foot-stalks ; they end sharp . it grows upon walls , and among rubbish , and in hedges . a decoction of it in wine is good in the cholick . the syrup of it is much in use , and is made in the following manner : take of fresh hedge-mustard , roots and all , six handfuls ; of the roots of elecampane , colt's-foot with the juice in it , of liquorish , each two ounces ; of the leaves of borrage , succory , and maiden-hair , each one handful and an half ; of the cordial-flowers of rosemary , and betony , each half an handful ; of anise-seeds half an ounce ; of raisins of the sun cleansed two ounces ; infuse them a whole day in water and mead , each two pints and an half ; of the juice of hedge-mustard clarified eight ounces ; boyl them in b. m. to two quarts of the juice , pressed out hard , and clarified , add four pounds and an half of fine sugar : make a syrup in b. m. according to art. this is an excellent medicine for coughs , and other diseases of the lungs . myrtle-tree , in latin myrtus . 't is astringent . the leaves and berries are seldom used inwardly now-a-days ; yet they may be used for a loosness , and spitting of blood. the distill'd water of the flowers has a delicate scent . the syrup of myrtles is made in the following manner : take of the berries two ounces and an half , of white and red sanders of sumach , balaustians of haw-thorn-berries , and red roses , each one ounce and an half ; medlars sliced half a pound ; beat them , and boyl them in eight pints of clear water till half is consum'd ; strain it , and add of the juice of quinces , and acid pomegranates , each six ounces ; then make a syrup with four pounds of sugar ; the juices must be put in at last . take of plantane-water , and cinnamon-water , hordeated , each four ounces ; of distill'd vinegar half an ounce ; of true bole and dragon's-blood , each half a dram ; of london-laudanum three grains , of syrup of myrtles one ounce and an half ; mingle them , and make a julep : take five or six spoonfuls every night , at bed-time . this is commended for bleeding at the nose . n. navel-wort , in latin umbilicus veneris . it has a tuberous root , and small fibres . the leaves are fat , thick and round , and full of juice , and taste clammy . it has two or three stalks that are half a foot high , or higher . the tops sometimes divide themselves into branches . it has flowers almost from bottom to top ; they are hollow , like a bell , and of a whitish colour . the seeds are small , like the seeds of purslain . it grows commonly on old walls . 't is cold and moist , and somewhat astringent . 't is good for inflammations , and st. anthony's fire . the leaves and roots eaten , are supposed to be good in the stone , and to force urine . 't is also good for the king's-evil , kibes and chilblains , being used in an ointment . nep-calmint , in latin mentha cattaria . it has a woody root . the stalks are three or four foot high , or higher , four-square , hairy , and reddish near the earth , in other parts hoary ; they are full of branches , and bear at every joint two broad leaves , like balm , but longer pointed , softer and whiter ; they taste hot , and smell like mint . the flowers come from the wings of the leaves , on the top of the stalks and branches , many together , in large tufts , and are of a light purple colour . 't is hot and dry . 't is chiefly used for obstructions of the womb , for barrenness , and to hasten delivery , and to help expectoration . 't is used outwardly in baths for the womb , and the itch. cats tear it to pieces when it is first set in gardens , unless it be cover'd with thorns ; but when it has flourish'd a while they do not injure it , nor that which is sown ; according to the following rhime : if you set it , the cats will eat it : if you sow it , the cats can't know it . nettle , in latin vrtica . 't is diuretick , and lithontriptick . eaten with pot-herbs , it loosens the belly , expels gravel , and promotes expectoration . the buds are used in broths , in the sprin-time , to purifie the blood. the bruis'd herb , or the juice , put up the nostrils , stops bleeding at the nose . it does good in putrid and malignant ulcers , and discusses h●●d swellings . the seed is diuretick , and provokes v●n●●y , and is used in diseases of the lungs . take of the clarified juices of nettles and plantain , each six ounces ; of aqua lactis alexiteria four ounces , of cinnamon-water hordeated three ounces , of white sugar a sufficient quantity ; mingle them , make a julep : take four ounces morning and evening , daily , for three days . this is commended for bleeding at the nose . oyl of roses , or juice of nettles , cures the stings of nettles presently . woody - night-shade , or bitter-sweet , in latin solanum lignosum . it sends forth small , woody , brittle twigs , five or six foot long ▪ that encompass any thing that is near ; others lie on the ground . the bark of the young twigs is green ; but the bark of that which is old is rough and whitish without , within it is very green , having a pith in the middle . the leaves are placed alternately ; they are somewhat broad , long , and pointed ; with two small leaves , or rather pieces of leaves , at the bottom of most of them . at the tops and sides of the branches come forth many flowers ; they consist of fine , narrow and long violet-purple colour'd leaves . the berries are red when they are ripe , soft , and full of juice ; of a bitter , unpleasant taste . the root is fibrous . it grows in hedges , near water commonly . 't is said to provoke urine , and to be good in a dropsie , and for the jaundice . the juice of the leaves , says parkinson , purges much . the leaves are used outwardly , with good success , in inflammations , and itching tumours of the hands and feet . take four handfuls of the leaves cut , and four ounces of flax-seed powder'd ; make a cataplasm with lard ; apply it hot . this asswages tumours , and cures great contusions . nipple-wort , in latin lampsana . it has a white ▪ single root , with twigs and fibres . the stalk is two or three foot high , or higher , round , hairy , reddish , concave and branchy . the leaf is like the leaf of south-thistle . the flowers are small , and yellow . the seed is oblong , blackish , and a little crooked . the whole plant being cut , yields a bitter milk. it flowers in june and july , and grows frequently in gardens . 't is reckon'd good for the nipples , when they are sore . o. oak-tree , in lat. quercus . the whole oak is astringent , but especially the bark . a decoction of it is given for the bloody-flux , and for spitting of blood. the acorns are diuretick . the water distill'd from the leaves of a young oak , cures the whites . those that cut for the stone use a bath made of the bark , to heal the wound . galls grow on oaks , but not in england . the best ink is made in the following manner : take of galls four ounces , of copperas two ounces , of gum-arabeck one ounce ; beat the galls to a gross powder , and infuse them nine days in a quart of claret , set it near the fire , and stir it daily ; then put in the copperas and the gum , and when it has stood a day the ink will be fit for use . take of the water of oak-buds and plantain , each three ounces ; of cinnamon-water hordeated , and syrup of dried roses , each one ounce ; spirit of vitriol a sufficient quantity to make it pleasantly sharp : take six spoonfuls morning and evening . this is good for an immoderate flux of the courses . oats , in latin avenae . they dry , and are somewhat astringent . when corn is dear , poor people live chiefly on water-gruel : and it is , indeed , very proper diet for sick and well , and yields a good nourishment . the common-people in the north , and in wales , make bread of oats , and eat no other ; and no people in the world enjoy more health , nor live longer : and , without doubt , this sort of bread is most wholsom , tho' it is not pleasant . beer is also made of it . flummery is made of oat-meal , boyl'd in water to a gelly : 't is eaten hot , being cut into slices , and put into milk or beer , or into white-wine , and sweeten'd with sugar . 't is an excellent diet for weakly people . our physicians scarce order any diet but water-gruel in acute diseases . the meal is used outwardly in cataplasms , for it dries and digests moderately . in the cholick , oats fried with a little salt , and applied hot , in a bag , to the belly , gives great ease , if the gutts are not stuffed with excrements ; if they are , a clyster must first be given . a bath made of malt-flower , hops and oat-straw , is much commended for those that are afflicted with the stone ; for it wonderfully mitigates the pain , and forces away urine , and many times the stone too . onion , in latin caepa . onions are hot and flatulent : they are proper for those that abound with cold , viscid humours ; in whom they procure sleep , help concoction , and prevent sowre belchings . they open obstructions , force the courses and urine , and promote insensible transpiration . but they injure those that are cholerick ; they especially disturb their heads , and cause troublesom dreams , and offend their eyes . old women cut a raw onion , and infuse it in water all night ; and the next morning give the water to children , to kill the worms , with good success . a large onion hollow'd , and fill'd with venice-treacle , and cover'd , and then roasted under hot ashes , and applied ( the outward skin being pull'd off ) in the manner of a cataplasm , mollifies effectually hard swellings , and opens them . a raw onion pilled , and applied presently , with a little salt , cures burns , if the outward skin is not ulcer'd ; for it draws out the fire , and prevents blisters . orpine , in latin telephium . 't is vulnerary , and astringent . 't is chiefly used for healing ulcers of the bowels , occasion'd by the bloody-flux ; for ruptures , and burns . 't is excellent for easing pain , both in fresh wounds , and old ulcers . the herb roasted under ashes , and mix'd with lard , cures fellons . p. herb paris true-love , , or one-berry , in latin herba paris . the root is small , knotted , and creeping . the stalk is pretty thick , round and solid , and about half a foot high , reddish near the earth , green above . it has four leaves , set directly one against another ; they shine under , above they do not ; they are somewhat like the leaf of night-shade , but broader . it has one flower , like a star , compos'd of four small , narrow , long , pointed leaves , of a yellowish green colour , having four other lesser leaves lying between them . the berry is of a black , purplish colour , full of juice , and of the bigness of a grape ; having within many white seeds . the berries and leaves are cooling , and drying . the berries are used inwardly in the plague , and malignant diseases , and upon being poyson'd . the leaves are used outwardly in pestilential buboes , and other hot tumours , and in old ulcers . parsly , in latin petroselinum . the root and herb expel wind , provoke urine and the courses , and open obstructions of the liver and spleen , and are good in the dropsie and jaundice . the seed is good for the same diseases , and for an old cough , and against poyson . the whole herb , outwardly applied , dissolves hard tumours ; and dries away milk , being applied to the breasts . take of parsly-seeds three drams , of winter-cherry-berries n. vi . boyl them in a pint of milk , and make posset-drink : take six ounces at a time , sweeten'd with an ounce of syrup of marsh-mallows . this is good in the stone . parsly-piert , in latin percepier . the root is woody , small , and has a few small fibres . it has many small , round , hairy stalks , about an hand high . the leaves are roundish , divided into three parts , and are deeply jagged , somewhat like dove's-foot , tho' less , and hairy ; they are placed alternately ; the lower leaves have foot-stalks , the upper have none at all , or those that are , are very short ; above they are of a light green , below they are whitish . the flowers are so small , they can scarce be seen : and the seed is very small . it delights in sandy and fallow grounds , and amongst corn. it forces urine violently , and expels gravel , a dram of the dried herb being taken in white-wine . it may be also eaten raw , as a sallet ; or pickled , and eaten in winter , for sauce . garden - parsnip , in latin pastinaca latifolia sativa . the root is very nourishing , and palatable : it fattens , and is a provocative to venery . it opens , attenuates , and cleanses . cow - parsnip , in latin sphondilium . the root is white , and single , and grows deep in the earth ; of a sweet taste , and somewhat acrid . it has a great nerve within . the leaves that come from the root are placed on long , hairy foot-stalks ; they are long and large , and deeply cut about the edges . the stalk is single , round , channel'd , and about four foot high . the flowers grow in tufts ; they are white , and consist of five leaves . it grows in moist pastures , and near hedges . the root is emollient , and asswages tumours . the seed is excellent for hysterick fits. peach-tree , in latin malus persica . the fruit has a sweet and pleasant smell , and refreshes the spirits . the leaves boyled in beer or milk , kill worms , and expel them . the water of the flowers takes spots from the face . the syrup is a very proper purge for children ; and is made in the following manner : take of the fresh flowers one pound , infuse them a whole day in three pints of warm water , then press them out ; add the same quantity of flowers five times to the same liquor , and infuse them as before ; then add two pounds and an half of fine sugar , and boyl it to a syrup . the pear-tree , in latin pyrus . pears are agreeable to the stomach , and quench thirst : but they are best baked . dried pears stop fluxes of the belly . the following pears are most esteem'd in england : the bon-christien , summer and winter ; the butter-pear , the green-bury , the violet , the dove , the great musk , amadot , rounselet , messieur jean , great sovereign , blood-pear , windsor-pear , green-field-pear , dionier , great bergamot , virgalous , roshea , red-catharine , double-flower'd pear . pease , in latin pisum . all sorts of pease are windy , and therefore are injurious to all that have windy stomachs , and are troubled with spleen-wind . raw green pease are good for the scurvy . pellitory , in latin parietaria . it cleanses and cools . 't is used for the stone , and difficulty of urine , and for coughs ; and in clysters , for pains in the belly , womb and reins . 't is outwardly used for tumours , st. anthony's-fire , and for burns . take of the juice of pellitory three ounces , of the juice of limons , and oyl of almonds , each half an ounce ; mingle them : take it morning and evening for two days . this is good for the stone in the kidnies . penny-royal , in latin pulegium . 't is used to provoke the courses , and to help delivery . 't is good for coughs , for the gripes , the stone , jaundice , and dropsie . a spoonful of the juice given to children , is an excellent remedy for the chin-cough . for an hoarsness , take six ounces of the decoction of it , sweeten'd , at bed-time . the fresh herb wrap'd in a cloth , and laid in a bed , drives away fleas ; but it must be renewed once a week . peony , in latin paeonia . the roots and seeds of male-peony are much used in physick : they are used for diseases of the head , and for obstructions of the courses , and child-bed-purgations , and to ease the after-pains . the roots are hang'd round the neck , to cure the falling-sickness . the compounded peony-water , and the syrup of it , are much in use . the compounded water is made in the following manner : take of the leaves of lillies of the valley , fresh , one pound ; infuse them in four gallons of spanish wine : take of the flowers of the lime-tree half a pound , of peony-flowers four ounces ; infuse them two days , then distil them till they are dry in b. m. in the distil'd water infuse two ounces and an half of the roots of male-peony ; of white dittany , and long birth-wort , each half an ounce ; of the leaves of misleto of the oak , and rue , each two handfuls ; of the seeds of peony ten drams , of rue three drams and an half , of castor two scruples of cubebs and mace , each two drams ; of cinnamon one ounce and an half , of prepar'd squills three drams , of rosemary-flowers six pugils , of stechas and lavender , each four pugils ; of betony , july-flowers and cowslips , each eight pugils ; add four quarts of the juice of black-cherries , and distil them in a glass . the syrup is made in the following manner : take of the fresh roots of both peonies , at full moon , each one ounce and an half ; slice them , and infuse them in white-wine for the space of a day ; of contrayerra half an ounce , of sermountain six drams , of elk-hoof one ounce , of rosemary with the flowers one handful , of betony , hyssop , wild-marjoram , of ground-pine and rue , each three drams ; of the wood of aloes , of cloves , of the seeds of the lesser cardamoms , each two drams ; of ginger and spikenard , each one dram ; of stechas and nutmegs , each two drams and an half ; infuse them warm , a day , in three quarts of the distill'd water of the roots of peony ; boyl them to four quarts ; strain it , and add four pounds and an half of fine sugar , and boyl it to a syrup . pepper-wort , in latin lepidium . the root is of the thickness of a finger , or thicker ; 't is white , it has an acrid , hot taste ; it creeps in the earth . it has many stalks , about four foot high , round , smooth , and full of pith ; they are branchy , and less than the little finger , and are cover'd with a gray powder that is easily rub'd off . the leaves are long , broad , and end sharp ; they are smooth , fat , and of a dull green colour ; they are plac'd alternately , and are indented about the edges : those that come from the root , and are at the bottom of the stalks , have long foot-stalks . the flowers are very small ; they are white , and consist of four leaves ; they are placed on very small foot-stalks . it grows near the banks of rivers , but it is rare . the leaf is acrid , and hot . the herb bruised , and applied , cures the hip-gout . boyl'd in beer , it hastens delivery . 't is commended for a leprosie . take of garden-scurvy-grass-leaves , and of the leaves of rocket and pepperwort , each six handfuls ; of the roots of sweet-smelling flag , the lesser galangal ▪ zedoary , florentine , iris , elder , and wake-robin , each four ounces ; of the winteran-bark , and jamaica-pepper , each three ounces ; of juniper-berries four ounces ; of cloves , ginger and nutmegs , each one ounce ; bruise and cut them , and pour on them four quarts of rhenish-wine ; distil them in a common still , and mix all the water together : take three ounces night and morning . this is commended in an anasarca . periwinele , in latin vinca per vinca . it spreads it self much by its twigs , that creep on the ground . the root is fibrous ; many small , round , green , and jointed twigs root again by fibres that come from the joints . the leaves grow out of the joints by pairs opposite to one another , like the leaves of lawrel , but much less ; they are sharp , stiff and smooth , and hang on short foot-stalks ; above they shine , and are of a deep green colour ; they taste astringent , and bitterish ; below they are of a lighter colour . the flower is placed on a foot-stalk that comes from the joints , two inches long , one flower on one foot-stalk : 't is like the jessamine-flower in shape , and is of a violet-colour . a milky line runs from bottom to top , through all the jags . a forked cod succeeds the flower , and contains oblong seeds . it grows in hedges and ditches . 't is a famous vulnerary . 't is used in fluxes of the belly , for dysenteries , the piles , bleeding at nose , and for wounds with fluxion . 't is used outwardly for overslowing of the courses , for loosness and pains of the teeth . the leaves of this herb put upon paper that will easily receive moisture , and sowed to it , with fine flax betwixt , and perfum'd with frankincense , cured a scrophulous tumour in a short time , which continued obstinate under the use of other remedies , for the space of a whole year . male - pimpernel , in latin anagallis mas . it has a white , single root , with small fibres . the stalks are an hand , or half an hind high , four-square , smooth , encompass'd by two leaves opposite to one another ; they are placed by intervals , and without foot-stalks ; the underside of the leaf is spotted with many dark-brown specks . the flowers come out singly from the wings of the leaves , and are placed upon oblong foot-stalks , and are divided , almost to the bottom , into five sharp pieces , resembling so many leaves . the cup is also compounded of five acute pieces . the seminal vessels are almost spherically round ; they are pretty large , and full of seeds . the whole plant has an acrid taste . it grows in gardens and fields . it flowers late , about the midst of summer . 't is moderately hot and dry : 't is counted vulnerary , and is used inwardly and outwardly . it does much good in the plague , being boyl'd in wine : but the sick must go to bed , and must be well cover'd , as soon as he has drank a moderate draught of it , that he may sweat . a woman cured many that were troubl'd with a pin and web in their eyes with the distill'd water of it . in a consumption , and for purulent spitting , let the sick drink every day , morning and evening , twelve spoonfuls of the distill'd water , mix'd with an equal quantity of red cows milk , and sweeten'd with fine sugar : this is an approv'd remedy . 't is frequently used for the gripes of new-born children . it also moves the courses . willis commends the decoction of it as a specifick for madness . the pine-tree , in latin pinus . the bark and leaves cool and bind ; wherefore they are good in dysenteries , and fluxes of the courses . a decoction or infusion of the tops in beer , or some other proper liquor , is reckon'd very good for the stone of the kidnies and bladder , and for the scurvy , and diseases of the breast . the nuts have a delicate taste , and are good for coughs and consumptions , and for heat of urine . they increase milk , and provoke venery . plantain , in latin plantago . 't is a vulnerary herb. 't is used in fluxes of the belly , for spitting of blood , running of the reins , involuntary urine , and for immoderate fluxes of the courses . 't is outwardly used to cleanse and heal wounds and ulcers . the juice by it self , or mix'd with the juice of limon , is an excellent diuretick . half a dram of the seeds taken daily in broth , or in an egg , is good to prevent miscarriage . take twelve handfuls of plantain-leaves , six ounces of the fresh roots of comfrey ; press out the juice of the leaves , and beat the roots in a stone-mortar ; mix the roots and the juice , and with a sufficient quantity of sugar make an electuary : take the quantity of a nutmeg night and morning , this is an excellent remedy for spitting and vomiting blood. take of plantain-water two ounces , of rubarb powder'd two scruples , of yellow myrobalans powder'd one scruple , syrup of dried roses half an ounce ; mix them , and give it in the morning ; two hours after let some broth be taken . this is excellent for an immoderate flux of the courses . plum-tree , in latin prunus . there are several kinds of them ; the sowre bind , the sweet move the belly . the electuary of plums , called electuarium diaprunum , is made of damascenes , in the following manner : take of fresh and ripe damascenes , one hundred , boyl them in a sufficient quantity of water till they are soft , then pulp them through a sieve , boyl an ounce of violet-flowers in the liquor gently ; then strain it , and add two pounds of sugar , and boyl it to a syrup ; then add a pound and an half of the pulp above-mention'd , of the pulp of cassia and tamarinds strain'd , and dissolv'd in a small quantity of the liquor , each one ounce ; boyl it again , stir it continually , adding the following powders ; sanders , red and white , rubarb , of each three drams ; of red roses , violets , of the seeds of purslain , of endive and barberries , of gum-tragacanth , and the juice of liquorish , each two drams ; of the greater cold seeds , each one dram : make an electuary according to art. this medicine is cold and moistening , and good in fevers . polypody , in latin polypodium . the root is reckon'd among purging medicines ; but it purges very gently . 't is very proper in obstructions of the mesentery , liver and spleen ; for the scurvy , and hypochondriack diseases . 't is generally used in decoctions , with other purging medicines . take of the root of polypody of the oak half an ounce , of dodder of thyme three drams , of sena half an ounce , of tamarinds six drams , of coriander-seeds three drams , of yellow sanders two drams ; boyl them in fourteen ounces of fountain-water till four ounces are consum'd ; add two drams of agarick , and one dram and an half of rubarb ; strain it , and clarifie it , and add two ounces of the purging syrup of apples : take six ounces once in three or four days . this is proper for melancholy people . take of the roots of polypody , bugloss , scorzonera , bark of tamaris , and roots of cappars , each half an ounce ; of spleen-wort one handful and an half ; of agrimony , maiden-hair , balm , dodder , and tops of hops , each half an handful ; of flowers of broom and borage , each two pugils ; the parings of four pippins ; boyl them , with a chicken , in spring-water , for thin broth : take a good draught morning and evening , with fifteen grains of cream of tartar dissolv'd in it , and fast two hours after . this is good in hypochondriack diseases . the poplar-tree , in latin populus . the bark of poplar , especially of the white poplar , or abele-tree , is used inwardly and outwardly for the hip-gout , for the strangury , and burns . women use the buds of black poplar to beautifie and thicken their hair : they are good also to ease pain . the ointment is good for hot swellings , to ease the pain of them : and being applied to the nostrils and temples , it disposes to sleep . 't is made in the following manner : take of the fresh buds of the black poplar a pound and an half , of the leaves of violets and navelwort , each three ounces ; of new and unsalted lard , clear'd from the skin , and wash'd , two pounds ; beat them , and mingle them , and infuse them together in may ; add the following herbs bruis'd , of the tender tops of brambles , of the leaves of black poppy , mandrake , hen-bane , night-shade , lettice , house-leek greater and lesser , bur-dock , each three ounces ; after the tenth day pour on them a pint of rose-water , boyl them over a gentle fire , stirring them continually , till all the superfluous moisture is consum'd , then strain it , and keep it for use . red - poppy , or corn-rose , in latin papaver rheas . the flowers cool , and asswage pain , and dispose to sleep . they are chiefly used in fevers , for pleurisies and quinsies , and other diseases ( especially of the breast ) that need cooling medicines . and for immoderate fluxes of the courses , the powder , the distill'd water , the syrup ▪ and the conserve of them , are in use ; but the syrup is most in use , and is made in the following manner : take of the fresh flowers of red poppies two pounds , pour upon them two quarts of hot fountain-water ; press them out the next day , and infuse the same quantity of flowers in the liquor as before , strain it , and with a quantity of sugar equal in weight to the liquor , make a syrup according to art. surfeit-water is made in the following manner : take what quantity of brandy you please , steep a good quantity of red poppies therein , the black bottoms being first cut off ; when the colour is extracted press them out , and put in fresh , and so do till the brandy has a very deep tincture ; then put in nutmegs , cloves , ginger and cinnamon , of each two drams to a quart of the brandy ; you may add some fine sugar if you think fit : keep it close stop'd . 't is good for surfeits , for wind , or illness of the stomach . white - poppy , in latin papaver album . the seeds are used in emulsions . the best diacodium is made of the heads and seeds in the following manner : take fourteen ounces of the heads of white-poppies well dried , infuse them twenty four hours in eight pints of fountain-water , boyl them well , then press them out , and put a pound and an half of sugar to the liquor , then boyl it to a syrup . the juice of poppies thicken'd is called opium : i mean , that which flows out of it self , the head being cut ; for the juice that is press ' out is called meconium , which is much weaker than opium . the turks sow white-poppies in fields , as we do wheat ; and every one carries some about him in war and peace . a certain jew declar'd , that forty camels laden with it come yearly from paphlagonia , cappadocia , galatia and cilicia . a turk can take a dram at a time without any injury . the best opium is bitter and hot , and of a yellow colour : it recreates the spirits , and provokes venery . liquid laudanum is made in the following manner : take of spanish wine one pint , of opium two ounces , of saffron one ounce , of cinnamon and cloves powder'd , each one dram ; infuse them together in b. m. for two or three days , till the liquor has a deep tincture ; strain it , and keep it for use : the dose is sixteen drops . matthews's pill is made in the following manner : take of salt of tartar , prepar'd with niter , four ounces ; of oyl of turpentine eight ounces ; mix them , and let them stand in a moist and cold place eight , nine or ten months , or more , till the salt has taken up thrice its weight of oyl , and is become one thick mass , like soap ; in the mean time you must stir it often , and add the oyl as it incorporates : take of this soap six ounces , of the best opium two ounces , of black and white hellebore powder'd , and of liquorish , each two ounces ; mix them exactly , adding as much oyl of turpentine as is sufficient to make a mass for pills , which must be kept moist with oyl of turpentine : the dose is ten grains . the opiat-plaster is made in the following manner : take of the great diachylon four ounces , of quick-silver two ounces , of opium one ounce ; mingle them according to art. this is good to ease pain . primrose , in latin primula veris. 't is hot and dry , and of an astringent taste . 't is very good for flegmatick and melancholy diseases , and for fluxes of the belly , and to strengthen the stomach . english - prunes , or plums , call'd bullace , in latin prunus . the white and black are cooling and astringent : they are good for fluxes of the belly . the flowers are cathartick . the gum dissolv'd in vinegar , cures tetters . ropy wine is cured in the following manner : take the fruit , beat and dry it in the air ; put more or less of it into the vessel , according to the quantity of wine ; it must be well stirr'd about , and then the vessel must be stop'd up for eight or ten days , and you will find it soon recover'd . the following plums are most esteem'd : the red , blue and amber primordian ; the violet-plum , red , blue and amber , the matchless , the black and green damascene , the morocco , the barbary , the myrobolane-plum , the apricock-plum , the cinnamon-plum , the great mogul and tawny-plum , the white , red and black pear-plum , the green osterly-plum , the muscle-plum , the catalonia-plum , the white and black prunella , the bonum magnum , the wheaten-plum , the cluster-plum , the queen-mother-plum , the maiple-plum , the imperial-plum , the peach-plum , the pease-cod-plum , the date-plum , white , yellow and red ; the nutmeg-plum , the turky-plum , the prince-plum , ripe last ; the lammas-plum , the white pear-plum , and damascens . pumpion , in latin pepo . 't is cold , and very moist : it provokes urine , the nourishment of it is very small . the seed is one of the four greater cold seeds . purflain , in latin portulaca . 't is cold and moist . it provokes appetite . it cures heat of urine , and running of the reins . the juice mix'd with oyl of roses , cures burns and inflammations . 't is good for coughs , and shortness of breath . q. qvince-tree , in latin malus cydonia . the fruit is very agreeable to the stomach . 't is astringent , and cures spitting of blood , the bloody-flux , and all other fluxes . the mucilage of the seeds extracted with spawn of frog's-water , is an excellent gargarism in fevers . the syrup of quinces is made in the following manner : take of the juice six pints , boyl half away , add three pounds of sugar , and make a syrup : the dose is one ounce in some proper water . marmalade of quinces is made in the following manner : pare the quinces , cut them , and take out the core ; weigh them , and put them into cold water ; take the same quantity of sugar , and dissolve it with a little water ; boyl it , and take off the scum ; then put in the quinces , and set them on a gentle fire , close cover'd , till they are of a good colour , then uncover them ; then increase the fire , and boyl them to a jelly . r. radish , in latin raphanus sativus . 't is oftner used in the kitchin than for medicine ; but it is good for the stone , and to force urine . it strengthens the stomach , and helps concoction . horse - radish , in latin raphanus rusticanus . it provokes appetite , but it hurts the head. it expels gravel , and forces urine , and is commended for coughs ; and is reckon'd a specifick in the scurvy . the compounded water of it is much in use , and is made in the following manner : take of the leaves of garden and sea-scurvy-grass , gather'd in the spring-time , each six pounds ; beat them , and press out the juice ; mingle with it the juice of water-cresses and brook-lime , each a pint and an half ; of the best white-wine four quarts , twelve limons sliced , of the fresh roots of briony four pounds , of horse-radish-roots two pounds , of wake-robin-roots half an ounce , of winteran bark , and nutmegs , each four ounces ; infuse them three days , and then distil them : the dose is two ounces . take one spoonful of the shavings of horse-radish-roots , twelve leaves of scurvy-grass , twenty raisins of the sun stoned , put them into a quart of beer ; let them stand close stop'd all night , drink of it the next day , at meals , and at any other time . this has done much good in the scurvy . common rag-wort , in latin jacobaea vulgaris . the root has many large , white fibres , that stick fast in the ground . it has many times several stalks , and sometimes but one ; they are round , channel'd , sometimes smooth , sometimes downy , three foot high , and sometimes higher , divided at the top into branches . it has many long and large green leaves , lying on the ground , of a dark-green colour , rent and torn in the sides into many pieces : the leaves on the stalks are the same . the flowers are yellow , and consist of many leaves ; when they are ripe they turn into down . the seed is very small . it cures ulcers , inflammations , and a fistula . being applied hot to the belly , in form of a cataplasm , it cures the gripes . raspberry-bush , in latin rubus idaeus . the berries are very cordial , and taste very well . the syrup of it is very good in fevers , and is made in the following manner : take of the clarified juice , and of sugar , equal parts ; make a syrup . take of the syrup of rasp-berries and july flowers , each two ounces ; of the juice of kermes one ounce ; make a mixture : take a spoonful every morning . this is a cordial for women before delivery . rest-harrow , or camock , in latin anonis . it spreads its root far and near ; they are white , and hard to break . the stalks are woody , and three or four foot high , round , hairy , and reddish ; sometimes it has prickles , and sometimes not . the flowers grow at the top , like pease-blossoms . small , round cods contain the seeds . the bark of the root , and the root it self , provokes urine , and expels gravel , and eases the pain of the teeth , and opens obstructions of the liver , being infus'd in wine , or boyl'd in posset-drink , and taken inwardly for some time . rie , in latin secale . 't is the next corn in goodness to wheat . bread made of it is black and heavy , and hard to digest ; and it purges and gripes those that are not used to it ; but it keeps moist longer than wheaten bread. the course flower of it put into a cloth , and applied to the head , cures inveterate head-aches ; and so applied , is good for mad people . rocket , or winter-cresses , in latin barbarea . it has an oblong , white , thick , perennial root , of an acrid taste . the stalks are a cubit high , channel'd , strong , and full of pith ; with many wings , wherein the leaves are ; lesser than those of radish , and resembling the leaf of cresses at the extremity of it , by extream jags ; they are of a dark-green colour , and shine ; they do not taste so quick as the root . from the wings of the leaves , towards the top-stalks , come many small branches , whereon , as also on the top-stalk , small yellow flowers , consisting of four leaves , run up into long ears . the cods are small , round , and about an inch long , pressed to the stalks , wherein are small seeds , of a brown colour . the whole plant is smooth . the flowers are placed on short foot-stalks . it grows near ditches , and rivers , and running-waters ; and sometimes also on plow'd grounds . it flowers in may and june . 't is acrid and hot , and much of the same virtue with cresses . 't is mix'd with sallets , especially in the winter-time , when cresses are scarce ; wherefore 't is called winter-cress . 't is good in the scurvy . the juice of it is mix'd with ointments , to cleanse sordid and impure ulcers . the seed is lithontriptick , and diuretick . wild - rocket , in latin eruca sylvestris . the root is white , thick and long , and has many stalks , with many wings ; they are channel'd , and a little hairy . the leaves are cut in like dandelion ; they are smooth , and of a deep green colour , and taste hot . the flowers are yellow . it has long , angled , upright cods . the seeds are like the seeds of wild mustard ; they are acrid , and bitterish . it grows upon and about walls , and among rubbish . 't is hot and dry . 't is chiefly used to stimulate venery , and for preservation against apoplexies . outwardly applied , it extracts splinters of bones . the rose , in latin rosa . there are several sorts of roses : the red rose , the damask-rose , the damask-province-rose , the dog-rose , the pimpernel-rose , the greater apple-rose , the single cinnamon-rose , the double cinnamon-rose , the wild briar , or muscovy , the virginian briar-rose , the white rose , the musk-rose , the ever-green rose , the single yellow rose , the double yellow rose , the monthly rose , the monday-rose , the franc-fort-rose , the hungarian rose , the york and lancaster . the red rose is astringent , and bitter : it comforts the heart , and strengthens the stomach . it cures the whites , and an immoderate flux of the courses . it stops eruptitions of the blood , and fluxes of the belly . a decoction of it is used for the head-ach , and pains in the eyes , ears , throat and gums . the distill'd water of it is cordial , and refreshes the spirits . the following medicines are made of red roses : . the vinegar of roses , which , mix'd with the distill'd water , is good for redness or inflammations of the eyes ; and is used to bathe the temples in the head-ach , and to procure sleep . . aromaticum rosatum ; which is cordial . . conserve of roses ; which is much in use for stopping catarrhs , and running of the reins , and fluxes of the belly . 't is made in the following manner : take of red roses one pound ; they must be gather'd in a dry season , before they are quite spread ; clip off the yellow bottoms , beat them well in a stone-mortar , till they come to a mass , like a pulp ; then add two pounds of white sugar , beat it with the roses till it is well mix'd ; then put it into a pot , cover'd only with a paper , and let it stand in the sun a fortnight or three weeks , stirring it once or twice a week . take of conserve of red roses vitriolated four ounces , of the electuary of sassafras one ounce , of olibanum powder'd one dram , of diacodium a sufficient quantity ; make an electuary : take the quantity of a nutmeg morning and evening . this is excellent for stopping tickling coughs . . the tincture of roses , made in the following manner , is commended for a rheumatism : take of dried red roses one ounce , of warm water three pints , of spirit of sulphure , or vitriol , one dram and an half ; infuse them six hours ; to the strain'd liquor add half a pound of white sugar : take a draught twice or thrice a day . . strain'd hony of roses ; which is good to wash the mouth and throat when they are sore , or any other part. . sugar of roses ; which is good for coughs . . syrup of dried roses ; which is much in use , and is , indeed , an excellent medicine : it comforts the heart , re●●●●s putrefaction and stops fluxes of all sorts . 't is made in the following manner : take two quarts of hot water , infuse in it half a pound of red roses , dried in the sun ; the next day press it out , and with two pounds of sugar make a syrup . . oyl of roses . . electuary of roses . . ointment of roses . of damask-roses are made syrup of roses solutive , a distill'd water , aloes rosat , and hony of roses solutive . the syrup is much in use , and is made in the following manner : take of hot fountain-water two quarts , of fresh damask-roses as many as the water will contain ; infuse them in a close vessel twelve hours , then press it out , and heat the liquor again , and put the roses in as before , and infuse them again ; and so do three or four times , increasing the quantity of roses as the liquor increases ; then add to six parts of the liquor , four parts of sugar , and make a syrup according to art. it purges gently : it may be taken , from one ounce to four . hony of roses solutive is also purging and opening , and is often given in clysters ; and so is the syrup . see eglantine , or sweet - briar . rosemary , in latin rosmarinus . the leaves , the flowers and seeds are in use : they are cephalick , uterine , and proper for the nerves . they are chiefly used for diseases of the head and nerves ; for apoplexies , palsies , falling-sickness , and giddiness . they quicken the sight , and help the memory , and cure a stinking breath . they are used for the whites , and jaundice . and they comfort the heart , and open obstructions of the liver , spleen and womb. the herb burnt , corrects the air , and renders it wholesom in the time of a plague . a decoction of it in water , taken before exercise , cures the jaundice . the seed taken in wine , does the same . the tops of it infus'd in wine or beer , and taken daily , cure the palsie , and other diseases of the nerves . the flowers dried , and taken in a pipe , like tobacco , are good for a cough and consumption . the chymical oyl of it , taken in a proper decoction , has cured many tertian agues : four or six drops are the dose . a desperate and long diarrhaea has been cured with rosemary-wine . the queen of hungary's water is made of flowers infus'd in spirit of wine . rue , in latin ruta . it digests and cuts clammy and gross humours . it expels wind , and is a preservative against the plague , and other malignant diseases . it quickens the sight , and suppresses venery . it does good in a pleurisie . it strengthens the stomach , and cures the cholick , and the biting of a mad dog. it also provokes the courses , and urine . 't is used outwardly for the biting of serpents , for carbuncles , and to drive away the fits of fevers . for an epilepsie , take of the juice of rue one ounce and an half , an ounce of oxymel of squills mix'd . the distill'd water of it is much in use for hysterick fits , and uterine diseases . rupture-wort , in latin herniaria . it covers the ground with many branches , which rise from a small root ; the branches are round , and full of joints . it has small leaves , lesser than those of thyme ; they are of a yellowish green colour , and of an acrid taste . it has abundance of small , yellowish flowers . 't is good for the biting of a viper . it wonderfully cures ruptures , a dram of the herb , in powder , being taken several times ; or a decoction of the herb in wine . s. saffron , in latin crocus . the moderate use of it is good for the brain . it renders the senses brisk : it shakes off sleep and dulness , and chears and strengthens the heart . it concocts the crude humours of the breast , and opens the lungs , and frees them from obstructions : and it is such an effectual remedy for the breast and lungs , that it sometimes revives consumptive people , when they are , in a manner , worn out . 't is frequently used in faintings , for apoplexies , in the jaundice , and for obstructions of the liver , in the plague , and other malignant diseases . 't is also good in an asthma , mix'd with oyl of almonds . it provokes urine , and the courses , and hastens delivery . half a scruple , or a scruple at most infus'd in canary-wine , is very effectual in the jaundice . 't is much used to drive out the small pox ; but , undoubtedly , it does many times much hurt , by inflaming the blood , and occasioning frensies , and making them flux . but you may see at large the mischiefs of hot medicines and methods , by dr. sydenham's treatise of the small pox and measles , which i translated several years ago . tincture of saffron is made in the following manner : take of saffron two drams , of treacle-water eight ounces ; digest them six days , and strain out the tincture , and keep it close stop'd for use . sage , in latin salvia . t is counted very wholesom ; and therefore the leaves are eaten in the spring , with butter , to purifie the blood , and to preserve health : but because toads are wont to harbour under it , it ought to be well wash'd before it be eaten . and to drive them away , and other venomous animals , the italians plant rue near it , or among it . 't is diuretick , and provokes the courses . 't is excellent for diseases of the head. for the whites , take of sage , sarsaparilla and balaustians , each one dram , in broth , in the morning , for some days . being given with hony , it stops spitting of blood. a palsie in the hands has been cured by washing them with wine ▪ wherein sage was infus'd . a palsie of the muscles serving for swallowing , is cured by washing of the mouth and throat with a decoction of sage , made in wine . the same cures the heart-burning , taken inwardly . wood - sage , in latin salvia agrestis . it provokes urine , and the courses ; and is used for the french-pox . 't is a good wound-herb , either taken inwardly , or outwardly applied . 't is excellent for the scurvy . sampire , in latin crithmum marinum . 't is a very juicy herb , it spreads much , and is about a foot high . the leaves are broader and shorter than those of fennel ; and they are thicker , and not so much cut ; they are of a deep green colour , and of a saltish taste . the stalk is as green as a leek . the root is thick , long , and lasting ; and of a sweet , acrid and aromatick taste . sampire pickled is very palatable , and agreeable to the stomach . it provokes urine moderately , and opens obstructions of the bowels , and excites appetite . sanicle , in latin sanicula . the root is bitter , hot , white within , black without , and is fibrous . the leaves are of a shining green , stiff , and almost round ; they are divided into five parts , and neatly indented . the stalk is about two foot high , smooth , and without knots . the flowers are placed at the top , as it were in umbels ; they are small , and white , or a little reddish . two seeds succeed each flower . it grows in hedges and woods , and flowers in may. 't is an excellent wound-herb ; and is boyl'd in vulnerary decoctions , for outward and inward wounds , for eruptions of blood , for ulcers , and the bloody-flux . take of the leaves of sanicle , and millefoil , each one dram and an half ; leaves of ground-pine one dram , of the species of diatragacanth frigid four scruples , of sal prunella two scruples ; make them into a powder , and with a sufficient quantity of lucatellus's balsam , make a mass of pills : take four morning and evening . these pills are good for an ulcer in the bladder . the starting of the navel has been cured in many children , with a cataplasm made with wine and this herb , and bound close on ; comfrey , bruis'd , being applied to the small of the back at the same time . savine , in latin sabina . the leaves dry and heat much . being powder'd , and mix'd with hony , and applied , cure ulcers that run much ; and cleanse those that are sordid ; and stop those that are eating . mix'd with cream , they cure children's scabby heads . it forces the courses , and causes miscarriage : upon which account they are too well known , and too much used by wenches . the water of it takes off spots from the face . the leaves of it bruis'd and applied to children's navels , kill worms . the oyl of it used to their bellies , does the like . a spoonful of the juice of it , mix'd with milk , and sweeten'd with sugar , has been given , with great success , to children that have had worms : and it is really an extraordinary medicine , and no way dangerous . 't is also frequently given to horses , and other cattel , for the same purpose . take of the leaves of dried savine , of the roots of round birth-wort , of troches , of myrrh , of castor , each one dram ; of cinnamon half a dram , of saffron one scruple ; mingle them , make a powder : give a dram in savin-water . this is used to expel a dead child . savory , in latin satureia . 't is hot , and acrid . it provokes urine , and the courses . 't is good to season meats and broths , and procures appetite . 't is good for diseases of the breast and womb : and it quickens the sight . 't is used outwardly to discuss tumours , and to ease the pains of the ears . meadow - saxifrage , in latin saxifraga anglica facie seseli pratensis . it has a long , wrinkly root , black without , white within , of a sweet and aromatick taste , and somewhat acrid . it has several stalks , three or four foot high , of the thickness of the little finger ; they are round , channel'd , full of pith , and reddish near the earth ; they are branchy from the bottom , the branches coming , at great distances , from the wings of the leaves . the leaves that come from the roots , and those on the stalks , are smooth , and of a dull green , and are much cut in ; they are somewhat like the leaves of fennel . at the top are umbrels of flowers , they are small , and consist of five leaves , and are of a light yellowish colour . the seed is channel'd , and short . it smells like parsnep . it grows in meadows , and moist pastures . the juice of it , the decoction , the distill'd water , and the powder of the seed , provoke urine , expel gravel and wind , and ease the cholick . take of the water of pellitory , saxifrage , and cowslips , each one ounce ; of london-laudanum one grain , of diacodium six drams ; mingle them , make a draught to be taken at bed-time . this is used to expel gravel . common field - scabious , in latin scabiosa major communior . it has many soft , hairy , whitish green leaves , some are much jag'd , some but little ; they have small threads in them , which may be seen by breaking them . it has many round , hairy , green stalks , two or three foot high ; they have hairy , green leaves on them , deeply and neatly divided . at the top of the stalks stand round heads of flowers , of a pale bluish colour , many plac'd together . the root is white and thick , and grows deep in the earth . it grows frequently in pastures , and amongst corn. the herb boyl'd in wine , the juice , or the distill'd water , cures imposthumes , a pleurisie , a cough , and other diseases of the breast . 't is also good for a quinsie , and the plague : and it cures the itch , and little pocky ulcers in the fundament , and other parts , called rhagades . scordium , or water-germander , in latin scordium . the stalk is an hand high , or higher , and branchy . the branches take root in several places , and so it increases much . the leaves grow two at a joint ; they are long , wrinkly , soft , whitish , hairy , and indented ; and they smell like garlick , and taste bitter ; they are like germander-leaves . the flowers are like germander-flowers ; they are red . scordium is alexipharmick , and sudorifick . 't is chiefly used in the plague , and malignant diseases , and for obstructions of the liver , spleen and lungs . outwardly applied , it cleanses wounds and ulcers , and eases the pain of the gout . diascordium is made of it , and has its name from it . many pestilential buboes have been broken and cured with scordium . the compounded scordium-water is much in use ; and is made in the following manner : take of the clarified juice of goats-rue , sorrel , scordium and citron , each one pound ; of london-treacle two ounces ; infuse them three days , and then distil them in glass . you may give two or three ounces at a time . scurvy grass , in latin cochlearia . 't is hot and dry , and abounds with a volatile salt : upon which account , it renders the fix'd and crude humours more spiritous and volatile . it cures those diseases that proceed from too great a quantity of fixed salts , but especially the scurvy ; upon which account it is call'd in english , scurvy-grass . but , because the parts wherein the chief virtue of this plant consists are very volatile , and soon dissipated by boyling , the juice , or an infusion of the herb , is much more effectual than the decoction . the scurvy is a disease very frequent among those that live on the sea-shore , especially in the north ; and among such as feed chiefly upon salt-fish . solenander says , such kind of plants grow in every region , by the appointment of god almighty , which most agree with the people and animals that are there bred . nay , he says , he could tell what were the diseases of any country , by seeing the herbs that were most common in it . as , among the danes and dutch , with whom the scurvy is very frequent , scurvy-grass grows plentifully . take of conserves of scurvy-grass , roman wormwood , and fumatory , each two ounces ; of the powder of the winteran-bark , and of the root of angelica , and of wake-robin , each two drams ; of the species of the three sanders one dram and an half , of crabs-eyes powder'd one dram , of salt of wormwood two drams ; make an electuary with a sufficient quantity of syrup of citron-bark : take the quantity of a nutmeg morning and evening , for the space of three weeks , drinking presently after it a quarter of a pint of the following anti-scorbutick wine : take of the leaves of scurvy-grass four handfuls , of horse-radish sliced four ounces , of the winteran-bark half an ounce , the outward rinds of four oranges , and four limons ; put them all into a glass well stop'd , add to them six quarts of white-wine ; keep the bottle in a cool place , and pour the liquor out as you use it . provide four gallons of small ale , and , instead of hops , boyl three handfuls of pine-tops : when the beer has done working in the vessel , hang in the vessel a canvas-bag , with three handfuls of scurvy-grass in it , four ounces of the roots of sharp-pointed docks prepar'd , and the rinds of four oranges ; when it is clear , drink of it for your ordinary beer ; you must put stones or bullets into the bag , to make it sink : but before you begin to take of these medicines , you must bleed once , and purge twice . the spirits of scurvy-grass , golden and plain , as they are called , are much used by some country-people ; but they are not near so effectual as the anti-scorbutick wine above-mention'd ; for indeed , the best parts of the scurvy-grass , i mean the the volatile salts , fly away , and are lost , in preparing the spirit ; so that scarce any thing remains , but flegm , and an empty name . see dr. willis of the scurvy , pag. . says he there , the virtue evaporates by boyling . self-heal , in latin prunella . the root grows awry , and has some pretty large fibres . the stalk is nine inches or a foot high , or higher , hairy , and four-square , and creeps by fibres that come from the lower joints . the leaves are placed by intervals , upon long foot-stalks ; they are like the leaves of marjoram , or basil , but larger , and hairy ; they are so finely indented about the edges , that it is scarce visible . the flowers are purple , and are placed upon a spike at top ; the flower varies sometimes . it grows every where among pastures , and flowers in june . 't is much of the same virtue with bugules . 't is used outwardly in wounds , and often in a quinsie , and other diseases of the mouth and jaws . a gargarism being made of the decoction , or distill'd water of it . shepherd's-purse , in latin bursa pastoris . 't is sometimes an hand , a foot , sometimes three or four foot high , or higher . it has a small , strait , white , fibrous root ; it tastes sweetish , but nauseous . the leaves that come from the root are oblong , and sometimes whole , but most commonly jagg'd deep , the jags ending in an acute point ; they are a little hairy , and have foot-stalks an inch long ; or they are rather enlarg'd by degrees , from a narrow beginning ; for the uppermost upon the stalks , with a broad basis , grow without those foot-stalks , and are not jagg'd at all ; they have an ear at each side : from the middle of the leaves , one , two , three , or four , or more stalks rise , divided into branches , placed alternately . the top-stalks and branches run up , as it were , into long ears of flowers , which are placed on small foot-stalks , about half an inch long : the flowers are small and white , compos'd of four small , undivided leaves , with threads , bearing yellow tufts . when the flowers fall , the foot-stalks increase to the length of an inch , and bear the receptacles of the seeds , that are sharp at the beginning , and end in a large purse , divided into two parts ; a great many small seeds are contain'd in each vessel ; they are reddish when they are ripe . 't is astringent , and thickens ; wherefore 't is good for bleeding at nose , a tent made of cotton , being dip'd in the juice of it , and put up the nostrils . 't is also proper in a dysentery , a diarrhaea , and for bloody urine , and the immoderate flux of the courses . 't is outwardly used by the common people , to heal wounds , with good success . 't is also put into febrifuge cataplasms for the wrists . silver-weed , in latin argentina . this plant takes its name from the soft and silver-down of its leaves . the root is sometimes single , cover'd with a blackish bark , sometimes fibrous ; it tastes astringent . it has many leaves near the earth ; they are like the leaves of agrimony , and are deeply indented about the edges . it sends out , on every side , shoots , whereby it increases wonderfully , like straw-berries . the flowers are yellow , and consist of five roundish leaves , not indented , and are placed single , on long , hairy foot-stalks . it grows frequently near foot-paths , and in moist places , where the water has stagnated all the winter . it cools moderately , and is very astringent : upon which account it cures spitting of blood , and the immoderate flux of the womb and belly . 't is good for the stone in the kidnies ; and is very useful in curing wounds and ulcers ' 't is much commended for easing the pain of the teeth , and for removing the putrefaction of the gums . 't is good to asswage the heat of fevers ; which it does very powerfully , being beaten with salt and vinegar , and applied to the soles of the feet , and the arm-wrists . the women in england use the distill'd water of it to take off freckles , spots and botches from the face , and when they are sun-burnt . the root of it , which they call moors , in yorkshire , about settle , are eaten by the boys in winter ; for they taste sweet , and are as pleasant as parsnips . hogs dig them up , and eat them greedily . 't is affirm'd , that being worn in the shooes , it will cure the bloody-flux , bleeding at nose , and all immoderate fluxes of the belly . hartman says , that having used it this way , it has done good when all other means signified nothing . smallage , in latin apium . 't is hot and dry . it incides , and opens ; upon which account it is reckon'd among the five opening roots : it provokes urine and the courses , and expels gravel : it cures the jaundice . the seed is reckon'd among the lesser hot seeds . the use of this herb certainly injures those that are afflicted with the falling-sickness : but being translated into gardens , it becomes more gentle , and less ungrateful ; for in italy and spain they eat the tender leaves of it , and the upper part of the root , with oyl and pepper . sneez-wort , in latin ptarmica . the root grows awry , and is , as it were , jointed , and has many long fibres that are pretty large ; it tastes acrid , and hot . it has several brittle stalks , a yard high , or more , and sometime not near so high ; they are divided into several branches , whereon are placed narrow , long leaves , pointed , and finely indented about the edges . at the top grow many white flowers in a tuft , with a yellowish thrum in the middle . it grows in moist places , and flowers in july . it tastes hot and acrid . the powder of it provokes sneezing . the root chewed cases the pain in the teeth , by evacuating flegm . the herb is mix'd with sallets , to correct cold herbs . solomon's-seal , in latin polygomaton , the root is a finger thick , unequal and tuberous , with a great many fibres , and of a sweetish taste . the stalk is two or three foot high , round , and smells ill if it be rub'd or cut ; it is bent like a bow. the leaves are placed one above another ; they are large , and like the leaves of the lilly of the vallies ; they are nervous , and of a shining dark green above , of a grayish colour underneath . at the foot of every leaf , almost from the bottom to the top , hang long , white and hollow flowers ; and after them , small , round berries , green at first , and bluish when they are ripe , wherein are small , stony seeds ; they are white . 't is astringent , and vulnerary : it stops all fluxes ; it cements broken bones . and the root boyl'd in wine and drank , is excellent for contusions and ruptures . used outwardly it takes off spots , and whitens the skin . fourteen or fifteen of the berries purge flegm , upwards and downwards . for the whites , take candied roots of solomon's-seal ; and it is an excellent remedy . 't is also counted good for the falling-sickness . sope-wort , in latin saponaria . it creeps in the ground , with small-jointed roots . the bark of the root is reddish . the stalks are three foot high , or higher , round , smooth and reddish ; they have many joints , are full of pith , and can scarce sustain themselves . the leaves are placed by pairs , at the joints , opposite to one another , three large nerves running all along them ; they are like plantain-leaves ; they are smooth , have a nitrous taste , and short or no foot-stalks at all . the flowers are placed in tufts , on the top of the stalks , every one on a short foot-stalk ; they are of a pale-red colour , sweet , and compos'd of five leaves . the small , roundish seeds are contain'd in an oblong vessel that is thick about the middle . it grows near rivers , and standing-waters . it flowers in june , july , august and september . the root and leaves are used in physick , but it is but seldom . 't is used for an asthma , and to provoke the courses . and a decoction of it is much commended for the french-pox . outwardly applied , it discusses tumours . clothes are cleansed from greasie spots , by washing them with this herb. the sorbe , or quicken-tree , in latin sorbus sylvestris . 't is a tree of a middle stature . the bark is of a light red , and spotted . the leaves are sharp , indented , and smooth ; above green , below whitish . the flowers are many , white ▪ and sweet ; and are placed in umbels . the berries are green at first ; when they are ripe , of a darke red ; they taste ill . the berries yield an acid juice , which purges water excellently well ; and is very good for the scurvy . the liquor which drops from the wounded tree in the spring , cures the scurvy , and diseases of the spleen . common - sorrel , in latin acetosa vulgaris . it grows in pastures and meadows . 't is cold and dry . it provokes appetite , suppresses choler , and quenches thirst ; wherefore 't is frequently used in fevers . the juice may be mix'd with broths , or the leaves boyl'd in them . in summer 't is good sauce for most meats . the roots of it dried , and boyl'd , give a delicate tincture to the water . sheep's - sorrel , in latin acetosa arvensis lanceolata . it grows in sandy and dry grounds . it has the same virtues with common sorrel . roman or french - sorrel , in latin acetosa rotundifolia . the form of the leaf sometimes varies ; being sometimes round , like scurvy-grass , or the lesser celandine ; sometimes , like spinache , pointed like an arrow ; of a sky or pale colour , and of a delicate sharp taste . the stalks are bare , and above two foot high . the little flowers are compos'd of yellow and red threads . the root is small , and creeps ; and is less acid , and drier than the leaves . 't is common in gardens . it has the same virtues with the former . wood - sorrel , in latin trifolium acetosum vulgare . it grows commonly in shady places , in woods and hedges . it has the same virtues with the former . the syrup , the conserve , and the distill'd water of it are in use . the distill'd water is used to wash the mouth in the st. anthony's fire , and to cleanse sordid ulcers . 't is observ'd , that when it bears a great many flowers , the year will be very rainy ; but dry when there is a few . sothernwood , in latin abrotanum . 't is somewhat astringent , and discusses much . it resists putrefaction and poyson . it cures the biting of venomous creatures , kills worms , and forces urine . it cures hysterick fits , and the jaundice . the tops of it boyl'd in wine or water , and sweeten'd with hony or sugar , do much good in an asthma , and difficulty of breathing ; and helps expectoration . 't is used outwardly to strengthen bones . marsh - sparagus , in latin asparagus palustris . 't is found in many places : as , in the marishes near bristol , and about harwich in essex , &c. it differs only from the garden-sparagus by the place of its growth , and the accidents that proceed from thence ; for the saltness of it , and the thickness of the leaves , and the largeness of the berries , are to be imputed to the sea ; for the like is wont to happen to other plants that grow near the sea. the root is diuretick , and lithontriptick ; and is one of the five opening roots . it opens the obstructions of the liver and spleen , and especially of the kidnies ; and therefore it is frequently used in diuretick decoctions . the stalks boyl'd gently , according to custom , and eaten , loosen the belly , and provoke urine ; but they make it smell ill . a decoction of the root drunk , relieves those that make water difficultly , and those that have the jaundice , and others that are afflicted with nephritick pains , or the hip gout . but the frequent use of diureticks occasions ulcers in the bladder . spatling , or white poppy , in latin behen album . the root is woody , thick and white . the stalks are two or three foot high , or more , small , round , smooth and jointed , and divided into wings at the top . at every joint are two leaves , opposite to one another , like campian , but smooth , very acrid and bitterish , with a certain sweetness . the flowers are white , or of a light purple colour . it grows amongst corn. 't is commended for fomentations , and sweating-baths . the juice takes off inflammations of the eyes , and eases the pain of them . the seed purges flegm , and is used in the falling-sickness . male - speed-well , in latin veronica mas supina & vulgatissima . it creeps upon the ground , and sends down roots from the joints . the stalks are small , round , long , hairy , and jointed . the leaves are set by pairs at the joints ; they are hairy , and indented about the edges ; they taste bitterish and acrid . the flowers are placed upon a spike ; they are compos'd of four light purple leaves . the seed is contain'd in small husks , like shepherd's-purse . it grows plentifully in dry pastures , and amongst heath . 't is vulnerary , and sudorifick . 't is used in obstructions of the lungs , and spleen ; for the cholick , consumption , plague , wounds , and itch. a large dose of the decoction , taken for some time , expell'd a stone from the kidny of a woman , that had been there sixteen years . a woman that had been barren seven years , conceiv'd by taking the powder of it in the distill'd water of the herb for many days . the syrup of it is of great use in diseases of the lungs . one that had an incurable ulcer in his leg , found present ease by dipping rags in the water , and applying them ; for it took off the inflammation , and all the symptoms that accompanied it . one that had a fistula in the breast , and had used several medicines in vain , was cured by the inward use of this water . scabby children have been cured by rags dip'd in this water , and press'd out , and applied over the scabs , when other medicines would do no good : but it is convenient for the nurse to take fumatory in whey at the same time . common - spignel , in latin meum . it has sometimes one , sometimes many roots , above nine inches long : from the sides of which grow most commonly oblique roots , which are pretty long , of a dark brown colour without , white within ; it smells like a parsnip , but more aromatick . it has several long stalks of leaves , as small as an hair ; they are placed thick on both sides of the stalk ; they smell well . it has also round , stiff stalks , like those of fennel , but much less ; they are channel'd , empty and branchy ; and have umbels of white flowers on them , like dill. the seeds are large , great , and channel'd . it grows plentifully in westmorland , near sidleberg . it expels wind , and forces urine and the courses ; and is used for mother-fits , for the gripes , catarrhs , and to help expectoration . 't is an ingredient in several compositions ; in treacle , and many other . those that have vow'd chastity must not use it , for it is a great provocative to venery . and it causes the head-ach . spinache , in latin spinachia . 't is much used in the kitchin. 't is good in fevers ; and it loosens the belly . it cools , and moistens ; and is good in a dry cough . spindle-tree , in latin euonimus . 't is a little , branchy tree , or rather shrub , eight or ten foot high . the suckers are of a pleasant green colour , and the young branches are four-square ; the wood is whitish , it has divers branches . the leaves are oblong , sharp , and indented . soon after the beginning of spring the pale flowers come forth ; they are compos'd of four leaves . after the flowers , come forth red berries , divided into four parts ; and in each is a white , hard seed . the whole tree has a strong and unpleasant smell . 't is common in hedges . three or four of the berries vomit and purge . women use the powder of the berries to kill lice . spleen-wort , in latin asplenium . the root consists of capillary threads , that are blackish and perennial . the leaves are many , but not a finger long ; they are placed upon short foot-stalks ; they are somewhat fat above , and downy under , and cleft , like polypody ; they are seldom an inch broad . it grows frequently in the west , upon old walls , viz. about bristol , and the stones at st. vincent's rock , &c. 't is called spleen-wort , because it is effectual in curing diseases of the spleen . 't is chiefly used for swellings of the spleen , for spitting of blood , and a loosness . outwardly used , it cleanses wounds and ulcers . one dram of the golden powder on the under-side of the leaves , with half a dram of white amber powder'd , drunk in the juice of purslain , or plantain , relieves those wonderfully that have a gonorrhaea . straw-berry , in latin fragraria . the fruit cools and moistens . the distill'd water of it comforts the heart , purges the blood , and cures ulcers of the mouth ; and is good in a quinsie , the mouth being gargled with it . 't is diuretick , and expectorates . those that are troubled with hot pushes in the face , or a dry itch in the body , should take two spoonfuls of the water every morning . the same quantity , at the same time , is good for those that have the stone ; for it cools the reins , and expels gravel . a decoction of the whole herb is very good for the jaundice . take of the waters of wood-sorrel , of the whole citron , of strawberries , each four ounces ; of the syrup of the juice of citron one ounce , of prepar'd pearls one dram ; make a julap : take four spoonfuls three or four times a day . this is good in fevers , to attemperate the blood. succory , in latin cichoreum . the root is as thick as the thumb , and full of milk. it has many stalks , which are round and hairy . the stalks of the wild succory are crooked , and sometimes four foot high . the branches at top are much divided . some of the leaves are cut deep , like dandelion ; others are whole , or but little indented : those on the stalks are placed alternately , without foot-stalks ; they are long , and end acute , and are hairy on both sides . the flowers are blue , sometimes white , and reddish ; many come out together from the wings of the upper leaves . the whole plant is very bitter . 't is counted cold by some authors ; but its bitter taste argues heat . 't is diuretick : it attenuates , and cleanses . 't is chiefly used in obstructions of the liver and spleen , and for fevers . the water distill'd from the blue flowers is an excellent remedy for inflammations and dimness of the eyes . the leaves boyl'd , and eaten with vinegar , cure a gonorrhaea . the flowers of this plant open and shut at sun-rising and sun-setting , whether the heavens are clear or cloudy . the roots of succory , the middle bark of the elder , the twigs of bitter-sweet , wormwood , and the roots of sharp-pointed dock , cure a dropsie and obstructions with expedition , and expel wind. syrup of succory , with rubarb , is much in use , and is an excellent purge for children , and is made in the following manner : take of whole barly , of the roots of smallage , fennel and sparagus , each two ounces ; of succory , dandelion , smooth south-thistle , and endive , each two handfuls ; of garden-lettice , liverwort , fumatory , and the tops of hops , each one handful ; of venus-hair , white maiden-hair , spleen-wort , liquorish , the seed of winter-cherry , and dodder ; each six drams ; boyl these in six quarts of fountain-water , till two quarts be consum'd ; strain the liquor , and put in six pounds of white sugar ; boyl it a while , then add six ounces of rubarb , and six drams of spikenard , put into a bag , which must be infus'd a while in the hot liquor ; then strain it , and boyl it to the consistence of a syrup . succory-water is also in use . sun-dew , in latin ros solis . many leaves come from a small , fibrous root ; they are placed on long foot-stalks , that are hairy above ; they are almost round , like an ear-picker , a little concave , and of a pale-green colour , with a small , red fringe round them ; they have always a dew on them in the hottest day . from the middle of the leaves rise up two or three round , small , reddish stalks , of an hand or half a foot high ; they have no leaves on them . it has many whitish flowers , placed one above another , on short foot-stalks . oblong seminal vessels , in shape and bigness like wheat , succeed the flowers ; they are full of seeds . it grows plentifully in sir william goring's park , near petworth , in sussex ; and in many other places . botanists differ about the virtue of this plant : some commend it for a consumption , the plague-wounds , and the falling-sickness : but others , with good reason , forbid the inward use of it ; for it is so caustick , that being put on the skin , it will cause ulcers . 't is very injurious to sheep , for it burns up their lungs , and gives them a deadly cough . upon which account it is called the red-rot . a strong-water made with it was formerly much in use . many superstitious things are reported of this plant , which i designedly omit . t. tamarisk , in latin tamariscus . 't is excellent for diseases of the spleen . a decoction of the bark stops the courses , and an immoderate flux of the hemorrhoids : it settles the teeth when they are loose , and eases the pain of them ; and is good for ulcers of the mouth , for the leprosie , itch , and other ulcers ; for melancholy , the black-jaundice , and a dropsie , occasion'd by an hard and obstructed spleen . take of steel one ounce , of the middle-bark of the ash , tamarisk , roots of capers , each half an ounce ; of sassafras , and juniper , each six drams , of the roots of elecampane , angelica , galangal , sweet-smelling flag , each two drams ; shavings of harts-horn , ivory , yellow sanders , each ▪ three drams ; the leaves of wormwood , ground-pine , spleen-wort , dodder , balm , germander , each two pugils ; the flowers of bugloss , borage , scabious , broom , each one pugil ; of cinnamon half an ounce ; cloves , ginger , mace , nutmegs , each two drams ; beat them grosly , and pour on them two quarts of white-wine , and infuse them in a glass well stopped , in b. m. three or four days ; strain it , and take four spoonfuls every morning . this is good for melancholy , and pains in the stomach . common tansie , in latin tanacetum . 't is vulnerary , uterine , and nephritick . 't is used for the worms , the gripes , and the stone in the kidnies and bladder ; for obstruction of the courses , wind , and a dropsie . the juice of it applied to the hands and feet , cure the chaps of them , scabby ulcers , and the itch. a conserve of the leaves and tops resists putrefaction , purifies the blood , and opens obstructions . one was cured of an obstinate dropsie by the decoction of it . take of the conserve of tansie , fumatory , wood-sorrel , each two ounces ; of the compounded powder of wake-robin three drams ; of ivory , crabs-eyes , and coral prepar'd , each one dram ; of yellow sanders powder'd , and of the wood of aloes , each half a dram ; of salt of steel one dram , of salt of wormwood one dram and an half , of the syrup of the five opening roots a sufficient quantity ; make an electuary : take the quantity of a chesnut night and morning . this is good for the scurvy , and to strengthen the blood. tarragon , in latin dracunculus hortensis . 't is used frequently in sallets , to correct cold herbs , and the crudities of them . 't is good for those that have cold stomachs . it procures appetite , and expels wind. it provokes urine , and the courses , and opens obstructions . being chew'd , it evacuates flegm , and so eases the pain of the teeth . 't is also sudorifick . teasel , fuller's-thistle , or venus's basin , in latin dipsacus . the roots of it boyl'd in wine , cure ulcers of the fundament , called rhagades , and warts . the water that is receiv'd in the hollowness of the leaves , is good for inflammations of the eyes : it also takes off spots from the face , and beautifies it . boyl'd in wine , it purges by urine . but cloth-workers use it chiefly . dwarf-carline - thistle , in latin carduus acaulis . the leaves lie on the ground , in a circle ; they are of a green colour , and very prickly ; they are cut in deep , and are hairy ; they have either no stalks at all , or but one , an inch , or an inch and an half high . the little heads are oblong , and not at all prickly . the flowers are purple . the root is as long as the little finger , and has some thickish fibres , and grows awry : 't is of a reddish colour , especially within , and tastes somewhat aromatick . it grows commonly on hills , and in dry places , and on stony grounds , on the downs in sussex . 't is alexipharmick , and sudorifick . it prevents and cures the plague , if it be taken in time . 't is diuretick , and good in a dropsie . philip melancton , when he was afflicted with hypochondriack pains , used this herb , and commended it much . milk - thistle , or ladies-thistle , in latin carduus mariae . the leaves have white spots ; they are long , and broad , and very prickly . the stalk is channel'd , downy , and five or six foot high ; and is divided into many branches . the brush is so prickly , that it cannot be handled . the root is long , and thick . it grows frequently in hedges and ditches . 't is supposed to have the same virtue with the blessed thistle , called commonly carduus . but it is oftner used in the kitchin , than for medicine . the decoction of it is used with good success , in obstructions of the liver , of the bowels , and of urine ; wherefore it is good in the jaundice , for the dropsie , and the stone in the kidnies . the distill'd water of it cures the diseases of the sides . 't is chiefly used outwardly , in eating ulcers , rags being dip'd in the water , and applied to the sores . the seed is frequently used in emulsions , with other seeds , for a pleurisie . the tender leaves , the prickles being cut off , are boyl'd with pot-herbs , and eat very well . 't is kept in gardens , and is used in sallets , and the like . take of the water of ladies-thistle ten ounces , of eratick poppy-water three ounces , of the syrup of the same one ounce , of prepar'd pearl one dram ; mix them : take six spoonfuls every fourth hour . this julap is used in a peripneumonia , or inflammation of the lungs . the blessed thistle , in latin carduus benedictus . the whole plant is very bitter , except the root . this thistle was called blessed , or holy , for its excellent virtues . it was sent out of india , to frederick iii. emperor ; tho' it was afterwards found to grow of its own accord in europe . the decoction of it is best . 't is commended for the falling-sickness , for giddiness in the head , and deafness ; also for the cholick , for the stone in the kidnies , and for the hip-gout . but it is chiefly prais'd for its virtue against the plague ; either taken inwardly , for prevention , or to cure it by provoking sweat ; or outwardly applied , to break the buboes . our people use it commonly in posset-drink , to promote sweating : and , by taking a large quantity of it , they cleanse the stomach by vomiting . there is scarce any thing better for curing putrid ulcers . a woman , whose breasts were quite consum'd by a cancer , was restor'd to health by the distill'd water of it , and by sprinkling the powder of the leaves on the ulcers . a girl that took poyson , was cured by the use of this water , when treacle , and other alexipharmicks would do no good . 't is also much commended for the scurvy . take of carduus-water compounded , and scordium-water , each three ounces ; treacle-water two ounces ; make a julap : take six spoonfuls every sixth hour . this is good in the plague . thorn-apple , in latin stramonium . an ointment made of the juice of the leaves , and lard , is very good for burns and scalds . the seed powder'd , and taken in beer , occasions madness for twenty four hours . thieves give it to those they intend to rob . and wenches give half a dram of it to their lovers , in beer or wine . some are so well skill'd in dosing of it , that they can make men mad for as many hours as they please . thorow-wax , in latin perfoliata . the root is single , white and woody , and tastes sweet . it has one small , stiff , smooth , round , channel'd , concave , jointed stalk , a foot , or two foot high , of an aromatick smell when it is cut or broken . the leaves are almost oval , smooth , and bluish : little nerves run obliquely , from the centre of the leaf , to the circumference of it . the stalk passes through the leaf , which is divided into branches at top , whereon stand tufts of small , yellow flowers . the seed is small , and blackish . the decoction of the herb in wine , or the leaves powder'd , are given for ruptures and contusions . 't is also used for the king's-evil , for fractures , and an erysipelas . throat-wort , in latin trachelium . the root is white , and sweet . the stalks are three or four foot high , or higher , about the thickness of the little finger ; they are channel'd , hairy , and purplish . the leaves are placed alternately on the stalks ; they are hairy , and like the leaves of nettles ; the under are placed on long foot-stalks , the upper on short ones . the flowers are like a bell , and of a bluish colour . the whole plant , especially the root , is astringent , and drying ; and therefore the decoction of it is good to be used at the beginning of ulcers and inflammations of the mouth , and tonsils ; and for other diseases that require astringent remedies . wild thyme , in latin serpyllum . it grows on hills , and dry grounds . 't is hot and dry . it forces the courses , and urine . 't is cephalick , uterine , and stomachick . 't is good for spitting of blood , and convulsions , and for gripes . outwardly applied , it cures head-aches , and giddiness ; and disposes to sleep . toad-flax , in latin linaria lutea vulgaris . it creeps much , with white , hard , woody roots . it has many stalks , a foot , or two foot high ; they are smooth , and bluish ; they have many sharp , narrow leaves , plac'd disorderly ; they are branchy at top . the yellow flowers are placed on a spike , at the top of the branches , each on a short foot-stalk . the seed is round . the whole plant tastes bitterish , and a little acrid . a small glass of the distill'd water , with a dram of the powder of ground-elder mix'd with it , evacuates urine powerfully in a dropsie . the water also purges by stool , and cures the jaundice ; but especially , the decoction of the herb in wine , which also opens obstructions of the liver . the water or the juice drop'd into the eyes , cure inflammations and redness of them . rags dip'd in the water , cleanse ulcers : and the juice takes off spots from the face . take of the herb and flowers a sufficient quantity ; boyl them with lard , till it is very green ; and make an ointment : when you use it , mix a yolk of an egg with it . this is good to take off the pain of the piles . tobacco , in latin nicotiana . it resists putrefaction , provokes sneezing ; is anodyne , vulnerary , and vomits . being smoak'd , it stops catarrhs , disposes to rest , takes off weariness , and suppresses mother-fits , and is a good preservative against the plague . a gargarism of it cures the tooth-ach , and dissolves tumours of the uvula . a bath of it , or the green leaves applied , cure a leprosie , the itch , and lice : it heals wounds , and cleanses ulcers , and cures burns . the smoaking of tobacco strengthens the stomach , helps concoction , and gently moves the belly : but it is not good for people of an hot constitution . the pain of the teeth is cured , by stopping those that are hollow with calcin'd tobacco . for the palsie , take the green leaves , and infuse them in malaga-wine , and rub the parts well with it after sweating . this is the best outward remedy for a palsie . a nobleman that was extreamly fat , was reduc'd to an ordinary size , by chewing tobacco ; which also does good in an asthma . 't is of great use in camps , where there is , many times , scarcity of victuals ; and cholicks , and the like . the fume of tobacco blown up into the bowels , is a most effectual clyster in the cholick . it also cures mother-fits , and fainting , being blown upon the matrix . the greater tooth-wort , in latin dentaria major . the root is soft , white , and juicy , and consists of many scales . the stalk is about as thick as the little finger , nine inches high , or higher , round , and juicy , easily broken , cover'd with a thin membrane , and full of a juicy pulp . it has some membranaceous ears , like leaves , placed by intervals . it has many gaping , light , purplish flowers , that hang on short foot-stalks . the seed is round . 't is excellent for ruptures , for inward wounds , and for diseases rising from defluxions , two drams of the powder being taken in broth for forty days together . tormentil , in latin tormentilla . the root is sometimes as thick as the thumb ; sometimes it grows streight , sometimes awry ; it has reddish fibres , and is of an astringent taste . the stalks lie on the ground , having many short leaves ; sometimes they grow upright , and are two foot high ; they are small , hairy , and reddish . the flowers are small , and yellowish , and consist of four leaves . note , the leaves are like the leaves of cinquefoil , but longer , and less dented . it dries , and is very astringent ; wherefore there is no remedy more proper for fluxes of the belly and womb , than the roots of tormentil . besides , they are diaphoretick , and alexipharmick ; wherefore they are used in all medicines for the plague , and malignant diseases , especially when fluxes of the belly accompany them . moreover , they are mix'd with vulnerary potions , ointments , and plasters ; for they cure old and putrid ulcers . half a dram , or a dram of the extract of tormentil is much commended for curing an epidemick dysentery ; rubarb being used before , if there be occasion . a woman that was wont to miscarry after the second month , was cured in the following manner : she was purg'd , and took sage with her meat and drink , and as much of the following powder as would lie on a groat was given at a time : take of cochinele , prepar'd pearl , and tormentil-roots , each one dram ; of mastick half a dram ; mingle them , and make a powder . the following plaster was applied to the loins , and the os sacrum : take of the purest labdanum one ounce and an half ; of galls , oak-moss , bole-armoniack , cypress-nuts , seal'd-earth , mirtles , red roses , dragon's-blood , and balaustians , each half an ounce ; of ship-pitch two ounces , of turpentine six ounces ; make a plaster . after the use of these things , she went out her time , and had a lusty child ; and after that more . marsh - trefoil , or buckbeans , in latin trifolium palustre . it grows commonly in marishes , and watery places ; and is much commended in the scurvy , and for pains in the limbs . the leaves are boyl'd in beer , and it is taken twice or thrice a day ; but because it is very bitter , 't is best taken in a syrup . turnep , in latin rapum . it forces urine , and is a provocative to venery . the juice and broth wherein they are boyl'd cure quartan-agues . raw turneps cure the scurvy-roasted under ashes , and applied behind the ears , they cure the head-ach , and the pain of the teeth . they are applied to ulcers of the legs , and to swellings of the breast , and for scrophulous and scorbutick tumours , with good success . the broth of them makes a good gargarism for sore mouths . half a dram of the seed is used at a time to excite venery ; and in malignant diseases , to expel venom . take of sliced turneps , and of white sugar , each half a pound ; put them into an earthen pot , making a lay of one , and a lay of the other ; cover it with paper , and bake it with bread ; when it is drawn press out the juice , and keep it for use : take a spoonful morning and evening . this is good for coughs , and at the beginning of consumptions . tutsan , in latin androsaemum vulgare . the root is thick , woody , reddish , and has long fibres . the stalks are woody , three or four foot high , round , reddish , smooth , and crested . they have two large leaves at every joint , green above , whitish below . the flowers are yellow , and consist of five leaves ; they are placed on long foot-stalks . after the flowers , come heads of seeds , first greenish , then reddish , and last of a purple colour . the juice is reddish . it stops blood , and is an excellent vulnerary plant , taken inwardly , or outwardly applied . v. garden - valerian , in latin valeriana hortensis . the root and herb are very diuretick . half a spoonful of the powder of the root , before the stalk springs , taken once or twice , in wine , water , or milk , relieves those that are seiz'd with the falling-sickness . and sylvius reckons it more effectual in this case , than the roots of male-peony . the leaves bruis'd , are commonly applied to slight wounds ; upon which account it is called cut-finger . it purges upwards and downwards . common vervain , in latin verbena vulgaris . so many virtues are attributed by authors , to this plant , that it would tire one to reckon them up . 't is cephalick , and vulnerary . 't is used for obstructions of the liver and spleen , and in the stone ; for diseases of the eyes , and breast ; for the gripes , the bloody-flux , a tertian ague , to heal wounds , and to hasten delivery . 't is outwardly used for the head-ach , pain of the teeth , redness and weakness of the eyes , for a quinsie , and for swellings of the glandules of the jaws , for the falling of the fundament , for cleansing ulcers , and for pains of the spleen , 't is reckon'd a specifick for pains of the head , from whatever cause they proceed . the distill'd water is applied outwardly to the head ; and four ounces are taken inwardly , with four drops of spirit of salt. forestus says , he knew two who were cured of the head-ach , only by hanging the green herb about their necks , when many other medicines were used to no purpose . violet , in latin viola . the leaves are cooling . the flowers moisten , cool and mollifie . they are reckon'd among the cordial-flowers . they are chiefly used in fevers , to abate the heat , and to ease the pain of the head occasion'd by it ; and for coughs and pleurises . the seed is lithontriptick . the syrup is most in use , and is made in the following manner : take of the flowers of fresh violets one pound , of clear , hot water two pints and an half ; keep it close cover'd , in an earthen glaz'd pot , a day ; then press it out , and add to two pints of the strain'd liquor , four pounds of sugar ; take off the scum as it rises , and make a syrup without boyling . viper's-grass , in latin scorzonera . the root is eaten with meat , and is as sweet as parsnips . 't is much used for the biting of venomous creatures , in pestilential fevers , for melancholy , palpitation of the heart the falling-sickness , giddiness , obstructions of the bowels , diseases of the womb , for the jaundice , and at the beginning of a dropsie . take of the roots of scorzonera and angelica , each six drams ; of the leaves of wood-sorrel , with the roots , two handfuls ; of rasp'd hart's-horn and ivory , each half an ounce , of liquorish two drams ; boyl them in a sufficient quantity of barly-water , to one pint and an half ; to the strain'd liquor add of compounded scordium-water , and of the cold cordial-water of saxony , each three ounces ; of syrup of rasberries three ounces ; mingle them ; make an apozem , of which take three ounces , or four , at pleasure . this is much used in fevers . w. walnut-tree , in latin juglans . the outward bark dried , vomits strongly : the catkins are a gentler vomit . the fresh nuts move the belly : the dry are hot , and hard to digest ; they increase choler , and cause a cough . the juice of the outward bark gargl'd in the mouth , is very useful in a relaxation of the almonds , and for an inflammation of the throat . a decoction of the outward bark of the green nut forces worms out of their holes . the green and unripe nuts candied with the bark on , gently move the belly , two or three being taken at bed-time . the tree tap'd in the spring , yields a great quantity of liquor , but it is not so pleasant as that of the birch-tree . 't is said to be peculiarly proper for obstructions of the courses . the nuts being infus'd in water till the skin of the kernels comes off , then infuse them two days in aqua vitae : take two or three of them daily , in the morning fasting , for ten days before the usual time of their flowing . the oyl of the nut , mix'd with oyl of almonds , is excellent in the stone ; two or three ounces of it may be taken inwardly at a time . see mr. boyl , of specifick remedies , pag. . wall-flower , in latin leucoium luteum . it grows every where on walls . the flowers are cordial , and good for the nerves : they ease pain , provoke the courses , expel the secundine , and a dead child . the conserve of the flowers , the distil'd water , and the oyl made of the flowers by infusion , are in use for apoplexies , and palsies . the oyl is very anodine in wounds , and inflammations of the nervous parts . way-faring-tree , in latin viburnum . it sometimes spreads much , tho' it is not high . the wood of it is fungous and pithy . the branches are about a finger thick , and four foot long , or longer . the bark is of a dark-gray colour ; but the bark of the branches is whitish . the leaves are somewhat like the leaves of the alder ; they are broad , longish and thickish , and indented about the edges ; they are hairy and white , like meal , especially below . the flowers are placed in umbels , and smell like the flowers of elder ; they are white , and consist of five leaves . the berries are first green , then red , and lastly black ; they are sweet , and clammy . some country-people eat them . it grows commonly in hedges . the leaves and berries are dry , and astringent . they are used for inflammations of the throat and almonds , and for the relaxation of the vvula , and to settle the teeth when they are loose , and also for fluxes of the belly . a decoction of the leaves makes the hairs black , and prevents their falling . wheat , in latin triticum . the juice of it is good to take off spots . the flower mix'd with bean-shell-water , takes out wrinkles from the face . a cataplasm made with water and oyl , and the flower , takes off the hardness of the breast , and ripens swellings . the bran cleanses the hands , and makes them soft and white . common whitlow-grass , in latin paronychia vulgaris . it has a small , fibrous root , and many leaves , that lie on the ground ; they are scarce an inch long ; they are pointed , hairy , sometimes green , sometimes reddish , and a little indented ; and taste somewhat astringent at first , afterwards acrid . it has sometimes one , sometimes two or three stalks , or more ; they are round , and about an hand high , and sometimes not so much ; they have no leaves on them , but they have many little , white flowers , which consist of four leaves ; they have small , flat pouches . it grows on walls and houses . rue whitlow-grass , infus'd in small beer , and drank for some days , cures king's-evil-swellings , without any sensible evacuation . see mr. boyl , of specifick remedies , pag. . take of whitlow-grass half an handful , fry it with flower , and an egg : take it in a morning fasting , for two days . this cures the whites . winter-cherry , in latin alkekengi . the berries are diuretick , nephritick , and lithontriptick . they are also good for the jaundice ; they may be either infus'd in wine , or boyl●d in posset-drink , or powder'd , and taken in any liquor . one that took eight of the cherries every change of the moon , was cured of the gout ; tho' before , he was miserably afflicted with it . take of chios-turpentine two drams , of the balsam of tolu half a dram , with a sufficient quantity of the troches of alkakengi ; make midling pills : take four at bed-time . these pills are good for the stone in the kidnies . winter-green , in latin pyrola . five or six of its leaves lie on the ground ; they are like the leaves of a pear ; they are thick , of a dark green , smooth , and shining above . the foot-stalks are near an hand long . the stalk is nine inches high , and angled , and has on it some small , sharp leaves ; and a spike of fine , white flowers , consisting of five leaves . the whole plant tastes bitter . it grows in the north , near halifax . 't is an excellent vulnerary herb , either taken inwardly , or outwardly applied . woodroof , in latin asperula . 't is divided into many joints . the root is small , and creeps on the top of the earth , sending down capillary fibres . the stalks are small , four-square , an hand or nine inches high . the leaves are placed on the joints , like those of madder ; they are larger than cleaver-leaves , and of a lighter green ; they shine a little , and are a little hairy . the stalk is divided at the top into two or three branches , upon which the foot-stalks sustain the little flowers , that smell sweet , and are compos'd of four small leaves . the seeds are small , and very hairy , and in shape like a kidny ; they stick to the clothes , as the seeds of clevers do . it grows in hilly woods , and among bushes . it flowers in may. 't is used for obstructions of the liver , and gall-bladder ; and to cool an hot liver . it procures mirth , as they say , being put into wine , and gives it a pleasant taste ; for which reason 't is frequently used among the germans . common wormwood , in latin absinthium vulgare . it strengthens the stomach and liver , excites appetite , opens obstructions , and cures diseases that are occasion'd by them ; as , the jaundice , dropsie , and the like . 't is good in long , putrid fevers , it carries off vitious humours by urine , it expels worms from the bowels , and preserves clothes from moths . the juice , the distill'd water , the syrup , the fixed salt , and the oyl of it are used ; but the wine or beer seems to be the best . it strengthens the stomach , creates an appetite , opens obstructions , and provokes urine . the simple water is more languid , and of less virtue . the fixed salt , if it be wholly separated from the other parts , by the force of the fire , differs nothing , in my opinion , neither in taste nor virtue , from the fixed salt of any other plant. a scruple or half a dram of the salt , according to the strength and age of the sick , taken in a spoonful of the juice of limon , scarce ever fails to cure vomiting . green wormwood bruis'd , and mix'd with lard , and applied , cures tumors of the kernels of the throat , and the quinsie . the exotick or foreign physical plants . ac acacia . it grows in egypt . the juice of it press'd from the cods , before they are ripe , or from the flowers or leaves , is used to strengthen the eyes , and to take off the inflammation of them ; and to cure ulcers of the mouth and ears ; and for chaps of the lips. the juice reduc'd to a powder , after it has been wash'd in a decoction made with the juice , or the leaves or flowers , and sprinkl'd on the gums , and rub'd on the teeth , fixes the teeth when they are loose . a dram of it dissolv'd in some liquor , and taken every morning , stops all fluxes of blood. many women that have been almost destroy'd by an immoderate flux of their courses , have been cured by it . clysters made of the decoction of the leaves and flowers , and injected into the womb , are used for the same purpose : as is also the juice powder'd , and dissolv'd in decoctions , and used in the same manner . in fluxes of the belly are often used clysters , made in the same manner : and the juice is frequently taken inwardly . a decoction made of the leaves and flowers , and the juice dissolv'd in it , is excellent for the falling of the womb , and anus . a fomentation made of the juice , leaves and flowers , is very good for weakness of the limbs , and for fluxions swellings and inflammations of the joints . some make a liniment of vinegar and the juice of it , which strengthens wonderfully the joints when they are weak . the juice powder'd , and well wash'd with water , cures obstinate ulcers of the privy parts , and of other weak parts . the decoction is also used to dry pocky pustules ; but then guiacum is mix'd with it . the powder and decoction of it are used for the breaking out of children's heads . ancient and modern physicians all agree , that acacia is very astringent ; and by that means it does what it does . agarick , in latin agaricus . 't is a white fungous , or mushroom , that grows on the larix-tree . the white , light , and brittle is the best . it purges flegm and choler . 't is used for the jaundice , and for those that are short-breath'd ; and also in the stone of the kidnies , in difficulty of urine , and for mother-fits ; the falling-sickness , and for the hip-gout . it also provokes the courses ; wherefore women with child ought not to take it . 't is given in substance , from one dram , to two drams ; and in infusion , from two drams to five . but the troches of it are most commonly used , and are made in the following manner : take of agarick powder'd and sifted three ounces ; infuse it with two drams of ginger , in a sufficient quantity of white-wine ; and make troches : the dose is one dram. the pills , in the london-dispensatory , of agarick , are made in the following manner : take of agarick three drams ; of our sky-colour'd orris-roots , mastick , hore-hound , each one dram ; turbith five drams , species hiera picra half an ounce , coloquintida and sarcocol , of each two drams ; myrrh one dram , of sapa as much as is sufficient to make a mass . note , sapa is wine boyl'd till two thirds of it are consum'd . half a dram of this pill is a sufficient dose : 't is used to purge the breast , and to carry off flegm . the pill de hiera cum agarico is made in the following manner : take of the species of hiera picra , and of agarick , each half an ounce ; of the best aloes half an ounce ; of hony of roses a sufficient quantity to make a mass : a scruple , or a scruple and an half may be taken at a time , made into four or six pills . 't is good for shortness of breath , and obstructions of the lungs , and to provoke the courses , and for mother-fits , and in melancholy diseases , and to purge flegm and choler , and to open obstructions of the liver or spleen , and for diseases of the head ; but the use of them must be continu'd for the space of eight or ten days . you may take them at bed-time , if you eat no supper . they are easie in their operation . agarick is either male , or female ; the male is not used . it comes from agaria , a region of sarmatia ; and from thence it takes its name . it grows also in dauphiné in france ; but the best comes from the tridentine woods . it grows in many other places . agnus castus , or the chaste tree . the athenian matrons , when they attended on the divine mysteries of ceres , used to lie on the leaves of this tree , to keep them chaste . the seed of it , by reason of the likeness , is called by some eunuch's-pepper . it suppresses nocturnal imaginations of venery , and cures the incontinency of seed . the fruit of it relieves those that are bitten by serpents ; and is good for those that are troubled with the spleen and dropsie . it increases milk , and provokes urine , and the courses . take of the conserve of agnus castus , of the flowers of water-lilly and violets , each half an ounce ; of conserve of red roses half an ounce , of the stalks of lettice candied one ounce , of prepar'd coral two drams ; with syrup of violets , and of water-lillies , make an opiat . this is used in the uterine fury . give the quantity of a nutmeg , morning and evening . alcali . every pure salt is so called , that is without an acid. 't is drawn from the ashes , or the calx of any matter extracted by a lee. 't is proper to all things , liquid and solid . the word is deriv'd from kaly , the name of a plant , with which glass is made . it easily ferments with an acid ; and , together , they are the cause of all intestine motion : nothing grows , or increases , without these two . alcali is three-fold ; viz. volatile alcali , which is made of animals , viz. of harts-horns , of urine , and the like . fix'd , which is extracted from the ashes of plants ; as , from wormwood , tartar , and the like . metallick and stony ; for metals and stones ferment with an acid menstruum . mix'd alcalies are added to these ; as , nitre , alum , the several sorts of vitriol , fossile , and sea-sealt , and the like ; which participate of alcali , and acid. almond-tree , in latin amygdalus . there are many sorts of almonds ; but in practice they are distinguish'd only into bitter and sweet . the jordan-almonds are most esteem'd amongst us ; which are larger , longer and narrower , rounder and thicker , than the valentian ; and of a better taste . sweet almonds nourish much , and make the body fat . they mitigate the acrimony of the humours , and increase seed . they are good for lean people , and for such as are consumptive . but they are chiefly used in emulsions . take of sweet almonds blanch'd number three , of the seeds of melon , lettice and white poppies , each one dram ; of the pulp of barly three drams ; beat them in a marble-mortar , and pour on them a sufficient quantity of barly-water ; to seven ounces of the strain'd liquor add five drams of diacodium ; mingle them , and make an emulsion . this is good in the stone , and for heat of urine . take of sweet almonds prepar'd , and infus'd in rose-water , two ounces ; of the four greater cold seeds , of plantain and purslain-seeds , each one dram ; of the seeds of marsh-mallows and white poppies , each one scruple ; beat them according to art , and pour on them a sufficient quantity of a decoction of barly and liquorish ; make an emulsion for two doses ; add to each an ounce of syrup of water-lillies , of sal prunellae half a dram. this is good for pleurisies , and heat of urine , and the like . oyl of almonds is good for hoarsness , and coughs : take of oyl of almonds fresh drawn , of syrup of maiden-hair , each one ounce and an half ; of sugar-candy two drams ; mix them in a glass-mortar : make a linctus , to be taken often with a liquorish-stick . oyl of almonds is good in the cholick : take two ounces of oyl of almonds , and one ounce and an half of manna , mix'd together in fat chicken-broth . this reliev'd a person that had the cholick , after he had taken thirty clysters to no purpose . oyl of almonds is very good for the stone in the kidnies : take of white-wine , and compound-water of horse-radish , each one ounce and an half ; of the juice of limon one spoonful and an half , of tartar vitriolated one scruple , of oyl of sweet almonds one ounce , of syrup of marsh-mallows two ounces , of nutmeg powder'd one scruple ; make a draught to be taken hot . for the gripes of infants , the following medicine was prescrib'd by dr. lower : take of manna two drams , dissolv'd in two ounces of the aqua lactis alexiter ; strain it , and add three drams of oyl of almonds : give half in the morning , and the rest three hours after , if it do not work . bitter almonds are hot and dry ; they attenuate , open and cleanse ; they are diuretick ; they open the obstructions of the liver , spleen , mesentery and womb. outwardly used , they take off freckles . the oyl of bitter almonds is more agreeable to the ears , than any other oyl . the italians eat almonds whole , before the stones are hard , for second course ; and they taste very pleasantly , and are very agreeable to the stomach . they grow in germany , italy , and france . aloes , in latin aloe . there are three sorts of it , viz. succotrine , hepatick , and caballine . succotrine is so called , from the island succotra in india . this sort is the best of all ; 't is clear and transparent , and colour'd somewhat like the liver . it has an aromatick smell , like myrrh ; upon which account it was formerly mix'd with perfumes . it has a bitter , an aromatick , and an astringent taste . 't is light , and yet the substance of it is compact . being handled in the sun , or near the fire , it grows soft ; and when it is cold it breaks easily : which are the signs of the best aloes . the hepatick is so called , it being like the liver in colour and consistence . 't is not so pure as the former , it is not transparent , it smells stronger , and tastes more bitter , and is more astringent . the caballina is more impure , sandy , and filthy ; and fit only for horses . aloes , besides its purgative virtue , is hot and drying , and opens obstructions : it purges choler and flegm . aloes , contrary almost to all other purging medicines , strengthens the stomach . but it is to be noted , that the frequent use of aloes opens the haemorrhoidal veins ; and , to be sure , it has a faculty of opening the orifices of the veins : wherefore those that are subject to haemorrhages must not use it . bartholinus mentions an observation of one that render'd a bloody urine , by taking aloes too often . but , outwardly applied , it is very astringent . aloes kill and expel worms : being mix'd with vinegar , and the gall of an ox , and applied to the navel , it does the same . it cures the jaundice , and prevents putrefaction . and , mix'd with myrrh , it preserves dead bodies a long time from corruption . some think the virtue of mummy proceeds wholly from the aloes , wherewith bodies were wont to be embalm'd . the powder of aloes , used outwardly , stops the flux of the haemorrhoidal veins . dissolv'd in wine , it prevents the falling of the hair. mix'd with medicines for the eyes , called collyria , it quickens the sight . mix'd with hony , it cures ulcers of the privy parts , and a fistula , and sore mouths and a stinking breath . it shuts the orifices of the veins , and so stops bleeding . outwardly applied , it thickens and dries ; and the powder of it conglutinates fresh wounds , and skins them soon . in prescribing aloes , the following cautions are to be observ'd . first , it is not to be given to those , whose diseases proceed only from a simple intemperies , without matter ; for such do not want evacuation , nor a medicine that is so drying ; for , instead of evacuation , it occasions a consumption in such : but , on the contrary ; 't is used with very good success in those that are of a cold and moist constitution . secondly , it ought not to be prescrib'd to old people . thirdly : it ought not to be used too frequently ; especially , not daily , as some order it . and fourthly , women with child must not take it ; for it provokes the courses powerfully . those things which are added for the correction of it are , mace , nutmegs , cloves , cinnamon , spikenard , sweet-smelling flag , saffron , and the like . the operation of it is quicken'd by washing it in a decoction of rhubarb , or in an infusion of roses . 't is said , that mastick , tragacanth , bdellium , and the like , mix'd with it , prevents its opening the orifices of the veins : or , if it be wash'd in endive , or succory-water , the same may be prevented . many excellent medicines of the london-dispensatory are compounded of aloes . the pills called pilulae aggregativae are made in the following manner : take of citron , myrobolans , and rhubarb , each half an ounce ; juice of agrimony , and wormwood thicken'd , each two drams ; diagridium five drams ; agarick , coloquintida and polypodium , of each two drams ; turbith and aloes , of each six drams ; mastick , red roses , sal gemmae , epithimum , annise , ginger , of each a dram ; with syrup of damask-roses , make a mass for pills : they purge flegm , choler and melancholy ; they are good for a foul stomach : the dose is half a dram. pilulae aloephanginae are made in the following manner : take of cinnamon , cloves , cardamoms the lesser , nutmegs , mace , sweet-smelling flag , carpo-balsamum , or juniper-berries , squinanth , wood of aloes , yellow sanders , red roses dried , wormwood , of each half an ounce ; draw a tincture from these , in spirit of wine , they being first grosly powder'd : in three pints of this tincture strain'd , dissolve a pound of aloes ; then add of mastich and myrrh powder'd ; each half an ounce ; saffron two drams , of balsam of peru one dram ; bring it to a mass for pills , by evaporating the superfluous moisture over ashes , or in a bath . these pills are good for the head-ach , and giddiness of the head : they strengthen the brain and stomach . half a dram , or a dram , may be taken at a time . pilulae de aloe lota are made in the following manner : take of aloes , dissolv'd in the juice of red roses , and boyl'd up again , one ounce ; of agarick trochiscated three drams , of mastick two drams , of the species of sweet diamosk half a dram ; with syrup of pale roses make a mass for pills . pilulae aloe rosata is made in the following manner : take of succotrine-aloes powder'd four ounces , of the juice of damask-roses clarified , one pint ; mingle them , digest them in the sun , or in a bath , till the superfluous moisture is exhal'd ; repeat the digestion and evaporation four times ; make a mass for pills . this purges gently , cleanses the stomach , opens obstructions , and cures the jaundice . half a dram of it may be taken at bed-time . pilulae cochiae minores are made in the following manner : take of clear aloes , of pure scammony , and of the pulp of colaquintida , each one ounce ; powder them , and make a mass with equal parts of syrup of wormwood and syrup of buckthorn ; adding to it two scruples of oyl of cloves . these pills purge much : the dose is a scruple , or half a dram. pilulae faetidae are made in the following manner : take of aloes , troches of alhandel , opopanax , ammoniacum , sagapenum , myrrh , seeds of rue , dodder , of each five drams ; scammony three drams , of the roots of turbith half an ounce , of the lesser spurge prepar'd , and hermodactyls , each two drams ; of ginger one dram and an half , spikenard , cinnamon , saffron and castor , each one dram ; of euphorbium prepar'd one scruple , of oyl of amber rectified half a dram ; dissolve the gums in juice of leeks , strain them , then add the powders , and mix them well ; make a mass with a syrup made of the juice of leeks and sugar . these pills are of excellent use in women's obstructions . pilulae de gutta gamandra are made in the following manner : take of the best aloes two drams and an half , of the resm of gutta germandra a dram and an half , of scammony one dram , of gummoniacum one dram and an half , of tartar vitriolated half a dram ; with syrup of roses solutive make a mass . pilulae de hermodactylis are made in the following manner : take of sagapenum six drams , of opopanax three drams ; melt them in a sufficient quantity of the juice of coleworts , strain them , and boyl them presently , to a moderate consistence ; then take of hermodactyls , aloes , yellow myrobalans , turbith , troches of alhandel , of soft and fresh bdellium , each six drams ; of euphorbium prepar'd one dram ; of the seeds of rue and smallage , of castor and scarcocol , each three drams ; of saffron one dram and an half ; with the syrup of the juice of coleworts , made with hony , make a mass . they are used in the gout , and in cold diseases of the joints . two scruples , or a dram , may be taken at a time . pilulae imperiales are made in the following manner : take of aloes two ounces , of rhubarb one ounce and an half , of agarick , and the leaves of sena cleansed , each one ounce ; of cinnamon three drams , of ginger two drams ; of nutmegs , cloves , spikenard , and mastich , each one dram ; with syrup of violets , make a mass . they strengthen the stomach and bowels ; and are good for such as are of a cold constitution . pilulae macri are made in the following manner : take of the best aloes two ounces , of mastich half an ounce , of the leaves of dried marjoram two drams , of salt of wormwood one dram ; powder them all , and make a mass with a sufficient quantity of the juice of coleworts , sweeten'd with sugar . it strengthens the stomach , brains , and the nerves ; and opens obstructions of the liver and spleen . half a dram of them may be taken at a time . pilulae mastichichinae are made in the following manner : take of mastich two ounces , of aloes four ounces , of agarick trochiscated , of the species hierae picrae simple , each one ounce and an half ; with syrup of wormwood make a mass according to art. they purge gently , and strengthen the head and reins . half a dram may be taken at a time . pilulae de opopanace are made in the following manner : take of opopanax , sagapenum , bdellium , ammoniacum , hermodactyls , and coloquintida , each five drams ; saffron , castor , myrrh , ginger , woody-cassia , white pepper , and yellow myrobalans , each one dram ; scammony two drams , turbith half an ounce , clear aloes an ounce and an half ; dissolve the gums in clarified juice of coleworts , and make a mass with syrup of juice of coleworts . 't is good for palsies , and diseases of the joints . the dose is half a dram : they work strongly . pilulae rudii , or extractum rudii , are made in the following manner : take of coloquintida six drams ; agarick , scammony , the roots of black hellebore , turbith , of each half an ounce ; of succotrine-aloes one ounce ; of cinnamon , mace , and cloves , each two scruples ; having cleans'd the coloquintida from its seeds , cut it small , grate the agarick , powder the hellebore , the turbith , and the spices grosly , and infuse them four days in a gentle heat , in a sufficient quantity of the best spirit of wine , so as it may rise five fingers breadth above the ingredients ; then strain it , pressing it out hard , and dissolve in it the scammony , and the aloes ; then pour the liquor into a glass-alimbeck , distil it till that which remains in the alimbeck is as thick as hony ; afterwards pour it out , and evaporate it till it come to a mass fit for pills . it purges choler , flegm and melancholy . half a dram is a sufficient dose for a strong man , for it works violently . pilulae ruffi are made in the following manner : take of aloes two ounces , of choice myrrh one ounce , of saffron half an ounce ; make them up into a mass , with syrup of wormwood . they cleanse the stomach , and are good after surfeits , and excessive drinking , a scruple , or half a dram , or more , according to the strength of the patient , may be given . pilulae sine quibus are made in the following manner : take of aloes dissolv'd in the juice of roses , and then dried again , fourteen drams : of prepar'd scammony six drams ; of agarick , rhubarb , of the leaves of sena cleansed , each half an ounce ; of wormwood , red roses exungulated , violets ▪ dodder , and mastick , each one dram ; of salt of wormwood half a dram ; powder the scammony , the aloes , the agarick , and the mastich a-part ; add the other things , and make a mass with a syrup made of the juice of fennel and hony. pilulae stomachicae cum gummi are made in the following manner : take of the purest aloes one ounce , of the leaves of sena cleans'd five drams , of gum ammoniack , dissolv'd in vinegar of elder , half an ounce ; of mastich and myrrh , each one dram and an half ; of saffron and salt of wormwood , each half a dram ; make a mass with syrup of buck-thorn . they are good to cleanse the stomach . dose is half a dram. pilulae de succino are made in the following manner : take of white amber and mastich , each two drams ; of the best aloes five drams , of agarick trochiscated half a dram , of long birth-wort , and calcin'd hart's-horn , each half a dram ; nutmegs half a scruple ; with a sufficient quantity of syrup of wormwood make a mass . they are chiefly used for diseases of the head. half a dram , or more , may be taken at a time , according to the strength of the person . hyera picra simple is made in the following manner : take of cinnamon , mace , the roots of asarabacca , spikenard , saffron , mastick , each ten drams ; of aloes wash'd twelve ounces and an half , of clarified hony four pounds three ounces ; make an electuary according to art. the species are also kept a-part in the shops . tinctura sacra is made in the following manner : take of the species of hyera picra one ounce , of canary-wine one pint ; keep them close stopped in a glass , and shake it every day , till it is deeply tinctur'd ; let it stand till it is clear . four or five spoonfuls , more or less , may be taken at a time , according to the strength of the body . it strengthens the stomach , quickens the appetite , opens obstructions , and purges choler , flegm , and melancholy . pulvis thuraloes is made in the following manner : take of frankincense one dram , of aloes half a dram ; make it of the consistence of hony , with the white of an egg , when you use it ; mix with it hare-down , apply it to the wound , and bind it on . this is frequently used to stop bleeding . amomum . it heats , dries , and is astringent . it disposes to rest , takes off pain . being applied to the fore-head , it concocts and discusses inflammations , and the tumour called meliceres . mix'd with basil , and applied , it relieves those that are bitten by vipers ; it cases those that have the gout ; it takes off inflammations of the eyes . the decoction of it is also good in the stone of the kidnies , and the gout . 't is mix'd with antidotes , and precious ointments ; and that was the chief use the ancients made of it . take of the seeds of angelica skin'd one pound and an half ; of sweet fennel and liquorish , each four ounces ; of raisins ston'd one pound ; of the leaves of mugwort and balm , each four handfuls ; of carduus and penny-royal , each two handfuls ; of the seed of amomum four ounces , of milk and wine six quarts ; distil them according to art. this is a prolifick water . anacardium occidentale , cajou dictum . 't is called by some cajou , or cassu-tree . from the fruit of it is press'd out a liquor , which being duly fermented , becomes vinous , and intoxicating . the fruit roasted , is much better than chesnuts , and tastes as pleasantly as almonds . when it is raw it cannot be eaten safely ; for it takes off the skin of the mouth , and occasions great pain , it being very acrid and rough : but when water or wine , with a little salt , is mix'd with it , the acrimony is much abated , and it becomes very palatable . it strengthens the stomach , and helps fermentation , and takes off vomiting and nauseousness . the indians use them , being a little toasted , to provoke venery . the juice of it stops a loosness , and cures a diabetes . the oyl of it is much used by painters , and makes a very lasting black. it also cures the itch , and other vices of the skin . it grows plentifully in malabar . anacardiums , or malacca-beans , in latin anacardium . the arabians say , that anacardiums are hot and dry to the fourth degree ; and that they are of a caustick nature , and will exulcerate the skin , and take off warts : but experience contradicts them . they strengthen the brain , and animal spirits ; and dry and heat gently . they comfort the stomach . they are counted by all an excellent medicine to quicken the memory . it groweth in many parts of india . anime gummi . 't is two-fold , oriental and occidental : the occidental is the tears , or white resin of a tree growing in new-spain . 't is somewhat like frankincense ; it has a pleasant and sweet smell : 't is not so clear and shining as the oriental . the chief use of anime gummi is external , in cold and painful diseases of the head and nerves ; for catarrhs , and flatulent diseases ; also for diseases of the joints , the palsie , contusions , and the like . 't is mix'd with plasters for the same use . anise , in latin anisum . the seed is chiefly used ; the herb it self but rarely ; and the root of it never . it heats , dries , is cephalick , epatick , pneumonick and stomachick . 't is used for wind in the stomach , a cough , and the like . 't is more agreeable to the stomach , than any other medicine that is used to expel wind ; it has less acrimony , and is sweeter . the ancients extoll'd it wonderfully for a cold and moist stomach ; wherefore they used it in pains of the head proceeding from the stomach , for watchings , and a loosness occasion'd by crudities . it provokes urine , and stimulates venery . 't is baked with bread , and candied , and so used . it expels wind , and cures a stinking breath . the oyl of it is used against wind , and for a cough proceeding from a cold cause . anise-seed-water is good for those that are short-breath'd , and that are troubled with heart-burning . heurnius says , that the powder or decoction of it is better in the cholick , and difficulty of urine , than the oyl ; which they are to take notice of , that value nothing but chimical preparations . a scruple of the seed , powder'd grosly , is good for the gripes in children . in flatulent hickups let the sick always chew the seed . the same is good for the cholick . take of the double flowers of camomile thirty handfuls , cut them , and beat them , and infuse them in five quarts of camomile-water , and eight quarts of spanish wine mix'd , twenty four hours ; press them out , and infuse again twenty handfuls of the flowers , as before ; press them out , infuse again , a third time , twelve handfuls of the flowers ; add two ounces of the yellow pill of fresh oranges , two ounces and an half of the leaves of roman wormwood , centory , penny-royal , wild marjoram ; of the seeds of dill two ounces ; of the seeds of annise , fennel , caraways , cummin , blessed thistle , mary's thistle , each one ounce and an half ; of the berries of lawrel and juniper , each half an ounce ; of nutmegs three ounces ; having digested them a sufficient time , distil them according to art : two or three spoonfuls of this water may be taken at a time , for the cholick , and wind in the stomach . take of the flowers of brimstone one part , of oyl of annise-seeds four parts ; digest them till the brimstone is dissolv'd , and till the balsam is red . this is called balsam of sulphure annisated . 't is good for coughs , and obstructions of the lungs , and consumptions . if the sick hath not a fever , five or six drops may be taken at a time , mix'd with sugar . the following electuary was frequently used by dr. coish , who was an excellent practitioner , and a man of good reputation in london : take of annise-seeds finely powder'd , of the powder of liquorish each three drams ; of the flower of sulphure one dram and an half ; with two ounces and an half of the best hony make an electuary ; to which add fifteen drops of balsam of sulphure , and ten drops of oyl of annise-seeds . this is excellent for coughs , and at the beginning of consumptions : take two drams of it in the morning , and at bed-time . balls for colds in horses are made in the following manner : take of the powders of the seeds or fenugreek , annise , cummin , bastard-saffron , elecampane , of the leaves of colt's foot , and flower of sulphure , each two ounces ; of juice of liquorish ( dissolv'd in half a pint of white-wine ) one ounce ; of oyl of olives and hony , each eight ounces ; of januen's treacle twelve ounces , of oyl of annise-seeds one ounce ; mingle them all together , and with a pound and an half of wheaten flower , or as much as will suffice make balls . asa foetida , or devil's dung. no simple medicine is so much in use all over india , as asa foetida , for medicines , and for sause for meat ; and they usually mix it with their broths . they use it as a medicine to quicken the appetite , to strengthen the stomach , to discuss wind , and to excite venery : but in europe 't is chiefly used inwardly , for mother-sits , a peripneumonia , and for wounds . 't is used outwardly for swellings of the spleen , mother-fits , and the like . if any one is subject to the falling-sickness , let asa foetida be held to his nose as soon as the fit comes . take of asa foetida one ounce , of the leaves of rue one handful , of the best vinegar one pint ; boyl them in a vessel of a narrow mouth : let those that are subject to vapours and mother-fits receive the hot vapour of it into their mouths and nostrils often in a day . take of asa foetida , castor , and myrrh , each one scruple ; of the faecula , or lees of briony half a scruple ; of the seeds of rue , and of saffron , each eight grains ; with syrup of mugwort make twelve pills : three or four may be taken at a time . but if the patient cannot take pills , they may be dissolv'd in mugwort-water . these pills are very good in hysterical diseases , and for mother-fits . but when the fits are very violent , the following pills are used very successfully , and do most commonly take them off : take of asa foetida one scruple , of castor six grains , of laudanum three grains ; make three or four pills , let the patient take them presently . the fetid pills , tho' they are purging , may be conveniently given in the fit , for they do not use to work till the fit is over . the dose is half a dram. the plant , whereof asa foetida is the juice , ( for it is press'd out of a root ) grows in the persian empire . b. the true , natural balsam-tree , in latin balsamum verum . the balsam of it , called opobalsamum , has been famous in all ages for curing of wounds : and so effectual has it been accounted , that other vulnerary oyls and ointments have taken their names from it : and therefore quacks and mountebanks grace their medicines with the name of balsam , to make them more acceptable to the people . there are many observations of dangerous wounds that have been cured in a short time by the use of this balsam . it cleanseth sordid ulcers . it doth much good in the bitings of serpents and scorpions , inwardly taken , or outwardly applied . half a dram of it taken every morning , is good in the plague , and a good preservative against it . two scruples , or a dram of it is very good in chronical fevers , occasion'd by crude and cold humours , or by obstructions of the bowels . it clears the sight , and is good in diseases of the ears . besides , 't is useful in convulsions that proceed from cold and moisture ; also for giddiness , falling-sickness , palfies , and the like ; for coughs that proceed from a cold humour ; for difficulty of breathing , and catarrhs ; for crudities , and wind in the stomach ; for a moist and cold intemperies of the womb ; for barrenness , the whites , difficulty of urine , occasion'd either by wind or gravel . women also make use of it to beautifie the face . lobelius wrote a whole book of the virtue of it . it grows only in the land of judea . peruvian balsam , in latin balsamum è peru. 't is of great virtue in outward and inward diseases . 't is hot and dry . it dissolves , digests , and discusses . some drops of it taken in a morning fasting , is good in an asthma . 't is good for the intemperies of the stomach , and weakness of the bowels . it opens obstructions , and takes off the chilness of the breast , and hypochondra's , being anointed with a warm hand . by rubbing of it on the head , it strengthens the brain , and prevents convulsions , and the palsie , and strengthens all the nerves . when a nerve is prick'd , it takes off the acrimony of the sanies , from whence proceed pains and convulsions . when animals are wounded , or bit by venomous creatures , by instinct of nature they rub themselves on the bark of this tree , and so are presently reliev'd . 't is commonly used by dr. willis , and others , in making of purging pills . it comes from peru and new-spain , in earthen jars . 't is of a very dark colour , and of a fragrant smell . balsam - copaiba . 't is of the consistence and smell of distill'd oyl of turpentine . the bark being cut at full-moon , it distils in such a quantity , that in the space of three hours it drops six quarts . 't is not only excellent for healing and cleansing wounds , especially of the nerves , and for curing the biting of serpents ; but it is also very beneficial taken inwardly : for three or four drops taken in an egg , twice or thrice in a morning , cures a dysentery , and other fluxes of the belly , the whites , and a gonorrhaea . the jews experience the salutary virtue of it in circumcision ; for they stop the blood , flowing from that cruel wound , with it , which before was deadly to many of them . this tree is wont to be much rub'd by animals that are bit by serpents , or hurt by wild beasts ; to which they run for cure by natural instinct . it grows plentifully in the island called maranhow . balsam of tolu , in latin balsamum de tolu . the tree from whence this balsam drops is like a small pine-tree : the thin and tender bark is cut when the sun is at its full heighth : for it will not drop at all in the night , by reason of the cold. the liquor flowing out is receiv'd into spoons , made of black wax . 't is of a golden colour , and of a moderate consistence . 't is very glutinous , tastes pleasantly and well , and hath a curious scent . it hath the same virtues with the peruvian balsam . it comes from tolu , and is better than that which is brought from new spain . it heats and dries , attenuates , resolves , is vulnerary , and purges the breast . 't is chiefly used in an asthma , and for a consumption , and also for crudities and pains in the stomach . 't is outwardly used for all pains that proceed from a cold cause , for defluxions upon the eyes , the palsie , the weakness , pain and wind of the stomach . used with nard-oyl , it cures the weakness of the spleen ; and is good for all edematous tumors , for swellings under the ears , and for the king's-evil . but it is much commended for curing wounds , especially if the bones are broken ; for it draws forth the splinters . 't is also of good use in wounds of the joints , and when the nerves are cut or prick'd , and for contusions , and the like . take of the balsam of tolu , of mecha , or , for want of it , of copaiba , of calamite-storax , of belzion the best , of onibanum , mastich , myrrh , ammoniacum granulated , taccamhac , of gum-elemi of chios-turpentine , of the roots of florentine-orris , each half an ounce ; of the pectoral-water made in the following manner , one pint and an half : take of the leaves of ground-ivy , colt's-foot , oak of jerusalem , each three pounds ; hysop , rosemary , penny-royal , horehound , of each one pound and an half ; of the roots of elecampane and liquorish , each one pound and an half ; of florentine-orris twelve ounces , of figs sliced three pounds , of the best saffron , of the seeds annise , and sweet-fennel , each half an ounce ; of spirit of wine five quarts , of fountain-water four and twenty quarts ; infuse them , and distil from a limbeck twelve quarts : take , as i said , one pint and an half of this pectoral-water , and boyl the ingredients above-mention'd in it , in a circulatory vessel , well stop'd , and placed in hot sand for some hours ; strain it , and add a sufficient quantity of white sugar to make a syrup . this is excellent for coughs , and consumptions ; and for the stone in the kidnies and bladder . balsamum de chili , is good for pains that proceed from cold or wind. it helps digestion , creates an appetite , and strengthens the stomach . 't is good for ulcers in the kidnies , womb , lungs , or breast . it stops spitting of blood ; is good for coughs , and an asthma , and other diseases of the lungs . 't is useful in diseases of the head and nerves ; as , apoplexies , lethargy , palsie , convulsions , and the like . it cures bursten bellies , and kills worms , and expels gravel . it cures deafness , being drop'd into the ear. 't is good for a fistula and ulcers ; for bruises , and aches of the limbs . it opens obstructions of the liver and spleen , and provokes women's courses . it grows in america , in the province of chili . balaustians , in latin balaustia . they are the flowers of the wild pomegranate ; some of them are as big as a damask-rose , others much less . they corroborate the stomach ; are drying , binding , cooling , and astringent . they stop catarrhs , a loosness , the bloody-flux , a gonorrhaea , and the like . they settle the teeth when they are loose , and cure bursten bellies . they are brought from turky , and spain , and some other places . take of the roots of bistort , tormentil , of pomegranate-peel , each one ounce ; of the leaves of plantane , knot-grass , shepherd's-purse , and horse-tail , each one handful , of cypress-nuts , balaustians , pomegranate , myrtle , and shumach , each one ounce ; boyl them in smith's water , and rough wine ; strain it , and make a fomentation . this is a good astringent fomentation . balaustians are also an ingredient of the syrup of myrtles in the london-dispensatory . bdellium . it mollifies , discusses , opens , and cleanses . but it is to be noted , when it is fresh , it mollifies most powerfully ; when it is old , it discusses and cleanses best . 't is chiefly used inwardly , for a cough , and an ulcer of the lungs , and to expel gravel , and to provoke urine , and the like . outwardly used , it discusses hardness and knots of the nerves . take of bdellium , gum-ammoniacum , and opoponax , each two drams ; dissolve them in white-wine , strain them , and boyl them ; then add of the confection of hamech and diaphoenicon , each two ounces ; of the catholicon duplicatum half an ounce , of faetid pill two drams ; make an opiat ; of which take half an ounce , adding to it twenty grains of mercurius dulcis : continue the use of it several days together , and it will take off the hardness and swelling of the spleen . bear's-breech , in latin branca vrsina . 't is one of the five emollient herbs . 't is used chiefly in clysters , and other paregoricks , of whatsoever kind they are ; and most commonly in pultises . the roots made into pultises , and applied , are good for burns , and luxations . being taken inwardly , they force urine , and stop a loosness . they are good for consumptive people , and such as spit blood , and for contusions . it grows in italy , and sicily . 't is one of the ingredients of the majesterial water of worms , in the london-dispensatory ; which is made in the following manner : take of worms well cleans'd three pounds ; of snails , with their shells , cleans'd two gallons ; beat them in a mortar , and put them into a convenient vessel ; adding of the leaves of stinging nettles , with their roots , six handfuls , of wild angelica four handfuls , of bears-breech seven handfuls , of agrimony and betony , each three handfuls ; of common wormwood two handfuls , of the flowers of rosemary six ounces , of the roots of sharp-pointed docks ten ounces , of wood-sorrel five ounces , of turmerick , of the inner bark of barberries , each four ounces , of fenugreek-seed two ounces , of cloves powder'd three ounces , of hart's-horn grosly powder'd ▪ of ivory powder'd , each four ounces ; of saffron three drams , of small spirit of wine four gallons and an half ; after they have been infus'd four and twenty hours , distil them in glass vessels , in b. m. the first four pints that distil is to be kept by it self , and is called the spirit : the rest is called the majesterial water of worms . benjamin , in latin benzoinum . it attenuates : 't is hot and dry . 't is used for coughs , rheums , and obstructions of the lungs . it comes from sumatra , surat , and several other places . flowers and the oyl of benjamin are made in the following manner : take an earthen pot , high and narrow , with a little border round it ; put into it three or four ounces of clear benjamin , grosly powder'd ; cover the pot with a coffin of paper , and tye it round about , under the border ; set the pot into hot ashes , and when the benjamin is heated , the flowers will sublime ; take off the coffin every two hours , and fix another in its place ; stop up quickly , in a glass , the flowers you find in the coffins ; and when those which afterwards sublime do begin to appear oyly , take the pot off the fire , put that which remains into a little glass retort ; and fitting a receiver to it , distil in a sand-heat a thick and fragrant oyl , until no more comes forth ; and there will remain in the retort nothing but a very spungy earth . the flowers are good for asthmatical persons , and to fortifie the stomach . the dose is , from two grains to five , in an egg , or in lozenges . the oyl is a balsam for wounds and ulcers . tincture of benjamin is made in the following manner : take three ounces of benjamin , and half an ounce of storax ; powder them grosly , and put them into a pottle-matrass , half empty ; pour upon them a pint of spirit of wine ; stop your vessel close , and set it in warm horse-dung ; leave it in digestion for a fortnight ; after which , filtrate the liquor , and keep it in a vessel well stop'd . some do add to it five or six drops of balsam of peru , to give it a better smell . 't is good to take away spots in the face . a dram of it is put into four ounces of water , and it whitens like milk : this water serves for a wash , and is called virgin 's milk. take of fat ammoniacum , dissolv'd in vinegar of squills , one ounce ; of extract of aloes half an ounce , of crystal of tartar one dram , of myrrh , and saffron , each half a dram ; of mastich , benjamin , and salt of ash-tree and wormwood , each one scruple ; with oxymel of squills make a mass for pills . the dose is , half a dram , twice a week ; purging being used betwixt whiles . these pills are good for a scirrhus of the spleen . ben-nut , in latin , balanus myrepsica . discorides , and others of the ancients , attribute many virtues to it . it purges upward and downward , and evacuates choler and flegm . it has an acrid moisture , whereby it subverts the stomach , occasions nauseousness , and moves the belly . it purges gross and clammy flegm by vomit and stool ; wherefore it is good for a flegmatick cholick . mixed with hony , it resolves hard swellings , and the king's-evil . made up into a pultis with barly-meal and hony , it doth good in cold diseases of the nerves . mix'd with meal of lupines , it takes off obstructions and hardness of the liver and spleen . the oyl drop'd into the ear , cures deafness , and the noises of it . it cleanses the skin from spots . that which is old is better for inward use than the fresh , because by time the moisture is evaporated , which so much disturbs the body . the like may by observ'd in the roots and leaves of asarabacka ; which purge violently upward and downward when they are green , by reason of such an acrid moisture ; for when they are dry they lose that malignant and violent force . the same is also to be observ'd in orris ; which , when green , burns and pricks violently ; but when it is dry it doth not do so . the same is to be observ'd in the roots of wake-robin , which lose their acrimony when they are dry . take bdellium , ammoniacum , and galbanum , of each equal parts ; beat them in a mortar , with the oyl of ben and lillies ; then add the like quantity of the mucilage of the seeds of fenugreek , and figs : make an ointment . 't is of great use in the scirrhus . birth-wort , long and round , in latin aristolochia . the root is hot and dry . both discuss , attenuate , open , and cleanse : but the round is of finer parts , the long of grosser : both are cephalick , epatick , and pulmonick . they are good to open the obstructions of the lungs , to provoke the courses , to break inward tumors , and to expel poison . the infusion of the long root is frequently used to cure the itch , and to cleanse wounds . 't is good for pains in the stomach , and for the hickups . but the chief use of both is , to purge the womb after child-birth , and to force the courses . take of the roots of round birth-wort half a dram , of the leaves of dried savin one dram and an half , of dittany of crete , of the troches of myrrh , of asa foetida , each one dram ; of choice cinnamon two drams , of white sugar two ounces ; make a fine powder of them all : take two drams in the morning , for some days , in the broth of red vetches , wherein two drams of cinnamon and half a dram of saffron have been boyl'd . birth-wort grows every where in the hedges , in italy , france and spain . bishop's-weed , in latin ammi . the seed of it is one of the four lesser hot seeds . it incides , opens , and dries . 't is good for the gripes , difficulty of urine , and the biting of venomous creatures ; and also forces the courses . 't is mix'd with blistering plasters to prevent difficulty of urine , which usually comes upon the use of such medicines : but the use of it , as of cummin , are causes of pale colour . 't is of excellent use for barrenness , a dram of it powder'd , being taken in wine , or fresh broth , every other day , three hours before meals : but it ought not to be given above four or five times . 't is an excellent medicine in this case , and has often been found successful . but the husband must not be concern'd with his wife on the days she takes the seed . to which end , and also for the whites , an uterine clyster being first used , says simon paulus , i have given the following powder to many barren women ; whereby they prov'd with child , and were freed from the whites . the description of the uterine clyster is as follows : take of the roots of long and round birth-wort , each two drams ; of gentian , and zedoary , each one dram ; of ground-ivy , the lesser centory , of birth-wort , and rosemary , each one handful ; of balm , and red mug-wort , each half an handful ; of the lesser cardamoms half an ounce ; cut and beat them for a decoction for an uterine clyster . the description of the powder is as follows : take of speed-well , of the seeds of bishop's-weed , each half an ounce ; of the lesser cardamoms , of sharp cinnamon , each two drams ; of sugar-candy a fourth part of the weight of all the rest : make a powder according to art. take of the roots of elecampane , smallage , fennel , and orris dried , each one ounce and an half ; of the roots of valerian , gentian , asarabacca , squills , each one dram ; of the inner bark of the elder , and saxifrage , each six drams ; of the leaves of wormwood , agrimony , germander , maiden-hair dried , each two drams ; of the tops of the lesser centuary , and broom-flowers , each one dram ; of the seeds of parsley , bishop's-weed , and dill , each one dram and an ha●● ; of cinnamon two dram●● of spikenard half a dram ; mix them together , and infuse them in two or three measures of white-wine : let the sick drink of this wine every morning . this is good for a dropsie . the seed of bishop's-weed is also an ingredient of the compound syrup of betony in the london-dispensatory . it comes from alexandria . bitter-vetch , in latin orobus . a water distill'd from it , breaks and expels the stone in the bladder . the root of it is good against poisons , and the strangury . the plant bruised , and applied hot , eases the pain of the side . it grows about geneva ; and frequently in the woods in germany . brazile-wood , in latin brazilia arbor . 't is a large and vast tree ; and so very thick sometimes , that three men , with their arms extended , can scarce compass it . the wood is cold and dry ; it mitigates fevers ; 't is binding , and strengthening . infus'd in the cold , with eye-water , it cures inflammations of the eyes . the wood is much used for making handles for knives and swords , and drum-sticks . 't is very dense and ponderous , and may be polish'd . take of sarsaperilla , of crude antimony , and of the shells of nuts , each six ounces ; of the roots of china one ounce , of brazile-wood a little , of water nine pints ; boyl half away ; the antimony , and the shells powder'd , must be hang'd in a rag , so that they may not touch the bottom of the vessel ; strain it : take a large draught in the morning , three hours before dinner ; and in the afternoon , four hours after dinner ; and three hours after supper , for fifteen days ; bleeding and purging being first used . this is commended in the gout . c. camel's-hay , in latin schaenanthus . it heats , discusses , and is of fine parts . 't is chiefly used for obstructions of the liver , spleen , and the like . 't is also used for vomiting , and the hickups ; as also for wind in the stomach , for difficulty of urine , and pains of the kidnies , bladder and womb. it cures a stinking breath , and strengthens the head , and discusses the swelling of the vvula , and strengthens the stomach , it being outwardly used in a lotion . a dram of it powder'd may be taken inwardly , in hot wine ; or it may be boyl'd in water . 't is reckon'd a specifick for ulcers of the bladder . a woman evacuated a stone almost as big as a walnut , which had occasion'd an ulcer of the bladder , and of the neighbouring parts , by using camel's-hay and the roots of cypress . take of the tops of roman-wormwood three drams , of hore-hound and rosemary , each two drams ; of red roses two pugils , of the flowers of camomile , and the leaves of laurel , each half an handful ; of orange-pill , and of sweet wood of aloes , each three drams ; cypress-roots , camel's-hay , and spikenard , each half an ounce ; make a decoction with two parts of the best wine , and one part of agrimony and wormwood-water ; foment the region of the liver with it , with a spunge press'd out of wormwood-wine . this has been used in a dropsie . camphir , in latin camphora . camphir was unknown to the ancient grecians : it began first to be taken notice of by the arabians . whether it is hot or cold , is not agreed on by authors . the ancients counted it cold , because it extinguish'd venery , and cured inflammations of the eyes ; and for that being put upon burns , it seem'd as cold as snow . but modern physicians affirm , 't is hot , on the contrary : their arguments for it are , the great inflammability of it ; its penetrating , aromatick smell , and acrid taste ; its readiness to evaporate , by reason of the tenuity of parts . which opinion , indeed , seems most probable ; for the contrary arguments are easily answer'd . for , if it should be granted that it suppresses venery , it doth not therefore necessarily follow that it is cold ; for so doth rue , and the chaste tree , and the like . yet breynius saith , it doth not extinguish venery : for , says he , it hath been observ'd , that many who have been employ'd in purifying camphir daily , have had many children . and then , tho' it be of use in many diseases that require cooling , as , in inflammations of the eys , and erysipelas , fevers , and the like ; yet they say , cooling in these cases , by this medicine , is not per se , but per accidens ; much in the same manner as the inflammation of a member burnt is drawn out by the heat of the fire , or the flame of a candle , or , as by the immoderate use of pepper , the native heat is driven out , and is less within ; and so the body becomes cold . some mention other ways whereby these things may be perform'd ; which i omit , partly because they are not satisfactory , and partly because it is not clear , whether camphir doth good in these diseases , or whether it be injurious . camphir resists putrefaction and poisons ; upon which account it is frequently used in the plague , malignant diseases , and putrid fevers . balm-water , wherein camphir hath been extinguish'd , doth good in mother-fits . 't is most frequently used outwardly , in cooling epithems , frontals , and paregoricks : and for the mixing of it with them , 't is wont to be dissolv'd with the spirit of wine , or rubbed with oyly kernels or seeds . camphir dissolves in spirit of wine presently , and swims upon the top of the spirit , in form of an oyl . camphir is mix'd with wash-balls , to smoothen and beautifie the skin . a small quantity of it used outwardly or inwardly , disposes to sleep : but if it be held to the nose frequently , it dries the brain , and causes watching . camphir is reckon'd by the most learned men , and not undeservedly , among the strongest alexipharmicks . it wonderfully resists putrefaction , and repels and corrects the putrid vapours of a corrupt member : but it is to be used cautiously in violent pains of the head and stomach . camphir is dissolv'd in spirit of wine ; and this dissolution is called spirit of wine camphoriz'd . 't is good for the apoplexy , and hysterical diseases . 't is also found to be of excellent use for the tooth-ach , a little cotton being dip'd in it , and put into the aching tooth . the oyl of camphir is made in the following manner : powder grosly three or four ounces of good camphir , put it into a matrass , and pour upon it twice as much spirit of nitre ; stop your vessel close , and set it over a pot half full of water , a little heated ; stir it ever now and then , to help forward the dissolution , which will be finish'd in two or three hours , and then you will find the camphir turn'd into a clear oyl , which swims above the spirit ; separate it , and keep it in a viol well stop'd . 't is used for the caries of bones , and to touch nerves that are uncover'd in wounds . this oyl is nothing but a dissolution of camphir in spirit of nitre ; for if you pour water upon it , to destroy the force of the spirit , it returns into camphir , as before . of all the resins , this is the only one that can dissolve in spirit of wine . take of volatile salt of hart's-horn two grains , of the majesterial cardiac-powder six grains , of camphir and cochinel , each four grains ; of venice-treacle one scruple , of the aqua coelestis a sufficient quantity : make a bolus . this is good in malignant fevers . take of camphir and borax , each one dram ; of white sugar-candy five drams , of white vitriol one scruple ; powder them very fine , and mingle them by degrees with half a pint of sweet-fennel-water . this is an excellent water for rheums and inflammations of the eyes , a rag being dip'd in it , and applied often on the eye-lids . 't is gather'd from more trees than one . it distils , drop by drop , from a great tree , much like a walnut-tree , in the island borneo , in asia . little cakes of it are likewise brought out of china , but that is not so good . it must be chosen white , transparent , clean , friable , without spot , and such as is hard to quench when once lighted . camphir is compounded of a sulphur and a salt ; so very volatile , that it is very hard to keep any time ; and it always loseth something , let it be never so closely stop'd . cancamum : see gummi anime . canela : see cinnamon . capers , in latin capperis . they are brought to us in pickle , and are frequently used for sauce for roast and boil'd meat , and for fish . they quicken the appetite , promote concoction , and open obstructions of the liver and spleen . lobelius says , the biggest capers are better than the least . perhaps he means the fruit which is sometimes pickl'd , and is called long-capers : but now-a-days they are not used in england . it is said , that they who eat italian capers daily , are not troubled with the palsie , nor pains of the spleen . they are good for the hip-gout , and bursten-bellies . they provoke the courses , draw flegm from the head , and cure the tooth-ach . being boyl'd in vinegar , the bark , especially of the root , softens the spleen when it is hard . being taken inwardly , or outwardly applied , it provokes the courses , cleanses ulcers , and dries ; doth good in the gout , digests hard tumours ; it also kills worms . take of oil of lillies , and of capers , each two ounces ; of the juice of briony and smallage , each three ounces ; boyl them to the consumption of the juices ; then add of ointment of marsh-mallows and gum-ammoniacum , dissolv'd in vinegar , and strain'd , each one ounce ; of the seeds of daucus and spikenard , each one dram and an half ; of yellow wax a sufficient quantity ; make an ointment : when you use it add a little vinegar of roses . this is commended for obstructions of the liver . oyl of capers of the london-dispensatory is made in the following manner : take of the bark of the roots of capers one ounce ; of the bark of tamarisk , of the leaves of the same , of the seeds of the chaste tree , of spleen-wort , and of the roots of cyperus , each two drams ; of rue one dram , of ripe oyl of olives one pint , of the sharpest vinegar , and of fragrant white-wine , each two ounces ; cut them , and steep them two days , and boyl them gently in b. m. and when the wine and vinegar are consum'd , strain it , and keep it for use . this oyl is very proper for hardness , pain , and obstructions of the liver or spleen ; and also for the rickets . capers grow in sandy ground , and amongst rubbish , at rome , and florence , and other parts of italy . cardamoms , in latin cardamomum . they have a gentle heat , that is very agreeable to nature . they provoke urine and the courses , and open obstructions of the liver and spleen , and especially of the mesentery ; in which obstructions they do wonders ; they are also good to help concoction . they are an ingredient in the compound-water of worm-wood , of the london-dispensatory . carthamus , or bastard-saffron . the flowers bruis'd are used instead of sauce ; and they colour the meat of a saffron-colour . they loosen the belly , and are good in the jaundice . but the chief use of the flowers is , for dying of silks and cloth. some adulterate saffron , by mixing it with these flowers . the seed of it bruis'd , and taken in broth , purges clammy flegm by vomit and stool ; upon which account it is reckon'd amongst flegmagoges . 't is very good for the breast , and is excellent for expelling wind ; wherefore it is very good for cholicks , and an anasarca . but it is offensive to the stomach , and therefore stomachicks ought to be mix'd with it ; as annise-seeds , galangal , cinnamon , and the like . the operation of it should be quicken'd , by adding things that are acrid ; as cardamoms , ginger , sal gemmae , and the like . the dose of it , in infusion , is from three drams to six . hofmannus says , the husk should be taken off with a knife , tho' it be difficult ; for the beating of it with a pestle , loses the oyly substance , wherein the virtue lies . the electuary , called diacarthamum , of the london-dispensatory . take of the species of diatragacanth frigid half an ounce , of the pulp of preserv'd quinces one ounce , of the marrow of the seeds of the bastard-saffron half an ounce , of white ginger two drams , of diagrydium powder'd a-part , three drams , of white turbith six drams , of manna two ounces , of solutive hony of roses strain'd , and sugar-candy , each one ounce ; of hermodactils half an ounce , of white sugar , boyl'd to the consistence of a solid electuary , ten ounces and an half ; when it is hot , mix with it the hony , manna , and the pulp of quinces ; then add the powders , and make a solid electuary , to be formed into tablets . cassia fistula alexandrina , in english ordinary purging cassia . the egyptians use to walk in a morning where cassia grows , especially at sun-rising , for then the cassia smells very pleasantly . the pulp of cassia purges choler , and watery humours . 't is good in outward and inward heats . it attemperates the blood , and renders it more pure . it wonderfully helps diseases of the breast , occasion'd by a distillation of sharp humours . the egyptians use the pulp , with sugar-candy and liquorish , for diseases of the bladder and reins . and by the frequent use of it , they preserve themselves from the stone ; three drams of it being taken three hours before dinner . but fallopius and fabritius hildanus think it is not safe giving of it in heat of urine ; for they say it increases the disease , by drawing water to the part affected . two inconveniences attend the use of it : it dissolves the tone of the stomach by its moisture , and then it breeds wind ; wherefore it is not to be used to those that have moist stomachs , or are hypondriacal , or troubl'd with wind , unless it be corrected by carminatives , or stomachicks ; as , with cinnamon , mastick , or the like . but hofmannus says , 't is best not to use it in hypochondriacal people , by reason of the weakness of their intestines . cassia is used for all coughs , difficulty of breathing , and an asthma . 't is used outwardly in hot pains of the joints . pains of the head after eating are best cured by taking cassia after eating . cassia is made much use of in the purging electuaries of the london-dispensatory . extract of cassia for clysters is made in the following manner : take of the leaves of violets , mallows , beets , mercury , pelitory of the wall , flowers of violets , each one handful ; make a decoction in a sufficient quantity of water , ( adding at the end the flowers of violets ) whereby the cassia may be extracted , and the canes wash'd within ; then take of the cassia extracted by this decoction , and boyl'd to a consistence , one pound ; of brown sugar one pound and an half ; boyl them up to an electuary , according to art. the electuary called dia-cassia , with manna , is made in the following manner : take of damask-prunes two ounces , of the flowers of violets one ounce and an half , of fountain-water a pint and an half ; boyl them according to art , till half is consum'd ; strain it , and dissolve in it , of the pulp of cassia six ounces ; of violet-sugar and syrup of violets , each four ounces ; of the pulp of tamarinds one ounce ; of sugar-candy one ounce and an half , of the best manna two ounces ; mingle them , and make an electuary according to art : 't is a good , cooling purge . cassia extracted without sena : take of prunes number twelve , of the leaves of violets one handful , of barly cleans'd , and the seeds of annise , and of bastard-saffron , and of polypody of the oak , each five drams ; of maiden-hair , thyme , and dodder , each half an handful ; of raisins stoned half an ounce , of the seeds of fennel two drams , of the seeds of purslain and mallows , each three drams ; of liquorish half an ounce ; make a decoction of these in a sufficient quantity of water ; in the strain'd liquor dissolve two pounds of the pulp of cassia , and one ounce of tamarinds ; add three drams of cinnamon , and one pound of the best sugar ; boyl it to the consistence of an electuary . this is good when the body is feverish ; for it cools , and purges gently . an ounce and an half of it may be taken at a time . cassia is an ingredient in the lenitive electuary of the london-dispensatory . 't is made in the following manner : take of raisins stoned , of polypody of the oak fresh , oriental sena , each two ounces ; of mercury one handful and an half ; of jujubes and sebestenes , each number twenty five ; of maiden-hair , of violets , and of barly cleans'd , each one handful ; of damask-prunes and tamerinds , each six drams ; of liquorish half an ounce ; boyl them according to art , in five quarts of water , to the consumption of a third part ; then strain them out hard : in part of the liquor dissolve of the pulp of cassia and tamerinds , and of fresh prunes , and of violet-sugar , each six ounces ; in the other part of the liquor dissolve two pounds of fine sugar ; lastly , add an ounce and an half of the powder of sena , and two drams of the powder of annise-seeds , for every pound of the electuary ; and so make an electuary according to art. it cools , and purges gently . an ounce , or an ounce and and half may be taken at a time . cassidony : see stoechas . cassummuniar . to give a description of the herb , its place , its growth , whether it bears any flower or seed , is not in my power ; having receiv'd no account along with it from my brother , factor to the honourable east-india company . only , thus much is most certain ; 't is a plant esteem'd even by princes themselves ; some part of what i have being taken out of the king of golconda's garden , one of the greatest and wealthiest princes in india . and the priests , who are the brackmannes of the pythagorean sect of phylosophers , do many and great cures with it ; for which they are much esteem'd , not only by the natives , but also by foreign merchants that reside there ; the english themselves preferring them before their own country-men , when they labour under those diseases that reign in the east-indians . they are very excellent botanists , admirably skill'd in the nature and use of plants ; and having an extraordinary variety of them , have improv'd galenical physick to a very great heighth . i do not understand that they are acquainted with any of the chymical ways , of separating the pure from the impure parts ; nor are they acquainted with the use of minerals : but as they are nourish'd by the product of the earth , so they are cured by the off-spring thereof : not feeding upon any animal kill'd for their use , fearing they should eat some of their ancestors , because they hold a transmigration of souls . this root , tho' it might serve to aromatize their diet , and is certainly a good stomachick , yet they use it only medicinally ; and that in so homely a way , as is becoming such plain and simple men , unacquainted with the confectioner's or apothecary's art. they cut the root transverse , or cross-ways ; and having so done , they dry it in the sun with great care ; and when they have occasion to use it , they grind it betwixt two stones , adding water to it ; after the manner of painters grinding their colours : being reduc'd hereby to the consistence of an electuary , they administer two or three drams of it at a time to their patients . as to its qualities , 't is moderately hot , and very astringent . it consists of very fine parts ; wrap'd up in , and tied to an earthy matter ; and may be reckon'd amongst aromata , or spices . it exceedingly recruits the animal and vital spirits ; and may well be imagin'd to be aperitive . by the experience i have had of it , i find it admirably to agree with the animal spirits , and a proper remedy against their irregularities . with spirit of wine i have drawn a good spirit from it , and with the remaining faeces made a very good extract ; and conceive , its extract made with fountain-water may be better than the powder in the bloody-flux , for which it is an excellent remedy . the spirit is good to mix with cordials . it is a very good medicine , outwardly used ; and will lay scents better than any thing yet found out . 't is much commended by doctor john peachie of gloucester , ( who wrote this account of it ) for apoplexies , convulsions , fits of the mother , and the like . he used to foment the head with the spirit , and to give inwardly the following medicine : take of cassummuniar powder'd two ounces , of the conserves of the flowers of betony one ounce ; make an electuary according to art , with a sufficient quantity of syrup of peony : let the patient take the quantity of a nutmeg thrice a day , drinking upon it four ounces of the following julap : take of the waters of the flowers of the lime-tree , and of black-berries , each half a pint ; of the compound spirit of lavender three ounces , a sufficient quantity of syrup of peony ; mingle them . he says , many have been cured of head-diseases by this medicine . mr. marlow , in king-street , near guild-hall , an excellent apothecary , and a curious man , shew'd me cassummuniar , and confirm'd the use and virtues above-mention'd . china . 't is good for the french-pox , which some say , it cures , without observing a strict diet , in a short time , and with pleasure ; wherefore it is much esteem'd by the indians . garsia wrote a whole book of the virtue and use of this root . 't is most commonly used in decoctions ; and one or two ounces is sufficient for nine pints of water . 't is good for all diseases that require sweating . 't is used in the palsie , for pains in the joints , the hip-gout , the gout , scirrhous and edematous tumors , and for the king's-evil . it strengthens the stomach when weak , eases inveterate pains in the head , doth good for the stone , and ulcers of the bladder ; cures the jaundice , and humoral and windy ruptures . 't is a great provocative to venery . and fallopius says , men grow fat by the use of it . the turks , who love to have their wives in good case , diet them with a decoction of this root . take of the roots of china three ounces , sarsaperilla six ounces , saxifrage one ounce , of nephritick wood two ounces , of harts-horn and ivory rasp'd , each half an ounce ; of white sanders half an ounce ; of the roots of parsly , grass , knee-holm , each one ounce ; of liquorish two ounces , of dates ston'd number six , of caraways and coriander-seeds , each three drams ; infuse them in seven quarts of fountain-water , boyl it according to art , and aromatize it with woody cassia . this is used for the french pox. take of the roots of china two ounces , of sarsaperilla six ounces , of all the sanders , each three drams ; of saxifrage ten drams ; infuse them in four quarts of fountain-water for twelve hours , and then , adding of the leaves of agrimony two handfuls , of the leaves of speed-well three handfuls , of scabious one handful , of the seeds of sweet-fennel and caraways , each three drams ; of raisins of the sun ston'd six ounces , boyl it to the consumption of the third part ; strain the liquor , and use it for your ordinary drink . this is much used in the king 's evil. china grows plentifully in china , and in malabar , and in many other places . chiches , or chich-pease , in latin cicer sativum . chich-pease are three-fold , white , red , and black. the ancients commonly fed upon them , as do the italians now at this day . they eat them raw , as well as boyl'd ; but they are best boyl'd , and when they are green , as are pease and beans , but they are windy . they provoke venery ; they cleanse , open , incide , digest , provoke urine , and lessen the stone ; but they hurt the bladder when it is ulcerated . they gently move the belly . the broth of them doth good in the jaundice . a decoction of them kills worms , moves the courses , expels the child , and breeds milk. in cataplasms they cure the swellings under the ears , called parotides , and inflammations of the testicles , and malignant ulcers . we most commonly make use of them only in difficulty of urine : but practitioners should take care that they do not use them too often to those that have ulcers in those parts . they are sown every where in italy , spain and france . take of the root of liquorish four scruples , of marsh-mallows , grass and rest-harrow , each half an ounce ; of the berries of winter-cherries , number twenty , of red chick-pease four ounces , of currants one ounce , of the four greater cold seeds one scruple , of barly two handfuls ; boyl them in the water of winter-cherries , rest-harrow , strawberries , and flowers of beans , each one pint and on half ; to the strain'd liquor add four ounces of the syrup of marsh-mallows . a person that was grievously afflicted with the stone in the bladder , was much reliev'd by taking of this decoction daily , for the space of seventeen weeks . cinnamon , in latin cinnamomum . the diversity of the nature of this tree is wonderful ; for , from the bark of the root is distill'd camphir , and its oyl ; from the bark of the trunk , oyl of cinnamon ; from the leaves ' oyl of cloves ; from the fruit , an oyl like the oyl of juniper , mix'd with a little of cinnamon and cloves . of these is boyl'd up a fat , thick oyl , like wax , fit to make plasters , ointments , and candles : 't is hard , and clear , and of a fragrant smell . the inhabitants use it in ointments to ease pain , but they dare not make candles of it ; for none are permitted to use candles , besides the king of the country . the leaves of it smell more like cloves than cinnamon . the bark of the root given in a decoction , or the powder of it taken with sugar and hony , is good for a cough . the bark of the twigs used in a decoction , is good for the wind. the same given in powder , with hot water , eases the pain of the belly , and stops a flux arising from cold. our people use it successfully , boyl'd in milk , or posset-drink , to stop a loosness . a decoction of it in red wine stops an immoderate flux of the courses . the juice of the leaves given with sugar and pepper , do good for pains of the belly , and the flatulent matter of the reins . the powder of the leaves , with sugar , are good for giddiness ; of the head : as also are the flowers , taken with sugar , in cold water . the oyl which is drawn from the bark of the root hath many excellent virtues : 't is very good in all paralytick diseases , being used outwardly in time . 't is a present remedy for the gout , presently asswaging the violent pain of the parts , as soon as they are anointed with it . it doth also good , taken inwardly . 't is also of excellent use , taken inwardly , for curing an asthma , and other diseases of the lungs . 't is also good to correct the malignity of fevers . it forces sweat ; and is very proper to be used in gangrens , mortifications , and malignant ulcers ; for pains of the limbs , of the belly , and of the eyes ; and for tumors of the members , proceeding from cold and flegmatick humours . it restores the sense of parts that are stupified . 't is good for rheums . the oyl of the bark of the tree is good for diseases of the stomach , and for the gripes . the water of cinnamon is counted cordial . the oyl of the leaves is good in the cholick , and very proper in the palsie . cinnamon is good for all obstructions , and for diseases of the breast . oyl or essence of cinnamon , and its aetherial-water , is made in the following manner : bruise four pounds of good cinnamon , and infuse it in six quarts of hot water ; leave it in digestion in an earthen vessel , well stop'd , two days ; pour the infusion into a large copper limbeck , and fitting a receiver to it , and luting close the junctures with a wet bladder , distil with a pretty good fire three or four pints of the liquor ; then unlute the limbeck , and pour into it by inclination the distil'd waters ; you will find at bottom a little oyl , which you must pour into a viol , and stop it close ; distil the liquor as before ; then returning the water into the limbeck , take the oyl you find at the bottom of the receiver , and mix it with the first : repeat this cohobation , until there rises no more oyl ; then take away the fire . tincture of cinnamon is made in the following manner : take what quantity of bruised cinnamon you please , put it into a matrass , and pour upon it spirit of wine , one fingure above it ; stop your matrass close , and set it in digestion in horse-dung four or five days ; the spirit of wine will be impregnated with the tincture of cinnamon , and become red ; separate it from the cinnamon , and after it is filtrated , keep the tincture in a viol well stop'd . 't is an admirable cardiack ; it fortifies the stomach , and rejoyces all the vital parts . it may be used like cinnamon-water , in a little smaller dose . cinnamon-water is made in the following manner : take of bruised cinnamon a pound and an half , spanish wine a quart ; infuse the cinnamon in the wine twenty four hours , then distil them in a limbeck ; draw off three pints of strong-water , sweeten'd with sugar , and keep it for use . 't is good in a weak stomach , and is cordial . syrup of cinnamon of the london-dispensatory is made in the following manner : take of the best cinnamon , beaten a little , three ounces ; infuse it three days in hot fountain-water , afterwards distil it in b. m. take a pint of this water ; of clarified sugar , boyl'd over a gentle fire , to the consistence of tablets , have a pound : make a syrup . the cinnamon-tree and the cassia-tree seem to be the same . the cinnamon-tree grows as commonly in the island of zeiland , in the hedges and woods , as the hazel-tree doth in our country ; and the inhabitants value it no more ; for they commonly make fires of it , and cut it for any common use . common cinque-foil , or five-leav'd grass , in latin pentaphyllum vulgatissimum . 't is vulnerary , and astringent . it stops fluxes of the belly , bleeding at nose , and the hemorrhoids . 't is good for spitting of blood , and a cough . 't is also commended for a palsie , a consumption , the gout , and jaundice . 't is also reckon'd good for the stone , and erosions of the kidnies ; for ruptures and fevers . 't is used outwardly for the eyes , when they are inflam'd , the juice of it being drop'd into them : and also for loosness of the teeth , and putrid gums . it cleanses also malignant ulcers . the astringent virtue of it is most remarkable , by means whereof it does what it does . one dram of the powder of the root , taken before the fit , cures agues . spon . in his book of fevers and febrifuges , says , that cinquefoil is a plant somewhat bitter , and very astringent ; whereby it strengthens the fibres of the stomach , relax'd by a fever , and fixes and sweetens its acid. hippocrates used this plant to cure fevers . but , without doubt , it was more effectual in greece , where hippocrates liv'd , than here : for , most plants have more virtue in hot countries , than in cold ; especially those that are somewhat aromatick . it has also been found by experience , that the roots of it cure ulcers of the mouth . citrons , in latin malus citria . every part of the citron , the outward and inward bark , the juice and pulp , and the seeds , are of great use in physick . the outward yellow bark hath a curious aromatick smell , and bitter taste . being dried , it is very cordial , and alexipharmick . it heats and corroborates a cold and windy stomach . it discusses wind powerfully , concocting and digesting crude humours that are contain'd in the stomach or bowels . being chewed in the mouth , it cures a stinking breath , promotes concoction of the meat , and is good for melancholy . 't is much commended for hypochondriacal diseases , for vapours , wind , the palpitation of the heart , obstructions and weakness of the bowels . the powder of the outward bark of oranges and limons is reckon'd good for the same . being candied ; 't is used for second courses : and mixed with cordial electuaries , 't is used against contagion . it loosens the belly ; upon which account an electuary is made of it , called the solutive electuary of citron ; good to evacuate flegmatick and cold humours . it may be also safely given when choler is mix'd with flegm . the pulp or juice , tho' it be not so acid as the juice of limons , yet ▪ is it much more cooling than that . 't is very proper in burning and pestilential fevers , to quench thirst , to suppress too great a fermentation of the blood , to recreate the spirits , and quicken the appetite . 't is also reckon'd good for a giddiness in the head. the seeds are cord●●l and alexipharmick ; are good for the biting of scorpions , and other venomous creatures . they strengthen the heart , and defend it from the contagion of the plague and small-pox . they kill the worms of the stomach and bowels , provoke the courses , and cause abortion . they digest crude and watery humours , and dry them up both within and without . there is a strange story of two that were condemn'd to be destroy'd by serpents ; and as they were passing to execution , by chance , a person that had a citron in his hand , gave it them to eat , and soon after they were flung to the serpents , and were much bit by them , but their poyson made no impression upon them , and the men escaped with their lives . upon this , enquiry was made what they had eat or drunk ? and a citron being the only thing that had been given them , 't was order'd , one of them should eat a citron the next day , and that then they should be expos'd again to the serpents : he that had eaten the citron escap'd , as before ; the other soon perish'd . and afterwards it was found by many experiments , that citron was good against poyson . the solutive electuary of citron , of the london-dispensatory , is made in the following manner : take of citron-peel candied , of conserve of the flowers of violets and bugloss , of the species of diatragacanth frigid , and of diagrydium ▪ each half an ounce ; of turbith five drams , of ginger half a dram , of the leaves of sena six drams , of the seeds of sweet-fennel one dram , of white sugar dissolv'd in rose-water , and boyl'd up according to art , ten ounces ; beat in a brass-mortar the turbith and ginger , ( being first cut small ) the sena , fennel , and the diagrydium must be pounded a-part , and must be mix'd with a little of the powder of diatragacanth made fresh ; the bark of the citron must be pounded in a marble-mortar ; then add the conserves , pulp'd through a fine sieve , and boyl'd a little in the sugar dissolv'd ; take it off the fire , and when it is just warm put in the powders , and last of all the diagrydium and the diatragacanth ; and of this paste make tablets . syrup of the juice of citrons , of the london-dispensatory , is made in the following manner : take of the juice of citrons strain'd one pint , let it stand till it is clear ; add to it of white sugar clarified , and boyl'd to the consistence of tablets , two pounds ; make a syrup by boyling of it just up , and no more . syrup of the bark of citrons is made in the following manner : take of the yellow peel of citrons , ripe and fresh , five ounces ; of the grains of kerms , or of their juice , two drams , of fountain-water three pints ; infuse them all night in b. m. strain it , add two pounds and an half of white sugar , and boyl it to a syrup , according to art , in b. m. half of it must be without musk ; the other half must be aromatiz'd with three grains of musk , tied up in a rag. citruls , in latin citrullus . the fruit of it is cold and moist , and very fit to quench the thirst ; wherefore the italians refresh themselves in summer-time with the pulp of it . 't is good in burning fevers , and for a dry tongue . the seed of it is one of the greater cold seeds . cloves , in latin caryophyllus aromaticus . cloves heat and dry . the indians , two days before they sell their cloves , place a large vessel of water in the room where the cloves are ; and it all soon evaporates , and goes into the cloves ; and so the weight of them is much increas'd . cloves perfume the breath ; for which reason the indian women frequently chew them , and such like things . they are said to clear the sight , and to take off clouds from the eyes . they strengthen the stomach , and take off vomiting and nauseousness . they provoke venery , and are good for all cold diseases of the brain ; as , apoplexies , lethargies , palsie , or the like . they are used to correct the air , by being burnt or eaten . but the chief use of them is in the kitchin , for sauces , and the like . they are also used to perfume clothes , an orange being stuck full of them , and put into the chest to the clothes . some put them into wine or beer , and they impart to it a pleasant smell and taste . they are put into a bag , or sow'd up in a cloth , and worn upon the stomach , to stop vomiting , and to take off pains of the stomach , proceeding from a cold cause . some powder their heads with the powder of them , to take off dulness and pains of the head. cloves candied , taste very pleasantly , and are proper for a cold stomach . oyl of cloves by distillation is good for inward and outward use . oyl of cloves , per descensum , is made in the following manner . take several large drinking-glasses , cover them with a linnen cloth , and tie it round each of them , leaving a cavity in each cloth , to put the powder'd cloves into ; set a small earthen cup upon each glass of these cloves , let it stop so ●●●ly , that it may suffer no air to enter between its brim and that of the glass ; fill the cups with hot ashes , to warm the cloves , and distil down to the bottom of the glasses first a little flegm and spirit , and after that a clear and white oyl ; continue the fire , until there falls no more ; separate the oyl in a tunnel lined with a cornet of brown paper , and keep it in a viol well stop'd . some drops of it are , with cotton , put into aching teeth . 't is likewise good in malignant fevers , and the plague . the dose is two or three drops in balm-water , or some appropriate liquor . you must mix it with a little sugar-candy , or a little yolk of an egg , before you drop it into the water , otherwise it will not dissolve in the water . i have given you this preparation , to serve upon an emergency , when you want , in haste , the oyl of cloves . you must only use hot ashes to warm the cloves , if you desire white oyl ; for , if you give a greater heat , the oyl turns red ; and besides , a great part of it will be lost . you must also take care to lift up the cup from time to time , to stir about the powder . some do dissolve opium in oyl of cloves , and use this dissolution for the tooth-ach ; they put one drop of it into the aching tooth and it soon takes off the pain . the spirit of cloves , which is made at the same time the oyl is made , is a good stomachick : it helps concoction , comforts the heart , and increases seed . the dose is , from six drops to twenty , in some convenient liquor . cloves grow spontaneously in the moloca-islands . those that are good are black , solid and weighty , smell well , are hard to break , and bite the tongue much ; and when they are broken their liquor sweats out . they may be kept five years in a temperate place . coccus baphica . see kermes . cockle , in latin pseudomelanthium . it grows every where amongst corn and flowers , in june and july . it cures the itch , and heals wounds ann fistula's , and stops blood. but the virtues of it are doubted by some : yet sennertus commends it in stopping of bleeding . coco-nut-tree , in latin palma coccifera . a liquor is drawn from this tree , called suri , which intoxicates like wine ▪ it hath a pleasant , sweet taste . an hot water , or spirit , is drawn from it by distillation . sugar also , and vinegar is made of it . fine polish'd cups , tip'd with silver , are made of the bark of it . the liquor , or wine , is very good for consumptions , and excellent for diseases of the urine and reins . a milk is drawn from the kernels beat and press'd , without the help of fire , which is very good for killing worms , eight ounces of it being taken in a morning , with a little salt. the liquor contain'd in the kernel extinguishes thirst , cures fevers , clenses the eyes and the skin , purifies the blood , purges the stomach and urinary passages , relieves the breast , tastes pleasantly , and yields a great nourishment . 't is said of it , that it is meat , drink and cloth. chocolet is made of it . it grows in the spanish west-indies , and laste an hundred years . coculus indus . 't is uncertain where these berries grow ; but the chief use of them is for catching fish , a paste being made for them of white flower and the powder of the berries : for the fish , by eating of this paste , become giddy and stupid , and so are easily taken : but it is questionable whether fish so taken may be safely eaten ; perhaps if they are gutted as soon as they are taken , and boyl'd , they may be eaten without hurt . a person who went to buy cubebs of an apothecary , had these berries deliver'd to him by a mistake ; and when he had taken not above four of them , he was presently seiz'd with a vomiting , the hiccups , and faintness : but a vomit being presently given him , he recover'd within an hour . coffee , in latin caova . the decoction of it strengthens a cold stomach , helps concoction , and opens obstructions of the bowels , and is good for cold tumors of the liver and spleen . it heats the womb , and frees it from obstructions : upon which account , the egyptian and arabian women use it frequently . but it is most taken notice of for removing drowsiness . but tho it be so commonly used , and so very proper and effectual in some cases ; yet in other cases perhaps it may be hurtful , or , at least , not so beneficial : for it is commonly observ'd , that coffee-drinkers are often very lean , and become paralitick , and impotent as to venery . but , indeed , in most diseases of the head , as , for giddiness , head-aches , lethargies , catarrhs , and the like , coffee is often used with good success by those that are of a gross habit of body , and of a cold constitution , and whose blood is watery , their brains moist , and their animal spirits dull ; for , being taken daily , it wonderfully clears the spirits , and dissipates those clouds of all the functions . but on the contrary , they who are of a thin habit of body , and an hot and melancholy constitution , ought , by all means , to forbear coffee . and besides , those that have but weak spirits , or are subject to a trembling , or numness of the limbs , ought not to drink coffee , tho' they are afflicted with the head-ach : nor ought they who are subject to the palpitation of the heart . 't is reckon'd good in a scorbutick gout , and for the gravel . the goodness of coffee chiefly depends on the exact roasting of it . bernier says , there were only two men that knew how to roast them right in grand cayro . for few know the manner and degree of torrifaction ; for if they are never so little over or under-roasted , they are spoyled . coffee is adulterated with burnt crusts of bread , roasted beans ▪ and the like . 't is commonly boyl'd in copper or tin-pots , but ear●hen are best for it , for it is probable that metals too often impart something of their substance to the liquor . it hath been observ'd that , upon distillation , a pound of good clean coffee , the vessels being well luted , hath yielded four ounces and an half of flegm , with a little volatile spirit , mix'd with salt ; and two ounces and five drams of a thick , black oyl , which being rectified , became yellow ; the caput mortuum weighed about four ounces ; so that about a fourth part evaporated , notwithstanding the vessels were so closely cemented . upon which , we may reasonably conjecture , that coffee contains many particles that are volatile and penetrative ; whereby it is probable it keeps men waking . many that have been very subject to nephritick pains have been cured by taking coffee often . women use it to cleanse the teeth . one that was seiz'd with a violent cholera , and painful convulsions , from an internal cause , was cured in a short time , by taking a great quantity of coffee ; which was retain'd in the stomach , when the tincture of opium , mint-water , and the like , were vomited up . this little tree grows only in that part of arabia foelix which is situated betwixt the tropicks : and the arabians take such care that it should not be planted any where else , that they destroy the vegetative virtue of the seed , either by boyling or burning it , before they will part with it out of their hands . and they are much in the right ; for they get infinite treasure by this one commodity : upon which account , at least , it may be called arabia foelix . no one can imagine how many thousand bushels of it are exported yearly . 't is frequently used through all the provinces of the turkish empire . vestingius says , there are some thousands of coffee-houses in grand cayre . and it is as commonly used in africa and barbery , and lately in europe . certainly in england the king hath a great revenue by it , for i believe there may be now as many coffee-houses in london as in grand cayre . besides , in other parts of england there is scarce a town of note , but hath one or more coffee-houses in it . coloquintida , in latin colocynthis . 't is a violent medicine : it purges thick and glutinous flegm , and other humours , from the remotest parts of the body ; as , from the head , nerves , joints , and the like ; for which reason it is commended , and is used successfully for inveterate head-aches , an apoplexy , falling-sickness , vertigo , asthma , cough , cold diseases of the joints , flatulent cholicks , a dropsie , and the like . but before it is used it ought to be well powder'd , and fat and lubricating things ought to be mix'd with it , to attemperate the acrimony of it . 't is an ingredient of the pill cochiae majores and minores , and of the pill rudii , of the pill eduobus , and of the fetid pill , and of the pill of hermodactils , and of some others . the troches of alhandel are made of it , in the following manner : take of the pulp of coloquintida that is white and smooth , and freed from the seeds , and cut small , and well rub'd with oyl of sweet almonds , and at two days end finely powder'd , ten ounces ; of the gums arabeck , tragacanth and bdellium , each six drams ; infuse the gums for three or four days , in a sufficient quantity of rose-water , till they are quite melted ; and then with the said pulp , and part of the musilage of the gums ▪ make troches , which must be dried in the shade , and made up again with the rest of the musilage . contrayerva , in latin drakena radix . the root of it is alexipharmick . the powder of it is an excellent remedy against all poysons , except sublimate : it expels worms , and cures agues . clusius gave it the name of drakena , because sir francis drake gave it him . take of the powder of the roots of contrayerna , virginian-snakeweed , and butter-bur , each one dram ; of cochinelle , and saffron , each half a dram ; mingle them , and make a powder . the dose is half a dram , in a convenient vehicle . this is a sweating medicine , and is proper to expel malignity . coral , in latin corallium . 't is of a stony , dense substance , and looks very fine when it is polish'd . 't is commonly believ'd that it is soft when it is under water , but that is a vulgar error ; for those who fish for it say , that it is as hard and stony under water as it is above , only it is cover'd with a soft , mossy bark . it hath an astringent virtue , especially when it is burnt , and reduc'd to a powder . it stops all fluxes of the belly , and of the womb , and the running of the reins ; but whether it comforts the heart , or prevents children's convulsions , as 't is said , is uncertain . 't is used outwardly for ulcers , which it incarns . 't is also used to clear the sight . nurses in england hang it about children's necks , to promote cutting of the teeth ; for , by reason it is soft and cold , children love to have their gums rub'd with it ; and so the eruption of the teeth is render'd more easie : but we do not believe it doth conduce any thing , by an occult quality , to the easie breeding or cutting of the teeth . tincture of coral is much commended in pestilential fevers . coral is prepar'd by grinding it on a marble , to a fine powder ; and this is called prepar'd coral . 't is used for the bloody-flux , a loosness , the flux of the hemorrhoids , and the courses , and for all other distempers that are occasion'd by an acrimony of humors , this being an alcali that destroys it . the dose is from ten grains to a dram , in knot-grass-water , or some other proper liquor . dissolution of coral is made in the following manner : take what quantity you please of coral , ground fine on a marble , put it into a large matrass , and pour upon it as much distill'd vinegar as will rise the breadth of four fingers above the matter ; there will happen a great effervescency , which being over , set it in digestion in warm sand for two days , stirring the matrass from time to time ; leave the coral to settle at bottom , and decant the clear liquor into a bottle : pour again so much distill'd vinegar on the remainder as before , and leave it two days in digestion ; separate the clear liquor , and continue to add more distill'd vinegar , and to draw off the impregnation , until all the coral is in a manner dissolv'd ; then mix your dissolutions , and pour them into a glass-cucurbite , or else into an earthen one ; evapotate in sand two thirds of the liquor , or till there appears upon it a very fine skin ; filtrate this impregnation , and keep it , in order to make the salt and majestery , as i shall shew by and by . the dissolution may be given for the same purposes as the salt. the dose is , from ten to twenty drops , in some proper liquor . red coral is generally used , because it is thought to have more virtue than the rest . majestery of coral is made in the following manner : take what quantity you please of the impregnation of coral , made with distill'd vinegar ; pour it into a viol , or matrass , and drop into it the liquor of the salt of tartar , made per deliquium ; a curd will appear , which will precipitate to the bottom in a very white powder ; decant the clear liquor , and wash your powder five or six times with water , dry it : it is that which is called the majestery of coral . great virtues are attributed to it : it fortifies the heart , resists poyson , stops the bloody-flux , and all other hemorrhagies . the dose is , from ten to thirty grains , in some proper liquor . salt of coral is made in the following manner : take what quantity you please of the dissolution of coral , made of distill'd vinegar , pour it into a glass-cucurbite , or earthen pan , and evaporate in sand all the moisture ; there will remain at hottom a salt of coral ; keep it in a viol well stopped . 't is given for the same reason as the majestery is : the dose of it is less , being from five to fifteen grains . simple syrup of coral of the london-dispensatory is made in the following manner : take of red coral four ounces , dissolve it with the heat of a bath , in a pint of the juice of barberries clarified ; it must be put into a matrass , well stop'd ; and having digested it three or four days , pour off that which is dissolv'd , and pour on more juice , as before ; and so proceed , till all the coral is dissolv'd ; add a pound and an half of sugar to one pint of this juice , and boyl it gently to a syrup in b. m. compound syrup of coral is made in the following manner : take of red coral , ground fine upon a porphyry-stone , with a little rose-water , six ounces ; of the clear juice of limons , freed from its flegm in b. m. sixteen ounces ; of the clear juice of barberries eight ounces , of sharp white-wine vinegar , and of clear juice of wood-sorrel , each six ounces ; mingle them , and put them into a viol , stop'd close with a cork and a bladder , shaking it daily till it hath digested eight days in a bath , or horse-dung ; then filtrate , and take of it a pint and an half , and of the juice of quinces half a pint , of sugar of roses twelve ounces ; mingle them , make a syrup according to art , in a bath , adding of syrup of gillyflowers sixteen ounces ; keep it for use . syrup of coral is very cooling : 't is good in fevers , for fluxes , the running of the reins , the whites in women , and for spitting of blood. coral grows plentifully in spain and catalonia ; sometimes the branches of it are so large , as to weigh three or four pounds . coral-tree , in latin arbor corallii . sheaths for swords and knives are made of the root of it . the leaves powder'd , and boyl'd to the thickness of an ointment , cure venerial buboes , and asswage the pain of the bones . rub'd and applied to the temples , they ease the head-ach , and cure ulcers . the cork-tree , in latin suber . the bark of it rub'd in hot water , stops a flux of blood : the ashes of it do the same . but it is chiefly used to anchors for ships , and for fishing-tackling , and to stop bottles , in some part of spain they make tiles of it , to cover their houses . it grows in spain , and in some other places . costus . it heats much , forces urine and the courses , and is good for diseases of the womb. half an ounce of it taken in a proper liquor , is good for the biting of vipers . it stimulates venery , and expels broad worms , by reason of the bitterness that is in it . cotton , in latin gossipium . 't is commonly used to line clothes , to keep out the cold : and there is no sort of flax so soft and white as it is . as to its use in physick ; being burnt it stops bleeding , especially wounds . the marrow of the seed wonderfully relieves those that are subject to coughs , and difficulty of breathing . it increases seed , and is a provocative to venery . the oyl of the pith of the seed takes off spots from the skin . the down fired , and put under the nostrils , prevents mother-fits . it grows in the island of crete , betwixt jerusalem and damascus ; where there are whole fields sown with it . couhage , or cow-itch , in latin phaseolus zurratensis . the bristles of the cods occasion violent itching . indian cress , in latin nasturtium indicum . the flowers of it smell and look very pleasantly in sallets . 't is good for a weak and cold stomach , and for wind. it grows in peru. crown-imperial , in latin corona imperialis . it came from constantinople , but it grows now frequently in our gardens here in england , and flowers in april , and sometimes in march , if that season of the year be warmer than ordinary . the turks use the drops in the flower to make them vomit : and some use them to hasten delivery . cumin , in latin cuminum . the seed of it resolves and discusses wind ; and therefore is good in the cholick , for a timpany ▪ and a vertigo . taken in sweet wine , it relieves those that are afflicted with a difficulty and heat of urine . boyl'd with figs , in wine , it cures a cough , and cleanses the breast . 't is conveniently baked with bread , for it helps concoction , and dissipates wind. but the frequent use of it , in a large quantity , renders the countenance pale . it cures a stinking breath . the chymical oyl of it is excellent for wind , and uterine diseases . an empirick had mighty success by pouring some drops of it upon a toast , and applying it to the navel . 't is sown in abundance in the island of melita . the plaster of cumin of the london-dispensatory is made in the following manner : take of the seeds of cumin , of lawrel-berries , and yellow wax , each one pound ; of rosin of the pine two pounds , of common rosin two pounds , of oyl of dill half a pound ; mingle them , and make a plaster . 't is good for windy ruptures , and the like . cubebs , in latin cubebae . cubebs are like pepper , and sometimes a little larger . they heat and dry . they strengthen the stomach when it is oppress'd with wind or flegm . they purge the breast , by carrying off clammy and gross humours . they releive the spleen , and expel wind , and cure cold diseases of the womb. being chew'd with mastick often , they strengthen the brain , and draw flegm from the head. being infus'd in wine , they provoke venery , and heat the stomach ; they cleanse the urinary passages , and expel gravel from the reins and bladder . they are an ingredient in the compound spirit and water of worm-wood of the london-dispensatory . sweet cyperus , in latin cyperus longus . the root of it is stomachick and uterine . 't is chiefly used in provoking urine and the courses . it takes off crudities of the stomach , and cures the dropsie at the beginning , and the cholick ; and cures a stinking breath , being chew'd in the mouth . being bruis'd , and boyl'd , or infus'd in oyl , and applied to the reins , it expels gravel , and provokes urine . if the roots are powder'd , and mix'd with hony and sugar and a little wine , and boyl'd together , and then cut into slices , and infus'd in broth , they taste like candied ginger . the twigs and roots dried in the sun , and sprinkled with vinegar , and beat to pieces , perfume clothes . the spanish and italian women use the roots of it so prepar'd , for perfumes . one dram of the powder of the root , with a spike of lavender , hastens delivery , and expels the secundine . take of the roots of elecampane . sweet-smelling flag , and cyperus , each half an ounce ; of the leaves of mint , sage , marjoram , calamint , and wormwood , each half an handful ; of cyperus-nuts , myrtles , galls and balaustians , each one dram ; of red roses one pugil ; boyl them in equal parts of smith's water and red wine , to a quart ; in the strain'd liquor dissolve one ounce of salt and allum ; foment the region of the pubis and perinaeum hot , morning and evening . this is commended for an incontinence of urine . d. date-tree , in latin dactylus . 't is astringent , and is used for fluxes of the belly , and the whites . it stops bleeding , and cures wounds . the fresh are more astringent than the dry , but they occasion the head-ach ; and if many of them are eaten they intoxicate when they are dry . they stop spitting of blood , and are good for the bloody-flux . a decoction of them is a very astringent gargarism . boyl'd in wine , they take off proud flesh , and cicatris'd ulcers . a decoction of it makes the hair black . and being taken inwardly , it cures diseases of the reins and bladder . when they are ripe they are good for an hoarsness and coughs , difficulty of breathing , a pleurisie , and a peripneumonia . they are an ingredient of the pectoral decoction of the london-dispensatory . take of dates cleansed number ten , of raisins of the sun three ounces ; boyl them in oxycrate , afterwards beat them , and add , of camomile-flowers , and of the flowers of melilot and red roses , each one pugil ; of spikenard and camel's-hay , each one dram ; of the seed of smallage and parsly , each half a dram ; of endive and purslain , each one dram and an half ; of the oyl of wormwood and roses , each one ounce ; of barly-meal two ounces ; make a pultis . this is used for inflammations and ulcers of the liver . dittany of crete , in latin dictamnus creticus . it hath all the virtues that penny-royal has , but it is much more effectual ; for it expels a dead child , not only by taking of it inwardly , but also by outward application , and by fume . 't is said , that the goats in crete , when they are wounded by darts , extract them , and so are cured by feeding on it . it has , moreover , a purgative quality . being applied to the soles of the feet , or any other part of the body , it draws out thorns . it also eases the pain of the spleen . the root of it tastes hot , and hastens delivery . and so great is the virtue of this herb , that the smell of it drives away venomous creatures , and kills them if they but touch it : but this seems improbable . the juice of it applied to wounds made by a sword , or by the biting of venomous creatures , is a present remedy , if , at the same time it be also taken inwardly . hippocrates counts it the best remedy to expel the secundine , and a false conception . being taken in wine it provokes the courses , and hastens delivery so powerfully , that it ought not to be kept in the chamber , or near where big-belly'd women are . a woman that was in a desperate condition by reason of a dead child , was soon deliver'd by taking the powder of the leaves of this herb. take of dittany of crete one dram , of saf●ron one scruple , of gromwel . annise-seed , and misleto of the oak , each three drams ; beat them , and infuse them twenty four hours , and then boyl them a little in good white-wine : give four ounces of this decoction at a time . this is much commended by quercetan , for a suppression of the courses . dragon's-blood , in latin sanguis draconis . 't is a gum , or rosin , of a deep red colour . being held to the fire , it soon melts : and if it be cast upon the fire , it flames . if it be rub'd upon any thing , it makes it red ; but it mixes difficulty with oyl , and water . 't is of an astringent virtue , and is frequently used in the bloody-flux , and for other fluxes ; for spitting of blood , and to settle the teeth when they are loose . gold-smiths and jewellers make use of it for foils for their precious stones and jewels : and glasiers paint glass red with it . take of the water of orange-flowers ▪ of plantain , and of roses , each one ounce ; of syrup of coral , or , for want of it , of dried roses , one ounce ; of sal prunella one dram , of dragon's-blood half a scruple ; make a potion . this is used for an immoderate flux of the child-bed-purgations . take of amber and mastich , two drams ; of dragon's-blood , lapis haematitis , and red coral , each one dram ; of balaustians , and the seeds of plantane , of crocus matis astringent one ounce ; powder them all , and with a sufficient quantity of peruvian balsam , and syrup of quinces , make a mass for pills . the dose is half a dram , or a dram , morning , and evening . these pills are used for the virulent running of the reins : but they must be given only at the declination of it , when there only appears a little , thin , waterish humour , which glues the entrance of the vrethra ; for , if you give them sooner , you may stifle the matter , and so cause an hernia humoralis : if , after the gonorrhaea be cured , you suspect you have not enough secur'd the patient from the malignity , you must purge him . dragon's-blood comes from one of the canary-islands , called portus sanctus , near the madera's . e. ebony , in latin ebenus . the wood is as black as pitch , and as smooth as polish'd ivory . 't is good for the diseases of the eyes . many sorts of things are made of it ; as , cases , chests , combs , frames for pictures and looking-glasses , and the like . an english man that was frequently seiz'd with flatulent convulsions , was cured by using a decoction of ebony for the space of forty days ; whereby he did sweat much . white ellebore , or hellebore , in latin helleborus albus . the root of white hellebore , which is only in use in physick , purges very violently upward and downward ; yet it may be used , says tragus , being infus'd twenty four hours in wine or oxymel , and afterwards dried : half a dram of it , so prepar'd , may be given in wine to mad and melancholy people . but either of the hellebores , says gesn●r , may be used inoffensively , being boyl'd to a syrup with hony and vinegar ; and are very useful for many flegmatick diseases , especially of the breast and head ; as , an asthma , difficulty of breathing , and the falling-sickness . they wonderfully purge the belly , the urine , and all the passages . in the use of white hellebore two things are chiefly to be minded : first , that the diseases are very obstinate : and secondly , that the patient hath sufficient strength to bear the operation . wherefore the root ought not to be given to old men , women , or children , or to such as are weakly , and costive in the body : and the hellebore ought to be well prepar'd . the old way of giving of it was , with horse-radish , which they used three ways ; for , either they stuck the roots into horse-radish , and continu'd them in it twenty four hours ; and afterwards , the roots being taken out , they gave the horse-radish : or they infus'd the horse-radish , stuck with the roots , in oxymel , in b. m. and gave only the oxymel : or , they left the horse-radish so prepar'd all night , and in the morning infus'd it in oxymel , having first cast away the hellebore ; and then they gave the oxymel . but parkinson says , the best way of preparing it is , to infuse it in the juice of quinces ; or to roast it under ashes , in a quince . if , upon taking hellebore , there is danger of suffocation , the eating of quinces , or the taking the juice or syrup of it , is a present remedy . the root boyl'd in vinegar , and retain'd a while in the mouth , takes off the pain of the teeth . a decoction of it made in lee kills lice , aad cleanses the head from scurf , it being wash'd with it : and mix'd with some ointment , it does the same , and cures the itch , and other vices of the skin . made up into a paste , it kills several animals ; as , moles , mice , weaslles , birds , and the like . the powder of it blown up into the nostrils , occasions sneezing ; wherefore it is called in english sneez-wort . parkinson says , the spaniards make a poyson of the juice of the root , being fermented in an earthen pot ; wherewith they anoint their arrows , that the wounds inflicted by them may be render'd incurable . 't is very strange that this poyson taken into the body should not be deadly , and yet that the wound touch'd with it should be so . but the same may be said of the poyson of vipers ; which being taken inwardly , occasions no deadly symptoms ; but being mix'd with the blood ▪ through the orifice of a wound , or puncture , soon kills , unless the party is immediately reliev'd by proper remedies . to conclude , both hellebores were formerly used for melancholy and mad people , and now they are only used in great diseases ; as , for the falling-sickness , giddiness , madness , dropsie , hip gout , convulsions , and the like . the extract of hellebore of the london-dispensatory is made in the following manner : take of the roots of white hellebore cut one pound , of fountain-water six quarts ; infuse them three days , then boyl it half away , and press it out strongly ; to the strain'd liquor add three pounds of hony , and boyl it to the consistence of hony , and keep it in a glass for use . it grows in hilly and rough grounds , not only in greece , and italy , and other hot countries , but also in germany . true black ellebore , or hellebore , in latin helleborus niger . it purges strongly melancholy humours , and therefore consequently is a good medicine for all those diseases which take their rise from thence ; as , madness , hypochondriacal passion , and elephantiasis , herpes , cancers , giddiness , falling-sickness , apoplexy , and the itch. but it is to be noted , that it ought to be given only to strong people . there is less danger in the decoction of it . 't is corrected with mastich , cinnamon , annise-seeds , fennel-seeds , and the like . some say , that black hellebore , rightly prepar'd , is a very innocent medicine ; and that it may be given to women and children , and to weakly people . the dose of it , in substance , is , from fifteen grains to half a dram , or two scruples : those that are very strong may take a dram. 't is given in infusion , or decoction , from a dram to two drams . when it is taken in substance , the form of it is a powder ; as , take of black hellebore two scruples ; of ginger , mastich , red roses , cinnamon , and annise-seeds , each four grains ; mingle them in broth : children may take a scruple . 't is also made up into pills , with some convenient syrup . the virtue of the root is wholly in the fibres , and the bark . 't is best corrected with cloves . hartman commends , for an immoderate flux of the courses , a girdle made with the fresh leaves of black hellebore , and worn about the loins . take of black hellebore two scruples , infuse them in a sufficient quantity of rose-vinegar , or in whey , for twenty four hours , then dry it , and reduce it to a powder , and add to it of annise-seeds and cinnamon , each half a scruple ; mingle them , and make a powder . this is commended by margravius , as a fit purge for melancholy people . euphorbium . 't is a concreted juice , that is very acrid . you must chuse that which is pure , yellow , and acrid ; which being just touch'd by the tongue , heats the mouth a long while after ; but it grows milder by time ; and therefore , when it is fresh , it ought to be used with great caution . it wonderfully purges watery humours from the whole body : but it is a churlish medicine ; for , besides the malignant propriety of its substance , it has an inflaming faculty . take of euphorbium dissolv'd in vinegar , and thicken'd again , eight grains ; of the seeds of purslain fifteen grains : make pills with rose-vinegar . or , take of euphorbium infus'd in oyl of almonds for the space of a night , and afterwards roasted under ashes , in a citron , ten grains ; of the seeds of lettice one scruple : make pills with the juice of citron . or , take of euphorbium prepar'd four grains , of cassia fresh drawn half an ounce ; with sugar make a bolus . these preparations of euphorbium , maggravius reckons up amongst his flegmagoges . but hoffmannus is of the opinion , that euphorbium ought not to be taken inwardly . 't is much used for the caries of the bones , and for wounds : see our wiseman , and fabricius hildanus . but care must be taken that it be not sprinkled upon ulcers of the jaws , nostrils , palate and tongue ; or upon those places where tendons or nerves are expos'd naked ; lest by velicating and biting them , it should occasion dangerous symptoms . f. fistich , or pistachio-nuts , in latin nux pistachia . they are very grateful to the stomach , whether they are eaten , or drunk in wine . they do good for the biting of creeping beasts . they are bitterish . they open obstructions , especially of the liver ; and also of the breast and lungs . they are reckon'd very nutritive , and provocatives to venery ; for which reason they are frequently used , with other restauratives , by the spanish , italian and french physicians : and they so much depend upon them , that they scarce make any strengthening medicine without them . oyl of pistachio-nuts eases inward pains that proceed from viscid flegm and wind. 't is also useful in convulsions , and for the palsie . fraxinella . the root , which , in a manner , is only used , is cardiack , and alexipharmick . 't is a good preservative against the plague , taken any way ; and is reckon'd good against poyson , and the biting of venomous creatures . it kills worms , a dram of it being taken at a time . 't is used in cold diseases of the womb , and to force the courses and urine . it hastens delivery , expels the secundine , and a dead child , two drams of it being taken in wine . 't is also good for the gripes , and gravel . 't is also mix'd with vulnerary potions ; and is used in the falling-sickness , and for diseases of the head. the roman women make a cosmetick of the distill'd water ; and they also use it for inflammations of the eyes . the cods and flowers being touch'd , occasion itching ; and in hot countries , burn the skin . take of the roots of fraxinella , bistort , tormentil , master-wort , gentian , carline-thistle , of both the birth-worts , of pentaphyllum , zedoary , of the greater valerian , contrayerva , angelica , elecampane , virginian snake-weed , of the leaves of carduus benedictus , scabious , meadow-sweet , rue , savin , penny-royal , scordium , st. john's wort , of the bark of citron , oranges , cinnamon , of the berries of laurel , juniper , of the flesh of toads , each two ounces ; of viper's flesh four ounces , of the best saffron half an ounce ; make of all a powder ; to which add , of the extract of juniper-berries made in white-wine , and evaporated to the consistence of hony , a sufficient quantity to make a confection ; to which add oyl of rue , amber , cloves , juniper , mix'd with sugar , each two scruples ; mingle them all according to art , and then add to each pound of this confection two ounces of venice-treacle and mithridate . this is the orvictan , so much cried up by some . g. galangal , in latin galanga major . the root of it is good in all cases wherein ginger is used ; and it is wont to be candied like ginger . it provokes appetite , as capers and olives do . the fresh root of either of them , cut into slices , is boyl'd with flesh and fish for the same purpose . 't is also eaten raw , with oyl , salt and vinegar , with fish and flesh , to help concoction . 't is used in the cold diseases of men and beasts . 't is cephalick , cardiack , and stomachick . it strengthens the stomach , and takes off sowr belching . being chew'd in the mouth , it discusses wind , and cures a stinking breath . it does good in the cholick , heats the reins , and provokes venery . candied with sugar , it is good for cold diseases of the head and nerves . it cures the head-ach , and eases the pain of the limbs . 't is good for the palpitation of the heart , used with the juice of plantane . the powder of it taken in good wine , or balm-water , or in the juice of borrage , cures fainting , proceeding from a cold cause . the germans use to give it to those that are about to be let blood , to chew it in their mouths , to prevent fainting . it grows spontaneously in malabar and java . galbanum . 't is a fat juice , but cannot be dissolv'd with oyl ; in water it may . 't is of a middle nature , betwixt a gum and a resin ; for it will burn like resin , and dissolve in water like a gum. 't is of a yellow colour , and of a soft substance , like wax . it tastes bitterish and acrid , and smells very strong . the chief use of it is , to mollifie and digest . 't is used inwardly to provoke the courses , to hasten delivery , to expel the secundine , and a dead child . 't is also outwardly used in child-bearing , for the courses , for mother-fits , and for giddiness . the fume of it is good in the falling-sickness , for mother-fits , and for fainting , and the like . 't is said by some of the ancients , that he that washes his hands with a solution of it , may safely handle serpents : but the truth of it may be well doubted . take of galbanum , and choice myrrh , each one dram and an half ; of castor sixteen grains ; with a sufficient quantity of the balsam of peru : make twelve pills of each dram : give three at bed-time , drinking upon them three or four spoonfuls of compound-briony-water : continue the use of these pills thirty days . these pills are very proper in hysterick diseases . take of galbanum dissolv'd in tincture of castor , and strain'd , three drams ; tacamahaca two drams ; mingle them ; make a plaster to be applied to the navel . this plaster is very proper in hysterick diseases . 't is an ingredient of several plasters of the london-dispensatory ; as , of the plaster of ammoniacum , barbarum magnum ; of the plaster of cinnabar , and of the compound diachylon ; of the plaster of mucilages , of the divine plaster , and some others . the way to purifie it is , to dissolve it in vinegar ; then passing it through a cloth , all the moisture is to be evaporated away over the fire . by this means it is cleans'd , indeed , from straws , and some other impurities that are contain'd in it : but then , part of its volatile spirits is evaporated at the same time , and in them consists its greatest virtue ; while some others are fix'd by the acid , which always hinders the motion of volatiles . wherefore i would never advise this purification : i had rather , after chusing it as clean as may be , only powder it in a mortar , to mix it with what may be thought fit ; for , tho' there should be some little straws in it , they would never be able to alter the nature of the remedy , or diminish its virtue so much , as does the destruction of its volatile salts by the vinegar . but because it is too moist to be powder'd , you must first cut it into little slices , and dry it in the sun. 't is a tear of the herb called faerula . common great gentian , in latin gentiana major . the root of it , which is chiefly used , is alexipharmick . 't is used in the plague , and other contagious diseases ; for obstructions of the liver and spleen , and the like . 't is good for a dropsie , mother-fits , weakness of the stomach , the worms , agues , and for the biting of a mad dog. 't is frequently used outwardly to dilate ulcers , and to make issues run . the compound-water of gentian of the london-dispensatory is made in the following manner : take of the roots of gentian cut one pound and an half , of the leaves and flowers of the lesser centory , each four ounces ; infuse them for the space of eight days , in six quarts of white-wine , and then distil them in b. m. this water is a good preservative against ill air , and and contagious diseases . it opens obstructions of the liver , strengthens the stomach , creates an appetite , and helps digestion . 't is good for the jaundice , and opens women's obstructions . the extract of gentian is also much in use . the root powder'd , and made into an electuary , with conserve of orange-peels , and conserve of hips , strengthens the stomach , creates an appetite , and expels wind , and helps concoction . ginger , in latin zinziber . it grows in all the provinces of india . 't is candied green in india , and is good for old people , and such as are cold and flegmatick , and for such whose stomachs do not concoct well ; especially , when it is fresh candied . 't is also good for viscid flegm of the lungs . the indians use the leaves of ginger in broths , and for the kitchin. they also use the roots of it green , with oyl and salt , mix'd with other herbs . fresh ginger is reckon'd by them an excellent remedy for cholical pains , and for the caeliack and lientaerick passions . 't is also good for long diarrhaea's , proceeding from cold ; and also for wind , and the gripes , and the like . but it is to be noted , that they who are of a hot constitution ought not to use it , whether they are sick or well ; for it inflames the blood , and opens the orifices of the veins . but ginger and pepper are more used in the kitchin , than in physick . 't is mix'd with purging medicines that are strong , to correct them . it cleanses the lungs and stomach , strengthens the brain , and clears the sight when it is dulled by moisture . it strengthens the stomach , and is mix'd with antidotes . 't is an ingredient in the cardiack syrup , of the cardiack julep of the london-dispensatory . goards , in latin curcurbitae . it quenches thirst , provokes urine , lessens seed , and extinguishes venery . 't is used in meats , prepar'd in the following manner : they boyl the inner and white substance , with the unripe and soft seeds ; afterwards they cut them small , with onions , and boyl them with salt and butter ; and then they are much like headed cabbage cut and boyl'd : they are very good for lean people . the italians cut it into pieces , and boyl it in broth. it tastes well , and yields a laudable juice , and we suppose it is a convenient diet for feverish people ; for it cools and mollifies . 't is much of the same virtue with cucumber . the fresh leaves applied to the breasts of women in child-bed , lessens the milk. the seeds are reckon'd among the four greater cold seeds . for redness of the face , take of the kernels of peaches four ounces , of the seeds of goards two ounces ; make an oyl of them by expression , wherewith anoint the face . menstruous women , by only looking on young goards , kill them : but this seems fabulous . canary - grass , in latin phalaris . it grows as well in spain and france , as in the canaries . the seed , and the juice of the herb , and the leaves , taken inwardly , are commended for pains in the bladder . common dog - grass , or couch-grass , in latin gramen caninum . 't is a tall grass , sometimes four or five foot high . it expels gravel . silvius says , that sheep and oxen that are troubled with the stone in the winter-time , are freed from it in the spring by eating grass . cotton - grass , in latin gramen tomentosum . it grows in marshy and watery places , and is easily known by the cotton on it . 't is very astringent ; and is used for making candles , and the like . oat - grass , in latin gramen avenaceum . 't is found in may , in the hedges , and narrow ways . tragus says , a decoction of it in white-wine , used for some days , is an excellent remedy for the worms in children . guaiacum , in latin lignum sanctum . in curing the french-pox there is no medicine better or surer than the decoction of guaiacum ; for , if the cure be manag'd as it ought , and the decoction be taken in due time , 't is a certain cure for this disease . 't is also good in a dropsie , for an asthma , the falling-sickness , for diseases of the bladder and reins , and for pains in the joints , and for all diseases proceeding from cold tumors and wind. the spaniards learnt the use of it from the indians : for , a certain spaniard having taken the disease from an indian woman , was much afflicted with venereal pains ; and having an indian servant who practis'd physick in that province , he gave his master the decoction of it , whereby his pains were eased , and his health restored : and by his example , many other sapniards were cured . so that , in a short time , this way of cure was known all over spain ; and soon after , every where else . the pox , that is the disease of the west-indians , ininfected the europeans in the following manner : in the year . in that war of the spaniards at naples , with the french , columbus return'd from his first voyage which he had undertaken for the discovery of the new world ; and having found some islands , he brought thence men and women to naples , where his catholick majesty was . having then made peace with the french king , both the armies having free intercourse , and ingress , and egress , at pleasure , the spaniards had first conversation with the indian women , and the indian men with the spanish women : and then it crept afterwards into italy and germany , and lastly into france , and so over all the world. at first it had many names : the spaniards thinking they were infected by the french , called it the french-pox : the french supposing they got it at naples , called it the neopolitan disease : and the germans thinking they receiv'd it from the spaniards , called it the spanish disease : but others more properly termed it the indian malady ; for from thence it first came . the way of preparing this decoction , together with the method of taking it , is as follows : take of the wood cut small twelve ounces , of the bark of it beaten two ounces ; infuse it in six sextaries of water , in a large earthen pot , twenty four hours ; the pot must be close stop'd ; boyl it with a gentle fire , to the consumption of four sextaries of the water ; when it is cold strain it , then put upon the same wood eight sextaries of water , and boyl it to the consumption of two : keep it a-part . the way of giving it is as follows : the sick being purged according as his physician shall think fit , he must be put into a warm chamber , and let him go to bed in the morning , and take ten ounces of the first water hot ; and being well cover'd , he must sweat two hours ; then , being well rub'd , let him change his linnen , and put on his clothes well warm'd ; four hours after give him raisins and almonds , with bread twice baked , whereof let him eat moderately , and drink as much as is sufficient of the second water : eight hours after he hath eaten , let him take again ten ounces of the first water hot , and let him sweat two hours , and be cleansed from his sweat as before ; an hour after the sweat , give him the almonds and raisins , and the bread twice bak'd for his supper , and let him drink of the second water . let him observe this method for the first fifteen days , unless his strength be much impair'd ; for if so , he must be allow'd a roasted chicken , besides the things above-mention'd : those that are weakly , and cannot bear so strict a diet , must be allow'd also a roasted chicken after nine days : but if the sick be so very weakly that he cannot bear at all the fore-mention'd diet , he must eat chicken sparingly at the beginning , increasing his meals by degrees . after fifteen or sixteen days , purge with ten drams of the pulp of cassia , or some such medicine , and on the same day let him drink of the second decoction : on the seventeenth day let him return to the method above describ'd ; let him take , morning and evening , the water of the first decoction , sweat , and be dieted as before ; only , instead of a chicken , let him eat half a pullet ; and towards the end , somewhat more : let him continue the same diet to the twentieth day , at which time , being well cloath'd , let him walk about his chamber ; afterwards purge him again , and let him continue the use of the decoction forty days more , and let him observe an orderly diet , and abstain from women and wine : but if he nauseate the decoction , let him drink water wherein annise and fennel have been boyl'd ; let him eat a small supper , and , to be sure , let him forbear flesh then . this method , some think , will eradicate the worst sort of pox : but others hold , there is no other way of curing it , when it is deeply rooted , than by the use of mercury . the incomparable chyrurgeon , mr. wiseman , mentions it frequently in his excellent treatise of the french-pox . take of guaiacum four ounces , of the bark of the same two ounces , of sarsaparilla eight ounces , of the wood of saxifrage one ounce and an half , of the shavings of hart's-horn and ivory , each six drams ; infuse them all night in ten quarts of fountain-water , then boyl them in a vessel close stop'd , to the consumption of a third part ; add at the end , of the leaves and roots of soap-wort two handfuls , of the leaves of agrimony , and both the speed-wells , each one handful ; of raisins stoned six ounces ; of the seeds of sweet fennel and coriander , each six drams ; of spanish liquorish two ounces ; strain the liquor , and aromatize it with a little cinnamon , and keep it for use : the patient commonly takes a quart , or more , of this drink in a day . take of the leaves of sena four ounces , of gummy turbith and hermodactyls , each two ounces ; of black hellebore , and the pulp of colloquintida , each six drams ; of guaicum and saxifrage rasp'd , each one ounce ; of the bark of guaiacum , and the fresh berries of juniper , and the outward bark of citrons , each half an ounce ; of cinnamon and cloves , each two drams ; infuse them in equal parts of the waters of balm , meadow-sweet , and carduus benedictus , for the space of forty eight hours ; then boyl them gently , and strain out the liquor ; dissolve in it , of aloes-rosat two ounces , diagridium one ounce ; bring it to the consistence of an extract , and keep it for use : the dose is , from half a dram to one dram. this is a proper purge in the french disease . or , take of the extract above describ'd two drams , of the gum of guaiacum half a scruple , of mercurius dulcis one scruple ; make pills with the syrup of buck-thorn : these pills are also used for the same disease . distillation of guaiacum is perform'd in the following manner : take the shavings of guaiacum , fill a large retort with them , three quarters full ; place it in a rever-beratory furnace , and joyn to it a great capacious receiver ; begin the distillation with a fire of the first degree , to warm the retort gently , and to distil the water which is called flegm ; continue it in this condition until there come no more drops , which is a sign that all the flegm is come ; throw away that which you find in the receiver , and fitting it again to the neck of the retort , lute well the junctures ; you must afterwards increase the fire by degrees , and the spirits and oyl will come forth in white clouds ; continue the fire until there comes no more ; let the vessels cool , and unlute them ; pour that which is in the receiver into a tunnel lined with brown paper , and , set upon a bottle , or some other vessel ; the spirit will pass through , and leave the black , thick , and very fettid oyl in the tunnel ; pour it into a viol , and keep it for use . 't is an excellent remedy for rottenness of the bones , for the tooth-ach , and to cleanse old ulcers . it may be rectified , and may be used inwardly for the falling-sickness and palsie , and to drive forth the after-birth : the dose is , from two drops to six , in some convenient liquor . the spirit of guaicum may be rectified in a limbeck , to separate the impurity that passes with it : it works by perspiration , and by urine : the dose is , from half a dram to a dram and an half . 't is likewise used , mix'd with water of hony , to cleanse inveterate ulcers . you will find in the retort the coals of guaiacum , which you may turn into ashes by putting fire to them : calcine these ashes some hours in a potter's furnace , then make a lee of them with water , filtrate it , and evaporate it in a glass , or earthen vessel , in sand , there will remain the salt of guaiacum ; which you may make white by calcining it in a crucible , in a strong fire . this salt is aperitive , and sudorifick ; it may serve , as all other alkalies , to draw the tinctures of vegetables : the dose is , from ten grains to half a dram , in some convenient liquor . during the distillation you must not make the fire too strong ; for the spirits coming forth with a great deal of violence , will be apt to break either the retort or the receiver . tho' guaiacum be a very dry body , yet abundance of liquor is drawn from it ; for , if you put into the retort four pounds of this wood , sixteen ounces to the pound , you will draw thirty nine ounces of spirit and flegm , and five ounces and an half of oyl ; there will remain in the retort nineteen ounces of coals , from which you may draw half an ounce , or six drams of an alkali-salt . the oyl of guaiacum is acrimonious , by reason of the salts it has carried along with it ; and it is the gravity of the salts that does precipitate it to the bottom of the water . this oyl does good for the tooth-ach , because it stops the nerves with its ramous parts ; hindring thereby the air from entring . moreover , by means of the acrimonious salts which they contain , they do dissipate a flegm , which uses to get within the gum , and causes pain . take of guaiacum , cut into small pieces , eight ounces ; of sarsaparilla six ounces , of the bark of walnut-tree , of the roots of fig-wort , and of saxifrage , each two ounces ; herb robert three handfuls , of raisins of the sun stoned , and of live millepedes , each one pound ; make a bag for four gallons of new beer . this is a diet-drink for the king 's evil. guaiacum grows in hispaniola , jamaica , and some other places . gum-ammoniacum . chuse that which is without sand , that is pure , yellow without , and clear within ; which burns clear when it is fired , and softens , and sticks to the hands when handled , and flies into many shining pieces when it is knock'd with an hammer : it will dissolve in water ; it smells stronger than galbanum , and hath a bitterish taste . it attenuates , and resolves , and draws violently , and moves the belly . 't is chiefly used for pains of the gout , to resolve the viscid and thick mucilage of the lungs , and mesentery ; and for obstinate obstructions of the liver , spleen , and womb ; and for the stone . 't is used outwardly for a scirrhus , for the king's-evil , and to dissolve other hard swellings . gum-ammoniack is distill'd in the following manner : put a pound of gum-ammoniack into an earthen retort , or a glass one , luted , big enough for two thirds to remain empty ; place this retort in a reverberatory furnace , and fitting to it a receiver , begin the distillation with a very little fire , to warm gently the retort , and drive forth , drop by drop , a little flegmatick water ; when the vapours begin to appear , throw out that which is in the receiver ; and re-fitting it , and luting close the joints , increase the fire by degrees , and continue it until all is come forth ; then let the vessels cool , and unlute them ; pour out that which is in the receiver , into a tunnel lined with brown paper ; the spirit will pass through , and leave the thick , black oyl in the filter : keep it in a viol. 't is good for the palsie , and hysterical diseases ; the diseas'd parts are rub'd with it : and it is given women to smell to . put the spirit into a glass-limbeck , and rectifie it by distilling it in sand : 't is a good remedy against the plague , and all sorts of malignant diseases . 't is used in the scurvy , and all manner of obstructions . the dose is , from eight to sixteen drops . the spirit of all other gums may be drawn after the same manner . the plaster of ammoniacum of the london-dispensatory is made in the following manner : take of ammoniacum , of bran well sifted , each one ounce ; ointment of marsh-mallows , compound mellilot-plaster , roots of briony and orris powder'd , of each half an ounce ; geese , ducks and hens fat , of each three drams ; of bdellium , and galbanum , each one dram and an half ; resin of the pine , and yellow wax , of each five ounces ; oyl of orris and turpentine , of each an ounce and an half ; boyl the fat 's and oyl , with mucilage of linseed and fenugreek , each three ounces , to the consumption of the mucilage ; strain it , and add the wax , resin and turpentine , the ointment of marsh-mallows , with the plaster of melilot ; when it begins to be cold , put in the ammoniacum dissolv'd in vinegar , then the bdellium powder'd , with the rest of the powders , and so make a plaster according to art. it asswages and mollifies hard swellings , and discusses the peccant humour : it softens the spleen when hard , and eases the pain of it . the plaster of hemlock , with ammoniacum , of the london-dispensatory is made in the following manner : take of the juice of the leaves of hemlock four ounces , of vinegar of squils , and of gum-ammoniacum , each eight ounces ; after due infusion , strain it , and reduce it to the consistence of a plaster , according to art : it eases pain , and allays inflammations . ammoniacum is also used in some other plasters of the london-dispensatory : take of gum-ammoniacum dissolv'd in vinegar one ounce ; of ladanum and mastich , each two drams ; of oyl of wormwood , and of wax , each a sufficient quantity : this is used for an inflammation and abscess of the liver . syrup of ammoniacum of the london-dispensatory is made in the following manner : take of maudlin and cetrach , each four handfuls ; of common wormwood one ounce ; of the roots of succory and asparagus , and of the bark of the roots of capers , each two ounces ; make an infusion of them for twenty four hours : after due preparation , in three ounces of white-wine , and of simple radish-water , and fumatory-water , each two pints ; boyl them to a pint and an half , let the strain'd liquor stand till it is clear ; dissolve a-part , in four ounces of the strain'd liquor , when it is warm , two ounces of gum-ammoniacum , dissolv'd first in the sharpest white-wine-vinegar ; boyl the rest to a syrup , with a pound and an half of fine sugar , adding the dissolution of the gum towards the end. this syrup opens obstructions , and is good for diseases of the skin : an ounce of it , or somewhat more , may be taken at a time . gum-arabick , in latin gummi arabicum . 't is the gum or juice of an egyptian thorn : the most transparent , and whitest , is the best . it will easily dissolve in water ; it mitigates acrimony , and is good for fluxes , coughs , and catarrhs . take of the roots of the greater comfrey two ounces , of the leaves of plantane and mouse-ear , each one handful ; of the tops of mallows and maiden-hair , each half an handful ; of liquorish rasp'd half an ounce ; of fine flower and gum-arabick , of tragacanth and bole-armoniack , each one dram ; of the seeds of lettice and purslain , each one dram ; of the seeds of red roses one pugil ; make a decoction in rain-water to one pint and an half ; strain it , and sweeten it with sugar ; make a julep : take eight ounces every morning , for ten or twelve days . this is good for an ulcer of the reins or bladder . take of the roots of marsh-mallows and the greater comfrey dried , each two drams ; of gum-arabick , and of the gum of cherry and prune-tree , each one dram ; of olibanum and myrrh , each four scruples ; of the seeds of white poppy and winter-cherries , each one dram and an half ; of camphyr two scruples ; powder them all very fine ; and having added of ceruss of antimony a third part of the weight of all the rest , make a mass for pills with a sufficient quantity of venice-turpentine : the dose is , one dram , morning and evening . these are excellent pills for the same purpose . but if the turpentine should occasion pain , juice of liquorish , dissolv'd in pellitory-water , may be used instead of it . gum-caranna . the indians use it for tumors , and all sorts of pain . 't is commended for those diseases which tacamahaca is wont to cure ; but it is more effectual than that . 't is brought from carthage . take of gum-elemi and turpentine , each half an ounce ; of olibanum , mastich and gum-tragacanth , each three drams ; of bole ▪ armoniack one ounce and an half ; of the seeds of nigella , myrtle and balaustians , each one dram ; of euphorbium one scruple , of amber two drams , of burgundy-pitch eight ounces , of gum-caranna ten drams , of oyl of cloves , and peruvian balsam , each six grains ; mingle them , and make a plaster according to art , to be applied to the neck . gum-copal . 't is very clear , and transparent . the indians use it in their sacrifices , for perfumes : and their priests use it so frequently in their temples , that when the spaniards came into those parts first , they smelt it . 't is good for cold diseases of the head ; and may serve instead of frankincense , and gum-anime . 't is al-also very good for fresh wounds . it comes from the west-indies . gum-elemi . t is of the colour and consistence of wax ; it tastes somewhat bitterish , and smells like fennel . it discusses tumors , cleanses sordid ulcers , and cicatrises them . 't is of excellent virtue in wounds of the head , and therefore practitioners always use it in plasters and ointments for fractures of the scull , and wounds of the head. the plaster of gum-elemi of the london-dispensatory is made in the following manner : take of gum-elemi four ounces , of resin of the pine , and pure wax , and ammoniacum , each two ounces ; of turpentine three ounces and an half , of malaga-sack a sufficient quantity ; boyl them to the consumption of the wine , then add the ammoniacum dissolv'd in vinegar , and make a plaster . ointment or liniment of gum-elemi of the london-dispensatory is made in the following manner : take of gum-elemi , of turpentine of the firr-tree , each one ounce and an half ; of old sheep's-suet cleans'd two ounces , of old hog's-grease , one ounce ; make an ointment . 't is used chiefly for wounds and ulcers of the head ; but it is also good for ulcers in any part of the body . it cleanses , and incarns , and is very agreeable to the body . gum-gotta . 't is a concreted juice , of a yellow colour ; and if it be moisten'd with spittle , it becomes more yellow . what plant it comes from is uncertain ; but it is a great commodity in the east-indies . take of gum-gotta eight grains , of conserve of roses three drams , of oyl of mace one drop : or , take of gum-gotta six grains , dissolve it in a sufficient quantity of fresh broth. it purges watery humours . gum-lac . 't is a juice of an indian tree , called malus indica lusitanis . 't is not certainly known how it is made ; for , what garcias says , of its being made by winged ants , as bees make hony , does not seem probable ; but it rather sweats out of the very tree , or from the branches of it , at set times , and grows to the form we see it with the heat of the sun. the best comes from pegu and martaban . 't is twofold ; namely , seed-lac , or shel-lac : 't is also factitious . it attenuates , and opens , and purifies the blood , and provokes sweat , and is diuretick . 't is chiefly used in obstructions of the liver , spleen , and gall-bladder . 't is good in a dropsie , for the jaundice , an asthma , and impost-humes of the lungs ; to expel malignity , and to force the courses . the species called dialacca is much commended by most physicians , and is made in the following manner : take of gum-lac prepared , and of the roots of rhaponticum , each three drams ; of schaen●nth , indian spikenard , mastich , of the juice of wormwood and agrimony thicken'd , of the seed of smallage , bishop's-weed , fennel , annise , savine , bitter almonds , cleands , myrrh , zedoary , the roots of madder , asarabacca , of birth-wort long and round , and of gentian , of saffron , cinnamon , dried hysop , woody-cassia , and bdellium , of each one dram and an half ; of black pepper and ginger , each one dram ; make a powder according to art. sealing-wax is made of gum-lac : the fine , hard sealing-wax is made of fine gum-lac , melted in an earthen vessel , into which a sufficient quantity of the colour is put , and mix'd well together ; then take it off the fire , and make it up into rolls , or sticks . red wax is colour'd with choice vermillion ; blue wax with blue bice , smalt , or ultramarine ; green wax with green bice , verdigrease , or the like ; black wax with ivory , or cherry-stone-black ; purple wax , with red lake , and the like , coarse ▪ hard sealing-wax is made in the following manner : take of shel-lac twelve ounces ; of resin and choice vermillion , each six ounces ; melt them , and mix them together ; and when they are of a due heat make them into sticks . you may set a gloss upon them , by gently heating them in a naked charcoal-fire , and rubbing them with a cloth till they are cold . gum-olibanum , or frankincense , in latin olibanum . it heats , dries , and is somewhat astringent . 't is chiefly used inwardly , for diseases of the head and breast , and for fluxes of the belly and womb , and for a cough , and spitting of blood. but the internal use of it is much disliked by some ; for they say it occasions madness . 't is used outwardly for ●umes to strengthen the head , and to stop catarrhs . it incarns ulcers , and cures wounds . mix'd with lard , it cures chilblains . it eases the pain of ulcers of the fundament , powder'd , and mix'd with milk. 't is mingled with plasters , ointments and balsams , to cleanse and incarn ulcers and wounds . but the chief use of it is in fractures of the scull ; being powder'd , and mix'd with the white of an egg , and applied to the temples , it does good for an hemicrania , and the head-ach . infus'd in sweet wine , and drop'd hot into the ears , it eases the pain of them , and cures ulcers in them . the bark of frankincense is more effectual than the frankincense it self , and is more astringent . the smoke of frankincense was formerly used to take off inflammations of the eyes , and to stop fluxes : but it is not used now-a-days . but the most ancient and remarkable use of it was in holy things ; for they sacrificed and perfum'd their temples with it : and the same use is made of it now-a-days in christian churches . it has been also used , which is very strange , in all ages , and in all nations , and by people of all sorts of religions , to purifie the bodies of the dead . it was called olibanum by the greeks , from an assyrian youth of that name ; who , as it is fabulously reported , being maliciously slain for his pious behaviour towards the gods , was turn'd into this shrub , called arbor thurifera . upon which account they affirm , that nothing is more pleasing to the gods than the smell of frankincense . gum-opoponax : see panax herculis . gum-sagapenum . the plant , whose juice it is , is unknown . it opens discusses , attenuates and cleanses . 't is used for pains of the side and breast , and for ruptures . it cleanses the lungs of thick matter that sticks to them . 't is used in the falling-sickness , and for diseases of the spleen , and the palsie . it provokes the courses ; and , taken in wine , it cures those that are bit by venomous creatures . it takes off mother-fits , being held to the nostrils with vinegar . 't is reckon'd amongst the strongest purgers ; but mesue says , it hurts the stomach and liver . it may be corrected with such things as are astringent , and preserve the tone ; as , with mastick , spike , and the like . schroder reckons the virtues , in short , thus : 't is very drawing : it purges clammy , gross and watery humours from the stomach , guts , womb , reins , brain , nerves , joints , and breast ; wherefore it is good for dropsies , old coughs , an asthma , the head-ach , convulsions , falling-sickness , palsie , obstructions and tumors of the spleen , for the cholick , to provoke the courses and the urine : but it is not to be used to women with child , for it kills the child . 't is good outwardly for a pleurisie , and other tumors ; for it resolves and eases pain . the fume of it takes off a fit of the falling-sickness ; and cures the little excrescencies on the eye-lids , called hordeola . take of gum-sagapenum and ammoniacum , each half a dram ; of diagridium six grains , of the troches of alhandal four grains ; make pills with syrup of betony . gum-sarcocolla . 't is so called because it agglutinates flesh . 't is best when it is fresh , and of a palish colour ; for , when it is old it grows reddish . it has a bitter taste , and is of a porous substance , and easily dissolves in water . it heats and dries , and is astringent . it consolidates , glutinates , ripens and concocts . 't is chiefly used for cicatrizing and healing wounds . 't is excellent for fluxeons , for the albugo and nubeculae of the eyes , being infus'd in woman's or asses milk , and mix'd with rose-water . gum-tamahaca . 't is much used by the indians , in tumors of all kinds , in any part of the body . it wonderfully resolves , ripens , and discusses . it takes away all pains proceeding from cold and flegmatick humours . the fume of of it takes off mother-fits . 't is commonly applied , in the form of a plaster , to the navel in hysterick diseases . it stops all defluxions from the head , being wrap'd in a cloth , and applied behind the ears . being applied in the form of a plaster to the temples , it diverts defluxions on the eyes , and other parts of the face . it cures the tooth-ach , the hollow tooth being stop'd with it . an excellent stomach-plaster is made of it , and a third part of storax , and a little amber-grease ; for it strengthens the stomach , provokes appetite , and helps concoction , and expels wind. 't is of excellent virtue in pains of the hips , and for diseases of the joints , proceeding from cold humours . monardes adds a third part of wax , to make it stick the better . this plaster is very good for swellings and hardness of the spleen . gum-tragacanth . it flows from the root , being cut . that which is brought to us is glutinous , white , or yellow , and of a sweetish taste . the water wherein it is infus'd becomes clammy and mucilaginous . it opens obstructions , and attemperates acrimony . it is used in medicines for the eyes , and for coughs and hoarsness , and distillations in a linctus with hony. a dram of it being dissolv'd , and taken in a proper liquor , mix'd with burnt hart's-horn and a little allum , eases the pain of the kidnies , and erosions of the bladder . 't is good for the bloody-flux ▪ in clysters . and dissolv'd in milk or rose-water , it takes off redness of the eyes , and stops sharp distillations on them . a mucilage is made of it in water , to form other medicines ; for instance , troches . 't is an ingredient of the syrup of hysop of the london-dispensatory , which is made in the following manner : take of the roots of smallage , parsly , fennel , liquorish cut , each ten drams ; of jujebs and sebestians , each fifteen pair ; of raisins cleans'd one ounce and an half ; figs , and fat dates , of each number ten ; of the seeds of mallows , quinces , and of gum-tragacanth , tied up in a rag , each three drams ; of hysop moderately dried ten drams , of maiden-hair six drams ; all being prepar'd , infuse them twenty four hours in eight pints of barly-water , then boyl them in b. m. and strain them out hard ; to the clear liquor add six pounds and an half of fine sugar , make a syrup in b. m. it corroborates the breast and lungs , and is excellent for coughs . h. hedge-hysop , or rather water-hysop , in latin , gratiola . 't is an excellent remedy to purge watery and cholorick humours , which it draws from the most remote parts , and evacuates them by vomit and stool ; and by consequence must be of good use in a dropsie , for the yellow jaundice , and for pains of the hips . it may be taken in powder , or green , in a decoction ▪ but because it works so violently , it ought to be corrected with ginger , sal gemma ▪ cinnamon , or the like . 't is very bitter , and kills worms , and carries off the matter occasioning them . being bruis'd , and applied , it cures wounds quickly . it grows in germany , and italy , and some parts of france . heliotrope , in latin heliotropium majus . the herb cures warts , being rub'd upon them . 't is very effectual in a carcionoma , and for gangrenous ulcers , and king's-evil-swellings . the leaves sprinkled with rose-water , and applied to the head , ease the pain of it . a decoction made of the leaves and cummin , expels gravel , and kills worms . hermodactyls , in latin hermodactylus . botanists do not agree about hermodactiles of the shops . some say they are the roots of colchicum : others deny it : and the more learn'd and skilful make them to be different things . take of hermodactiles powder'd half a dram , of aloes-succotrine one scruple , of powder of cummin six grains ; make pills according to art. or , take of white-wine three ounces , of hermodactiles powder'd two drams , of powder of ginger one scruple ; mingle them , and let them stand in infusion all night ; strain it , and add an ounce and an half of syrup of betony , and make a draught . maggravius mentions these pills , and this potion amongst his phlegmagoges . plaster of hermodactiles of the london-dispensatory is made in the following manner : take of the plaster called diachalcitis eight ounces , of burgundy-pitch melted and strain'd four ounces ; of white venice-soap , and new yellow wax , each three ounces ; of butter of oranges one ounce ; of the seeds of cummin and hermodactiles , each one ounce and an half ; of the leaves of dried wormwood , of the flowers of camomile , and of florentine-orris , each half an ounce ; powder fine those things which are to be powder'd , and make a plaster according to art. hypocistis , or rape of cistus , in latin orobranche . it grows from the roots of all the sorts of cistus . 't is very effectual for all fluxes ; as , of blood , the fluxes of women , and for celiack and dysenterick diseases . 't is also good to strengthen any part. 't is now-a-days prepar'd in the following manner : they beat the fresh flowers , and press out the juice , and thicken it in the sun , and keep it for use . take of conserve of roses , and of the roots of the greater comfrey , each two ounces ; of seal'd earth , bole-armoniack , dragon's-blood , red coral , of the lapis hematites , and troches de carrabe , of each one dram ; of hypocistis , the grains of kermes , and the seeds of plantane , each one scruple ; with equal parts of syrup of poppies and myrtles make an opiate ; of which , take the quantity of a nutmeg morning and evening , drinking upon it a little plantane-water . this is used for voiding of blood by urine . j. jalap , in latin jalapium . the root of it is like mechoacan , but it is cover'd with a black bark , and is brownish within . it comes to us sliced from india . it tastes gummy , but not unpleasant . 't is stronger than the common white mechoacan , for it purges watery humours better . a dram of the powder of it may be given at a time . the purgative quality resides in the resin . resin , or magistery of jalap is made in the following manner : put a pound of jalap , grosly powder'd , into a large matrass ; pour upon it spirit of wine alcoholiz'd , until it be four fingers above the matter ; stop the matras with another , whose neck enters into it ; and luting the junctures with a wet bladder , digest it three days in a sand-heat ; the spirit of wine will receive a red tincture , decant it , and then pour more upon the jalap , proceed as before ; and mixing your dissolutions , filtrate them through brown paper ; put that which you have filtrated into a glass-cucurbite , and distil in a vaporous bath two thirds of the spirit of wine , which may serve you another time for the same operation ; pour that which remains at the bottom of the cucurbite , into a large earthen pan , fill'd with water , and it will turn into a milk , which you must leave a day to settle , and then separate the water by inclination ; you will find the resin at bottom , like unto turpentine ; wash it several times with water , and dry it in the sun , it will grow hard , like common resin ; powder it fine , and it will become white ; keep it in a viol. it purges serosities : 't is given in dropsies , and for all obstructions . the dose is , from four to twelve grains , mix'd in an electuary , or else in pills . the resins of turbith , scammony and benjamin may be drawn after the same manner . if you use sixteen ounces of jalap , you will draw an ounce and six drams of resin . you must observe to give the resin of jalap always mix'd with something else , that may separate its parts ; for if it be taken alone , it will be apt to adhere to the membrane of the intestines ▪ and so cause ulcers by its acrimonious quality . moreover , apothecaries should observe to mix it in a little yolk of an egg , when they would dissolve it in a potion ; for it sticks to the mortar , like turpentine , when it is moisten'd with any aqueous liquor . it may be likewise incorporated with some electuary , and then it easily dissolves . twelve grains of this resin work as much as a dram of jalap in substance : but i have always observ'd in my practice , that the powder of jalap works better and surer than the resin . take of lenetive electuary two drams , of the cream of tartar half a dram , of powder of jalap two scruples ; make a bolus with a sufficient quantity of syrup of buck-thorn ; add three drops of oyl of juniper . this purges strongly watery humours . for weakly people use the following medicine : take of lenitive electuary one dram , of cream of tartar half a dram , of powder of jalap one scruple , of rubarb powder'd ten grains ; with a sufficient quantity of syrup of roses solutive , and three drops of oyl of juniper ' make a bolus . ierusalem-artichoak , in latin battata canadensis . it frequently grows in gardens here in england . the root of it tastes well , and is eaten with butter and ginger , and sometimes baked in a pye : but however it be dress'd , it is windy , and offensive to the stomach . the iesuit's-bark , in latin china-china , arbor febrifuga peruviana , pulvis patrum , or pulvis cardinalis . a noted merchant , and an honest man , who liv'd many years in peru , and publish'd an account of this tree , written in italian , says , it grows in regno quitensi , in a peculiar place ; which the indians call loca , or loia . the powder of the bark , given in a due quantity , is the most certain and safe remedy for the cure of an ague . the incomparable physician , dr. thomas sydenham called it the only specifick for agues : says he , ( treating of the cure of agues ) when i had found the inconveniences that proceed from evacuations , and well weighing the matter , i suppos'd that jesuit's-powder would be the most certain cure. and , indeed , i can truly affirm , notwithstanding the prejudice of the common people , and of some few of the learned , that i never found any injury by the use of it , nor can imagine any ; only they that have used it a long time , are seiz'd sometimes with a scorbutick rheumatism , but this happens rarely ; and when it does , 't is easily cured by the following medicines : take of conserve of fresh garden-scurvy-grass two ounces , of wood-sorrel one ounce , of the compound-water of wake-robin six drams ; with a sufficient quantity of syrup of oranges , make an electuary : take two drams of it three times a day , for the space of a month ; drinking upon it six spoonfuls of the following water : take of garden-scurvy-grass eight handfuls ; of water-cresses , brook-lime , sage and mint , each four handfuls ; the bark of six oranges , of bruised nutmeg half an ounce ; infuse them in six quarts of brunswick-mum , distil them in a common still , and draw off three quarts of water . being called to a patient that has a quartan-ague , suppose , for instance , on a monday ; and if the fit be to come that day , i do then nothing ; only , to encourage the patient , i tell him he will have no more fits than that . to which end , i give the bark in the following manner , on tuesday and wednesday : take of jesuit's-powder one ounce , make an electuary with a sufficient quantity of syrup of july-flowers , or of dried roses , to be divided into twelve parts ; whereof , let him take one every fourth hour , beginning presently after the fit is off , drinking upon it a draught of any wine . but if the patient can take pills best , take of the jesuit's-powder one ounce , with a sufficient quantity of syrup of july-flowers , make pills of a moderate bigness ; whereof , let him take six every fourth hour . but it is less troublesome , and full as good , that an ounce of this powder be mingled with a quart of claret , and that eight or nine spoonfuls of it be taken at the same times above-mention'd . on thursday , which is the fit-day , i order nothing ; because , most commonly , no fit comes then ; the relicks of the feverish matter being put off by the usual sweats which come towards the end of the preceding fit , carry it off ; and the provision for a new fit being intercepted by the repeated juice of the powder , on the days betwixt the fits. but ▪ lest the ague should return again , eight days exactly from the time wherein the sick took the last dose , i give the same quantity of the powder ; namely , an ounce , divided into twelve parts , according to the method above-describ'd . but tho' the repetition of it once does very often cure the disease , yet the sick is not wholly out of danger , unless his physician repeat it the third or the fourth time , at the same distances above-mention'd ; especially if the blood has been weaken'd by fore-going evacuations , or if the patient has unwarily expos'd himself to the cold air. but , tho' this remedy has no purgative quality in it , yet , by reason of the peculiar temper of some bodies , it often happens , that the sick is as violently purg'd by the use of it , as if he had taken some strong purge : in this case it is necessary to give laudanum with it ; and therefore i order ten drops of laudanum to be put into wine , and to be taken after every other dose of the powder , if the loosness continues . the above-mention'd method cures also quotidian and tertian-agues . but tho' tertian and quotidian-agues seem wholly to intermit after a fit or two , yet many times they appear like continual fevers ; and there is only remission of the fever on the days the fit should intermit ; especially when the sick hath been kept abed altogether , or has been punish'd with an hot method and medicines , that are design'd to drive out the fever by sweat. in this case we must lay hold of the least remission , and give the powder every fourth hour ; left , whilst we attend on the fit , there should not be time enough for the powder to work upon the blood. but seeing there are some that cannot take the bark , neither in the form of a powder , nor of an electuary , or pills , i give to these an infusion of it made in the cold : i infuse for some time two ounces of the bark , grosly powder'd , in a quart of rhenish-wine ; and four ounces of the said infusion seems to contain the virtue of one dram of the powder ; and because it is not unpleasant , nor does oppress the stomach , it may be taken as often again as any other form of this medicine ; namely , till it has cured the ague . sometimes it happens , that before this disease forms it self into regular fits , the sick , by reason of continual vomiting , cannot contain the bark in the stomach , in what form soever it is taken . in this case , the vomiting must be first stopped , before the bark is given : to which end i order , that six or eight times , in the space of two hours , the sick take one scruple of salt of wormwood , in one spoonful of the juice of limons fresh press'd out ; afterwards sixteen drops of liquid laudanum , in a spoonful of strong cinnamon-water ; and soon after , if the vomiting be stop'd , let him take the jesuit's-powder . for infants , whose tender age can scarce bear this remedy in any other form , at least , so much of it as may be sufficient to cure the disease , i prescribe the following julap : take of black-cherry-water and rhenish-wine , each two ounces ; of the jesuit's-powder three drams , of syrup of july-flowers one ounce ; mingle them , and make a julap ; give a spoonful or two , according to the age of the child , every fourth hour , till the disease is cured ; dropping into every other dose , if there be a loosness , a drop or two of liquid laudanum . as to diet , let the sick eat and drink what his stomach craves , summer-fruits and cold liquors only excepted ; and let him drink wine moderately , for his ordinary drink ; by which alone i have recover'd some , whose bodies , by reason of the frequent returns of the ague , have always eluded the salutiferous virtue of the bark . the disease being taken off , all manner of evacuations are carefully to be avoided ; for the gentlest purge , nay , a clyster only of milk and sugar , will be apt to occasion a relapse . but this excellent bark does not only cure agues , 't is also frequently used , by the best physicians , for continual fevers , in the gout , and for hysterick diseases , and the fever that accompanies consumptions , commonly called the hectick fever , the bark being given in infusion , and sweeten'd with syrup of rasberries . but if , with an hectick fever , the consumptive patient be also afflicted with a loosness , which commonly ends the tragedy , the following pills are of excellent use : take of the lemnian earth half a scruple , of bole-armoniack twelve grains , of the pill de stirace one dram and an half , of the jesuit's-powder half an ounce , of syrup of july-flowers a sufficient quantity ; make fourscore pills ; let him take five every six hours , during the loosness ; dringing upon them seven spoonfuls of the following julap : take of the aqua-lactis alexiteria twelve ounces , of cinnamon-water hordeated three ounces , of dr. stephens's water , and epidemick-water , each two ounces ; of diacodium three ounces . the following medicine is commended for a consumption : take of the peruvian bark one ounce , of the balsam of tolu three drams , of cochinel one scruple ; boyl them in a pint of carduus benedictus-water ; strain it , and add of syrup of rasberries and epidemick-water , each two ounces : take four spoonfuls twice a day . some adp to the infusion of this bark , the lesser centory , wormwood , charvil , juniper-berries , the bark of the alder-tree , saxifrage , salt of tartar , and divers other ingredients ; but the basis of all is the peruvian bark , the rest of the ingredients do no great good. tincture of the peruvian bark is made in the following manner : put into a bolt-head four ounces of good bark , grosly powder'd ; pour upon it spirit of wine , four fingers high above the matter ; fit to it another matrass , in order to make a double vessel ; lute well the junctures , and place your vessel to digest in horse-dung , or in a vaporous bath , four days ; stir it from time to time , the spirit of wine will load it self with a red colour ; unlute the vessels , filtrate the tincture through brown paper , and keep it in a viol well stopped . 't is a febrifuge to be given in agues , three or four times a day , after the fit ; and to be continued for a fortnight : the dose is , from ten drops to a dram , in some proper liquor ; as , in centory-water , juniper , wormwood-water or wine . if you put new spirit of wine to the matter which remains in the matrass , and set it in digestion , as before , you will draw more tincture , but it will not be so strong as the other ; wherefore you must give it in a larger dose . extract of peruvian bark is made in the following manner : put to infuse warm twenty four hours eight ounces of peruvian bark , in a sufficient quantity of distill'd water of nuts ; afterwards boyl the infusion gently , and strain it , make a strong expression of the residence , put it to infuse in new water of nuts , boyl it and strain it as before ; mix together what you have strain'd , let them settle , and decant the clear liquor , and evaporate it in a glass , or earthen vessel , set in a sand-heat , unto the consistence of thick hony : it has the same virtues as the former . the dose is , from twelve grains to half a dram , in pills , or dissolv'd in wine . sir robert tabar was the first that found out the true dose or quantity of it for curing agues ; for he did not stand upon scruples , but gave drams and ounces of it ; and so it answer'd his end , and render'd him and the bark famous . being once requir'd by some physicians to desine what an ague was , he answer'd , that an ague was a disease that he could cure , and they could not . 't is to be noted , that the bark , when it is old , is as effectual to cure agues , as when it is fresh ; and , in one respect , much better ; for the purgative quality , which is observ'd to be in the fresh bark , goes off in time . spon . in his book of observations , sur les fievres , & les febrifuges , says , that by diligent search he had found , that the peruvian bark did not come from the trunk or branches , but from the root ; for he had tried some of the bark of the trunk and branches , that was sent to him , and it was not at all bitter . which observation may be of some use to those in our world , who endeavour to find a succedaneum for it . i , says he , have made some trials in this matter : the bark of the root of the peach-tree is very rough , and a little bitter ; upon which account it is , undoubtedly , very proper for a loosness , the bark of the roots of the ash is also rough , and pungently acrid , by reason of abundance of salt contain'd in it , which gives it its febrifuge virtue . lastly , the bark of the roots of the black-cherry-tree is rough , and bitter ; and therefore the powder of it given in a quartan-ague , lessens the fits , but does not quite take them off : yet , says he , i do not question but that it will cure fevers , being given orderly , and in a due quantity . florentine - iris , in latin iris florentina . the root of it hang'd in wine or beer , keeps the beer sweet , and imparts a pleasant smell to the wine , and makes it taste as if rasberries were mix'd with it . 't is also much used by bakers , to make leaven for wheaten bread. many virtues are attributed , by ancient and modern authors , to this plant. 't is chiefly used for obstructions of the lungs , for a cough , asthma , obstructions of the courses , and for children's gripes . outwardly used , with hellebore and hony , it cleanses the skin from spots . 't is frequently used in sweet powders , for the hair. 't is also good for the dropsie , and the jaundice ; it purges water powerfully . the juice of the root is given for this purpose , from half an ounce to an ounce and an half . a gentlewoman cured several people of dropsies only by giving the juice of this root : she order'd them to take four spoonfuls every morning in six spoonfuls of white-wine . an ounce of the fresh juice has been used with good success in a desperate obstruction of the belly . it purges flegm , water and choler : but it is now-a-days only used for dropsies . take of the roots of florentine-iris and hermodactiles powder'd , each six drams ; of the plaister oxycroceum , and of the mucilages , each two ounces ; of the resin of pine one ounce ; mix them , and moisten them with oyl of worms , and make a plaster : this is used for the gout . take of the roots of florentine-iris twelve ounces , of the wood of rhodim two ounces , of the leaves of marjoram three drams , of cloves one ounce , of limon-peel five drams , of cyperus-root one ounce , of sweet-smelling flag six drams , of damask-roses four ounces , of red roses two ounces ; of benzoyn , styrax and calamit , each one ounce ; of labdanum half an ounce ; make a gross powder . this is a sweet powder , and is very proper to sprinkle amongst clothes ▪ to preserve them from the moth. if all the aforesaid ingredients are distill'd with strong beer , in a common still , six grains of musk being tied up in a rag , and hang'd in the receiver , you will have a perfum'd water , that is very fit for funerals . jujubs , in latin jujubae . they are moderately hot and moist : they attemperate the sharpness of the blood , and are good for diseases of the breast and lungs , for coughs , difficulty of breathing , for diseases of the reins and bladder , and for heat of urine . the syrup of jujubs of the london-dispensatory is made in the following manner : take of jujubs number sixty , of the flowers of violets five drams , of liquorish rasp'd and bruis'd , of the leaves of maiden-hair , and of french-barly , each one ounce ; of the seeds of mallows five drams ; of the seeds of white poppies , melons , lettice , and of quinces and gum-tragacanth tied up in a rag by themselves , each three drams ; boyl them in three quarts of fountain-water , till half is consum'd ; strain it , and clarifie the liquor , and with two pounds of white sugar make a syrup . 't is a good , cooling syrup , and proper for coughs , pleurisies , and for ulcers of the lungs and bladder . 't is an ingredient in the lohoch sanans of the london-dispensatory , and of the pectoral decoction . k. kermes , or the scarlet oak , in latin ilex coccigera . this little tree grows on stony hills about monopeliar , and in other parts of france , and in italy : but clusius says , it does not every where bear the grains of kermes ; for he says , they are only to be found in those regions which are near the mediterranean sea , where the sun shines very hot ; and not always there neither ; for , when the shrub grows so big as to bear acorns , the kermes will not grow on it ; and therefore the inhabitants burn them up when they are about four years old , that young ones may come in their room , which afterwards yearly have the grain of kermes sticking to them , on the branch , like small peas , of an ash-colour . these grains are counted by philosophers and botanists , the spurious or excrementitious fruit of the scarlet-oak only : but the learned and ingenious dr. martin lister found such kind of grains growing in england , upon the tender branches of cherry-trees ; and supposes that they are not excrescencies , but the work of some insect , for receiving as in a nest , its young ones . the grains serve for two uses , for medicine , and for dying of a scarlet colour . they are astringent , and are used successfully for wounds , and wounded nerves . they are also of good use to prevent miscarriage ; and used by the physicians of montpeliar for sudden accidents , and acute diseases ; as , for an apoplexy , palsie , and the like . they are also used for the palpitation of the heart , for fainting , and for melancholy . the confection of kermes of the london-dispensatory is made in the following manner : take of the juice of fragrant apples , and of the sweetest water of roses , each one pint and an half ; of the syrup of the grains of kermes one quart ; of sugar one pound ; boyl them almost to the consistence of hony , then take it from the fire , and while it is hot add two drams of amber-grease , cut small , and dissolv'd with some drops of oyl of cinnamon ; which being well mix'd , add the following things powder'd ; of choice cinnamon , and the best wood of aloes , each six drams ; of prepar'd pearl two drams , of leaf-gold one dram ; mix them according to art. the syrup of kermes , mention'd in making confection of kermes , is made in the following manner : they beat the grains in a marble mortar , and pulp them through a sieve , and mix them with an equal quantity of sugar ; this they call conserve : and by adding more sugar , raw silk , the juice of apples , and rose-water , they make a syrup . l. lark-spur , in latin consolida regalis . the juice of the flowers , and the distill'd water clear the sight , and strengthen it : and some say , that looking always upon it does the same ; wherefore they take care to hang it always in sight . 't is successfully used in vulnerary potions ; a decoction of the flowers in wine , with a dram of saffron , opens obstructions . lead-wort , in latin plumbago plinii . it cures horses when they are galled , and prevents worms breeding in the sores , being bruis'd and applied . lignum-aloes . it heats and dries , and comforts all the bowels , especially the heart and womb. it recreates the vital and animal spirits , and therefore is good for fainting . it kills worms . 't is used frequently in cordial epithems . being chew'd in the mouth , and the mouth wash'd with a decoction of it , it cures a stinking breath . 't is used for perfumes ; and being dried and powder'd , and sprinkled upon the body , it smells well . a dram of the root taken inwardly , removes superfluous humours from the stomach , strengthens it , and mitigates the heat of it . it eases the pain of the sides and liver , and does good in the bloody-flux , and for the gripes . a piece of this wood , with the gum sticking on it , was presented to the royal society , by the honourable mr. boyle : it tasted just like the wood , and the colour of it was like pure succotrine-aloes . 't is said that a milk flows from this tree , which is so virulent , that if it chance to drop into the eyes , it occasions blindness ; and if it fall upon any other part of the body , it causes blisters , and an inflammation . the true lignum-aloes grows in malacca , and in the island sumatra . take of labdanum and mastich , each two drams ; of lignum-aloes , storax-calamit , cinnamon , and turpentine , each one dram ; of myrtles , and the roots of cyperus , each half a dram ; of the juyce of mint , and horse-tail , extracted with red wine , a sufficient quantity : make a plaster to be applied to the region of the pubis and perinaeum , for an incontinence of urine . lignum-colubrinum . 't is commended for expelling poyson ; the wood , bark and root mix'd together , is given for this purpose ; but the root is best . it grows in malabar . lignum-molucense . 't is found in the molucca's , and is kept in gardens ; and is so much esteem●d by the inhabitants , that they will not let a stranger see it . the seed of it is used to catch birds ; they mix it with boyl'd rice , and lay it out for the birds to eat it ; and as soon as they have tasted it , they fall asleep , and are stupid ; and if they eat greedily of it , it kills them : to rouse them that are asleep , they dip their heads in cold water , and so they recover . the wood reduced to powder with a file , and taken inwardly , or outwardly applied , expels poysons . it cures the biting of vipers and serpents , ten grains of it being taken in rose-water . it also cures wounds made by poysonous arrows . the strongest man must take but half a scruple of it . when it is used for purging , the party that takes it must make but a small supper the night before . it purges all humours , but especially gross , clammy and melancholy humours . 't is good for long quartan-agues , and for continual fevers ; for the iliack passion , the cholick , wind , a dropsie , and for gravel , and for difficulty of urine ; for pains of the joynts , a scirrhus , and the king's-evil . it kills all sorts of worms , and restores lost appetite . ac●sta observ'd the great use of it in inveterate pains of the head , an hemicrania , apoplexy , noise of the ears , the gout , and for diseases of the stomach and womb , and for an asthma . if it work too much , let the party drink a draught of a decoction of rice . lignum-nepbriticum . it comes from countries that are moderately hot , as is mexicana . 't is used for diseases of the reins , and for difficulty of urine : and the water of it is good for obstructions of the liver and spleen . the water of it is made in the following manner : they cut the wood small , and infuse it in clear fountain-water , and keep it in the vessel till all the water is drunk ; then they put on fresh water , and so they repeat it as long as the wood will tincture the water : in the space of about half an hour the wood imparts a light sky-colour to the water , which grows deeper in time . 't is also good in fevers , and for the cholick . take of sarsaparilla six ounces , of china three ounces , of saxifrage one ounce , of nephritick wood two ounces , of hart's-horn and ivory rasp'd half an ounce , of white sanders half an ounce , of the roots of parsely , grass , knee-holm , and eringo , each one ounce ; of liquorish two ounces , of dates ston'd number six , of caraway and coriander-seeds , each three drams ; infuse them in seven quarts of fountain-water , boyl it according to art , and aromatize it with the wood of cassia . limon , in latin malus limonia limons are more acid than oranges or citrons , and therefore it is probable the juice is colder . 't is proper for all those uses that citron is , but it is not so effectual against poysons ; yet is it more powerful ; in hot diseases , it quenches thirst , and lessens feverish heats . the juice of it is very proper to lessen the stone , and to cleanse the urinary passages . the syrup of the juice of limons is good for the stone , and obstructions of the kidnies . it quenches thirst , is used in burning fevers , and it strengthens the heart and stomach : it restrains the effervescence of choler , and is used with good success to stop vomiting , the hickups , and to take off a burning fever . the peel of limons , as well as of oranges , is candied with sugar , for sweet-meats ; and the small ones are also candied whole , for various uses . the distill'd water of limons , as well as of citrons , is reckon'd an excellent cosmetick . secret letters are writ with the juice of limons , which may be read when they are held to the fire . the juice imparts a curious purple colour to conserve of roses , or violets . 't is also much used to change colours , or to fix them . for nephritick diseases , take of the wood of oak rasp'd one ounce , of fountain-water three quarts , of the juice of limons four ounces ; infuse them twenty four hours upon hot ashes , and afterwards boyl it to the consumption of a third part ; strain it : the dose is six ounces . 't is excellent for an hot intemperies of the liver , for ulcers of the reins , and for heat of the urine ; but especially , it evacuates salt , viscid flegm from the reins and bladder , the cause of heat of urine and strangury . limons are brought to us from spain and italy . liquid-amber . 't is the resin that flows from a vast tree , that hath leaves like ivy-leaves : the indians call it ocosolt . when the spaniards first enter'd into those parts , where these trees grow , they call'd them spice-bearing trees . 't is much used in physick : it heats , strengthens , resolves , and is anodine . it comforts the brain , the head being anointed with it ; and cures all sorts of pains proceeding from a cold cause . it strengthens the stomach , procures appetite , and helps concoction . much of it is used to perfume gloves . 't is good in all cold diseases , to resolve tumors , to open obstructions of the womb , to asswage the tumors of it , and to provoke the courses . some cut the wood in small pieces , and boyl it , and take off the fat which swims at top , and sell it for true oyl : and this is sold by some apothecaries for liquid-storax . m. mace , in latin macis . 't is the covering or the nutmeg , and is very aromatick , and full of much spirituous heat , and is therefore good for cold diseases . 't is much of the same virtue with the nutmeg ; but because its parts are finer , it works more powerfully , and is more penetrative . mandrake , in latin mandragora . 't is male and female . it grows spontaneously in hot countries , as spain and italy , and the like , in woods , and shady places . mandrakes are reckon'd amongst narcotick medicines . some have question'd whether the apple of it were wholesom , or no. but faber lynceus , botanick professor at rome . a very learned man , and of good reputation , says , that both the pulp and the seed may be safely eaten . now , seeing the apples of the mandrake are fit to be eaten , and smell well , why should we seek for any other interpretation for the hebrew word dudaim , which reuben brought to his mother leah ? and seeing it was the opinion of the ancients , that the seeds of the mandrakes purged the womb , 't is very probable that rachel , knowing this virtue of them , desir'd the mandrakes ; that her womb being purg'd , she might be render'd capable to conceive , and to bear children , as well as her sister leah , and her maid zilpha . the bark of the root , which is brought to us from abroad , especially from italy , is narcotick ; but it is seldom used inwardly . 't is outwardly used for redness and pains of the eyes , for an erisipelas , hard tumors , and the king's-evil . manna . the best comes from calabria . it sweats out of the branches and leaves of the ash-trees in calabria , and grows hard by the heat of the sun : for manna is not heavenly dew , or airy hony , as has been prov'd by undoubted experiments . what can be more evident demonstration , that manna is the humour or juice , distilling from the trunk or branches of the ash-tree cut ; or , what experiment can be more certain to prove it , than what pena and lobelius deliver ? namely , that having cut down great branches of the larix and ash-tree , and placed them in a wine-cellar , at that time of the summer that manna used to be gather'd in , and the next day they perceiv'd manna upon them . this was confirm'd to me , says mr. ray , when i travell'd into italy , by many of the inhabitants of calabria ; but especially by the learned and diligent searcher into the works of nature , doctor thomas cornelius , a physician ; who having carefully cover'd the branches , with clothes wrapp'd round them often , gather'd manna from them . which is a proof beyond exception . manna is used to loosen the belly , two or three ounces of it being dissolv'd in broth or whey . 't is a very gentle medicine , and may be safely given to old men , children , and women with child . take of manna one ounce and an half , dissolve it in two ounces and an half of black-cherry-water , add to it one ounce of the purging syrup of apple , spirit of sulphure three drops : half of it may be taken at a time . this is a proper purge for children . a person that had the cholick , and had taken thirty clysters to no purpose , was releiv'd by taking an ounce and an half of manna , mix'd with two ounces of oyl of sweet almonds , in fat chicken-broth . take of manna half an ounce , of fresh oyl of sweet almonds a sufficient quantity to dissolve it , add ten drops of rose-water ; mingle it : let children lick of this often , to loosen their bellies when there is occasion . black master-wort , in latin astrantia nigra . it purges melancholy , like white hellebore . mastick-tree , in latin lentiscus . all the parts of it are binding ; the buds , the leaves , the branches , the fruit , and the bark of the root . a juice is pressed from the bark , the root , and the leaves , boyl'd in water , or from the green leaves bruis'd ; which taken inwardly , is good for a loosness , and the bloody-flux , fluxes of the womb , and for the falling of the womb and fundament . in short , it may be used instead of acacia and hypocistis . the oyl of the mastick-tree , made of the ripe fruit , and thicken'd , cures the mange in cattel and dogs . 't is also successfully mix'd in medicines for curing the leprosie . the oyl of it is much commended for the falling of the hair , and for inflammations of the gums , the oyl being held in the mouth moderately hot . mastick grows only in the island of chios , where the inhabitants take as much care of the mastick-tree , as other people do of their vine-yards ; for they chiefly live by the product of the mastick-tree : and so great abundance of it have they , that they pay yearly , as a tribute to the grand seignior , or ducats . mastick taken inwardly , stops the voiding of blood , and cures an old cough , and is good for the stomach . two drams of mastick , mix'd with crumbs of toasted bread , and apapplied hot to the stomach , takes off vomiting , and the pain of the stomach . take of myrrh and mastick equal parts , boyl them in oyl of camomile : this is excellent for inveterate pains of the hips . half an ounce of mastick , boyl'd in three or four quarts of water , is used for the ordinary drink of those that have a loosness . the people of china , men , women and children , do most commonly hold mastick in their mouths , to strengthen their teeth and gums , and to perfume their breath ; they also bake it with their bread , to give it a good taste . in short , mastick is preferr'd before all other medicines , in those diseases where-there is need of binding . the best mastick is of a light colour , clear and transparent , sweet-scented and friable . 't is sometimes adulterated with resin of the pine-tree , and with frankincense ; but the cheat may easily be discover'd by the smell . mechoacana . it takes its name from an island in new-spain , call'd mechoacan . it purges flegmatick and watery humours from all parts of the body , especially from the head , nerves and breast . 't is good for old coughs , the cholick , and the french-pox . 't is taken most commonly in substance , being powder'd , and taken in a proper liquor , especially in wine . it is not given in a decoction , because it has been found by experience , that boyling destroys the virtue of it . the dose is , from half a dram to two drams . 't is corrected by adding a third part of cinnamon , annise , or mastick . 't is best when it is fresh , whitish within , and of an ash-colour without . mezereon . 't is very hot and acrid ; being chewed in the mouth , it burns the jaws and throat : but it purges choler strongly , being corrected by infusing it twenty four hours in vinegar . some correct it by infusing it in wine , and drying it again . but the leaves , bark , or berries , howsoever they are prepar'd and corrected , are seldom used , by reason of their malignity : nor , indeed , ought they to be used , but in desperate cases , or for want of safer medicines . myrobalanes , in latin myrobalani . there are five sorts of them , which are comprehended in the following distick . myrobalanorum species sunt quinque bonorum ; citrinus , chebulus , belericus , emblicus , indus . all of them cool , dry , and are astringent ; as is manifest from their taste , which is sharp , with a little acrimony . the chebulae , belericae and emblicae purge flegm , the citrinae purge yellow choler , and the indae black choler . being toasted , they purge a little , and bind much , like rubarb . because they purge little , physicians give other things with them . the dose is two or three drams . myrrh , in latin myrrha . the best myrrh is the cleanest , which is rough , light , and breaks easily ; smells sweet , tastes bitter and hot . it heats , disposes to rest , and is good in cold diseases of the head. it conglutinates , and dries . it provokes the courses , and hastens delivery . 't is good for an old cough , and difficulty of breathing , and for pains of the breast and sides , and for a loosness , and for the bloody-flux . it cures an hoarseness , being held in the mouth , and what dissolves of it being swallow'd down . it heals wounds of the head , and is frequently applied to bones when they lie naked . it was much used formerly to preserve dead bodies . some say , it is good in a dropsie . 't is excellent in a gangrene , for swellings and wounds , especially in the head. the troches of myrrh of the london-dispensatory are made in the following manner : take of myrrh three drams , of the flower of lupines five drams , of the roots of madder , the leaves of rue , wild mint , dittany of crete , cummin-seeds , assafoetida , sagapenum , and opoponax , each two drams ; dissolve the gums in wine wherein mug-wort has been boyl'd , or juniper-berries ; add the rest , and make troches with the juice of mug-wort . they move the courses with ease , in such as use to have them with pain , a dram of them being taken in some proper liquor . 't is an ingredient in the elixir proprietatis , which is made in the following manner : take of myrrh , aloes and saffron , each half an ounce ; of spirit of wine rectified ten ounces , of spirit of sulphure by the bell half an ounce ; first draw a tincture from the saffron , in the spirit of wine , by digesting of it six or eight days ; then add the myrrh and aloes grosly beaten , and the spirit of sulphure ; digest them in a long viol , well stop'd , for the space of a mouth ; stop the viol close , and shake it often ; pour off the black tincture from the faeces , let it stand quiet a night , then pour it out , and decant it so often as you find any faeces at the bottom . 't is hot and dry , stomachick and anodine , uterine and alexipharmick . two drams of it will purge . it cures tertian agues , and is an universal medicine , fit for all ages , for men , women and children . it alters , evacuates , and strengthens , when you do not design purging . the dose is , six or twelve drops , in wine or beer . tincture of myrrh is made in the following manner : put what quantity you please of good myrrh powder'd into a bolt-head , and pour upon it spirit of wine four fingers high ; stir the matter , and set it in digestion in warm sand two or three days , or until the spirit of wine is loaded with the tincture of myrrh ; then separate the liquor by inclination , and keep it in a viol well stop'd . it may be used to hasten delivery , and to bring down the courses ; also for a palsie , apoplexy , lethargy , and for all diseases that proceed from corruption of humours . 't is sudorifick , and aperitive . the dose is , from six drops to fifteen , in some proper liquor . 't is commonly used in outward applications , or mix'd with tincture of aloes , to dissolve cold tumors , for injections , and a gangreen . tho' tinctures of myrrh are daily drawn in wine , yet the best that can be prepar'd is with spirit of wine , because this menstruum receives the more oyly or balsamick part of the myrrh . some use to evaporate this tincture to the consistence of an extract , but then they lose the more volatile part of the myrrh ; wherefore 't is better to use the tincture , as above describ'd . oyl of myrrh , per deliquium , is made in the following manner : boyl eggs until they be hard , then cutting them in two , separate the yolks , and fill the white with myrrh powder'd ; set them on little sticks plac'd conveniently on purpose , in a plate , or earthen pan , in a cellar , or some such moist place , and there will distil a liquor to the bottom of the vessel ; put it out , and keep it for use : this is call'd oyl of myrrh . 't is good to take away spots and blemishes in the face , applied outwardly . myrrh is a gummy juice , that distils from a thorny tree , of a middle heighth , by incisions that are made into it . this tree grows commonly in ethiopia and arabia . the ancients were wont to collect from the same tree a liquor that fell from it without incision , which is called stacten : 't is a liquid gum , and , it is probable , has more virtue than common myrrh , because it is the more spirituous part which filtrates through the pores of the bark . n. celtick nard , in latin nardus celtica . it heats and dries , provokes urine , strengthens the stomach , and discusses wind. 't is frequently used in lotions for the head. it grows frequently upon the alpes . spike - nard , in latin nardus indica , sive spica nardi . 't is much of the same virtue with the former . 't is hepatick , is good for the jaundice , and the stone in the kidnies . nard-oyl is made in the following manner : take of spike-nard three ounces , of marjoram two ounces ; wood of aloes , sweet-smelling flag , elecampane , cyperus , bay-leaves , indian leaves or mace , squinanth , cardamoms , of each one ounce and an half ; bruise them all grosly , and steep them in water and wine , of each fourteen ounces ; oyl of olives four pounds and an half ; perfect the oyl by boyling it gently , in a double vessel . it heats , attenuates , digests , and binds moderately ; and is good for cold and windy diseases of the brain , stomach , reins , liver , spleen , bladder and womb. true english stinking dead - nettle , in latin galeopsis . the juice of it given with vinegar , is good for hemorrhoids , and takes off warts , and discusses hard tumors . a decoction of it , or the powder of the herb , is commended for diseases of the spleen . nigella . the seed is chiefly in use . it expectorates , increases milk , and provokes urine and the courses . 't is good for the biting of venomous creatures , and is reckon'd specifick for quotidian and quartan-agues . 't is used outwardly in epithems , and the like , for the head-ach , and to dry catarrhs . an oyl is press'd out of it , which many ignorant apothecaries use instead of nard-oyl . for catarrhs and a coriza use the following nodulus : take of the seeds of nigella toasted , of tobacco , storax , and calamint , each one scruple ; of amber-grease two grains ; mingle them and tie them up in a rag ; let it be often held to the nostrils . for the recovery of smelling , take of roman nigella a sufficient quantity , powder it , and mix it with old oyl in a mortar ; leaning the head back , and the mouth fill'd with water , let the party snuff some of it up into his nostrils . take of the roots of sow-bread , and of esula , each one dram ; of the seeds of roman nigella half a dram , with a sufficient quantity of hony make a pessary for the falling of the womb. 't is an ingredient of the syrup of mugwort of the london-dispensatory . nutmeg , in latin nux moschata . the tree grows commonly in the island banda , situated near the equator . 't is somewhat astringent , is stomachick , cephalick and uterine ; it discusses wind , helps concoction , mends a stinking breath , prevents fainting , does good in the palpitation of the heart , lessens the spleen , stops a loosness and vomiting , provokes urine , and quickens the sight . nutmeg is of great use in the bloody-flux , and other fluxes ; for it has all the virtues necessary for a medicine fit for these diseases . the oyly substance of it defends the guts from sharp humours , and eases the pain ; the aromatick quality consisting in the airy spirit , penetrates the noble parts , and comforts them ; the earthy part binds , dries up ulcers , and cicatrises them . candied nutmegs are used in all cold diseases of the head , for a palsie , and other diseases of the nerves and womb ; besides , they are counted cordial . they have been used to be brought many years candied from the indies , and are used for sweet-meats and banquets . delicate people eat the outward bark when it is green , and they prefer it before the nut , for it has a curious smell , and is very agreeable to the stomach ; but it has been found by experience , that the frequent and excessive use , both of the nuts and bark , occasions sleepy diseases , for they are very narcotick : upon which account , what tavernier relates is not improbable ; namely , that when these nuts are ripe ▪ the birds of paradise flock together to the molucca-islands , to eat them ; just as thrushes flock to france , at the time of the vintage ; but they pay dearly for their dainty food ; for when they have eaten greedily of them , they are seized with a giddiness , and fall to the ground as if they were drunk ; and when they lie on the ground the ants eat off their legs . and lobelius mentions an observation of an english lady with child that long'd for nutmegs , and eat twelve of them ; upon which shew grew delirous , or was rather intoxicated ; but having slept a good while , and repelling medicines being applied to her head , she recover'd . the wounds of a soldier were soon cured by eating nutmegs . wedelius also commends them for curing of wounds . john bauhinus having drunk cold water too freely on the apennine mountains , was seiz'd with violent pains in his bladder , and his scrotum was swell'd with the wind , tho' he never was bursten'd before or after ; and when he thought he should have died by reason of the violence of the pain , his fellow-traveller gave him nutmegs , and he eat four of them presently , and , by the blessing of god , was freed of his pains . nutmegs chew'd and swallow'd , do much good for a palsie of the parts that serve for swallowing . an oyl express'd from the fresh nuts beat , and made hot in a frying-pan , is good for the gripes , and nephritick pains , being taken inwardly in some hot liquor . children's navels being anointed with it when they are grip'd , are eas'd thereby . 't is also good for pains of the nerves and joints proceeding from cold. the temples being anointed with it , it disposes to rest . the best nutmeg is that which is weighty . oyl of nutmegs is made in the following manner : take sixteen ounces of good nutmegs , beat them in a mortar until they are almost in a paste , and put them upon a boulter , cover them with a piece of strong cloth , and an earthen pan over that ; put your cloth over a kettle half fill'd with water , and set the kettle upon the fire , that the vapour of the water may gently warm the nutmegs ; when you find , upon touching the pan , it is so hot that you cannot endure your hand upon it , you must take off the boulter ; and putting the matter into a linen cloth , take its four corners , and tie them quickly together , put them into a press , between a couple of warm plates , set the pan underneath , and there will come forth an oyl , which congeals as it grows cold ; press the matter as strongly as you are able , to draw out all the oyl ; then keep it in a pot well stop'd . this oyl is very stomachick , being applied outwardly , or else given inwardly . the dose is , from four grains to ten , in broth , or some other convenient liquor . this is call'd oyl of nutmegs by expression , which is an ingredient in the following apoplectick balsam : take of oyl of nutmegs by expression two ounces , oyl of rosemary , marjoram , sage , thyme , hysop and angelica , each one dram ; oyl of cinnamon half a dram , of oyl of amber half a scruple , of oyl of rhodium one dram , of the oyl of rue , limons , oranges and cloves , each one scruple ; of peruvian balsam half an ounce , of tincture of benzoin , of civet , chymical oyl of nutmegs , of tincture of cloves , each half a dram ; of amber-grease two drams , of musk one dram ; put all the oyls together , in a glass , for use ; the longer they have been mix'd , the better they are : then take ten or twenty drops , and grind them with the oyl of nutmegs half an hour , then drop the same number of drops as before ; get up the mixture together with a piece of horn , or with a knife , then let it stand two hours to ferment , then put thirty drops of the oyls more to it , and grind it with the mixture half an hour ; cover it with a paper , and let it stand all night ; in the morning grind it with the balsam of peru for half an hour , then warm a brass mortar and pestle , and cut or scrape into it your amber-grease ; add to it thirty drops of your mixture of oyls grind them together for a quarter of an hour , then add thirty drops more of the oyls , afterwards put it out on one side of the stone , and on the other side put the musk , mix it by degrees , with the oyls and amber-grease , till it be all dissolved ; then put to it the civet , and grind it with the musk and amber-grease for a quarter of an hour ; mix all by degrees with the former composition , and ferment them two hours , then put it up , and keep it for use . take of alabastrian ointment , and of ointment of roses , each two ounces ; of opium one dram , of saffron one dram , of oyl of nutmegs one dram ; mingle them , and make an ointment ; anoint the temples and forehead with it : 't is good for the head-ach . take of saffron powder'd two scruples , of the ointment of the flowers of oranges , and of oyl of sweet almonds , each one ounce ; of oyl of nutmegs by expression half a dram ; mingle them , and make an ointment : anoint children's breasts , in colds , and other diseases of the lungs , with this ointment . nux vomica . 't is narcotick and virulent , and worse than opium . being powder'd , and mix'd with meat , it kills cats and dogs . o. oak of jerusalem , in latin botrys . the herb powder'd , and mix'd with hony , is good for an ulcer of the lungs : it provokes the courses , and expels a dead child . take of this herb , of hedge-mustard , and of nettles , each two handfuls ; of colt's-foot one handful and an half ; boyl them in a sufficient quantity of fountain-water , in b. m. to a quart of the clear liquor strain'd ; add the juice of turnips par'd , and boyl'd in fountain-water ; change the water twice , and when they are soft press out the juice gently ; add of this juice , having clear'd it self by standing , one pint , fine sugar three pounds ; boyl it to a syrup in b. m. when there is occasion to use it . olive-tree . 't is a tree of a moderate bigness ; it grows slowly , and lasts long , some say two hundred years . it grows in italy and france , and other places . tho' olives , when they are ripe , are black , and taste acrid , bitter and nauseous ; yet the oyl that is press'd from them is most commonly pellucid , and a little yellowish . it tastes sweet and pleasant ; but that which is freest from colour and taste , is reckon'd the best . the leaves of olives cool , dry , and are astringent . they are chiefly used outwardly , for fluxes of the belly of the courses , for an herpes , and the like ; and with medicines for the eyes . so great is the use of the oyl , both for meat and medicine , that it would take up too much time to mention all . galen , dioscorides , pliny , and others , both ancient and modern , have treated largely of it . one was ask'd when he was above an hundred years old , by what means he kept up the vigour of his mind and body : he answer'd , by taking wine inwardly , and by using of oyl outwardly . cardan mentions three things which prolong life ; milk , hony and oyl : but he does not mean that the oyl should be used outwardly , but be taken inwardly with meat . aristotle said , that oyl and salt should be always had in readiness , for that they much conduced to a long life . the best oyl for the recovery of health is that which is made of olives before they are ripe , and then 't is call'd omphacinum : of this they make ointments , and many other compositions . oyl of ripe olives is hot , and moistens moderately : the old is hotter than the new. it mollifies , digests , is vulnerary , and loosens the belly , an ounce of it being taken in hot beer . it takes off the dryness of the breast , cures the gripes , opens the urinary passages , cleanses and heals them when they are sore . 't is outwardly used for clysters , and hot tumours , and the like . mix'd with warm water , and taken inwardly , it vomits ; and therefore is used against poysons . schroder says , that in westphalia they usually give oyl daily , with hot beer , to those that are wounded ; and they take so much of it , that their very sweat smells of it . a toast dip'd in oyl , and well moisten'd with it , and taken daily in the morning , keeps the body open . all sorts of insects being besmear'd with oyl , die presently : the reason is plain , for it stops the pores whereby they breath . oyl cleanses the hands from pitch , and clothes when they are pitch'd . opium-seed , white of poppies , in the first part this herbal . opium is a tear which distils of it self , or by incision of the heads of the poppies . 't is found frequently in greece , in the kingdom of cambaia , and the territories of grand-cairo in egypt . there are three sorts of it , the black , the white , and the yellow . the inhabitants of those countries keep this opium for their own use , and send us only the meconium , which is nothing else but the juice of the poppy-heads , drawn by expression ; which is not near so good as the true opium . the best opium comes from thebes , or else from grand-cairo . chuse it black , inflamable , bitter , and a little acrimonious . it s smell is disagreeable and stupefactive . extract of opium is made in the following manner : cut into slices four ounces of good opium , and put it into a boult-head ; pour upon it a quart of rain-water well filter'd , stop the boult-head , and setting it in the sand , give your fire by degrees ; then increase it to make the liquor boyl for two hours ; strain it warm , and pour it into a bottle ; take the opium which remains undissolv'd in the rain-water , dry it in an earthen pan , over a small fire ; and putting it into a matrass , pour upon it spirit of wine , to the heighth of four fingers ; stop the matrass , and digest the matter twelve hours in hot ashes ; afterwards strain the liquor , and there will remain a glutinous earth , which is to be flung away ; evaporate both these dissolutions of opium separately , in earthen or glass-vessels , in a sand-heat , to the consistence of hony , then mix them , and finish the drying this mixture with a very gentle heat , to give it the consistence of pills , or of a solid extract : 't is the most certain soporifick that we have in physick : it allays all pains which proceed from too great an activity of the humours . 't is good for the tooth-ach , applied to the tooth , or else to the temple-artery in a plaster . 't is used to stop spitting of blood , the bloody-flux , the flux of the courses , and hemorrhoids ; for the cholick , for hot defluctions of the eyes , and to quiet all sorts of griping pains . the dose of it is , from half a grain to three grains , in some convenient conserve , or else dissolv'd in a julap . those that accustom themselves to the use of opium must increase the dose of it , or else it will have no effect on them . helmont's liquid laudinum is made in the following manner : take of opium four ounces , cut it into slices , dry it in a gentle heat ; then take a quart of the juice of quinces , mix one quarter of the juice with opium , rub it very well in a glass-mortar , let it dissolve as much of the opium as it will bear ; decant it off , and pour on as much more fresh juice , rub it as before ; continue so doing till the opium is dissolv'd , but keep out a little of the juice to mix with four spoonfuls of yeast ; then put it to the rest of the liquor , and place it in a wide-mouth'd glass , cover'd with paper , in the first degree of heat , on a degestive furnace , to ferment ; let it continue four days , or so long as it ferments ; when it has done fermenting take it off the furnace , and decant it from the faeces ; that which will not decant filter through paper ; then add to this tincture an ounce of saffron , two ounces of cinnamon , half an ounce of nutmegs , and half an ounce of cloves ; the cinnamon and nutmegs must be powder'd grosly ; set it on the degestive furnace again , in the same degree of heat , and let it stand three or four days ; then filter your tincture through paper , and put it into a cucurbite , put on an head and receiver ; draw off half that which remains in the cucurbite ; you must filter it again , lest any dregs should remain at the bottom : put it up in a glass for use . oranges , in latin malus aurantia . the nobility and gentry in england value the trees much , and keep them in their gardens for a fine shew , and some of them bring fruit to maturity ; but by reason of the coldness of our climate , the product is no way suitable to the charge . they are kept in houses in the winter-time , to defend them from the injuries of the weather : but they grow in great abundance in sicily , italy and spain , and in other places . the flowers are much esteem'd for their good smell , which they retain a long while . the distill'd water of them is also very fragrant , and is not only pleasant , but useful too against the plague and contagious diseases . the spaniards give it to women in hard labour , with a little penny-royal-water . the bark is more bitter , and therefore hotter than the bark of citron . being candied , it kills the worms in children . it also strengthens the heart and stomach , and is good for those diseases citrons are prescrib'd for . the juice is not so sharp as that of limons or citrons , yet it is cooling , and tastes pleasantly . it creates an appetite , and extinguishes thirst ; and therefore is of good use in fevers . oranges are excellent for curing the scurvy . the oyl press'd out of the bark is of a fiery quality , as will appear to any one that shall press the fresh juice near a candle ; for the drops , like dew , that fly out will flame and crackle , just as if the powder of sulphure were flung upon the flame . some think that the bark so press'd into the eyes clears the sight . neck-laces and bracelets , to number the prayers , are made of small oranges that fall off ; and they smell very pleasantly . the seeds kill the worms in children . the seeds being set in the earth , little trees spring for a year , which are eaten in the manner of sallets ; they taste very pleasantly , and strengthen the stomach , and create an appetite . for the worms , take an orange , bore an hole in it , and press out the juice ; then fill it with equal parts of oyl of flax , the juice of wormwood , and rue , adding a little treacle , and flower of lupins , and let them boyl a while : anoint the pulse , the temples , the nostrils , and the navel with this linament , and you will find wonderful success . conserve of oranges is made in the following manner : take what quantity you please of the yellow peel of oranges , beat them well in a stone-mortar , and add thrice the weight of fine sugar ; beat it up to a conserve : this is good for a cold scurvy , and for pains and wind in the stomach . syrup of oranges is made in the following manner : take of the juice strain'd , and clarified by standing , one pint ; of white sugar clarified , and boyl'd up to the consistence of tablets , two pounds ; let it just boyl up , and so make a syrup . orange-water is made in the following manner : take of the yellow peel of half an hundred of the best fresh and well-colour'd oranges , infuse them four or five days in three quarts of sack and two quarts of nants-brandy ; put a pound of loaf-sugar into it to sweeten it . orchis . it heats and moistens , and tastes sweet . 't is chiefly used for a provocative to venery ; it comforts the womb , and helps conception . take of the salt of satyrion half a scruple in malaga-wine often , after the flux of the courses : this has made many women fruitful . diasatyrion of the london-dispensatory is made in the following manner : take of the roots of orchis three ounces ; dattes , bitter almonds , indian-nuts , pine-nuts , fistich-nuts , ginger candied , eryngo-roots candied , each one ounce ; of cloves , galangal , long and black pepper , each three drams ; of amber-grease one scruple , of musk two scruples , of penids four ounces , of cinnamon and saffron , each half an ounce ; of malaga-wine three ounces , of nutmegs , mace , grains of paradise , each two drams ; of ash-tree-keys , the belly and loins of scinks , of facticious borax and benzoin , each three drams ; of the wood of aloes and cardamoms , each two drams ; of the seeds of nettles , onions , and of the roots of avens , each one dram and an half ; mingle them , and make an electuary according to art , with two pints and an half of the syrup of ginger preserv'd . this electuary is frequently used for a provocative to venery . oyster-green , or sea-wrake , in latin fucus marinus . all kinds of wrake cool and dry , and are good for inflammations being used fresh . p. panax-herculis . this herb being cut , especially in the root , the juice flows out in the summer-time , which is call'd opopanax . 't is good for wounds : it mollifies , digests , discusses wind , purges thick and clammy flegm from the remote parts , from the head , nerves and joints . the best is yellow without , and white or yellowish within ; it tastes very bitter , and smells strong ; 't is of a fat consistence , dissolves easily in water , and is light and friable . the roots of panax-herculis are good for all cold diseases of the breast , for pains of the stomach , and obstructions of the bowels ; for diseases of the reins , bladder , womb and breast . they are good for pains of the head , giddiness , the falling-sickness , convulsions , the palsie , an asthma , for coughs , the jaundice . and a dropsie ▪ they expel wind , provoke urine and the courses , hasten delivery , and expel gravel . a decoction of them is good for the hip-gout . take of opopanax one dram , of spike-nard powder'd half a scruple , of diagridium four grains ; with syrup of staecha's make pills : these pills purge flegm . pellitory of spain , in latin pygrethrum . 't is reckon'd an excellent remedy for the palsie of the tongue , and loss of speech . the root is very biting , and hot . being chew'd in the mouth , it cures the pain in the teeth . round black pepper , in latin piper rotundum nigrum . it grows in most of the provinces of india , especially malaca , java and sumetra . there is so much of it in those places , that it serves the whole world. the plant is so weak , that it cannot stand by it self ; and if it has no tree to climb upon , it falls to the ground like hops . white round pepper , in latin piper rotundum album . there is no difference betwixt the plants , as there is none betwixt the vines that bring white and red grapes . all sorts of pepper heat , provoke urine , concoct and discuss , being taken inwardly ; and used outwardly , they take off the shaking cold fit of agues , and are good for the biting of venomous creatures . pepper hastens delivery , and is suppos'd to hinder conception , being applied after copulation . 't is good for coughs , and all diseases of the breast . mix'd with hony , 't is best for a quinsie . it takes off the gripes , being taken with the tender leaves of laurel . it draws flegm from the head , being chew'd with raisins ; and it excites appetite , and helps concoction . mix'd with pitch , it discusses king's-evil swellings , and is good for cold and crude stomachs . there is a great difference betwixt taking of it whole , and in powder ; for the powder causes the hickups , and inflames all the bowels : they therefore that take it to help their stomachs , should swallow it whole . and it is best to season bak'd meats with whole pepper ; for when it is powder'd it sticks to the coats of the stomach , and occasions in some constitutions the heart-burning , and the hickups . 't is used outwardly in gargarisms , and sneezing-powders . it takes off the pain of the teeth , and asswages the swelling of the uvula , and is good for cold diseases of the nerves . pepper , and the oyl of it , is mightily commended for quartan-agues , by several good authors . oyl of pepper outwardly used , is an excellent rememedy for a palsie . not only the berries , which are properly call'd pepper , are so biting , but also the whole plant. the indians use long pepper in ointments , for pains of the members proceeding from cold , and against poysons , and for giddiness of the head , catarrhs , and dimness of sight , with good success . the common sort of people in india use , when their stomachs have been a long while weak , to drink water wherein a good quantity of pepper has been infus'd : and they draw a very fiery spirit from fresh pepper , which they use for the same purpose . pepper with a cluster'd tail , and long oriental pepper , have much the same virtues with these describ'd . take of malaga-sack three pints , of rue , ginger and long-pepper cut , each two drams ; of nutmegs one dram ; boyl them to the consumption of a third part ; strain it , and add two drams of venice-treacle , and one dram of mithridate , and four ounces of strong angelica-water ; mingle them : the dose is , one spoonful at a time for preservation against the plague , and three at a time to cure it . pitch , in latin pix . 't is the resin of the pine , of the firr-tree , and some other trees : which is distill'd by fire , and boyl'd to a consistence . pitch used in the manner of a plaster , pulls up hairs by the roots . it mollifies , suppurates , discusses swellings , and incarns ulcers . tar cures the mange in cattel , and their wounds and ulcers , and keeps the fly from them . in norway they use tar that is made of the firr , with good success in malignant fevers ; they mix it with beer , and drink it : and they count dry pitch a present remedy for the gout : but the chief use of pitch is for shipping . lamb-black is nothing but the smoak of pitch ; they that make it have rooms that keep in all the smoak , and so they collect it . take of liquid pitch , and of the balsam of tolu , each twenty six grains ; of chios-turpentine one scruple ; with powder of crab's-eyes make a mass , whereof make midling-pills ; take three in the morning , and at bed-time , drinking upon them six spoonfuls of the following julap : take of hysop-water one pint , of ground-ivy-water six ounces , of the tincture of the balsam of tolu one dram and an half , of white sugar-candy a sufficient quantity . these pills are good in a consumption . the plane-tree , in latin platanus orientalis vera. the tender leaves boyl'd in wine , and used in the manner of an ointment , stops fluxions on the eyes . the bark boyl'd in vinegar is used for pains of the teeth ; but now-a-days it is not used in physick . the lord bacon , that excellent man , whom all the world admires , planted several of these trees near verulam . poley-mountain , in latin polium montanum . it provokes urine , and the courses ; is good for dropsies , and the jaundice , and the biting of venomous creatures . 't is an ingredient in treacle and mithridate . sylvius commends it much for the falling-sickness , because it abounds with a volatile salt. pomegranate , in latin malus punica , sive granata . it grows in france , italy and spain . the apples are reckon'd to contain a good juice , that is agreeable to the stomach ; but it yields little nourishment . pomegranates , with respect to their taste , are distinguish'd into sweet , acid and vinous . the sweet , and the syrup of them , is used for cronical coughs ; and a pleurifie ; but it is not good in fevers , because it occasions wind , and increases the heat . the acid are cold , and astringent , and stomachick ; wherefore they , and the syrup of them , are used to quench thirst , for fevers , the running of the reins , for ulcers of the mouth , and the like . the vinous are of a middle nature , betwixt acid and sweet ; they are cordial and cephalick , and chiefly used for fainting , and giddiness , and the like . the juice is press'd out of these apples for the aforesaid uses ; and being fermented and clear'd , is call'd wine . the flowers are very astringent , wherefore they are frequently used for fluxes of all kinds . the powder of them being sprinkled upon ulcers , soon cicatrises them , and cures ulcers of the mouth . the bark is of the same nature with the flowers , and is used to tan leather , and to make ink , instead of galls . a decoction of it in wine , taken inwardly , kills worms , especially those which are call'd ascarides . the kernels cool and bind , especially those of the acid apple . in short , the flowers , the bark , the kernels , and the leaves are proper where there is need of binding . syrup of pomegranates of the london-dispensatory is made in the following manner : take of white sugar a pound and an half , of the juice of pomegranates clarified a pint ; make a syrup in b. m. caesalpinus says , that the juice press'd from the pomegranate , and the peel of it , purges yellow choler : but this must be understood of the sweet apples . take of pomegranate-peel half an ounce , of red roses two pugils ; boyl them in a sufficient quantity of cow's milk ; in half a pint of the strained liquor dissolve half an ounce of diascordium : make a clyster . this dr. sydenham commends much in a loosness , to stop it . potatoes , in latin battata . they are boyl'd , or roasted under ashes , and eat better than our turnips . they grow in the new world , and the neighbouring islands ; from whence they were brought to spain , and from thence to other parts of europe . mock - privet in latin phillyrea . the leaves of it are astringent ; and a decoction of them cures ulcers of the mouth : and being taken inwardly , it provokes urine , and the courses . mock-privet is much used to make hedges in gardens , and is planted in walks . psylium , in english flea-wort . it grows commonly about montpeliar , and in italy . it evacuates yellow choler , and by its mucilage blunts the acrimony of the humours ; and is therefore commended in a dysentery , and the like . but it is suppos'd to be offensive to the stomach , and occasions faintness if it be taken often . for pains proceeding from inflammations of the eyes , take of the mucilage of the seed of flea-wort , and quinces , made in plantane and rose-water , each one ounce ; and mix'd with five grains of camphire , in the white of an egg ; drop it into the eyes . when the palate , uvula or tongue are excoriated , purslain or flea-wort-water does good . violent pains of the head , proceeding from an hot cause , which other remedies could not mitigate , have been happily eas'd with an epithem made of the mucilage of the seeds of flea-wort , extracted in rose-water , and mix'd with a little vinegar . take of the mucilage of the seeds of flea-wort , or of quinces , extracted with the water of lettice or roses , half an ounce ; of syrup of violets , limons , or pomegranates one ounce and an half ; mingle them : let the sick take a little by intervals , and hold it in his mouth . this is good for an heat , drought , or foulness of the tongue or jaws . pulsatilla . 't is a vulnerary herb. the distill'd water of it is excellent for cleansing and curing wounds . the root of it is much commended by some for a preservative from the contagion of the plague , and against poysons , and for the biting of venomous creatures , two drams of it being taken in wine , 't is also mix'd with antidotes . but tragus says , that the root dried , provokes sneezing ; and that , being chew'd in the mouth raw , it evacuates flegm . which argues , that it is not gentle nor sweetish , as matthiolus says . r. common reed , in latin arundo vallatoria . the root of it boyl'd in water or wine , and taken inwardly , provokes the courses and urine . the decoction of it in wine takes off the scurf from the head , the head being wash'd therewith . the green leaves bruis'd , and applied , cures st. anthony's fire , and other inflammations . reeds are strowed in the chambers of those that have fevers , to keep them cool . the juice of the root , mix'd with an equal quantity of hony and goat's suet , takes off the spots occasion'd by the small-pox . the pith applied to the fore part of the head , and the feet , provokes sweat powerfully if the party that uses it keeps his bed , and is well cover'd . the root beat , and applied , draws out thorns from the flesh . rubarb , in latin rhabarbarum . it grows in china . it purges gently yellow choler , and clammy flegm . 't is a specifick for the liver . it cures the jaundice , a loosness , and the bloody-flux . 't is reckon'd to purge first , and bind afterwards . 't is commonly order'd to be torrefied , but it certainly lessens the virtue of it . for fevers proceeding from obstructions , take two drams of rubarb , or one for infants , slice it , and tye it up in a rag , and infuse it in a pint of succory-water : the dose is , four ounces . you must pre●s the rag wherein the rubarb is every morning . montanus says , he cured all sorts of fevers with this remedy . for the hectick fever in children , and to purge them upon other accounts , take of choice rubarb slic'd two drams , put it into a glass-bottle containing a quart of small beer , or any other liquor the child usually drinks of ; stop the bottle close : this medicate beer must be used in the day and night , and at meals . when it is drunk up , a quart more must be put upon the same rubarb : which also being drunk off , a quart more must be put upon it as before . after which , the rubarb commonly loses its virtue . but , lest the beer first put on should be too much impregnated with the cathartick quality of the rubarb , and so purge too much , 't is best to add another pint presently after the first is drunk ; but afterwards fresh beer must not be added , till the whole bottle is taken . syrup of rubarb of the london-dispensatory is made in the following manner : take of the best rubarb , and of the leaves of sena , each two ounces and an half ; of violets one handful , of cinnamon one dram and an half , of ginger half a dram , of the waters of bettony , succory and bugloss , each a pint and an half ; mix them , and let them stand warm all night ; strain the liquor , and boyl it to a syrup , with two pounds of fine sugar ; adding to it , at last , four ounces of syrup of roses solutive : an ounce or more of it may be taken at a time . the troches of rubarb are made in the following manner , take of choice rubarb ten drams , of the juice of maudline thicken'd , and of bitter almonds , each half an ounce ; of red roses three drams , of the roots of asarabacca , madder , indian spike , of the leaves of wormwood , annise and smallage , each one dram ; make troches according to art , with wine wherein wormwood hath been boyled , or with the juice of maudline clarified : a dram of them may be taken at a time . extract of rubarb is made in the following manner : bruise six or eight ounces of good rubarb , and infuse it twelve hours warm in a sufficient quantity of succory-water , so as the water may be four fingers above the rubarb ; let it just boyl , and pass the liquor through a cloth ; infuse the remainder in so much more succory-water as before , then strain the infusion , and express it strongly ; mix your impregnations , or tinctures , and let them settle ; filtrate them , and evaporate the liquor in a glass-vessel , over a very gentle fire , until there remains a matter that has the consistence of thick hony ; this is called extract of rubarb : the dose is , from ten grains to two scruples , in pills , or dissolv'd in succory-water . the best sort of rubarb is that which being broke , appears of a nutmeg-colour within . its virtues are so many , and so great , that if they were sufficiently known , and men could generally use it without that nauseousness which too commonly attends it , mankind would have infinitely less need than they have of the art of physick in most cases ; and men might , perhaps , preserve themselves from most diseases , without any other help . ryce , in latin oryza . it grows in east-india , and is their chief corn. it delights much in moist and wet ground , and therefore they perpetually water it ; so that those that reap it are forc'd to go up to the knees in water . 't is very much eaten with meat ; so that all the oriental nations live upon it almost . 't is easie to concoct , and tastes very pleasantly being boyl'd in milk , or in fat broth. 't is good food for those that are troubled with the bloody-flux , a loosness , and the like . some think , that the feeding upon it often makes them fat ; and therefore lean women eat it often , boyl'd in milk. s. sage of jerusalem , in latin pulmonaria maculosa . 't is commonly used with pot-herbs . 't is cordial , and good for the lungs . 't is much of the healing nature of comfrey . 't is chiefly used for ulcers of the lungs , and for other diseases of them ; as , a consumption , spitting of blood , and the like . 't is used outwardly for wounds . 't is an ingredient in the magisterial-water of snails of the london-dispensatory . sanders , in latin santalum . there are three sorts of it , white , yellow and red. these woods are epatick and cordial . they are chiefly used for fainting , palpitation of the heart , and obstructions of the liver . they are used outwardly in epithems , for catarrhs , head-ach , vomiting , and for an hot intemperies of the liver . the arabians , and most of the modern physicians , hold , that sanders are cold : but john bauhinus , and others , judge they are hot , by their effects and taste . great quantities of the white and yellow sanders are used in india ; for almost all the inhabitants wash their bodies with water wherein they have been infus'd , having been first pounded in a stone-mortar , and then they suffer it to dry on : and this they do to cool their bodies , and to perfume them , for the indians are much delighted with sweet smells . red sanders cools and binds . white sanders powder'd , and taken in an egg , or infus'd all night upon hot ashes , in red wine , and taken inwardly , stops the flux . the species of the three sanders of the london-dispensatory is made in the following manner : take of all the sorts of the sanders , and red roses , each three drams ; rubarb , ivory , juice of liquorish , and pur●lain-seeds , of each two drams and fifteen grains ; of gum-arabick , tragacanth , of the seeds of melons , cucumbers , citruls , goards , and endive , of each one dram and an half ; of camphyr one scruple ; make a powder according to art. 't is used for obstructions of the liver , for the jaundice , and for weakness of the stomach and bowels . sarsaparilla . it consists of fine parts , and is sudorifick . 't is a specifick for the french-pox , for pains in the limbs , and for curing ulcers and cronical diseases that proceed from gross and clammy humours , and for such as depend on the nerves . 't is also used for the king's-evil , and the like . take of sarsaparilla ten ounces , of the roots of china four ounces , of fresh roots of female fern three ounces , of white sanders two ounces , of harts-horn and ivory rasp'd , each one ounce and an half ; infuse them twelve hours in ten quarts of barly-water , then boyl it to the consumption of a third part ; adding towards the latter end , raisins of the sun ston'd half a pound ; then strain it , and add an ounce of fine sugar to every pint of the decoction , and a dram of coriander-seeds : keep it in stone-bottles , well stop'd , in a cellar . take of sarsaparilla powder'd two ounces , of the inner resinous wood of guaiacum half an ounce , of hart's-horn burnt , and the troches of vipers , each one ounce ; of yellow sanders , tormentile and amber , each half an ounce ; of diaphoretick antimony the weight of all the rest ; make an electuary with equal parts of syrup of rasberries , and the altering syrup of apples : the dose is one dram , drinking upon it a draught of the decoction of sarsa to provoke sweat. the two medicines above-mention'd are used for the cure of the french-pox . sassafras . it grows in florida , and in other regions of america . the decoction of the wood of the root and of the bark is much used . 't is good for the hip-gout , and for obstructions ; and is counted excellent for pale virgins . 't is much used for the french-pox . it expels wind from the womb , takes off crudities , provokes the courses wonderfully , and cures barrenness , and makes lean people fat . many use the water , or decoction of it , to prevent the plague , and other contagious diseases . 't is good for wind , and cold diseases of the stomach . it helps concoction , stops vomiting , and is very good for cold diseases of the breast . it cures the head-ach , expels gravel , takes off the heat of urine , cures a stinking breath , and stops catarrhs . take of sassafras six drams , of sarsaparilla four ounces , of the inner resinous wood of guaiacum three ounces , of the bark of the same one ounce ; of the roots of bur-dock , scorzonera , contrayerva , tormentil , and butter-bur , of each one ounce and an half ; infuse them in two quarts of small white-wine , upon hot ashes , for twenty four hours ; then add six quarts of fountain-water , and boyl it half away ; put in also of annise-seeds , sweet-fennel-seeds , and coriander-seeds , each three drams ; of liquorish two ounces ; strain it for use . electuary of sassafras of the london-dispensatory is made in the following manner : take of the most fragrant wood of sassafras two ounces , boyl it in three pints of common water till half is consum'd ; towards the end add half an ounce of cinnamon grosly powder'd ; strain it , and with two pounds of fine sugar boyl it to a thick syrup ; then add of cinnamon powder'd one dram , of nutmegs powder'd half a scruple , of amber-grease thirty two grains , of musk three grains , ten leaves of gold , and four drops of spirit of vitriol : make an electuary according to art. it opens obstructions , stops defluxions , helps concoction , expels wind and gravel , and is generally good for diseases that proceed from cold , crude and thin humours . a dram of it may be taken at a time . saw-wort , in latin seratula . 't is called so because the leaves are indented like a saw. taken in wine 't is good for ruptures and bruises ; and a dram of the powder of the root taken in hot wine , does the same . a decoction of it in wine cleanses ulcers wonderfully , and incarns and cicatrises them . it eases the pain of the piles , they being fomented with it . the leaves and the root beat together , and applied , cures wounds and bursten bellies . scammony , in latin scammonium . the best comes from antioch ; 't is clear , splendid , melts easily , and breaks easily , is not very weighty ; being touched with the tongue it grows milky , when it is broken 't is yellowish ; but that which we have commonly is of an ash-colour , and looks ill , because it is not the liquor or tear flowing from the plant , but the juice press'd out . it purges strongly cholerick , watery and sharp humours from the remote parts , and therefore is frequently used for such purposes : the dose is , from six grains to a scruple . but it is most commonly used mix'd with some other thing . the preparation of scammony is in the following manner : put the powder of scammony into a quince made hollow , cover'd with paste , and baked in an oven , or roasted under ashes ; take out the scammony , and being so prepar'd , 't is called diagridium . there is another preparation of it with sulphure : take of scammony powder'd as much as you please , put it upon a paper , hold the paper over live coals whereupon brimstone is cast , till the scammony melts , or grows white ; and this is called sulphurated scammony . diagridium is an ingredient in the golden pill , and of the pill cochia major . scammony is an ingredient in the pill cochia minor , of the pill de lapide lazuli , of the pill of opopanax , of the pill rudii , and of the pill sine-quibus . take of calcin'd hart's-horn three grains , of mercurius dul●is fifteen grains , one drop of oyl of sulphure being drop'd upon it , diagridium nine grains , cinnamon two grains , spirit of hart's-horn three drops ; mingle them , make a powder to be taken in the pap of a roasted apple once a week . this is a proper purge for children that are troubled with worms . scammony is also an ingredient of the electuary of the juice of roses of the london-dispensatory . scottish scurvy-grass , sea-coal-wort , or sea-bind-weed , in latin soldanalla marina . the herb is acrid , and injurious to the stomach ; it purges violently ; but because of its acrimony , 't is boyl'd in fat broth. 't is peculiarly proper to evacuate water in a dropsie : 't is also good in the scurvy . 't is corrected with cinnamon , mace , ginger and annise-seeds , and the like . 't is given sometimes in substance , and then the dose is , from half a dram to a dram. take of the leaves of scottish scurvy-grass half an ounce , of annise-seeds one scruple ; boyl them in flesh-broth for one dose . take of the powder of scottish scurvy-grass one dram ; of spike and mace , each half a scruple ; mingle them . either of these medicines is used to purge water . sebestens , or assyrian plums , in latin myxa , sive sebesten . they grow in egypt and asia . they are much used in diseases of the lungs , for coughs joyned with heat and drought , for difficulty of breathing , a pleuresie , a peripneumonia , an hoarsness , and for a catarrh . they are an ingredient in the pectoral decoction of the london-dispensatory , and in the syrup of hysop . sena . it grows in syria , persia and arabia ; and from thence is carried into egypt , to alexandria ; from whence it is brought to us . it purges choler , flegm , and melancholy ; but it is flatulent ; and is apt to disturb the stomach and bowels . 't is corrected with cinnamon , galangal and ginger . 't is given in substance , from half a dram to one dram and an half ; and in infusion , from two drams to five . great virtues are attributed to it by the ancient and modern physicians . it cures the head-ach , is good for madness , the falling-sickness , a palsie , and the itch , and the like . it chears the heart , quickens the sight , helps hearing , and opens obstructions of the bowels . take of the leaves of sena cleans'd a sufficient quantity , put them into a glass-bottle , and pour upon them so much aqua-vitae as will rise four or five fingers above the matter ; stop the bottle close , and let it stand for two days : the dose is two spoonfuls in broth. sena is an ingredient of elixir salutis , which is , indeed , an excellent medicine . 't is made in the following manner : take of the leaves of sena four ounces , of guaiacum , and of the roots of elecampane dried , of the seeds of annise , carraways and coriander , and of liquorish , each two ounces ; of raisins of the sun ston'd half a pound ; steep them in the cold , in three quarts of aqua-vitae , for the space of four days ; strain it : the dose is two , three or four spoonfuls , more or less , according to the age and strength of the patient . 't is excellent for the cholick , and for gravel , and many other diseases . 't is sold , i believe , in most market-towns in england , and is made by many : and there has been very hot disputes amongst the publishers , about the primogeniture of it . the greater compound-powder of sena of the london-dispensatory is made in the following manner : take of the seeds of annise , caraway , fennel , cummin , spike-nard , cinnamon and galangal , each half an ounce ; of liquorish and gromel , each one ounce ; of sena the weight of all : make a powder . the lesser compound-powder of sena of the london-dispensatory is made in the following manner : take of the best sena two ounces , of the cream of tartar half an ounce , of mace two scruples and an half , of ginger and cinnamon , of each one dram and an half ; sal gemmae one dram ; make a powder according to art. the powder called dia-sena of the london-dispensatory is made in the following manner : take of the leaves of sena , and of cream of tartar , each two ounces ; of cloves , cinnamon , galangal and bishop's-weed , each two drams ; of diagridium half an ounce : make a powder according to art. the decoction called decoctum senae gerconis of the london-dispensatory is made in the following manner : take of the leaves of sena two ounces , of the roots of polypody of the oak half an ounce , of ginger one dram , of raisins of the sun ston'd two ounces , of sebestens and damask-prunes , each in number twelve , of the flowers of borrage , violets , red roses , and rosemary-flowers , each two drams ; boyl them in two quarts of fountain-water , to the consumption of half : but some purging syrup is usually added to this , to make it work . skirret , in latin sisarum . 't is sown in gardens ; but the usual way of propagating it is , to set the lesser roots in february or march , before they spring ; the greater being to be eaten at that time , boyl'd , and dish'd with butter , pepper and salt , the middle hard nerve being first taken out . cordus says , that it is the most wholesom root that is eaten . 't is hot and moist , and concocts easily ▪ and nourishes pretty well ; but it is windy , and therefore a provocative to venery . smilax aspera . it grows in sicily , italy and france every where in the hedges . 't is a succedanum for sarsaparilla . it cures the french-pox , and pains of the joints and nerves . it evacuates hurtful humours by sweat and transpiration , and cures the vices of the skin . 't is given in powder , or in a decoction . fallopius cured several of the french-pox with it . virginian snake-weed , in latin polyrhizos virginiana . 't is a most certain and present remedy against the venom of the rattle-snake . 't is also good for the biting of a mad dog , and to cure a quartan-ague , half a dram or a dram of it being taken just before the fit comes . 't is also used in pestilential fevers , and also for the worms in children . take of virginian snake-weed powder'd one dram , of coral calcin'd till it is white half a dram ; mingle them : make a powder . the dose is half a scruple , or a scruple , twice a day , for three days following : the child must drink a decoction of grass-roots upon it . spunge , in latin spongia . 't is much of the nature of a mushroom . it grows upon rocks , shells , and the sands . it has several uses : 't is used in fomentations , for it retains the heat much longer than clothes . anatomists and chirurgeons use it to suck up blood , and to dilate ulcers , and to keep them open as long as it is convenient , and to dry them . the ancient physicians used the ashes of it in medicines for the eyes . many modern physicians prescrib'd the ashes to be taken in wine , for the space of a month , for the cure of a bronchocele . squills , or sea-onion , in latin scilla . it grows in spain , and elsewhere . it incides , opens and discusses . 't is used in obstructions of the liver , of the spleen , and for obstructions of the courses and urine ; for coughs , and the mucilage of the lungs . there are two oxymels of squills used in the shops , simple and compound . they are chiefly used for diseases of the breast proceeding from gross flegm . hony of squils of the london-dispensatory is made in the following manner : take a large sea-onion , full of juice , cut it into small pieces , and put it into a glass-vessel close stopp'd , and cover'd over with a bladder ; let it stand in the sun forty days , twenty days before the rising of the dog-star , and twenty days after ; then open the glass , and take the juice which lies at the bottom , and preserve it with the best hony. vinegar of squills of the london-dispensatory is made in the following manner : take that part of the squills which is between the outward bark and the bottom , cut it into thin slices , place them thirty or forty days in the sun , or in some gentle heat ; then cut a pound of them small , with an ivory-knife , or a knife made of some white wood ; put it into a vessel with six pints of vinegar , set the vessel , close stop'd , in the sun thirty or forty days ; afterwards strain it , and keep it for use . simple oxymel of squills of the london-dispensatory is made in the following manner take of clarified hony three pounds , of vinegar of squills two pints ; boyl them according to art. compound oxymel of squills of the london-dispensatory is made in the following manner : take of origanum , hysop , thyme , lovage , of the lesser cardamoms , and of staechas , each five drams ; boyl them in three pints of water , to one ; strain it , and mix with it two pounds of hony , of raisins half a pound , juice of briony five ounces , vinegar of squills a pint and an half ; boyl it according to art , and take off the scum. this and the simple oxymel are good for obstructions of the lungs , and to cleanse the stomach . wine of squills of the london-dispensatory is made in the following manner : take of the roots of white mountain-squils , gather'd about the rising of the dog-star , cut them into slices , and let them lie a-drying a month ; put a pound of them into a glass , and pour upon them four quarts of old french white-wine ; infuse them forty days , and then take out the squills . take of oxymel of squills one ounce and an half , of vinegar of squills two ounces ; mingle them : make a vomit . this is a gentle vomit . take of the infusion of crocus metallorum six drams , of wine of squills one ounce and an half , of simply syrup of sorrel half an ounce . this is a stronger vomit . oxymel of squills , mix'd with pectoral syrups , is excellent to help expectoration . staechas . it grows plentifully about montpeliar . it heals and dries , is diuretick and vulnerary . 't is chiefly used for obstructions of the urine , liver , spleen and courses . it resolves coagulated blood , it dries catarrhs , and kills worms being taken in wine . 't is also commended for drying up sharp defluxions of the lungs . 't is used outwardly to mollifie hard swellings of the womb , in fomentations . it dries and discusses defluxions of the head , the herb being burnt and smelt to . matthiolus says , that the whole herb cures all diseases of the brain proceeding from a cold cause ; namely , flegmatick fluxions , pains of the head , the falling-sickness , the palsie , and the like . syrup of staechas of the london-dispensatory is made in the following manner : take of the flowers of staechas four ounces , of rosemary half an ounce , of the herb thyme , calamint and origanum , each an ounce and an half ; of sage and betony , each half an ounce ; of the seeds of rue , peony and fennel , each three drams , digest them a day or two in b. m. in a sufficient quantity of warm fountain-water ; strain it out , and to five pints of the strain'd liquor add five pounds and an half of fine sugar : make a syrup according to art in b. m. add some drops of oyl of cinnamon . this syrup is frequently made use of in diseases of the head. staves-acre , or louse-wort , in latin staphis agria . it grows in dalmatia , apulia and calabria . 't is violently hot , acrid and caustick ; therefore it is used for a masticatory . it also purges ; but being not a gentle medicine , 't is seldom used . twelve grains or a scruple of the seed purges upward and downward , and raises salivation ; wherefore it is very good in the french-pox , says sylvius : but it inflames the jaws , and occasions a violent heat in them , and brings the patient in danger of suffocation , and therefore surely ought not to be used inwardly . take of mastick three drams , of pellitory of spain and staves-acre , each two drams ; of the roots of angelica half a dram , of cubebs and nutmegs , each one dram ; of euphorbium one scruple , of wax a sufficient quantity to make a mass for masticatories . storax-tree , in latin styrax arbor . it grows in italy . the resin of storax , which is sold in the shops is two-fold , dry and liquid . the dry is called storax-calamite ; so called because it is put up in reeds . and when there is only mention made of storax in prescribing , you must understand it to be the calamite-storax . it heats , dries , mollifies and concocts ▪ is good for distillations and hoarsness . 't is good also for an hardness and obstruction of the womb. 't is much used for perfumes . that is best which is fat , and has whitish fragments . the red storax of the shops , which the jews frequently use for perfumes , comes from india . liquid storax is a fat liquor , like a balsam ; it has a strong smell , and is of the consistence of hony . a storax , with the leaves of maple , grows in the lord bishop of london's curious garden : it was brought from virginia . the pill of storax of the london-dispensatory is made in the following manner : take of storax-calamite , of olibanum , myrrh , and of the juice of liquorish thicken'd , each half an ounce ; of saffron one dram ; with syrup of white poppies make a mass . this is much used for tickling coughs proceeding from rheums , and defluxions on the lungs : the dose is fifteen grains , or one scruple , to be taken at bed-time . straw-berry-tree , in latin arbutus . it grows in sicily , italy and france , and in the west part of ireland . the fruit tastes pleasantly , but not so well as straw-berries . 't is offensive to the stomach , and causes the head-ach . a water drawn from the leaves and flowers in glass is counted an excellent anti-dote against the plague , and for poysons . sugar-cane in latin arundo saccharina . it grows spontaneously in both the indies . 't is also planted in many other places ; as , in the canary-islands , spain , sicily , crete and cyprus . it loves a fat and moist ground , and is fit to make sugar in the space of a year . the juice is press'd out in a mill , which is very sweet , but will not keep above twenty four hours , afterwards it turns to vinegar : they boyl it up in great furnaces ; but it is worth noting , that if any oyl be mix'd with it , it will never come to sugar . sugar is much used , both in food and physick . it has been suppos'd , that the immoderate use of sugar here in england has been the reason of the increase of the scurvy and of consumptions amongst us : 't is certain that it increases the scurvy , for by the frequent use of it the teeth grow black and rotten , which are certain signs of the scurvy . moreover , it contains in it a very corrosive salt , which appears by distillation : and it is well known , that the scurvy is occasion'd by a fixed salt , and cured by a volatile salt. but it is to be noted , that sugar is better to be mix'd with medicines peculiar to women's diseases than hony , for hony is injurious to the womb. sugar is dissolv'd in water , then filtrated , and so it is purified ; afterwards the liquor is evaporated , and it is made up into loaves , or put up in casks : 't is either red , brown , or white , according to the degrees of purification . when the sugar has been refin'd no more than abovesaid , it is a little fat : now to refine it farther , it is dissolv'd in lime-water , and boyl'd , and the scum is taken off ; when it is sufficiently boyl'd they cast it into molds of a pyramidal form , which have holes at the bottom to let the more glutinous part run through , and separate . 't is farther refin'd by boyling it with the whites of eggs in water ; for the glutinous quality of the whites of eggs does help to receive and take away the impurities that remain in the sugar , and the boyling drives them all to the sides of the vessel , in a scum : the liquor is pass'd through a cloth , and then evaporated to a due consistence . sugar-candy is only sugar crystalliz'd : the way to make it is , to boyl refin'd sugar in water , to the consistence of a thick syrup ; 't is then pour'd into pots , wherein little sticks have been laid in order , 't is left in a still place some days , without stirring , and you have the sugar-candy sticking to the sticks . brown sugar-candy is made after the same manner . it s sweetness proceeds from an essential acid salt , mix'd with some oyly parts , whereof it consists ; for , if you separate these two substances , one from another , neither of the two will prove at all sweet : the oyl alone is insipid upon the tongue , because it makes little or no impression upon the nerve that serves for tasting ; but when the acid is entirely mix'd with it , the edges of this acid do serve for a vehicle to the oyl , to make it penetrate and tickle superficially the nerve , whereby the sense of tasting is produced : the acid therefore being alone , does become incisive , and pricks the tongue by its edges ; but when they are dull'd and blunted by the ramous parts of the oyl , then they have another sort of determination , and can no longer pierce the nerve of tasting , but with a great deal of tenderness and gentleness . cask-sugar is sweeter than finer sugar , because it contains more viscous or fat parts , which remain the longer upon the nerve of the tongue : and this makes us sometimes prefer the first , as to use , before the other . sugar-candy is better for coughs than common sugar , because , being harder , it requires a longer time to melt in the mouth ; and besides , it keeps the breast moister than the common sugar . spirit of sugar is made in the following manner : powder and mix eight ounces of white sugar-candy with four ounces of sal-armoniack , put this mixture into a glass , or earthen body , whose third part only is thereby fill'd ; fit an head to the body , and place it in a sand-furnace ; joyn a receiver to it , and lute well the junctures with a wet bladder ; give it a small fire for an hour only , to heat the vessel , then increase it to the second degree ; there will distil a liquor , drop by drop , and towards the end there will rise white vapours into the head ; increase your fire still more , until nothing more comes forth ; let the vessels cool , and unlute them , you will find in the receiver seven ounces of a brown liquor that smells ill , and also a little black oyl that sticks to the sides ; pour it all together into a glass-body , and having fitted to it an head and receiver , and luted the joints , distil in sand six ounces of a very acid spirit , that is clear , and agreeable to the taste , and without any smell . 't is good against gravel , and the dropsie , and for a loosness , and the bloody-flux . the dose is , eight or ten drops in tincture of roses , or the like . that which remains in the body , after rectification , is a fetid oyl , which may be outwardly used to cleanse old ulcers . melassoes , or the hony of sugar , are used to make aqua-vitae ; and they yield a strong spirit . it has been reported , that some brewers make ale , in a great measure , with melassoes ; but if they do , it is an abominable cheat ; for they are not near so wholesom as malt. take of brown or red sugar four spoonfuls , of common salt as much as will lie on a three-pence , of cow's-milk one pint ; let the milk just boyl up , dissolve the sugar and the salt in it ; strain it . this is a clyster , and , generally speaking , serves as well as the best , to empty the bowels . swallow-wort , in latin asclepias . it grows in germany , italy and france . the root of it is very alexipharmick , and sudorinick . 't is chiefly used for the plague , and other contagious diseases ; for obstructions of the courses , for the palpitation of the heart , a fainting , and a dropsie . 't is also commended for the stone . 't is used outwardly . the flowers , the roots , and the seeds cleanse sordid ulcers . 't is good for the biting of venomous creatures , for ulcers of the paps , of the breasts , and the like . t. tamarinds , in latin tamarindi . they grow in arabia foelix , and in the east and west-indies . they correct the acrimony of the humours , purge choler , and restrain the heat of they blood ; they cure fevers , and the jaundice , and take off the heat of the stomach and liver , and stop vomiting . the turks and arabians , when they go long journies in the summer-time , carry tamarinds with them , to quench their thirst . in pestilential and putrid fevers , water wherein tamarinds have been infus'd , sweeten'd with sugar , is a proper liquor to drink ; for it extinguishes thirst , and cools much . take of tamarinds half an ounce , of sena two drams , of rubarb one dram and an half ; boyl them in a sufficient quantity of fountain-water ; to three ounces of the strain'd liquor , add of manna and syrup of roses solutive , each one ounce : make a purging potion . this is a good cooling purge , and works well . take of tamarinds half an ounce , of sena two drams , of rubarb one dram and an half ; boyl them in a sufficient quantity of water ; to three ounces of the strain'd liquor add of manna , and syrup of roses solutive , each one ounce ; of syrup of buck-thorn half an ounce , of the electuary of the juice of roses two drams ; mingle them , make a potion : but this must be given only to strong people . i have found by experience , that this purges , when nothing else will. 't is good for a dropsie , and the running of the reins . tea , or thee . this shrub grows in japan and china . the price varies according to the largeness of the leaves ; and so great a difference is there in the price , that one pound of the best tea is sold for more than an hundred pounds of another sort. the goodness of it is known by the fragrant smell of the leaves : it smells somewhat like hay , mix'd with a little aromatick smell . 't is of a green colour , and tastes sweet , with a little bitter . it purifies the blood , prevents troublesom dreams , expels malignant vapours from the brain , takes off giddiness , and the head-ach , especially when it proceeds from over-eating . 't is good in a dropsie , for it provokes urine very much . it dries up rhumes of the head , corrects the acrimony of the humours , opens obstructions of the bowels , and strengthens the sight ; for the people of japan use it as the only remedy for weakness of the sight , and diseases of the eyes , whereunto they are much subject . it corrects adust humours , cools an hot liver , and softens an hard spleen . it keeps people wakeful , especially those that are not used to drink it . it renders the body brisk , chears the heart , drives away fear , and takes off the gripes , and suppresses wind. it strengthens the bowels , quickens the memory , and sharpens the wit. it prevents the stone : and a person that travell'd in japan , and made it his business to enquire about the stone there , could not find one person that had the least symptom of it , either in the bladder or kidnies . and it is , moreover , a provocative to venery ; it strengthens the stomach , and is very good for gouty people . christ-thorn , in latin palivrus . the root and leaves are astringent , they stop the flux of the belly , and digest and cure a phyma . the fruit is so inciding , that it is said to lessen the stone of the bladder , and to remove excretions of the breast and lungs . the seeds bruised , are commended for a cough : and the mont peliar-physicians use them for gravel ; and the stone . some report , that these were the thorns our blessed saviour was crown'd with , in contempt , by the unbelieving jews , just before his crucifiction . mastick - thyme , in latin marum . it grows in many places in spain . by reason of its curious smell , it is kept in gardens in england , france and germany . one dram of the bark of it is a present remedy for desperate obstructions of the courses , being taken in rough wine every morning . turbith . it purgeth flegm , and clammy humours , that fall on the joints . 't is good in the dropsie , for it purges watery humours . 't is brought to us from guzaratta . turmerick , in latin curcuma . the dutch boyl it with fish , for it gives it a good taste , and colours it yellow . 't is besides , an excellent remedy for obstructions of the bowels , viz. of the lungs , liver and spleen ; and also of the mesaraick veins , and for nephritick pains . 't is also very good for the stone in the kidnies and bladder . it also opens women's obstructions , and hastens delivery : but it is peculiarly good for curing of the jaundice . in short , this root is reckon'd the best of all medicines for opening obstructions . the people of china use it in sneezing-powders , like the roots of white hellebore . and they make an ointment with this root , and the powder of sanders , and some sweet flowers , wherewith the men and women anoint their bodies all over : and tho' this may seem very odd to those that are unaccustom'd to it , by reason of the yellow colour , yet it secures them very well from the heat of the sun , and feverish heats , and from the vexatious biting of flies and gnats . take of the roots of turmerick and madder , each one ounce ; of the greater celandine-root and herb , of the tops of the lesser centory , each one handful ; boyl them in equal parts of rhenish-wine and fountain-water , to a quart ; in the strain'd liquor dissolve two ounces of the syrup of the five opening roots ; give half a pint , morning and evening , hot , till the patient recovers of the jaundice ; but vomiting or purging must be first used . v. vine , in latin vitis . it does not deserve the name of a tree , because it cannot stand by it self . there is as great variety of them , as of pears and apples . currents that are called corinthian , do not grow now about corinth ; for the inhabitants are not encourag'd to plant , or to take care of them , there being now no sale for them ; the turks having shut up the passage , and not suffering any great ships to go thither , they come now from zant , and many other places . the raisins of the sun are very large grapes , and in form like a spanish olive . they dry them after this manner : they cut cross-ways , to the middle , the branches they design for this use , and so they intercept a good part of the nutritious juice that should come to the grapes ; they let the branches hang half cut upon the vine , till they are dried by degrees , partly by the heat of the sun , and partly for want of nourishment . vines grow best in an hot country ; and the hotter the country is , if it be not too hot , the sooner the grapes are ripe . there are great quantities of excellent wine in spain , italy , sicily , and some parts of france . they usually climb up on trees ; as , upon the elm , and the poplar . in lombardy they plant them in the corn-fields , so near trees , that they may climb up on them ; and so they have corn , wine and wood in the same fields . the leaves and tendrels of the vine bruis'd , and applied , ease the pain of the head , and take off inflammations , and heat off the stomach . the tear of the vine , which is like a gum , ( but it does not grow on our vines ) taken in wine , is good for the stone . the ashes of the tendrels mix'd with vinegar , cure a condyloma , and is good for the biting of vipers , and inflammations of the spleen . 't is to little purpose to mention the virtues of wine , for there is scarce any one that is ignorant of them . the wine called setinum was most esteem'd by the ancients . the wines that are most esteem'd amongst us are , the claret-wine , burgundy-wine , common white-wine , frontiniack , hermitage , and champaign : these come from france . the following from spain : canary-sack , malaga-sack , sherry-sack , alicant-wine , and port-o-port . from the island of crete is brought red muscadine . from germany , rhenish wine . wine is wholsomer than beer , mead , or cyder ; and , indeed , than any other liquor . now-a-days rough wines , tho' they are not so pleasing to the palate , are counted better for the stomach , and to help concoction ; as , claret , and florentine-wine . baccius wrote an excellent book in the year . of the several sorts of wines ; it was printed at rome , and is , indeed , worth perusing , wherein is contain'd all that has been wrote of the grape by ancient and modern writers , together with observations of his own , about greek , italian , spanish , french and rhenish-wines , with the ways of making them ; their diseases and remedies . omphaciun is the unripe juice of the grape strain'd , and kept in a vessel close stop'd : it cools and dries . it is not only used in physick , but also with food , in sauces . it takes off nauseousness , excites appetite , stops the flux of the belly , and mitigates the heat of the stomach and bowels , being taken inwardly . and outwardly applied , it clears the sight , as also does wild apples , and cleanses them from filth . 't is better for all hot diseases than vinegar . sapa is new wine , boyl'd to the consumption of a third part . defrutum is new wine , boyl'd to the consumption of half . distillation of wine into brandy is made in the following manner : fill with wine half a large copper body , cover it with its moor's-head border'd with its refrigeratory , and fit to it a receiver ; lute well the junctures with a wet bladder , and distil with a gentle fire about a quarter of the liquor , or else until the liquor which distils does not burn when the fire is put to it ; that which is in the receiver is called brandy . brandy may be drawn from all sorts of wines ; but more of it may be drawn in some countries , than in others . for example , the wines that are made about orleans and paris do yield more brandy than many others which seem to be stronger ; and the reason is , because those wines that appear stronger are loaded with a great deal of tartar , which fixes their spirits ; whereas the other , containing but a convenient portion of this tartar , do leave their spirits at greater liberty . when wine has been drunk , there is made a separation of spirits in the body , much resembling that which is made by distillation ; for the heat of the bowels warming it , causes the spirituous parts to spread on all sides , through the pores , and some part of them to mix with the blood , and rarefie it ; from whence it comes to rejoyce the heart , and increase the vigour of the whole body ; but because these spirits do always tend upwards , the greatest part flies into the brain , where it quickens its motion , and produces a certain gaiety of mind : but now , tho' wine , moderately taken , is so profitable for the functions of the body , yet it causes many mischiefs when it is used to excess ; for the spirits rising in great abundance , do circulate in the brain with so much celerity ▪ that they soon confound the whole oeconomy : and , indeed , every one knows , that a continuations of debauches does at last render a man dull and stupid ; that apoplexies , palsies , gout , dropsie , and a long train of many other diseases , are the usual consequences of intemperance . spirit of wine is made in the following manner : fill a large bolt-head , with a long neck , half full with brandy , and fitting an head and receiver , lute close the junctures ; set your bold-head upon a pot , fill'd half with water , to distil in a vaporous bath , the spirit , which separates from the flegm , and rises pure ; continue this degree af fire , until nothing more distils : thus you will have a deflegmated spirit of wine at the first distillation . it serves for a menstruum to a great many things in chymistry . half a spoonful of it is given to apoplectical and lethargical persons , to make them come to themselves : likewise their wrists ▪ breast and face are rub'd with it . 't is a good remedy for burns , if applied so soon as they happen . and it is good for cold pains , for the palsie , contusions , and other maladies , wherein it is requisite to discuss and open the pores . spirit of wine tartariz'd in made in the following manner : put a pound of salt of tartar into a long glass-body , pour upon it four pints of spirit of wine prepar'd as above ; place your vessel in sand , and cover it with an head , to which fit a receiver ; lute well the junctures with a ●et bladder , and give it a gradual fire , which continue until three parts of the spirit of wine are risen ; then remove the fire , and keep this spirit in a viol well stop'd : it has the same virtues as the other , but is more subtile . the liquor that remains in the body may be evaporated , and a salt of tartar got , as good as before . the queen of hungary's water is made in the following manner : fill a glass or earthen cucurbite half full with rosemary-flowers , gather'd when they are at best , pour upon them a sufficient quantity of spirit of wine to infuse them ; set the cucurbite in a bath , and joyning its head and receiver , lute close the junctures , and give it a digesting fire for three days ; after which , unlute them , and pour into the cucurbite that which may have been distill'd ; re-fit your limbeck , and increase the fire so as to make the liquor to distil drop by drop ; when you have drawn about two thirds of it , put out the fire , let the vessels cool , and unlute them , and put the water so distill'd into a vial well stop'd . 't is good in a palsie , lethargy , apoplexy , and for hysterical diseases . the dose is , from one dram to two . 't is likewise used outwardly , for burns , tumours , cold pains , contusions , palsie , and in all other cases wherein it is requisite to revive the spirits . ladies use to mix half an ounce of it with six ounces of lilly-water , or bean-flower-water , and wash their faces with it . wine , like all other liquors that use to ferment , grows sowr by the dissolution of its tartar in a second fermentation . this dissolution is commonly made when , upon the wine 's going to decay , some of the more subtile spirits are lost ; for the tartar taking their place , fixes the rest of the spirits which remain in the wine , so that they can act no longe . vinegar is made by setting wine in some hot place , or by keeping it too long , or by exposing it to the sun. vinegar is frequently used in physick , and food . pickle and sauces are made of it . it excites appetite , and promotes concoction . 't is used in physick to allay feverish heats , and to prevent putrifaction ; to cut flegm , and glutinous humours , that they may be render'd thereby fitter to be expectorated . outwardly used , it cures the itch , an herpes , and the like ; but it is injurious to the nerves , and nervous parts : it also makes the body lean . there is a memorable story of a general in the belgick wars , who , about the middle of his age , grew so very fat , that he was forc'd to have bandage for his belly ; and finding himself grow more and more unwieldy every day , and unfit for his business , he left off drinking wine , and drank vinegar the rest of his days ; by which means his belly asswaged , and he was lessen'd in weight eighty seven pounds . christopher a vega says , he saw three people that were hang'd , or suffocated so much , that froth came out of their mouths , restor'd to life by vinegar , and the powder of pepper , and penny-royal . for crusty , stinking ulcers of the head , which children are commonly troubled withal , and sometimes grown people , take of ginger three ounces , boyl it in sharp vinegar and butter , of each half a pound , till the vinegar is consum'd ; then beat it into an ointment , with butter , and anoint the sores with it morning and evening , and it will cure them in four or five days . in the london-dispensatory are the following sorts of vinegar : rosemary-vinegar , clove-vinegar , rose-vinegar , elder-flower-vinegar , vinegar of squils , and treacle-vinegar . the vapour of vinegar is very proper in the plague . vinegar is distill'd in the following manner : put six quarts of strong vinegar into an earthen pan , evaporate in a bath about a quart , and pour that which remains into a glass or earthen cucurbite , and distil it in a strong sand-heat , until there remain at bottom nothing but a substance like hony ; keep this vinegar well stop'd : many call it spirit of vinegar . it s principal use is , to dissolve or precipitate bodies . 't is sometimes mix'd in cordial-potions , to resist putrifaction : the dose is half a spoonful ; 't is mix'd with water . and this oxyorate is used to stop hemorrhagies , taken inwardly ; and to asswage inflammations , applied outwardly . tartar is that which is found sticking to casks of wine , like a very hard stone , sometimes white , sometimes red , according to the colour of the wine it comes from . white tartar is to be preferr'd before red , because it is purer , and contains less earth . both one and the other are had in great abundance in languedoc and provence ; but the best white tartar of all is brought out of germany . crystals of tartar are made in the following manner : boyl in a great deal of water what quantity of white tartar you please , until it be all dissolv'd ; pass the liquor hot through hippocrates's sleeve , into an earthen vessel , and evaporate about half of it ; set the vessel in a cool place two or three days , and you will find little crystals on the sides , which you are to separate ; evaporate again half the liquor that remains , and remit the vessel to the cellar , as before ; there will shoot out new crystals : continue doing thus , until you have got all the tartar : dry the crystals in the sun , and keep them for use . the crystal of tartar is purgative , and aperitive : 't is good for hydropical and asthmatical persons , and for tertian and quartan-agues . the dose is , from half a dram to three drams , in broth , or some other proper liquor . salt of tartar is made in the following manner : take four pounds of good white-wine-tartar , beat it fine , make it up in half-pounds , in several sheets of brown paper , dip them in water , place them in the midst of a charcoal-fire , cover them over therewith , let the fire burn out , you will find at the bottom tartar calcin'd in black lumps ; take the tartar thus calcin'd , beat it grosly , put it into a pipkin , or iron pot , full of water , set it over the fire , and let the water boyl till half is consum'd ; then take it off , and let it settle ; decant it as clear as you can , pour on a little more water upon the faeces , and let it boyl , then decant it as before ; taste the water , whether it be salt , and proceed as before : do so as long as you find the water tastes salt ; afterwards filter all the liquor pour'd off , through paper , and boyl it up to a salt. tartar vitriolated is made in the following manner : put into a glass-body what quantity you please of oyl of tartar made per deliquium , which is nothing but the exposing salt of tartar for some days in a cellar , in a wide glass-vessel , till it turns to a liquor : pour upon this dissolution of tartar , by little and little , rectified spirit of vitriol ; there will be a great effervescency : continue to drop more in , till there is no farther ebullition ; then place your cucurbite in sand , and evaporate the spirit with a little fire , there will remain a very white salt , keep it in a vial well stop'd . 't is a good aperitive ; and is also a little purgative . 't is given in hypochondriacal cases , in quartan-agues , king's-evil , and in all other diseases , wherein it is necessary to open obstructions , and to force urine . the dose is , from ten to thirty grains , in some proper liquor . w. winteran-bark , in latin cortex winteranus . it turns up in pipes , like cinnamon , but is larger , and thicker ; of a light yellow colour , and of a very hot , biting taste . it comes from nevis , antego , montferrat , and other places . 't is cephalick , and stomachick ; but the chief use of it is for the scurvy . take of the conserve of scurvy-grass , roman-wormwood , and fumatory , each two ounces ; of the powder of the winteran-bark , and of the roots of angelica and wake robin , each two drams ; of the species of the three sanders one dram and an half , of the powder of crab's-eyes one dram , of salt of wormwood two drams ; with a sufficient quantity of the syrup of the bark of citron make an electuary . this is good for the scurvy . indian woad , or indico , in latin glastum indicum . the root is given in decoction , for the stone , and against poysons . 't is supposed that indico is proper for the jaundice . z. zedoary , in latin zedoaria . 't is an hot and dry root ; it discusses wind , is good for the biting of venomous creatures . it stops a loosness , suppresses vomiting , and is good in a windy cholick . 't is used now-a-days by physicians , against the contagion of a pestilential air , and for hysterick fits. take of the roots of zedoary , of the seeds of daucus , of the roots of lovage , each two ounces ; of red myrrh and castor , each half an ounce ; of the roots of peony four ounces , of misleto of the oak , gather'd when the moon is past the full , three ounces ; pour upon them two quarts of feverfew-water , and half a pint of spirit of wine ; digest them three days , and afterwards distil them : the dose is one spoonful , either by it self , or with some proper water . this is used for hysterick fits. the english index . a. pag. abele-tree , see poplar . acacia , alcali , adder's-tongue , adder's-wort , see bistort . agarick , agnus castus , agrimony , ague-tree , see sassafras . alcost , see costmary , aldertree , black alder , ibid. ale-hoof , see ground-ivy . alaxander's-foot , see pellitory of spain . alexanders alleluya , see wood-sorrel . all-good , see english mercury . almond-tree , aloes , amee , see bishop's-weed . amomum , anacardium occidentale , ib. anacardiums , angelica , animae gummi annise , ibid. apple-tree , apricock-tree , white arch-angel , stinking arrach , arsmart , artichoke , asa-foetida , asarabacca , ash-tree , avens , ibid. b. balsam-tree , peruvian balsam , balsam copaiba balsam of tolu . ibid. balam of chili , balaustians , ibid. barbery-tree , barly , ibid. gardan-basil , wild basil , ibid. baulm , bay-tree , ibid. bdellium , beans , bear's-breech , bear's-foot , beech-tree , ibid. white-beet , ibid. sea-beet . ibid. benjamin , ben-nut , wood-betony , bil-berries , ibid. birch-tree , birth-wort , bishop's-weed , ibid. the greater bistort bitter-sweet , see woody night-shade . bitter-vetch , black-berries , see bramble . black-wort , see comfrey . vpright blite , may-blossoms , see lilly of the valley . blue-bottles , borrage , ibid. box-tree , brake , see fern. bramble , brazile-wood , white briony , common brook-lime , broom , broom-rape , butcher's-broom , ibid. buck-bean , see marsh-trefoil . buckram , see cuckoe-pintle . butter-flowers , see crow-foot . buck-thorn , bugle , bugloss , bur-dock , burnet , butter-bur , butter-wort , c. cabbage , sea-cabbage , field-calamint , ibid. calf's-snout , camel's-hay , cammock , see rest-harrow . camomile , camphir , cancamum , see gum animae . canela , see cinnamon . capers , caraways , cardamoms , wild carrots , carthamus , cassia , cassidony , see staechas . cassummuniar , catmint , see nep. celandine , the lesser celandine , the lesser centory , chaste-tree , see agnus castus . common wild chervil , cherries , cheese-renning , see lady's bad-straw . chesnuts , chick-weed , chiches , china , cinnamon , cinquefoil , citrons , cloud-berry , cloves , coccus baphica , see kermes . cockle , coco-nut-tree , ibid. coculus indus , ibid. coffee , colly-flower , coloquintida , colt's-foot , columbine , comfrey , contrayerva , coral , ibid. coral-tree , sea-coralline , cork-tree , cornel , costmary , ibid. costus , cotton , ibid. coubage , cowslips , indian-cress , garden-cress , water-cress , cross-wort , creeping crow-foot , ibid. round-headed crow-foot , water-crow-foot , crown-imperial , cubebs , cuckow-pintle , cucumbers , wild cucumbers , cudweed , ibid. cummin , currant-bush , sweet cyperus , cypress-tree , d. english daffadil , the greater white daisies , ibid. the lesser daisies , dandalyon , ibid. danewort , darnel , date-tree , dill , dittander , dittany of crete , sharp-pointed dock , with curl'd leaves , sharp-pointed dock , ibid. the dock called monk's rubarb , dodder , ibid. common dove's-foot , dragons , ibid. dragon's-blood , common drop-wort , duck's-meat , e. earth-nut , ebony , egglentine , eildber , see jack by the hedge . elder , dwarf-elder , see dane-wort . elecampane , ellebore , black ellebore , elm , endive , ibid. eringo , ibid. euphorbium , eye-bright , f. common fennel , hog's-fennel , fenugreek common male-fern . female-fern , ibid. flowering-fern , feverfew , fig-tree , ibid. fig-wort , filberd , filipendula , see drop-wort . fir , fistich-nut , sweet-smelling flag , flax , marsh-flea-bane , ibid. flix-weed , common purple flower-de-luce , yellow water-flower-de-luce , fluellin , ibid. the lesser spik'd fluellin , fox-glove , ibid. frankincense , see gum-olibanum , fraxinella , fumetory , g. galangal , galbanum , ibid. garlick , gentian , wild germander , ginger , goards , goat's-beard , goat's-rue , ibid. golden-rod , goose-berry-bush , canary-grass , cotton-grass , ibid. dog's-grass , ibid. oat-grass , ibid. goose-grass , gromwel , ibid. ground-pine , groundsel , guaiacum , gum-ammoniacum , gum-arabick , gum-caranna , copal , ibid. elemi , gotta , ibid. lac , ibid. olibanum , opoponax , sagapenum , ibid. sarcocolla , tacamahaca , ibid. tragacanth , ibid. h. hart's-tongue , heliotrope , hellebore , see ellebore . hemlock , common hemlock , hen-bane , herb bennet , see avens . herb-grace , see rue . herb robert , herb true-love , see herb paris . hermodactiles . high-taper , see mullein . holly , hony-suckle , hops , ibid. hore-hound , horse-tail , hound's-tongue , ibid. house-leek , hypocistis , hyssop , hedge-hyssop , j. jack by the hedge , jalap , jerusalem-artichoke , white jessamine , jesuite's-bark , jew's-ear , st. joh'ns-wort , florentine-iris , jujubes , july-flowers , juniper , ibid. climbing-ivy , ibid. ground-ivy , k. kermes , kidny-beans , common knot-grass , ibid. l. lady's-bed-straw , lady's-mantle , lady's-smock , lark's-spur , lavender , lavender-cotton , spurge-laurel , ibid. lead-wort , leeks , garden-lettice , ibid. lignum-aloes , colubrinum , ibid. molucense , lignum-nephriticum , lignum-vitae , see guaiacum . lilly of the valleys , water-lilly , ibid. white lilly , lime-tree , ibid. limons , liquid amber , liquorish , liver-wort , lovage , ibid. lung-wort , lupines , ibid. m. mace , madder , white maiden-hair , ibid. maithes , see may-weed , common mallows , marsh-mallows , ibid. vervain-mallow , manna , marigold , marjoram , ibid. master-wort , mastick-tree , maudlin , meadow-sweet , mechoachana , medlar-tree , melilot , ibid. melon , english mercury , ibid. dog's-mercury , mezereon , milfoil , milk-wort , ibid. mint , misleto , ibid. mony-wort , moon-wort , ibid. cup-moss , moss on a dead man's skull , ibid. mouse-ear , mug-wort , ibid. mulberry-tree , white mullein , dusty mushroom , ibid. mustard , hedge-mustard , ibid. myrobalanes , myrrh , ibid. myrtle-tree , n. celtick nard , navel-wort , nep , ibid. true english stinking dead nettle , nettle , nigella , night-shade , nipple-wort , nutmeg , nux vomica , o. oak-tree , oak of jerusalem , oats , olive-tree , onion , oranges , orchis , orpine , orrach , see arrach . orrice , see iris. oyster-green , p. herb paris , parsley parsley-piert , ibid. garden-parsnip , cow-parsnip , ibid. panax herculis , peach-tree , pear-tree , ibid. pease , pellitory , ibid. pellitory of spain , penny-royal , peony , ibid. pepper-wort , round black pepper , white round pepper , ibid. periwinkle , pimpernel , pine-tree , pitch , plane-tree , plantain , plum-tree , poley-mountain , pomegranate , ibid. polypody , poplar-tree , red poppy , white poppy , potatoes , primrose , mock-privet , prunes , psylium , pulsatilla , ibid. pumpion , purslain , ibid. q. qvince-tree , r. radish , horse-radish , ibid. rag-wort , rasberry-bush , ibid. common reed , restharrow , rocket , ibid. wild rocket , roses , ibid. rosemary , rubarb , rue , rupture-wort , ibid. ryce , s. saffron , sage , ibid. wood-sage , sage of jerusalem , sampire , sanders , sanicle , sarsaparilla , sassafras , ibid. savine , savory , saw-wort , saxifrage , scabious , ibid. scammony , scordium , scurvy-grass , ibid. scottish scurvy-grass , sebestens , ibid. self-heal , sena , shepherds-purse , silver-weed , ibid. skirrets , smallage , smilax , snake-weed , sneez-wort , solomon's-seal , ibid. sope-wort , sorbe-tree , ibid. common sorrel , sheep-sorrel , ibid. french-sorrel , ibid. wood-sorrel , ibid. sothernwood , marsh-sparagus , ibid. spatling-poppy , ibid. male-speedwell , common spignel , spinache , ibid. spindle-tree , ibid. spleen-wort , spunge , squills , ibid. staechas , staves-acre , storax ibid. straw-berry , straw-berry-tree , succory , sugar , sun-dew , swallow-wort , t. tamarinds , tamarisk , tansie , ibid. tarragon , tea , teasel , dwarf-carline-thistle , ibid. milk-thistle , blessed-thistle , thorn-apple , ibid. christ's-thorn , thorow-wax , throat-wort , ibid. wild thyme , ibid. mastick-thyme , toad's-flax , tobacco , ibid. tooth-wort , tormentil , ibid. marsh-trefoil , turbith , turmerick , ibid. turnep , tutsan , v. garden-valerian , common vervain , vine , violets , viper-grass , w. walnut-tree wall-flower , wayfaring-tree , ibid. wheat , whitlow-grass , ibid. winter-cherry , ibid. winter-green , winteran-bark , woad , ibid. woodroof , wormwood , z. zedoary , nomenclator latinus . a. pag. abies , abrotanum , abrotanum foemina , absinthium , acer majus , acacia , acetosa vulgaris , acetosa arvensis lanceolata , ib. acinos , adiantum , agaricus , ageratum , agrifolium , agrimonia , agnus castus , alcali , alcca , alchymilla , alkekengi , alliaria , allium , alnus , alnus nigra baccifera , ibid. aloes , alsine , althaea , ammi , amomum , amygdalus , anacardium occidentale , anacardium , anagallis aquatica , anagallis mas, androsaemum , angelica anime gummi , anisum , ibid. anonis , antirrhinum , aparine , apium , aquilegia , arbor corallii , argentina , aristolochia , artimesia , arum , asa foetida , asarum , asparagus asplenium , atriplex olida , b. balanus myrepsica , balaustia , balsamita , balsamum verum , balsamum e peru , balsamum copaiba , balsamum de tolu ibid. balsamum de chili , barbarea , barbaris , bardana , battata battata canadensis , bdellium , behen album , bellis major bellis minor , benzoinum , beta alba , beta marina , ibid. betonica , betula , bistorta , blitum , borago , botrys , branca ursina , brasica , brasica florida , brasica marina , brazilia arbor , brionia alba , buglossum , bugula , bulbocastanum , bursa pastoris , buxus , c. caepa , calamintha , calamus aromaticus , calendula , camaemelum , camphora , cannabis , caova , cardamine , cardamomum , cardiaca , carduus benedictus , carduus mariae , cariophillus aromaticus , carum , cassia , cassummuniar , castanea , centaurium , cerasus , cerefolium , chamedris , chamemorus , chamepytis , chelidonium , china , china-china , cichoreum , cicuta , cicutaria , cinara , cinnamomum citrullus , coculus indus , cochlearia , coloquintida , coniza , consolida , consolida regalis , contrayerva , corallium , corallina , corona imperialis , cortex winteranus , corylus sativa , costus , cotula foetida , crithmum marinum , crocus , cruciata , cubebae , cucumis , cucumis sylv . cucurbita , cuminum , cupressus , curcuma , cuscuta , cyanus , cynocrambe , cyperus , d. dactylus , daucus , dens leonis , dentaria , dipsacus , dracontium , dracunculus hortensis , e. ebenus , ebulus , endivia , equicetum , erigerum , eringium , eruca , erysimum , euonimus , eupatorium cannabinum , euphorbium , euphragia , f. faba , faenum graecum , ficus , filipendula , filix mas , filix foemina , ibid. foeniculum , fragraria , fraxinella , fraxinus , fucus marinus , fumaria , fungus pulverulentus , fungus sambucinus , g , galanga , galbanum , ibid. galega galeopsis , gallium , gariophylli , gentiana , geranium columbinum , geranium robertianum , gossipium , gramen avenaceum , gramen caninum , ibid. gramen tormentosum , ibid. gratiola , grossularia , guaiacum , gummi ammoniacum , gummi arabicum , gummi caranna . gummi copal , ibid. gummi elemi , gummi gotta , ibid. gummi lac , ibid. gummi olibanum , gummi opopanax , gummi sagapenum , ibid. gummi sarcocolla , gummi tacamahaca , ibid. gummi tragacanth , ibid. h. hedera arborea , hedera terrestris , heliotropium , helleboraster , helleborus albus , helleborus niger , hepatica , hermodactylus , herniaria , hippolapathum , hordeum , horminum , hyosciamus , hypericon , hypocistis , hyppocellinum , hyssopus , j. jacobea , jalapium . jasminum album , ilex coccigera , iris florentina , iris vulgaris , iris palustris lutea , jujubae , l. lactuca sativa , lampsana , lapathum acutum , lapathum acutum crispum ib. laurus , lavendula , laureola , lenticula palustris , lentiscus , lepidium , levisticum , lignum aloes , lignum colubrinum , ibid. lignum molucense , lignum nephriticum , ibid. lilium convallium , linaria lutea , linum , linum catharticum , ibid. lithospermum , lolium , lunaria , lucoium , lupinus , lupulus , m. macis , malva vulgaris , malus , malus armeniaca , malus aurantia , malus cydonia , malus limonia , malus persica , mandragora , manna , ibid. marrubium album , matricaria , mechoacanna , melilotus , melissa , melo , mentha , mentha cattaria , mespilus , meum , mezereon , millefolium , morus , muscus arboreus , muscus pyxidatus , myrobalani , myrrha , ibid. myrtus , n. narcissus , nardus celtica , nardus indica , ibid. nasturtium hortense , nasturtium aquaticum , nasturtium indicum , nicotiana , nigella , nummularia , nux moschata , nux pistachia , nux vomica , nymphaea , o. ocymum , ophyoglossum , opium , orchis , oriza , orobranche , orobus , osmunda , p. paeonia , paliurus , palma coccigera , panax coloni , panax herculis , paralysis , parietaria , herba paris , paronychia , pastinaca , pentaphyllum , pepo , percepier anglorum , perfoliata , periclymenum , petasitis , petroselinum , phaseolus , phaseolus zurratensis , phylerea , phyllitis , pilocella , pimpinella , pinguicula , piper rotundum album , piper rotundum nigrum , ibid. pisum , pix , platanus , plumbago plinii , poligala , poligonatum , poligonum , polyrizos virginiana , porrum , portulaca , primula veris , prunella , prunus , psillium , ptarmica , pucedanum , pulegium , pulsatilla , pyrethrum , pyrola , pyrus , q. quercus , r. ranunclus repens , ranunculus bulbosus , ranunculus hederaceus albus , raphanus rusticanus , raphanus sylvestris , ibid. rapum , rhabarbarum , rhamnus catharticus , ribes , rosa , rosa solis , rosmarinus , rubia tinctorum , rubus , rubus idaeus , ruscus , ruta , s. sabina , salvia , salvia agrestis , sambucus , sanguis draconis , sanicula , santalum , saponaria , sarsaparilla , sassafras , ibid. satureia , saxifragra , ibid. scabiosa , ibid. schaenanthus , scilla , scordium , sebestens , sena , ibid. seratula , serpillum , sinapi , sisarum , smilax , ibid. solanum liguosum , soldanella , sophia chirurgorum , sorbus sylvestris , sphondilium , spinachia , spongia , staechas , stavis agria , storax , ibid. stramonium , suber , t. tamarindi , tamariscus , tanacetum , ibid. telephium , tilia , tormentilla , trachelium , tragopogon , trifolium acetosum vulg . trifolium paludosum , triticum , turbith , v. vaccinia nigra , valeriana , verbascum , verbena , veronica mas , veronica spicata minor , viburnum , virga aurea , vinca per vinca , viola , viscus , vitis , vlmus vmbilicus veneris , vrtica , z. zedoaria , zinziber , the table of diseases , &c. a. abcess of the liver , pag. aches , after-birth , how to be expell'd , agues , . . . tertian and quartan , . air , to perfume it , to correct it , alexipharmicks , . almonds of the ears fallen , anasarca , animal spirits , to strengthen them , animal spirits dull , an anodine pultis , an antidote against infection , st. anthony's fire , . apoplexy , . . . appetite , how it may be provok'd , . . . apples that are best for making cyder , . apples sowre and harsh , good in fluxes of the belly , ibid. apples sowre and harsh , good in fevers , ibid. apples sweet , somewhat hot and loosening , ibid. apples a little acid are agreeable to the stomach , and chear the heart , p. apples , the best time to eat them , aqua lactis alexiteria , aqua mirabilis , aromaticum rosatum , asthma , . . . . . astringent bags , b. balsam of sulphure , apoplectick , balls for colds in horses , to wash clothes , barly-water , barrenness , baths , . beer , to keep it sweet , is good in the stone , belching sowre , . belly , to loosen it , . bellies bursten , . . . . . . . birch-wine , bird-lime , biting of a mad dog , . of serpents , . of a viper , bleeding of the hemorrhoids , bleeding at the nose , . . . blood , to cleanse and strengthen it , to remove it when setled in the eyes , to purifie it , , how to quicken it when coagulated , for the spitting of it , . . . to stop it , . . voided by stool , bones broken , to be united , . bones , to strengthen them , botches in the face , bowels , how they may be strengthen'd , . brain strengthen'd , . brandy , to make it , bread made of roots , in great scarcity of corn , breath , for the shortness of it , . breath stinking , . . . breast , to make it solid , breast , for the hardness of it , . . breast , for the chilness of it , bruises , buboes , to cure them , buboes pestilential , to break them , . . burns , . . . burns , to take out the fire , . c. cancer , . . . . carbuncles , caries of the bones , cassia extracted without sena , cataplasm to be applied to the feet , for hard swellings , catarrhs , how they may be cured , . . cephalicks , chaps in cows dugs , in the hands , . in the lips , cheese , to preserve it from worms , cherries most esteem'd in england , an errour in eating them , ibid. chil-blains , child-bed purgations , an immoderate flux of them , . child-bed purgations , to provoke them , . children's bellies , to loosen them , choler , to evacuate it , to purge it , to qualifie it , to suppress it , cinnamon-water , with barley , . clothes , to cleanse them from greasie spots , clothes , to perfume them , clyster carminative , to empty the bowels , to stop a loosness , cholick , . . . . . cholick that is flatulent , conception that is false , concoction helped , . . . confection to refresh the spirits , confection of kermes , conserve of oranges , conserve of roses , consumption , . . . . . . . . consumption scorbutick , contagion , to prevent it , contractions of the limbs , contusions , convulsions , . convulsions of children , convulsions that are flatulent , convulsions that are painful , complection , to clear it , compound peony-water , powder of sena , the greater , powder of sena , the lesser , ibid. scordium-water , water of gentian , water of hors-radish cordial flowers , . . corns , . cosmetick , . cough , . . . . . cough that is hooping , . cough , when old , how cured , . cough that is tickling , . coral prepared , courses , to force them , . . . . to stop them , to provoke them , . . . . . . . immoderate flux of them , . . . . crudities and wind in the stomach , . . d. dead child , to expel it , . . . deafness , decoction pectoral , decoctum senae gereonis , defluctions on the eyes , . defluctions , to stop them , delivery , to hasten it , . . . . diabetes , . diacodium , diagridium , diarrhaea of long continuance , dia satyrion , diet-drink , . diet that is nourishing , difficulty of breathing , . digestion , . dimness of sight , . diseases of the breast , . . . of the brain , of the womb , . . of the bladder , . of the joints , . of the head , . . . . . . . of the nerves , . . of the spleen , . . . of the liver , hypochondriack , . . . of the eyes , . . occasioned by drinking cold beer when the body is hot , pestilential , of the lungs , . . . flegmatick , peculiar to women , of horses , vterine , of the ears , diseases cold , of men and beasts , . diseases of the reins , . . . dissolution of coral , distillation on the eyes , of guaiacum , of gum ammoniack of vinegar , diuretick medicine , diureticks , the frequent vse of them occasions vlcers in the bladder , dropsie , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . e. electuary of roses , electuary for coughs , electuary called diacarthamum , called diacassia , lenitive , solutive of citron , to help concoction , of sassafras , electuarium diaprunum , elephantiasis , elixir proprietatis , elixir salutis , epithem for the eyes , empyema , emulsion , eruptions of blood , excrescencies on the eye-lids , excrescencies of the fundament , expectoration , to help it , extract of cassia , of hellebore , of opium , of rhubarb , f. face , how to beautifie it , . . . face , to take off spots from it , . fainting , . falling of the fundament , falling-sickness , . . . , . . false conception , fatness , to cause it , fevers , . . . . . fevers pestilential , . malignant , . that are burning , to asswage the heat of them , chronical , . feverish heats , felons , fish , to take them , fistula , . . fits of the mother , fleas , to drive them away , flies , to drive them away , flowers of benjamin , flummery , fluxes , fluxes , to stop them , . flux of the courses immoderate , . . . fluxes of the belly , fluxes of the hemorrhoidal veins , to stop them , fluxions on the teeth , fluxions on the joints , fomentation , astringent , foulness of the tongue , fractures , fractures of the scull , freckles , french-pox , . . . . . . . frenzy , g. galbanum , how to purifie it , gangrenes , . gargarism , . . . garlick , an observation of the vse of it to an old man that was almost kill'd by travelling a long way in the snow , giddiness of the head , . gonorrhaea , . goose-berry-wine , gout , . . . . gravel , a remedy for it , . . . . . green-sickness , gripes , gripes of children , . gums that are putrid , h. hair , to thicken it , hair , the falling of it , hardness of the spleen , how it may be soften'd , hardness of the breast , head-ach , . . head-ach inveterate , head scabby , . health , to preserve it , heart to chear it , . . . to comfort it , . the palpitation of it , . heart-burning , . helmont's liquid laudanum , hemicrania , hemlock , an observation of some that eat it instead of parsnips , hemorrhages , . herbs that are of a dry nature , . . . . mollifying , . . attenuating , . . astringent , . . . . . . . discussing , . cephalick , . . . cordial , . . . cooling , . . . . hot , . . cleansing , . . hepatick , . . splenetick , . thoracick , vterine , . vulnerary , . diuretick , . . resolving , opening , . healing , moistening , . nephritick , pulmonick , diaphoretick , ibid. lithontriptick , ibid. alexipharmick , . digesting , stomachick , . anodyne , . herbs that are pectoral , herbs that are sudorifick , hickops , hickops flatulent , hickops proceeding from a cold cause , hiera picra , hip-gout , hoarsness , . . . homer's nepenthe , hony of roses , hony of squills , humours , to correct them when sharp , humours that are crude , to concoct them , hysterick diseases , hysterick fits , . . hysterick tincture , of admirable virtue , j. jalap resin , jaundice , . . . . . . . . . . ill habit of body , imposthume , inflammations , inflammations , to take them off , . inflammations of the nervous parts , inflammations and vlcers of the liver , of the eyes , . . . and swellings of the hemorrhoids , of the mouth , . of the throat , of the jaws , of the paps , of the testicles , ink , how to make it , joints , to strengthen them , joints and sinews , to comfort them , issues , itch , . . . . . k. kibes , king's-evil , . . . . . . . . . . knots of the nerves , l. labour , when hard , to ease it , leanness , to cause it , . lees of briony , leprosie , . lethargy , lice , to kill them , . lime , to burn it , liquid laudanum , loosness , . . . loss of speech , lozenges to be held in the mouth in plague-time , lungs , to cleanse them , lungs , to open the stoppages of them , m. madness , . . magestery of coral , magisterial water of worms malignity , mandrakes counterfeited , mange , marmalet of quinces , masticatory , matthew's pill , melancholy , . . . . . meliceris , memory , to quicken , milk , to increase it , . . to dissolve it when curdled , to drive it away , to lessen it , mirth , to procure , miscarriage to prevent , mixture for women before delivery , morphew , mother-fits , . . . mucilage how to make , n. nature how to restore , nauseousness , nerves wounded , prick'd , to strengthen them , vncover'd , nipples sore , noises in the ears , nutmegs , an observation of cating them immoderately , o. obstructions , . obstructions , to open them , . obstructions of the liver , . . . of the lungs , incident to women , . of the kidnies , of the courses , of vrine , of the bowels , of the bladder , of the womb , ointment for obstructions of the liver , . of marsh-mallows , populeon , of roses , of gum-elemi , opium , orange-water , orvietan , over-fatness , oxymel of squills simple , oxymel of squills compound , ibid. oyl of nutmegs , olives , for lamps , of st. john's-wort , of roses , of camphir , of capers , of cinnamon , of cloves , of myrrh , per deliquium , nard , p. pains to ease , . pains of the sides , . pains of the stomach , in the head , . hypochondriack , venereal , pains of the joints , . of the bladder , of the nerves , of the ears , . palpitation of the heart , palsie , . . . palsie of the hands , palsie of the throat , ibid. peripneumonia , piles that are blind , piles that are painful , pills of hound's-tongue , for an vlcer of the bladder , . of agrick , of hiera , with agarick , of storax , pilulae aggregativae , de aloe lota , ibid. de aloe rosata , ibid. cochiae minores , foetidae , ibid. de gutta gamandra , ibid. de hermodactylis , ibid. imperiales , macri , ibid. mastichinae , ibid. de opopanace , ibid. rudii , ruffi , ibid. sine quibus , ibid. stomachicae , de succino , ibid. cochiae majores , pimples on the face , pin and web in the eyes , plague , . . . plague-water , plants have generally more virtue in hot countries than in cold , plaster for the navel , opiat , cummin , ammoniacum , gum elemi , for the stomach , of hermodactyles , pleurifie , . . . . . poison , . . powder to be used in malignant diseases , powder diafenna , powder thuraloes , preservative against the plague , . . . prolifick water , pultis anodyne , purge for the french pox , for the head , for mad people , cooling , strong , ibid. purges for children , purges for choler , . purges for flegm , . . purges for melancholy , . purges for watery humour , . . . purging beer for children , purging potion , pushes in the face , pustles pocky , putrefaction to resist , ▪ putrefaction of the gums , q. qveen of hungary's water , quinsie , . . r. red face , . redness of the eyes , reins , to cool them , reins to strengthen , remedy for an immoderate flux of the courses , rheums to stop , rheumatism , rickets , . . ruptures , s. salt of tartar , sauce to provoke appetite , scabby head , scammony prepar'd , sciatica , scirrhus , scirrhus , of the liver , scirrhus of the spleen , scurvy , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . sealing-wax , secret letters , secundine to expel , seed incontinency , seed to increase it , serpents biting , . shortness of breath , . sight to quicken , . . silk-worms to nourish , sleep to procure , . . sneezing to provoke , sores old , . species of the three sanders , species dia lacca , spirit of lavender , spirit of water-cresses , spirit of wine , spleen hard , spleen-wind , splinters , spots in the skin , ● spring-broth , . stammering , starting of the navel , stinging of wasps and bees , stomach to strengthen , . . to comfort , . hot , . cold , . cold and moist , stone , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . sudorificks , . . . suffocation of the womb , sugar to colour , sugar of roses , surfeit-water , sweet-meats , swellings of the belly , of the breast , . to discuss , vnder the ears , of the feet , hard , . hot , of the spleen , . . . syrup pectoral , syrup of ammoniacum , apples altering , and purging , black-berries , buck-thorn berries , cinnamon , the juice of citrons coral simple , coral compound , ibid. hedge-mustard , hyssop , jujubs , july-flowers , kermes , liquorish , marsh-mallows , mugwort , myrtles , the five opening roots , oranges , peach-flowers , peony , pomegranates , poppies , quinces , rasberries , dried roses , roses solutive , ibid. rubarb , staechas , succory with rubarb , violete , t. tartar to make crystals , tartar vitriolated , teeth to cleanse , . teeth , to preserve them from putrefaction , teeth , to settle them when loose , tetter , . thirst to extinguish , . tincture for the cholick , tincture of benjamin , cinnamon , myrrh , roses , saffron , tongue that is dry , tooth-ach , . . throat sore , trembling of the limbs , troches of agarick , troches of alhandal , troches of myrrh , tumours to discuss , tumours , to ease them , tumours , to eat them down , tumours of the hands and feet , that itch , tumours inward , tumours oedematous , tumours , to ripen them , . tumours scrophelous , v. venomous creatures to drive away , venery to provoke , . vinegar of roses , vinegar of squills , viscous humours , to expectorate them , vlcers , . . . vlcers putrid , . vlcers hot , vlcers malignant , vlcers of the lungs , . vlcers corroding , . vlcers of the bladder , vlcers of the paps , vlcers of the mouth , vlcers of the reins , vlcers fistulous , vlcers of the matrix , ibid. vlcers of the vrinary passages , vlcers that are cancerous , vlcers pocky in the fundament , vlcers of the privy parts , vlcers , to dilate them , vlcers painful in the fundament , vlcers that are gangrenous , vlcers , to cicatrize them , vlcers , to keep them open , volatile salt , like that of hart's-horn , and endued with the same virtues , vomits , . . vomiting to stop , . . . vomiting blood , . vrine involuntary , . vrine , to provoke it , . . . . . . vrine , heat of it , . . vrine , the passages to cleanse , vrine bloody , vvula fallen , swellings of the vvula , w. warts , . . . watching , water-gruel , weariness to remove , whites , . wind how to expel , . . wind in the stomach , wind hypochondriack , wine , how to make it taste pleasantly , wine , to colour it , worms to kill , . . . wound-herbs , . . . wounds , . . . wounds , to cleanse them , wounds with fluxion , wounds of the head , wounds , to heal them , . wounds inward , finis . advertisement . eexellent purging pills , prepar'd by the author , are to be sold by mr. henry bonwicke , at the red lyon in st. paul's church-yard . they cure the scurvy , the most reigning disease of this kingdom . they purge the head , breast , stomach and reins , and cleanse the blood ; and are a very proper purge for those that cannot confine themselves when they want purging , but are forc'd to go abroad about their business , the price of each box is s. d. with directions for use . books printed for henry bonwicke , at the red lyon in st. paul's church-yard . collections of acute diseases , in five parts : . of the small pox , and measles . . of the plague , and pestilential fevers . . of continual fevers . . of agues , a pleurisie , peripneumonia , quinsie , and the cholera morbus . ly and lastly , of the bloody-flux , miscarriage , of acute diseases of women with child , a rheumatism , bleeding at nose , apoplexy , lethargy , and several other diseases . a collection of chronical diseases ; viz. the cholick , the bilious cholick , hysterick diseases , the gout , and the bloody urine from the stone in the kidnies . promptuarium praxeos medicae ; seu methodus medendi , praescriptis celeberrimorum medicorum londinensium concinnata . et in ordinem alphabeticum digesta . all three published by the author of this herbal . the general history of the reformation of the church , written in latin by john sleidan , faithfully englished . to which is added a continuation to the end of the council of trent . by e. bohun , esq ; . in folio . pains afflicting humane bodies : their various difference , causes , parts affected , signals of danger or safety ; shewing the tendency of chronick and acute diseases , for a seasonable prevention of fatal events . with a tract of issues and setons . by e. maynwaring , m. d. octavo . pia desideria , or divine addresses : in three parts . . sighs of the penitent soul. . desires of the religious soul. . extasies of the enamour'd soul. illustrated with cuts . written in latin by herm. hugo . english'd by edm. arwaker . octavo . the art of catechizing , or the compleat catechist : in four parts . . the church-catechism resolv'd into easie questions . . an exposition of it , in a continued , full and plain discourse . . the church-catechism resolv'd into scripture-proofs . . the whole duty of man reduced into questions . fitted for the meanest capacities , the weakest memories , the plaintest teachers , and the most uninstructed learners . lately published , country-conversations : being an account of some discourses that happen'd in a visit to the country last summer , on divers subjects ; chiefly of the modern comedies , of drinking , of translated verse , of painting and painters , of poets and poetry . some observations made upon the barbado seeds shewing their admirable virtue in curing dropsies / written by a physitian in the countrey to sir george ent at london. peachi, john, fl. . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing p estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) some observations made upon the barbado seeds shewing their admirable virtue in curing dropsies / written by a physitian in the countrey to sir george ent at london. peachi, john, fl. . ent, george, sir, - . pechey, john, - . p. [s.n.], london : . attributed also to john pechey--nuc pre- imprints. reproduction of original in the british library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng edema -- early works to . therapeutics -- early works to . - tcp assigned for keying and markup - aptara keyed and coded from proquest page images - andrew kuster sampled and proofread - andrew kuster text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion some observations made upon the barbado seeds , shewing their admirable virtue in curing dropsies . written by a physitian in the countrey to sir george ent at london . london , printed in the year . some observations made upon the barbado seeds , shewing their admirable virtue in curing dropsies . in a letter , &c. sir , according to your desire , i have made many experiments with the barbado seeds you sent me , and i find them wonderful serviceable against dropsies ; they open the sluces of nature , and let the watery humours run away both by seige and urine , and that in a very plentiful manner , with very little disturbance to nature . if you have any more indian specificks , i pray send them into the countrey , and i will make observations upon them , and i hope with as good success ; for by this method the art of physick is likely to be much improved , and in time we may be able to answer the lord bacon's desire , viz. to write a history of the cures of diseases thought to be incurable . i was lately sent for six miles from my own house to a countrey farmer , who was miserably swelled by the dropsie , not only his belly , but his leggs and whole habit of body ; i had given him many medicines , but i found that his stubborn disease would not give way , and at length trying your specifick in several forms , i perceived a plentiful evacuation of water by seige and urine , he is become very lank , and his colour begins to return , and i hope by the use of good volatile salts and bitter medicines to restore the ferments to the several parts , and prevent the danger of a relapse . another person who was a servant , was so exceedingly swelled , that his friends had all concluded that he must be tapp'd , but having heard of the former cure , came ten miles to my house , being brought in his master's coach ; i used the same method , and in due time cured him . i must needs own , as mr. boyle saith , that the theories of divers diseases are so hotly disputed amongst many eminent physitians , that in many cases a man may discern more probability of the success of the remedy , than of the truth of the received notion of the disease . and as the controverted methods are not to this day agreed on , nor establisht in the schools themselves , so divers who are not acquainted with the schools , do by the help of experience and good specificks , and the method their mother wit and other emergency prompts them to take , do very great and extraordinary cures ; the causes of diseases are much less certain , and much more disputed than the uninquisitive imagine : nor are the methods of curing , which depends upon those causes , settled as they should be ; and therefore he fears that the generality of physitians have but an imperfect method in the cure of many diseases ; and therefore he observes that the communicating some good medicines in an unpolished manner , though they may disparage an author , yet they may save the life of a patient . these considerations have encouraged me to communicate my observations of this nature , which may a little gratifie the inquisitive part of mankind , until the learned dr. sloan , from whom we expect considerable informations , gives us a more compleat account of american rarities , and their medicinal opperations . this i must say , that after universal evacuations by purging , vomitting , sweating , which ought to be left to the prudence of able and experienced physitians : i have ever found specifick allerative remedies wonderful advantagious . many persons of different ages and sexes have been cured of dropsies by these seeds , taking only the spirit , the tincture , and the extract of the same , sometimes in broom-beer , and sometimes in rhenish-wine , only observing an agreeable dyet , and enduring thirst as much as may be . finis . some observations made upon the root called nean or ninsing imported from the east-indies shewing its wonderful virtue in curing consumptions, ptissicks, shortness of breath, distillation of rhume, and restoring nature after it hath been impaired by languishing distempers and long fits of sickness / publisht by a doctor of physick in york-shire in a letter to mr. colwell, a member of the royal society, . simpson, william, m.d. approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing p a estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) some observations made upon the root called nean or ninsing imported from the east-indies shewing its wonderful virtue in curing consumptions, ptissicks, shortness of breath, distillation of rhume, and restoring nature after it hath been impaired by languishing distempers and long fits of sickness / publisht by a doctor of physick in york-shire in a letter to mr. colwell, a member of the royal society, . simpson, william, m.d. peachi, john, fl. . pechey, john, - . p. printed for the author, london : [ ] wrongly attributed to john pechey by surgeon general's catalogue (ser. ) and british museum catalogue, and to john peachi by wing. attributed to william simpson--nuc pre- imprints. reproduction of original in the british library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng ginseng. therapeutics -- early works to . - tcp assigned for keying and markup - aptara keyed and coded from proquest page images - mona logarbo sampled and proofread - mona logarbo text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion some observations made upon the root called nean , or ninsing , imported from the east-indies . shewing its wonderful virtue , in curing consumptions , ptissicks , shortness of breath , distillation of rhume , and restoring nature after it hath been impaired by languishing distempers , and long fits of sickness . publisht by a doctor of physick in york-shire , in a letter to mr. colwell , a member of the royal society , . london , printed for the author . some observations made upon the root called nean , or ninsing , &c. sir , i have read that some famous divines have not spared to report in print , that they believed cardan physician to king edward the sixth , was now in hell , because he refused to tell the world a secret with which he wrought great cures . and therefore for my part , i am resolved to prevent the occasion of any such censure , and freely communicate this noble and excellent medicine , that hath done such great cures in china , japan , and many other parts of the world , when abundance of compounded elaborate remedies have proved ineffectual . when i lived at hull in yorkshire , a parcel of it was given me for a present , which i used with wonderfull success : and particularly , to a relation of mr. andrew marvel's , who was much emaciated , and reduced unto a perfect skeleton , a meer bag of bones , by a long hectick feaver , joyned with an ulcer of the lungs ; being despaired of by all friends , i was resolved to try what the tincture of this root would doe , which i gave every morning in red cows milk , warm from her duggs , ( which my worthy friend and intimate acquaintance , dr. primrose , preferrs before asses milk , as you may see in his book called popular errors ) : and i found his flesh to come again like that of a child , and his lost appetite restored , and his natural ruddy complexion revived in his cheeks , to the amazement of his desponding relations , that he was called lazarus the second . i solemnly profess , that i hate all pretences to secrets , and i look upon the printed bills of quacks , who pretend to nostrums , and private medicines , to be meer cheats , and tricks to amuse the common people , and to pick their pockets : but if any man can communicate a good medicine , he shews himself a lover of his countrey more than of himself , and deserves thanks of mankind . and for my part , i verily believe , that next unto the virtue of scarborough spaw , ( which i suppose i have sufficiently recommended ) i think this is one of the best medicines in the world , and in many cases better against consumptions and distempers of the lungs than that . ogleby in his natural history of china , tells the world , that a pound of this root is sold in the countrey wherein it growes , for three times its weight in silver , it is looked upon as so great a cordial . and piso that learned physician esteems it a mighty restorer of nature , and as far as may be a renewer of youth . publick fame saith , that the popes of rome , who are chosen to that office when they are very old , doe make great use of this root , to preserve their radical moysture and natural heat , that so they may the longer enjoy their comfortable preferments . i once recommended this root to my good friend mr. steel the minister , with singular advantage to his health , as he told me ; but finding him under the care of an excellent physician , i advised him to lay aside all medecins but what he prescribed . when i read the bills of mortality , and find three or four thousand dye in a year of consumptions , notwithstanding all the rational methods of physicians , and the boasting pretences of quacks and mountebanks , i could no longer conceal this excellent specifick .. a very considerable person at hull , who was very much pined away , had a cough and shortness of breath , a quick pulse , and an intense heat , at some certain times , with wandering pains in several parts of his body , and restless nights , and no appetite to food ; my advice being desired , i wisht him to take the extract made with this root every night in almond-milk , and in a months time he gtew fat and plump , and all his ill symptoms left him , and he is yet alive , to the glory of god , and the comfort of his relations . one thing is very remarkable , that let the cause of the consumption be what it will , viz. an ulcer of the lungs , or a scorbutick sharp humour in the blood , or a hectick feaver , or the infection of the spermatick vessels , which in time and in various disguises spoyls the whole habit of the body , and by disabling the parts to digest their nourishment , bring leanness and consumption ; i say let any of these , or all of them , be causes , yet this root proves advantageous , as experience testifies . the case of the gentlewoman at leeds in yorkshire is very remarkable , who catching cold in her lying in , fell under great weakness , a dry cough , stitches in her brest and sides , heat in her palms and feet , pining away insensibly ; many physicians were consulted , but all in vain ; at last i advised her to take the spirit made of this root , about ten drops at a time , in a glass of old mallago after dinner . in a short time after she gathered her flesh , and had five children . at rippon there was a good friend of mine , of a considerable estate , whose only child falling into a deep consumption upon his breeding of teeth , the parents being almost distracted for want of an heir , nothing else being expected but death , and the child being tyred out with other medicines , i recommended the tincture , spirit and extract made of this root ; and in six weeks time the child mended and grew strong and lusty , and is like to be a man. these and many such examples might be given , which are great encouragement to make use of such a known , safe , and experienced remedy , and so very pleasant as this is , being taken only in drops , whereby it becomes extreamly agreeable unto children , who pine away upon breeding their teeth , as daily experience shews , to the great grief of many tender mothers . a friend of mine at york who buried six children , preserved the seventh ( under god ) with this root ; for it hath no manner of heat , but is exceeding temperate , and may be given in all their victuals and spoon-meat . mr. boyle once told me , he thought it was a medicine sent from heaven , to save the lives of thousands of men , women and children . finis . some observations made upon the virginian nutts, imported from the indies shewing their admirable virtue against the scurvy / written by a doctor of physick in the countrey to dr. croon, one of the royal society in london, . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing p estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) some observations made upon the virginian nutts, imported from the indies shewing their admirable virtue against the scurvy / written by a doctor of physick in the countrey to dr. croon, one of the royal society in london, . peachi, john, fl. . pechey, john, - . p. [s.n.], london : . attributed by bm and surgeon general's catalogues to john pechey (under which heading they include the works of john pechey, - , and also those of john peachie, the extra licentiate). this pamphlet is not included among the works of pechey listed in dnb. it is attributed by halkett and laing, , to "john peachie or pechey, m.d." (presumably the extra-licentiate). this attribution is probably wrong, since john peachie was not admitted an extra-licentiate of the college of physicians until . reproduction of original in huntington library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng scurvy. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images - mona logarbo sampled and proofread - mona logarbo text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion some observations made upon the uirginian nutts , imported from the indies : shewing their admirable virtue against the scurvy . written by a doctor of physick in the countrey to dr. croon , one of the royal society in london , . london printed , & ● . . some observations made upon the uirginian nutts , imported from the indies : in a letter , &c. sir , i remember that the reverend dr. spratt , the present bishop of rochester , in his eloquent history of the royal society , tells us , that we are extreamly beholding unto my lord bacon , for his communicating to the world the remedies which were experimentally found advantageous in the cure of the sweating sickness , in the time of henry the seventh ; and therefore i hope i may deserve thanks for informing my countrey-men what i have after long experience found useful in the cure of the scurvy , which now proves as troublesome to england as that disease did then , though not so mortal . and the remedy is the virginean nutts , or rather kernels , which grow upon the locus-tree , described by mr. ray , and by lygon , and several other authors : but none have made those particular experiments i have done upon the use of the nutts , and i find them to answer the same intentions that the gum animi doth , which flows from the same tree . it mightily opens obstructions of the liver , and refines the whole mass of blood , and mends a scorbutick ill habit of body , by impregnating that vital liquor with such volatile salts , as restore it when flat and languishing , to a more pure and spirituous state , and thereby preserves it from fixation , and clears the skin from spots and all impurities . i knew a gentlewoman who was highly scorbutical , and much afflicted with various fermentations in her blood , which caused the eruption of strange pimples and troublesome blemishes in her face and hands , with great faintings , weariness and indisposition to motion , and wandering pains in her limbs , her teeth loose , and gums sore ; her body cover'd with scurf like a leprosie ; and yet by the use of this medicine mixed with all her drink and spoon-meat , in one months time she was perfectly recovered . mr. grant observes , that this disease of the scurvy doth wonderfully encrease every year in our bills of mortality , and thereupon wisheth that some effectual remedies might be found out by physicians , and i am well satisfied that this is one . i could tell you of a man about fifty years of age , who by living in a gross air , and using an ill dyet , and wanting exercise , had his whole mass of blood so corrupted , and the spirits so evaporated , that they became dead and flat , like decayed drinks , and eager and sharp like vinegar : and yet notwithstanding by the use of a tincture , spirit and extract drawn out of these nutts , he became strong , lively and chearful , and was fit for all employments both of body and mind . an old gentlewoman , who by a long fit of sickness was brought into the scurvy , the fine parts of her blood were run into a fluid salt , and she found a universal languor upon her spirits , which made her life uncomfortable ; she used many medicines , and had much advice , and at length a friend told her of these drops , which any one may make if they please to procure the nuts , for the medicins are drawn out only with small wines . these medicines perfectly recover'd her to a state of health , and good habit of body . a middle-aged person who was much afflicted with the scurvy , and had many blew spots in his skin , great weariness and faintness upon his spirits , with wandering pains in divers parts of his body , very bad decayed teeth , and little or no appetite to food , with sowre belchings and offensive fumes arising up to his nostrils , and several other scorbutical symptoms ; he had taken great quantities of spirits of scurvy-grass , and still found himself grow worse and worse ; at length i gave him the drops drawn out of these nuts , about twelve at a time , the yellow in the morning , the white at noon , and the black at night : they may be given in purging waters , or in mum , or in any agreeable spoon-meat . i could give many more examples , of cures wrought by them , but 't will be needless . finis . some observations made upon the mexico seeds imported from the indies shewing their wonderful virtue against worms in the bodies of men, women and children / written by a countrey physitian to dr. burwell, president of the colledge of physitians in london. peachi, john, fl. . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing p estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) some observations made upon the mexico seeds imported from the indies shewing their wonderful virtue against worms in the bodies of men, women and children / written by a countrey physitian to dr. burwell, president of the colledge of physitians in london. peachi, john, fl. . burwell, thomas, - . pechey, john, - . p. [s.n.], london printed : . attributed to peachi by wing; also sometimes attributed to john pechey. cf. nuc pre- imprints. reproduction of original in the huntington library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng therapeutics -- early works to . medicine -- early works to . helminths. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - aptara keyed and coded from proquest page images - mona logarbo sampled and proofread - mona logarbo text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion some observations made upon the mexico seeds , imported from the indies : shewing their wonderful virtue against worms in the bodies of men , women , and children . written by a countrey physitian to dr. burwell , president of the colledge of physitians in london . london , printed in the year . some observations made upon the mexico seeds : shewing their wonderful virtue against worms in the bodies of men , women , and children . in a letter , &c. sir , i received your letter , with your desire to know what particular specifick i had ●bserved the indians make most use of against worms ; and i must freely tell you , that i have often seen them give the mexico seeds , which powerfully expels them in men , women , and children . the seeds look like an insect , o● sort of flat worm it self , and is spotted like a leopard ; it is a sort of a palma christi , it resists the putrefaction of humours , and purgeth the stomach and bowels , and drives ou● all sorts of verminous matter by siege , which cause gnawing pains in the body . the deaths of more people is owing to worms than is generally supposed , for they cause vomiting , loosness , feavors , and wha● not . i saw an indian doctor give a medicin● made with these seeds , which expell'd forty worms at one time . many famous physitians have of late year in their observations taken notice , that i● most distempers , especially putrid and malignant feavors , there hath very much 〈◊〉 worms been a cause , which hath made them prove more difficult to cure , and generall● more mortal ; and a curious physitian tells the world , that with the help of microscopes he had discerned in his patients blood , and sometimes in their urine , many animated vermicles , and until he hath applyed himself to the use of worm-matick medicines , could perform no cures ; but upon the use of medicines against worms , he quickly perceived an abatement of all feavourish symptons . i knew a young gentlewoman who had a great pain in her head , much sickness at her stomach , a very pale countenance , want of appetite , and a continual feavourish heat , and sometimes a chillness in her back , and a great faintness . many means i applyed to mend her blood , to cleanse her stomach and to alter the habit of her body , but al● in vain ; at length i gave her this medicine in a decoction of bitter herbs , about twenty drops at a time every new and ful● moon ; she sometimes took it in good mum and now and then in milk , with lavender cotton boiled in it , she voided many worms and wonderfully recover'd . a maid servant who had a gnawing pain in her stomach and bowels , especially being hungry , a dry cough , a loathing , and sometimes vomiting and loosness , a symptomatical feavor , and sleep often disturbed with horrible dreams , starting and gnashing of teeth : but notwithstanding all these formidable symptoms , i gave her the tincture of these seeds , and ordered her to take them in wormwood-wine , and she was restored to a perfect state of health . many young children have been destroyed by worms , because they would not take bitter unpleasant medicines ; but this being given only in drops , and insensibly conveyed into their ordinary drink , hath proved very successful towards the preservation of their lives , especially when clysters have been administer'd made with alloes and worm●eeds boiled in ale , and the belly anointed with oyl of worms . i knew a young gentlewoman , who complaining very much of a great pain in her stomach , especially when she had at any time fasted , she dying very suddenly , her brother ( who was a physitian ) caused her body to be opened , and to the great wonder of the spectators the worms crawled about in a strange manner , which gave abundant satisfaction as to the cause of her death . if this medicine had been known sooner , the lives of thousands might have been saved who made up the numbers in your yearly bills of mortality at london . finis . some observations made upon the banellas imported from the indies shewing their wonderful virtues in curing melancholly and distraction / written by a physitian in the countrey to dr. allen, one of the royal society at london. peachi, john, fl. . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing p estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) some observations made upon the banellas imported from the indies shewing their wonderful virtues in curing melancholly and distraction / written by a physitian in the countrey to dr. allen, one of the royal society at london. peachi, john, fl. . pechey, john, - . p. [s.n.], london : . attributed also to john pechey--nuc pre- imprints. reproduction of original in the british library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng depression, mental -- early works to . therapeutics -- early works to . - tcp assigned for keying and markup - aptara keyed and coded from proquest page images - andrew kuster sampled and proofread - andrew kuster text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion some observations made upon the banellas , imported from the indies : shewing their wonderful virtues in curing melancholly and distraction . written by a physitian in the countrey to dr. allen , one of the royal society at london . london , printed in the year . some observations made upon the banellas , shewing their wonderful virtues in curing melancholly and distraction . sir , i have a friend at london , whose son is under your care for the cure of his melancholly : i am glad he is under the management of so experienced a physitian . i hear you have blooded him several times , and shaved his head , and blistered him , and given him many purges , which i believe are very proper : i beg leave to recommend an admirable specifick in this distemper , and that is the banella's which come to us from the indies , a tincture , spirit and extract drawn out of them are of excellent use in this young man's case . they have been often tryed , and found serviceable , when other means and methods have failed : they wonderfully chear the heart , and relieve the animal spirits , when oppress'd with hypocondriacal fumes from the spleen . they refine the blood , and clear the brain , and disperse melancholly winds and black humours , which if let alone would end in distraction . a minister about fifty years of age , a grave , serious and devout man , who fell into profound melancholly , occasion'd by hard study and deep thoughts about the prophetical part of scripture , relating unto the future state of the church . he could remember whole nights wherein he had not slept , and whole weeks wherein he had not dined : he had been let blood several times in the jugular veins with a lancet , and in the hemorroide veins with leaches ; his head shaved , and anointed with cephalick oyls ; he had been vomitted and purged very often , and taken mineral waters , but all in vain ; at length i gave him the banella mixture in whey for one month , and he is perfectly recover'd , and preaches very judiciously and vigorously , to the great satisfaction of his auditory . a young gentlewoman who had a very great respect for a person whom her relations had no good opinion of , being unwilling to disoblige her friends , and yet desirous to comply with her own inclinations , she fell into great melancholly , and that sower'd her blood , and caused obstructions , and altered the whole habit of the body , and brought her into a consumptive languishing condition : much advice was taken for her , and many methods prescribed by learned physitians , at length she was told of this specifick mixture , and took it three months together in spaw-waters , and sometimes in purging waters , and she is now in a good state of health of body , and enjoys great tranquility of mind . a gentleman of a tender mind and religious disposition , upon the breach of a vow and scruples of conscience , was attended with great melancholly , which at length degenerated into a maniacal distemper of the brain , wherein the spiritous parts of the nervous juice being debased , and the saline parts exalted , and brought to a fluor , which which being mixed with sulpherous particles , derived from feculent blood , at length produced delirous phantasms and depraved imaginations , which perverted his understanding , and qualified him for bedlam every full moon ; and indeed which made him the more subject to relapses into his distemper , was its being somewhat hereditary on the mothers side ; yet notwithstanding this frequent returns , and great rage and disorder of the animal spirits , this person was cured by the use of the mixture , and now continues cloathed in his right mind , to the praise of the omnipotent physitian . an ancient gentlewoman , whose husband fell into a decay in his estate , was much disappointed thereby , and hereby her mind much disturbed , which totter'd her understanding , which at some certain times put her upon very unseemly extravagant actions and discourses , very disagreeable unto her former pious ane prudent behaviour , to the great grief of her children , and other relations . much advise was taken , and all to no purpose ; at length i resolved to give her the specifick mixture of the spirit , tincture and extract drawn out of the banellas bean ; for its shape it resembles a french bean , and contains a seed as that doth , and was much used in chocolate , but being dear , is frequently left out of late , as the makers of it tell us . i gave this gentlewoman morning , noon and night drops of this mixture at a time , she took it in small beer six months , and thro' god's mercy it brought her to the free exercise of her reason . i could give many more examples if it were needfull . finis . some observations made upon the bengala bean imported from the indies shewing its admirable virtues in curing all sorts of hemorrages, and particularly spitting of blood / written by a doctor of physick in the countrey to one of his patients in london. peachi, john, fl. . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing p estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) some observations made upon the bengala bean imported from the indies shewing its admirable virtues in curing all sorts of hemorrages, and particularly spitting of blood / written by a doctor of physick in the countrey to one of his patients in london. peachi, john, fl. . pechey, john, - . p. s.n.], [london : . attributed also to john pechey--nuc pre- imprints. reproduction of original in the british library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng hemorrhage -- early works to . therapeutics -- early works to . - tcp assigned for keying and markup - spi global keyed and coded from proquest page images - mona logarbo sampled and proofread - mona logarbo text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion some observations made upon the bengala bean , imported from the indies : shewing its admirable virtues in curing all sorts of hemorrages , and particularly spitting of blood. written by a doctor of physick in the countrey to one of his patients in london . printed in the year . some observations made upon the bengala bean , imported from the indies : in a letter , &c. sir , ieceived yours , wherein you give me an account of your dangerous disaster , which greatly threatens your life , viz. your frequent spitting of blood , proceeding from the acrimony of that vital liquor . long and frequent evacuations of that kind must of necessity spend the spirits , weaken nature , and shorten life : i therefore recommend to you a most excellent specifick in your distemper , viz. the bengala bean ; which is of a healing balsamick nature , moderately stiptick , of a very temperate quality , and affords an excellent soder to the veins and arteries , where any breach is made on them by the defluxions of a sharp corroding humour : it mitigates the acidity of all salt rhumes which invade the lungs , and threaten a consumption . it checks the violence of coughing , and easeth pains in the breast , it rarely thickens and incrassates the blood , and gives it a good consistence , whereby it prevents all sorts of hemorrages of blood. dr. smith , the author of the book called solomon's pourtraicture of old age , tells of a young virgin , a patient of his , who dyed in twenty four hours space , of a violent flux of blood , from all parts of her body ; as nose , ears , eyes , mouth , &c. had he been so happy as to have known this remedy , i don't know but he might have saved her , with god almighty's blessing . we cannot now apply our selves in our issues of blood , to so happy a remedy as the hem of our saviours garment , and therefore must make use of the best means we can , and be thankful if we find relief by any . i could tell you a strange story of a young gentleman who was troubled with a hemoptosie , or spitting of blood for many weeks , so that he despair'd of life . he had open'd a vein twice , had used all the common forms of medicines , as frictions , ligatures , fomentations , gentle purgatives , and what else could be thought on by the ablest physicians ; but nothing could cure the rupture of the vessels about the lungs , untill he applyed himself unto the drops drawn out of this balsamick bean , and drinking them sometimes in cows milk , and sometimes in asses and goats milk , was wonderderfully cured . i knew a learned divine , who straining his voice in preaching , had broke a vein in his lungs ; and after the use of many prescriptions , which proved insignificant , he at length used these vulnerary drops in wine and water , and he experienced a mighty advantage thereby , to the immortal praise of the great physician above . a labouring man about forty years of age , who fell from the top of a house , and bruised his breast , which occasioned spitting of blood : i gave him these drops in mead seven days , and all his pains abated , and he spit no more blood , nor felt any more pain . a child about twelve years of age , being troubled with a violent cough , which caused him to spit and vomit blood , a great quantity , after he had taken many fantastical medicines , as fryed mice , john and jones bread , sate with his naked buttocks upon a bears back , and been toss'd seven or nine times over a bramble-bush , &c. at last he took these drops in claret-wine and water , and was cured of his chin-cough , his whooping ceased , and his spitting went off . an elderly person , who was continually bleeding at the nose , and other parts , was wonderfully rescued from the jaws of death , by the use of these drops in milk and water . finis . the compleat midwife's practice enlarged in the most weighty and high concernments of the birth of man containing a perfect directory or rules for midwives and nurses : as also a guide for women in their conception, bearing and nursing of children from the experience of our english authors, viz., sir theodore mayern, dr. chamberlain, mr. nich. culpeper ... : with instructions of the queen of france's midwife to her daughter ... / by john pechey ... ; the whole illustrated with copper plates. pechey, john, - . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing p estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) the compleat midwife's practice enlarged in the most weighty and high concernments of the birth of man containing a perfect directory or rules for midwives and nurses : as also a guide for women in their conception, bearing and nursing of children from the experience of our english authors, viz., sir theodore mayern, dr. chamberlain, mr. nich. culpeper ... : with instructions of the queen of france's midwife to her daughter ... / by john pechey ... ; the whole illustrated with copper plates. pechey, john, - . chamberlen, hugh. culpeper, nicholas, - . boursier, louise bourgeois, ca. - . mayerne, théodore turquet de, sir, - . the fifth edition corrected, and much enlarged. [ ], p., [ ] leaves of plates : ill., port. printed for h. rhodes ... j. philips ... j. taylor ... and k. bentley ..., london : . "rare secrets brought to light, which for many years were locked up in the breast of ... sir theodore mayern ... london, " (p. [ ]- ) has special t.p. the author's name appears after the edition statement. advertisement on p. [ ]-[ ]. reproduction of original in yale university library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng obstetrics -- england -- early works to . medicine -- early works to . - tcp assigned for keying and markup - spi global keyed and coded from proquest page images - john latta sampled and proofread - john latta text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion the expert , and famous madam lovys bourgeois midwife to the queene of france . the compleat midwife's practice enlarged , in the most weighty and high concernments of the birth of man. containing a perfect directory , or rules for midwives and nurses . as also a guide for women in their conception , bearing and nursing of children : from the experience of our english authors . viz. sir theodore mayern , dr. chamberlain , mr. nich. culpeper . and others of forreign nations . with instructions of the queen of france's midwife to her daughter , a little before her death , touching the practice of the said art. as also a farther discovery of those secrets kept close in the breast of sir theodore mayern , mr. nicholas culpeper , and other english writers , not made publick till now . the fifth edition corrected , and much enlarged , by john pechet , fellow of the college of physicians , london . the whole illustrated with copper plates . london , printed for h. rhodes at the corner of bride-lane , in fleet-street , j. philips at the king's arms , j. taylor at the ship in st. paul's church yard , and k. bentley , in russel-street , covent garden . . the preface by several practitioners in and about the city of london . it is high time , since there have been already published many treatises in this kind , for us to declare our thoughts for the publick good . we have perused all that have been in this nature in english , and find them strangely deficient , so crowded with unnecessary notions , and dangerous mistakes , that we thought it fit to give you warning of them , to prevent for the future , the many unfortunate mischiefs attending upon ignorance of these matters . it is admirable to us , that our country should be so much deluded , to build all their practice on such authors , that have not at all conduced to any considerable advantage in this so necessary and useful art , as the preserving of mankind . how many miserable volumes have these late times brought forth ? not to disparage any that have deserved , but in so weighty a concernment as this , we must stand upon our integrity . there hath been a reasonable intention in the publishers of some books , viz. the birth of man , the most ancient , but very much unfurnished ; as also the books of child-birth , the expert midwife , the worst that hath been written in that kind , in french ; and it 's almost a miracle to us , that mr. culpeper , a man whom we otherways respect , should descend so low , as to borrow his imperfect treatise from those wretched volumes , some of which are before mentioned ; and we must deal faithfully with you , that , that small piece of his , intituled , the directory for midwifes , is the most desperately deficient of them all ; except he writ it for necessity , he could certainly have never been so idle to have exposed it to the light . now , to give you a true information of what we have here done for your good , we shall not only justifie what is here contain'd from our own experiences , but fully demonstrate from the writings of the best practisers both of the french , spanish , and italians , and other nations ; and we must clearly confess , that we are highly obliged to the incomparable labours of that most famous woman of the world , madam louise burgeois , late midwife to the queen of france : the praises that we read of all those that ever heard of her , are not so much a flourish , as truth ; for her reasons are solid experiences , and her witnesses have been all of the most eminent persons of france ; and not only of her , but as we have already exprest , of the most excellent known men and women of this art of other countries : it 's upon this account that we break the barriers , and boldly stand the brunt of all censures . the chief occasion of this book , is , to make it a great exemplary , and school , where medicine married to the midwife's industry , may teach every one the admirable effects of this art of midwifry . and now knowing , reader , that the receipts herein contain'd , which have ever had happy successes , are not made publick to the world on any other design , than for the assistance of such persons , whom either the want of fortune , or opportunity denieth such sudden helps , neither can we be without bleeding hearts , if we but consider how many have been lost by the unskilfulness of those that attempted this great work ; nor should we have prostrated our reputation and private experiences , but to correct the frequent mistake of most midwives , who , resting too boldly upon the common way of delivering women , neglect all the wholesome and profitable rules of art , which might concern them in the occult diseases of women , as also of the anatomical parts of the body . thus having discharged our duty , we have no more to write , but refer you to the book it self . we are the hearty well-wishers of your good , r.c. j.d. m.s. t.b. w.c. m.h. advertisement to the reader . the bookseller designing another edition of this midwifry , took care to have the anatomick part compleated , and the whole enlarged considerably , as may appear to any one that will compare the fourth edition with this . it is a plain and useful treatise of midwifry , and is moreover stock'd with great variety of approved remedies for the diseases of women and children , and therefore may well deserve to be accounted the best book extant upon this subject . books lately printed for r. bentley , j. phillips , h. rhodes , and j. taylor . . the new world of words ; or , an vniversal english dictionary . containing the proper significations , and derivations of all words from other languages . together with the definitions of all those forms that conduce to the understanding of any of the arts or sciences . collected by e. p. the fifth edition , with large editions , and improvements from the best english and forreign authors . a work very necessary for strangers , as well as our own country-men , to the right understanding of what they discourse , write , or read. . the grounds and occasions of the contempt of the clergy and religion . enquired into , in a letter to r. l. with observations on the answer thereto , in a letter to the same , to which are added . considerations on mr. hobbs's state of nature . with several other pieces of the same author . . aesop's fables , with their morals in prose and meeter , grammatically translated : illustrated with pictures and emblems . together with the history of his life . the th edition , by w. d. price s. . the queen's closet opened , being incomparable secrets in physick , chyrurgery , cookery , preserving , candying , &c. which were presented to the queen , by the most experienc'd persons of the times ; many whereof were had in esteem , when her majesty pleased to descend to private recreations . price s. . the english rudiments for the latin tongue , explain'd by way of question and answer , which are so form'd , that a child , omitting altogether the questions , may learn only the answers , and be fully instructed in the rudiments of the latine tongue , by w. dugard , price s. . the school of physick , or the experimental practice of the whole art ; a work very useful and necessary for the information of all in physick , chyrurgery , chymistry , &c. by n. culpeper , late student in physick . with on account of the author's life . the contents . of the genitals or vessels dedicated to generation in men or women . page of the vessels of preparation . p. of the parastatae or vessels where the blood is first changed . p. the use of the preparing vessels . p. of the testicles in general . p. of the tunicles of the stones . p. of the suspensory muscles . p. of the substance and temper of the stones . p. of the actions of the testicles . p. of the vtility of the testicles , and their parts . p. of the vessels that casteth forth the seed . p. of the seminary bladders . p. of the kernelly prostatae , or forestanders . p. of the structure of the yard . p. of the several parts , constituting the yard . p. of the action of the yard . p. of the use of the yard in general . ibid. of the use of the parts constituting the yard . p. of the genitals of women . p. of those parts called nemphae , and the clytoris . p. of the fleshy knobs , and the greater neck of the womb. p. of the hymen . p. of the vessels that run through the neck of the womb. p. of the fabrick of the womb. p. of the preparing vessels in women . p. of the stones in women . p. of the deferent , or ejaculatory vessels . p. of the actions and uses of the genital parts in women . p. of the action of the clytoris , p. of the action and use of the neck of the womb. ibid. of the uses of the vessels running thro' the neck of the womb . p. of the actions of the womb. p. of the vtility of the womb. p. . of the vtility of the preparing vessels in women . p. of the vtility of the stones . ibid. of the signs of conception . p. whether she hath conceived a male. p. whether a female . ibid. of the conception of twins . p. of false conception . ibid. how women ought to govern themselves , in the time of their going with child . p. the womb-cake . p. . of the mixture of the seed of both sexes , as also of its substance and form . p. . of the three tunicles which the birth is wrapt in , in the womb. p. . of the true generation of the parts , and the increase of them , according to the several days and seasons . p. of the nourishment of the birth in the womb. p. of the condition of the infant in the womb , in the , , and month . p. of the situation of the child in the womb . ibid. of midwives . p. what ought to be observed when she is near the time of her lying down . p. how to expell the collick from women in child-bed . p. how the midwife may know when the pains of travel do seize on a woman . p. of the falling down of the waters , a good while before the woman travels . ibid. what the midwife ought to do in time of travel . p. how to draw forth the secondines . p. what may be given to a woman in travel . ibid. how to put the womb again into its place . p. against the extream loss of blood , which happens to women , immediately after their delivery . p. what is to be done to a woman presently after her delivery . p. of women that have a great deal of blood , and purge not neither in their travel nor after . p. of those who have but a little blood . p. what is to be done to the infant . ibid. how to govern women in child-bed . p. of the bathings that a woman is to use for the first eight days of her lying-in . p. how a midwife ought to govern her self , in case a woman be to be deliver'd of two children . ibid. of the danger that a woman hath , to purge her self for the first days of her lying-in p. of the second washing for women . ibid. what is to be done to infants as soon as they are born . p. of the last washing for women . p. of an astringent for women , when they shall have occasion . to make cere-cloaths for women . ibid. to cleanse a woman before she rises . ibid. how a woman lying in of her first child , may avoid the gripings of her belly . p. the queen of france , her receipt . p. certain precepts hindring the delay and difficulty of bringing forth . ibid. how the secondines are to be hasten'd out . p. pills for that purpose . p. of cases of extremity ; and first , what is to be done to a woman , who in her travel is accompanied with a flux of blood , and with convulsions . p. of ordering the woman after she is delivered p. what is to be done to the breast , belly , and lower parts of the woman in child-bed . p. an ointment . p. an ointment to keep the milk from clotting . ibid. a fomentation much commended . ibid. of the choice of a good nurse . p. what is to be done in the extream parts of the child . p. what is to be done to such children as are troubled with flegm . p. what is to be done to children that have their cods full of wind . ibid. how to take away the canker out of the infants mouth . what is to be done to children whose intestines are fallen . ibid. to make an ointment to strengthen the thighs and legs of a child , and to make him go . p. of the relaxations of the matrix , and the cause . ibid. of a disease that happens by reason of the fall of the matrix . p. . to remedy the fall of the fundament in infants . p. of the diseases of women : and first of the inflammation of the breast . ibid. of windy tumours in the breasts . p. of swelling from milk. p. of the watry tumour in the breast . p. of the kernel in the breast . p. of the scirrhus of the breast . p. of the cancer in the breasts . p. of the greatness of the breasts . p. of the defect , abundance , and coagulation of the milk. of the diseases of the neck of the womb ; and first of the disease called tentigo . p. of the narrowness of the neck of the womb. p. of wheals , condyloma's of the womb , and of hemorrhoids . p. of the vulcers of the neck of the womb. p. of the womb being out of temper . p. of the narrowness of the vessels of the womb . p. of the puffing up of the womb. p. of the inflammation of the womb. p. of the scirrhus of the womb. p. of the dropsie of the womb. p. of the falling of the womb. p. of the ascent of the matrix , as also of the wounds and vlcers of the same . p. of the pain of the womb. p. of the suppression of the flowers . p. of the dropping of the flowers , and the difficulty of their coming down . p. of the discolouring of the flowers . p. of the inordinate flux of the flowers . p. of the over-abundance of the courses . p. of the whites and gomorrhea in wom●n . p. of the green-sickness . p. of the suffocation of the matrix . p. of barrenness . p. of bringing up of children , and their diseases . p. of the diseases of the head. ibid. bigness and swelling of the head in little children . p. of the diseases of the eyes , ears , and noses in children . p. of certain vlcers in childrens mouths . p. of certain other tumours called paroulis , and espoulis . ibid. of the two strings under the tongue of the child . p. of the coughing of children . p. of breeding teeth . ibid. of the inflammation of the navel-string in infants . p. of the worms . ibid. of the convulsion in infants . ibid. of the swelling of the hypocondria in infants . p. of costiveness in children . ibid. of looseness in children . ibid. of burstness in children . p. of the inflammation of the navel . p. of the jutting forth of the navel . ibid. of the stone in the bladder . p. of the not holding of the vrine . p. of the intertrigo . ibid. of leanness . ibid. of the difficulty that children have to make water . p. of the inflammation of the almonds of the ears . ibid. of vomiting . p. of the hicquet . ibid. of the pain of the belly in children . p. of the small pox in children . ibid. the contents of the svpply . . of the generative seed , its beginning , and particularly of the four concoctions . pag. . the generation of man , compared with the production of plants . p. . by what means parents may get wise children . p. . the signs of the several degrees of hot and dry in a man. p. . what women ought to marry with what men , that they may have children . p. . how males are gotten , and not females ; and contrary . p. . how to preserve childrens wit , when formed . p. . further considerations of the gradual progress of the births formation in the womb. p. . the notes of virginity , whether violable , but by man. ibid. . whether there may be a mutation of sexes : and of hermaphrodites . the contents of sir theodore mayern's rare secrets in midwifry . to know the time of delivery ; whereby the woman may know the better how to prepare her self . pag. signs which precede delivery . p. to cause the woman to contain the birth . p. an emplaister to hinder the monthly flux in women with child . p. an emplaister for a woman that is fearful of containing the birth . ibid. preparatory oyntments to be used before the time of delivery . p. in case of vomiting . ibid. regulation of diet. p. other advertisements relating to the several accidents which may happen . p. to accelerate and hasten the labour before the time of child-bearing . p. an oyntment for the midwife's hands . p. after delivery . p. if the pains cease not , &c. ibid. to strengthen the womb. ibid. to strengthen the womb without the help of swathe-bands . p. a fomentation to provoke the after-birth . ibid. another for the same . p. . a pessary for the same . ibid. two other pessaries for the same . ibid. to expel the child , and after-birth , in time of great necessity . ibid. another to expel the after-birth . p. . to expell the birth , whether alive or dead . ibid. against pains of the heart . ibid. to dry up the milk. ibid. another for the same . p. . a fomentation for the same . ibid. another . ibid. an oyntment against the curdling of the milk in the breast . p. to curdle the milk . ibid. against fissures in the breasts . p. another for the same . ibid. pain in the breasts after delivery . ibid. an opiate to be given to children newly born . ibid. against barrenness . p. another for the same . ibid. to increase lust , and help conception . p. an opiate for the same . ibid. another for the same . ibid. an application to be made upon the privities presently after delivery . p. the next day foment these parts with this fomentation . ibid. a bath in summer . p. the third bath . p. after she hath bathed , let her foment for one or two days the lower parts of her belly . ibid. a fomentation for the womb the second day after the bath . p. to cause the swelling of the belly to fall . p. pain after delivery . ibid. against the swelling of the belly after delivery . p. against wrinkles of the skin after child-bearing . ibid. an oyntment to be used before a woman lyes down . ibid. another for the same . p. a pomatum for the same . ibid. an oyntment for the same . ibid. another for the same . ibid. certain instructions grounding upon practical observations , fit to be known by all midwives , and child-bearing women , &c. p. . a second observation of a woman that had been in travel nine days . p. of a woman here in town that bare her child eleven months , and could not be delivered . p. of the common opinion , that a woman seven months gone , ought to walk very much ; and of the accidents that happen thereby . p. of a child which they thought sick of the epilepsie , occasion'd by the sickness of the mother ; and of the cause . p. of a young woman , who being struck upon the belly by her husband with his foot , was in great pain , and could not be brought to bed without the help of a surgeon . p. of two deliveries of one woman . ibid. of a woman that because she would not be ruled in her lying in , died . p. of certain women that bear children and lye-in before their time ; and others at their full time , who grow big , and full of humours ; which causeth the death of the child presently after their delivery , their children being nourished in their bellies like fish , only with water . p. the observation of a woman who was thought unable to bear any more children , yet contrary to expectation was delivered of one , and the reason thereof . p. a good observation in the choice of nurses . p. of a woman which i laid two several times , and of the difference of her bearing of two children , proceeding from several causes . p. instruction of a famous and dying midwife to her daughter , touching the practice of this art. p. the complete midwife's practice enlarged . of the genitals , or vessels dedicated to generation , in men and women . the consideration of these things is so necessary for the purpose of this book , that they require not only a deep meditation but the preheminence to take up the first thoughts of those who would arrive to the knowledge of a thing so much needful to all mankind . and it may be reasonably feared , that many women do miss their design , because they know nothing but the outside of things : so that in matters of extremity , because they are ignorant of the structure of the parts , they cannot tell how to go about their work . we shall therefore begin with the anatomy of the privy parts , the organs of generation , whereby through procreation is conserved a perennity of mankind , which nature has denied to particulars . these parts being not alike in both sexes , we must necessarily treat of each apart ; and first of those of man. in man , some of these parts afford matter for the seed , viz. the spermatic arteries ; others bring back again the blood that is superfluous to the making of the seed , and to the nourishment of the stones , and these are the spermatic veins ; and both the arteries and veins were formerly called preparing vessels . some make the seed , as the stones ; some carry the seed back again ; some contain the seed and an oyly matter , as the seed-bladders the first , and the prostats the latter . some discharge the seed into the womb ; and this is done by the yard . chap. i. of the vessels of preparation . among the spermatic vessels are to be considered first , two veins , and two arteries : these are carried downward from the small guts to the testicles , and are much bigger in men than they are in women . the original of these veins is not always the same ; for commonly the right vein riseth out of the hollow vein , a little below the source or original of the emulgent ; but the least takes his original from the lower part of the emulgent it self . yet sometimes it hath a branch carried to it from the trunk of the hollow vein . the middle part of these veins runs directly through the loyns , resting upon the lumbal muscle , a thin membrane only intervening ; and thus having gone above half its journey , it branches out and distributes it self to the near adjoyning filmy parts of the body . the uttermost part of these vessels is carried beyond the midriff to the stones , yet do they not pass through the peritonaeum , but descend with a small nerve and the muscle called cremaster , through the duplicity of the midriff ; when it approaches near the stones , it is joyned with an artery : and now these vessels which were before a little severed one from the other , are by a film rising from the peritonaeum closed up , and bound both together ; and so twisting up , like the young tendrils of a vine , they are carried to the end of the stones . the arteries which are associated to these veins , take their original a little beneath the emulgent vein , whence they descend downward , and a little from their beginning or original , they are joyn'd to these veins , till they are closed together by an anastomôsis or inosculation , ending like a piramid . it has been generally taught , that there are several inosculations of the arteries , with the veins in their passage , whereby the blood of the veins and arteries are mixed ; but since the knowledge of the circulation of the blood , this opinion has been rejected ; for the blood in the arteries goes down towards the stones , and that in the veins ascends from them ; and therefore if these two vessels should open one into the other , the blood in one of them must necessarily be thrust back , or else stopping , stretch and break the vessels ; but the truth is , the blood , both for the nourishment of the stones , and the making of seed , flows down by the arteries only in an even course , without any windings and twinings , like the tendrils of vines , so much talked of , as the excellent anatomist de graef says he has found by frequent inspection . the veins carry back from the stones , what of the blood remains from their nourishment , and making of seed , and these indeed come out of the stones , with a vast number of roots , whereby they suck up the said blood , and are most admirably interwoven , and inosculated one with another , 'till about four or five fingers breadth above the stone , which space is called the pyramidal body . two things are to be noted . first , that these spermatic veins have from their rise to their end several valves , which open upwards , and so suffer the blood to ascend towards the hollow vein , but not to return back again . secondly , that tho' the spermatick arteries go a direct course in men , yet in brutes they are more complicated , and twisted with the veins , but without any opening of one into another . there are nerves and lympheducts , that pass into the testicles together with the vessels of preparation . chap. ii. the vse of the preparing vessels . the use of those vessels which are called the vessels of preparation , is chiefly to attract out of the hollow vein , or left emulgent , the most pure and exquisitely concocted blood , which is most apt to be converted into seed ; which they contain and prepare , giving unto it a certain rude form of seed in those parts that lie as it were in certain pleights or folds , which they do by a peculiar property bequeathed to them . another use of them is gathered by their situation ; for as they are now situated , that is to say , the right vein coming from the hollow vein , and the left from the emulgent : this incovenience is avoided , that the left vein is not forced to pass over the great artery , and so be in danger of breaking , by reason of the swift motion of the artery . moreover , there being a necessity that male and female should be begot , it is fit that there should be seed proper for the generation of both sexes , whereof some must be hotter , and some must be colder ; and therefore nature hath so ordered it , that the hotter seed should proceed from the right vein for the generation of man , and the colder from the left , for the generation of females . the left vein hath also this property to draw from the emulgent the more serous and less pure blood , to the intent that the serous humour might stir up venery by its salt and acrimonious substance ; and therefore it is observed , that those who have the left stone bigger , are most full of seed , and most prone to venery . these veins are so far from preparing the seed , as that they only bring back , what was superfluous from the making it . and indeed the arteries in men do no more merit the name of preparing vessels , in regard to the seed , than the gullet in respect of the chyle , or the chyliferous thoracick duct , in regard to the blood. but however we continue the old names , declaring only against the reason of them . chap. iii. of the parastatae , or vessels where the blood is first changed . these four vessels after many ingraftings and knittings together , seem at length to become only two bodies , full of little crumplings like the tendril of a vine , white , and in the form of a piramid , resting the right upon the right stone , and the left upon the left stone . these are called parastatae , which , as they stand , pierce the tunicles of each stone with certain fibers or extraordinary small veins , which afterwards disperse themselves through the body of those stones . the substance of these parastatae is between that of the stones , and that of the preparing vessels ; for they neither altogether consist of membranes , neither are they altogether glandulous or kernelly . upon the stones , as yet clad with the tunica albuginea , are fixed the epididymidae , called also parastatae ; these do not differ from the stones , only these consists of divers ducts , but those , after their six or seven roots , that rise out of the stone , are united , ( which they are in a short space ) but of one , only a little thicker , and the parastatae differ not from the vasa deferentia ; saving , that those go by a winding passage ; and these by a streight , and that those are a little softer , and narrower . chap. iv. of the testicles in general . the stones are in number two , very seldom one , and much seldomer or the situation of the stones in men is without the midriff , at the root of the yard under the belly ; and that for two causes , to keep men more chaste ; it being observed , that those creatures which carry their stones within their bodies , are more salacious , and bring forth in great numbers . their bigness is not always alike in all creatures , but in men as big as a pigeons egg , or as a small hens egg ; and commonly the left is bigger than the right . in the anatomy of the stones , divers things are to be considered . their tunicles , or the skins in which they are wrapt , as well those which are common to both , as those which are peculiar to either ; next , the muscles ; then , the substance of which they are composed ; and lastly , the vessels which are dispersed through the body of the stones . the stones in latin , are called testes , either because they testifie one to be a man , or because amongst the romans , none could bear witness but he that had them . they have a peculiar substance , such as is not in all the body besides , whitish and soft , made up of an innumerable little ropes of seed carrying vessels . there is no cavity in them , but those said vessels are continued to one another , and carry the seed in their undiscernable hollowness . hippocrates held the right to be bigger and hotter than the left , and therefore called it the male-getter , and the left the female-getter ; these fancies seem ridiculous , seeing there is no such difference of their bigness , and that their vessels are common ; they have arteries and veins from the preparing vessels , which some have thought to reach only to the inmost coat , because they are not conspicuous in the inner substance ; but that comes to pass , by reason that the arterial blood presently loses its colour , and , by the seminifick faculty of the stones , is turned into seed , which being whitish , of the same colour with the vessels , makes them undiscernible ; yet in those men , that have died of languishing diseases , and whose stones have their faculty impaired , diemerbroeck says , that he has often seen blood-bringing vessels in the inmost parts of the stones , and has shew'd them to many , in the publick anatomick theatre : as to nerves , dr. willis affirms , that he could never observe more to go to them , than one from a vertebral pair , and that too was most of it spent upon the muscle cremaster . concerning the use of this nerve , there is a great controversie , dr. glisson , dr. wharton , and others , will have it convey a seedy juice , which makes the greatest part of the seed : but dr. willis is of another opinion ; however the seed must needs consist of a nervous juice , and plenty of spirits brought from the brain , because of the great weakness , and enervation that is induced upon the brain , and nerves , by too great an use of venery . lympheducts they have also , arising from betwixt their coats , and ascending upwards into the belly with the vasa deferentia : these have many valves looking upwards , which hinder any thing from descending by them to the stones , but permit the lympha to ascend , which they convey into the chyliferous vessels . chap. v. of the tunicles of the stones . the tunicles are wrapt up in divers coverings about the number of which there hath been great dissention . but they are now reduced to five , whereof two are common , and are called scrotum , and dartos ; three particular , the names of which are elytroides , erythroides and epididymis . the first of these , which is like a satchel or purse , and is common to both , consists of a skin and a cuticle . this contains the two stones like a purse , and is obvious to the touch . the skin of this part differs from any other part of the skin which covers the body : for whereas that is stretched out and spread close over the body , this is more loose , and made to stretch out , or to be wrinkled up together as occasion is ; that is , as the stones either ascend , or descend : they ascend commonly in the time of conjunction ; they descend in fevers , weakness of the testicles , or by reason of old age . the second is called dartos , because it is easily separated from the others . in this , the testicles lie as it were in a nest , wrapping them about more close than the scrotum doth . it takes its original from the fleshy pannicle , which though it be thinner hereabouts than in any other part of the body , yet it is full of little veins and arteries . the proper tunicles , are , first the elytroides , which is also called vaginalis , by reason it supplies the office of a sheath . it takes its original from the production of the peritonaeum , for where the spermatick vessels pass , they do not at all bruise the peritonaeum , but carry it down to the stones , and so constitute or make this tunicle . to know this tunicle , and the original of it , is very necessary for physick , because that hollowness , which the processes of the peritonaeum do make for the passage of the spermatick vessels , is sometimes dilated as far as the beginning , or source of this tunicle , and both the small guts and the kall fall down upon the testicles , which is the cause of that kind of burstness , which by the physicians is called enterocele . this tunicle grows to that which is called dartos , being joyned to it by many nervous fibres . underneath this is a tunicle , called erythroides , or the red tunicle ; so called from the multitude of red veins which are sprinkled up and down in it . it rises from the other membranes , and is encompassed without by the first proper tunick . the third , and that which immediately compasseth the stones , is that which is called epididymis : it is white , thick , and strong , to preserve the soft and loose substance of the stones . it riseth from the tunicle of the seminal vessels , being the thickest of all the tunicles , and hath some few veins scattered up and down in it . chap. vi. of the suspensory muscles . to keep the stones from oppressing , or stretching over-much the passages of the seminal vessels , nature hath provided them two muscles for them to hang by , on both sides one , in form oblong and slender . these muscels derive their original from a thick membrane , which is joyned to the hanchbone , in the further part of that region , where the hair grows ; and is fastned to this bone with certain fleshy and straight fibres ; where the oblique muscles of the abdomen or midriff end , thence reaching down upon the superiour members of the testicles , they are extended through the whole length of that round body . these muscles are never seen in women , being altogether useless , because their stones are not pendent , but are inclosed within their bodies . chap. vii . of the substance and temper of the stones . the substance of the stones is glandulous , or kernelly , white , soft , loose , spongy and hollow , having sundry vessels dispersed thorow them . now although the substance of the testicles be most soft and moist , yet doth not this moistness constitute an uniform , or homogeneal body ; for the substance of the stones is wholly dissimilar , and full of fibres . these fibres also seem to be of a different substance from that of the stones , being only cloathed with the flesh of the stones , as the fibres of the muscles are inwardly nervous , but covered over with the flesh of the muscles . these fibres again differ in this , that the fibres of the testicles are hollow , but the fibres of the stones full and substantial . these fibres are said to come from the spermatic vessels , and thence branch themselves forth thorow the testicles , by which that part of the seed , which is over and above what serves for the nourishment of the testicles , is drawn forth and kept for procreation . as concerning the temper of the stones , they would sooner be thought cold than hot , if that maxim , were true , that , all white things are cold , and all red things hot . notwithstanding , because nature is known to abhor all coldness in the work of generation ; therefore we must presume to affirm the temper of the stones to be hot , for they always abound with blood , and a pure spirit that can never be without heat : besides that , heat is requir'd for the concoction of this blood , and the changing it into seed ; yet , it is very temperate , as appears by the softness of the substance : for as coldness and driness is the cause of hardness , so heat and moisture is the cause of softness . nevertheless , we are to understand this , that the temper of the stones are not alike in all , for in some they are far colder than in others . and therefore those , who have hot testicles , are more salacious and prone to venereal actions , having the places near about much more hairy , and their testicles much harder than others . those that have their testicles cold , find every thing contrary . the greatest heat is in the right testicle , because it receives more pure , and hotter blood from the hollow vein , and the great artery ; the left colder , because it receives a more impure , and serous blood from the emulgent vein . chap. viii . of the actions of the testicles . the action , and use of the testicles , is , to generate seed , a gift which they obtain from an inbred quality , which nature hath bestowed upon them . for the blood being received by the spermatic vessels , and there beginning to change its colour , is by and by received by the deferent vessels , or the vessels which carry the blood so prepared to the testicles ; where it is for a while contained , and afterwards being carried to the stones , is by them made seed , and the last work perfected . and it may with more easiness be affirmed , that the seed is generated by the stones , because every like is said to generate its like ; now the substance of the testicles is very like the seed it self , that is , white , moist , and viscous . whether the stones are the only efficient cause of the seed is not here to be disputed , being only a nice point , and no way profitable . we shall rather with silence adhere to that opinion , which affirms the function of the testicles to be the generation of the seed , which is most likely ; and proceed to the next . chap. ix . concerning the utility of the testicles and their parts . the structure of the testicles being thus known ; it remains that we shew you their use . this is first discovered from their situation . for of those creatures that have stones , some have them in their bodies , as all fowl ; others have them without , though not pendent ; others have them hanging downward , as men . men therefore have their testicles without their bodies for two causes ; first , because it is required that the testicles of the male should be bigger and hotter than those of the female ; so that it were impossible for them to be contained within the body , because of their quantity . besides , the seed of the male being the effective original of the creature , and therefore hottest ; it is also required that the seed should be more abundant than could be contained in the testicles , were they placed within the body : for the seminary passages must have been less , and the veins themselves would not have afforded such plenty of matter as now they do . the motion of the testicles is also to be considered ; by which they move sometimes upward and sometimes downward . the one of these motions which is made upward is voluntary , as being made by the muscles ; but the motion downward is a forced motion , not hapning without the laxity of the muscles ; the testicles , through their own weight , falling downwards . these muscles are called cremasters , their use being to draw up the testicles to shorten the way of the ejaculation of the seed ; as also to keep the vessels from being distended too far by the weight of the testicles . the use of the tunicles is now to be spoken of ; and first , of that which is outermost , and is called by the latins scrotum , being the purse wherein the testicles are contained . it is made to wrinkle it self up , and to let it self loose , that it may be large enough for the testicles when they swell with plenty of seed , and to wrinkle up again , when the testicles being emptied , and so becoming less , are drawn upward . the other coats , or tunicles , are also made for the defence of the stones , but so thin and light that they should not oppress the stones with their weight ; that which is called erythroides hath many veins for the nourishment of the adjacent parts . the epididymis was made to wrap the testicle round about , lest the humid matter of the testicle should flow about , and consequently be wasted . chap. x. of the vessels that cast forth their seed . that passage which comes from the head of the testicles to the root of the yard , is called the ejaculatory vessel . this , as i said before , rises from the head of the testicles , and joyning downward to the testicle , descends to the bottom , and thence being reflected again , and annext to the preparing vessel , it returns again to the head of the testicle ; from thence it proceeds upward from the testicles , till it touch the bone of the small guts , still keeping close to the preparing vessel , till it pierce the production of the hypogastrium . thence tending downward through the hollowness of the hip , it slides between the bladder and the streight gut , till it reach the glandulous prostatae , or forestanders , and fix it self at the foot , or root of the yard , and there end . it is not all one at the beginning , and at the end ; for at the beginning , while it remains among the tunicles of the testicles , it is full of windings and turnings ; near the end , it hath many little bladders like to warts . now we must understand that these seminary vessels do not only contain the seed , but they perfect and concoct it , having a seminifick , or seed-making quality , which they borrow from the testicles : there are other uses of these seminary vessels , for , near the original of this vessel , that is to say , the head of the testicles , many small passages , or as it were conduit-pipes , do stretch themselves forward into the body of the testicle , into which the genital seed that remains is remitted , and also drawn , or sucked from those passages ; this seminary passage is at length wound above the testicles , adjoyning all along , but no where incorporated into the body of the testicle , unless at the bottom , in which place it is thought that the seed doth again insinuate it self into the testicles through those hollow fibres : being thence propagated , and continually making supply to the stones . it is to be noted also , that these vessels while they move to the root of the yard , do not go by streight passages , which would be then very short but by crooked windings and turnings making the passages as long as may be , that they may have longer time to contain and prepare the seed . chap. xi . of the seminary bladders . at the end of the deferent vessels on both sides , are certain little bladders , knit , and joyned together , and placed between the bladder and the right gut ; the last of which , together with the seminary vessel , is terminated , in the prostatae , or forestanders , by a little channel . these bladders have two several uses ; for they do not only strengthen the seminary vessels where they end , but also seem to be the stores and magazeens of the seed . they are many , that every time a man uses the act of venery , he may have a new supply of matter from these several vesicles . thus that which is next the yard being first disburdened , the second is the next time emptied , and so till all the store is spent ; and , were it not for these vesicles , a man could not lie with a woman more than once . in these vessels such is the propensity of nature to propagate , let the body be never so much emaciated , there is always found a lesser or greater quantity of seed . they are hollow and round , to contain a greater quantity of seed ; they are also full of membranes , that they may be contracted or extended as the plenty of seed requires ; they are crooked and full of windings and turnings , that the seed contained may not easily slip out . these small bladders are little cells , like those in a pomgranate , or something like a bunch of grapes . de graef compares them to the guts of a little bird , diversly contorted . they consist of one thin membrane , thro' which some small twigs run , both of veins , arteries , and nerves ; they are about three fingers breadth long , and one broad , but in some places broader , and some narrower , as they run in and out . they are two divided from one another by a little interstice , and they do severally , by a peculiar passage , cast the seed contained in them into the urethra : they are very winding , and consist of many little cells , that they should not pour out all the seed contained in them in one act of copulation , but might retain it for several ; they have no communication one with another , not even in their very opening into the urethra , but the seed that is brought to these little bladders on the right side issues by its proper passage into the urethra , and that which is brought to the left likewise , so that if by any accident the bladders on the one side be burst or cut , as in cuting for the stone they must needs be , yet those on the other being entire may still suffice for generation . when the seed is cast out of these bladders in the act of generation , it passes out the same way it came in , which in this case may easily be , tho' it be unusual there should be a contrary motion in the same vessel ; for when it comes in , it drills along gently without any force , but in copulation when the muscles of the yard , and all the bordering parts are much swelled , it is squirted out of them with some violence , and passing along their neck , ouzes thro' a caruncle like quick silver thro' leather into the urethra , or duct of the yard , that is common both to the seed and urine . i say , it ouzes from the necks of the bladders thro' a caruncle into the urethra ; for there is one placed as a valve before the orifice of each of them , partly to hinder the coming of the urine into them , partly to hinder the involuntary effusion of the seed . now tho' the little holes thro' which the seed passes out of the necks of the small bladders into the urethra , be naturally almost imperceptible , yet , if they be either eroded by the acrimony of the seed , contracted by impure copulation , or if of themselves they be weakened and so become more laxe , as sometimes happens to old o● impotent men that use copulation too frequently , then there happens a gonorrhea , or continual flux of seed . chap. xii . of the kernelly prostatae , or forestanders . the glandulous prostatae , or forestanders , are two little testicles , as it were seated at the foot of the yard , a little above the sphincter of the urinary vessels ; they are wrapt about with a membrane , which doth also cloath the seminary vessels and vesicles : before and behind they seem more flat , on the sides they are more round ; they have a substance like other kernels , loose and spongy , only they differ from them by reason of their whiteness and hardness , they are endued with an exquisite feeling , to stir up greater desire of copulation . these glandulae or kernels have certain pores that open themselves into the urethra , through which the seed ( these forestanders being squeezed by the lower muscles of the yard ) distils into the yard . the use of these kernels are partly to beget an oyly , fat , and slippery substance , with which the urinary passage is sometimes anointed , to defend it from the acrimony both of the seed and urin , and to keep it always moist . the other use is taken from the name of prostatae ; which word , in the singular number , signifies a tutor or defender ; for they are there placed to preserve and strengthen the ends of the deferent vessels , lest by overmuch distention of the yard , the seminary vessels should be either burst , or moved out of their places . they have a third use : for , being placed between the bladder and the right gut , they serve instead of cushions for the vessels to rest upon , and to guard them from all compression : hence it happens sometimes that those who are very much bound in their bodies , while they strain themselves over-vehemently , do now and then void a kind of seed , which happens by a violent compression of those parts . the prostats , in english , standers by , or waiters , are placed near to the seed-bladders . de graef calls them the glandulous body , supposing them to be one body , and only divided by the common ducts of the seed-bladders , and the vasa deferentia coming through the midst of it . they are of a white , spungy , glandulous substance , about as big as a small wall-nut , encompassed with a strong and fibrous membrane from the bladder , to the beginning of whose neck they are joined at the root of the yard ; in shape they come nearest to an oval , save that on their upper and lower part , they are a little depressed , and in that end , whereby the vasa deferentia enter , they are somewhat hollow like a tunnel . the sphincter muscle of the bladder encompasses them so , that for so far as they cover the neck of the bladder , the sphincter touches it not , they coming between . they have all sorts of vessels which run chiefly on their out-side , in the inner part , they have ten or more small ducts , which unload themselves into the urethra , by the sides of the great caruncle , thro' which the seed passes from the seed bladders into the urethra ; but themselves have each one , a small one to stop its orifice , least the liquor that is contained in the prostats , should continually flow out , or the urine flow in : and these small ducts , i suppose , are continued from those small bladders which are seen in the prostats of those that dye suddenly , after having had to do with a female ; for in such , the spungy part of the prostats is very full of a thin liquor , and in their inner part may be found the same small bladders , which if you press upon , they will discharge themselves into the above said ducts . there is a great variety of opinions , what the liquor in them should be , or what is their use : some think that the seed that flows from the testicles , is further elaborated here ; but that cannot be , because the vasa deferentia deposit nothing in them , but all into the small seed vessels . others think , that there is separated from the blood in them , an acrimonious and serous humour which serves for titulation , or causing the greater pleasure in venery . as to this , de graef appeals to the taste of it , which has nothing of acrimony in it . dr. wharton thinks they make a particular kind of seed , as the stones do another , and the seed bladders a third ; that these last make a different seed from that made in the stones , is grounded on a mistake in anatomy , viz. that the vasa deferentia have no communication with the seed-bladders , whereas they apparently open into them , and desposite in them all the seed they contain ; that the prostats make a peculiar sort , he endeavours to prove , because gelded animals emit some seed ; but tho' they do emit something , it is not necessary it should be any true seed ; or if it be , it may well be supposed to proceed from the small seed-bladders that were full when the animal was gelt ; for this reason it has been observed , that presently after gelding , they have sometimes got the female with young , but not afterwards when that stock was spent . others think they make an oyly and slippery humour , which is pressed out opon occasion to besmear the urethra , to defend it from the acrimony of the seed and urine , and lest it should dry up . de graef believes , that the humour that is separated in the prostats , serves for a vehicle of the seed , which flowing but in small quantity , thro' small poors into the urethra , it was necessary , that this humour should be mixed with it , that it might the better reach the womb ; whatever this humour be , it is squeezed out partly by the swelling and erection of the yard , and partly , by compression of the sphincter of the bladder , that girds the prostats about : these prostats are often the seat of a gonorrhaea , and the humour they contain , is that which flows out in the running of the reins ; for if it were true seed , they could never endure a gonorrhaea so long , some thirty years , without being much wasted , the flux being so much as sometimes it is . chap. xiii . of the structure of the yard . the structure of the yard is not unknown , that is to say , at the root of the share bone in the hinder part of the hypogastrion or lower part of the belly , where the hair grows ; which bone is called , os pubis . though the greatest part of it , is not pendent without , but adjoining to the podex , is situated near the joining of the share-bone , being fast knit to it in the perinaeum , or space between the cods and the fundament ; the other part is pendent and is seen hanging outward . this situation is most appropriated to the manner of the act of generation , usual and peculiar to men , who do not couple after the manner of beasts . the figure of it is in a manner round , though not exactly ; broader in the upper part which is called the back of the yard . the thickness and longitude of the yard is so much as is required for procreation ; yet it is not so long as in many other creatures . yea , and in several men there is a very great diversity ; little men being for the most part , best provided in that part : it is a general received opinion , that the often use of venery doth increase the quantity of it in all dimensions . the yard will also be longer , if the navel-strings are not bound up , or knit too close by the midwife , in children that are newly born ; but at some distance from the navel : this happens by reason of the ligament coming from the navel to the bottom of the bladder ; which if it be too much abreviated , draws up the bladder , and consequently shortens the yard ; but if the navel-string be left at a longer distance , the urachus is enlarged , and consequently the yard hath more liberty to extend it self ; and therefore the midwives are from hence advertised , that they do not spoil the harvest of generation , by cutting the sithe too short . as to the substance of the yard ; it is not of a bony substance , as in dogs , wolves , or foxes ; for so it would become always hard and erected , and hinder men from all business but the act of venery : neither is it gristly , for so it could neither erect it self , nor flag , when occasion required : neither is it full of veins , for so it could not be emptied and repleted on such a sudden as often happens ; besides , the tunicles of the veins are so thin , that they could not suffer so great a distention ; neither can it be full of arteries , because it wants a continual pulsation ; neither can it consist of nerves , because they having no hollowness , cannot be extended and loosned , as it must of necessity happen to the yard . it is therefore necessary that the yard should have such a substance , as is not peculiar to any part of the body . it is to be understood , that there do concur to the framing of the yard , two nervous bodies , the passage for the urine which is called urethra , the glans or nut of the yard , four muscles , the vessels , and the skin . here doth arise a question , why the yard hath not any fat ? which is in brief , thus ; because that there should be no hindrance to the perfect sense of the yard , which could of necessity not be avoided , if that member were subject to any obesity ; the fat being subject to be melted by frication . chap. xiv . of the several parts constituting the yard . among the parts that compose the structure of the yard , is that skin which with its cuticle , and fleshly pannicle , is common not only to this , but to other members ; only it hath this peculiar to it self , that it may be reflexed , and drawn back from the nut of the yard . this skin that turns back is called the praeputium ; because that part in circumcision was cut away ; with which prepuce , the nut of the yard is covered . the glans or nut of the yard is a fleshy part , soft , thin , repleat with blood and spirits ; endued with an exquisite sense ; something sharp and acute at the end . this is fastned to the prepuce at the lower part by a certain ligament , which is therefore called the bridle , or the filet , which commonly is broken in the first venereal assaults , which are for the most part the most furious . the greatest part of the yard is constituted by two nervous bodies , on both sides one , which terminate both together in the nut. they rise from a two-fold original , leaning or resting upon the hip , under the share-bone ; whence as from a sure foundation they go on , till they arrive at the nut of the yard . they consist of a double substance , the first is nervous , hard , and thick ; the inner part black , loose , soft , thin , and spongy . it is called the nervous pipe . these two bodies are joyned together by a certain membrane , thin , yet nervous ; which is strengthned by certain overthwart fibres , being there placed in the likeness of a weavers shuttle : and though in their original they are separated the one from the other , that there might remain some certain space for the urethra ; yet they are joyned together about the middle of the share-bone ; where they lose about the third part of their nervous substance . the interiour substance , which is wrapt about by the exteriour nervous substance , hath this worthy observation , that there appears stretched , through the whole length of it , a thin and tender artery , proportionable to the bigness of the body which is diffused through the whole loose substance of the yard , reaching as far as the root of the yard . besides these two , there is another body which lies between these two , as proper or rather more peculiar to the yard than they are . this is a pipe placed at the inferiour part of the yard , being called the urethra , though it be a passage as proper to the seed , as to the urine ; which is encompassed by the two fore-mentioned bodies . this is a certain channel produced in length , and running through the middle of those nervous bodies , consisting of the same substance that they do , being loose , thick , soft , and tender ; every way equal from the neck of the bladder to the nut of the yard , saving that it is a little wider at the beginning , than it is toward the place where it ends , which is at the head of the glans or nut of the yard . at the beginning of this channel there are three holes ; one in the middle , and something bigger than the other two , arising from the neck of the bladder ; the other two , on both sides one , being something narrower , proceeding from the passage that goes out of the seminary vessels , and conveighs the seed into this channel . this is further to be noted in this place , that in the channel , where it is joyned to the glans , together with the nervous bodies , there is a little kind of cavern , in which sometimes either putrid seed , or any other corroding humour , happens in the gonorrhaea ; being collected , it is the cause of ulcers in that part , the cause of very great pain : and it many times also comes to pass , that there is a certain little piece of flesh which grows out of this ulcer , that oftentimes stops the passages of the urine . to the structure of the yard , there do moreover occurr two pair of muscles , one more short and thick , proceeding from a part of the hip , near the beginning of the yard , and being of a fleshy substance . the use of these two muscles , is to sustain the yard in the erection ; and to bend the fore part of the yard , which is to be inserted into the womb : the other pair is longer , and rises from the sphincter of the fundament , where they are endued with a more fleshy substance , being in length full as long as the yard ; under which they are carried downward , ending at the sides of the urethra , about the middle of the yard . their use is to dilate the urethra , both at the time of making water , and at the time of conjunction ; lest it should be stopped up by the repletion of the nervous bodies , and so stop up the passage of the seed . they are also thought to keep the yard firm , lest it lean too much to either side , and also to press out the seed out of the prostatae , or forestanders . there are vessels also of all sorts in the yard : first of all , certain veins appearing in the external parts , and in the cuticle ; which do branch themselves out from the hypogastrium . in the middle , between the space of the fibres , they send out certain branches from the right side to the left , and from the left to the right . these veins swelling with a frothy blood and spirit , erect the yard . there are also certain nerves which scatter themselves from the pith or marrow of the holy-bone , quite through the yard , bringing with them the cause of that pleasure and delight , which is perceived in the erection of the yard . chap. xv. of the action of the yard . the main scope of nature in the use of the yard , was , the injection of seed into the womb of the woman , which injection could not be done , till the seed were first moved ; neither could the seed be moved but by frication of the parts , which could not be done , till it were sheathed in the womb ; nor that neither , till the yard were erected . this distention is caused by repletion ; which is caused by the plenty of seed : secondly , by superfluity of wind , which if it be too violent , is the cause of priapism : a third cause proceeds from the abundance of urine contained in the bladder . sometimes , the heat of the reins is a cause thereof . chap. xvi . of the use of the yard in general . the yard is situated under the midriff over against the womb. and is also placed between the thighs , for the greater strengthning of it in the act of copulation : neither is this the only strength which it hath , for at the lower part it appears more fleshy , which flesh is altogether muscely , for the greater strength thereof . neither is it only contented with this muscely flesh , it having two muscles also for the same purpose , on both sides to poise it eaven in the act of erection ; which though they are but little , yet are they exceeding strong . the figure of the yard is not absolutely round , but broader on the upper side , lest it should be hindered by the the convexity of the superior part , in the casting forth of the seed . concerning the bigness of the yard , it is by most esteemed to be of a just length , when it is extended the breadth of nine thumbs . chap. xvii . of the use of the parts constituting the yard . the first thing in the constitution of the yard , that offers it self to view , is the skin , which is long and loose , by reason that the yard which is sometimes to be extended , and sometimes to fall down again , so requires it . the extremity of the skin is so ordered , that it sometimes covers the glans , and sometimes draws back ; that , whilst it covers the nut of the yard , it may defend the yard from frication , or provoking the motion of the seed . moreover , this skin in the act of copulation , shuts up the mouth of the womb and hinders the ingress of the cold air . concerning the two nervous bodies , constituting the substance of the yard ; their use is for the vital spirit to run through the thin substance of them , and fill the yard with spirits . moreover , by their thickness , they do prevent the two hasty emptying and flying out of the spirits which are to stay in , for the greater and longer erection of the yard . the use of the urethra is for the passage of seed and urine through it . the substance of the urethra is much of the same with the two former bodies ; the inside being more thin and loose , the outside more nervous and thick ; which is so ordained , that it may be more apt to be erected with the yard . it goes forward from the place where it begins , to the end of the spermatick vessels , and the neck of the bladder , and the warty forestanders , where there arises a thin and tender membrane , which the chyrurgeons ought to take a great deal of care lest they break , while they thrust their syringes toward those parts ; it is endued with an exquisite sense to stir up pleasure and venereal desire . as to the substance of the glans , it is the same with that of the yard ; only it is not invelop'd with any nervous body . for this ought to be repleted and increased , but not hardned ; lest it should injure the bone of the womb , by rubbing too hard upon it . the figure of the glans is such , that at the top where it is most acute , it hath a hole for the issuing forth both of seed and urine , which part coming to the mouth of the womb , casts the seed into that concavity , at which time the neck of the womb with her overthwart fibres , seems to take hold and imbrace the glans ; and , that it might take the better hold , nature hath framed a round circle at the bottom of the yard , for that purpose , with a convenient jetting out round about from the body of the yard ; by the benefit of which circle , the seed is kept in the womb , and not suffered to flye out . lastly , the glans is so constituted , as if all the actions of the yard consisted in the glans ; whether in the act of erection , or copulation ; or as to the pleasure which a man perceives , that lies all in this place . sect . ii. chap. i. of the genitals of women . at the lower part of the belly appears the pubes , or , the region of the hair . under this place are , as it were , lips of flesh , which in women that are ripe for man , are clad with hair at the upper part , because of the heat and moisture of the place ; and this part is that which is most properly called the privy-member , being the exteriour orifice , into which the yard of the man enters . in the middle it hath a cleft , on both sides of which are two fleshy protuberances , beset with hair , being two soft oblong bodies composed of skin and a spongy kind of flesh . the parts that offer themselves to view , without any diduction , are the great chink , with the lips , the mountain of venus , and the hairs . the great chink is called cunnus by galen , by hypocrates natura , and by many other names , invented by lustful persons , and lascivious poets . it reaches from the lower part of the os pubis to within an inch of the fundament , being by nature made so large , because the outward skin is not so apt to be extended in travel , as the membranous sheath ; it is less and closer in maids , than in those that have born children ; it has two lips , which towards the pubes grow thicker and more full , or protuberant , and meeting upon the middle of the os pubis , make that rising , which is called the hill of venus ; its outward substance is skin covered with hair ; as the lips are : the inner substance of this hill , which makes it bunch so up , is most of it fat , and serves , as it were for a soft cushion in copulation , to hinder the bone of the pubes of the man and woman to hit one against the other ; for that would be painful and disturb the venereal pleasures . under this fat lies that muscle , that straitens the orifice of the sheath . chap. ii. of those parts called nymphae , and the clytoris . the nymphae , or wings , are a membrany , or filmy substance , soft , and spongy , and partly fleshy ; they are of a ruddy colour , like the comb of a cock under his throat ; they are two in number , though in the beginning they are joyned together by an acute angle ; where they produce a carneous substance , like the praeputium which cloaths the clytoris . sometimes these wings so far encrease , that there is many times need of incision ; a disease common among the egyptians . the clytoris is a certain substance in the upper part of the great cleft , where the two wings concur . this in women is the seat of venereal pleasure : it is like the yard in situation , substance , composition , and erection , and hath something correspondent both to the prepuce , and to the glans in men . sometimes it grows out to the bigness of the yard , so that it hath bin observed to grow out of the body , the breadth of four fingers . this clytoris consists of two spongy and sinewy bodies , having a distinct original from the bone of the pubes . the head of this is covered with a most tender skin , and hath a hole like the glans , though not quite through ; in which , and in the bigness , it differs only from the yard . by a little drawing aside the lips , there then appear the nymphs and clytoris . the nymphs are so called , because they stand next to the urine , as it spouts out from the bladder , and keep it from wetting the lips ; they are also call'd wings ; they are placed on each side next within the lips , and are two fleshy and soft productions , beginning at the upper part of the privity , ( where they are joined in an acute angle , and make that wrinkled membranous production that covers the clytoris , like a fore-skin , ) and descending close all the way to each other , reaching but about half the breadth of the orifice of the sheath , and ending each in an obtuse angle : they are almost triangular , and therefore , as also for their colour , are compared to the thrills that hang under a cocks throat . they have a red substance , partly fleshy , partly membranous , within soft and spongy , loosly composed of small membranes and vessels , so that they are very easily stretched by the flowing in of the animal spirits , and arterial blood. the spirits they have from the same nerves that run thro' the sheath , and blood from one of the branches of the iliack artery : veins they have also , which carry away the arterial blood from them , when they become flaccid . they are larger in old maids than in young , and larger yet in those that have used copulation , or born children . they never , according to nature reach above half way out from between the lips ; their use is to defend the inner parts , to cover the urinary passages , and a good part of the orifice of the sheath ; and to the same purposes serve the lips . above betwixt the nymphs , in the upper part of the privities , a part bunches out a little , that is called clytoris , from a greek word , that signifies lasciviously to grope the privities . it is like a mans yard in shape , situation , substance , repletion with spirits , and erection , and differs from it only in length and bigness : in some it grows to that length , as to hang out from betwixt the lips of the privities , yea , there are many stories of such , as have had it so long and big , as to be able to converse with other women like unto men , and such are called hermophridites , who , it is not probable , are truly of both sexes , but only the stones fall down into the lips , and this clytoris is stretched preternaturally ; but in most it branches out so little , as that it does not appear but by drawing aside the lips ; it is a little long and round body , consisting like a mans yard of two nervous , and inwardly black , and spongy parts that arise on each side from the bunching of the bone ischium , and meet together at the conjunction of the bones of the pubes . it lies under the hill of venus , at the top of the great cleft , in venery ; by reason of the two nervous bodies , it puffs up , and straightning the orifice of the sheath , contributes to the embracing the yard more closely . it s outward end is like to the glans of a mans yard , and has the same name , and as the glans in men is the seat of the greatest pleasure in copulation , so is this in women ; it has some resemblance of a hole , but it is not pervious . it is most of it covered with a thin membrane , by the joyning of the nymphs , which is called the prepuce . the clytoris has two pair of muscles belonging to it , the upper are round , and spring from the bones of the hip , and passing along the two nervous bodies , are inserted into them ; these , by straitning the roots of the said bodies , do detain the blood and spirits in them , and so erect the clytoris , as those in men do the yard : the other arise from the sphincter of the fundament ; it has veins , arteries , and nerves . chap. iii. of the fleshy knobs , and the greater neck of the womb. presently behind the wings , before we go far inward in the middle of the cleft , there do appear four knobs of flesh , being placed in a quadrangular form , one against the other ; they are said to resemble myrtle-berries in form . in this place is incerted the orifice of the bladder , which opens it self into the fissure , to cast forth the urine into the common channel . now least any cold air , or dust , or any such thing should enter into the bladder after the voiding of the urine , one of these knobs is seated so , that it shuts the urinary passage . the second , is right opposite to the first , the other two collateral . they are round in virgins , but they hang flagging when virginity is lost . the lips of the womb being gently separated , the neck of the womb is to be seen : in which , two things are to be observed ; the neck it self , or the channel , and the hymen , which is there placed : by the neck of the womb , is understood the channel , which is between the said knobs , and the inner bone of the womb ; which receives the yard like a sheath . the substance of it is sinewy , and a little spongy , that it may be dilated ; in this concavity there are certain folds , or orbicular pleights ; these are made by a certain tunicle so wrinkled , as if a man should fold the skin with his fingers . in virgins they are plain ; in women , with often copulation , they are oftentimes worn out ; sometimes they are wholly worn out , and the inner side of the neck appears smooth ; as it happens to whores , and women that have often brought forth , or have bin over troubled with their fluxes . in old women it becomes more hard and grisly . now though this channel be something writhed and crooked , when it falls and sinks down , yet in time of the flowers and copulation , or in time of travel , it is erected and extended ; and this over-great extension in women that bring forth , is the cause of that great pain in child-bed . chap. iv. of the hymen . the hymen is a membrane not altogether without blood , neither so tender as the rest , but more ruddy , and scatter'd up and down with little veins , and in a circular form ; it is placed overthwart , and shuts up the cavity of the neck of the womb. in the middle it hath a little hole , through which the menses are voided . this at the first time of copulation is broken , which causes some pain , and gushing forth of some quantity of blood ; which is an evident sign of virginity ; for if the blood do not flow , there is a suspicion of a former deflowring . the hymen is a thin , nervous membrane , interwoven with fleshy fibres , and endowed with many little arteries and veins , coming across the passage of the sheath ; behind the incertion of the neck of the bladder , with a hole in the midst , that will admit the top of ones little finger , whereby the courses flow ; where it is found , it is a certain note of virginity , but upon the first copulation it is broke , and bleeds , and when it is once broke , it never closes again . this blood is called the flower of virginity , and of this the scripture makes mention , dut. cap. . & . . but tho' a man when he finds these signs of virginity , may be fully satisfied he hath married a maid , yet on the contrary , it will not necessarily follow , that where they are wanting , virginity is also wanting ; for the hymen may be corroded by acrimonious fretting humours , flowing thro' with the courses , or from the falling out , or inversion of the womb , or sheath at least : it sometimes happens , even to maids ; for if a maid be so inconsiderate , as to marry while her courses flow , or within a day after , then both the hymen and the inner wrinkled membrane of the sheath are so flaggy and relaxed , that the yard may easily enter with out any lett , and so give suspicion of unchastity , when really she is unblameable , saving for her imprudence to marry at that season . sometimes the hymen grows so strong in old maids , that a man is forced to make many essays , before he can penetrate it , and in some it is naturally quite closed up , and these by this means having their courses stopt , are in great danger of their life , if they be not opened by some chyrurgical instrument . close to the hymen lye the four myrtle-berry caruncles , so called from their resembling myrtle-berries : the largest of them is uppermost , standing just at the mouth of the urinary passage , which it stops after rendring the urine . opposite to this in the bottom of the sheath , there is another , and one on each side ; but of these four there is only the first in maids , the other three are not indeed caruncles , but little knobs made of the angular parts of the broken hymen , roll'd into a heap by the wrinkling of the sheath : these three when the sheath is extended in womens labour , loose their roughness , and become smooth , so that they disappear until it be again contracted , and indeed , the sheath near its outer orifice , has a muscle near three fingers broad , that upon occasion , contracts it , so that men and women need not be solicitous concerning their genitals being proportionable one to the other . chap. v. of the vessels that run through the neck of the womb. between the duplicity of the two tunicles , that constitute the neck of the womb , there are many veins and arteries that run along , arising from those vessels that descend on both sides the thighs , and are incerted into the side of the neck of the womb : the great quantity and bigness of them deserves admiration ; for they are much bigger than the nature and openness of the place seems to require . the cause of this is twofold ; first , because it being requisite for the neck of the womb to be filled with abundance of spirits , and to be extended and dilated for the better taking hold of the yard ; there is required a great heat for these kind of motions , which growing more intense by the act of frication , doth consume a great quantity of moisture , so that great vessels are requisite , and only able to make that continual supply that is needful . there is another cause of the longness of these vessels , which is this ; because that the monthly purgations are poured through those veins ; for the flowers must not come only out of the womb , but out of the neck of the womb also . whence it happens , that women with child do sometimes continue their purgations , because that though the womb be shut up , yet the passages in the neck of the womb are open . this is also further to be noted in the neck of the womb , that as soon as ever your sight is entred within the female fissure , there do appear to the view , two certain little holes or pits , wherein is contained a serous humour ; which being pressed out in the act of copulation , does not a little add to the pleasure thereof . this is the humour with which women do moisten the top of a mans yard ; not the seed , but a humour proper to the place , voided out by the womb. chap. vi. of the fabrick of the womb. to the neck of the womb , the womb it self is adjoined in the lower part of the hypogastrium , where the hips are widest and broadest ; which are greater and broader thereabouts than those of men ; which is the reason also , that they have broader buttocks than men have . the womb is placed between the bladder and the streight gut ; being joined to the bladder and leaning upon the streight gut : where it lies as between two cushions , this situation of the womb was fittest , that so it might have liberty to be stretched , or contracted , according to the bigness of the fruit contained in it . the figure of the womb is round , and not unlike a gourd , that lessens , and grows more acute at the one end . the bottom of the womb is knit together by ligaments of its own , which are peculiar : the neck of the womb is joined by its own substance , and by certain membranes to the share-bone , and the sacred bone . as to the bigness of it ; that varies according to the age or constitution of the body , and use of venery . for it is much greater in women that have brought forth , than in those that are with child , and after the birth . it is of a substance so thick , as that it exceeds a thumbs breadth in thickness ; which after conception is so far from decreasing , that it increases still to a greater bulk and proportion . this substance , the more to confirm it , is interweaved with all manner of fibres , streight , oblique , and overthwart . the vessels of the womb are veins , arteries and nerves . there are two little veins which are carried from the spermatick vessels to the bottom of the womb ; and two greater from the hypogastricks , which go not only to the bottom , but to the neck . the mouth of these veins pierce as far as the inward concavity ; in which place the extremities of them are called acetabula ; which in the time of the flowers , gape and open themselves by reason of the great plenty and stream of blood , that pours it self from thence ; and therefore they are , at that time , most conspicuous ; in women with child , that which is called the liver of the womb , is joined to them , that it might draw blood for the nourishment of the child ; at which time their veins do so swell , especially in the time of , or near delivery , that they are as big as the emulgent veins , or at least half as thick as the hollow vein . it hath two arteries on both sides , the spermatick , and the hypogastrick , which every where do accompany the veins . the womb hath also divers little nerves knit together in form of a net , which are carried not only to the interior part of the bottom of the womb , but also to the neck , and as far as the privities themselves ; and that chiefly for sense and pleasure ; for which cause there is a great sympathy between the womb and the head. this is also further to be noted , that the womb in its situation is not fixed and immoveable , but moveable , by reason of two ligaments which hang on both sides , from the share-bone ; and piercing through the peritonaeum , are joined to the bone it self , so that it sometimes happens that through those holes of the peritonaeum , which give passage to these ligaments being loosened , either the omentum , or the entrails , do swell outwardly , and cause the burstness either of the caul or of the guts , and sometimes it happens by reason of the looseness of those ligaments , that the womb is moved with such force , that it falls down ; and in the act of copulation is moved up and down ; sometimes it moves upward , that some women do affirm that it ascends as high as their stomack . now though the womb be one continued body , yet it is divided into the mouth , and the bottom . the bottom of the womb is called all that which , by still ascending , stretches it self from the internal orifice to the end ; being narrow toward the mouth , but dilating it self by little and little , 'till it come at the entrails . the mouth of the womb , is that narrowness between the neck and the bottom ; it is an oblong and transverse orifice ; but , where it opens it self , orbicular , and round ; the circumference very thick , and of an exquisite feeling ; and if this mouth be out of order , and be troubled with a scirrhous brawn , or over-fatness , over-moisture , or relaxation , it is the cause of barrenness . in those that are big with child , there uses to stick to this orifice , a thick viscous glutinous matter , that the parts moistned may be the more easily opened . for in the delivery , this mouth is opened after a very strange and miraculous manner , so that according to the bigness of the birth , it suffers an equal dilatation , from the bottom of the womb to the privy member . chap. vii . of the preparing vessels in women . the spermatick preparing vessels , are two veins , and two arteries , differing not at all from those of men , either in the number , original , action , or use , but only in their bigness , and the manner of their insertion . for as to their number , there are so many veins , and so many arteries as in men . they arise also from the same place as in men ; that is to say , the right , from the trunck of the hollow vein descending ; the left , from the left emulgent . there are two arteries also , on both sides one , which grow from the aorta ; these both bring vital blood for the work of generation . as to the longitude and latitude of these vessels , they are narrower and shorter in women ; only where they are wrinckled , they are much more wreathed and contorted than in men ; for , the way being shorter in women than in men , nature required , for stretching out these vessels , that they should be more wrinckled and crankled than in men , that the blood might stay there in greater quantity , for preparation of the seed . these vessels in women are carried with an oblique course through the small guts to the stones , being wrapt up in fatter membranes ; but in the mid-way they are divided into two branches , whereof the greater branch goes to the stone , constituting the various or winding body , and those wonderful inosculations , the lesser branch ends in the womb ; in the sides of which it is scattered up and down , and chiefly at the higher part of the bottom of the womb , for nourishment of the womb , and of the birth ; and that some part of the flowers may be purged out through those vessels : now because the stones of women are seated near the womb , for that cause these vessels fall not from the peritonaeum , neither make they such passages as in men , neither reach they to the share-bone . the use of these spermatic vessels , is to minister to the generation of seed , according to the ancient doctrine ; but to the nutrition of the eggs in the stones , according to the new , and for the nourishment of the foetus , and of the solid parts , and the expurgation of the courses ; in as much as blood is convey'd by the arteries to all those parts , to which their ramifications come , in which parts they leave what is to be separated , according to the law of nature , the remaining blood returning by the veins . chap. viii . of the stones in women . the stones of women , although they do perform the same actions , and are for the same use as mens , yet they differ from them in situation , substance , temperament , figure , magnitude , and in their covering . they are seated in the hollowness of the abdomen ; neither do they hang out as in men , but they rest upon the muscles of the loins , and this for that cause that they might be more hot and fruitful ; being to elaborate that matter , with which the seed of man engenders man. in this place arises a question , not trivial ; whether the seed of woman be the efficient , or the material cause of generation ? to which it is answered , that though it have a power of acting , yet it receives the perfection of that power from the seed of man. the stones of women differ from mens also , as to their figure , because they are not so round and oval as those of men , being in their fore and hinder part more depressed and broad , the external superficies being more unequal , as if a great many knots and kernals were mixed together . there is also another difference , as to the subject , because they are softer and moister than those of men , being more loose and ill compacted . their magnitude and temperament do also make a difference : for the stones of women are much colder and lesser than mens ; which is the reason that they beget a thin and watry seed . their coverings also do make a difference : for mens are wrapt up in divers tunicles , because being pendent outward , they were otherwise more subject to external injuries ; but the stones of women have but one tunicle , which though it stick very close to them , yet are they also half cloathed over with the peritonaeum . they have but one membrane , that encompasses them round , but on their upper side , where the preparing vessels enter them , they are about half way involved in another membrane that accompanies those vessels , and springs from the peritonaeum . when this cover is removed , their substance appears whitish , but is wholly different from the substance of mens stones ; for mens are composed of seed-vessels , which , being continued to one another , are twenty , or thirty ells long ; if one could draw them out at length , without breaking : but womens principally consist of a great many membranes , and small fibres loosly joined to one another ; among which , there are several little bladders full of a clear liquor , thro' whose membranes , the nerves , and preparing vessels run . galen and hypocrates , and their followers , imagine the liquor contained in these bladders to be seed ; but from dr. harvey downwards , many learned physicians , and anatomists , have denied that women have seed . some women , says dr. harvey , send forth no such humour as is called seed , and yet they conceive ; for i have known several women , says he , that have bin fruitful enough without such emission , yea , some that after they begun to emit such an humour , tho' indeed they took greater pleasure in copulation , yet grew less fruitful than before . there are also infinite instances of women , who tho' they have pleasure in copulation , yet send forth nothing , and notwithstanding conceive . it is moreover to be observed , that the humour is cast out , and issues most commonly from about the clytoris , and orifice of the privities , and very rarely from any depth within the neck of the womb , but never within the womb it self , so as that it should be there mixed with the mans seed ; besides it is not ropy and oyly like seed , but serous like urine . we must therefore agree with that new , but necessary opinion , that supposes these little bladders to contain nothing of seed , both because the liquor is sent forth in a greater quantity , than can be supplyed from them , and also , because they have no passage , whereby the liquor contained in them might issue out ; for if you press them never so hard , unless you burst them , nothing will pass out of them ; therefore it must be concluded , that they are truly eggs , analogous to those of fowl , and other creatures , and that the stones so called are not truly so , nor have any such office , as those of men , but are indeed an ovarium , wherein these eggs are nourished by the blood vessels , dispersed through them , and from whence one or more , as they are fecundated by the mans seed , separate , and are convey'd into the womb by the fallopian tubes . if you boyl these eggs , their liquor will have the same colour , taste , and consistency with the white of birds eggs , and their difference in wanting shells is of no moment ; for birds eggs have need of a shell , because they are hatched without the body , and are exposed to external injuries ; but these of women , being fostered within their body , have no need of other fence than the womb , whereby they are sufficiently defended . these eggs in women are commonly towards the number of twenty , in each testicle , whereof some are far less than others : the objection of the galenists against the aristotelians , ( viz. that the stones of females must needs make seed , because , when they are cut out , barrenness always follows ) will be sufficiently obviated by this new hypothesis , that agrees to the necessity of the stones so far , as to affirm , that the little bladders contained in them , become , when they are impregnated by the masculine seed , the very conceptions themselves , which would be in vain to expect , if the female were castrated . chap. ix . of the deferent , or ejaculatory vessels . the deferent vessels are two blind passages , on both sides one , nothing differing in substance from the spermatick veins . they rise in one part from the bottom of the womb , neither do they reach from their other extremity , either to the stone , or to any other part ; but are shut up , and unpassable , adhering to the womb , just as the blind gut adheres to the colon ; but winding half way about the stones , are every way remote from them , no where touching them ; only are tied to them with certain membranes , not unlike the wings of bats , through which certain veins and arteries , being produced from the stones do run ; and end in these passages . where they begin , at the bottom of the womb , they are hollow and large ; but as they proceed further on , they grow narrower , till , near their end , they do again obtain a larger bigness ; these two passages thus running from the corners of the womb to the stones , are taken only to be certain ligaments , by which the stones and the womb are strongly knit together ; and these ligaments in women , are the same things with the cremasteres in men . galen and most of the antients counted these short processes , that go streight from the stones to the bottom of the womb , to be ejaculatory vessels , and that the seed was cast from the stones thro' them into the bottom of the womb , and some others have thought , they have found a small pipe passing on each side out of these processes , by the sides of the womb to its neck , into which they were inserted , and opened near its orifice . by the former it was supposed , women not with child did cast their seed into the bottom of the womb , and by these latter , such as were already impregnated ; for that if it should have issued into the bottom of the womb , where the conception was , it would have corrupted , to the great prejudice of the faetus . but many accurate anatomists have not bin able to find the least foot-step of these latter ducts ; and as for the former , seeing they have not any cavity , and therefore can have nothing of seed in them , we must conclude , that they are only ligaments of the stones to keep them in their place ; and this may be proved farther , by observing that they come not into the inner cavity of the womb , but are knit only to its outward coat , and there are only two holes in the bottom of the womb , that admit a probe , and those lead to the fallopian tubes , and not to these ligaments . seeing therefore , that those which have bin accounted ejaculatory vessels , either are not to be found at all , or are found unfit for such an office , and having withal rejected the opinion of womens having seed , and affirm'd , that that which makes the conception , is one of those little bladders in the stones , dropping from thence , and conveyed into the womb , we must enquire by what way they can pass ; for if the abovesaid ligaments reputed deferent vessels , have no passage , whereby the seed , if there were any might pass , much less cou'd one of these bladders be conveyed that way ; and therefore , for deferent vessels , we assign those passages , that are called the fallopian tubes , they are very slender , and narrow passages , nervous and white , arising from the sides of the womb , and at a little distance from it , they become larger , and twist like the tendrel of a vine , 'till near their end , where ceasing their winding , they grow very large , and seem membranous and fleshy , which end is very much torn and jaggy , like the edge of rent cloaths , and has a large hole , which always lies closed , because those jags fall together ; but yet being opened they are like the outmost orifice of a brass trumpet these tubes are the same in women , that the horns of the womb are in other creatures , for they answer to those , both in situation , connection , amplitude , perforation , likeness , and also office : for as other creatures always conceive in the horns , so it has been sometimes observed , that a conception has in a woman bin contained in one of the tubes , which must have happened , when the egg , being received out of the stone into it , has been stopt in its passage to the womb , either from its own bigness , or some obstruction in the tube . the substance of the tubes is not nervous , as fallopius affirms , but membranous ; for they consist of two membranes , the outer and inner ; the inner springs from , or at least is common with that , which covers the inner substance of the womb : but whereas it is smooth in the womb , it is very wrinkled in the tubes , the outer is common with the outmost of the womb , and this is smooth . the capacity of these passages varies very much , for in the beginning , as it goes out of the womb , it only admits a bristle ; but in his progress , where it is most capacious , it will receive ones little finger , but in the extremity , where it is jagged , it is but about a quarter so wide , their length also is very uncertain , for they sometimes increase from four or five , to eight or nine fingers breadth long . their use is in a fruitful copulation to grant a passage to the finer part of the man's seed , or of a seminal fume towards the stones , to bedew the eggs contained in them , which eggs , one or more being thereby ripened , and dropping off from the stone , are received by the extremity of the tubes , and carried along their inner cavity to the womb . two objections may be made against this use : first , that the end of the tube not sticking close to the stone , when one of the eggs drops from the stone , it would more probably fall into the cavity of the belly than light just pat in the mouth of the tube . secondly , when it is received by it , its passage is so narnow , that it is hard to imagin how it can pass by it : but as to the first , the same objection may lye against the use of the oviduct in hens ; for in them it does not join quite close to the ovarium , and yet it is certain , that the rudiments of the eggs do all pass by them to the womb . moreover it is probable , that when all the other parts of the genitals are turgid in the act of copulation , these tubes also may be in some measure erected , and extend their open mouth to the stones , to impregnate the eggs with the seminal fume thro' their passage , and if any one be ripened , and separate , to receive it afterwards by its orifice . as to the second objection against the narrowness of these tubes , he that considers the straightness of the inner orifice of the womb , both in maids and in women with child , yet observes to dilate so much upon occasion , as to grant a passage to the child out of the womb , cannot wonder that to serve a necessary end of nature , the small passages of the tubes should be so far stretched , as to make way for an egg , seeing its proportion to their passage , is much less , than of the child to the usual largeness of the said orifice . chap. x. of the actions and uses of the genital parts in women . in the privie part , are seen the pubes , the mountains of venus , the two lips , the orifice under which the two wings lye hid , the little knobs of flesh , resembling myrtle-berries , the passages of the urine , and the clytoris . as for the pubes , and the mountains of venus , they serve for this use , that the great orifice might be the better shut , and to avoid compression in copulation ; for which cause they are beset with hair , and are covered with a hard kind of fat ; the great orifice receives the yard , and gives passage to the ur●ne and the birth . the use of these wings , or knobs of flesh like myrtle-berries , are for the defence of the internal parts , shutting the orifice of the neck lest cold air , dust , or any other annoyances should hurt it , from without ; and while they swell up , they cause titillation and desire in those parts . lastly , the passages of the urine being shut up by the knobs of flesh , resembling myrtle-berries , hinders the unvoluntary passage of the urine . chap. xi . of the action of the clytoris . the action of the clytoris is like that of the yard , which is erection ; which erection is for the motion , and attraction of the seed . chap. xii . of the action and use of the neck of the womb. the action of the neck of the womb , is the same with that of the yard , that is to say , erection , which is occasioned divers ways . first , all this passage is erected , and made streight , for the better conveyance of the yard to the womb , then , while the whole passage is erected , it is repleted with spirit and vital blood , whereby it becomes narrower for the more streight embracing of the yard . the causes of this erection are ; first , because if the womb were not erected , the yard could not have a convenient passage into the womb ; secondly it would hinder convenient affrication , without which the seed could not be drawn forth . lastly , it hinders any hurt , or damage which might be done by the violent force of the yard . chap. xiii . of the uses of the vessels running through the neck of the womb. first , it is required that there should be a concurrence of divers veins and arteries , for the nourishment of that part ; and though that part it self , being full of membranes , does not require much nourishment , yet by reason that it is to suffer erection , that could not be done but by blood and spirits , which are contained in these vessels : besides , although the substance of this part be of a cold temperament , being notwithstanding still heated by the act of copulation , that heat would soon consume a slender nourishment ; which nature hath supplied , by the concourse of these vessels . another cause of the plenty of these veins , is nourishment of the birth , and the exclusion of flowers . chap. xiv . of the actions of the womb. the first use of the womb is to attract the seed by a familiar sympathy , just as the second use is to retain it , which is properly called conception . the third is to cherish the seed thus attracted , to alter it , and change into the birth , by raising up that power which before lay sleeping in the seed , and to reduce it from power into act . the fourth action of the womb is to send forth the birth at the time prefixed ; the apt time of expulsion , is , when the expulsive faculty begins to be affected with some sense of trouble , that is , when the birth afflicts and oppresses the womb with its own weight . besides these uses , it hath these moreover ; to nourish the birth , and to dilate it self , which it doth by the help of veins and arteries , which do fill more and more with matter , as nature requires . the chiefest action of the womb , and most proper to it , is , the retention of the seed ; without which , nothing of other actions could be performed for the generation of man. chap. xv. of the utility of the womb. first , it is the most fit place for copulation , as being in a place furthest removed from the senses ; near which it were not fit to be , by reason of the inconveniencies which would necessarily arise . it is most fit to receive the birth , as being hollow ; in which concavity the birth may increase to its full proportion every way . it is most fit for the exclusion of the birth , as being placed downward , whereby the birth might help it self with its own weight ; and also by reason of the muscles of the abdomen , which serve for compression , and do help the endeavours of the mother . chap. xvi . of the utility of the preparing vessels in women . the utilities of these vessels are taken from their original , and from their insertion , the right vein rising from the hollow ; and the left from the emulgent , as in men ; that the more hot and purer blood might come from the right vein , for the procreation of males ; and the more serous and watry blood from the emulgent , for the generation of women . the vessels also in women are shorter than in men , because the way is not so far to the stones ; which brevity of the vessels is lengthned out by the many turnings and windings with which those vessels are endued . in the middle way , those vessels divide themselves like a fork , the greater part going to the stones , carrying the matter for seed ; the lesser is carried to the womb , where it scatters it self all along the sides of it , for the nutrition of the womb. as for the arteries , they afford the blood which is more full of spirits to perfect the seed . chap. xvii . of the utility of the stones . the use of the stones in women , is the same as in men ; that is to say , to prepare the seed , and to make it fit for procreation . they are seated within , that they should not want a continual heat , to cherish them ; for the matter of seed being colder in women than in men , it requires a greater heat , which it would of necessity want , were the stones placed outward , like those of men ; and for that cause are they covered only with one tunicle , that the heat of those parts may more easily pass to them . and therefore the stones of women are softer than those of men because they should not perfect so substantial a seed ; and that the heat of the adjacent parts should not be wholly taken up in the cherishing of them . their figure is not exactly round , but depressed , that the little meanders of the veins dispersed through the membrane , from the stones to the deferent vessels , might have more room to be incerted for the attraction of the seed , out of the whole substance of the stones . the inequality and ruggedness of them makes for the longer stay of the seed in those crooked and winding vessels . sect . iii. chap. i. of the signs of conception . having thus shewed you the anatomy and use of the parts , it will be requisite to discourse of the conception it self , which is the main and chief end of these vessels : and first of the signs of conception . the signs of conception on the mothers side , are certain and apparent ; first , if after she hath had the company of her husband , she hath received more content than ordinary . pains in the head , giddiness , dimness of the eyes ; all these concurring together , portend conception ; the apples of the eyes decrease , the eyes themselves swell , and become of a dark colour , the veins of the eyes wax red , and swell with blood , the eyes sink , the eye-brows grow loose , various colours appear in the eyes , little red pimples rise in the face , the veins between the nose and the eyes swell with blood , and are seen more plain ; the vein under the tongue looks greenish , the neck is hot , the back bone cold , the veins and arteries swell , and the pulses are observed more easily ; the veins in the breast first look of a black colour , but afterward turn yellowish , the teats look red ; if she drink cold drink , she feels the cold in her breast , she loaths her meat and drink , she hath divers longings , but her natural appetite is destroyed : continual vomitings follow , and weakness of the stomach , sour belches worms about her navel , faintness of the loyns , the lower part of her belly swelling , inward griping of the body , the retention of the seed days after the act of copulation : after which act there is a cold and trembling which seizes the external members ; the attractive force of the womb increases ; the womb dries up . it is also a certain sign of conception , if the midwife touching with her finger the interiour neck of the womb , shall find it exactly closed , so that the point of a needle will not go between : the womb waxeth round and swells , the flowers cease to flow ( for the veins through which they come down , carry the blood to the nourishment of the birth ; ) the thighs swell with some pain , the whole body grows weak , and the face waxes pale ; the excrements proceed slower out of the body : the urine is white , a little cloud swimming at the top , and many atoms appear in the urine . take the urine of a woman , and shut it up three days in a glass , if she have conceived , at the end of three days there will appear in the urine certain live things , to creep up and down . take also the urine of a woman , and put it in a bason a whole night together , with a clean and bright needle in it , if the woman have conceived , the needle will be scattered full of red speckles , but if not , it will be black and rusty . conception is an action of the womb , whereby the fruitful seed of the man and woman are received and kept , that a child may be formed . there are two kinds of conception , one true , to which succeeds the generation of an infant ; the other spurious , and contrary to nature , in this case the seed changes into water , false conceptions , moles , or any other strange matter . it is to be noted , that there is no absolute necessity , that all the seed should be received , and retained entire , nor must we imagine that tho' all of it be not received into the womb , the child formed out of it will want some limb , as an arm , or leg , or other member , for want of sufficient matter ; for the least drop of seed , nay only a fume of it is sufficient to impregnate , and form a child : but when the quantity of the seed is small , the child may be the less and weaker for it , or if the man , or the woman be dis●ased , or the womb stuft with ill humours , the child will be sickly , or moles , or false births , or dropsies of the womb will be occasioned . tho' a midwife may guess that a woman has conceived , when all the signs concur , or most part of them together , and successively according to their seasons , yet many of these signs happen upon suppression of the courses , and none of them are so very certain , as not sometimes to fail us ; wherefore in trials of women , and upon giving physick to them , great caution must be used ; for after the execution of some women , they have been found with child contrary to the judgment of the midwifes , and others after a long course of physick to open obstructions , and to cure a dropsie , have been delivered of children . chap. ii. whether she have conceived a male. if she have conceived a male child , the right eye will move swifter , and look more clear than the left . the right pap will also rise and swell beyond the left , and grow harder , and the colour of the teats will change more suddenly . the milk will increase more suddenly , and if it be milked out , and be set in the sun , it will harden into a clear mass , not unlike pearl . if you cast the milk of the woman upon her urine , it will presently sink to the bottom . her right cheek is more ruddy , and the whole colour of her face is more chearful ; she feels less numness : the first motion of the child is felt more lively in the right side , for the most part upon the sixtieth day . if her flowers flow the fourtieth day after conception . the belly is more acute toward the navel . as the woman goes , she always puts her right leg forward , and in rising she eases all she can her right side sooner than her left . chap. iii. whether she have conceived a female . if she have conveived a female , the signs are for the most part contrary to those aforesaid . the first motion is made most commonly the ninetieth day after conception , which motion is made in the left side ; females are carried with greater pain , her thighs and genital members swell , her colour is paler , she hath a more vehement longing ▪ her flowers flow the thirtieth day after conception . girls are begot of parents who are by nature more cold and moist , their seed being more moist , cold , and liquid . chap. iv. of the conception of twins . if a woman have conceived twins , the signs thereof appear not , till the third or fourth month after her conception ; and then they will appear by the motion of the infant , and by the extraordinary swelling of her belly . as to the motion , it is plain , that she doth bear twins , if she perceive a motion on the right and left side at the same instant , which she perceives more quick and violent . as for the greatness of the belly ; if the woman perceive it bigger than at any other times of her being with child ; as also if the two flanks be swelled higher than the middle of the belly : if there do appear as it were a line of division from the navel to the groin , making a kind of channel all along ; if the woman carry her burden with more than ordinary pain : these are commonly the signs of twins . chap. v. of false conception . women do oftentimes deceive themselves concerning their conception ; for they do many times believe themselves to be big with child , when it is nothing else but either the retention of their flowers , which do not fall down according to their accustomed periods of time ; or else that which is called the moon-calf , which is a lump of flesh , for the most part like the guisern of a bird , greater or lesser , according to the time of its being there , which is most commonly not above four or five months . of moles there are two sorts ; the one is called the true mole , the other is called the false mole . the true mole is a fleshy body , filled with many vessels , which have many white , green , or black lines , or membranes ; it is without growth , without motion , without bones , without bowels , or entrails ; receiving its nourishment through certain veins ; it lives the life of a plant , without any figure or order , being engendered in the concavity of the matrix , adhereing to the sides of it , but borrowing nothing of its substance . of the false mole there are four sorts ; the windy mole , which is a conflux of wind ; the watry mole , which is a conflux of watry humours ; the humorous mole , which is a conflux of various humours ; the membranous mole , which is a thin bag filled with blood . all these four are contained in the concavity of the womb. these moles are sometimes engendered with the infant , though they do often cause the infant to die ; either because it doth deprive the infant of that nourishment which goes from the infant to the encrease of that ; or else because it hinders the growth and perfection of the infant . the cause of the fleshy mole doth not always proceed from the mother , for the man doth often contribute to the increase of it , when the seed of the man is weak , imperfect , and barren , or , though it be good if there be too small a quantity of it , which after it is mingled with the seed of the woman , is choak'd by the menstrual blood , and so not being sufficient for the generation of the infant , instead thereof produces this little mass of flesh , which by little and little grows bigger , being wrapt about in a caul , while nature strives to engender any thing rather than to be idle . it happens also , when the woman , during her monthly purgations , receives the company of her husband , her body being not yet purged and void ; or else when the woman lies with a great desire and lust with her husband , after she hath conceived ; or when she hath retained her monthly courses beyond her time . the windy mole is engendered by the weak heat of the matrix , and the parts adjoyning , as the liver and spleen , which engender a quantity of wind , which fix in the concavity of the matrix . the watry mole is engendred of many confluences of water , which the womb receives , either from the spleen , or the liver , or the parts adjoyning , or else from the weakness of the liver which cannot assimilate the blood which is sent thither , for the nourishment of the thing contained in it ; part whereof turns into water , which cannot be voided , but remains in the womb. that which is called the humorous mole , is engendred of many moist humours , serosities , or the whites , or certain watry purgations , which sweat forth from the menstruous veins , and are contained in the concavity of the matrix . the membranous mole , is a skin or bag , which is garnished with many white and transparent vessels , filled up with blood : this being cast into the water , the blood goes out , and the membrane is seen only to gather like a heap of clotted seed . false conception hath many signs , common with the true conception ; as the suppression of the flowers , depraved appetite , vomitings , swelling of the belly , and of the breasts ; so that it is a hard thing to distinguish the one from the other : only these that follow are more properly the signs of a false than true conception . for in a false conception , the face is ordinarily puffed up ; the breasts , that at the first were swollen , afterwards become , every day more than other , softer and lanker , and without milk. in fine , the face , the breast , the arms , the thighs and groyns grow lank and meager : the belly waxes hard , as happens to those who are troubled with the dropsie , and almost of an equal roundness ; with many pricking pains , at the bottom of the belly , which have scarce any intermission ; which is the cause that they can hardly sleep , being encumbered with a heavy and dead burthen . it may be known also by other signs , for in the conception the male-infant begins to move at the beginning of the third month ; for the most part ; and the female at the beginning of the third or fourth month : now where any motion happens , the woman ought to observe whether she have any milk in her breasts or no : if she have milk in her breasts , it is a sign of true conception ; if she have not , it is a sign of false conception . besides , in a true conception , the mother shall perceive her child to move on all sides oftner though to the right flank than to the left , sometimes up , sometimes down , without any assistance ; but in a false conception , although there be a kind of motion , which is not enlivened ; that proceeds from the expulsive faculty of the mother , and not from the mole . the mother shall also perceive it to tumble always on that side she lies , not having any power to sustain it self ; besides , as she lies on her back , if any one do push gently downward the burden of her belly , she shall perceive it to lie and rest in the place where it was pushed , without returning thither : beside , that which will confirm it more , is , when after the end of nine months the woman shall not come to her travel , but that her belly still swells and is puffed up more and more , all the rest of the parts of the body growing thin and meager , this is a sign of a mole , notwithstanding that many women have been known to go ten or eleven months before their delivery . the signs of the windy mole are these ; when the belly is equally stretched and swelled up like a bladder , more soft than when it bears the fleshy mole , and especially near the groins , and small of the belly ; if it be struck on , it sounds like a drum ; sometime the swelling decreases , but by and by it swells more and more ; the woman feels her self more light , it is engendered and encreases swifter than the fleshy mole , or the watry , and it makes such a distention of the belly , as if one were tearing it asunder : for the watry and humorous mole , the signs are almost the same ; the belly increases and swells by little and little , as the woman lies upon her back , the sides of her belly are more swelled and distended than the middle , or the bottom of the belly , which grows flatter then , by reason that the water and the humours fall down to the sides of the belly , moving up and down on the belly , as if it were a fluctuation of water there . this distinction is to be observed in the watry mole , that the flank and thighs are more stretched and swollen than in the humoral , because that the waters flow thither oftentimes . and that which comes forth through nature's conduit , is as clear as rock-water , without any ill savour ; but that which flows out in the humoral distemper is more red , like water wherein flesh hath been washed , and is of an ill savour . this is also to be marked in false conceptions , that the flowers never come down , and the navel of the mother advances it self little or nothing , both which happen in true conceptions . there are , besides these above-written , certain other tumours which the women do take for moles . these occasion a rotundity and swelling in the belly , which are not discovered till the woman be opened , and then they do appear , though the body of the womb be clean and neat , without any thing contained in it , at one or both corners of the womb , a quantity of water , contained as it were in little bags ; in others are to be seen a heap of kernels and superfluous flesh clustered up together in the womb , which cause it to swell . yet in these women it hath been observed , that their purgations have been very regular , which hath been a sign that the womb it self hath been in good temper . there is also another excrescency of flesh , which may be termed a pendent mole , which is a piece of flesh hanging within the inner neck of the womb , which at the place where it is fastned , is about a fingers breadth , still increasing bigger and bigger toward the bottom like a little bell : this flesh hanging in the interiour neck of the womb , possesses the whole orifice of the privy member , sometimes appearing outward , as big as the fist , as hath been observed in some women . of the cures of all these , we shall treat in due place . chap. vi. how women with child ought to govern themselves . in the first place , she ought to chuse a temperate and wholesome air , neither too hot nor too cold , nor in a watry and damp place , nor too subject to fogs and winds , especially the south-wind , which is a great enemy to women with child , causing oft-times abortion in them . the northwind is also hurtful , engendring rheums and catarrhs , and coughs , which do often force a woman to lie down before her time . likewise those winds which carry with them evil odours and vapours , for these being sucked with the air into the lungs , are the cause of divers diseases . for her diet , she ought to choose meat that breeds good and wholsome nourishment , and which breeds good juice ; such are meats that are moderately dry ; the quantity ought to be sufficient , both for themselves , and for their children , and therefore they are to fast as little as may be ; for abstinence , unless upon good occasion , renders the child sickly , and tender , and constrains it to be born before its time , to seek for nourishment ; as the over-much diet stuffs it up , and renders it so big that it can hardly keep its place . all meats too cold , too hot , and too moist , are to be avoided , as also the use of salads and spiced meats , and the too much use of salt meats are also forbidden , which will make the child to be born without nails , a sign of short life . her bread ought to be good wheat , well baked and levened . her meats ought to be pigeons , turtles , pheasants , larks , partridge , veal , and mutton . for herbs , she may use lettice , endive , bugloss , and burrage , abstaining from raw salads : for her last course , she may be permitted to eat pears , marmalade , as also cherries and damsins ; she must avoid all meats that provoke urine , or the terms ; and such meats as are windy , as pease , and beans . yet because there are some women that have such depraved stomachs , by reason of a certain salt and sowre humour contained in the membranes of the stomach , as that they will eat coals , chalk , ashes , cinders , and such like trash , so that it is impossible to hinder them ; to such therefore we can only say thus much , that they ought to forbear as much as in them lies , assuring them that such trash does not only endanger their own health , but the health of the child . yet if they cannot command that depraved appetite , let them so provide , though it be by giving some small satisfaction to their depraved longings , that they do not hasten any further inconvenience ; for though those strange meats be very contrary to nature , yet the strange desire that they have to them , does not a little avail to the disgestion of them . for her drink , let it be small ale , though now and then a cup of pure wine does not amiss , to comfort the stomach , and the parts dedicated to generation . her time of sleep is best in the night , for the concoction of those meats which she hath eat in the day time : she must avoid by all means , the sleeping after dinner ; she may sleep full out nine hours ; her sleeping beyond that time is prejudicial . she may exercise her self moderately ; for violent excrcise loosens the cotyledones , through which the infant receives its nourishment : the riding in coaches is forbid , especially , for the last three months . she ought to avoid great noises , as the noise of guns , or great bells . laughing and crying , if it be immoderate , is extreamly hurtful , as also immoderate anger . in the first four months she ought not to lye with her husband , for that shakes and moves the fruit of her womb , and causes the flowers to descend ; she must also abstain in the sixth and eighth ; but in the seventh and ninth it is not denied , and is thought to facilitate the delivery . she ought also to keep her body soluble , which if it should not come of it self , she must take loosening syrups to help nature ; as soon as ever they perceive themselves to be with child , they must lay aside their busks , and not streighten themselves any way , for fear of hurting the fruit of their womb , by not giving it its full liberty of growth . a woman with child ought to be accounted sick , for the time of going with child is called a sickness of nine months , and she is indeed subject to many inconveniences on that account ; therefore she ought to use her utmost endeavour to prevent those many accidents she is then subject to , and that she may preserve her self in health , as much as her present condition will allow of , let her be careful to observe a good diet , agreeable to her constitution and condition . the air of the place where she dwells ought to be temperate ; for if it be too hot it dissipats the humours and spirits , and if it be moist and cold it occasions rheums and coughs whereby miscarriages have been caused ; ill smells are also very offensive to women with child , as the stink of a candle , the smell of char-coal . their stomach generally loath meat , and are weak ; and therefore they must please their stomachs , and let them not fast too long , for thereby their blood is unfit to nourish the child ; but they must not eat too much at a time ; especially for supper , because the bigness of the belly hinders the stomach from containing much ; wherefore let the woman eat little and often . her bread must be made of good wheat , white , and well baked ; her meat may be mutton , veal , fowl , or pullets , pidgeons , or partridges , boyled or roasted according as she likes best . new laid eggs are also a good diet , and to purifie the blood , which is generally ill during the time of pregnancy ; she ought to eat sometimes broths with succory , borrage or sorrel boyled in it , but hot seasoned pyes and baked meats must be avoided ; if she long for fish , river fish , and those of running streams are to be preferred before others . but note , that this ought to be a general rule in this case , viz. that if women earnestly long for any thing , they must have it . and because their stomachs are always weak , they ought to drink some good wine , or some other good liquor at meals to help digestion . all things very hot , and such things as force urine ought to be shunned , because they are apt to force the courses , and so to cause miscarriage . they ought to sleep moderately , because by sleep , the functions and the concoction are strengthened , whereas excessive watchings waste the spirits , and weaken the faculties ; therefore a woman with child ought to sleep nine or ten hours at least in a night . as to exercise and rest , respect must be had to the various times of pregnancy . at the beginning of the conception , if the woman perceives it , she ought , if her condition will allow of it , to keep in bed , at least till the fifth or sixth day , and not to converse with her husband all that time , for then a little matter will cause miscarriage : she must not ride on horse-back , or in a coach , or waggon , all the time she is with child , especially when she is near her time ; because these kind of motions increase the weight of that which is contained in the womb , and often causes abortion . but she may be carried in a chair , or litter , or walk gently . she must forbear carrying or lifting heavy burthens , nor must she raise her arms too high , or dress her own head ; for many have miscarried , the ligaments of the womb being relaxed on this account . and it must be c●refully noted , that when she walks , she must walk in low heeled shoes ; for big bellied women are apt to stumble , because they cannot see their feet , by reason of the bigness of their bellies ; and she must rather rest too much , than use motion too much ; for immoderate motion is very dangerous , and i believe the exercise of bigg bellied women , when it has been immoderate towards the latter end of their reckoning , has been the chiefest and most general cause of hard labours ; for many times the child is put into a wrong position by the motion and exercise of the mother , or the birth is unduly hastned ; both which sometimes prove very prejudicial . the woman ought rather the two last months of her reckoning to abstain from copulation , the body being thereby much moved , and the belly compressed , which makes the child sometimes take a wrong posture ; and without doubt if these things , that have been said concerning exercise and rest were well regarded , the lives of many women and children would be saved , and much pain and sorrow prevented . some women are so very apt to miscarry , that being frightned , or surprized , by the noise of a great gun , or the sound of a bell or a clap of thunder they have miscarryed . women with child are subject to be bound in the bodies , the womb by its weight pressing the right gut and so hindring an easy discharge of the excrements . in this case , such things as loosen the belly are to be frequently used . she may now and then eat stewed prunes , or veal-broth , or a glister of mallows may be injected , but sharp glisters , and things that purge too much , must be avoided ; for hypocrates says , that too great an evacuation downward is apt to occasion miscarriage . the womans mind ought to be kept sedate and quiet , all melancholly news , and frightful objects must be removed far from her , nor must any thing that may cause sorrow , be suddenly told her . she must moderate her passions , and excessive anger must by all means be avoided , for the passions do wonderfully affect the child and often cause miscarraige ; some have been born dumb , others have had a continual shaking of their limbs , and the like , when the mother has been suddenly and violently surprized or frighted ; wherefore it is best to be discoursing of such things before big-bellied women , as may moderately rejoyce them , and that such objects be presented , as may please and divert them ; and if it be absolutely necessary to acquaint them with sorrowful things , great care and caution must be used , and the misery must be discovered piece-meal . some women are so very vain , that they will lace themselves hard with bodice stifned with whale-bone , to preserve their shapes forsooth : but they do not consider what injury they do themselves ; for their breasts being prest too much , are apt to be inflamed and impostumated , and the growth of the child is hindered , and the limbs of it too often disfigured thereby , and sometimes miscarriage happens . they ought therefore at this time , to have their cloaths more loose and easie . some women have also a custom to bleed once or twice when they are with child , tho' they have no need of it , but this is certainly an errour , for women with child ought not to bleed but upon necessity , some having miscarried by bleeding but once , a little too much blood being taken away , tho' others i confess , having blouded nine or ten times whilst they were with child , and yet have not miscarried . now seeing all are not of the same constitution , they must not be all treated alike . those that have most blood can best bear bleeding , if purging be thought necessary , gentle things must be only used , as manna , rhubarb , or the like . women with child are subject to many accidents , the first is vomiting , whereby they often judge they are breeding , it is not always occasioned by ill humours in the stomach , but sometimes from a sympathy betwixt the stomach and the womb , by the nerves inserted in the upper orifice of the stomach , which have communication , by continuity with those that pass to the womb. now the womb , which has a very exquisite sense , because of its membranous composition , beginning to wax bigger , feels some pain , which being at the same time communicated by this continuity of nerves to the upper orifice of the stomach , cause there these vomitings ; for women that were in good health , before they conceived , vomit from the first day of their being with child , tho' they have no ill humours in their stomach . if the vomiting continues a long while , it weakens the stomach very much and hinders digestion , tho' it oftentimes continues till the women are quick , and then they recover their appetite ; but in some it does not go off till they are delivered , and some are most afflicted with it towards the end of their reckoning , and this sort seldom ceases before they are brought to bed. vomiting at the beginning , if it be gentle , and without great straining , is not much minded , and sometimes it is beneficial ; but if it continue after the third or fourth month it ought to be remedied , because the nourishment being daily vomited up , the mother and the child will be much weakened ; and moreover , the continual subversion of the stomach causing great agitation , and compression the belly , occasions miscarriage . it is very difficult to prevent wholly this vomiting , yet it may be much lessened by a good diet , and by eating little at a time ; and to strengthen the stomach , let her eat her meat with the juice of oranges , or the like . marmalade of quinces is also very good , being eaten after dinner , or after meals , and she ought to drink claret-wine with water , and it is convenient to quench iron in her drink . she must forbear fat meats and sauces , for they much soften the membranes of the stomach , which were too weak and relaxed . sweet and sugar sauces are also injurious . but if the vomiting continue , tho' regular diet has bin used , the corrupt humours must be purged off by stool , by some gentle purge made of mallows , cassia , rhubarb , and the like ; but if the vomiting continues , tho' the woman observes a good diet , and tho she has bin purged , we must do no more , for there is great danger of miscarriage . there are sometimes great pains in the back , reins , and hips , especially the first time the woman is with child , by reason of the dilatation of the womb , and the compression it makes by its greatness and weight on the neighbouring parts the ligaments as well round as large , cause these pains , being much straightened and drawn by the bigness and weight of the womb , namely the large one of the back and loins , which answer to the reins , because these two ligaments are strongly fastned towards these parts ; the round ones cause pains in the groins and thighs ; where they end , they are some times so violently extended by this extream bigness , and great weight of the womb , that they are torn , especially if the woman happen to stumble , which causeth violent pain , and much mischief . a woman being six months gone with child , upon stumbling felt something crack in her belly , near the loins , and she presently felt great pain in her back , and in one side of her belly , she vomited violently , and the next day was seized with a continual fever , this lasted seven or eight days without sleeping or resting an hour , and all the while she vomited up all she took ; and she was also very much troubled with hicoughs , and had great pains like those of labour : but by keeping her bed twelve days , and by bleeding in her arm thrice , and by the use of a grain of laudanum divers times , and by corroborating cordials she was somewhat eased , and all the symptoms went off by little and little , and she went her full time ; and indeed there is nothing that will mitigate the pains of the back and reins better , than rest in bed , and bleeding in the arm , especially if they were occasioned by the ligaments broke , or two much extended , it may be convenient to keep up the belly with a broad swaith , if the woman cannot keep her bed. oftentimes when a woman has conceived , the courses being stopt , a great quantity of blood flows to the breasts , which makes them swell and be painful , therefore to prevent inflammations , women ought to take great care that they are not strait-laced , so as to compress the breasts , and this is all that needs to be done at the beginning , only she must be sure , that she receives no blows upon them ; but it 's better to bleed in the arm after the third or fourth month , if a great deal of blood flow to the breasts , then to endeavour to repel it on some other part by astringent or repelling medicines ; because it does least hurt in the breasts than any where else . it may be also convenient to use an orderly cooling diet to lessen the quantity , and qualifie the heat of the humours . big bellied women sometimes are troubled with incontinence , and difficulty of urine , because the womb by its bigness and weight presses the bladder , so that the common extension of it being hindred , it is rendred incapable of holding such a quantity of water as it uses to do ; and therefore the nearer a woman is to her time , the oftner she is forced to make water : but on the contrary if the neck of the womb be pressed , she makes water with great difficulty , and sometimes an heat and inflammation in the neck of the bladder is the occasion of the suppression of the urine , and sometimes a stone is the cause , and if so , the pain is more violent , and much more dangerous than at another time , the womb by its weight and bigness causing the stone perpetually to press upon the bladder . these frequent endeavours to make water ought to be prevented if possibly , because the continual forcing downwards to make water loosens the womb , and so sometimes occasions miscarriage ; and therefore , when it comes from the bigness and weight of the womb , as it dos most commonly , the woman must ease her self by lifting up the bottom of her belly , when she has occasion to make water or she may have a large swaith fitted for that purpose , to keep her belly from bearing too much upon the bladder . but keeping in bed is the best and surest remedy . if an inflammation of the neck of the bladder be occasioned by sharp humours , the woman must have a cooling diet , and forbear wine , and morning , and evening she must take an emulsion made of whey , syrup of violets and the cold seeds , and this is very safe ; for it cools and cleanses the passages of the urine , and is no way injurious to the mother or child . but if the pain and inflammation do not go off by the use of these things , to prevent any ill accident that may happen , a little blood m●y be taken from the womans arm , and the outward entry of the neck of the bladder may be bathed with a cooling and emollient decoction , made of mallows marsh-mallows , violets , and linseeds ; or injections made of the same decoction with honey of violets , or warm milk may be cast into the bladder . but if these things do not do the business , a catheter may be used from time to time to draw forth the water , and if the pain be violent , a half bath luke-warm may be used , if she be not too much moved thereby : but all medicines that force urine must be forborne , for they are very injurious to women with child , for they are apt to occasion miscarriage . and if a stone be the cause , it must for the present be only thrust back with the catheter , for if you should endeavour to draw it out , the life of the child or mother will be hazarded ; wherefore it is best to let it alone till the woman is delivered . when the child lies high , coughs and difficulty of breathing afflict big-bellied women , and when the cough is so much as to cause vomiting , it is a very dangerous symptom , being the most apt to occasion miscarriage , because the lungs endeavouring to cast out the offending matter , depresses the diaphragm , and thereby all the parts of the belly , and especially the womb. many things may also occasion this cough , as salt rheums flowing from the whole body to the breast , the suppression of the course , cold taken and the like . if it proceed from sharp humours , or salt rheums , salt and high seasoned meats must be avoided , and also such things as are sharp , as vinegar , oranges , and the like , and instead of them , she ought to use such things as smoothen the passages of the lungs and breast , as sebestins , jujubes , raisons of the sun , liquorish , sugar-candy , syrup of violets , and the like . it is also proper to turn the humours downwards by a gentle glyster . if these things will not do the business , and there is a sign of a great deal of blood , the woman must be blooded in the arm , and tho' it is not common practice , to bleed at the very beginning of being with child , yet it must be done , when the cough is continual , for moderate bleeding is not so dangerous as such a cough . if the cough be occasioned by a cold , the woman ought to keep her chamber , and to have her neck well defended from the cold with cloaths ; and at bed time , let her take three spoonfuls of syrup of burnt wine , which is very good for the breast , and helps digestion . it is made of half a pint of good wine , two drams of cinnamon bruised , half a dozen of cloves , four ounces of sugar , boyl them over the fire , burn the wine , and afterwards boyl it to the consistence of syrup . it is to be noted , that in this case , the woman must be never strait-laced , and some gentle medicine to cause sleep , ought be given ; for such things are particularly proper to stop rheums , and to thicken the matter . the following anodyne may be used every other night at bed time upon occasion . take of cowslip-water two ounces , of the syrrups of jujubes , and meconium , each half an ounce , mingle them , make a draught . some women , by their first child are so much oppressed in their breast , that they fear they shall be choaked presently after eating , walking , or going up stairs , the child lying very high , by reason the ligaments that support the womb are not yet relaxed ; and if upon this account the lungs be full of blood , they will breath more easily after a little blood is taken from the arm. but if the difficulty of breathing is occasioned by the womb 's pressing upon the midrife , the cloaths must be worn loose , and the woman must eat little at a time , and often ; for full feeding oppresses the midrife , and increases the difficulty of breathing ; and she must be sure to avoid windy meats , as pease , ea●ns , and the like : and grief and fear , if possible must be far removed ; for thereby women are in danger of being suffocated , when their heart and lungs are before oppressed . women with child are subject to pains and swellings of the legs and thighs , which are sometimes also full of red spots , which much obstructs their walking ; these are occasioned by abundance of blood , for women that are sanguine are most subject to these swellings and pains , much walking and excercise do also occasion them ; to remedy or prevent which , a woman so affected should keep her bed , and if there be signs of fulness of blood , she may be blooded in the arm ; but if she be forced to walk about , her legs must be swaithed , beginning below and swaithing upwards . but in some women , these swellings are occasioned by weakness and flegmatick humours , and if you press the swelling it will pit , as is usual in dropsies . in this case the natural heat is not able to concoct the nourishment , and to drive out that which is superfluous ; for this sort of swelling make a bath of camomile , melilot and lavender , and the ashes of vines , afterwards foment with aromatic wine , and in it dip compresses to be laid on , and to be repeated three or four times a day . but usually these swellings go off of themselves , when the woman is delivered , the whole body being cleansed by the child-bed purgations . many big bellied women are subject to the piles , because the courses that were wont to be evacuated monthly , are collected in a great quantity , and flow back upon the body . they are also occasioned by the costivness of the body ; they are painful swellings and inflamations occasioned by a flux of humours to the fundament : some are internal , some external , some small , and with little or no pain , and some very big and painful . it is easy enough to prevent their further growth by remedies , which hinder and turn the flux from those parts , when they are small and without pain ; but the greatest care is to be taken , when they are large and painful . first , therefore you must endeavour to ease the pain , for as long as that remains , the flux is ever increased ; and if bloud abounds , she may be blooded in the arm-once , and again , if the case require it , to divert the humours , and to lessen them . if costiveness be the cause , an emollient glister must be injected , made of the decoction of mallows , marshmallows , violets , and sweet butter , or oyl of almonds ; but you must be sure to add nothing that may fret or provoke the parts , least the disease should be increased thereby , especially when the piles are within . some put the small end of a pullets gut upon the end of the glister-pipe , that it may be the easier injected . you may else anoint the swellings with galen's cooling oyntment mixed with an equal part of populeon ; or you may use the hot stroakings of a cow , or you may foment with a decoction of marshmallows and linseed oyls of sweet almonds , poppies , and water lillies well beaten together with the yolk of an egg , and ground in a leaden mortar , give great ease . a cooling diet must be ordered , and the woman must keep her bed , till the flux of the humours is gone . if the swelling do not abate upon the use of these things , leeches must be apply'd . but it is to be noted , that in women with child , the bleeding of the piles may be beneficial , if the bleeding be moderate , and without pain . but if it flow in too great quantity , the mother and child will be weakened thereby ; therefore if so , it will be necessary to apply an astringent fomentation made of a decoction of pomgranate peel , province roses , granat flowers , and a little allom , and to turn the blood , bleeding in the arm is requisite . women with child are subject to several fluxes , viz. a looseness , the flux of the courses and floodings . there are three sorts of loosenesses , a lientery , wherein the meat passes through raw and undigested , a frequent ejection of excrement and humours , lastly , the bloody flux , which together with the evacuation of humours and excrements , voids blood with violent pains . but whatever sort of flux it is , if it be much and of long continuance , the woman is in danger of miscarrying ; for in a lientary , the mother and child are much weakened , that being cast out by stool , which should be the nourishment ; and the strength and spirits are much weakened by a common looseness ; but the bloody flux is most dangerous , because the frequent endeavours to go to stool , greatly disturb the womb. as to the cure of these fluxes , whereof great care ought to be had in time ; for they occasion miscarriages ; the woman afflicted with a lientery ought to use meat of easie digestion , and little at a time , that so her stomach may be able to concoct it and she ought to drink claret mixed with water , wherein iron hath been quenched , and before and after meals , a little burnt wine , or good canary may be drank , or a little marmalade of quinces may be eat . if it be only a loosness , and is gentle , and is not of long continuance , it needs not be much regarded , and therefore ought to be left to nature , but if it continues five or six days , some gentle purging medicine ought to be used , as syrup of succory with rhubarb , or the like . but great care ought to be taken in the bloody flux , lest by its continuance it should cause miscarriage . in this case the ill humours must be first purged off with syrup of succory and rhubarb or the like , and broaths made of veal and chicken with cooling herbs in them must be used to qualifie the acrimony of the humours ; and she must drink claret wine and water , wherein iron has been quenched , or half a spoonful of syrup of quinces may be mixed with water , and every other night at bed time after purging , she may take fifteen or drops of liquid laudanum , and glisters may be injected made of calves head , or sheeps head broath ; and to prevent the frequent endeavours of going to stool , a glister made of milk , and the yolk of an egg mixed , may be now and then injected . when a woman is with child , generally speaking , she ought not to have her courses , because their ordinary passage is stopt , and also because the blood is then employ'd for the nourishment of the child ; yet some big bellied women have their monthly purgations till the fifth month , and yet go out their time , and do very well . a woman having her courses , thought she was not with child , and because she found her self indisposed , she advised with a physician , who by bleeding and purging her made her miscarry , after she had bin three months gone with child . it is to be noted , that when women with child have a flux of blood , you must carefully consider whither it be the ordinary courses , or a real flooding ; if if it be the ordinary courses , the blood comes at the accustomed times , and flows by degrees from the neck , near the inward orifice of the womb , and not from the bottom of it as may be perceived , if trying with a finger , you find the inward orifice quite closed , which could not be if the blood issued from the bottom . it must be likewise considered whether the courses flow , by reason of the superfluity of the blood , the acrimomony of it , or the weakness of the vessels . if abundance of blood be alone the cause there being more than enough for the nourishment of the child , it injures neither mother nor child , but is a benefit to both , provided it be moderate . but if there be not abundance of blood , and if the woman use to have but a small quantity of her courses , before she was with child , it is a sign that the flux proceeds from the heat and acrimony of the blood , or the weakness of the vessels . to prevent this flux , when it ought to be stopt , the woman must keep in bed , and forbear all things that may heat her blood , and must observe a cooling and strengthening diet , and feed on meat that breeds good blood , and thickens it ; as broths made of chicken , knuckels of veal and the like , wherein may be boiled cooling herbs ; rice milk and barley broth is also very good , and in all her drink quench iron . she must forbear conversation with her husband . and to comfort the child , which in this case is usually very weak , linnen dipt in strong wine , wherein cinamon and pomgranat peel has bin infused , must be applyed to the mothers belly . flooding is much more dangerous than a flux of the courses ; for the blood comes from the bottom of the womb with pain , and in great abundance , and continues flooding daily without intermission ; only sometimes clods of blood stop it for a while , but afterwards it flows more violently , and destroys both mother and child if not seasonably stop'd by the delivery of the woman . a false conception or a mole , which the womb endeavours to expel is usually the cause , when the flooding happens when young with child , whereby some vessels at the bottom of the womb continually cast forth blood until the strange body is ejected . but when a flooding comes upon a woman , that has truly conceived , at whatsoever time it be ; it proceeds likewise from the opening of the vessels of the bottom of the womb , occasioned by some blow , slip , or other hurt , and especially , because the after-birth separating in part , if not wholly from the in side of the womb , opens all the orifices of the vessels where it was joined ; and for this reason a great flux of blood follows and never stops 'till after the delivery of the woman ; for if but part of the after-birth only be once loosened , it never joins again to the womb ; and therefore the opening of the vessels cannot be stopt , 'till all that is in the womb is expelled , and afterwards the womb like a spunge squeezed , contracts it self and stops the vessels . but tho' it be necessary to deliver the woman presently , to stop a great flooding , which manifestly endangers the womans life ; yet it is to be noted , that when the flooding is small , other things are to be first tryed ; for some small floodings have for sometimes bin suppressed by keeping quietly in bed , by bleeding in the arm , and proper remedies ; and perh●ps it may in a short time , be found to be only an ordinary flux of the courses ; if therefore the strength of the woman keeps up , and the flux be not attended with ill symptoms , it is best to leave the whole business to nature , but if the flux be very much , and the woman is afflicted with convulsions and fainting , she must be instantly delivered , whether she has pains and throws or no. sometimes women with child are oppressed with a great weight at the bottom of their bellies , by reason the womb bears down , and sometimes she cannot walk without pain and difficulty : in this case the large ligaments of the womb are much relaxed , either by the burthen upon them , or by a fall , shaking , or great pains , or bad labour in a former delivery . sometimes also a great many humours are the cause , for they moisten and relax the ligaments : this bearing down of the womb hinders coition , and causes numness in the hips and thighs , and difficulty of urine , and costiveness . the best remedy in this case , whatsoever is the cause of the bearing down , is keeping the bed , for the ligaments are continually more and more relaxed by the weight when she is up ; but if her condition or circumstances are such , as will not admit of continual rest in the bed , she ought at least to keep up her belly with a swaith , and if the weight causes a difficulty of rendring her water , she must lift up her belly as oft as she has occasion to make water ; if humours be the cause of the relaxation of the ligaments of the womb , a drying dyet must be constantly used , and her meat must be roasted , and the woman must be very careful when there is such a weight , and relaxation of the womb , from whatsoever cause it proceeds , that she be not strait laced , because thereby the womb is forced down ; but above all , when she is in labour , care must be taken that neither by means of the throws , which strongly force down the womb , nor by the birth of the child , nor the violent extraction of the burthen , she gets a precipitation instead of a bearing down , as is seen often . if a woman chance to be infected with the venereal disease during her pregnancy , the case is very difficult , for those methods and medicines , that are proper for the cure of it , are apt to occasion a miscarriage ; and yet notwithstanding , if she be infected at her first being with child , or if the symptoms are violent and dangerous , when she is ●ear her time , something must be done , for should the disease lie unregarded upon her seven or eight months , her mass of blood would be corrupted , and the venom imparted to the child in her belly ; and tho' she be near her time , if the symptoms are violent , she will be in great danger of being ruined , if medicines be not presently used to mitigate them if it be only a gonorrhea , or running of the reins , ten grains of mercurius dulcis , more or less , according to her strength , must be given at bed time , in form of a bolus , in conserve of roses or the like , and some gentle purge the next morning , and at bed-time after the purge , you must be sure to give some anodyne , to appease the commotion raised by the purge . the bolus and purge must be repeated twice a week , or oftner , if the strength will permit , and if no ill accident intervene . if the urine be very hot and sharp , it will be convenient to use an emulsion to mitigate the pain and heat , the following is of good use . take of blanched almonds number , of the four greater cold seeds , each one dram and an half , of the seeds of lettice , and white poppies , each half a dram , beat them in a marble mortar , and pour on them a sufficient quantity of barly water , make an emulsion for two doses ; add an ounce of syrrup of violets and half a dram of sal prunella . if the privy parts are excoriated or swelled , you must foment them with a decoction of mallows , and fenugreek-seeds , and afterwards anoint the excoriated parts with the white ointment with camphor ; but if the disease arise to a confirm'd pox , a gentle salivation must unavoidably be ordered . some venture to raise it with a mercurial ointment , but i think it is much safer to do it by mercurius dulcis inwardly taken , and great care must be taken to prevent sickness of the stomach , gripes and stools ; therefore as soon as ever you perceive any sickness of the stomach , faintness , or gripes , you must leave off the use of mercury for a while , 'till the symptoms are quieted by opiats , and great care must be taken that the flux do not rise too high . that her breasts , after her delivery , may not grow big , and swell overmuch , as also to avoid the danger of too much blood , which being converted into milk , may chance to curd and breed some disease in the breast : therefore as soon as she perceives her self with child , let her carry about her neck , a small neck-lace of gold , though some do more esteem of a neck-lace of steel , or a little ingot of steel , to hang between the two breasts : you may also foment the breasts a quarter of an hour every morning , with the distilled waters of sage , periwinckle , or ground-ivy , making them first luke-warm : when the third or fourth month of her time is come , and that she perceives the infant to begin to swell , and to grow big , she may swathe it with a linnen swathe-band , which she may anoint with some convenient pomatum ; this keeps the belly smooth , and from wrinckles , and from hanging down like a tripe . she may use this liniment , or pomatum . take the gall of a kid , and of a sow , of each ounces , capon-grease and goose-grease of each an ounce , and a half ; cut these into little pieces , and melt them in an earthen dish , putting thereto as much water as will suffice to keep them from burning ; then strain it through a linnen cloath , and afterwards having washed it in fair water , until it be very white , add to it of the marrow of a red deer , about an ounce ; then wash it again in rose-water , or some other water of a good scent , and anoint the swathe-band therewith . or this , take of the grease of a dogg , and the fatt of mutton which is about the kidneys , of each two ounces ; the seed of a whale , about an ounce ; oyl of sweet almonds , about an ounce and half ; prepare the greases as abovesaid ; then mingle them with the other things , and wash them in rose-water , as before . some women that are loath to grease their bellies with these ointments , do carry the skin of a dogg , or else the outward and thin pilling of a sheep's skin : take the skin of a dog ready drest , for the making of gloves ; wash it a good many times in fair water first , and afterward in rose-water , then dry it in the shade , and moisten it in the foresaid oyls . take this one more liniment . take a quarter of a pound of fresh butter , well washed in fair water ; of rose-water , and of oyl of sweet-almonds , an ounce ; of the seed of a whale , half an ounce ; melt these altogether , and anoint the belly . these ointments are to be kept in a gally-pot , covered over with rose-water . in the first days of this month it might not be unprofitable to be bathed in the following decoction , for the space of a quarter of an hour ; and being afterwards put to bed , to let her self be well rubbed , and afterwards anointed with some good ointment all about the navel , along the os facrum , and the bone of the small guts , and all about her hips and thighs . you may use this bath . take of mallows , mash-mallows , mother-wort , of each two handluis ; roots of lillies three ounces , of camomile and melilot-flowers , of each a good handful ; lineseed , quinces , and fenugreek , of each an ounce ; boil all these in fair water to make a decoction , for a half bath . you may use this ointment . take hens grease , three ounces ; the grease of a duck , an ounce and a half ; oyl of linseed , an ounce and a half ; fresh butter two ounces ; melt all these together , and then wash them well , either in pellitory-water , or in the water of mug-wort , adding thereto two ounces of the muscilage of marsh-mallows . if the woman all her time do complain that she feels little or no motion of the child , let her carry upon her navel this following quilt , which will give strength to the infant . take powder of roses , red corral , gilliflowers , of each three ounces and an half ; seed of angelica , two drams ; mastick , a dram and an half , ambergreece two grains , musk one grain ; put all these in a bag of fine linnen , and quilt them together for the use aforesaid . thus much is to be observed by women with child that are in health , and have no other diseases hanging upon them : but of the other diseases incident to women with child , we shall take a time hereafter to treat . the womb-cake , otherwise called the womb-liver , is much like the spleen , it has abundance of fibres ; and small vessels , it is two fingers breadth , thin near the edges , and thick in the middle . and when the child is ready for birth , it is a quarter of a yard over : it is smooth and somewhat hollowish on the side next the child , and is joined to the chorion , but is very unequal on that side next the womb , and has many bunchings out , by which it sticks fast to the womb. when there are twins , there are two womb-cakes , either distinct in shape , or seperated by a membrane one from the other , and a particular rope of umbilical vessels is inserted into each from each child ; it at first appears like a woolly substance on the outside of the outward membrane , that encompasses the child about the ninth week ; and a red fleshy soft substance grows upon it in a short time , that is unequal , and in little knobs , and thereby presently sticks to the womb , and is very visible about the thirteenth week ; till this time the child is increased and nourished wholly by the apposition of the chrystaline or albugineous liquor , wherein it swims loose in the inner membrane call'd amnios , having no umbilical vessels formed , whereby to receive any thing from the womb-cake : but when it grows bigger , and begins to need more nourishment , the extremities of the umbilical vessels begin to grow out of the navel by little and little , and are extended towards the womb-cake , that they may draw a more nourishing juice out of it . it has arteries , veins nerves , and lympheducts , some from the womb , and some from the chorion . but tho' they are very large and visible in the womb , yet they send but very small capillaries to the womb-cake . those vessels that come from the chorion are arteries and veins , and perhaps the lympheducts , the arteries and veins that come from the womb , spring from the hypogastricks , and from that branch of the spermaticks , that is inserted into the bottom of the womb , the umbilical vessels of the child come from the chorion . the womb-cake for the first month sticks very fast to the womb , but when the child is come to maturity , it easily seperates from the womb , and falls from it like ripe fruit from a tree , and after the birth makes part of the secundine . next to the womb-cake follow the two membranes in which the child is wrapt , the outer is called chorion , the inner amnios , and when the child is perfectly formed , there is a third betwixt the other two called allantois . the chorion is somewhat thick , smooth on the inside , but something unequal or rough ; and in that part of it , that sticks to the womb-cake , and thereby to the womb , there are many vessels which rise from the womb-cake it self , and the umbilical vessels . twins are both encompassed in one chorion , but each a particular amnios , it covers the egg originally , and when the egg is carried to the womb , and becomes a conception , this membrane sucks up the moisture that abounds in the womb at that time ; for while the conception is loose in the womb , it is increased in the same manner , as an egg in a hen , which while it is in the knot , it is only a yolk , and when it drops off from thence , and falls thro' the infundibulum , it is not at all altered , but when it comes into the cells of the process of the womb , it begins to gather white , tho' it adhere to no part of the womb , nor has any umbilical vessels but as eggs of fishes and frogs do without procure to themselves whites out of the water , or as beans , pease , and other pulse , and bread corn , being steep'd in moisture , swell and so acquire nourishment from the bud that is springing out of them . in like manner , does a whitish moisture flow out of the wrinkles of the womb , whence the yolk gathers its white , and concocts it by its vegetative and innate heat : and indeed , the liquor that abounds in the wrinkles of the womb , tasts like the white ; and in this manner , the yolk falling by degrees , is encompassed with a white , till at last , the outmost womb having got skins and a shell , is brought to perfection : even so the chorion sucks up the albugineous liquor that from the first conception increases daily in it , and sweats thro' the amnios , wherein the embrio-swims , till the umbilical vessels and the womb-cake are formed , from and thro' which , the child may receive nourishment . the liquor that it sucks up is supposed to be nutritious juice sweating out of the capillary orifices of the hypogastrick and spermatick arteries . that membrane that immediately contains the child is called amnios ; it is joined to the chorion only where the umbilical vessels pass thro' them both into the womb-cake , it is soft , smooth , very thin and transparent , and loosely invests the child , the shape of it is somewhat oval ; it has vessels from the same origins , as the chorion . this membrane before the egg is ripened , contains a clear liquor , which after impregnation , is that out of which the child is formed . in it resides the formative power , and the matter from whence the first lineaments of the child are drawn . but because this liquor is so very little , there sweats thro' this membrane presently part of that nutritious albugineous humour that is contained in the chorion , which it had suckt out of the womb , and the child receives its increase by addition of this humour to its undiscernable rudiments . yet after the formation of the umbilical vessels and the womb cake , the amnios receives a nutritious humour after another manner , and not as before , only by transudation . milky veins come directly to the womb-cake , acrording to the opinion of some , and out of it arise others that carry the chyle to the amnios , but it is doubted of by others . the membrane call'd allantoides is the third that encompasses the whole child ; it is very probable that this as well as the other two was originally in the egg , yet it does not appear , till after the formation of the umbilical vessels and womb-cake , and 'till the albugineous liquor ceases to be suckt up by the chorion out of the womb : but as soon as the child begins to be nourished by the umbilical vessels , and the urachus is passable , then this membrane begins presently to appear . it contains the child's urine , brought into it by the urachus from the bladder , and with which it is filled more and more daily till the birth . this membrane is very thin , smooth , soft , and yet dense , it may be distinguished from the chorion and amnios , because they have a great many vessels dispersed thro' them , but this has neither vein nor artery that is visible . after opening the membranes that encompass the child , the navel-string appears , which is membranous , wreathed , and unequal , arising from the navel , and reaching to the womb-cake ; it is about half an ell long , and a finger thick . the vessels contained in this string are four , one vein , two arteries , and the urachus wrapt in a common coat . the vein rises from the liver of the child , and is larger than the arteries , and from thence passing out of the navel , it runs along the common coat to the womb-cake , into which it is implanted by many roots ; but before it reaches it , it sends some little twigs into the amnios . it was formerly thought , that the only use of this vein was to carry the blood from the womb-cake to the child , and some still think , that it carries chyle . in the common coat are included also two small arteries ; they spring from the inner iliack branches of the great artery , and passing by the sides of the bladder , they rise up to the navel , out of which they are conducted with the womb-cake , in the same common cover with the vein and urachus ; wherewith they are twined like a rope . spirituous blood is driven from the child by the beating of its heart to the womb-cake , and the membranes for their nourishment , from which , what blood remains circulates back again in the umbilical vein , together with the nutritious juice afresh imbibed by its capillaries dispersed in the womb-cake ; but blood and vital spirits are not carried by the arteries from the mother to the child , as galen and many others have taught . the urachus is the fourth umbilical vessel , which is a small membranous , round pipe , endued with a very straight cavity , it rises from the bottom of the bladder up to the navel , out of which it passes along within the common cover , and opens into the allantoides ; these four vessels have one common cover , which keeps each of them from touching the other , which is called funiculus , it is membranous , round and hollow , and consists of a double coat , it has several knots upon it here and there , whereby the midwives guess how many children more the mother shall have ; but this is vain and superstitious . this navel rope is wont to be tied , when the infant is born , one or two fingers breadth from the navel , with a strong thread cast about it several times , and then about two or three fingers breadth beyond the ligature , to be cut off ; what is not cut off , is suffer'd to remain , 'till it drop off of its own accord . there have been great disputes among physicians , with what , and by what way the child is nourished , some say by blood alone received by the umbilical vein , others by chile alone conveyed in by the mouth ; but indeed , according to the different degrees of perfection , that an egg passes from a conception to a child fit for the birth , it is nourished differently ; for as soon as an egg is ripened , and falls into the womb , it immediately sucks up thro' its outward membranes some of that albugonious liquor , wherewith at this time the internal superficies of the womb is much moistened ; and therefore as soon as the first liniaments of the child begin to the drawn out of that humour contained in the amnios , they are immediately increased by the apposition of the said liquor strained out of the chorion thro' the amnios into its cavity ; but when the parts of the child begin to be a little more perfect , and the chorion is so dense , that not any more of the said liquor is suckt up by it , the umbillical vessels begin to be formed , and to extend to the side of the amnios , which they penetrate , and both the vein and the arteries pass also through the allantois and chorion , and are implanted into the womb-cake , that at this time , first gathering upon the chorion , joins it to the womb , and now the hypogastrick and spermatick arteries , that before carried the nutritious juice into the cavity of the womb , open by their orifices into the womb-cake , where either by straining through it , or by fermenting , they put off the said juice , which is suckt up by the umbilical vein , and carried by it , first to the liver , afterwards to the heart of the child , where the thin spirituous part of it is converted into blood , but the thick and earthy part going down by the aorta enters the umbilical arteries , and by those branches of them , that run through the amnios , is discharged into the cavity of it . some perhaps may ridicule this passage of the nutritious juice , because it is supposed , according to this account to chuse its way , as if it were a reasonable creature , but they may as well expose the passage of the chyle from the common duct to the womb-cake , when the child is in the womb , for how should the chyle know , or the milky vessels by which it passes , that there is any child in the womb , that the one should offer to go that way , and the other give it way to go thither at that time ; whereas the passage is shut at other times ; and yet this , they that laugh at this passage of the nutritious juice , allow ; and how comes the chyle to turn its course presently after the child is born , and instead of going down to the womb , rise up to the breasts . what reason can be given for these and many other things in nature ? we are therefore forced to confess , that there are many things in nature , that are only known to almighty god , the maker of all things . there is also another objection against this opinion , because it allows none of the mothers blood to be received by the child thro' the umbilical vein , but only nutritious juice , and how should it come to pass that the blood should be bred in the child , seeing it has blood before the liver , or heart , or any other part that assists in the making blood , are in a condition to officiate . it is indeed very strange , how blood should be made so soon , but that it is made out of the nutritious juice , without the mixture of any from the mother , is manifest by dr. harvey's curious observations concerning the order of the generation of the parts in a chicken , which from first to last receives nothing from the head ; ( says he ) there appears at the very first a red leaping speck , a beating bladder , and fibres drawn from thence containing blood in them ; and as far as one can discern by inspection , blood is made before the leaping speck is formed , and the same has vital heat , before it is stir'd by the pulse : and as the beating begins in the blood , and from it , so at last , at the point of death it ends in it . and because the beating bladders , and the sanguinous fibres that are made from it , and are seen first of all , it seems as if the blood were before its receptacles . this worthy author , in his treatise of the generation of animals , owns it is a paradox , that blood should be made , and moved , and have vital spirit before any organs for making blood or of motion have a being ; and that the body should be nourished and increased before the stomach and bowels the organs of concoction are framed . but neither of these are stranger , than that there should be sense and motion before there is a brain . and yet he says in his th exercitation , that the faetus moves , contracts , and stretches out it self , when there is nothing to be seen for a brain but clear water . now if all these wonderful and unaccountable things do undoubtedly come to pass in an egg , by the warmth of the hen only , why should we count it a wonderful thing , that nutritious juice impregnated with the vital spirits of the arterial blood wherewith it circulates thro' the mother's heart , should be turned into blood in a child , comforted with the friendly warmth of the womb , tho' the mother sends no humour to it under the form of blood , and tho' it self as yet has no perfect organs to make blood. the thicker nutritious juice being put off in the amnios , by the umbilical arteries , the child sucks in some of it , as soon as the mouth , stomach , and the like are perfectly formed , which going down into the stomach and guts , is received by the milky veins , as in grown people . diemerbrock proves that the child is nourished this way , by the following reasons ; first , because the stomach of the child is never empty , but has a milky whitish liquor in it , and in the mouth of the child , there is also such an humour . dly . because there are excrements in the guts , and the child voids them by stool , as soon as it is born , and certainly these are excrements of some nourishment taken in by the mouth . dly . had not the stomach been accustomed to perform concoction in the womb , it would not presently after the birth perform the same . thly . because the infant presently after it is born , knows how to suck the breast , which it cannot be thought it could so readily do , if it had taken nothing by suction , while it was in the womb. thly . because many children vomit up a milky nourishment , as soon as they are born , before they have suckt any breast , or taken any thing by the mouth , which therefore must needs be received into the stomach . some say by way of objection to what has bin before set down , if the child be not nourished by the mothers blood , why should her courses be stopt , all or most of the time she goes with child ? to which may be answer●d , that it is for the same reason , that nurses that give suck commonly want them also , for as in nurses , the chyle passes in a great proportion to the breasts , whereby the blood being defrauded of its due , and wonted share , does not increase to that degree , as to need to be lessened by the flowing of the courses , so there is so great a quantity of the nutritious juice , in women with child that passes to the womb-cake , by the hypogastrick and spermatick arteries , for the nourishment of the child , that the courses stop after the first or second month , if the woman be not very sanguine . the child is nourished three several ways , by one and the same humour , first by apposition , whilst it is yet an imperfect embryo , before the umbilical vessels are framed : but when the umbilical vessels are perfected , then it receives the same liquor by the umbilical vein , the most spirituous and thin part whereof , it changes into blood , and sends the thicker part , by the umbilical artery into the amnios , which the child sucks in at its mouth , and being concocted again in the stomach , is received out of the guts by the mill●y veins , as after the birth . the parts of a child in the womb differ very much from those in a grown person . all the parts are less the bones are softer , and many of them grisly and flexible ; the head is proportionably bigger than the rest of the body , the crown is not covered with bone , but with a membrane , the bone of the fore-head and under jaw is divided , the bone of the hinder part of the head is distinguished into three , four , or five bones ; the brain and nerves are softer than in grown persons , the bones that serve for hearing are very hard and big , the breasts swell , and out of them , in children new born , whether boy or girl a serous milk flows forth , sometimes of its own accord , sometimes with a light pressure . the spinous processes of the vertebrae of the back are wanting ; the heart is very big , and its ears large ; there are two unions of the greater vessels that are not to be seen in grown persons , namely , first the oval hole , whereby there is a passage open out of the hollow vein into the vein of the lungs , just as each of them are opening , the first into the right ventricle , and the latter into the left ventricle of the heart ; and this hole just as it opens into the vein of the lungs has a valve , that hinders any thing from returning out of the said vein into the hole . secondly , the arterial channel , which two fingers breadth from the basis of the heart joins the artery of the lungs to the aorta , it has a pretty large cavity , and ascends a little obliquely from the said artery to the aorta , into which it carries the blood that was driven into the artery of the lungs out of the right ventricle of the heart , so that it never comes into the left ventricle , as the blood that is sent out of the left ventricle into the aorta , never came to the right , but immediatly past into it out of the hollow vein by the oval hole , so that the blood does not pass thro' both the ventricles as it does after the child is born . the lungs will sink before the child is born , whereas if the child be but born , and takes only half a dozen of breaths , they become spungy and light , that they will swim ; and by this may be known whether those children that are murdered by wenches , and which they commonly affirm they are still-born , were really so or no ; for if they were still born , the lungs will sink , but if alive , so as to breath never so little a while , they will swim . the umbilical vessels go out of the belly , the stomach is narrower , but pretty full of a whitish liquor ; the caul can scarce be seen , being somewhat like a spiders web , the guts are seven times longer than the body ; in the small guts , the excrements are flegmatick and yellow , but somewhat hard and blackish , sometimes greenish in the thick gut , the blind gut is larger than usual , and often fill'd with excrements ; the liver is very large and has a passage more than in grown people , called the veiny channel , it carries the greatest part of what is brought by the umbilical vein , directly and in a full stream into the hollow vein above the liver ; but as soon as the child is born , this channel closes presently , so do the urachus , and the two umbilical arteries , the spleen is small , the gall bladder is full of yellow or green choler , the sweet-bread is very large and white , the kidneys are big , and unequal , and seem , as if they were compounded of many glaudules , the ureteres are wide , and the bladder is stretch'd with urine . sect . iv. of the formation of the child in the womb. chap. i. of the mixture of the seed of both sexes , as also of its substance and form . after that the womb , which is the genital member of the female sex hath received the seed of the man , she commixes also her own seed , so that there is now but one mixture made of the seed of both sexes . the natural forme of a child lying in y e womb . but it being unquestionable , that the menstruous blood is the matter of the womans seed , therefore that ye may know the original of it , it is to be understood that the menstruous blood is nothing else but an excrement of the third concoction , gathered together every month , and purged out . which purgation being duly made , the woman is then in perfect health of body ; but if they come not down according to their accustomed times , and seasons , or do not come down at all , the woman neither can conceive nor engender . thus the seeds of both sexes meeting in the womb , and there mixing together , they are presently enclosed in a little tunicle , begot by the heat of the womb , and are there as it were coagulated and curdled together . chap. ii. of the three tunicles which the birth is wrapt in , in the the womb. first , out of the extreme superficies of the seed , by reason of the more watry moisture of the womans seed , a thin membrane is generated , which by reason of its moist quality is dilated farther , being at first transparent ; but , after the birth comes forth , folded up together , and is called the secundine . but of the superfluous moisture of these two tunicles , are begot two other tunicles , which defend the infant from being clogged with any superfluities , as from the flowers retained after conception , which serve neither for the nourishment , nor for the increase of the infant . yet are they retained 'till the very time of the birth : at which time they are either let out by the hand of the midwife ; or else bursting the secondine wherein they are contained , they flow out of themselves . the second tunicle is that which was anciently called allantoides , wrapping about all the interiour parts , frrom the navel downwards ; this is full of folds and wrinckles ; in which the urine , sweat , and other sharp humours that distill from the infant , almost grown to maturity , are contained and kept to the time of delivery . by this second tunicle , therefore the infant is delivered , and defended from those humours , lest they should either corrode , and hurt the tender skin of the infant , or else any way defile and foul the infant . the third tunicle , within all these , compasses the whole birth round about , defending it from all sharp exteriour humours , being very soft and tender . chap. iii. of the true generation of the parts , and the increase of them , according to the several days and seasons . after the womb hath received the genital seed , and by its heat hath shut them both up , curdled and coagulated together , from the first to the seventh day are generated many fibres , bred by a hot motion , in which not long after , the liver with its chief organs is first formed . through which organs the vital spirit being sent to the seed , within the tenth day forms , and distinguishes the chiefest members . this spirit is let in through certain veins of the secondine , through which the blood flows in and out , of which the navel is generated . at the same time , in the clotted seed there do appear three white lumps , not unlike curdled milk , out of which arise the liver , the brain , and the heart . presently after this , a vein is directed through the navel , to such the thicker sort of the blood that remains in the seed , for the nourishment of the parts . this vein is two-forked . in the other branch of this vein is a certain blood collected , out of which the liver is first framed ; for the liver is nothing but a certain mass of blood , or blood coagulated , and hardned to a substance : and here you may see what a company of veins it hath , which serve both for the expulsive , and attractive faculty . in the other branch are generated those textures of veins , with a dilatation of other veins , as also of the spleen , and the guts in the lower part of the belly ; by and by all the veins like branches gathering into one trunk , toward the upper part of the liver , meet all in the concave or hollow vein . this trunk sends other branches of veins , to constitute the diaphragme , others it sends into the upper part of the back-bone , seated about the diaphragme , as also the lower parts , as far as the thighs . afterwards the heart with its veins , directed from the navel to that part of the seed , and carried as far as the back-bone , is formed . these veins suck the hottest , and most subtil part of the blood , out of which the heart is generated in the membrane of the heart , otherwise called the pericardium , being by nature thick and fleshy , according as the heat of the members requires . now the hollow vein extending it self and piercing the interior part of the right side of the heart , carries blood thither for the nourishment of the heart : from the same branch of this vein , in the same part of the heart arises another vein called by some the still vein , because it beats not with so quick a pulse as the others do , ordained to send the most purely concocted blood in the heart to the lungs , being encompassed with two tunicles like arteries , but in the concavity of the left part of the heart arises a great beating vein , called the aorta , diffusing the vital spirit from the heart into all the beating veins in the body . under the said vein called the aorta , in the concavity of the heart , there is another vein called the veiny artery , which was therefore framed to carry the cool air from the lungs to temper the great heat of the heart . now there being many veins , which running from the concavity of the heart , are inserted into the lungs , therefore by these veins the lungs are also framed ; for the vein which proceeds from the right concavity , produces a most subtile blood , which is turned into the substance of the lungs . by the great veins of the heart and liver the hollow vein , and the aorta is the whole breast generated , and after that the arms , and legs in order . within the foresaid time , is generated the last and chiefest part of this substance , that is to say , brain , in the third little skin of this mass : for the whole mass of the seed being repleat with vital spirits , that vital spirit contracts a great part of the genital moisture into one certain hollowness , where the brain is formed ; outwardly it is covered with a certain covering , which being baked and dried by the heat , is reduced into a bone , and so is the skull made . now the brain is so formed as to conceive , retain , and change the nature of all the vital spirits , whence are the beginings of reason , and of all the senses ; for , as out of the liver arise the veins , out of the heart arise the arteries , so out of the brain arise the nerves of a more soft and gentle nature , yet not hollow like veins , but sollid . these are the cheifest instruments of all the senses and by which all the motion of the senses are made by the vital spirit . after the nerves , is generated by the brain , also the pith of the back-bone , which cannot be called marrow : for the marrow is a superfluous substance begot out of the blood , destined for the moistening , and for the strengthening of the bones : but the brain and pith of the back-bone take their beginning from the seed , being not destined for the nourishing , or strengthning of the members but to constitute certain private and particular parts of the body , for the motion and use the senses , that all the other . nerves may take their begining thence ; for from the pith of the back-bone , do arise many nerves , by which the body obtains both sense and motion . here is also to be noted , that out of the seed it self are generated gristles , bones , tunicles , for the veins of the liver , the arteries of the heart , the brain with its nerves : besides , the tunicles and pannicles , and the other coverings which the infant is wrapt in . now of the proper blood of the birth , the flesh is formed ; and whatever parts are of a fleshy substance ; as the heart , the liver , the lights , then are all these nourished by the menstrous blood , which is attracted through the veins of the navel . this is all distinctly done from the conception unto the eighteenth day of the first month , in all which time it is called seed . after which it receives the name of birth . chap. iv. of the nourishment of the birth in the womb. whilst the birth remains in the womb , it is cherished up with blood attracted through the navel , which is the reason that the flowers do cease alwayes in women , as soon as they have conceived . now this blood , presently after conception , is distinguished into three parts ; the purest of it drawn by the child for the nourishment of it self ; the second , which is less pure and thin , the womb forces upwards to the breast , where it is turned into milk . the third and most impure part of the blood remains in the matrix , and comes away with the secondines , both in the birth , and after the birth , now the infant being thus formed and perfected in the womb for the first month sends forth its urine thro' the passages of the navel ; but in the last month that passage being shut up through the privy-members ; yet notwithstanding , while the child is in the womb , he voids nothing out at the fundament , because he hath taken no nourishment in at the mouth . after the forty fifth day it receives life , and is then called an infant . now , though the infant hath by this time obtained sense , yet doth he not move : he most commonly moves in twice the time that he was formed , and in thrice the space after he began his motion , he hastens into the world ; as for example , if the infant were formed in forty five days , it will move in ninety , and be born the ninth month after that . chap. v. of the condition of the infant in the womb , in the sixth , seventh , and eighth month . after the third and fourth month , the infant is nourished with more plenty of nourishment , until the time of delivery approach . now you must observe that a child born in the sixth month cannot live , by reason that it is not come to its just perfection ; but if it be born in the seventh month , it will very easily live , because it is come to its full perfection . now the reason why those that are born in the eighth month do not live , when as those that are born in the seventh do , is plain ; for in the seventh month the infant stirs it self to come forth ; so that if it have so much strength it easily performs its desire ; if not , it remains in the womb , till it have gathered two months more strength . after this motion of the seventh month , if it be not able to come forth , it changes it self into another part of the womb , by which motion it is so weakened , that if it should be born in the eighth month , it were impossible that it should live , for it is weakened by a double motion ; not only that of the seventh month , but also by that motion whereby it strives to go forth in the eighth month . sect . v. chap. i. of the situation of the child in the womb. concerning the situation of the child in the womb , it may be considered either generally , or specially ; specially , either as it concerns the male , or the female . the male is commonly situated in the right side of the womb the female in the left . the general situation of the child , either male , or female , in the womb , is always the same which hath been observed and seen to be in this posture , when the infant lies with his back and his buttocks leaning against the back of the mother , the head inclined , and touching his breast with his chin ; resting his two hands upon his knees ; his navel and his nose between his two knees , with his two eyes upon his two thumbs , his legs folded backward , and touching his buttocks with each leg. this figure is the most natural , as being least subject to suffer any accident , being less inconvenient , and less troublesome to the mother . the most natural form for the child to come into the world , is when the head comes forward , the hands being stretched upon the hips . the things which are the causes of a womans delivery , are three ; first , the want of respiration and air for the infant . the second is the want of nourishment , of which , when the infant finds a defect in his mothers womb he is forced to seek it in another place . the third is the narrowness of the place where the infant lies , so that he is forced to seek room other where , which makes him to break the membranes , wherein he was contained , pressing and constraining the mother by the sharpness of those waters , to do her duty for his release . now as some say , there are three ways or manners of childrens coming upon the earth ; first , when the head comes foremost , and then the woman is easily delivered : the second , when it comes forth a-cross , or one side , or the feet foremost , and then the woman suffers much , and either they both die , or one of them , as for those births which are unnatural , we shall in another place treat of them , and their remedies . in this combate , the infant and the mother suffer very much , by reason that woman is a creature delicate and timerous , and not patient of much labour : or , because women great with child live a lazy and sloathful life ; and besides that , many times they eat bad victuals , which encreases humours and superfluous excrements , which quantity of humours makes the woman to breath short , which is a thing very troublesome to the infant ; for a woman that will expel the birth quick , ought to keep her breath in , as much as she can . the third reason of the pain in womens travail , is by reason that the head of a child is bigger , being compared to the members , than the head of any other creature , which makes a greater opening and dilaceration . but the women that suffer most pain , are they who were not delivered before , having not been accustomed to the sufferance of that labour ; as also elderly women , by reason that the bone of the pubes , the bone of the hip , and the os sacrum , are not so easily separated , the ●igaments being more strong and hard . now in the contention which the child makes to issue forth , the head comes first , by reason of the weight , being more heavy than the other members . explanation of the third figure . this figure contains the birth at full maturity , ready to come forth in the truest posture . aaaa . the parts of the midriff dissected . bbbb . the body of the womb dissected into four parts . cccc . the membranes or films , called chorion , and the amnios , dissected likewise into four parts . d. the birth in its natural posture . explanation of the fourth figure . this figure contains the navel vessels , and the films or covering of the infant . aaaa . the muscles of the midriff , the peritoneum , and the skin it self dissected into four parts . b. the liver of the infant . c. the urinary vessels . d. the hole of the liver , into which the navel-vein doth pass . e. the umbilical , or navel-vein it self . ff . the two navel-arteries tending downwards to the small gut-arteries . g. the passage for the urine proceeding from the bottom of the bladder . h. the umbilical vessels taken out of the body of the infant , to shew how they are joined together . i. the membranes that involves the navel vessels . kkkk . the guts or intrailes of the infant . lll . the navel vessels extended from the children to the birth . m. the place where the branches of the navel-vessels are first collected into one trunk . nn. a branch of the navel-vessels scattered through the fleshy parts of the chorion . ooo . a branch of the navel-arteries . pppp . the conjunction of the umbilical vein and arteries . qqqq . the extremities of the navel-veins and arteries , ending the fleshy parts of the chorion . rrrr . the membrane called the chorion . sect . iv. chap. i. of midwives . although in these days there are many unskilful women that take upon them the knowledge of midwifry , barely upon the priviledge of their age : yet there are many things which ought to be observed in a midwife , that they are utterly wanting of . let us therefore consider of the things required in a midwife , in relation both to her person , and her manners : as for her age , she ought to be neither too young , nor too old , in a good habit of body , and not subject to diseases , nor mis-shapen in any parts of her body , peculiar in her habits , and in her person ; her hands must be small . with her nails pared close , without any rings upon them , in the time of her duty , nor bracelets upon her wrists ; she must be chearful , pleasant , strong , laborious , and used to travel ; it being required that she should be stirring at all hours , and abiding a long time together with her patient . for her manners , she ought to be courteous , sober , chaste ; not repining , cholerick , arrogant , or covetous , nor apt to talk of what she sees in the houses where she hath to do . for her spirit ; she ought to be prudent , wary , and cunning , oft-times to use fair and flattering words . she ought moreover to know , that god hath given to all things their beginnings , their increasings , their estate of perfection , and declination : therefore the said midwife , nor any of her assistants , must not do any thing rashly , for to precipitate or hasten nature . chap. ii. what ought to be observed , when the woman is near the time of her lying down . the hour of the womans lying down approaching , the woman with child ought to prepare her self in this manner ; she must presently call her midwife and assistants to her , it being requisite to have them rather sooner than later . she ought to prepare a little bed , or couch , of a moderate heighth , as well for the covenience of the midwife , as for the ease of her self , and others that shall be about her to assist her in her travel : this must be situated in a place convenient for the people to pass up and down , near the fire , and far from doors : it will be requisite for her to have change of linnen , as also a little cricket for her to rest her feet on , having more force when her feet are bowed . when she finds her pains growing , it will be necessary for her to walk leisurely up and down the chamber , afterwards she may lye down warm , and then rise and walk again , expecting the coming down of her waters , and the opening of the womb. for to keep her self long a-bed , is very troublesome : though when she is a-bed notwithstanding that she hath some certain pains sometimes , yet she may lie and rest her self , and now and then take a nap : by which means , both the mother and the infant do with greater strength endure their succeeding hardship ; besides that , her waters do come down better . if her travel be long , she may take some broth , or the yolk of a porched egg , with some bread , or a cup of wine , or distilled water ; yet she must have a care lest she over-charge her self either with meat or drink . it is certain , that all women are not delivered alike ; for some lie in their bed , others sit in a chair , being supported and held up by others , or else resting upon the side of the bed or chair ; others upon their knees , being upheld under their arms ; but the best and safest is to lie in their beds ; and for her good and convenient delivery , let the midwife and others observe what follows . first , the woman that is in travel , ought to be laid upon her back , her head being lifted up a little higher with a pillow , having also a pillow under her reins to sustain her back ; under her buttocks she must have a larger pillow , to raise them a little , and that her rump may be elevated ; for a woman that lies low in those parts , can never be well delivered , for the avoiding of which , this situation is very convenient . her thighs and knees must be a good way separated the one from the other , with her legs bowed , and drawn up towards her buttocks , the soles of her feet , and her heels , being fixed upon a board , laid thwart the bed for that purpose . secondly , to some women they do use a swath-band four double ; this swath-band must be a foot broad or more ; which being put under her reins , is to be held up streight , by two persons standing on each side just at the time of her pains , both of them , at the same instant , heaving up both ends , with an exact eveness ; for otherwise it does more harm than good . it is also requisite , that two of her friends should hold the upper part of her shoulders , that she may be able to force out the birth with more advantage ; and it will not be amiss , for some of her friends to press the upper parts of her belly , so to thrust down the infant , by little and little . such a soft compression , will much facilitate the travel , and give ease to the womans pains . thirdly , as for the woman her self , she must be of a good heart , and force her self by striving as much as possibly she can ; stopping her mouth , and keeping her breath , as if she were doing the ordinary deeds of nature . as for the cholick , if it seize women in travail , you may read the remedies in the following chapter . chap. iii. how to expel the cholick from women in child-bed . there are some women , who at the same instant that they are in travel , are taken with fits of the cholick ; which is often caused by the crudities and indigestions of the stomach , which do torment women so extremely , that it exceeds the pain of their travel ; and while this pain lasts , a woman advances nothing toward the end of her travel : the pain of travel being hardly to be distinguished from it . for her ease therefore , the woman ought to take these remedies ; two ounces of oyl of sweet almonds , with an ounce of cinnamon water , or else some wind dispelling clyster , and if the first time suffice not , you may re-iterate it ; and sometimes fomentations , that are proper for the dispelling of wind , are very necessary for this purpose . chap. iv. how the midwife may know when the pains of travel do seize upon a woman . when the woman begins to cry out , and hath sent for her widwife ; the first thing that the midwife is to ask , is , when she did conceive ? . then is she to look diligently upon the belly of the woman and to mark it well ; for if she do behold the upper parts of the belly sunk and hollow , and the lower parts of the belly full and big , she may then conclude that the child is fallen down . . she ought then to ask her some questions concerning her pains ; for if they be quick and strong , begining at the reins , and sliding down all along the belly , without ending at the navel , but still falling down upon the groins , and inwardly at the bottom of the belly , below which is the interiour neck of the womb ; these are certain signs that the woman begins to be in labour . . but for more certainty , the midwife may put up her hand , being anointed first with fresh butter , and if she perceive the inner neck of the womb to dilate it self , 't is a certain sign that the pains of child-bed are upon the woman , or if she perceive any thing to push forwards her travel is also undoubtable . chap. v. of the falling down of the waters , a good while before the woman travels . there are some women , who have their waters come from them , a long time before their travel , sometimes twelve days , sometimes eight days , sometimes six and sometimes four ; though the ordinary time be not above three hours before her travel ; they remaining for the most part not above twenty four hours . this is caused by some ruptures of the membranes , where , from the beginning of the formation of the child , the humour is contained , rather than by the abundance of humours ; and therefore though a woman that hath abundance , and that the membranes containing them , are so strong , that they will not break suddenly , though the woman shall not travel 'till they break , yet the midwife ought not to break them , but rather hold the voman over a vessel of warm water and also use some softning liniment , to soften the , membranes , that so the mother straining , the head or other member of the child , may break them more easily . but for those women that have these evacuations so long before they travel , they must refrain going into the air , for fear of injuring themselves , the passages being open ; for though the air cannot hinder the child from coming forth , by reason of its weight , yet oftentimes getting within the secondine , it not only streightens the vessels , and mouths of the veins , that are at the bottom of the womb , but also causes several convulsions , to the great danger of the woman : but it is an easie thing to remedy these accidents , by keeping close in her chamber , having also a special regard to distinguish , whether they be the waters of the birth , or any hydropick humour of the matrix . chap. vi. what the midwife ought to do in time of travel . the midwife seeing the birth come naturally , the pains now coming thicker and thicker , the womb also opening to be deliver'd of its burden , and the endeavours of the child being seen to come forth ; the midwife must now encourage her patient , admonishing her to shut her mouth , and to hold her breath , and to strain and endeavour with her lower parts : neither ought the midwife to be too hasty , either to widen or force the passage of the infant , or to break the membranes , but to stay 'till the membranes do burst of their own accord . and here is to be noted the ignorance of some women , who for haste to be gone to other women do tear the membranes with their nails , to the danger both of the woman and of the child , which then remains dry , without that moisture which makes the passage slippery ; which must of necessity augment the pain of the woman . when the head comes forth of the womb , the midwife must take it gently between her two hands , and then when her pains encrease , slipping down her hands under the arm-holes , gently drawing forth the infant , yet staying her hand always , but when the pains come upon the woman : this must be done with a very delicate and tender hand , lest the child , by any rude or harsh handling , should receive any deformed shape of body . when the child is come into the world , which is commonly with his face downward , it must be suddenly turned upon his back , lest it should be stifled for want of air. then let her cut the navel-string , leaving the length of four fingers , tying it with a silk thread as near the belly as may be : which done , the child if it be well , may be laid aside , only care must be had , that the head and the stomach be well covered , and that nothing come upon his face . chap. vii . how to draw forth the secondines . the child being thus drawn forth , and in safety , the midwife must now apply her self to the drawing out of the secondines , which must be done by wagging and stirring them up and down , and then gently drawing them forth , causing the woman to take salt in both her hands , and to shut them close , and then to blow in them whereby you shall know whether they be broken or no : it may be done also by causing her to put one finger in her mouth , to provoke a desire of vomiting , or else by stirring , as when she is doing the ordinary deeds of nature , or as nature it self constrained her to do , before the head of the child was come forth . all this must be done speedily ; yet if this be not sufficient , she may take the yolk of an egg raw , or she may take a small draught of raw elder-water , or you may cause her to smell to a piece of assa foetida . if she be troubled with wind-cholicks , or have taken cold , which oftentimes doth breed wind , which is a great hindrance to the coming forth of the secondines ; the midwife ought to chafe the womans belly with her hand , which doth not only break the wind , but causes the secondine to come down . if this fails , the midwife may with her hand dilate the orifice of the womb drawing it forth gently and by degrees . chap. viii . what may be given to a woman in travel . in the first place , hot and violent remedies are to be avoided , but in cases of great necessity ; for it many times happens that they are the cause of dangerous ●eavers . two other things are also very dangerous to a woman in travel , too much repletion , and too much emptiness ; for the stomach of a woman with child doth not digest her meat in so short a time as women that are not with child do ; therefore the midwife ought to inform her self how long it was since she eat , and in what quantity ; and if it were long since she did eat , and that she grow feeble , they may give in the intermissions of her pains some warm cherishing and cordial broths , or the yolk of a poached egg : if her travel endure long , then to strengthen her and comfort her , she may take a draught of cinnamon-water , not exceeding an ounce , or at twice , a dram of the confection of alkermes ; dissolved into two spoonfuls of claret-wine , and not more than one of these three things . for if they take two much , as is before said , it causes fevers , and heats in the whole body , of which follow many inconveniencies , for it stops the purgations , of which many strange diseases ensue . chap. ix . how to put the womb again in its place . some women newly brought to bed , are many times afflicted with greater pains than those of their travel , by reason that the womb is not well put into its place , or if it have , the swathe-band being loose , it is apt to roul upwards in the belly . this happens to women that are not well purged after their delivery ; for remedy hereof , having put the matrix right into its place , rowl up two linnen swathes pretty hard , bringing them also round the hips ; then take whites of eggs , beaten , and a dram of pepper in powder , which being spread upon tow , is to be applied warm to the navel ; then let the belly be well swathed . this is the only remedy to ease the pain . chap. x. against the extreme loss of blood , which happens to women immediately after their delivery . there are many women which immediately after their delivery do suffer great loss of blood , which proceeds from a great plentitude or fulness ; or by reason that in their travel they took too many hot and corrosive medecines ; or , by straining themselves too hard over-heated the blood , so that after travel , it runs from them in great quantity . to remedy this , the woman ought to take a small quantity of wine , in a spoon ; and if the weakness be much , let her mix half a dram of alkermes , with a draught of wine , and take care that she be well swaithed upward ; for that presses down and streightens the vessels , and hinders the violent flux : give her also the yolk of an egg to take , for that recalls the natural heat to the stomach , which was dispersed through the whole . it would be necessary also , to spread along the reins of the woman and all along the back-bone , by reason of the hollow vein , a napkin dipt in oxicrate , or water mingled with vinegar . you may also lay upon each groin , a skein of raw silk , moistned in cold water , take also of that well tempered earth , of which they make the floor of an oven , and steep it in strong vinegar , then spread it upon a linnen cloath , and lay it upon the reins ; this moderates the heat of the blood , and stops the violent flux of it : great care must be also had , that all the while the blood comes from her , she do not sleep , for many times they are taken away in that weakness , when the people think they do but take their rest : but when you see this great flux moderated , you may take away the astringent medicines by little and little , so that the blood may cease running by degrees , lest any blood should be retained that may chance to do mischief . chap. xi . what is to be done to a woman presently after her delivery . presently after a woman is delivered , if she have had a sore travel , they ought to cast her into the skin of a sheep flead alive , and put about her reins as hot as may be ; upon her belly also lay the skin of a hare flead alive , having cut the throat of it afterwards , and rubbed the skin with the blood , which is to be clapt as warm as may be to her belly . this closes up the dilatations made by the birth , and chases from those parts the ill and melancholy blood. these remedies are to be kept on two hours in winter , and one hour in summer . after this swathe the woman with a napkin about a quarter of a yard large , having before chafed the belly with oyl of st. john's-wort . then raise up the matrix with a linnen cloath many times folded ; then with a little pillow about a quarter of a yard long cover her flanks , then use the swathe , beginning a little above the hanches , yet rather higher than lower , winding it pretty tite , lay also warm cloaths upon the nipples , letting alone those remedies which are proper for the driving back of the milk , which are not so soon to be applied , for the body is now all in a commotion , and there is neither vein nor artery which doth not beat : wherefore those remedies that chase away the milk , being all dissolving , therefore it is not proper to put such medicines upon the breast during that commotion , for fear that those medecines should make a stop of any thing hurtful in those parts , and therefore it is better to give ten or twelve hours for the blood to settle in ; as also for that which was cast upon the lungs by the agitation of travel , to distil down again into its place . you may also make a restrictive of the white and yellow of an egg beaten together , with an ounce af oyl of st. john's - wort , and an ounce of oyl of roses , an ounce of rose-water , and an ounce of plantain-water , beat all these together very well ; in this you may dip a linnen cloath folded double , and apply it without warming of it to the breasts : this comforts and eases the pains of that part . she must not sleep presently ; but a matter of four hours after her delivery , you may give her some nourishing broth , or caudle , and then if she will , she may sleep . chap. xii . of women that have a great deal of blood , and purge not , neither in their travel nor after . some women have great superfluity of blood , and yet purge not at all , neither in their travel , nor afterwards ; to which , if remedies be not applied , the women do run great hazards and dangers in their lying in , great suffocations of the matrix , and continual feavers ; this may be remedied , being first informed of their natural disposition before they were with child ; knowing that when they had their purgations , they had them in great quantity , and for a good while together , as also when they came , being a gross and thick blood ; and therefore seeing that now they do not purge in great quantity , and that they have divers unquietnesses , weaknesses of the stomach , and pains of the head ; wherefore you may give her in the morning a little syrup of maiden-hair , and hysop-water mingled together , and syrup of wormwood , with white-wine ; in their broths you may boyl jacines and opening herbs , keeping the belly soluble with clysters ; she must eat no solid meat , she must be well chafed from the groins down to the very ankle-bone , always strokeing and carrying the hand down-ward ; blood-letting also in the foot in the morning is not amiss ; as also fome fumigation that cleanses the matrix , and draws down the blood : yet care must be had , that these last remedies be not used before the matrix be put into its place , for fear that these remedies should draw it down too low , but about eight or ten days after the matrix was put into its place . for cleansing the matrix , you may use this receipt . take pellitory , sanicle , camomile , melilot , greenbalm , red-balm , white mullein , mallows , marsh-mallow , betony , margeram , nipp , march-violets , mugwort ; take of each a like quantity , and cut them small , and let them boyl in a new pot , with three pints of good white-wine ; let the woman take the fume of this receipt three times in a day ; if she have any gross blood in the matrix , it will undoubtedly bring it down : you may also chafe the womans belly with oyl of violets , this helps the purgations being once dissolved . the reason why this thick blood stays in these parts , is , because the woman having it before she was with child , the heat of the womb , when she is with child redoubling thickens it more , so that when she comes to lie down , it cannot flow ; so that it is to be taken away as much as may be with the aforesaid means ; mollyfying fomentations are also proper for this purpose , while the woman sits over the fumigation . chap. xiii . for those who have but a little blood . those women that have but little blood , ought not to lie in their beds as those who have a great deal . they ought to take good nourishment in a little quantity : as eggs well boyld in the shell in a morning : the juyce of mutton and veal , squeezed out , and mutton broth ; and all these being mingled together , nourish very much , and make very good blood ; as also pigeons , partridge , mutton , quaile , and such other meats good for the stomach . chap. xiv . what is to be done to the infant . the midwife having tied up the navel-string , as is before said , she ought next to cleanse the infant , not only in the face , but also over the whole body ; anointing the groins , hips , buttocks , thighs and joynts with oyl of sweet almonds , or fresh butter ; this makes the skin more firm , and shuts up the pores of the skin , so that the exterior air cannot come to hurt it ; and besides this , it strengthens all the parts of the body . it would not be amiss to make a bath , or decoction of roses and sage in wine , and with that to wash the infant every morning after the infant is thus well anointed , and after that well dried and wrapped up , you may give to the infant a little sack and sugar in a spoon , or else the quantity of a pease bigness of mithridate or treacle dissolved in wine , with a little carduus-water . chap. xv. how to govern women in child-bed . there is great difference in the governing women in child-bed ; for she that thinks to order an ordinary labouring , or country-woman , like a person of quality , kills her , and she that thinks to govern a person of quality like an ordinary country-woman , does the same to her . for the stomach and constitution of the one is tender and weak , and the constitution and stomach of the other strong and lusty ; which will not be satisfied with ordinary viands : for if you give to one of these strong stomachs presently after their delivery , any strong broth , or eggs , or a draught of milk , they are like mills that always grind , and empty as fast as they pour in ; and that that gives one woman a fever , keeps another from it ; and therefore women in child-bed are to be governed by their several constitutions . as for women that are delicate , and have been accustomed to live delicately , greater care must be taken of them , giving them meats that breed good nourishment , and do not clog the stomach , forbearing also to give her those meats to which she has too great a dislike , agreeing to her humour , provided , that the meat which she loves be not hurtful ; and giving her for the first eight days of her lying in , boyled meats rather than rosted , as gellies , &c. the juice of veal , or capon , but not mutton , it being too feverish : giving her to drink barly-water , or else water boyled , wherein is boyled a dram of cinnamon to every pint , and two ounces of sugar dissolved ; or if she do not love sugar , coriander-seed water ; if she drink wine , let it be two thirds of water to one third of wine , giving her in the morning white-wine , and in the afternoon claret , taking care of eating any thing that may breed any crudities : she may also take at the discretion of those about her , almond-milk now and then . there are some women that cannot be kept from sleeping , and others that cannot sleep at all . it will not be amiss to give to those that cannot sleep , french barley-water ; the way to make it well , is to let it boyl well , and to take the broth without straining it ; neither ought it to be taken after the eight days are past , by reason that it nourishes exceedingly , and does not a little obstruct the liver . chap. xvi . of the bathings that a woman is to use for the first eight days of her lying in . take a good handful of old or new chervil , and boyl it in a sufficient quantity of water , then taking it from the fire , add to it a spoonful of honey of roses ; this draws down the purgations , cleanses and heals the part . the herb it self may serve for a fomentation , to take away any inflammation . there are some that use milk to the purpose aforesaid , affirming that it is a great asswager of the pain ; but that having been proved by others , hath been observed rather to engender filth , than to be any way a clearer , by reason that the sharp humour causeth it to curdle . chap. xvii . how a midwife ought to govern her self , in case a woman be to be delivered of two children . tae travel of a woman bringing forth two infants is more tedious , and it many times happens that one of the children comes forth very well , and the other comes forth very hardly ; and this is certain , that that which comes forth first , is always the strongest having the power to go before the other , and to break the membranes that enveloped it . and oft-times while the first is born , the other remains behind , wrapt in such membranes as the former was , so that it remains a good space behind the other , sometimes two hours , and yet it hath been very well born . now knowing , that that which came first was the strongest , it would not be amiss to assist the other in coming forth , by breaking the membranes that contain the waters ; and , if that fail , by giving strong clysters to excite the pain ; which were it not many times done , the child would never be able to endure the pain of coming into the world , by reason of its extraordinary weakness ; which is so great sometimes , that the bone of the forehead is divided , and separated down to the nose ; although the infant being born , it joyns together again , and the infant does very well : which if it happen , you must have a great care to bind some kind of soft pillow upon the place , that the air may not enter in . if the second child come forth ill , you must not delay to break the membranes , and to draw the infant gently out by the feet : for ( having used all its endeavours to come forth ) to keep it there , or to prolong the travel any longer , is more dangerous than profitable ; sometimes two come so suddenly the one after the other , that there seems to be but one delivery of both , there being but a little membrane that separates them ; in this case , holding the first , you must cut the navel-string , and bind it about , and tye it about the hip , while they draw forth the other infant , which by a longer stay would be much weakned . chap. xviii . of the danger that a woman hath , to purge her self for the first days of her lying in . it is an ordinary thing for women that lye in , by reason of their bed to lose the benefit of their bellies , which hinders the evacuation of their milk , which causes fevers , by sending gross vapours to the head ; yet can they not be freed by any purgation taken in at the mouth ; but it would be much to the purpose to take pertinent clysters which hinder the foresaid evils causing their breasts to become full , and to become , stiff , taking them as occasion requires , once in two or three days . there are some unskilful women , that not understanding the ill consequences which may follow , do give sena to women in the first days of their lying in ; of which some have been very ill , and others have died . for nature being now weakned by the travel , and while it is labouring to restore the body to its former estate , is not to be disturbed with violent purgations . and therefore clysters are always most proper : neither are laxative broths , nor the broth of prunes , nor baked apples fasting ; for these do engender wind , but rather some good suppositories would be more useful . chap. xix . of the second washing for women . the second washing for women ought to be with province roses , put into little bags , and boiled in water and wine , of each a like proportion ; and this is to be done for the second eight days . chap. xx. what is to be done to infants as soon as they are born . it is an approved maxim , that as soon as a child is born , you ought to give it a spoonful of pure wine ; for that assists and helps the child to regain its spirits another advantage is this ; that the wine cuts the flegm which the child has in its throat ; besides , the spirit of the wine rising up to the head , comforts and strengthens it ; and it hinders also from the epilepsie , which proceeds from the debility of the brain . this being done , and the mother fully delivered , you must tye the navel-vein with a silk well twisted , and many times doubled , and if there be any blood in the vein , you must be sure to empty it , for fear , if it should be left , it should turn into corruption ; then it must be well dried with powder of rotten wood : you must tye it two fingers breadth from the belly , and leave it long , three fingers breadths above the tying place ; and if it be fat , you must close it over and above , that the vein may be well closed , then wind the string twice about it , knitting as many knots . but if the child be come afore its time , you need not tye it so strong , for fear of cutting it with the silk ; but if the navel-vein be full of water and wind , you ought then , having tied it one time , and wrapt a linnen cloth about the end of it , which is still to be held upward , to uncover it again , about half an hour after , and then to tye it and wrap it about again , still keeping the end up ; for fear , that if the vein were not fully closed , there might be some danger in the bleeding . some people give to the infant treacle dissolved in wine ; but this must be done warily in a very small quantity , and that not commonly neither . the infant must be washed with water and wine luke-warm , to cleanse it ; afterwards wash the face , as also chafe the throat , the arms and hands , with oyl of walnuts , drawn without fire , which some say will keep them from sun-burning , then put one hand upon the bone of the fore-head , and another upon the bone called the coronal bone , and softly close up the gap which was made during the time of travel , closing also the sutures one against another exactly ; then gently put your finger under the tongue , to see if the infant have the string or no ; and if it have , it may be clipt away with the point of a pair of sharp cizzers , without danger . there are some that think they can shape the head and nose of a child as if it were of wax , but let such take notice that have flat nosed children , rather to let the nose alone , than by squeezing and closing it too much to render the nose obstructed ; for that compressing the gristles of the nose , renders the child liable either to speak alway in the nose , or to lose his smelling . there are some children that are born with their noses awry ; for the help of which , you may with your finger moistned in fair water , gently stroke the nose , but lay no stress upon it . that happens by reason that the nose of the child lights upon some bone of the mother as it was coming into the world. chap. xxi . of the last washing for women . the last washing for women , is to be for four days , with province roses boyled in wine and myrrh-water . chap. xxii . of an astringent for women , when they shall have occasion . take galls , cypress-nuts , and pomgranate-flowers , roch-allome , of each two ounces , province roses , four ounces , knot-grass a good handful ; the rind of cassia , the rind of pomegranates , scarlet berries , of each three ounces , the nature or sperm of a whale , one ounce , rose-water , myrrh-water , and burnet-water , of each an ounce and a half , wine and water of a smiths forge , of each four ounces and a half , then make two little bags about a quarter of a yard long , and half a quarter of a yard broad , then boil all these in the foresaid water in a new pot , using the bags one after another , as occasion serveth . chap. xxiii . to make cere-cloaths for women . take white wax , half a pound , the sperm of a whale , and venice-turpentine , well washed in rose-water , and plaintain-water , of each an ounce and a half , then melt all these together , then mingle with them an ounce of venice white lead , then order your cloath as you please , making some for the belly , and some for the nipples , having first rubbed it over with oyl of acorns or the sperm of a whale . chap. xxiv . to cleanse a woman before she rises . take bitter almonds and peel them , make thereof a paste with the powder of orris , and the yolk of eggs , and put it in a little bag of tammy , and temper within the bag , with black wine luke-warm , and afterwards use it upon the places where the sear-cloaths had been laid , then wash the places with black wine mingled with orange flower . chap. xxv . how a woman lying in of her first child , may avoid the gripings of her belly . there are some women lying in of their first child who are troubled much with gripings in the belly , and these women commonly endure pains when their terms come down , by reason of the smalness of the veins which conveigh the blood into the matrix ; such women have gripings in their bellies , when they lie in of their first child , which other women are not troubled with , by reason that they have larger vessels yet although they have them not in their first lying in , it would not be amiss to use some proper remedies , that so they may be never troubled with them ; which if they receive not at their first lying in , they will be uncapable of receiving them ever after ; for though they may take remedies afterwards to lessen the pain , yet they can never cure it wholly . now that which is ordinarily done to women is , as soon as ever they are brought to bed , to give them two ounces of oyl of sweet almonds drawn without fire , with two ounces of syrup of maiden-hair ; 't is true , this is good to make her purgations part away , but not to remedy the griping . some there are that do take two drops of the blood which comes out of the navel string of the infant , and give it mingled to the woman in the foresaid syrups , though there is much fault to be found with this , by reason of the nastiness of it . others do boil a white chicken , in the which they do put two ounces of sugar , a dram of ●●ne● cinamon , half a nutmed grated two or three dates , five or six cloves ; the fowl being boiled , you may put into it a small quantity of claret , then boyl it altogether again letting it boil till the fowl be well soaked , then strain it , and give it to the woman as soon as she is laid down ; for want of a white hen you may take a pigeon , or a red partridge for want of either : only take heed to give her this if she be feverish , because it is something hot . the seed of savory taken in warm broth is very good , and it is also very good for those that have the cholick . the queen of france , her receipt . take a dram of the root of the great comfrey , one of the kernels of peaches , nutmegs , of each two scruples , yellow amber half a dram , amber-greece half a scruple , mingle all these together , and give to the woman as soon as she is laid down , the quantity of a dram mingled in white-wine , or , if the woman be feverish , in some good warm broth . chap. xxvi . certain precepts concerning the delay and difficulty of bringing forth . being now come to talk of the impediments of the birth , you may know that the birth is hindered by a two-fold manner , the one natural , the other not natural ; of the unnatural we shall treat in its place ; for the natural take these following directions : but in the first place let the midwife be very skilful that she may decline , as much as in her lies , all the impediments that may be avoided . if the birth be hindered by the driness and streightnes of the neck of the womb , take a little beaten hellebore or pepper , and blow it into the nostrils of the mother . her mouth must be held close , her breath , kept in , and sneezing must be provoked as much as may be , whereby the spirits being forced to the lower parts , may be the more available to force down the child . you may also give her shepherds purse dried in a little broth , or wine ; also a little quantity of honey mingled with twice as much luke-warm water , and given her , will not be unprofitable . the milk also of another woman mixt with maiden-hair , and applyed warm to the navel . she may take also oyl of laurel in wine , or warm broth ; two grains of pepper being taken inwardly , do not only force out the birth , but also drive out the secondines . this is also an excellent remedy against a difficult travail . take trochischs of myrrhe one dram , grains of saffron ten , cinnamon one scruple , mingle all this with two ounces of penny-royal-water , and give it the woman to drink . let her drink it warm , and let her go to her bed for an hour , till she finds the operation of the drink moving her to her labour . if this profit and that the infant coming with his head foremost stick in the womb , you may use these pills , of which she may take seven and then rest . take gum bdellium , myrrh , savin-seed , liquid storax , agaric , of each half a scruple , diagridium six grains , mingle all these with cassia extracted , as much as suffices , and make up pills about the bigness of a pea. you may also use a pessary , as long , and as thick as your finger , of pure wool , which must be covered over with silk , and dipt in the juice of rue , where scamony hath been dissolved , and so used . if these things prove without effect , she may use this ensuing bath above her belly . take of the root and herb , marsh-mallows six handfuls , mallows , camomile , melilot , parsley , of each four handfuls , line-seed , and seed of fenugreek , of each two pound , lavender , and laurel leaves , of each two handfuls . let all these things be boyled together in water , wherein the woman is to sit , or else to have those parts well wet and moistned with spunges , which being done , and the woman well dried with warm cloaths , let her be brought to the bed , and anointed with this ointment . take oyl of sweet almonds , hens fat , oyl of lillies , muscilage of marsh-mallows of each half an ounce , mingle all these with as much wax as is sufficient , and make an oyntment : this being done , give her this little dose . take two yolks of eggs and boil them in old wine , then mix with them these spices , cinamon half an ounce , rind of cassia , drams ; or you may leave out the cassia , and instead thereof put in the more cinamon , saffron half a scruple , savine , betony , venus-hair , dittany , fenugreek , lawrel-berries , mint , of each one dram : the bone of the heart of a hart , pearls prepared , mingle all these with sugar , and make a thick pouder and give it . if the secondine come before the child , and hinder the egress of the child , is to be cut off , and this following pessary to be put up . take marsh-mallows with the roots two handfuls , mother-wort one handful , rue one ounce and an half , fenugreek , line-seed , of each an ounce , ten figs ; make of these a decoction , with as much water as is sufficient , and when you have strained it , add this to it , oyl of lillies , oyl of linseed , of each two ounces , musk one grain : in this decoction , let the pessary be dipt , and put up ; she may afterwards use this electuary . take myrrh , castor , sweet smelling flag , of each two drams , cinamon one ounce , saffron half a scruple , mace , savin , of each a scruple , clarified honey half a pound : you may also make an electuary with the water of thyme , and mother-wort , wherein have been boiled fenugreek , linseed , grains of juniper , of each one spoonful . now , after that the woman hath been weakned with these impediments , you may give her in broth , species laetificans ; or manus christi , or diamargariton . chap. xxvii . how the secondines are to be hastned out . the secondines , after that the infant is born , may be many ways hindred ; first by the debility , or weakness of the matrix , which happens by the frequent motion and endeavouring of the infant , as also by reason of the difficulty of the birth , or by reason that the womb doth not continue distended , or because it is many times streightned , by which the womb is so weakned , that by its own force it is not able to expel the secondines : besides , the secondines may inwardly stick close to the womb , which happens many times through the abundance of superfluous humours that are retained in the matrix , by reason of which glutinous humours , the secondines stick to the matrix . these are no way else to be pulled away , but by the hand of the midwife . thirdly , the secondines are hard to come away , if all the waters come away with the infant , for then the secondines , being left without moisture , cannot come away by reason of the driness of the womb ; besides that , the matrix and the neck of the womb are rougher by reason of the driness thereof , for these waters render the way slippery and easie , both for the infant , and for the secondines ; which being slipped away , the womb is to be anointed with juices and oils . fourthly , when the mouth of the matrix , by reason of the pains of child-bearing , swells , as often happens , unless there be a provident care taken to prevent it . fifthly , when the neck of the matrix is streighter and more close , and for that reason fat women travel with much more difficulty : therefore when the secondines do make any extraordinary stay , the midwife is to use all her endeavour to make way for them ; for that retention causes suffocation , and divers other evils ; for being long detained , they putrifie and cause an evil smell , which ascending up to the heart , liver , stomach , diaphragme , and so to the brain , cause pains in the head and lungs , shortness of breath , faintness , cold sweats ; so that there is great danger ; and also apoplexies and epilepsies , are not a little to be feared . now in all the time of their stay , the women are to be refreshed with convenient food , to add strength to them , giving them sometimes the yolks of eggs boiled in old wine with sugar , and sprinkled over with saffron and cinamon , or some broth made of capon or hen , seasoned with cinamon and saffron : it may not be amiss to make certain perfumes for the woman to receive up into her womb , made of saffron , castor , myrrh , and cinamon , of each the quantity of a bean , and care must be had that the fume pass no further than the matrix , and this may be done till the fume of these spices shall cease . after this a little sneezig powder is to be put into to her nostrils , composed of hellebore , or such like ; the woman shutting her mouth hard , and keeping her breath : if these things prevail not , give her this following potion . take trochisch of myrrh , ten grains of saffron , one scruple of cinamon , penny royal waters two ounces ; make of this one draught and give her ; after she hath taken this , and rested a little while , let a pessary of hellebore and opoponax wrapt up in pure wool , be thrust up into the neck of the womb . this will certainly bring down the secondines , for it is of so great vertue , that it is efficacious in expelling the child which is dead , together with the secondines . take mallows , hollihock , wormwood , mugwort , calamint , origanum , each one handful , make a bath , and let her sit therein up to the navel , and stroke ever downwards with her hands , and give her inwardly myrrh a scruple , cinamon poudered in nutmeg-water or wine , or drink calamint , or penny-royal in wine . neither will it be amiss to anoint the matrix with the ointment called basilicon ; if this doth nothing avail toward the bringing down of the secondines , and that the woman is in great danger of her life , then with the consent of her husband and kindred , give her seven of the following pills , which being taken , let her lie still 'till the vertue of them do provoke new pains ; for they are of so great vertue , that they also do expel the dead child , together with the secondines ; yet herein it will not be amiss to consult the skilful physician . the pills are these . take of castor , myrrh , liquid storax , of each a scruple ; the bark of cinamon , or cassia , and birthwort , of each half a scruple ; agaric half an ounce , diagridium grains , saffron , siler of the mountain , savin , of each gr . thebaic opium , assa faetida , of each one gr . mingle all these with as much extracted cassia as is sufficient , and make of them certain pills as big as pease , and give them to the woman in a small quantity of penny-royal water . it may be also expedient to apply this ensuing plaister . take one part of coloquintida boiled in water , and as much of the juice of rue , with these mingle lineseed , fenugreek , barly meal , of each a spoonful , let them all boil together , and the plaister made of these must be laid upon all that part , from the navel to the privities . chap. xxviii . of cases of extremity ; and first , what is to be done to a woman , who in her travail is accompanied with a flux of blood , and with convulsions . in the first place , great care must be had , as to the situation of the woman : the woman in this case must be laid cross her bed , where she must be held by some one that hath strength , that she may not slide , or move her self in the operations of the chirurgion . her thighs must be held hard and wide abroad , with her legs bent backwards towards her hips , and her head leaning upon a bolster ; the reins of her back and her crupper being a little elevated , with certain pillows put underneath her thighs ; besides this , she must be well cover'd with linnen cloaths laid upon her stomach , belly , and thighs , to defend her from the cold and wind : being thus situated , the chyrurgion ought to put up his hand , being first well opened within the neck of the womb , to remove all those clots of blood , which may lie there to obstrust the passages of the blood . he may then try if the interiour neck of the womb be sufficiently dilated , that he may put in his hand , and move the infant , if it be needful , which must be done as gently , and with as little violence as may be : he must anoint it on all parts with sweet-butter , or good pomatum , and so opening it by little and little , he may put his hand quite in ; and if the waters are not yet come down , he may without any difficulty let them forth ; and then at the same instant , if the infant comes with the head forwards he shall gently turn it . to find out the feet , and when he hath found one of them , he shall gently draw it forth , and immediately tye a riband about it , with a knot hanging downward , then let him put it in again , suffering part of the riband to hang out , that he may more easily be able to find out the other foot ; which he shall quickly do , by thrusting up his hand along the thigh of the infant ; when he hath found it , he shall take the other foot , and draw them both together at an even length , giving the woman now and then some leisure to breath , but urging her still to strain her self , when she feels the pains coming on her : then shall the chirurgion or midwife take a fine linnen cloth , and wrap about the thighs of the child , lest by taking it naked , his fingers should slip ; in that manner drawing it forth , 'till it appear all come forth , observing still that the belly and the face be still kept downward . now if the woman hath a flux of blood , and that the neck of the matrix be open , the chirurgion ought to consider , whether the infant or the secondines come forth first of all , for it oftentimes happens that the secondines passing toward the mouth of the matrix , do so stop and obstruct it , that they do not give leave for the child , or the waters to come forth ; so that some perceiving that softness , are presently of opinion that the mouth of the womb is not open . but this the midwife or chirurgion may easily discern , by thrusting up the middle finger as high as may be , and feeling therewith the circumference of the neck of the womb , by which they will soon perceive whether the womb be dilated or no , and whether it be the secondines that present themselves . now when it is found to be the secondines , and that they cannot easily come forth , the midwife may with her two fingers widen the passage , that she may have thereby the liberty to put up her hand , and seek for the infant . now if the secondines be not placed in the middle , they must be turned a little , as quickly as may be , that you may more conveniently seek for the feet of the infant , to draw it forth as we have said . in such a case as this , all care must be had that nothing be broken , and that every thing be brought out whole , for so though the woman should die , the midwife or chirurgion would be blameless . if the secondines come first , the best way is to deliver the woman with all the expedition that may be , by reason of the great fluxes of blood that will follow , by reason that the veins are opened : but here are two things to be considered ; the first is , whether the secondines are much , or little come forth ; if they are but little advanced , they must be put back with care and diligence ; and if the head of the child appear first , it must be guided directly toward the neck of the womb , as in the most natural birth ; but if there appear any difficulty in the birth , by reason of the weakness , either of the child , or of the mother , then the most convenient way will be to seek for the feet , as we have said before . another thing to be observed is , that if the secondines be so far advanced , that they cannot be put back , and that the child follow it close , then are the secondines to be pulled away with all the care and expedition that can be , and to be laid aside without cutting the entrail that sticks to them , for by that you may be guided to the infant , which whether it be alive or dead , is to be pulled out by the feet with as much care and quickness as may be ; though it is not to be done but in case of great necessity , for otherwise the secondines ought to come last . if the child be dead in the womb of the mother , the woman is then to be situated in the same posture , as when she is troubled with a flux of blood . if it present it self dead , with the head foremost , and that there is little or no hope that the woman may be delivered without assistance , and that her strength begins to fail her , the most certain and safe way is to put up the hand : for the chirurgion must then slide up his left hand being hollowed , as when a man strives to hold water in it , causing it to slide in the neck of the womb , along the lower part thereof toward the feet , and that between the head of the infant , and the neck of the matrix : and having thus opened the womb with his left hand , he shall with his right put up his hook above his left hand , between the head of the child , and the flat of his hand , and fix in in the bone of the temple , toward the ear , or else in the hollow of the eye , or in the occipital bone , keeping his left hand still in its place ; after this , gently moving and stirring the head with his left hand , with his right hand holding the hook well fixed , he shall draw the child forth by degrees , exhorting the woman all the while to force and strain her self with all her power , and then is the best time to draw forth the child , when the pains shall seize her ; now if it happen that he lose his hold in one place , the danger is nothing , for he hath the liberty to fix his instrument better in another place . the head being thus drawn forth , he must with all speed that may be , slip his hands down the child's arm-holes , to draw forth his shoulders , and the rest of his body : in the mean while it will be requisite to give the woman a small draught of wine , or a tost sopt in wine of hipocras . if , after these medicines following adhibited , the child make no haste into the world , but lies unmoved in the womb , then you may proceed to instruments after another manner . first of all , as soon as the woman is brought to bed , let her take this following potion hot , and abstain from all other meat , and remain quiet for the space of an hour or two , 'till she feel the power and efficacy of the medicine . take seven cut figs , fenugreek , motherwort-seed , and rue , of each two drams , water of peny-royal and motherwort , of each six ounces , boil all these to the consumption of half , strain them ; and to the straining add trochischs of myrrh one dram , three grains of saffron , sugar as much as is sufficient ; make one draught of this , and spice it with a little cinamon . after she hath rested a little upon this , let her again return to her travel , at what time certain perfumes must be made ready of trochischs , composed of these following spices to be cast on the coals , and so used , as that the perfume may only come to the matrix , and no further . take castor , sulphur , galbanum , opoponax , pigeons-dung , assa-faetida , of each half a dram , mingle all these with the juyce of rue , and make a trochisch of them in the form of a filberd . if these produce no effect , you may use this following emplaister . take galbanum an ounce and a half , coloquintida without the grains two drams , the juyces of rue and motherwort , new wax , as much of each as is sufficient , of each make a plaister . let this be spread upon a cloth to reach from the navil to the privities , and in breadth to both the sides , which she may keep on for the space of an hour or two . a pessary may be also convenient , made of wool , and closed over with silk , and then moistned in the following decoction . take of round birth-wort brought from france , savin , and coloquintida , with grains , staves-acre , black ellebore , of each half a dram , bruise these together , and make a pessary , with as much of the juyce of rue as is sufficient . but now if all these things avail not , and that the midwife is not able to dilate the passage for the infant , then you must have recourse to the chirurgion ; to which purpose , she is to be placed in a seat , so that she may turn her crupper as much from the back of the chair as may be ; drawn up her legs as close as she can , but spreading her hips abroad as much as may be . or else if it seem more commodious , she may be laid upon the bed , with her head downwards , her buttocks raised , and her thighs drawn up as much as can be : then you may go to work , either with your speculum matricis , or his apertory ; so that the womb being sufficiently widened by the help of these instruments , the birth may be drawn out by the hands of the chirurgion , together with the secondines , if possible may be . the womb must then be washed and anointed , the woman then must be laid in her bed , and well comforted with spices , as also with some comfortable meat and drink . this course must be taken with all dead infants , and also with moles and secondines , which are hindred in their coming forth naturally . if by these instruments the womb cannot be sufficiently widened for the egress of the infants , there are yet other instruments , by which the womb may be widened without damage to the mother , and the birth be brought forth , such as are drakes-bill , and the long pincers , by which the womb is not only widened , but the birth taken hold of by them for the more forcible drawing it forth . if there be any swelling , or inflammation , or concrete blood , gathered together in the preputium of the matrix , under the skin , those tumours either before or after the birth , where the matter appears thinnest and ripest , the midwife may cut with a pen-knife and squeeze out the matter ; anointing it afterwards often with a pessary dipt in oil of roses , until it be whole . if it happen that the child be swollen in the womb in any part of it , by reason of wind or any watry humour , yet if it be alive , such means are to be used , as may be least to the detriment of the child and of the mother ; but if it be dead , in whatever part those humours be , either in the breast , arms , or legs , the midwife may then put up her hand , and with a little knife for that purpose , cut the swollen part , that by letting out of the wind or humour , the child may grow less and be brought forth with less difficulty . many times it happens that the child comes into the world with the feet foremost ; and the hands dilating themselves from the hips . in this case the midwife ought to be well furnished with oyntments , helping the egress of the infant , by anointing and stroaking it , lest it be carried backward . having also a great care to take hold of both the arms of the infant , and keep them close to the hips , that the child may come forth after its own manner . if by reason of this deduction of the arms , from the sides of the infant , and the narrowness of the matrix , it so happen that the child cannot make a total egress , the womb of the woman , and the infant it self , are to be well anointed , sneezing powders being administred to the woman , to help her endeavours ; the womb is also to be pressed hard with both hands , that the child make no retirement back , but may still move forward . it happens sometime that the child comes forward with its feet , with the arms not close to its sides , but extended above its head ; which when it comes to pass , the midwife is by no means to receive this birth , unless the child be very small , and the matrix so wide , that it may afford an easie passage to the child ; yet may she not then receive it , till she hath well anointed both the child and the matrix . but it would be much more safe and convenient , for both the child and the mother , to put back the child into the womb and bring it to its natural form , which may be done in this manner . the woman must lie on her back upon her bed , with her head downward , and her buttocks a little elevated , which being done , the midwife shall gently compress the belly of the woman toward the midriff , thereby to put back the infant into the womb. but above all , things let her take care that she turn the face of the child toward the back of the mother , raising up the thighs and buttocks of the child , toward the navel of the mother , to bring the child to a more legitimate and natural production . many times it happens that the child lies athwart , and falls upon his side , which when it comes to pass , the mother is not to be urged to her labour , neither is the birth to be expected after that manner , for it is impossible that the child should be so born without some conversion ; and therefore the midwife is to do all she can to reduce it to a more natural form of birth , by moving the buttocks , and steering the head to the passage ; if this succeed not , let her try by often rocking the woman to and fro , to bring the child to its natural form of being born . if it happen that the child hasten to the birth , with the legs and arms distorted , the midwife ought not to hasten the woman , but immediately cast her on her bed , where she may direct the woman to roul her self to and fro ; or else she may gently stroke the womb of the woman as she lies , 'till she have reduced the infant to a better posture ; if this profit not , the midwife must take the legs and close them together , then if she can , she must get her hand about the arms of the child , and in the safest way she can , direct it to its coming forth ; though it be the safest way to turn the infant in the womb , and by that means compose it to the natural birth . if the infant come into the world with both knees forward , with the hands hanging down upon the thighs . the midwife may then put up both the knees upward , 'till the feet happen to come forward , and then with her left hand let her take hold of the feet , and keep her right hand about the sides of the child , and in that posture endeavour the birth of the child ; but if that succeed not , let the woman as is said before , be brought to her bed , and there wallow from side to side , 'till she have moved the child into a better posture . but when it happens that the child hastens forwards , with one arm extended upon the thigh , and the other stretched over the head , the feet being stretched out at length in the womb , the midwife may by no means receive the child in this posture , but must lay the patient upon the bed , as we have said before ; then must the womans belly be gently pressed backward , that the infant may retire into the womb , and if it give not backward of its own accord , the midwife may with her hand gently thrust back the shoulder , and bring the arm that was stretched back to its right place . the most dangerous of all those that we have spoken of is this , and therefore the midwife must take care to put back the infant in this case into the womb : first of all therefore anoint well her hands , as also the womb of the woman , then , if she can , let her thrust in her hand near the arms of the infant , and so move the shoulders that the infant may fall back into the womb ; and then to bring it to the natural form , let her thrust up her other hand , and reduce the arms of the infant to the sides of it ; if this succeed not , the woman must be laid on her bed , and after a little rest , she must be ordered as before we have said : if this avail not , she must be brought back to her seat , as we have before rehearsed ; then must her womb , by the help of those women that assist her be gently prest downward , and on both sides , while the midwife having anointed the matrix , and both the arms of the infant , joins them as close together as she can , and in that manner receives the infant . and there is the less danger in this form , if the midwife be diligent , and the child slender . if the infant thrust it self forwards with the buttocks formost , the midwife must put up her hand well anointed , and so by heaving up and putting back the buttocks strive to turn the head to the passage . yet overmuch haste must not be made , lest the infant should fall back into some worse posture ; and therefore if it cannot be turned by putting up the hand , the woman must be brought to her bed , and ordered as we have often said before ; comfortable things being conveniently ministred to her . if the child come forward with the neck bowed , and the shoulders forward , with the hands and feet stretched upwards ; in this case the midwife must carefully move the shoulders backward that she may be able to bring the head forwards , which may be easily done , for the shoulders being removed , the head will soon appear formost , yet if this suffice not , the woman must be laid on her back upon the bed , and ordered according to the former precepts . when the infant thrusts forth the hands and feet formost care must be had to avoid the danger of this mishapen posture , and therefore the midwife must strive by removing the feet , to lay hold on the head , and , as much as in her lies , to direct it to the passage ; the hands are also to be removed , unless of their own accord they fall down to the sides . if by this means it cannot be done , the former precepts of converting the child are to be observed . sometimes it happens that the child strives to force its passage in this posture which is very dangerous . first of all therefore let the midwife anoint her hands well , and the womb of the woman ; which being done , let her put up her hand , and seek for the arms of the child , which when she hath found , let her hold them fast , till she hath hold of the head also , which she must with all her skill endeavour to bring formost , then let her remove the hands of the infant , and fix them upon the sides of the infant . yet if this do not avail , it will be the safest way to lay the woman on her bed , and to proceed according to the former precepts , to try if by that delay she may have the more advantage to proceed as before the same method which is to be observed in single birth , is also to be observed in case of twins or of tripple birth ; for as the single birth hath but one natural way , and many unnatural forms , so is it with the birth of many children ; and therefore when it happens that twins appear , coming into the world according to the natural form , the midwife must observe to receive that first which is nearest the passage ; yet be sure not to let go the other , lest it should fall back into the womb , and tumble into some other form , but the one being born , immediately to receive the other ; this birth is the more easie in the natural form , because the first child widens the passage for the latter , but in unnatural births there is most difficulty in the passage of the second child : care must be also had in the birth of twins , that the secondine be naturally brought forth , lest the womb being deliver'd of its burthen , should fall , and the secondine by that means be delayed to the damage of the woman in child-bed . if it happen , in drawing forth the first by the feet , that the other change its situation , the midwife may then draw forth the other by the feet as she did the first ; and if the head of the first be more forward , then she must put back the feet of the first , and receive that which comes with the head formost . if both of them press together to the passage of the womb , the midwife must take great care ; and therefore she must put up her hand to see which of them is most forward , as also to try whether it be not some monstrous conception , as two heads upon one body , or two bodies joined in one , either at the shoulders , or at the sides , which may be known , if she put up her hand gently between the two heads as high as she can ; and if she find that they are twins , she may gently put the one to one side , to make way for the passage of the other , which is most advanced ; which must be directed just to the orifice of the womb , having a great care that she do not change the situation of the second ; and as she feels the pains of the mother coming on her , she must by all means bring forward the child she would receive , still keeping the other back , with two or three fingers of the left hand : and thus having delivered the first , if the second be not well situated , she must bring the head to 〈◊〉 neck of the womb , where it will find the passage 〈◊〉 to it , by the delivery of the first . now lest the first child should be in danger of its life , you must take it from the mother , and carefully tie up the navel-string , as is formerly mentioned , and also bind again with a large and long fillet , that part of the navel which is fast to the secondines , that they may be more easily found , then the second child being born the midwife must see if there be not two secondines , for by reason of the shortness of the ligature , it may have hapned to retire back again , to the damage of the woman ; and therefore the secondines must be hastened forth as soon as may be , lest the womb should close . if the two infants have but one body , the better way is to turn the head upwards , and to draw it forth by the feet , than by the head : taking care when you come to the hips , to draw it forth as quick as may be . the second form of unnatural birth is very dangerous , and therefore requires the greater care of the midwife . first , therefore let her well anoint the womb of the woman that the passage may be more slippery ; which being done , let her take hold of the hands of one of the infants , and keeping them close to the sides , direct the head to the orifice of the womb ; that being born , let her proceed in the same manner toward the other . if she cannot come to take hold of either of the infants arms , she must bring the woman again to her bed , and try by the aforesaid agitation of her body , if the infants may be brought to a more convenient form of delivery . chap. xxix . of ordering the woman after she is delivered , in the first place she must keep a temperate diet , having a great care not to over fill her self after so great an evacuation ; and indeed her diet must be like that of wounded persons ; neither are the tales of nurses to be believed , who exhort them to fill after so great an emptiness , telling them that the loss of blood must be restored , for these are meer fooleries ; for as for that blood which she hath lost , it is but unnecessary blood , such as is usually kept for the space of nine months , which to void , is much conducing to her health . besides , their nourishment for the first days , must be but slender , for fear of falling into a fever ; besides , the abundance of milk , which it would bring into the breast , where it might be in danger of curding , or apostematizing ; and therefore for the first five days , let her use broths , panada's , potched eggs , gellies , abstaining from flesh , or french barley : in the morning , broth will be expedient , at dinner , broth , or eggs , or panada ; and at supper , the same with some gellies for the second course . if she intend to nurse her child she may feed more plentifully , and drink some barl● water , wherein some corianders , or fennel● 〈…〉 be put . in italy the persons , of 〈…〉 account do use this water . take two 〈…〉 the feathers being well pulled off 〈…〉 ●he bowels wholly taken out , which you led off boyl in a glaz'd earthen pot , in a sufficient quantity of water till they be half boyled , then must they be taken out of the pot , together with the broth ; and being cut to peices are to be put into a lembick in manner following . take bugloss , borage , and time , two good handfuls , and with that cover the bottom of the shell , then lay upon that a row of flesh , then upon that a rank of leaf-gold , with a dram of powder of pearls , and upon that pour the broth ; let all this be distilled in balneo mariae , drawing forth a pint at a time , which you shall re-iterate as often as you have any thing left , to give to the woman in child-bed , for the space of ten or twelve days . this water must be drawn six weeks or two months before it be used ; if the woman be not troubled with a fever , let her drink a little white wine , or claret , with twice as much hot water ; if she have a mind to drink between meals , or at night , it may be convenient to give her some syrup of maiden-hair , or any other syrup that is not astringent , with a little boyled water . after the suspition of a fever , or heat of her breasts is over , she may be nourished more plentifully , and you may give her , together with her broth , some other meat , as pullet , capon , pidgeon , mutton , or veal boyled . after the eight day is past ; at what time the womb is well purged and discharged , it will be expedient to give her good meat in greater quantity , that she may be enabled to gain strength ; during all this time , she must rest very quiet , and be 〈◊〉 from all manner of disturbance ; she must sleep as 〈…〉 the day time as may be . if she go not well to stool , 〈…〉 some such kind of clyster as this . take of mallows , 〈…〉 mallows , and pellitory of the wall , each one handful , 〈…〉 ●f camomile , and melliot , of each a small handful , a● 〈…〉 and fennel-seeds , of each two ounces ; boyl these in 〈…〉 ●●coction of a weathers-head , take of this three quarters of a pint , and dissolve in them of course sugar and common hony , of each two ounces , new fresh butter three ounces ; of this make a clyster , and if occasion serve , add to this an ounce of catholicon . what is to be done to the breast , belly , and lower parts of the woman in child-bed . in the first place you may lay the skin of a hare , or sheep , for the space of four or five hours ; which being taken away , you may then anoint it with this following oyntment , and then lay a linnen towel all over her belly and hips , which must be continued on for the first seven days , looking after it , and turning every morning . the oyntment may be this . take the oyl of sweet-almonds , camomile , and st. john's wort , each one ounce and a half , sperma ceti two ounces , goats fat one ounce , oyl of miriles half an ounce , melt all these , and make an oyntment to anoint the belly : now before the cerecloth be put on , you must apply a little plaister of galbanum , about the bigness of or fingers to the navel , in the middle of which may be put two or three grains of civet , yet so as that the woman may not perceive the sent of it . the cerecloth may be this . take white wax four ounces , pomatum without musk , calfs-grease , of each one ounce , sperma ceti an ounce and a half , oyl of st. john's - wort , and sweet almonds , of each one ounce ; venice-turpentine washed in pellitory-water half an ounce ; melt these in balneo mariae , and spread them upon a cloath about the bigness of the belly , and when it is cool apply it . the next care is to be had of the breasts , upon these some put round cerecloth made thus ; take six ounces of new wax , oyl of myrtle , roses and honey of narbon , of each two ounces ; melt these altogether , and make a cerecloth , let them have holes in the middle for the nipples to go through . this oyntment is also very good to keep the milk from clotting . take oyntment of populeon one ounce , galen's refrigerating oyntment half an ounce , oyl of roses six drams , vinegar a small quantity ; melt them together and make an oyntment . this fomentation is also much commended . take fennel , parsly , mallows , marsh-mallows , of each a small handful , laurel and camomile-flowers , of each half a handful , boyl these according to art , and make a fomentation for the nipples . after this fomentation , anoint them with oleum rosatum , omphacium , and then apply this following plaister . take venice-turpentine four ounces , well washed in strong wine , and rose-water , adding to it two whole eggs , and a scruple of saffron , with as much wax as is sufficient ; spread this upon a linnen cloath , and apply it . as for the lower parts , for the three first days they are to be fomented with a certain fomentation of milk , wherein hath been boiled a few roses , some chervil , and a little plantain . from the next day to the eighth day , you may use this bath ; wine and water , of each half a pint ; red roses and flowers of st. john's wort , of each two handfuls ; agrimony one handful , mak of this a decoction ; after bathing once , or twice , lay this following oyntment along the lips of the privities upon a linnen cloth . take oyl of st. john's wort ounces , sperma ceti an ounce and a half , a little white wax , mix all these together , melt them , and make an oyntment . after the eight days are past , you may lay upon her belly this following plaister . take oyl of st. john's wort , camomile , and anniseeds , of each one ounce , oyl of mastick an ounce and a half , oyl of mirtles six drams , sperma ceti two ounces , the fat of the reins of a goat an ounce and a half , deers suet one ounce ; of this make an oyntment to anoint the belly of the woman in child-bed , and then apply this following plaister . take oyl of myrtles , and st. johns-wort , of each an ounce and a half , oyl of nip one ounce , venice-turpentine , washed in water of motherwort , four ounces ; melt all these together , and put them upon a hempen cloath , that may cover all the belly , and let her wear it the space of eight days . these fifteen days being past , for the space of eight days more , you may lay upon her belly and her hips this following plaister . take oyl of mastick , myrtles , jasmine , and quinces , of each an ounce and a half , oyl of acorns two ounces , sperma ceti one ounce , venice-turpentine washed in plantain-water , half an ounce ; wax six ounces , melt all these together , adding powder of mastick , and seal'd earth , of each half an ounce , florentine orrice one ounce , spread all these upon a hempen cloath , and lay it upon her belly , to be kept there for the space of eight or ten days ; for the lower parts , this fomentation may be needful . take leaves of plantain , mullein , knot-grass , and horse-tail , of each one handful , cypress-leaves a handful and a half ; of the rind of pomgranates , cypress-nuts , and pomgranate-flowers , of each half an ounce ; red roses , camomile and melilot , of each a handful ; roch-allum two ounces , sweet smelling-flag and florentine-orrice , of each three drams , gilliflowers one dram ; make of these two bags , and boyl them in like quantities of sowre wine , and smith's water , for the exteriour mouth of the neck of the womb. of the choice of a good nurse . the choice of a good nurse is very important , and therefore you must first look upon her aspect , and see whether her sight be no way imperfect , as whether she be squint-eyed , or have a down-cast look ; you must have a special care that she be not red haired , for their milk is extreamly hot ; see moreover , whether her teeth be sound and white , and well set ; know whether she come of parents that have been troubled with the consumption ; and if she have not , nor be consumptive her self , you may judge of her stomach , and whether she be subject to catarrhs ; you must also take heed that she send no stinking-breath , either from her mouth , or nostrils , for that corrupts the lungs of the infant . enquire whether neither she , nor any of her kindred have been troubled with leprosie , by reason that it is very contagious , or with the falling-sickness . and therefore those women that either cannot or will not nurse their own children , must make use of such women as are most fit to the humour they would have the child to be of : for the nurse is now to be the second mother of the child , from whom the infant draws all her conditions , be they good , be they bad ; and it is often seen , that children do partake more of the conditions of the nurse , than the mother , and therefore care must be taken that the nurse be good conditioned , good teeth , brown hair , of a healthy generation ; that neither she nor her husband have had the french disease ; that she be not peevish nor cholerick , that she have milk in abundance , and a good fleshy breast , that her breast be not over-fleshy , that she be not over fat ; and , above all , that she be not of too amorous a humour , and desirous to be with her husband , for that is perfect venom to the milk . what is to be done in the extream pains of the child . if a child have extream throws presently after it be born , you must rub it with pellitory and fresh butter , or spinage , or else with hogs-greace , and apply it upon the navel , having first a great care that it be not too hot . or else make a little cake of eggs , and oyl of nuts , and apply it in the very same place ; if this avail not , give it a little clyster of milk , the yolk of an egg , and a little sugar ; this easeth the pain of the intestines . what is to be done with those children that are troubled with flegm . there are some children born of ill-constitution'd women , or else of women that have not used good nourishment in the time of their being with child , who are very full of flegm , these you must lay upon one side , and somtimes upon the other ; for if you lay them upon their backs , you may perchance choak them ; you must be sure to keep their bellies soluble , causing them to void that blood kept in the entrails from the time of their being in the womb , by giving it a little suppository of black sope well rubbed in fresh butter , to take away the acrimony of it ; then give it a spoonful of syrup of violets , this causes the flegm to pass down . if you perceive that the infant hath not much heat , you may mix with it half the quantity of oyl of sweet almonds , and half of the syrup of violets , and continue it , stroaking the stomach an● the belly of the infant with fresh butter , every time tha● they undress him . that which ought to be done to children that have their cods full of wind . when infants have their cods full , ye must examine whether it be with wind , or water ; if it be with water , by rubbing and chafing the skin with fresh butter , the waters will sweat out ; if it be wind , the children must be stirred , and swung gently , mingling in their drink the decoction of aniseeds . how to take away the canker from the mouths of infants . there have been known certain children which have ben nourished with cold milk , which hath been thick , and in great quantity , which a few days after its birth , hath heated the mouth of the infant in such a fashion , that it caused a white canker , which presently possessed the tongue , palate , the gums , the throat , and all the mouth , whereupon it was taken with a fever , and it could no longer suck , all the assistance that could be was still applied , and when no other medicine did avail , there was found one , a particular remedy , which was half a handful of sage , a handful of chervil bruised a little , and boyled in a sufficient quantity of water , about a dozen seethings , to which you must add a spoonful of vinegar ; when you have strained it , you must put to it an ounce of honey of roses , then you must have a little hooked stick , with a little piece of scarlet tied at the end , then putting the water in a sawcer , dip the end of the stick where the scarlet is tied , and then rub the place affected gently , and you shall find the canker 〈◊〉 a●swage by little and little . what is to be done to children whose intestines are falle● . there are a great many infants , whose great gut falls ; which is a thing very easily remedied at the beginning , and therefore you must put it up again : first , lay the child with the head lowermost , then you must have a thick cushion , soaked in smiths water , then you must have an emplaister made of the roots of great comfrey scraped , and put upon it as an ointment ; then looking to it every day , taking care that it cry but little , and never unbind him , but as he lyes , lest the gut tumble down again , and so the cure be delayed ; as the child grows big , the hole lessens , and the intestine grows big . this is an experienced way . to make an oyntment to strengthen the thighs and legs of the child , and make him go . take sage , marjoram , dwarf-elder , bruise them a good while together , 'till you have beaten out a good deal of juyce , then put it into a glass vial , 'till it be full , and stop up the hole with paste , and round the sides also of the said paste ; put it then in an oven , to bake as long as a good big loaf , then draw it forth , and suffer it to cool , then break the paste which is round the vial ; break the bottle , and keep up that which is within , which you shall find turned to an oyntment : and when you would use it , you must add to it some of the marrow of the hoof of an ox , melting it altogether , and when ye have so done , you must rub the hinder part of the legs , and thighs of the child . this hath been done to a child , whom a famous physician , after years having in hand , gave over , saying , that it would never go . of the relaxations of the matrix , and the cause . there are many causes of the relaxation of the matrix , the one proceeding from great fluxes , which fall down upon the ligaments thereof , causing them to wax loose ; others come to this disease by some falls , others by reason of carrying in their womb too great burdens , others by straining themselves in travail before their time , and because the orifice of the womb is not open ; sometimes , and very often by reason of the midwifes , who putting up their hands into the womb , tear down they know not what , which is oftentimes a part of the matrix , to the bottom of which the secondines adhere , drawing down part of the womb , which they take to be the secondines ; which is oftentimes brought also to a worse condition , when the unskilful women force her to the remedies , for bringing down the secondines ; as holding bay salt in her hand , streining to vomit , and the like . for remedy whereof , all these telaxations of the matrix , are by the same remedies , except those which are occasion'd by strong fluxes , for in this case other remedies are not sufficient , being that you are to take away the cause of those defluxions , before you can proceed to the cure of the relaxation . among the rest , i will relate one that hath been found very profitable and experienced , which is this astringent . take gall-nuts , cypress nuts , and pomgranate flowers , roche-alum , of each two ounces , province roses four ounces , knot-grass a good big handful , the rind of cassia , the rind of pomegranates , scarlet grains , of each three ounces , the nature of a whale one ounce ; mirrh-water , rose-water , and sloe-water , an ounce and a half , thick wine , and smiths-water , of each four ounces and a half ; then make two little bags of a quarter of a yard long , causing them to boil in the aforesaid waters , in a new pot , using one after another as you have occasion , letting it lie upon the bone of the pubes , passing in between the hips , chafing her often , and holding her head and her reins low , using in the morning sometimes a little mastick in an egg , or sometimes plantain seed : if the disease be not too old , it may be cured by this means ; but if it be of a long standing , you must make a pessary half round , and half oval , of great thick cork , pierced through in the middle ; tye a little pack-thred to the end , then cover it over with white wax , that it may do no hurt , and to make it more thick , this must be dipped in oyl of olives to make it enter , and it must be straight , that it may not easily fall out ; and if it be too little , to have another bigger , and when the woman goes to do her necessary occasions , she must hold it in , lest she should force it out ; the hole is made , that the vapours of the womb may have a vent , and to give way for her purgations to flow , neither must it be taken away 'till after the purgations are passed , the thickness causes the matrix to mount up as long , as it is very thick , for the ligaments being close do then retire . if they be women that bear children , the midwife ought not to suffer them to force themselves , but as nature constrains her , having her own hand ready after the throw , to put back the matrix with her finger , and when she is brought to bed , lay her low with her head and with her reins , raising her up with pillows put under her hips ; and for women that are troubled with this disease , they ought not to lace themselves over hard , for that thr●sts down the matrix , and makes the woman pouch bellied , and hinders the infant from being well situated in her body , causing her to carry the child all upon her hips , and makes her belly as deformed as her waste is handsome . of a disease that happens by reason of the fall of the matrix . there is sometimes a relaxation of the membrane , that covers the rectum intestinum , when the head of the child , at the begining of the travel falls downward , and draws it low ; oftentimes it comes by reason of women with child lacing themselves , which causes such a conflux of wind to these parts , that it seems to the woman to be the head of the child , insomuch that she is hardly able to stand upright , neither can she go . for remedy hereof , you must keep the woman soluble , giving her anise , and coriander seeds to dissipate the winds . you must take sage , agrimony , motherworth , balm , white wormwood , margerom , a little rue , and a little thyme , and camomile and having picked all the above written herbs , you must cut them very small , and having well mingled them , put them into a maple platter , and then put hot cinders upon them , and upon those another handful of herbs , covering the platter with a close cloth , that the woman may receive the smoak ; this is a remedy which hath been much approved and experimented . to remedy the fall of the fundament in infants : take of the green shrub whereof they make ●rooms , and cut , it small , and lay it upon the coals , and set the child over the smoak thereof , and it will certainly cure it . of the diseases of women , and first of the inflammation of the breast . the inflammation of the breasts is a hard swelling together with a beating pain , redness , and shooting . the chief cause of this is the abundance of blood , drawn up together in that place , though there be sometime other causes also , as the suppression of the courses , the haemorrhoids , or a blow received upon the breasts . the signs of it are easie to be known , that is to say , a certain redness and burning heat , oft-times joined with a fever . for the cure of this , there are four sorts of remedies ; first , the order of diet , which must be comforting and moistning , as broth of pullets , where endive , borage , lettice , and purslain may be boyled also ; she may drink the juyce of pomgranates , or barley water , with anniseeds boyled in it : the use of wine , and all sorts of spices are very dangerous , and if the woman go not freely to the stool , there is nothing better than a lenitive clyste● ; she may sleep much , and must not disturb her self with any passion . the next way of remedy is by diverting the humours , which is done by frictions , letting blood in the foot , scarrification of the legs , or veficatories applied to those places , especially if the flowers are stopped , or ready to come down ; if not , it will be expedient to open a vein in the arm . you may also prepare the humour to void it out of the place affected , by opening either the middle vein , or the basilic , or the vena saphena , which may be done two or three times , as occasion serves ; after blood-letting , purge , but let this be done with gentle medicines ; such are cassia , manna , tamarind , syrup of roses or violets solutive , having a little before used certain syrups which may asswage and temper the humours . take syrup of roses and purslain , of each one ounce , endive ▪ water and plantain-water , of each an ounce , give this to the patient , neither will it be amiss to give her syrup of succory , or endive , or such like ; for these syrups have a cooling and refreshing faculty , especially being mingled with plantain or endive-water , or such like , or the decoction of the said herbs ; now when the humour is thus prepared you may give her some gentle purges . as for example , take of the pulp of cassia , and tamarinds , of each six drams ; of this make a little bolus with some sugar , and give it to the patient ; or with this potion . take of the leaves of italian orach three drams , of aniseed one scruple , infuse these into four ounces of the foresaid waters . into this being strained , infuse an ounce of cassia , and into the streining of this , dissolve an ounce of solutive syrup of roses , of this make a potion and give it . the fourth way of cure consists in topicks , such as may drive back and repress the humour , though care must be had that they be not over-strong , lest you thereby do cool the heart too much , and thereupon drive the humour upon the heart it self . and therefore temperate medicines are chiefly to be chosen , and such especially as are to digest and dissolve the humour : wherefore it shall not be amiss to apply a linnen cloth dipt in white strong vinegar , and a little cold water , which must be applied to the breasts , and often changed . or else you may dip linnen cloaths also in a decoction of camomile-flowers , and violet-flowers , with a small quantity of oyl of roses , and a drop of vinegar or two ; or you may use this fomentation . take of the juyce of night-shade and oyl of roses , of each an ounce and a half ; of the decoction of fenugreek , camomile , and line-seed , two ounces , vinegar one ounce . this medicine you may use by dipping a spunge therein , and so washing and fomenting the breast therewith . or you may apply this cataplasm ; take of the leaves of night-shade , and mellilot , half a handful of each , let them be boyled and extracted through a course cloth , then add to them bean-meal two ounces , oxymel , and oyl of sweet almonds , of each one ounce ; of this make a cataplasm , and apply it . if the disease be be more prevalent , you must use more forcible remedies , and among the rest this fomentation . take of the leaves of mallows , violets , dill , of each one handful , flowers of camomile and mellilot , of each a small handful and a half , boyl these together , adding to them a little wine and oyl of dill , or mustard ; first let the breast be fomented with this , and afterwards with an oyntment composed of equal parts of new butter , oyl of violets and hens fat . but if these things avail not to dissipate the humour , you must observe whether the inflammation tend either to a suppuration , or induration . if you find that it tends to a hardness , you must try all means to hinder it by the way of mollifying plaisters ; among which this is not a little experimented : take the marrow of a calves leg two ounces , sheeps-grease one ounce , saffron four scruples ; cumin-seed bruised , two scruples ; mingle all these and make a plaister . if the inflammation doth not harden , but doth altogether tend to a suppuration , which may be known by these signs ; that is to say , the increasing of the tumour , the beating and excessive heat and pain which rages about those parts so vehemently , that they do not admit them to be touched . but now the suppuration is to be hastned with hot and moist medicines , which have an emplastick faculty , for which purpose this is much commended : take the leaves of mallows one handful , roots of marsh-mallows one ounce , boyl these together , and when they are mashed draw them out , and add to them bean-meal and fenugreek , of each one ounce , the whites of two eggs , myrrh , and assa faetida of each one dram , saffron one scruple , mingle all these together , and make a cataplasm for your use ; to this you may either add capons-grease , hogs-grease , or fresh butter : if these remedies do not suddenly bring the inflammation to a suppuration , you must then take of the shels of snails bruised , and lay them upon the cataplasm in such a manner , that the snail-shells may come to touch that part of the tumour which is most elevated and pointed ; whence it appears that the matter will first issue ; if these remedies avail not , it will be necessary to open the said aposthume with a lancet , and this must be done when you are sure that the matter is ready to come forth , which may be known by these signs , when the beating ceases , when the fever , the pain , and the heat of the part do begin to diminish , when you perceive the place pointed , and raised , and enclining to a blackish colour . when the wound is open , you must first apply to it a digestive , composed of an ounce of turpentine , half an ounce of oyl of roses , and the yolk of an egg. after this , you must cleanse it with honey of roses , turpentine and barly-meal , or with the oyntment of the apostles , or the oyntment called aegyptiacum , then you may put on the top of the place , the oyntment called basilicon , or paracelsus plaister which doth digest , cleanse , carnifie , and cicatrize after a very extraordinary manner . this is furthermore to be observed , that an ulcer in the breast is not easily cured , if the milk be not dryed out of the other breast ; and therefore the milk is to be dryed up by keeping the child from sucking , and by putting upon the breasts of the woman , cloaths dipped in cold water , together with bean , barly , vinegar , and such other like remedies . chap. xxx . of swellings from milk. milk is certainly the occasion of many tumours of divers kinds ; if the ferment of the breast be over-active and vigorous , it separates milk with too great violence , causing thereby an over-fermentation of the parts , which usually occasions an inflammation ; if the serum be hot or partake much of blood , otherwise it raises a flegmatic swelling ; or if the matter be disposed to coagulation , the kings-evil ; and these are the most frequent species of swellings commonly supposed to arise from milk . any of these three may degenerate into a scirrhus , and that scirrhus into a cancer . the signs are visible ; if the first happen , there are all the symptoms of an inflammation , namely heat , redness , tension , pulsation , and the like . if the second , large distension with pain , but no heat : if the kings-evil , then hard kernels are easily felt . swellings made by the over eagerness of the milky ferment go easily off , if no other symptom attend them ; sucking and drawing the breasts commonly discharges the milk as fast as it can be made , and then all the danger is over . but if the fermentation occasion any disorder in the blood , the patient is more or less endangered , according to the quality of the swelling produced , namely an inflammation occasions a fever . flegmatick swellings are apt to grow ulcerous , and sometimes turn to the king 's evil , or a scirrhus , and require a long time for their cure. abundance of milk causes inflammations , and apostumations , and the like , and therefore the woman ought to use a slender diet , and it ought to be of such a quality as may less dispose the humours to ferment . panadoes , barly grewel , and such like cooling and moistening spoon-meat ought to be used ; chicken broth is the highest dyet whilst the humour is fermenting ; the medicines proper to diminish the milk , are lettice , purslain , endive , succory , smallage and the like ; the milk is usually drawn out of the breasts by the infant 's sucking ; but if the child be so weak it cannot suck , or not sufficiently , the milk must be discharged by whelps sucking , or the mother may draw her own breasts her self by an instrument sold for that purpose . the swelling made by the milk is restrained by the application of night-shade , lettice , plantain , vine tops , bramble-buds , horse-tail , and the like , or oyl of roses , myrtles with vinegar and the like . the tumour may be discussed by the application of mints , cat-mints , rue ; the seeds of fenugreek , cumin , fennel , and the like ; or dry'd up by applying cloaths dipt in lime-water , or in a solution of sacharum saturni made in frogs spawn-water , during which time fine towe sprinkl'd with ceruss , may be applied to the arm-pits . when the swelling is very painful , a cataplasm made of the meals of barly , beans and lentils boiled in oxymel , is proper ; at the same time towe dipt in oxycrat may be applied under the arms : if the inflammation be gone too far towards suppuration , it must be promoted with suppuratives , and opened by incision or caustick . when the swelling is hard and not inflamed , apply the following cerate . take of the tops of worm-wood powdered , two drams , of the seeds of lentils , fenugreek , and fennel , each an ounce ; of the juice of henbane and hemlock , each three ounces , of ointment of marshmallows two ounces , of ducks and goose grease , each one ounce , of deers suet two ounces , of liquid storax half an ounce ; with a sufficient quantity of wax make a cerat . hemlock boil'd in wine , and beaten up with hogs lard , resolves the hardness in the breasts ; but if it be applyed alone , it stirs up heat , and occasions ulcers in the skin . green mints or chick-weed are common applications , and of good use , either alone , or mixed with other medicines in all the hard swellings of the breasts occasioned by milk. all plaisters applyed to the breasts , ought to have a hole snipt in them for the nipples , lest they be fretted by them , especially that the milk may be drawn forth while the medicines lye on . a young woman after child-birth was afflicted with a swelling in her breasts , one was called , that perswaded her relations it was a cancer , and treated her accordingly , but her breasts growing more painful , and much danger being apprehended from such a disease , a physician was advised with ; but he being wary in giving his judgment in surgery , where there might happen any dispute , desired that a surgeon might be fetched ; upon their view , the breast appeared big , and inflamed ; it was apostumated , and the matter perfectly digested , and the skin thin and ready to break . the surgeon proposed the applying of a pultess of white-bread and milk , assuring them before morning , they should find a porringer full of matter discharged ; they did so , and the swelling broke , and was cured by the use of basilicon without any more trouble ; and indeed when the matter is well suppurated , and a convenient opening made for discharge , these tumours generally heal of themselves , if the habit of the body be good ; but where it is otherwise , or the management ill , the cure is many times very troublesome . a young gentlewoman after child-bed , being indisposed in her health , her left breast became diseased and swell'd , and after some days by ill management , growing more painful and swelled , one was called in who endeavoured suppuration , and after some time opened it ; but the fluxion increased , and other obcesses were raised , and from the several apostumations , sinous ulcers were afterwards made , and so the work became difficult ; the abscess begun deep in the body of the glands , and thro' length of time , corrupted them , and rendred the swelling hard , and the tents stopping in the matter between dressings , had occasioned a large discharge : the method of cure consisted in the enlarging of that orifice , where the matter seemed to be detained , and then to proceed with detersives and the like ; a caustick was applied to the part round about the orifice , stoping the hole with lint . by which means in a short time , a clear way was made for the matter , as the eschar separated , a fungus thrust forth , which was sprinkled with red precipitat , and the eschar was dressed with basilicon , and the other openings with diapompholigos , and the cerate of marsh-mallows over all : after a more full-separation of the eschar , observing the fungus to rise more large , a stupe was applied , wrung out of a decoction of the tops of worm wood , rue mint , the flowers of red roses and balaustines made in wine and water , and chalcanthum was applyed upon the fungus , and pledgets of the ointment of tutty over the ulcerated parts . the second day after the dressings were took off , and the eschar was found to be made by the catheretick , which was thrust off , and it was dressed again with the same , and the use of the escharoticks was continued ; during these applicationss a plaister of bole was applied over the breast to restrain the fluxion , yet notwithstanding the fungus encreased , and raised the swelling between that and the other orifices , and therefore a large caustick was applied upon the swelling , which laid some of the orifices into this , the eschar was divided , and dressed up with lenients , and the fungus was cover'd with escharoticks , wherever it began to thrust out , by which it was kept down : but after the separation of this latter eschar , the fingus appeared great , and the way of extirpating it by escharoticks being slow , the surgeon thrust his finger under it , and at once broke it , and pulled it out in pieces , and then filled up the place with par●celsus's mundificative upon pledgits sprinkled with red precipitat , and the foresaid plaister being applied over the whole breast , it was bound up . the second day after it was opened again , and by this method often repeated , the remainder of the fungus was subdued , and a firm basis raised , on which to incarn with an addition of powders of the roots of orris , myrrh , and sarcacoll to the fore-mentioned mundificative , and agripa's cerate was applied over the breast and in a few days it was cicatrized with a smooth cicatrix , the lips falling in by the benefit of nature , which was assisted the while by traumatick decoctions , and the like . when one of the breasts has been cured , it happens often that the other swells from the abundance of milk , and grows hard and apostuntats ; sometimes both breasts are thus diseased at one time . a gentlewoman had both her breasts swelled a long time , and afterwards they apostumated by reason of the pain ; several abscesses were made , and the matter discharged by such openings . in process of time the ulcers became sinuous , and callous , with hardness of the glands ; the cure was begun by fomentations , and discussing and resolving pultesses made of the roots and leaves of marsh-mallows , henbane , the tops of hemlock , mint , rue , the flowers of elder , the seeds of fenugreek , flax , and the like , and with the meal of lentiles , barly , hogs-lard , ducks and goose grease , and the like ; and dilating the orifices , and cleansing with paracelsuses mundificative , red precipitat and allom ; while the surgeon was endeavouring by the methods abovesaid , new troubles arose within , which forced him to lay such places open by caustick , as might best serve for the discharge of matter , after separation of the eschar , he again cleansed and healed them . of windy tumours in the breasts . the flatuous tumour of the breasts is caused by a thick vapour , which rises from the menstrual blood which is retained ▪ or corrupted in the matrix . the causes of which are ; first , the suppression of the flowers ; or when the flowers are not discharged into their proper place , and in their proper time ; as also from the corruption of the humours , by which are ingendered divers bad fumes and vapours ; for , this being received into the breasts , causes a distention much like a true swelling . the sign by which it is known , is the pain which it brings along with it , which is sharp and prickling , causing a distention of the part . the heart is not a little out of order , by reason of the windinesses which lye so near it ; and commonly the left breast is mow swoln , communicating its pain to the arm , shoulder , and ribs of the same side . and the signs differ from those of a cancer ; for in this distemper the breast is white and shining , by reason of the distention ; and if you touch it , it sounds like a drum . and if you press it with your hands , you will find that it is swelled in all parts alike , and not in one more than another . this is cured first by a good order of diet , taking little victuals , whereby crudities may be avoided that do afford matter to the obstructions , and increase windiness : for which cause she must also drink little , and that , water boyled with cinamon , aniseed , and rind of citrons . the next remedy is by using things which are good to provoke the courses , ( among which use this receit , strain celandine stampt into posset-ale , and drink it four days before the new-moon , and four days after . ) and it will not be amiss to let blood three or four times in the year , about the time that the courses ought to begin . for by this means you may provoke the flowers , and hinder the increase either of a scirrhus , or of a cancer ; to which purpose , baths and frictions are not a little to be used . in the next place , you must prepare the humours that foment this windiness both in the matrix and in the veins , and that by syrups which do expell flegm and melancholly ; after which you must purge your patient ; for which purpose you may use this gentle apozem . take of the root of tamarinds , cypress , bugloss , of each an ounce and a half ; flowers of borage , epithymum , sena , of each half a handful , flowers of balm one handful , raisins one ounce , prunes in number twelve , boyl them in a sufficient quantity of water , and then in a pint of the water dissolve four ounces of the syrup of violets ; make of this an apozem clarified according to art , and sweeten it with a sufficient quantity of sugar , giving four or five ounces at a time . in the next place , you may use topicks to attenuate and resolve ; to which purpose you may bathe or foment the breast with a sponge dipt in lye , and then lay upon it a linnen cloth , dipt and moystned in aqua-vitae , and dryed in the shade , or else dipt in fresh butter that hath boyled a good while , or in oyl of lillies , or in oyl both of the root and seed of angelica ; or you may foment the breast with this decoction . take wheat-bran two handfuls , leaves of dill and melilot , of each half a handful ; aniseed , fennel , and cumin-seed , of each two drams , camomile-flowers one handful ; boyl all these in a sufficient quantity of water and white-wine , and let them boyl to the consumption of the third part . in this decoction you may wet a sponge , and wash or foment the breast therewith . after you have fomented the part , you may put this oyntment upon the part affected : take oyl of lillies and elder , of each an ounce and a half , of the best balsom half an ounce , powder of burnt-lead unwasht , aniseed one dram , and as much wax as is sufficient . of the watry tumour of the breast . the watry tumour is ingendered by a thick and watry flegm gathered together in great abundance in the breast and parts adjoyning , and it happens many times that this watry and flegmy substance is not always gathered to one particular place , but also diffused through all the parts of the breast , which causes a general swelling in that part . this swelling ( that we may define it ) is a loose and soft tumour without much pain , yielding to the touch and pressing of the fingers , so that the hole which is made by the pressing of the fingers remains a pretty while after ; yet it soon becomes painful , if there be any acrimony joyned with it ; or if there be any distention by reason of the press of vapours to that part . this oftentimes happens by reason of the suppression of the courses ; sometimes it is occasioned by reason of a clear and watry flegm , which discharges it self upon these parts . this swelling is easily distinguished from other swellings , by reason of the looseness and softness thereof , and by the pain , which is always less than in other swellings : and in this kind of tumour the pain ascends up to the arms and shoulders , and the whole breast is altogether swoln and raised ; and this pain comes at certain times , chiefly when the flowers ought to come down , which being once come down , the pain diminishes , by reason that the woman is then throughly purged . yet notwithstanding , there doth remain some certain kind of swelling , which happens not in the windy tumours , by reason that the purgations of the flowers do totally dissipate the matter of those swellings . these flegmy tumours do easily turn into cancers , and are therefore to be diligently looked after . as to the cure of these tumours , there is required first an orderly diet , which must be drying , her bread must be well baked and levened , dryed raisins , parched almonds , asparagus , rosted flesh , and small birds . before meat she may take a little honey of roses upon a wafer-cake . for her drink , let it be the decoction of aniseeds , china-roots , sassafras , and sarsaparil . if the retention of the flowers be the cause of this evil , let her then use rather boyled than rosted meats , and then let her boyl them with sage , bettony and hysop . all meats made of milk are dangerous , as also sleep after dinner , and unleavened bread . you may in the next place , use things to divert the humour , as frictions , and baths . if her flowers are suppressed , let a vein be opened in the feet . next after you have prepared the humour by the use of syrups , as those of mint , wormwood , hysop , liquorish , maidenhair , hony of roses , with fennel-water , water of hysop , marjoram , rosemary , betony , mint , then may you use some purges with those pills , call'd sine quibus , agarick pills , and cochy pills . if the patient be strong , and not to be worked upon by weak physick , you may then add two or three grains of diagridium , or of troches of alhandal ; these pills are to be used for eight days , half a dram at a time . another way may be by topicks , to attenuate and resolve ; for which purpose the fomentations specified in the foregoing chapters , may be very fitly used , being prepared with vine-ashes , or figtree-ashes , whereto a little vinegar may be put ; though the use of things that drive back the humour are not here to be used ; you may also rub and chafe the breast with this oyntment . take of oyl of sweet-almonds , oyl of line-seed , of each one ounce , ganders-grease of each half an ounce , a little diachylon instead of wax ; a plaister of great diachylon would not be amiss in this disease ; if the woman feel any pain , or heat in her breasts , let her anoint them with oyl of roses , a little burnt-lead , and a little white wax , or with a little oleum omphacinum , and oyl of sweet almonds tempered together in a mortar . in the dispersing and resolving of the humour , you may use baths of alum and sulphur prepared with the decoction of hysop , mint , and sage , and after that such oyntments as are most approved for the same purpose , always taking heed of too boysterous remedies . if you would suppurate , or mature the swelling , you must use such remedies as we have described in the following and foregoing chapters ; the strongest of which you may here apply , because the matter is more obstinate and tenacious , mingling with them , for that purpose , other more effective remedies , as are the roots of mallows , marsh-mallows , lillies , figs , goose-grease , and the like ; when the sore is opened , you must tend it after the same manner , as is before rehearsed . there are other remedies , either to be taken inwardly , or to be outwardly applied , which serve to fortifie and comfort the stomach , as to take every morning a spoonful of conserve of rosemary , preserved orange , or trochisques of aromaticum rosatum , diagalanga , or diacuminum . of the kernels in the breasts . the kernels of the breast are little round bodies soft and thin like a sponge , which sometimes grow hard by reason of the phlegmy humour which is sometimes purely so , and sometimes is mingled with other sharp and acrimonious humours : but sometimes it comes to pass , that not only the kernels of the breast are swollen , but also that there do grow others which ought not to be there , which may not unfitly be termed a kind of kings-evil , being a swelling which proceeds of thick flegm , or else of a thick mattry blood hardned under the skin ; they are caused many times by the detention of the flowers , the blood oftentimes mounting up into the breast . the cure of these is undertaken two ways ; by softning the hard tumour , and preventing the cancer ; and then also a strict diet is to be observed , which must be moderately attenuating , and by keeping themselves warm , which is perform'd by moderate exercise before meals , as also by using sulphury baths ; but full diet , ease , idleness , and meats of hard digestion are very dangerous ; and indeed in all respects besides , the cure is the same as is set down in the foregoing chapter . but if the kernel be swelled up with a sharp tumour , those topicks are to be used that are prescribed also in the foregoing chapter , only in case the fluxion remain any time , you may mingle those things which do a little more refresh ; such are oil of roses , and oil of violets ; when the flux of humours ceases , you may then add oyl of camomile , and lillies , and other such like things , to dissolve and dissipate the humour . if you find that this kernel is become a kind of kings-evil , you must then use stronger medicines ; adding to the forementioned purgation , a dram and a half of the root of mechoacan , or three drams of diaturbith . for topicks you may use such as do soften and dispel , but such as are stronger than these , we have expressed in the former chapter . you must at length , when all other ways do fail , use the operation of the hand to take away the root of the disease ; but this is not to be done , 'till you have used all other means to soften and dispell the humour , which may perhaps be done by the use of diachylon , or by a plaister of melilot , to which you may add half an ounce of ammoniach , an ounce of oly of lillies , and an ounce and an half of the root of flower-deluce of florence . neither may this following plaister be amiss : take of the roots of marsh-mallows two ounces , boil them and strain them , and add to that oyl of lillies , ganders-grease , of each an ounce , burnt lead , and roots of orrice , of each an ounce and an half ; mingle all these together , and make of them an emplaister : if this avail not , the operation of the hand must be used , in which the skill of the surgeon must be very able , and ready . of the scirrhus of the breasts . the scirrhus of the breasts is a hard swelling without pain : of this there are two kinds , the one ingendred of a melancholy , and produced by a feculent and gross blood , or else from a thick flegm ; now this exquisite scirrhus is without pain , in which it differs from the other : the other is not so exquisite an hardness , perhaps because it is not yet come to its full maturity , or else because it hath certain other humours mixt with it . this exquisite kind of scirrhus is ingendred , either because the spleen is obstructed , and cannot purge away the melancholy blood , which for that reason abounding in the body , discharges and empties it self upon the breasts ; or by reason of the supression of the courses , which causes the feculent and gross humour to disgorge it self upon the breast , gathering together in the veins and flesh of the same . many times the ignorance of the surgeon is the cause of it , when they apply an unreasonable company of refrigerating medicines to the inflammations of the breast , or too many resolving and heating medicines to it , in case the breasts be over-hard . this scirrhus is known by its hardness without pain , from the unevenness of the body , and the colour of the part either inclining to black or brown . now though the cure of these hardnesses be something difficult , yet is there great hopes that they may be overcome ; which is to be done two ways , by mollifying diligently that which is hard , and by taking that away which remains hard and knotty in the breast . and first of all , care is to be had to keep good order of diet ; to which purpose she must use wheaten bread , rear eggs , pullets capons , partridge , veal and mutton , which must be boiled with spinage . bugloss and borage ; she must abstain from beef , venison , hares-flesh and brawn , from pease and beans , and unlevened bread , from all salt and smoaked meats ; as also from all things that have a sharp biting quality ; also she must abstain from all care and sadness , immoderate exercise and going in the winds . if the monthly courses be stopt , you must seek to provoke them gently , which may be done by letting blood in the foot , or to let blood with horse-leeches : in the next place , it will not be amiss to purge well with sena , and rheubarb , to which you may add catholicon , or triphera persica , if you find that the disease needs a more strong purgation . between every purge it will not be amiss to take good cordial and comfortable things , as confection of alkermes , triasantalon , electuarium de gemmis , conserve of the roots of borage , conserve of orange-flowers . you may after all this use topicks , that is to say , such medicines as heat and dry moderately , being hot in the second degree , and dry in the first ; such are sheeps grease , especially that greasie substance that grows upon the flank of a sheep ; wax , oyl of sweet almonds , oyl of camomile , oyl of dill , capons-grease , goose-grease , hogs-grease , bears-grease , &c. veal-marrow , deers-marrow , emulsions of mallows , lillies , and other things of more force : as liquid-pitch . liquid storax , galbanum , cummin-seed , rue-seed , broom-flowers , and dill-seed . if this swelling come of a hard flegm , which is known because it yields not so much to the touch as the other ; you must use the same topicks to this , as to the watry tumour before rehearsed . if melancholy be the cause of it , you may use a fomentation of the leaves of mallows , and marsh-mallows , of each a handful and a half , of fenugreek and lineseed , of each two drams , cucumbers , bears-foot , of each two ounces ; boil them in as much water as is sufficient , and foment the breast with this twice or thrice a day after that , take this oyntment : take of the root of mallows one ounce , when it is boiled and bruised , take it out , and add to it sheeps grease , and capons-grease of each two ounces , and with a little wax make an ointment : this you may use for some few days , after which you may , if need require , use this ointment : take hysop-leaves , dill-leaves , and thyme-leaves , of each half a handful ; roots of mallows , and fenugreek-seed , of each half an ounce , boil them in as much wine and vinegar as is sufficient , 'till half be boiled away ; then take of the aforesaid vinegar , goose-grease , ducks-grease , and the marrow of the leg of a hart , of each two ounces , boil it to the consumption of half the vinegar : you may add to this two drams of diachylon , and make it into the form of a plaister : you may also use for this purpose plaisters of melilot , or oxycroceum . at length , if all remedies fail , the operation of the hand must be the last succour , which we leave to the surgeon . in the cure of a scirrhus three intentions are required , the first is the regulation of diet , and manner of living ; the second is the preparing and evacuating the antecedent or peccant humour , the third is the application of external medicines ; in order to the first , the air ought to be clear and temperately hot and moist , their food such as may breed good blood , as new laid eggs , chicken pullets , mutton , veal , lamb , kid , and these boyled with spinage , borrage , endive succory , lettice , sorrel , and the like , their bread ought to be of good wheat , and well baked , their drink a well boi●ed small ale , or small white wine , rhenish or the like , their exercise and sleep must be moderate , their minds must be chearful ▪ and their bodies soluble by glisters , or otherwise . the second intention is the evacuation of the humour , which abounds in the body , whether flegm , or melancholy be the cause of the scirrhus or whether it proceeds from obstructions of the courses , or a suppression of the hemorrhoids ; if from any of these causes blood abounds , and be feculent , bleeding is allowed , but if bloud do not abound , forbear bleeding , and proceed in preparing and evacuating the humours ; the antients used for preparatives the syrrups of the juice of borrage , bugloss , of hops , of apples , and the bizantine syrup , and the like , and also the destill'd waters of the same plants or whey the following are also used , gerion's decoction of senna , the decoction of dodder of time , also the decoctions of cassia , tamarinds and the like , with the purging syrup of apples . these humours being tough , require frequent purging , but the purges must not be strong . after evacuations , you must endeavour revulsion to contrary parts by frictions , cupping , issues , and the like ; for obstructions of the hemorrhoid , leeches may be applyed ; and in a suppression of the courses , a vein may be opened in the leg or arm. the third intention is performed in treating the humour it self , in doing which , these directions are to be followed : first , you must not use repe●●ents , for cold and tough humours , whereof these swellings consist , cannot return back as hot humours , but do increase thereby . in the next place you ought to be cautious in the use of emollients alone ; for thereby they are frequently exasperated , and end in cancers . you ought also to forbear the use of strong discutients , lest thereby you resolve the serous thin humours , and convert the thicker part into a more solid substance ; therefore you are to consider well the habit of the body , and whether the scirrhus be old or new . as to the habit of the body , young people , and such as live effeminately must be treated with milder resolvents than those who live a laborious life . so also a new scirrhus , whilst it is increasing , requires milder applications than the confirmed and inveterate one , the milder resolvents are fresh butter , hens-grease , oyl of sweet almonds and lillies , ducks and goose-grease , the suet of a calf , a goat , cow , old lard , the roots of marsh-mallows , lillies , and the like ; the stronger are the roots of wild cucumber , briony , solamons seal , orris , ship-pitch , liquid-pitch , turpentine , galbanum , ammoniacum , bdellium , opoponax , and the like . vinegar , by reason of its penetrative quality , is properly mixed with other medicines to dissolve thick humours . for fomentations use the following take of the roots of marsh-mallows and lillies , each four ounces , of the roots of wild cucumber two ounces , of the tops of hemlock two handfuls , of the tops of marjoram one handful , of the flowers of melilot and elder , each one pugil , of the seeds of flax , fenugreek and marsh-mallows each one ounce , boyl them in a sufficient quantity of fountain-water , to the strained liquor add a little vinegar . in soft bodies when the scirrhous is new . take of the roots of marsh-mallows half a pound , of the roots of lillies three ounces , of the seeds of flax and fenugreek each one ounce , boyl them in broth made of the feet and head of a sheep , then beat them and pulp them thro' a sive , and add to them of the oyl of camomile and lillies each two ounces , of oesypus one ounce and an half , of simple diachylon plaister dissolved in oyl of lillies three ounces , with a sufficient quantity of white wax make a cerate . in dry bodies , where the scirrhous is more confirmed , a fume of vinegar , or of spirit of wine sprinkled upon a hot stone , are of excellent use for resolving these tumours ; afterwards you must chafe the part , and apply the following . take of galbanum , ammoniacum , and bdellium dissolved in vinegar , and of liquid storax , each one ounce , of great diachylon two ounces , of oyl of lillies , and goose grease , each one ounce ; of the cerate of oesypus two ounces , melt them all together , and with white wax make a soft cerate . if by the use of these medicines , the scirrhus tend to suppuration , it must be treated accordingly ; but be careful you be not deceived , and the suppuration prove false , and end in a cancer . a gentlewoman of a full body having been long diseased by an immoderate flux of the courses , and subject to a cough , and shortness of breath , and the like , at length recovered her health by the prescriptions of her physician , and enjoyed it the space of a year , but was afterwards seiz'd with a straitness and pain in her right breast , which encreased much with inflamation . at first sight it seemed to be a confirmed cancer fixed to the ribs . but upon more mature deliberation , and handling of it , the surgeon found the disease was in the skin , and that the glands and musculous flesh underneath were not hard , or otherwise affected , than as they were bound in by the intense hardness of the skin , which kept them immoveable ; from that uneasiness an erisypelas was raised , which overspread the skin of the breast , and parts about with great heat . the surgeon supposed the hardness proceeded from a concretion of the nutritious juices , he applied over the parts affected , galen's cerate , to repress the heat , and supplied her with medicines to dress her self , that she might according to her desire , return to her house in the country , where she was let blood , and purged with manna , and cream of tartar , dissolved in whey ; and she was afterwards purged with epsom waters . but after all , growing more indisposed , she returned to london at which time her breast was inflamed , and excoriated and several hard tubercles were upon the skin , that gleeted much ; the scirrhus was also spread up that side of the neck by the mastoide muscle , to the bone of the shoulder , and scapula , and so under that arm-pit , and down that side ; some of the excoriations were dressed with vigo's oyntment of tutty , and others with pledgets dipt in this following lotion . take of frog spawn-water one pint , of the seeds of quinces two drams , of the seeds of plantain one dr●m , infuse them hot twenty four hours ; to the strained liquor add of the white troches of rhasis powdered one dram , of sugar of saturn half a scruple . over all was applied some of the following cerate . take of the muscilage of the seeds of quinces , and fleabane extracted in night-shade-water , each four ounces , unguentum-nutritum three ounces , populeon oyntment six ounces , with a sufficient quantity of white wax make a cerate . thus the inflamation remitted , and the excoriations were heal'd in some places , and checkt in others . many inward remedies were also prescribed , viz. emulsions , cordials , and the like , according to the accidents which hapened ; but the scirrhus still spreading , over-ran the other breast , and side of the neck , and in a few weeks made her neck stiff and immoveable , and by reason of the compression which was made in the arm-pit , and about the shoulder , there was a stagnation of the humours , and the arm swell'd to the fingers ends . the arm was fomented with a decoction of the leaves and roots of marsh mallows , of the leaves of violets , plantain , night-shade , willow , ducks-meat , of the flowers of camomile and melilot , of the seeds of flax and fenugreek , and embrocations , cerates , emollients and resolvents were used to succour the parts ; but all this while she was afflicted , either with the collick , a looseness or vomiting , mercurius dulcis was also used inwardly to carry off the matter , and mercurial oyntments outwardly , and the surgeon would have salivated her , if she would have permitted . the scirrhus seized on both sides of her neck , her shoulders , arms , breasts , and sides , and began to invade the skin of her loins and hips , yet she was not sick or pained , but eat her dinner well ; she at length grew weary of medicine , and with patience endured the remaining accidents of her disease , 'till it kill●d her . she was seiz'd with this scirrhus in may , and died the august following . of the cancer in the breast . the cancer is a venomous tumour , hard , and very much swelled , hot , and durable , more exasperated oftentimes by remedies than asswaged . the cancer proceeds from a feculent and gross humour , which being gathered together in the spleen , is chased away from thence after it grows too hot ; which when nature cannot void , it most commonly in women empties it self upon the breasts , by reason of their cavernous and spongy nature : the matter of it is a hot melancholy blood , and it is known by the crooked windings , and retored veins that are about it , stretching out long roots a good way from it , being sometimes blackish , and sometimes inclined to black and blue ▪ it is soft to see to , but it is very hard to the touch , extending the pain as far as the shoulders . it will sometimes remain for two years together , no bigger than a bean ; afterwards it grows to be as big as a nut , then to the bigness of an egg ; and after that increasing to a larger size . when the skin breaks , there issues out a great deal of pestilent matter , thin , and blackish , and having a very bad smell . the ulcer it it self is very unequal , the lips and orifice thereof being swell'd with hardness , and inverted ; a light fever possesseth the body , and often swoonings . and many times the pestilency of the humour having corroded a vein , there issues out a great deal of blood . if the cancer be ulcerated , or in any inward part of the body , no medicine can prevail ; for remedies do more exasperate than help it . to burn it with iron is pestilent , and if it be cut with a pen knife , it returns again as soon as it is but skin●d over . but if it be an exulcerated cancer ( which is easily known ) and arises from a more sharp matter , for then the flesh is corrupted , sending forth a very noysom matter , being very irksom to the sight , and accompanied with a gentle fever , and swooning , and issuing out of blood ; ) the cure of this is to be done by drying and refrigerating medicines , or by incision to the quick , and expression of the corrupted blood afterwards ; after which the wound must be well cleansed ; for which purpose the powder which is called hartman's blessed powder , is very prevalent . the diet must be of meats that moisten and refrigerate ; blood letting also is profitable , as also preparation of the humour , with the juyce of sweet smelling apples , and extract of ellebore , and often purgation with lapis lazuli pills ; and particularly if the cancer be not ulcerated , you may apply this ointment . take litharge one ounce , beat it in a marble mortar with a leaden pestle , incorporating into it two ounces of rose-water and oil of roses . in case the pain be great , use this remedy , take white poppy-seed one ounce , oil of roses four ounces , henbane seed and opium , of each a dram and a half ; gumme arabick half an ounce , a little wax , of which you may make an ointment . if the cancer be already ulcerated , take this water : take of the juyces of night-shade , housleek , sorrel , scabious , honey-sucles , mullein , figwo●t , dropwort , plantain , toads flax , agrimony , of each half a pound , juice of green olives one pint , the flesh of frogs , and river-crabs , of each a pound and a half , the whites of six eggs , alum three ounces ; camphire one dram ; let all these be distilled in a leaden limbeck , and with the distilled water foment the part affected . take also allum as much as a nut , honey two penniworth , red wine a pint , seeth them together 'till the fifth part be spent , strein it through a cloth , and wash the cancer therewith . a woman having a pain in her breast , advised with a surgeon , who felt one of the glands swell'd ; he advised her to forbear handling it , and to forbear lacing her self too strait it lay some years quiet ; but then the death of her husband happening , and one affliction following another , and the courses stopping , the humours ●omented in this gland , and afterwards the breast swell'd , and seem●d to apostumate . some assured her , it was a simple aposthumation , and requir'd digestives , and she was perswaded to follow their advice , 'till she became extreamly pained . it was without inflammation , but swell'd very big , and seem'd to be full of matter ; it was not without hard tubercles , and other symptoms to shew it would end in a cancer , whensoever it should break ; therefore a skilful surgeon refused to open it , but advised the best he could to give her ease , and promised to come to her , if after it brake she would send for him . some months after she sent for him , and shew'd him a great quantity of curdled matter newly burst forth ; the breast was lank , but very hard glands lay within , and in the circumference of the tumour , there were some tubercles that required to be eradicated ; to which purpose , he design'd to have slit open the abscess , and to have pull'd away the cancerated glands , but she would not permit him so much as to enlarge the orifice ; upon which consideration he left her , and she died within half a year after . of the greatness of the breasts . the greatness of the breasts is very unsightly , the cause of their greatness is often handling of them , store of windy vapours , and retention of the monthly courses ; the cure of them is not to be neglected , because the lesser the breasts be , the less subject they are to be cancered ; they are cured by diet first , wherein the use of astringent meats is to be recommended , so that they be not windy by repercussion of the humours and blood which flow to that part , such are the juyce of hemlock , and the anointing of the place with partridge eggs : or you may use this following cataplasm ; take of the juyce of hemlock , three ounces , of white lead , acacia , and frankincense , of each three drams , of vinegar one ounce , mingle all these together , to which you may add powder of spunge , burnt alum , burnt lead , bole armoniack , and of these with a sufficient quantity of wax and oyl of myrtle , make a very profitable ointment . thirdly , by the discussion of that which is gathered together in that part ; for which purpose you may make an ointment in this manner ; take of the mud or lome , found in molis tonsorum , two ounces ; oil of myrtle one ounce , vinegar half an ounce ; or thus , take of the same lome and bole armoniack , of each an ounce , white lead two drams , oil of mastick two ounces and a half , of the emulsion of henbane-seed one dram and a half , anoint the breast with this , and then upon that put a linnen cloath dipt in the deco●tion of oke-apples . fourthly , by compression of the part , which is done by using a kind of plate of lead upon the breast anointed within side with oil of henbane-seed . of the defect , abundance , and coagulation of the milk. the defect of milk arises from a double cause ; for either it is a defect in the blood , which is dried up by reason of some hot maladies of the body , either through intemperancy of the liver through fasting , or too much evacuation . if the deficiency of milk come from these causes , it may be increased again , either by prepared crystal ; the leaves also , root and seed of fennel do avail much in this particular , and the powder of earth-worms prepared and drunk in wine , as also the electuary called electuarium zacuthi . there is another cause which proceeds from the lactifying quality , which is many times so weak , that it can neither attract nor concoct the blood , by reason of some outward refrigerating , and astringent qualities , or by reason of some other diseases . the cure of which being looked after in their respective places , much conduceth to the restoring of that defect . the redundance of milk proceeds from too great a plenty of blood , and a strong lactifying quality . in the cure of which the increase of blood is to be impeded , which is done by drying up that humour , and diversion ; to which blood-letting conduceth much : medicines also that drive it back are to be put upon the breasts towards the arms ; to which purpose hemlock boiled in chervil-water and vinegar avails . curdling of the milk is when the thinner part of the milk exhales , and the more gross and heavy part stays behind , which many times is the cause of tumours , kernels , and aposthumes . in this case the infant is not to suck the part affected ; though that breast is also to be suckt for fear , lest the milk which is newly generated , should be curdled and knotted by that which is there already ; and so that part of the coagulated milk may be hindred from putrifying . to the dissolving of the milk it much conduceth to wash the breast with water , wine , and vinegar mixt together ; as also a fomentation made of the decoction of marsh-mallows , fenugreek , and melilote , and then anointing them with a liniment of oil of roses , oil of sweet almonds , juice of parsley and vinegar , wherein let the gall of a hare be first dissolved . hemlock water in this case also is not a little commended . of the diseases of the neck of the womb , and first of the disease called tentigo . tentigo is a disease in women , when the clitoris increases to an over great measure ; the subject of this disease is the clytoris , or nervous piece of flesh , which the lips or wings of the privities do embrace , and which suffers erection in the act of venery : the signs of it are evident , for it hangs below the orifice of the privities as big as the neck of a goose : the causes hereof are a great concourse of humours , or nutriment , by reason of the laxity of it , which happens by often handling . the cure is performed by the diminution of the blood , and drawing out of the other humours . a slender and refrigerating diet is also necessary , and such things as have a discussive faculty , as the leaves of mastick-tree , and the leaves of olive-tree . in the next place , by taking away the excrescence , to which purpose gentle causticks may be first applied , as allum , and the aegyptiack ointment , and that lie whereof sope is made , being boiled with roman vitriol , to which at last you may add some opium , and form the composition into trochisques , which being afterwards made into a powder , is to be sprinkled upon the fleshy excrescence : at length the flesh is to be out away , either by binding hard , or by section ; care being taken that you avoid an inflammation . there is another disease , which is called cauda , which is a carnous substance proceeding from the mouth of the womb , which sometimes fills up the privy parts , and sometimes thrusts it self outwards like a tail . the cure of this is the same with the former ; only if it come to section , it may be done either with a horse-hair , or a silken thread wound about it , being first dipt in sublimat water ; or else with a knife . of the narrowness of the neck of the womb. this narrowness is either of the womb it self , or of the orifice of the womb ; the signs are the stoppage of the courses , followed with a depressing and weighty pain . the cause is partly natural from the nativity , and partly varies according to the differences of the disease : the difference is in this , it hapning sometimes that this streightness consists in the exterior orifice , whereby neither the flowers have free passage , neither can she enjoy coition , or conceive with child , because she cannot receive either the man or the seed . sometimes the narrowness is in the interior orifice of the womb , into which the flowing retires back again , to the absolute hindrance of conception ; sometimes it is occasioned by way of compression , when the caul being fatter than ordinary , lies upon the neck of the womb. sometimes the splaying of the thighs stone in the bladder , or some tumour in the straight gut . sometimes it happens by the clinging of other parts together which happens either from the birth , and then either the flesh which appears red , and is soft to the touch , intercepts the passage ; or else the membrane which seems , white feels hard being touched . in the cure of this , the use of moist fomentations is very prevalent , and an insection is to be made perpendicularly ; great care being taken for fear of hurting the neck of the bladder . the humour is next to be provoked forth , and a tent dipt in some suppurating plaister is to be put up ; the next day it is to be washed with water and honey , and cicatrizing plaisters to be applied ; if it come after the birth , it is either occasion●d by an ulcer , and then either the sides of the neck cling together , in which case either incision , or cauterization is to be used ; or else there is a brawny substance which is to be cut away with a pen-knife ; or else some spongy and luxuriant flesh , in which case drying and d●●cu●●ng medicines ●re to be used , as birthwort , frankincens● myrrh , and mastick , afterwards you may apply things to eat it away ; and last of all to cut it away by incision . of wheals , condyloma's of the womb , and of the hemorrhoids . the wheals of the womb are certain risings in the neck of the womb , which by their acrimony excite both pain and itching . the signs of them are an itching pain , and full of scurf from that part , for the better searching of which , the instrument called speculum matricis is to be used . the causes of this are , certain cholerick , sharp , and adust humours , and thick . among the preparing medicines , syrup of fumitory is much commended , and chichory with a decoction of lupines . topicks also are useful that discuss and mitigate the humour , as baths , and insessions , and the washing of the place with wine and nitre , which is often to be used . these wheals are divided into gentle , and venemous , which are said to be contagious ; they are to be washed in a water thus made . take of aloes the quantity of a pea ; of the flower of brass the quantity of half a pea , powder these , and mingle them in an ounce of white-wine , plantain-water , and rose-water , of each an ounce , which is to be kept in a glass vessel . condyloma's are certain swelling wrinckles in the neck of the womb , with pain and heat . there is no need to tell the signs of these , for they are apparent to the eye ; the wrinkles are like those which appear in the hand when you close the first ; but are much bigger when the courses flow : they are caused by adust and thick humours ; some of these are with an inflamation , which have more pain and heat , and the swelling is hard : in the cure of which , you must use insessions , and fomentations that ease pain ; sometimes they come without any inflammation , which if they be new come are to be dried up ; if they be old , they are first to be softned afterwards to be digested and dried up ; for which purpose you may use powder of egg-shels burnt , or this oyntment : take of the trochisques of steel one dram powdered , mixt with a little oyl of roses and wax , with half an ounce of the juyce of mullein ; if this profit not , the warts are to be shaved away with a knife , and an astringent powder laid upon them . hemorrhoids of the womb are little protuberancies like those of the fundament , produced in the neck of the womb , through the abundance of feculent blood ; the subject is the neck of the womb , for where the veins end , there do grow these extuberancies , just as in the hemorrhoids . the signs are evident , and easily seen by the help of the speculum matricis : the women who are thus affected look pale , and are troubled with a weariness . the cause is a feculent blood , which flowing to these veins before its season , and setling there , grows thicker , so that it cannot pierce the orifice of the veins . they are cured by a revulsion of the humour ; first , by letting blood in the arm. secondly , by drawing it to another part , as by letting blood in the heel . sometimes these hemorrhoids are very painful , and are distinguished from that menstruous effluxion , by the pain which they bring : they are cured by mittigating and asswaging in●e●●ions , ●s also by opiates carefully applied . others are without pain , to which the foresaid remedies may be applied others are open , and do sometim●s run moderately ( and then nature is to be ●et alon● ) or violent●y , so that thereby the strength of the person is impaired , in which case a vein must be opened in the arm , two or three times , purgation is also to be used by myrobolans , tamarind , and rheubarb ; and at length you must apply those things which cease the blood . others are termed blind , out of which there issues no blood ; they are cured by blood-letting ; the part is to be also softned and fomented with things that soften and open the orifices of the veins , and dispel the humour ; such are an oyntment made of the pith of coloquintida , and oyl of sweet almonds , or the juyce of capers mixt with aloes ; neither is the applying of horseleaches amiss . the cure of these excrescences at their first budding forth , may be attempted by drying and astringent medicines , as with the tops of brambles and horse-tail , with the leaves and berries of myrtles and sumach , with the rind of pomgranats , balaustins , scales of brass , wash'd lime , allom , and the like , made into fomentations , or powder'd and mixed with oyntments , and applied upon tow. if these do not check their growth , you may cut them off with a knife , or scizers , and consume the remaining roots by escharoticks , or actual cautery , and then proceed in the cure by digestion , and epuloticks accordingly . to prevent their growing again , authors commend the ashes of vine and bean-stalks mix'd with vinegar , to apply upon the part . the cure of chaps or fissures consists in removing the callosity , and cicatrizing them smooth ; if moisture abound , things that are dry must be used . to which purpose , take of the flowers of red-roses , of myrtle-berries , of the tops of brambles , each one handful ; of the roots of tormentil and bistort , each one ounce ; of allom one dram , boyl them in a pint and an half of steel-water ; towards the end of boyling , add four ounces of red wine , wherewith foment the part , then apply what follows . take of litharge and ceruse , each three drams , of sarcocoal , mastick , and frankincense , each one scruple , of sealed-earth two scruples , of oyl of roses four ounces , of wax a sufficient quantity , mingle them over the fire , then beat them in a leaden mortar for use . if dryness be the fault , you must dress them with medicines that are moistening ; as , take of calves fat , of ducks and hens-grease , each two drams , of litharge of gold one dram , mingle them in a leaden mortar , according to art . the material cause of all these sorts of excrescences , is flegmatic or gross clammy blood thrust forth , by the strength of the expulsive faculty , out of the pores of the skin , and dry'd up into these forms in which you see them . all these species of excrescences , are for the most part symptoms of the french pox. of the ulcers of the neck of the womb. the signs of these ulcers is a pain , and perpetual twinging , which increases , if any thing that hath an abstersive quality be cast in ; the issuing out of putrid humours , and matter with blood , if the ulcer be great , or the flowers come down ; often making water , and the water hot ; as also a pain in the fore-part of the head toward the roots of the eyes ; as also some kind of gentle fever . the cure of this is hard , because of its being in a place of so exquisite sense , and moist , and having such a sympathy with other parts of the body : for the easing of the pain , chalybeated milk is very much conducing ; and to the drying of them up , drying baths are the best and most prevalent remedy . these differ much , coming either from external causes , as rash physick , hard labours , and violent coiture ; or from internal causes , as the corruption of the secondines , the courses retained , and the urine flux , a virulent gonorrhea the pox , inflammations turned into apostems , humors flowing from other parts of the body , and there setling ; all which must be duly considered in the cure. others are in the outward part , and may be easily come at with medicines ; others deep , and must be come at only with injection ; for which purpose , use this following . take whites of four eggs , beat them well , and put to them an equal quantity of rose water , and plantain-water , as much in quantity as they come to , c●mphire , ceruse , litharge of gold , and bole-armoni●ck of each a like quantity , green copperas , half as much as of any of them , beat all to powder , mix it , and strain it through a cloth , and make your injection 'till the part infected be whole ; and if there be any pain , sometimes inject a little new warm milk . others are more gentle , with a little stinking matter flowing from them . for the cure of which , gentle abstersives are profitable , as honey of roses with barly-water , whey with sugar , and the decoction of lentiles : after these , gentle astringents must be applied . others are sordid , with much matter slowing from them : in which case stronger medicines must be applied . others do eat into the flesh , having a coloured , green , and stinking matter flowing from them . for the cleansing of which , aloes and wormwood are very much commended , or the foresaid injection . there are another sort of ulcers , little and long , which eat the skin of the neck of the womb ; they are known by the pain and blood which they produce immediately after congression ; they are seen also by looking into the neck of the womb , being much like chilblains that come upon the hands in winter time . they are caused divers ways , either by a difficult lying in , or by a violent coiture , and cured by an astringent clyster : or they are produced by some inflammation , or flux of sharp humours ; purgations are here needful , before topicks be applied , among which is much commended the grease that fries out of wooden ladles , much used in kitchens being held to the fire ; as also the oyntment called pomatum the cure of the ulcer must be perform●d by stopping the defluction of acrid humours , and by cleansing and conglutinating the ulcer . and first , if the body be plethorick , or if the ulcer be accompanied with an inflammation , a vein must be open'd in the arm , and bleeding must be repeated as often as there is danger of a new fluxion , especially at the time of the courses , to lessen them , which are wont to increase the matter of the ulcer , and to promote the flux of other humors to the womb. purging is also very necessary to cleanse the body from ill humors , but it ought to consist of gentle catharticks , as of sena , rhubarb , tamarinds , myrobalans , and the like ; it must be often repeated , that the vitious humors may be diverted ; and this is of so great moment that a noble matron was cur'd of an ulcer of the womb , by taking every day five ounces of a decoction of sena , dodder of thyme , red roses . indian myrobalans sweetned with sugar , and by injecting a cleansing decoction into the womb. if the sick vomits easily , a vomit is most useful ; for it m●kes a revulsion of the humors from the womb , and the days the sick does not purge , a vulnerarary decoction must be used a long while , made in the following manner . take of the leaves of agrimony , knot-grass , burnet and plaintain , each half an handful , of the roots of china three drams , of coriander-seed one dram , of raisins half an ounce , of red sanders one scruple , boyl them in chicken broth , strain it , let the sick take of it morning and evening . if the fever be violent , and if a great quantity of sanies be evacuated , whey is very proper , half a pint or more being taken in a morning with a little honey of roses . if the body begins to w●ste , and there is a hectick fever , asses milk must be taken with sugar of roses for a whole month , sudor●●●ks may also do good to dry the ulcer ; and to drive the serous humour towards the habit of the body , if the●e be no inflammation or hot intemperies , turpen●ine washed in some proper water for the womb , as in mugwort , or feverfew-water , or in some water proper for the ulcer , taken with sugar of roses by intervals , cleanses and heals the ulcer , pills of bdellium taken dayly , or every other day , are also very good . take of bdellium three drams , of myrrh and frankincense , each one dram , of sarc●coal , amber , s●orax , and myrobalans call'd chebule , each one dr●m , of red coral two scruples , with syrup of poppi●● , make a mass for pills , to which , when the pain is violent , may be added a little opium . troches of al●●kengy with opium may be also used , when the pain is violent . the following powder is also very e●●ectual to dry the ulcer . take of acatia , and hypocistis , each one dram , of dragons-blood , white starch , the roots of pl●ntai● , and of round birthwort , each half a dram , of bole armoniack one dram , of mastich and sarcacoal , each half a dram of these make a fine powder . the dose is one dram in plantain● or rose-water , or in some chalybe●● water . to cleanse , heal , and dry the ulcer , various in●ections are prepared ; but they must not be used 'till the inflammation is taken off ▪ and 'till the pain is e●sed ▪ and therefore upon account of the inflammation and acrimony , emulsions of the cold seeds , the whey of goats milk , or the milk it self , or mixed with the juyce of plantain , or shepherd's-purse , may be injected first if necessity requires , a decoction of poppy heads , and tops of mallows may be injected . some practitioners say , the sick may be much relieved by injecting frequently warm water . the hot intemperies , and the pain being quieted , at least diminish'd , such things must be used as cleanse , beginning with the gentle , as whey with sugar , a d●coction of b●rly with sugar , or hony of roses ; but simple hydr●mel cleanses more . a decoction will be a little stronger made with barly , lentils , beans not excorticated , of the leaves of smallage , plantain , and pellitory a little hony of roses may be added . when the ulcer is very sordid , the following decoction may be used . take of the roots of gentian , rhaponticum , zedoary , and round birthwort , each one ounce , of white wine three pints , boyl them to the consumption of a third part ; in the strain'd liquor dissolve half a pound of sugar , and keep it for use . if the ulcer be very faetid , a little aegyptiac oyntment may be added to the decoction ; when the ulcer is well cleansed , you must use such things as dry and consolidate . take of the roots of comfry , and bistort , each one ounce , of the leaves of plantain , horse-tail , shepherds-purse , sanicle , mouse-ear , milfoil , each one handful , of red roses half an handful ; boil them in a measure of water for an injection . the following sarcotic powder may be added to it . take of the roots of orris , birthwort , and comfry , each half an ounce , of myrrh one ounce , of aloes three drams , make a powder , whereof let half an ounce be mingled with every injection . take of turpentine washed in plantain-water , two drams , dissolve it with honey and the yolk of an egg , and mingle it with the injection . this is very effectual , and is more so , if the sarcotic powder be also added . fumes must be used for deep ulcers , for they penetrate to the bottom of the womb , and dry the ulcers . take of frankincense , myrrh , mastick , gum of juniper , labdanum , each one ounce , with a sufficient quantity of turpentine , make troches for a fume . when the ulcer is very obstinate , cinnabar must be added , which is of excellent use . the bath-waters have cured some women , when all other medicines have bin ineffectual . after you have sufficiently cleansed the ulcer , you must apply a drying and cicatrizing ointment . take of tutty washed half an ounce , and of litharge , ceruse , and sarcacoal , each two drams , of oyl and wax a sufficient quantity , make an ointment . sometimes the ulcer penetrates the right gut , and sometimes the bladder , which may be known by the matter evacuated by those parts ; if it flow by the right gut , lenitive , cleansing , and drying glisters must be injected ; but if it flow from the bladder , gentle and cooling diureticks must be used , as an emulsion of the greater cold seeds , turpentine , and the like . if the ulcer turn to a fistula , which chiefly happens , when it is opened outwardly towards the hip , tho' it may happen in the womb it self , or in the neck of it . in this case we must consider , whether it be best to leave the accustomed passage untouched , thro' which nature endeavours to evacuate various excrements , or to undertake the ●ure of it : but if that be thought most proper for the sick , a cure that is call'd palliative , must be instituted by purges frequently-repeated , and by sweatlng twice a year , and by cleansing and strengthening injections , and by applying over a plaister of diapalma , or the like ; but if there be any hopes of a cure , the same remedies must be used , which are proper for other fistula's . if the ulcer be occasion'd by the french pox , it cannot be cured without an universal cure ; in performing which , the fumes of cinnabar receiv'd thro' a tunnel into the womb , are peculiarly proper . also the anointing the inner parts of the womb with a mercurial ointment in all ulcers of the womb if there be a troublesome itching about the neck , as it frequently happens , by reason of a defluxion of an acid and salt humour to the part , a pessary must be made to qualifie it , dipt in the ointment of elecampane with mercury , or in aegyptiacum dissolved in sea or allom-water , or in fresh butter , wherein quick-silver has been extinguished , to which must be added sulphur . of the diseases of the womb. of the womb being out of temper . the intemperance of the womb is when it hath lost its natural temper , and is affected with a preternatural intemperancy arising both from inward and outward causes . the one of these is hot , and is known by the womans proneness to venery , by the small flux of the monthly courses , by their adustness , sharpness , inordinate , and difficult flux . ( hence in process of time they are very hypochondriack ) by early growing of the hairs about the privities , by redness of the face , and driness of the lips , and frequent pains of the head , and abundance of cholerick humours in the body ; it ariseth either at first from the birth , which causes women to be virago's , and to be barren ; or after their nativity , from outward causes , as the use of hot things , overmuch venery , and such medicines as bring the heat and blood to the womb. the cure consists in a contrary diet , and cooling medicines , both internal and external , which are to be applyed to the back and sides ; which must be very moderate , that the heat which is necessary for conception may not be weakened , and the cold and membranous substance of the womb come to any harm ; or lest the vessels which serve for the carrying away of the courses should be thickned , and the nerves of the back and sides be any way mischieved . the next way of cure is performed by evacuating medicines , namely , rheubarb and solutive syrup of roses , manna also profiteth much ; the flower of vitriol of venus and mars , taken from three grains to six , and put in any proper syrup , purges the womb. there is another intemperancy which comes of cold , which is known by a lesser proneness to venery , and little pleasure taken in it , a setling in the courses , with a slimy and flegmy matter mixed , and an inordinate flowing of them by reason of the plenty of humours collected in the womb , which causes obstructions , by reason of abundance of windy vapours in the womb , crudities and watriness of the seed , which causes it to flow without any pleasure , a pale colour in the face : it arises from causes contrary to the former , it is cured by contrary diet , by hot medicines applyed to the womb , among which the roots of birthwort , clove-gilliflowers , angelica , and eringo's , are very much commended . the leaves also of mercury , balm , dittany , penny-royal , sage , rosemary , mugwort , flowers of centaury , marigolds , sage , rosemary , borage ; and sundry spices , as nutmegs , cubebs , saffron and cinamon . these kind of compounds are also very useful , as oyl of mace , oyl of amber , oyl of myrrh , and of cinamon . there is another intemperancy of the womb , which comes of moisture , and is joined most commonly with the cold intemperancy : it is known by the plenty of the courses , and by the thinness and watriness of them ; as also the moistness of the privities , by reason of the moistness of the excrements ; no pleasure in the act of venery , and proneness to abortion , by reason of the growth of the birth . it hath the same original with the frigid intemperancy , and happens most commonly to women , who are lazy and sedentary : it is cured with the same medicines as the former ; only this may be added , that a fume may be made of the shavings of ivory : and the decoction of sage , being received into those parts before supper , is very much commended . baths of sulphur do also profit much . there is another distemper of the womb , which is dry , which is discerned by the want of seed , and the defect of the courses , by slowness to venery , driness of the mouth of the womb , by a blackish colour of the lower lip , which is always chopt . it sometimes arises from the very nativity , which causes a dry and lean constitution of body ; sometime through age , and then women cease to bring children ; sometimes from inflammations and such like diseases ; sometimes from a defect of blood , which ought to moisten the parts ; which happens either through a narrowness and obstruction of the veins , or else because it being voided out at the neck of the womb , cannot pierce to the bottom . the cure of this is performed first by a contrary diet , where you must also avoid much labour , watching , hunger , and sadness . secondly , by the use of moistning things , amongst which are most commended , borage , bugloss , mercury , mallows , violets . among outward means , baths of sweet water , and unctions with oyl of sweet almonds , oyl of white lillies , hens-grease , and the marrow of calves legs . the cure is the more hard , if the driness have been of any long continuance . there is another which is a compound distemper , which is most often cold and moist , which is discerned by comparing the signs of the simple distemperatures together . it arises from flegmy humours : the cure is performed by preparing the matter with hot things , by evacuation of the matter with such medicines as are most proper to purge flegm : as also by a particular purgation of the womb it self ; to which purpose pessaries do very much conduce ; as also sulphury and drying baths ; as also the use of sudorificks , or things that provoke sweat may be very profitable , as the decoctions of lignum sanctum , china , sarsaparella , and mastick wood . of the narrowness of the vessels of the womb. the signs of the narrowness of the vessels of the womb , are partly the retention of the flowers so that they cannot flow , as also the hindrance of conception , by reason that the passage of the blood is intercepted . the causes are partly external , as from astringent baths and medicines , which is known from the relation of the party affected ; it is cured more easily by moistning and mollifying medicines . the other causes are internal , as from flesh , or membrane , clinging to the orifice of the womb , or by a closing up of the orifices of the veins , by reason of some violent extraction of the secondines , which is commonly incurable ; the only cure which may be tryed is by mollifying applications . another cause is deduced from obstruction , which arises from certain thick viscous and copious humours flowing from other parts of the body , the heat of those places not being able to attenuate them ; or else gather together in the womb it self , by reason of the weakness of the heat of that part ; it is discerned by the same signs as the cold distemper , there being also a slimy matter which now and then comes down from the womb : it is cured as other obstructions , by sharp and bitter medicines , and steel-wine , as also baths made with opening and mollifying things . sometime● this narrowness arises from a compression of the parts , occasioned either by some swelling or schirrus , either within or without the womb ; if this be , there do appear manifest signs of swelling : it is an evil for the most part incurable ; many times it is occasioned by an over-fatness of those parts , which is plain to the sense . of the puffing up of the womb. the puffing up of the womb is a windy swelling of that part , occasioned from cold , flegmy and flatulent matter , which is increased through the defect of natural heat in the womb. this is called the windy mole , it giving hopes of a conception . the signs of this , are a distention of the womb not far from the midriff , which is now increased , now diminished ; sometimes extending it self to the navel , sometimes to the loins and diaphragm . it differs from the dropsie , partly because the swelling is not so great , and the party affected is not much troubled with thirst , by the increasing and diminishing of the tumor ; and by the upper part not being so lean . it is distinguish'd from the dropsie of the womb by the fore apprehension of the causes that beget those windy vapors , by the sound , and less ponderosity , as as also by a feeling of an extensive and pricking pain in the womb , and parts adjoyning . it is also distinguished from the inflammation of the intestines , because here is no great pain , neither is the patient hard bound ; yet the flowers are suppressed , and the feet and hollow of the eyes do swell , and the colour of the body is changed , the woman draws her breath short and is sad , and when she awakes is fain to lift up her head to take breath . it differs from a mole , because there is not that heaviness and ponderosity in the womb ; besides the woman doth not feel the burden of her womb tumble from one side to the other : it is distinguished from conception by the sound , and by the increasing and decreasing of the swelling , and by the deadness of the motion , not unlike that of a dead infant : for if the midriff be violently compressed , the wind being then compelled to the part adjoyning , there is a kind of palpitating motion perceived through all the midriff . the matter of this distemper is generated either in the womb it self , or by reason of the suppression of the courses , or by the interception of due purgation after delivery . many times it comes through the veins and seminal vessels . now the weakness of the heat proceeds sometimes from the external air , sometimes from hard delivery , from the suppression of the courses , from abortion , &c. the cure is performed after the same way that other cures are managed : among those things that purge , species hierae , and diaphaenicon , with castor , are most commended ; for fumes , nutmeg is counted the best ; for potions , nutmegs bruised and boyled with the roots of mather , and drunk in six ounces of wine , and two drams of sugar . sometimes this wind gets into the cavity of the womb , and then the neck and orifice of the womb is closed , so that nothing can go forth , when the woman is moved , or when the midriff is pressed down with her hand , and then a kind of noise and sound is perceived . sometimes the wind gets into the tunicles of the womb , and then the mouth of the womb may be open : by reason of the shutting up of the windy vapours in a narrow place , there goes a noise forth , and the pain grows greater , and extends farther . this is more hard and difficult to be cured than that which is in the concavity of the womb. of the inflammation of the womb. the inflammation of the womb is a swelling of the same through the putrefaction of blood which is fallen down into its substance , having many symptoms , and now tending to a scirrhus , now towards an apostem . the signs are various ; there is a swelling in the womb with heat and pain , and a retraction of the womb to the more inward parts ; the neck of the womb appears red , with little veins scattered up and down in it , like the web of a spider . there is sometimes a difficulty of breathing , with some kind of pleurisie , because the interior tunicle of the womb being extended , which rises from , and is joyned to the peritonaeum ; th● parts also to which that coheres , are stretched . the excrements of the belly and bladder are detained by reason of the heat and driness of the belly , and the compression of the passages . sometimes the whole body of the belly seems empty , or filled with water , and the navel hangs forward , and the mouth of the womb is made very slender and close ; and upon a sudden few depraved courses come down : then happens a burning fever by reason of the great sympathy with the womb and the heart , occasioned through the arteries and great vessels . there is a pain in the breasts , with a swelling in them , by reason of the consent and agreement between the groyns , the hips , the septum transversum claviculare , and the forepart of the head , which is extended to the roots of the eyes ; as also from vapours which rise from the putrified blood to the head , through the arteries that run along through the neck , passing by both parts of the infundibulum into the fore part of the head . the cause of this consists in the blood , which is sometimes with choler , and sometimes with melancholy . the cure is difficult , if the blood in that part be wholly putrified ; for that causeth a sordid humor which consumes the patient with a continual fever . if it be an erisypelas , or st. anthonies fire , there is no cure at all , because the birth dies by reason of the excessive heat which causes abortion to follow , which kills the woman ; if it turn to a gangrene , it is deadly : it is cured as other inflammations , which may be observed in the following chapters . only observe that for revulsion you must not let blood in the veins of the thighs , for that draws down the blood to the womb ; but in the arm , the blood flowing from the liver , and the parts adjoyning . for deriving of the matter , you may cut a vein in the ham , unless the woman be with child , for that will cause abortion : refrigerating and moistning topicks , without any binding faculty , may be well applied ; to which purpose the decoction of wild thyme , prepared with chalybeat water , and outwardly applied with a sponge , is an excellent remedy . these inflammations sometimes affect the whole womb , and sometimes either side of the womb , which causes the heat to descend into the hip , because of the ligaments of the womb which are carred thither ; the thigh is difficultly moved , and the groins are inflamed ; sometimes the inflammation possesseth the posterior part , which causes the belly to be bound , and a pain in the loins and back-bone ; sometimes it possesseth the forepart , which because it coheres to the bladder , the urine is suppressed , or made very difficultly ; and the pain is extended above the privities : semetimes it possesses the bottom of the womb , which causes such a pain in the lower part of the belly , that it is hardly to be touched , and the pain extends to the navel . there is another inflammation which degenerates into a scirrhus , whereall the symptoms are not so dangerous , yet there is a great heaviness perceived in the parts adjoyning . this evil is diuturnal , and commonly ends in the dropsie ; sometimes it turns to an apostem , swelling 'till it break : in this case , the body is troubled with a shivering , especially towards the evening ; when the apostem is broken , sometimes it empties it self into the concavity of the womb , wherein there is less danger ; and sometimes in other parts of the body ; which causes sometimes a stoppage in the urine , and sometimes in the belly , with a swelling of the hairy parts , and the feeling of something floating up and down . of the schirrus of the womb. the schirrus of the womb is a hard swelling of the said part without pain , begot by some thick earthly and feculent humour ; the signs , besides others that are general , are these in particular : the flowers at the beginning are either wholly stopt , or flow very sparingly , the evil increasing , there is a great flux of blood by intervals , the mouths of the veins being opened more than ordinary , or because the womb is not able to receive , or to retain its wonted proportion of blood : it is distinguish'd from the mole , because in that distemper the flowers , if they flow , flow inordinately ; the breasts swell with milk , which in the schirrus grow very lank . the cause of this is a gross feculent humour , being a thick blood , sometimes flegmy , sometimes melancholy , which happens to those who decline in their age ; or to those who have been troubled with a squeamish and naughty stomach : often it arises from an ill cured inflammation , through the use of medicines that cool too much . the cure is difficult , either because having been dried for a long time they cannot be softned , or because the natural heat in those places where the schirrus is , is for the most part extinct ; and then because while the humour is mollifying , if it have conceived any putrefaction , it easily turns to the cancer : for the cure , it is the same as of the breasts . it differs either as being in , and possessing the substance of the womb , which causes the womb to lean downward upon the hip , and back , and there begets pain ; sometimes possessing the neck of the womb , which is discerned by touching it , and is cured more easily than the former : if it be in the upper part of the neck of the womb , the woman is hindred ; in the lower part of the neck of the womb , the streight gut is affected . of the dropsie of the womb. the dropsie of the womb is a distemper from water collected in the womb , either by some fault in the part it self , or in the parts adjoining . the signs of this are a loose swelling at the bottom of the belly , extending it self according to the proportion of the womb ; the fewness and naughtiness of the courses ; a moistness , and slenderness of the neck of the womb , softness of the breast , want of milk , a shivering in the body , and sometimes a fever : it differs from an inflammation by the symptoms above related ; and from an inflation , in the defect of sound and distention ; from a mole , because in this there is a greater weight perceived at the bottom of the belly , and the breasts at the time of delivery are not without milk . it differs from conception , because in the dropsie the swelling is just according to the form of the womb ; but in conception it is always sharper . in women with child the flowers do not flow ; but in this disease there flows such a certain bloody vitious humour , without any order , which ceases quickly . it differs from the dropsie of the belly , because the face of the patient is coloured , unless the liver be any way affected , the want of thirst , and the ascent of the swelling from the lower part to the upper . the cause of this is a water gathered there through some defect of the liver or spleen , or through some weakness in the womb ; by reason whereof it is not able to concoct or expel the excrements ; or through a too immoderate defluxion of the courses , which oppresseth the natural heat ; or through a suppression of them , which suffocates the heat . the cure is to be performed by the eduction of the water , and strengthening of the womb ; for which purpose the use of antimonial pills is not a little to be commended . her diet must be of meats that breed good juice ; she must drink little , she must use instead of drink , a ptisan or barly-broth , made with sassafras , or sarsaparilla , if her courses be stopt , you may let her blood in the foot ; if the repletion be great , then to let her blood in the arm will not be amiss . the use of clysters is not amiss , and fomentations are also very necessary , made with the decoction of broom , wild cucumbers , flowers of camomile , melilot , with origan , cumin , fenel , aniseed , of which you may make several injections . ointments also may be useful , made of oil of lillies , or oil of dill : then may you apply upon the belly this plaister : take of the emplaister of laurel berries two ounces ; oil of camomile and melilot , two ounces and a half ; pigeons dung and goats dung , of each half an ounce ; mix them altogether , and make a plaister , adding thereto a little venice turpentine . of the falling of the womb. the falling of the womb is the falling of it down below the abdomen or midriff , proceeding from a looseness of the ligamants . the general signs of this , are a pain in the loins , and hairy parts , and of the os sacrum , or holy bone , to which the womb is fastned ; at the beginning the pain is not very great , nor after long continuance , by reason of use : the weight thereof being only troublesome , which is an impediment to the patient in going ▪ the particular signs do vary according as the fall is greater or less ; for in the one the womb descends to the middle of the hips and lower ; in the latter there is perceived the distention of the skin , and as it were the weight of a good big egg about the privities . the cure of this is difficult , if there be the greater falling of the womb , if the woman be in age , if a fever , convulsion , or other symptoms happen ; if that be in women with child , it is deadly ; and sometimes it is corrupted by the ambient air , and turns into a gangrene . the cure consists in the re-putting of it into its own place , where you must observe , first to stop the inflammation , if there be any ; or if there be any swelling caused by the cold air , you must foment the part first with decoction of mallows , marsh-mallows , flowers of camomile , and lawrel berries : if there be any wind or excrement in the gut , you must use clysters first ; it is also to be fomented and anointed with agglutinating and astringent , or binding medicines , there is a fumigation to be made of the skin of a salt eel dried , and poudered . when it is to be put into its place , the woman must be laid with her belly upwards ; then must the midwife , or other party employed , with a linnen cloth dipt in oyl of roses , a little warmed , gently thrust up the part affected which is fallen , as gently as may be , turning a little . now to keep it up , the woman must be kept lying on her back , with her thighs stretched out , and one laid upon another across ; the belly must not be too much bound , lest in the ejection of the excrement , the womb should be again precipitated , neither must it be loose , lest the membranes binding the womb should be unloosed : then must you use agglutinating medicines , pessaries , fomentations , and injections ; yet great care must be had , lest you suppress the courses . of this there be some differences , either by reason of the looseness of the ligaments which are four , which is discerned in that it is generated by degrees , and with less pain : it arises either from hard labour , or a ponderosity or heaviness of the child , or from the concourse of flegmy humours ; it is cured by the evacuation of humors , and by the use of astringent and corroborating medicines ; such as are the decoction of musk of the oak , harts-horn , laurel-leaves , and the astringent plaister . another cause and difference ariseth from the rupture of the ligaments ; which is discerned by this , that the evil comes suddenly , and is more painful , and is sometimes followed with a flux of blood ; it arises from the heaviness of the birth , or from a difficult labour , or from abortion , or a difficult and violent extraction of the secondines . sometimes it happens , because the ligaments are eaten away , and then the signs of some ulcer are discerned by the flowing forth of matter . of the ascent of the matrix , as also of the wounds and ulcers of the same . some have thought that it is possible for the womb to ascend up to the stomach , which opinion is altogether false ; for first it is tyed so fast with four ligaments , that it is impossible for it to move to the upper parts : besides , suppose it had a natural motion by the fibres , yet the womb being so firmly annexed to the right gut , and to the privities , it would necessarily follow that those parts should be also stretched . and though it happen to be stretched , and distended by the windy vapours , yet it follows not that therefore it should be moved upward : and whereas women do say that they do sometimes perceive a certain round body moving about the region of the navel , that may rather be said to be the stones , and that blind vessel , than the womb. of the wounds of the matrix this must be noted , that they are very difficult to be cured . yet the cure is to be assayed five manner of ways ; by the use of things which do evacuate the peccant humor , which is done partly by a good order of diet , and living in a dry and temperate air ; longer sleep than ordinary , and the avoiding of exercise in this case is to be observed ; and instead thereof to use moderate frictions : all repletion , and a loose belly are naught ; the meat that she eats must be little , and contrary to the humour that offends , as rear eggs , milk , chicken-broths , and the meat of them , dry raisins , almonds , and pistaches . for her drink , it ought to be chiefly the decoction of barly or liquorish . in the next place , it will not be amiss to let blood in the basilick vein : let her take some convenient purge according to the humour which abounds : vomitings also and frictions may be used , and the provoking of sweat by the decoction of guaiacum , salsaparil , and china-root , which are very proper to turn away the humors from the matrix . sometimes this happens from an intemperancy of the womb , which if it be cold , the womb is not able to concoct sufficient quantity of nourishment , and therefore heaps up together many excrements ; if it be moist , it is not able to contain either the blood , or the seed , or the birth , as it should do . the cure of this is above touched in the chapter of distempers . there is another difference which is taken from the occult qualities which the womb is seen to have , there being a sympathy and antipathy between that and divers things , as to covet the seed of man , and to love sweet things ; and then the affection arises from no evident cause , there being no excess of coldness , or moisture to be apprehended . the medicines which are to be applied for the cure of this , must be proper in their whole substance . sometimes the difference ariseth in this , that the natural heat is either suffocated or dissipated ; this affection is something dangerous , because it is a difficult matter to restore the natural heat . in the cure of this , restoratives must be notwithstanding used ; such are cinamon , nutmeg , species diaxylo , aloes , aromaticum rosatum . of the pain of the womb. there is no need to give other signs of this than the complaint of the woman ; it affects both women that are free , and women that are with child : it happens sometimes from corroding humors , especially caused by ulcers , or vitious flowers ▪ the cure whereof is referred to these heads ; sometimes it happens from a distention caused either by some curdled blood sticking in the cavity of the womb , and then there is a copious flux of blood out of the womb , and the pain is fixed chiefly about the orifice of the womb ; the right gut and the bladder being affected by reason of the continual desire of expelling forth the humor . in the cure , first you must seek to dissolve the clotted blood , which is done by the use of treacle dissolved in wine ; and then to evacuate , which is performed with agaric , aloes , with the juice of savin , decoction of rosemary , with the flowers of cheiri , in wine . sometimes it is caused by the menstruous blood , when the vessels are more open , or the blood too thick ; which happens through the over-much use of cold drink , especially when the woman is hot . the cure may be found in the cure of the suppression of the flowers . sometimes it is caused by other vitious humours collected in the concavity of the womb , or adhering to the other vessels ; and then these humours are to be removed with purging and evacuating medicines . sometimes windy vapours are the cause hereof , arising from the heat of the vitious humors caused by copulation . it is cured by things that discuss the wind ; to which purpose it may not be amiss to use a clyster made of malmsey and oyl of nuts , of each three ounces , of aqua vitae one ounce , of oyl of juniper and distilled rue of each two drams , and applied warm ; or a mixture of spirit of wine and spirit of nitre , of each half a dram or two scruples , exhibited in the spirit of wine , sperma ceti , with oyl of sweet almonds , or a plaister of caranna and tachamahacca applied to the navel . sometimes it is occasioned by the retention and corruption of the seed . for the cure , look the chapter of the suffocation of the matrix . of the suppression of the flowers . the suppression of the flowers is the retention of the menstrual blood , either by reason of the narrowness of the vessels , or through some corruption of the blood . the signs are evident from the relation of the woman : yet if they are loth to confess , it may be discerned by this ; for in virgins the suppressed blood wanders up and down the veins , and begets obstructions , changing the colour of the body , and causing fevers . in women , because the blood is carried down to the womb , where it begets many diseases , it is distinguished from retention after conception , because women with child find no alteration of affections of the mind , and retain the native colour of their bodies ; and in the third month they shall perceive the motion and situation of the infant ; and lastly , the mouth of the womb is closed up . the causes of this distemper are the narrowness of the veins , and the vitiousness of the blood . the cure of this must be hastened , because this suppression if it stay long begets many more diseases , as fevers , dropsies , vomiting of blood , and the like : the cure is hard if it be of any continuance , and if it stay beyond the sixth month , it is almost incurable ; especially if it happen through any perversion of the neck of the womb ; for then the woman is troubled with often swooning , and vomiting of blood , and a pain seizes the parts of the belly , the back , and the back-bone , which is attended with a fever , and the excrements of the belly and bladder are suppressed ; a weariness possesses the whole body , because of the diffusion of the retained blood through the whole body , and especially the hips and thighs , because of the sympathy of those parts with the veins of the womb. in the first place , the letting of blood is commended ; for the blood which every month stays in the body , and sticks in the veins , is to be provoked downward to the womb ; and therefore a vein is to be opened in the heel , for so the plenty of blood is diminished , and the motion of the blood is made toward the womb ; if necessity requires that it should be done more than once , one day a vein must be opened in one thigh , and another day in the other ; and that which is opened for evacuation must be first opened , that which is opened in the ham , or heel , must be done after purgation , three , or four , or five days before the time that the accustomed evacuations of the woman ought to come down . cupping-glasses also are to be applied first to the more remote places , as to the thighs ; and then to the nearer parts , as to the hips : ligatures , or bindings and frictions , at the time of the coming down of the flowers , after purgation of the whole body , are not to be omitted . in the second place the matter is to be prepared , for which purpose , in bodies troubled with flegm , the decoction of guaiacum , with cretan dittany , doth much avail without provoking sweat . in the third place evacuation is to be made at several times . among evacuating medicines are commended agaric , aloes , with the juice of savin , and these pills : take aloes succotrine three drams ; the best myrrh one scruple , extract of sweet smelling flag , carduus , saffron , of each three drams ; roots of gentian and dittany , of each five grains ; make them up with syrup of laurel-berries , taking the quantity of one scrup●e at evening before supper . in the fourth place , by opening obstructions by those things which provoke the flowers , of which these are most to be commended , the decoction of rosemary with flowers of cheiri , pennyroyal-water twice distilled , and mingled with cinnamon-water ; extract of zedoary , angelica , and castor , and the earth which is found in iron mines prepared in the same manner as steel , spirit of tartar , the fat of an eel , colubrina with the distill'd water of savin : and in the fifth place , by the discussion of the dregs and relicks that remain , by sudoroficks , or things that provoke sweat , with a potion made of a chalybeate decoction , with spirit of tartar , &c. the differences of this disease arise , partly from the obstruction of the veins of the womb , caused by a cold and thick blood , and thick slimy humours mixed with the blood , and coming either from some hot distemper of the womb , which dissipates the sharp and subtil humours , and leaves behind the gross and earthy parts , or from the cold constitution of the liver and spleen ; especially if at the time of the menstrual flux ( at what time the flux of blood is more violent ) those subtil humours happen to be dissipated , and then at the time of the monthly purgation , the party affected feels a great pain in the loins , and parts adjoining ; and if any thing come down , it is slymy , whitish , and blackish : the whole body is possessed with a numness , the colour pale , a slow pulse , and raw urines . the cure is the same with the former , great care being taken of a gross and ill diet . there is another difference of this disease when it happens by compression , which arises from external causes , as the northern wind , and long standing in cold water , which may be known from the relation of the sick person . the blood in this case is to be drawn to the lower parts by frictions and baths ; or from internal causes , as fatness , or swelling of the womb , or of the lower parts ; in which case medicines must be applied that asswage the swelling . there is another difference which is in the hardness of the skin which happens either from the first nativity , and then the disease is not easily taken away ; or long after , from some cold and dry distemper : concerning which look the former chapters . another difference there is , when there happens a closing up of the skin , which is caused after cicatrising of an ulcer , or by reason of some skin or membrane growing to the vessels of the womb , or by reason of frequent abortion ; after which these veins to which the secondines adhere , do grow together so close that they cannot be afterwards opened . another difference of this disease there is , when it happens through want of blood , which is not generated , either by reason of external causes , as famine , over much evacuation , issues , and such like ; or through internal causes , as a frigid constitution of the principal parts , old age , and fevers ; or when it is converted to other uses , as before full growth , to the nourishment of the body : in women with child , to the nourishment of the birth : in those that give suck , to the increase of milk : and in fat people , to the augmentation of the fat : or when it is consumed either by external causes , as over much exercise , affrights , terrors , sadness , baths , overmuch sweating , which do consume the serous quality of the blood ; or through internal causes , as are hot and dry diseases , or over-great evacuations in other parts of the body . sometimes another difference of this disease proceeds from the dryness of the blood , which happens to women , who in the winter time do too much heat their lower parts , by putting coals under their coats . for the cure thereof you must use refrigerating and moistning medicines . of the dropping of the flowers , and the difficulty of their coming down . the dropping of the flowers is , when they are coming down for many days together drop by drop . this happens both from external causes , as over hard labour , &c. and sometimes from the drossiness of the blood , the passage not being wide enough . for the cure of this , it is convenient to open a vein in the arm with gentle purging , as in the former chapter . sometimes from the weakness of the retentive faculty , there being at that time great plenty , thinness , and serosity of the blood . in this case there is no pain ; medicines that bind and corroborate the stomach here must have place . the difficulty of the flowers is when they come down with pain and trouble , either through defect in the veins , or in the blood. the signs of this are gathered from the relation of the sick person , who is then much troubled with pain in the head , stomach , and loins , and lower parts of the body . and they do either flow altogether , or drop by drop , as in the former disease ; it is a disease more incident to maids than married women , because the veins of the womb are less open in them , than in those who brought forth children . it happens sometimes from a corruption of the blood , that is , from the drossiness and thickness thereof , and then the blood clots together ; and there is a great pain long before the flowers begin to come down . the cure of this is performed by attenuating medicines . sometimes from the sharpness and acrimony of the blood , which proceeds from a mixture of sharp humours with the body , and then the genital parts do itch . it is cured by those medicines that temper the sharpness of the humour , as the four greater seeds , violets , and flowers of nenuphar . sometimes from windy vapours , and then the pain comes by intervals , and is suddenly exasperated , rumbling up and down ; and when the wind is forth , the pain ceaseth . the cure hereof is procured by evacuation of the matter , and dispelling of the wind , as is before declared . of the discolouring of the flowers . the discolouring of the flowers is when their right colour , which ought to be red , declines either to paleness , whiteness , greenness , yellowness , or blewishness , through some defect , or vitiousness of the blood . the signs are apparent by the sight of the blood ; besides that it is accompanied with an ill smell , many times also it is the cause of fevers , trembling of the body , loathing of the meat , pain in the stomach , &c. the differences of this disease consist first in the vitiousness of the blood , which is caused through some distemper either of the whole body , or some part thereof . sometimes the blood is affected by reason of some stoppage thereof , and then the flowers are suppressed , which causeth pains in the breast , and strong beating of the breast ; and if the woman begin to amend the blood flows out with a stinking putrefaction , which continues 'till the eighth day ; or it may be , because the blood is foul'd by the womb , being full of excrements ; and then you may perceive the signs of a foul womb. sometimes the difference of this disease consists in the mixture of the blood with other vitious humors . the cure consists in preparation and evacuation , but care must be had , that because the thick humors need attenuation , and that over attenuating things do melt the serous humor , that you therefore do not use over attenuating things , as vinegar , &c. another difference is , when the flowers decline to a whitish colour , which ' proceeds from abundance of flegm , or from putrefaction , and then ulcers follow in the womb , and barrenness follows ; unless the womans flowers do happen to flow for seven or eight days together , by which the woman is freed from the disease ; or else they break out to the parts above the groin without any tumor , and burst forth a little above the hypochondrium , and then the woman seldom lives , or else there will appear after some few days a great swelling in the groyn , without a head of a red colour , because the flesh is there filled up with the blood. when it inclines to yellowness , or greenness , the distemper comes of choler ; when to a blackness and blewness , from melancholy . of the inordinate flux of the flowers . the disorderly flux of the courses is either the coming of them down before their time , or else the stoppage of them for some time after the usual course of nature . they come down sometimes before their time , partly by reason of internal causes , and partly by reason of external causes , as falls , blows , and such like casualties that open the veins : or from the expulsive faculty of the womb too much provoked . first , by the plenty of blood , which is known by this , that the blood which is sent to the womb from all part is fluid , and of its natural constitution ; signs of a plethora , or fulness of blood , are apparent in the woman . it is cured by blood letting if the blood abound by good diet , and frequent though gentle exercise . secondly , it proceeds from the acrimony and sharpness of the blood which is known by the hot temper of the body , the blood it self is more thin and yellowish . it must be cured by evacuating medicines , as rheubarb , and such things as temper the blood , whereof we have already spoken . it comes also when the retentive faculty of the womb grows lank , which may be known by the looseness of the vessels of the womb , besides a moist and faint habit of the body : in the cure , beware of things which are too astringent ; baths , wherein the force and strength of iron may be effectual , may with safety be used . the subsistence and stay of the courses beyond the accustomed time , proceeds from a frustration of the expulsive faculty ; as when there is small store of blood , which is known by this , that the woman is not troubled with the stay of the courses ; and especially , if she have over-exercised her self , or used a spare diet before . secondly , the thickness of the blood , which is known by the whiteness and clamminess thereof . in the performance of the cure , you must purge before too much blood be gathered together : next , the courses are to be attenuated , for the performance of which , calamint and mercurialis are to be most commended . in this case scarification of the heels is not amiss . there is another difference of this disease , which arises from the weakness of the expelling faculty , caused either by the frigid distemper of the womb , of which we have spoken already ; or by a kind of numness thereof , of which we shall speak anon . of the over abundance of the courses . the over much flux of the courses is either a more abundant , or a more lasting purgation of the courses , through some defect , either in the blood , or the womb , or the veins of the womb . the signs are evident , viz. want of appetite , crudities , a bad colour in the face , a swelling in the feet , and the rest of the body , a waxing lean of the body ; and in brief , a general ill habit of body . the cure ( if it be of any continuance ) is difficult ; if it happen to an aged woman , there is none at all . it requires a revulsion , or drawing back of the blood , interception , and incrassation , or thickning thereof , and a closing up of the vessels by astringent medicines . yet observe that they must be stopt by degrees . to this effect , you may take this powder . take of the seed of white henbane , red coral , of each half a dram , white camphor half a scruple , and give the quantity of half a dram at a time ; powder of amber , dragons-blood , bloodstones , red coral , lettice seed , of each one dram , balaust two scruples , bole armoniack two drams , given in three ounces of plantain-water , asses milk heated with steel . you may externally also apply a girdle made of the bruised leaves of bares-foot . of this disease there are many differences : sometimes it happens from the blood which is derived from the bottom of the womb , where for the most part lies the blackest and most clotted blood ; or from the neck of the womb , which is more red and fluid . another difference ariseth from the plenty of blood , which appears by this , that the vessels are either broken or much opened , especially in those women who have had a stoppage in their courses for a time , which presently break out again . the signs of this are evident ; that is to say , a fulness of blood in the body ; besides that , the blood which comes forth easily curdles . in the cure , you must have recourse to blood-letting , which if you do for evacuation , it must be done in the hepatick vein : if the woman be weak , in salvatella of both hands . in the next place the use of cupping-glasses is to be commended , being applied with scarification to the back , &c. or , without scarification to the breast , being used again when the woman is troubled with difficulty of breathing . in the third place , ligatures and frictions of the arms are to be used . another difference of this disease arises from a sharp blood , which is known by the gnawing of the humor upon the vessels . in the cure , you must purge with syrup of roses solutive , or with leaves of sena ; a pessary of sows dung and asses dung , which is made up with plantain water , and the muscilage of the seed of quinces , is here of use if need require . another difference arises from a serous and watry blood ; for either the liver is weakned , or the veins so debilitated , that it cannot attract the serous or wheyie humour in the blood : in this case , the blood flows not forth in such a quantity , nor is easily curdled : if a cloth be dipped in it , and then dried in the shade , it presently discolours . in the cure hereof you must look to the rectifying of the weakness of the reins and liver with convenient remedies , for which purpose the livers of foxes , calves , hens , &c. are very good . sometimes from a rupture of the veins , which proceeds either from a fulness of blood , or from causes that do vehemently stir up the blood , especially from hard labour ; if it be needful , you must let blood , and apply conglutinating medicines . or from a gnawing of the vessels , which is known by this , that sometimes there flows forth little blood , and that purulent , and full of the wheyie or serous humor . it arises from a sharp and corrupt blood , and sometimes from the use of sharp medicines . among the astringent medicines , the root of filipendula is much to be commended , or a decoction of the same root . of the whites and gonorrhea in women . the whites is an inordinate eruption of an excrementitious humour collected together through some vitiousness of the blood . it affects women chiefly , and sometimes also virgins , of which there are examples : yet it is more often in women , especially if they be of a moist constitution , and live an idle and delicate life , eating such things as are cold and moist . old women also are affected herewith through the abundance of flegm , and the weakness of the concoctive faculty . it differs from the gonorrhea , because in that the seminal matter is white , and thicker ; and flows by long intervals , and issues forth in a lesser quantity from a nocturnal pollution ; for that is joyned with venereal imaginations , and only happens in the time of sleep . it differs from the discolouring of the flowers ; for they though not exactly , do always observe their times of flowing . besides , they happen not to women with child , or such whose courses are stopped . it differs from the putrid humour that issues from the ulcers of the womb , because that is joyned with the signs of an ulcer , and the putrefaction is thicker and whiter ; if it be mattery , it is coloured with blood , and issues forth with pain . the cure of this must be hastned , because in a short time it endangers the making of women barren , causing them to be lean , to fall into a consumption , melancholy , the dropsie , fall of the womb , swoonings , and convulsions ; which is the cause that though it be not hard to be cured in the beginning , yet it is afterwards very difficult ; for by this means the whole body accustoms it self to send forth its excrements this way , and the womb being now weakned , gathers excrements apace . sometimes it proceeds from the whole body , and then you may perceive the signs of an ill humor through the whole body . in the cure of this , you must avoid blood-letting , for that the bad humor must not be recalled to defile the blood ; besides , that the disease is a sufficient weakning and consuming of the body . the humor is discussed by the decoction of guaiacum and china , and lentisk-wood . for the drying up of the humor , the root of filipendula doth very much conduce . for astringent medicines you may use chiefly the powder of dead men's bones , the ashes of capons-dung in rain water . the patient must avoid sleeping upon her back , lest the heat of the lungs should carry the humors toward the womb : frictions also of the upper parts , for the diversion of the humor may be used . sometimes it is caused by the womb it self , and then there will appear signs of the affection of the womb , and the flux is not so great . for the cure of this , suffumigations of frankincense , labdanum , mastick , and sanders are very requisite . of the green-sickness . the green-sickness is a changing of the colour of the face into a green and pale colour , proceeding from the rawness of the humors . the signs of this appear in the face , to which may be added a great pain in the head , difficulty of breathing , with a palpitation of the heart , a small and thick beating of the arteries in the neck , back , and temples ; sometimes inordinate fevers through the vitiousness of the humors , loathing of meat , vomiting , distention of the hypocondriack part , by reason of the reflux of the menstrous blood to the greater vessels ; a swelling of the whole body by reason of the abundance of humors , or of the thighs and legs above the heels , by reason of the abundance of serous humors . the cause is the crudity and rawness of the humor , and quantity withal , arising from the suppression of the courses through the natural narrowness of the vessels , or through an acquired narrowness of the vessels by the eating of oatmeal , chalk , earth , nutmegs , and drinking of vinegar ; or from the obstruction of the other bowels . hence arises an ill concoction in the bowels , and the humors are carried into the habit of the body , or become habitual thereunto . the cure is performed by the letting of blood , especially in the heel ; if the disease be of any continuance , by purgation , preparation of the humour being first considered ; which is performed by the decoction of guaiacum , with ●retan dittany ; purging of the humor is performed with agarick , aloes succotrin , with the ●●ice of savin ; for the unobstructing of the humor , prepared steel , the root of scorzonera , bezoarstone , in diet , vinegar is utterly to be avoided . the cure of this disease is performed by opening obstructions , by purging off vitious humours , by correcting the intemperies of the bowels , and by strengthening them . first therefore , a gentle purging medicine must be given , that is agreeable to the constitution , that the first region may be emptied , and if the belly be bound , a glister must be given first of all , afterwards bleeding must be ordered , unless the disease is very inveterate , and the maid be inclined to a cachexy . but a vein in the arm must be opened , tho' the courses are stopt ; for at that time , if you bleed in the foot , the obstructions of the veins , and of the womb would be increased . that quantity of blood being taken away , that is necessary , proper purges must be used . take of the pill coch. major two scruples , of castor powdered two grains , of peruvian balsom four drops , make four pills , let her take them at five in the morning , and sleep after them if she can . let these pills be repeated twice or thrice every morning , or every other morning , according to the strength of the sick , and their operation . after the purging pills let her take the following . take of the fileings of steel eight grains , with a sufficient quantity of extract of wormwood , make two pills to be taken in the morning , and they must be repeated at five in the afternoon . she must continue this course for a month , drinking presently after the pills a draught of wormwood-wine . if a bolus be more pleasing , take of the conserve of roman wormwood , and of the conserve of the inner peell of oranges , each one ounce ; of candied angelica , and nutmegs candied , and of venice treacle , each half an ounce , of ginger candied two drams , with a sufficient quantity of syrup of oranges make an electuary , take of this electuary one dram and an half , of the filings of steel well powdered eight grains , with a sufficient quantity of syrup of oranges , make a bolus to be taken in the morning , and at five in the afternoon , drinking upon it a draught of wormwood wine . of the suffocation of the matrix . the signs of the suffocation of the womb , are a weariness of the whole body , with a weakness of the thighs ; a paleness and sadness of the face ; a nauseousness though seldom vomiting ; oftentimes a loathing and distate of meat , and that sometimes with a grumbling and noise in the belly , and sometimes without . the signs of the present disease are , that when the vapours are carried up to the heart , and do there stop the vital spirits , a light swooning follows , the pulse changes and is little , the body grows cold , all the spirits flying up into the heart ; the vapour being thrust up to the head and chaps , the chaps are many times set fast , the patient seeming to be stifled ; the motion of the breast and diaphragm is disturbed and hindred , so that the breath is almost stopt , the patient living only by transpiration . sometimes there is joined with it a kind of uterine fury , with talking and anger : sometimes it causes other madness ; sometimes the woman falls into a dead sleep , which makes her seem as though she were dead . it differs from the epilepsie , because in that the convulsive motions are more general ; nor is there any memory of those things which happen about them after the fit ; the pulse is great , and the mouth of the party affected fomes with a froth : it differs from the apoplexy , because in that the fit comes suddenly without any notice ; and the patient is affected with a kind of snorting , and there is such a resolution of the parts , that they feel not although they be pricked : it differs from a syncope , in that there are no signs when the fit will be , the pulse ceases to the apprehension , and the patient is troubled with cold sweats . they differ from dead people by sneezing , which may be provoked by putting something for that purpose into the nose . the cause of this is a venemous , subtle , and thin vapour , piercing in one moment through the whole body , and carried up from the matter in the womb , corrupted after a peculiar manner , either by it self or from external means , such are perfumes , anger , fear , &c. and not only ascending through the veins , but also through all the other breathing holes , and secret passages of the body . the cure is doubtful if it have possessed old women for a time , for it begets weakness , consumes the strength , and shews abundance of humour ; or if it possesseth child-bearing women , either after a difficult travel , or after an abortion ; or if it possesseth women with child , because it induces fear of abortion ; there is more hope , if the act of respiration be not too much impeded , and if the fits do not return too often . the cure regards first the time of the fit , being performed first by means of interception , which may be done by binding the belly under the navel with a girdle made of the skin of a hart , killed in the very act of copulation . secondly , by keeping the natural spirits awaked and rouzed up by painful friction , by pulling the hairs of the privities with violence and suffumigations made with partridge feathers burnt , as also eel-skins , the application of assa faetida and oil of tartar to the mouth . thirdly , by way of revulsion of the humour , by frictions and glysters dispelling the winds , and the application of cupping-glasses with much flame , first to the thighs , and then to the hips , putting sweet things into the privities ; such as are oil of sivet half a scruple , oil of nutmegs one scruple : fourthly , by discussion of the humour , which is performed inwardly by the oil of white amber , with the pouder of walnut flowers , extract of castor ; externally by an emplaister of the fat of a black heifer , sclarea boiled in butter , adding to it a sufficient quantity of tachamahacca and caranna : after the fit is past , evacuation is to be regarded , first with purgation , for which purpose it will not be amiss to use these ensuing pills : take siler mountain , pennyroyal , madder , the innermost part of cassia pipe , pomegranate kernels , piony roots , and calamus , of each three drams ; muscus and spike of india , of each half a dram ; then make pills thereof with the juice of mugwort , of which she may take every day , or every other day , before supper . if the disease proceed from the terms , let the woman affected take an ounce of agarick poudered in wine or honied water , or a dram of agnus castus powder'd with an ounce of honey of roses : the womb is also to be strengthned by the internal and external application of such things as resist the malignity of the disease ; among which are numbred , faecula brioniae , and castor : the difference of this disease consists in this , that sometimes it happens that it is occasioned by the retention of the seed , which is known by this , that the symptoms of the disease are more violent ; and after the fit is past , there flows out of the womb a matter like to that of the seed . it is cur'd by evacuation of the seed , such as are rue , and agnus castus , and anointing with odoriferous salves , especially if the woman be to live without the use of man. if it come from the suppression of the terms , which is known by the courses being mingled with a melancholy blood , take powdered agaric , a dram of pioney seeds , or the weight of a dram and a half of triphera magna . but take this for a secret , that for a married woman in case of the present suffocation , there is nothing better than for the man to anoint the top of his yard with a little oyl of gilliflowers , and oyl of sweet almonds together , and so to lye with her ; for this assuredly brings down the matrix again . this disease is very frequent , the procatartick or external causes of it , are either violent motions of the body , or , which is much oftner , vehement commotions of the mind from some sudden assault , either of anger or grief , or the like passions . therefore as often as women are troubled with this or that disorder of body , the reason whereof cannot be deduced from the common axioms ; for finding out diseases , we must diligently enquire whether they are not chiefly afflicted with that indisposition which they complain of , when they have been disturbed in their minds , and afflicted with grief ; which if they confess , we may be fully satisfied that this disorder proceeds from this disease we are now speaking of ; especially if urine as clear as chrystal evacuated copiously some certain times , makes the diagnostick more manifest . but to these disorders of the mind , which are usually the occasions of this disease , is to be added emptiness of the stomach , by reason of long fasting , immoderate bleeding , and a vomit or purge that worked too much ; and certainly this disease proceeds from a confusion of the spirits , upon which account too many of them in a crowd , contrary to proportion , are hurried violently upon this or that part , occasioning convulsions and pain , when they rush upon parts indued with exquisite sense , perverting the functions of the organs , both of that into which they thrust themselves , and also of that from whence they departed , both being much injured by this unequal distribution , which is quite contrary to the oeconomy of nature . the origen and antecedent cause of this confusion , is a weak constitution of the spirits , whether it is natural or adventitious ; for which reason they are easily dissipated upon any occasion , and their system soon broke : for as the outward man is framed with parts obvious to sense , so without doubt the inward man consists of a due series , and as it were a fabrick of the spirits , to be viewed only by the eye of reason ; and as this is nearly joyned , and as it were united with the constitution of the body , so much the more easily or more difficultly is its frame disordered , by how much the constitutive principles that are allotted us by nature , are more or less firm . that the said confusion of the spirits is the cause of hysteric diseases , will appear by mother-fits , wherein the spirits are crowded in the lower belly , and rushing together violently towards the jaws , occasion convulsions in every region thro' which they pass , blowing up the belly like a great ball , which is yet nothing but the rowling together or conglobation of the parts seized with the convulsion , which cannot be suppressed without great violence . the external parts in the the mean while , and the flesh being in a manner destitute of spirits , by reason they are carried another way , are often so very cold , not only in this kind , but in all other kind of hysteric diseases , that dead bodies are not colder , but the pulse are as good as those of people that are well ; nor is the womans life in danger by this cold , unless it is occasioned by some very large evacuation going before . and the inordinate agitation of the spirits disturbing the blood , is the cause of the clear and copious urine ; for when the oeconomy of the blood is interrupted , the sick cannot long enough contain the serum that is imported , but lets it go , before it is impregnated with saline particles , whereby the citron colour is to be imparted to it , whereof we have daily experiment in those that drink much , especially of thin and attenuating liquors ; for then their urine is very clear ; in which case , the blood being over-power'd by that quantity of serum , and being wholly unable to retain it , puts it off quite clear , not yet died by the juice of the body , by reason of its too short stay . as to the cold , by which the external parts are so often chilled , it is very manifest that that happens , because the spirits forsaking their stations too officiously , intrude themselves into this or that part . nor is it to be doubted , that weeping and laughing fits , which often seise hysterical women without any occasion , are procured by the animal spirits forcing themselves violently upon the organs that perform these animal functions . and now i suppose it is manifest , that this whole disease is occasioned by the animal spirits being not rightly disposed , and not by seed and menstruous blood corrupted , and sending up malignant vapours to the parts affected , nor from i know not what depravation of the juices , and congestion of acrid humors as others think , but from those causes we have assign●d ; for that the fomes of the disease does not lurk in matter , will plainly appear by this one instance , viz. a woman that used to enjoy perfect health , being delicate , and of a thin habit of body , if she chance to be weakned , and exhausted by some error , or by some strong vomit or purge , will certainly be afflicted with some one of those symptoms that accompany this disease , which would rather be removed , than occasioned by such vomiting or purging , if the fomes of the disease was contained in matter . the same may be said of a great loss of blood , whether it is taken away by opening a vein , or flows immoderately in labour ; or of emptiness , or too long abstinence from flesh ; all which would rather prevent hysteric diseases , than occasion them , if the fomes of them was involved in some matter ; whereas on the contrary , nothing does so constantly occasion this disease , as these evacuations ▪ but tho' it is apparent enough , that the original fomes of this disease is not lodged in the humors , yet it must be confessed that the confusion of the spirits produces putrid humors in the body , by reason the function , as well of these parts which are distended by the violent impulse of the spirits , as of those which are deprived of them , are wholly perverted ; and most of these being as it were separatory organs designed for the reception of the impurities of the blood , if their functions are any way hurt , it can not be but a great many feculencies will be heaped up , which had been elimmated , and so the mass of blood purified , if the organs had performed their office , which they had certainly done , if a due oeconomy of the spirits had invigorated them . to this cause is to be attributed great cachexies , loss of appetite , a chlorosis , and the white fever in young women , which is a species of hysteric diseases , and the source of many miseries . from what has been said , it is very manifest that that is the chief indication in this disease , which directs the corroboration of the blood , that is the fountain and origin of the spirits , which being done , the invigorated spirits can preserve that tenure that is agreeable to the oeconomy of the whole body , and the particular parts ; and therefore when the confusion of the spirits has vitiated the humors by long continuance , it will be proper , first to lessen those humors so corrupted by bleeding , and purging , if the patient has sufficient strength before we endeavour to corroberate the blood , and which indeed we can scarce do , whilst a feculent heap of humors lies in the way . but forasmuch as pains , vomiting , and looseness , are sometimes so very severe that they will not bear a truce so long , until we have satisfied the first intention of fortifying the blood ; therefore sometimes we must begin the cure by quieting the effects ( the cause being let alone a little while ) with some anodyne medicine , and then we must endeavour to rectifie the spirits , whose infirm constitution is the cause of this disease , by which we may again endeavour to cure such kind of symptoms . and because experience teaches , that there are many stinking things that will repell the inordination of the spirits , and contain them in their places , which are therefore call'd hysterics , we must make use of them when we would answer such intentions . according to what has been said , i order the sick to be blooded in the arm , and that after bleeding , she be purged three or four mornings following . the woman thinks her self worse of those days she is blooded and purged ; for these evacuations promote the confusion of the spirits , which i take care to forewarn her of , that she may not despair , the disease of it self being apt to incline her so to do : but however those ill humours heapt up by the long continuance of the disease , are in some sort to be evacuated , before we can well answer the prime intention . after these evacuations , some steel remedy must be prescribed , to be taken about a month , to comfort the blood , and so consequently the spirits , that proceed from it , and nothing will more certainly answer your intention in this case than steel ; for it raises a volatile ferment in the vapid and languid blood , whereby the weak spirits are roused , that before were kept down by their own weight ; and this is very manifest , for as often as chalybeats are given in the green sickness , the pulse are presently greater and quicker , and the outward parts grow warm , and the pale and dead countenance is changed , and becomes fresh and lively . but here we must take notice , that bleeding and purging must not always be used before chalibeats , or when the woman is weak , and almost worn out by the long continuance of the disease , they may and ought to be omitted , and you must begin with steel , which must be well minded . i think steel is most conveniently given in substance , and as i never observed , nor heard , that so taken it ever injur'd any person , so i have been fully satisfied by frequent experience , that the bare substance performs the cure sooner , and better than any of the common preparations of it ; for busie chymists make this , as well as other excellent medicines worse rather than better , by their perverse and over-officious diligence . i have also heard , and if it be true , it much strengthens our assertion , that the crude mine , as it is digg'd out of the earth , is more effectual in curing diseases , than iron that has pass'd the fire , and bin purified by fusion : so the author affirms , but i have not yet try'd whether it be so or not . this i certainly know , that there is no excellent and powerful remedy , which has not received its chief vertues from nature : upon which account , grateful antiquity call'd excellent medicines god's handicraft . next to the substance of the steel , i chuse the syrrup of it , prepared with the fileings of steel or iron , infused in the cold in rhenish wine , 'till the wine is sufficiently impregnated , and afterwards strained , and boiled up to the consistence of a syrrup , with a sufficient quantity of sugar . nor do i use any purging medicine at set times , during the whole chalybeat course , for i think the vertue of the steel is destroy'd by a purge in hysterical diseases ; and when the chief design is to reduce the spirits to order , and to renew and confirm their system . if any one objects that fileings of steel may hurt those that take them , by sticking in their bowels , unless they are purged now and then ; i answer first , that i never found any such thing in any one , and it is much more probable , that being involved in the slime , and with the excrementious humours of the parts , they should at length pass away with them , than when they are exagitated by purging medicines , which occasion unusual compressions , twisting and contraction of the guts , whereby the particles of the steel , thrust upon the coats of the bowels , may penetrate deeper into them . when the patient is in a steel course , remedies commonly call'd hysterics are to be used , as it were by the by , to comfort the blood and animal spirits ; in that manner and form , which is most agreeable to the sick . but if she can take them in a solid form , they will more powerfully retain the spirits in their office and place , than things that are liquid ; for the very substance affects the stomach longer with its savour , and works more forcibly upon the body , than either decoctions or infusions . being about to answer all the indications i have touched upon above , i use to prescribe these few and common things , which commonly do what i desire . let eight ounces of blood be taken from the arm , the next morning let her enter upon the use of the pills of coch. major and of castor , as they are mentioned in the chapter of the green-sickness , and let them be repeated , as it is there ordered . take of galbanum dissolved in tincture of castor , and strained three drams , tachamacha two drams , make a plaister to be apply'd to the navel . take of black cherry-water , of rue-water , and compound briony-water , each three ounces , of castor tyed up in a rag , and hanged in a glass half a dram , of fine sugar a sufficient quantity , make a julep , whereof let her take four or five spoonfuls when she is faint , dropping into the first dose , if the fit is violent , twenty drops of spirit of harts-horn . after the purging pills are taken , let her use the other pills made of fileings of steel and extract of wormwood , mentioned in the chapter of the green-sickness , according to the directions there set down ; or she may take the bolus there mention'd , if she likes a bolus better than pills . take of choice myrrh and galbanum , each one dram and an half , of castor fifteen grains , with a sufficient quantity of peruvian balsome , make twelve pills of every dram ; let her take three every night , and drink upon them three or four spoonfuls of compound briony-water thro' the whole course of this process . but if the pills last prescribed move the belly , which sometimes happens in bodies that are very easily purged , by reason of the gum that is in them , the following are to be used . take of castor one dram , of volatile salt , amber , half a dram , with a sufficient quantity of extract of rue , make small pills , let her take three every night . but it is to be noted that steel medicines in whatsoever form or dose they are taken , occasion sometimes in women great disorders both of body and mind , and that not only on the first days , which is usual almost in every body , but also almost all the time they are taken ; in this case the use of steel must not presently be interrupted at those times , but laudanum must be given every night for some time in some hysteric water , that they may the better bear it ; but when the symptoms are mild , and it seems that the business may be done without taking steel , i think it sufficient to bleed , and to purge three or four times , and then to give the altering hysteric pills above-mentioned , morning and evening for ten days . it is to be noted that some women do so abhor hysteric medicines , that they are much injured thereby , therefore they must not be given to such . if the blood is so very feeble , and the confusion of the spirits so great , that steel ordered to be us'd , according to the method prescribed , is not sufficient to cure the disease , the patient must drink some mineral waters impregnated with the iron mine , such as are tunbridge , and some others lately found out . but this is more especially to be observed in drinking of them , viz. that if any sickness happens , that is to be refer'd to hysteric symptoms , in this case the patient must forbear drinking them a day or two , 'till that symptom that hindered their passage is quite gone . but if the disease by reason of its obstinacy will not yield to steel-waters , the patient must go to the bath ; and when she has used these waters inwardly three mornings following , the next day let her go into the bath , and the day following let her drink them again ; and so let her do by turns for two whole months . venice treacle alone , if it be used often , and a long while , is a great remedy in this disease . spanish wine medicated with gentian , angelica , wormwood , centaury , the yellow rind of oranges , and other corroboratives infus'd in it , does a great deal of good , some spoonfuls of it being taken thrice a day , if the woman be not of a thin and cholerick habit of body . the peruvian-bark also wonderfully comforts and invigorates the blood and spirits , a scruple being taken morning and evening . but if any of the remedies above-mention'd do not well agree , which often happens in cholerick and thin constitutions , then a milk diet may be used ; but nothing does so much strengthen the blood and spirits , as riding much on horseback every day for a long while . if the disease be such , or so great a one , that it will not bear a truce 'till it may be cured with medicines that corroborate the blood and spirits , we must presently make use of hysteric remedies , as assa-faetida , galbanum , castor , spirit of sal-armoniack , and whatever else has a filthy and ungrateful smell . to conclude , if some intolerable pain accompanies this disease , or if their be violent vomitings , or a loosness , then besides hysteric medicines above-mentioned , laudanum must be used , which is only able to restrain these symptoms . but in quieting these pains which vomiting occasions , we must take great care that they are not mitigated , either by laudanum , or any other paregorick , before due evacuations have been made , unless they almost exceed all humane patience ; but if the sick has vomited a great while , you must give laudanum without delay , and such a dose as is not only equal to the violence and duration of the symptom , but such an one as is sufficient to vanquish it . of barrenness . barrenness is an impotence to conceive , coming from defect either of the genitals , or of the blood , or of the menstruous blood . first , through the defect of the genitals , either by the closing up of the orifice of the womb , which may be cut and opened by art ; or through the narrowness of the parts , for so they will not admit the yard ; or by reason of some ulcers or excrescencies in the neck of the womb . or by reason of some fault in the seed , either the woman being too young , or too old , or through some distemper in the vessels dedicated to generation , and then the woman perceives very little or no pleasure in the act of copulation . the cure of this is referred to the chapter of the distempers of the womb . or when there is not that due proportion of seed which ought to be in both parties , which chiefly arises from the use of those things that extinguish barrenness , as mint , rue , camphire . or from inchantments ; and then the man cannot lye with his wife ; or though he should , yet cannot emit the seed : against which it is affirmed that the drinking a draught of cold water that drops from the mouth of a young stone-horse as he drinks , and saved in a little vessel , is very potent . or when the womb doth not draw the seed which is ejected , and that by reason of some cold and moist distemper ; in which case all sorrow , anger , and much sleep are to be avoided ; as also the eating of milk , fresh cheese , and any thing that is made of dough . neither is she to eat endive , spinage , beets , lettice , nuts , cherries , purslane , onions , garlick , or such like ; nor much broth , vinegar , and fat flesh . in the next place , the womb must be cleansed from over-abundance of moisture , with syrup of wormwood , with the decoction of harts-tongue , fennel , cumin , and aniseed . after this take once every days , a dram of blessed pills , fasting five hours after them . take also of these following pills . take of labdanum , agaric , wax , and sheep suet tryed , of which you may make pills to take two or three of them every morning , or use this confection : take shaven ivory , ash keys , yellow and wild rape-seed , siler mountain , with red and white behen , of each one dram , cinamon , galingale , long pepper , cloves and mace , balsam-wood , rosemary-flowers , blatrae , byzantiae , marjoram , penny-royal , of each four scruples , baulm , bugloss , citron pils , of each two scruples , pearls one scruple , musk grains , white sugar twenty four ounces ; seeth this with malmsey , and make thereof a confection . or because of some diseases in the parts ; where note , that too much fatness of the call doth close the mouth of the womb : such women must not sleep much , especially in the day time ; they must use strong clysters that are warm and dry , and purge often . or when the womb doth not attract the seed when it is cast in ; which proceeds from a moist intemperance , which is by the looseness of the fibres of the womb , so that the womb cannot contract it self ; which is cured as in the moist distemper : or by reason of the thickness of the womb ; for then the blood that increases the seed doth not slide down to that place . the cure hereof requires a thin diet , purging and sweating ; or by reason of the slipperiness thereof , which happens by reason of the running of the whites in women : the cure whereof consists in the stopping of the whites , which hath been already treated of , or by reason of the gaping of the orifice , which hath been occasioned either by difficult birth , or by some abortion . the cure is performed by astringent medicines , among which the chiefest are the fomentation of lentisk and myrtle ; or by reason of some sudden cough or sneezing , immediately after copulation , by which the seed is shaken forth . or when the womb doth not alter the seed that is cast in , through an immoderate cold distemper . sometimes through heat , and then it would be requisite to avoid hot air , and to keep the part about the womb cold ; the eating of hot meats and spices must be avoided . purge after blood-letting in the basilick vein of the right hand , with electurium de epythymo , and juyce of roses , of each two drams and a half , whey four ounces , mix them well together , and take them in the morning , sleeping on , and fasting four hours upon . purge also with triphera saracenica , and rheubarb , with potions prepared and mixed with syrup of roses , violets , and endive . take pistacia , eringo's , of each half an ounce , of saffron a dram , lignum aloes , galangal , avens , mace , red and white behen , baulm-flowers , of each four scruple , shavings of ivory , and cassia rinds , of each two scruples , syrup of ginger confected twelve ounces , white sugar six ounces ; seeth these together with the syrup in ounces of baulm-water , untill it be all boyled away ; when it is cold , put some more water to it , and stir them together ; and at last of all , mix with it a scruple and a half of musk and amber : of this conserve let the woman take thrice a day ; to wit , in the morning , an hour before supper , and an hour after dinner . or it proceeds from obstruction of the flowers ; in which case , first let blood in the basilick vein , then purge with opoponax , and hiera composita , of each half a dram , to be made up into seven pills , to be taken in the morning , sleeping upon them an hour and a half , with a draught of sugar'd water five hours after ; or with a potion of syrup of vinegar compounded , syrup of hemp agrimony , of each three quarters of an ounce ; feverfew , mugwort , and elecampane roots , of each an ounce , and mix them together : then she may put up into the womb a pessary of musk , amber , aloes-wood , and ash keys , of each three grains , saffron half a scruple , hares rennet as much as suffices , which being made up like a good big tent , she must keep a whole day in her body . of the bringing up of children , and of their diseases . of the diseases of the head. the diseases common to children , are first certain little ulcerous risings , chiefly in the head ; sometimes in the whole body ; they arise from some vitious humour either collected in the womb , or out of the womb , by reason of the badness of the milk containing a serous , salt , and nitrous quality : if there be no ill to be suspected , the humour may be driven forth by giving the child some syrup of fumatory , or harts-horn burnt : the nurse is to be purged , and the matter offending to be tempered with syrup of borage , or fumary : if there be much corruption under the crust of the scab , the head of the child is to bo bathed with some softning decoction , and then to be anointed with some drying ointments . sometimes they are troubled with an inflamation of the head , with which is joined a hollowness in the forepart of the head ; and in the eyes ; it may arise from the milk , if the nurse be subject to drink overmuch strong drink ; in the cure , you must beware of applying things which are too refrigerating . they are also many times affected with a kind of epilepsie , which proceeds sometimes from extraordinary frights , from milk that lies corrupted in the stomach , and sometimes from worms moving themselves in the guts ; and sometimes it is the consequent of other diseases . the cure is to be observed , partly in the fit , and partly after the fit : the smaragd-stone , and the hoof of a wild elk put into the left ear are very profitable , and take good effect ; vomiting also , and this emplaister of white amber , frankincense , and mastick , of each a dram and a half , galbanum , opopanax ▪ of each a scruple , misleto of an oak two drams , ambergreece six grains , musk three grains , seed of male peonie half a dram , labdanum , one dram and a half , a little oil of nutmeg , and sprinkled with the dust of cubebs ; the forepart of the head may be also anointed with oil of white amber . fears and starting in the child's sleep , are occasioned from the putrid vapours which are carried up with the animal spirits , and arise from the stomach ; therefore they happen to infants that suck greedily . in the cure , care must be taken that the child do not fill it self too unreasonably , and provide that good and sound milk may be generated , and that the children be not put to sleep upon a full stomach : the stomach of the child anointed near the orifice with oil of quinces , and mastick , and oil of nutmegs . before sleep dissolve a little roll of diamosch in milk , and give the child ; unless the child be over-much troubled with heat , you may give it a little treacle once in a week ; over-much watching , or weakness , is occasioned by sharp vapours which arise out of the stomach , by reason of the badness of the milk ; sometimes it is occasioned by feavers , and pain of some peculiar parts ; there is nothing better than to anoint the soles of the childs feet with marrow , which hath no danger in it , rather than to give the child stronger opiates . a looking asquint ; in new born children is cured by putting a candle opposite to the place where the child casts its eyes . moistness of the ears , by reason of the moistness of the head , gathers quantity of humours together : the cure of this must not be over-hasty ; yet the urine of children distilled and dropt into the ear , is a very approved remedy . bigness and swelling of the head in little children . sometimes in children that are newly born , the head grows to an extraordinary bigness which come to pass , either by reason of abundance of water contained in the same , which water is contained , either between the skin and the pericraneum , or between the bone and the pericranium , or between the bone and the membranes called the dura mater , and the pia mater . or by reason of abundance of vapours gathered together between the bones and the skin of the head , which cause the head to grow to such an extraordinary bigness , that it causes oftentimes the death of the child . if water be gathered together between the bone of the head , and the membranes of the brain , it causes a giddiness and epilepsy to the infant , without being able to take any rest . for the cure of the windy affection you may use fomentations , in case the wind be contained only between the skin and the pericranium ; for which purpose , you may take of the leaves of sage , betony , agrimony , sweet smelling flag , and wild margerom , of each a handful ; aniseed and fennel seed , of each two drams ; camomile flowers , melilot , and red roses , of each one handful ; boil all these in common water , adding to it a little wine , and thereof make a fomentation for the part affected , which may be assisted with a plaister made of oil of aniseeds , and bitter almonds , of each one ounce , oil of camomile an ounce and a half , laurel and juniper berries , of each two drams , aniseeds and fennel-seeds , of each one dram and a half , of the best wine a pint ; boyl them to the consumption of the wine , adding to the rest half an ounce of venice turpentine , and as much wax as is sufficient : as for the watry distemper though it be difficult to cure , yet you must try this fomentation to digest this humour : take wormwood , betony , creeping time , pennyroyal leaves , of each a handful , red rose leaves , and leaves of stoechas , a little handful , cypress nuts , orange-flowers , and florentine orrice , of each two drams , boil them all in a lye made of vine-twigs and stalks ; after which you may use this plaister . take the powder of bettony , sage and wormwood , of each two drams , oil of camomile and roses , of each two ounces , unguenti comitissae one ounce , as much wax as is sufficient : but if these remedies profit nothing , the only means left is to open the head. of the diseases of the eyes , ears , and noses in children . many times children are troubled with a light inflamation in their eyes , with a certain gum , and thickness which hinders them from opening the eye-lid : the most present remedies are , either for the nurse to wash the eyes with a little of her breast milk , or else with a little plantain and rose-water mixt together . sometimes the nostrils are so stopt that they are not able to draw their breath , but with much pain . for the cure of which , the nurse must moisten a linnen cloath in a little ointment of roses , or a little very good pomatum , 'till the hard matter within be dissolved . many times there flows a moist humor from their heads , which happens to those who have moist brains in the cure of this it must be the care of the nurse to cleanse the ears , both within and without ; afterwards let her drop into them a little oyl of bitter almonds , and honey of roses mixt together . of certain ulcers in childrens mouths . there do many times grow a certain kind of ulcers in childrens mouths : for the cure of which the nurse in the first place must use a good and sound diet , then must the ulcers themselves be rub'd with a little honey of roses , and syrup of violets , with a drop or two of plantain-water ; or you may wash them with half an ounce of rose-water , or plantain-water , in which put half a dram of vitriol ; if they be very red and inflamed , take brambles , flowers of pomgranates , roses , sanders , of each two drams , allum half a dram ; boyl them in water , afterwards strain them to the quantity of three ounces , in which dissolve half an ounce of syrup of mulberries . if they be white , take amber , frankincense-wood , cypress-nuts , pomegranate flowers , of each two drams , flowers of roses and myrtles , of each half a handful ; boyl them in water to the consumption of four ounces , wherein dissolve an ounce and a half of honey of roses . of certain other tumours , called paroulis and espoulis . paroulis is a little swelling , red , and inflamed , and is ingendered commonly of a hot cholerick blood , or else from a salt flegm that falls down upon the gums , causing not only the gums , but the neck and chaps to be swelled . for the cure , you may anoint the gums with this oyntment : take of fine flower eleven drams , powder of tragachanth one dram , burnt allum one scruple , rose-water one ounce ; if there be any inflammation , rub the gums with a muscilage made of the seed of quinces , made with rose-water , and plantain-water , adding to it a little syrup of jujubes . if the swelling be obstinate , bring it to a suppuration with figs , raisins , jujubes , liquorish , and french barley , well boyled ; when it is opened and launced , cleanse and dry it with hony of roses syrup of roses and cherries . the espoulis is a little excrescence of flesh hapning between the teeth , but most commonly the great teeth . take the root of bugloss an ounce and a half , plantain , agrimony a handful , whole barly a small handful , red roses half a handful , pomgranate flowers drams , dates , a dram and a half of liquorish ; make a decoction and strain it , and then add to it an ounce of syrup of roses , and pomgranates , to wash the place affected : you also may wash it with this remedy . take of the juice of pomgranates and quinces , of each half an ounce , juice of barberies and lettice of each two drams , a little of the decoction of lentils , and red roses . of the two strings under the tongue of a child , there is one of these strings or ligaments , which appears , reaching from the bottom of the tongue , and extending it self to the top of the tongue ; this must be cut off first with a pair of cizers , and the place rub'd with a little mosche salt. there is another ligament which rises from the root , and extendeth it self to the middle of the tongue , which is more hard and large , which hinders the tongue either from being stretched out , or to be moved in the mouth . the cure hereof belongs wholly to the chirurgeon . of the cough in children . the cough in children comes either from the distillation of some cold and sharp humor distilling from the brain : if the humor be cold , the child is also troubled with a viscous and slimy flegm , which lies in the passages of respiration : if the humor flowing down be hot , the face of the infant will be red ; if it come of a cold humor , the child must be kept indifferently warm , giving it a little oyl of sweet almonds and sugar-candy ; it will not be amiss also to wash the feet of the child in ale , wherein certain cephalick herbs have been boiled , and after that to anoint the plants , or soles of his feet with gooses fat . the breast of the child may be also rubbed with oyl of sweet almonds , and fresh-butter , and upon this put little linnen cloaths something warm . if it be accompanied with any viscous matter , or flegm , you may give the infant a little syrup of maiden-hair , or syrup of liquorish , and hysop mingled together ; or give the infant this water to drink ; take of rain-water , and fountain-water , of each a pint , white sugar one ounce , honey an ounce , vinegar two drams ; boyl them altogether , and clarifie them , and let the infant drink it . of breeding teeth . in breeding teeth , the difficulty and pain that the child endures , is easily perceived ; and whether that be the thing which the child is afflicted with , may be easily guessed at by the time of breeding teeth , which is about the seventh month ; beside , the infant is perceived to be often putting his fingers in his mouth , and the nurse perceives the infant to gripe her breasts hard , &c. the place where the teeth are about to break out looks white ; there are also watchings , and the sense of a very great pain . the swelling gums are to be anointed with hares brains boyled , or the fat of it . if they be inflamed , wash them with oyl of roses , and white wax , and the juyce of night-shade : if they be exulcerated anoint them with butter that hath no salt in it , with a little honey and powder of frankincense . of the inflammation of the navel-string in infants . sometimes after the binding of the navel-string , it happens to exulcerate : for the cure use an emplaister of pompholyx , or anoint it with oyl of roses , and a little populeon . of the worms . oftentimes children are extreamly troubled with worms ; they are generated of a viscous and flegmy humor ; are sometimes round , and then children are commonly troubled with a feaver , and grow lean , their appetite fails them , they start in their sleep , they have a dry cough joyned with it , with a stinking breath , and an ill colour in their faces ; the eyes hollow and dark with a kind of irregular feaver , which comes three or four times a night , and they often rub their noses ; if they be little worms , they have always a desire to go to stool , and their excrements are very purous . if the infant be young , the nurse must be sure to keep a good diet , abstaining from all raw fruits , pease and beans , and all milky things , and any thing that shall be of a hard concoction : next , you may lay a plaister of the mass of pills sine quibus , half a dram , pouder of wormwood one dram , myrrh and aloes of each two scruples , meal of lupines a dram and a half , the gall of an ox as much as sufficeth ; if the infant be any thing grown , you may give him in a little broth a small quantity of harts-horn . of the convulsion in infants . the signs of convulsion are the hanging backward of the head , insomuch that the hinder part of the head seemeth to touch the shoulders ; sometimes the head and the neck hang so far forward , that the chin touches the breast . the cure of this : if it come of too great abundance of humours , let the air wherein the child is nursed be hot and dry , and exercise much ; let the nurse not sleep long , especially after dinner ; and let her diet be rather drying than any way moist . if the child do not suck he must avoid meats that do trouble the head , and fill it up with vapors , or slimy meats that may stop the passages of the veins : sweet things are very hurtful , but honey and water wherein a little sage and betony have been boiled , it will not be amiss to give him : if purgation be needful , let the nurse rather than the child purge , which may be performed with cassia or manna . if the child be any thing big , let his belly be kept loose , by giving him a little water wherein sena hath been steeped hours , tempering it with a very small quantity of the juice of citron ; or you may give him a little of the pouder of diacarthamum in the pap of an apple . if the convulsion comes of driness or emptiness , or by reason of some great evacuation , flux of the belly , vomiting , hunger , or the like , the child must be nursed in an air more moist than dry , and his diet must be the same . the best and most approved remedy is to apply a cautery in the hinder part of the head to the nook of the neck , between the second and third vertebra , which may be done to new born children ; frictions also of the legs , back-bone and thighs are very profitable ; as also cupping-glasses applied to the thighs and legs . if the convulsion come by reason of the worms , you may give him this clyster . take of simple hydromel four ounces , new butter one ounce , powdered aloes half a dram , and make a clyster . or you may give him two drams of earthworms killed , dried and poudered , sugar poudered one ounce , and let the child take two drams of it every day in a spoonful of lettice-water . if any venemous vapour be the cause hereof , let him take six grains of treacle , or mithridate in mint-water . of the swelling of the hypochondria in infants . which causeth children by reason of the narrowness of the mouth of the stomach to be troubled with a difficulty of breathing : it ariseth from the greediness of the infant , which either sucks too great a quantity of milk , or of other meats . the inward cure of this is performed by administring the powder of the root of orrice or paeonie . of costiveness in children . this proceeds from the unskilfulness of the nurse in the dieting of the child , or from a cold and dry distemper of the guts , or from the hot and dry distemper of the bowels ; in this case the belly may be well loosned with cassia , or with a liniment composed of new oil of sweet almonds , goose fat , may butter , ointment of marshmallows , of each two drams , colocynth . gr . sixteen , one scruple of salt , species hierae one scruple , diagridion four grains ; make of this an ointment , and anoint the navel . or it proceeds from a viscous flegm , which wraps about and holds the dregs , which may be remedied by a suppository of mouse dung , and goats suet , or by the use of an emplaister of aloes , bulls-gall , myrrh , and may butter , to be laid upon the navel . of looseness in children . looseness of the belly happens either in the time of teeth breeding , or out of the time ; in the time of breeding teeth , either by reason of the corruption of the nutriment , or by reason of overmuch watching through the pain of the teeth , or by reason of a fever , and some unnatural heat : it must not be suddenly stopt , if it be not over copious , and that the infant can endure it ; the belly must be afterwards cleansed with roses solutive , and afterwards stopped ; great observation being had whether the cause come from a hot or cold distemper . of burstness in children . burstness happens to children , either by reason that the peritonaeum is burst through crying , or falling , or splaying with the thighs : for the cure whereof the child must be kept quiet , and still from crying ; upon which , after the part affected is well bound up , you may give the child inwardly of the essence of the greater comfrey one spoonful , with two drops of balsam of sal gemma . you may also foment the place with a fomentation made of the roots of the greater comfrey , and osmund royal , the bark of elm , and ash , knot-grass , each half an ounce , the leaves of plantain , mullein , rupture wort , horsetail , flowers of camomile , red roses , and melilot , of each a handful and a half , balaust , cypress nuts and acorns , of each two drams ; put these into two bags , and boil them in equal parts of sowre wine and smiths water , for a fomentation to be used for a quarter of an hour ; then you may lay on a plaister of the red drying ointment eleven ounces , pouder of mastick , olibanum , and sarcocol , cyprest nuts , of each one dram , with a little wax and oil of mastick to make a plaister , which must be put upon the place affected , and bound down with a little pillow . sometimes this burstness proceeds from a watry humour abounding in the abdomen , which descending into the cods causeth them to swell ; for which you may use with good success this ointment : take of unguent . comitiss . and the red drying ointment , of each two ounces , pigeons dung half an ounce , live sulphur three drams , powder of lawrel berries , and mustardseed , of each a dram , oil of dill , and venice turpentine of each three drams , wax as much as sufficeth : this is also an extraordinary remedy for the burstness proceeding from wind. of the inflammation of the navel . the inflammation of the navel ariseth when the blood gathers thither by reason of some external hurt ; the danger is very great , if it should apostemate , and so the guts fall down ; and therefore suppuration must be hindred as much as may be . of the jutting forth of the navel . this differs from the inflamation , because here the navel doth not give way to the touch , neither is the colour of the skin changed , neither is there any very great pain , or pulse , unless the intestines are very much fallen ; it proceeds from the ill binding thereof at first , which is incurable ; or when a greater portion than needs of the navel string is left . secondly , from a laxation of the peritonaeum , and then the tumour is equal , nor doth the navel jut forth very far : in the cure hereof , you must let the child abstain from all windy meats , and from much crying . sometimes it is occasioned by the rupture of the peritonaeum ; the swelling is hardly perceived when the child lies upon his back , but increaseth and swells forward when he walks , sits , cries and bawls : in the cure of this , the moss that grows upon the wild prune tree , is very much commended ; or you may make little swathbands of leather , and anoint them with oxycroceum . of the stone in the bladder . this is known by the coming forth of the urine by drops and with pain , which is sometimes unmixed , sometimes containing a kind of serous humour , sometimes died with a little blood : it is produced either by the milk which is engendred of meats that do increase the stone , or through a hot distemper of the liver , which attracts the chyle , and sends it unaltered to the bladder : for the cure you must use baths , among which this is commended to anoint the bladder withal ; take oyl of scorpions , oyl of bitter almonds , conies grease , and hens grease , of each an ounce and a half , and of the juice of pellitory of the wall two ounces : or take sal tartar one ounce , parsly-water a pint , mix them through a fine paper rubbed over with the rinds of oranges , and give a small quantity thereof . of the not holding of the urine . this ariseth either from the muscle , which shuts the orifice of the bladder , which is so disposed , that it is loosed upon the least exciting of the urine , and grows so into a habit , that it many times accompanies them to their graves ; or from the stone in the bladder , or from the weakness of the sphincter proceeding from a cold and moist distemper ; which is cured partly by the good diet of the nurse , and partly by convenient medicines , among which a bath made of sulphur , nitre , and the leaves of oak , is exceeding good . of the intertrigo . when the little skin in the hips is separated from the true skin ; it arises first from the sharpness of the urine , especially in children that are more corpulent , by reason of the dirt which frets the skin , being gathered together in the wrinkles . bath the place , and then sprinkle upon it either white nihili , or anoint it with oyl of litharge . of leanness . this arises either from a subtle kind of worms , which are generated in the most musclely parts of the back and arms , and consume the body ; they break forth sometimes like to black hairs ; if you wash those parts with a bath mixed with bread and honey , they are taken away either with a razor , or with a crust of bread . secondly , it arises from the small quantity of milk , which is oftentimes remedied by changing the nurse . of the difficulty which children have to make water . if the disease proceed from sharpness of the urine , the nurse must use such a way of diet as is proper for the tempering and cooling of the blood ; she must be purged , and let blood , using afterwards cooling and refrigerating broths . if it proceed from any gross humor ingendered in the bladder , the nurse must abstain from all meats that do breed gross humors , as milky meats , pease and beans , and such like . if the child be troubled with gravel , which may be perceived by the whiteness and rawness of the urine , with a gravelly setling at the bottom , and the continual pain in making water : if the child be any thing big , let a potion be given him of an ounce and a half of sweet almonds , an ounce of pellitory water , and two drams of the juyce of lemons ; use as much of this at a time as is convenient . or take of this powder , of the blood of a hare six ounces , of the root of saxifrage one ounce , burn them in an earthen pot ; and if the infant suck , give him a scruple of this powder in a little milk . of the inflammation of the almonds of the ears . if the child be very small , you must wash the throat as near the root of the tongue as may be with a linnen cloth , tied to a stick dipped in this gargarism ; take of new extracted cassia one dram , syrup of dry roses one dram and a half , six ounces of the decoction of coriander . or you may anoint the neck with oyl of violets , and camomile , binding the neck with a little roller well anointed with the same ; when the child goes to bed , you may give him in a spoon a little syrup of dried roses , of pavot and nenuphar mingled together , oxycrate alone doth make an excellent gargarism . if they come to a suppuration , you must use this gargarism : take of the decoction of barley , plantain , agrimony , speedwell , honey-suckle , and herb rob six ounces ; in which dissolve honey of roses , and sugar-candy , of each half an ounce , to make a gargarism . of vomiting . if it proceed from abundance of milk which the child sucks , you must take care that the child suck less and often . if it come from any ill humor contained in the stomach , besides that the nurse must keep a very good diet , the infant must be purged with a small expression of rheubarb , giving it afterwards a little mint-water , sweetned with syrup of quinces to comfort the stomach ; putting afterwards upon his stomach this plaister : take of the pulp of condited quinces two ounces , red roses , wormwood , and red saunders , of each two drams , oyl of quinces as much as sufficeth ; make a plaister of this , and lay it upon the stomach of the child . of the hicquet . if it come from an over much repletion , it will not be amiss to make him vomit , of whatsoever age he be ; or if it be necessary that a greater force should be used , you must try to make him vomit by putting down the throat a feather dipt in oyl : if from the badness of the nurses mi●k , she must be changed for a better ; if from the coldness of the stomach , you must use remedies to comfort it , as little tablets of diarrhodon , of which you must dissolve a scruple in the milk of the nurse ; you must also chafe the stomach of the child with oyl of wormwood , mastick , and quinces . of the pain of the belly in children . if the disease come from indigestion , and moistness , the little infant will vomit , and be troubled with a flux of the belly , and the belly will be hard . in which case , you may give the infant one ounce of sweet almonds drawn without fire , and mingled with a quantity of sugar-candy , or anoint the belly with this ointment : take oyl of camomile , and oyl of sweet almonds , of each an ounce and a half , mingle them , and therewith anoint the belly : if wind be the cause , you may mingle a little oyl of rue in the foresaid oyntment . of the small pox in children . the signs of this disease are pains in the head , accompanied with a fever , redness about the eyes , a dry cough , and you shall mark in the skin up and down the body , certain little spots upon the face , back , breast , and thighs . the small pox is dangerous if they come forth with much pain , if they be greenish , blewish , or blackish . for the cure of this ; if the infant suck , the nurse must keep a good order of diet , she may eat broth of hens , with endive , cichory , bugloss , and borage boiled therein . now to make the small pox come forth the more quickly ; if the child be little , the nurse must drink this following potion . take of fat figs one ounce , peeled lentils half an ounce , gum lacca two drams , gum tragacanth , and fennel-seed , of each two drams and a half ; make of this a decoction in fountain-water , and strain it to the quantity of two pints , sweeten this either with sugar , or syrup of maiden-hair ; let her drink of this in the morning a good glass full . or , you may give the child , if it be able to take it , this julep to be used very often : take of cordial-waters two ounces and a half , syrup of lemons one ounce , mingle it , and use it often ; four or five hours after , give him of powder of unicorns-horn , and bezoar . now to keep this venomous humor from attacking the eyes , temper a little saffron in a small quantity of plantain and rose-water , and rub the eye-lids , or you may anoint them with tutie : for keeping them from the nose ; take rose-water , and betony-water , of each an ounce , vinegar half an ounce , juyce of pomegranates six ounces , in which steep two drams of sanders , and two drams of the powder of citron-peel ; add to this six grains of saffron , and make a medicine for the child to smell often to ; the same medicine will serve for the ears , by stopping them with a little cotton . to preserve the mouth and throat , and tongue , take this gargarism ; take whole barley one handful , plantain leaves , leaves of sorrel , arnogloss , agrimony , and vervein , of each one handful ; boyl this to the quantity of six ounces , dissolving in it syrup of dry roses , and pomgranates , of each half an ounce , saffron half a scruple . to preserve the lungs , use syrup of jujubes , violets , and nenuphar ; when they are fully come out , to make them die the more quickly , rub the face with oyl of sweet almonds drawn without fire . or use this oyntment ; take old lard , cut it in small pieces , and melt it in a pot , then strain it , then beat it , and mingle it with water for your use . when the pox is totally dead , take this remedy to take away the marks . take half the weight of two crowns , clear cream two ounces , mix them together , and with a feather dipt therein anoint the face of the child two or three days ; this causeth the skin to grow smooth , leaving not a pit in the face . a full supply of such most useful and admirable secrets , which mr. nicholas culpepper in his brief treatise , and other english writers in the art of midwifery , have hitherto wilfully passed by , kept close to themselves , and wholly omitted ; now at last made publick for the general good : by t. chamberlain , m. p. chap. i. in what manner the generative , or begetting seed hath its beginning ; and particularly of the four degrees of concoction . that we may the better discern the whole course and order of generation , i have thought it convenient to demonstrate how great a similitude it bears with the production of plants : but first it is necessary to take notice what generative seed is , and how extracted out of the three concoctions . we may observe the natural procreation of man to be altogether such , as we perceive the generation and beginning of plants or herbs of every kind to be : for as they every one of them from the seed of his kind , cast into the womb of the earth , do bud or increase , and do naturally grow to the perfect form of its proper nature : so man also being a reasonable creature according to the quality of the body , doth naturally draw his original and begining from the sperm and seed of man , projected and cast forth into the womb of woman , as into a field : but that matter of generation which we call sperm or seed , by its original and nature , is only a superfluous humor , the residue and remainder , i say , of the nutriment and food , and the superfluity of the third concoction in the body , derived and conveyed along through the hidden and secret organs or instruments from the chiefest members of the body unto the generative parts , and serveth for generation and it hath its beginning and breeding from the residues and remnants of all the meats belonging to the nourishment of man , after they be altered and transmuted even to the third concoction : of the superfluity of which concocted food collected and gathered together in its proper and due manner , it is evident that the same is ingendred , according to the constitution of the age and nature ; for there is made a three-fold concoction of any meat , altered and converted into the nourishment of the living creature , even to generation of seed , that concoction nevertheless following , which is the purest of all concoctions : for the food being sent down into the stomach , by chewing streightway the pure nutriment which is ordained to the other part ( the dry excrement being driven downward thorough the guts to the belly ) through the sucking veins ( named in latin mesaraicae ) carried as it were to one gate flowing out of innumerable channels , is brought to the liver ; where to the disposition of the former concoction , made in the stomach , there is forthwith made the second concoction in the liver of the food derived unto it , the superfluous matter being separated , that is to say , both kinds of choler , and the watrish humour drawn and attracted by the emulgent vessels ( in latin vasa emulgentia ) that it being strained through the kidnies , might descend down into the bladder ; then the residue , refined and cleansed in the liver by this concoction , that is to say blood , is conveyed over to the heart , to receive its vital administration and office . in the heart again , is made the third concoction of the food being received at one time ; for there blood having taken unto it vital and lively spirit , being diffused and sent abroad throughout the several members of the body , doth again expel and void out that which is superfluous in it self , by the secret pores and passages . at length here the spirit changeth and turneth the blood conveyed through the spermatical or seed-vessels ( being branches of vena cava ) there also further concocted into the nature of sperm or seed , by the twined revolutions and back-turnings of the smallest vessels for this purpose , and by the glandulous or kernel'd substance of the testicles , and the seed passages ( which they call parastatae ) available in that behalf : so the blood , exquisitely wrought and laboured , and for the most part converted into vital spirits , is straight-way conveyed by the artery named aorta , and branches thereof to all the other members of the whole body . but in the fourth place ( that we may add one thing over and above our purpose ) there is made an alteration of the food into the like substance of the thing nourished , this juyce quickning and strengthning life , which being the purest of all , remained lastly with the vital spirit ; that in like sort being expelled , if any impure thing shall be remaining or engendred . chap. ii. the generation of man , compared with the production of plants . that the reason of this generation may be made the more plain and evident unto us , we will declare by a brief demonstration , that there is the same begining of plants and herbs , and of other things which fall under the same consideration ; therefore as in the seeds of every kind , the grain it self cast into the earth , is the food , and as it were the first subject of all the alteration following , whereby it buds and springs , is augmented and grows up into a nature like unto it ; so meat being taken , affordeth in mans body the first matter to a variable concoction . and as in plants we may observe a most certain separation of the pure from the impure , and of the remnant from the superfluous matter ; so here we perceive a natural separation and sequestration of that which is unprofitable , from that which is profitable , by their certain degrees : for first the seed being committed to the earth , by and by swelling with the moisture of the same , strippeth it self from that little skin , in which it was inclosed , and springing upward , casteth forth the same being empty , as a dry excrement , the grain in the mean time budding and sprouting forth , that it may proceed forward toward the increase ; afterward the increase and growth stretching even to the fruit disrobed and bereaved of the flower , the second purging casteth down the flower sprung up in the top of the bough , but preserveth the hope of the fruit , being stripped of his flower , as that thing which remaineth pure and profitable by the second purging . afterwards the fruit being grown to its just quantity , the third alteration casteth down the leaves , as the superfluity of this degree ; but ordaineth the fruit , being now so often cleansed and purged , for the utility of mans nourishment , maturity , and ripeness being granted unto it . put now , either the seed breaketh , the fruit lying hid in it , or else it sendeth it out by putrefaction ; and being cast into the ground it hasteneth again into the property of its own nature , not tending towards it self , which is remaining , but to the likeness of its first original , from whence it had its begining ; so that in this it appeareth absolutely true , that nature ingendereth things like unto it self ; for every thing doth naturally covet and desire the form and likeness of that form whence it is bred : hence it comes to pass , that apples grow not from pears , nor pears from any other kind of fruit , unless it be so brought about by the means of grafting and planting . and the same thing is to be acknowledged in the generation of man and woman , which is to be confessed in the growing of plants and herbs ; that because we see bodies well distinguished by members to be engendred of seed , we may also believe that the same seed is derived from the distinct and several parts of the body ; wherefore let those be advised what they say , who affirm the seed of generation to be ingendred of the brain only , when as it is not so agreeable to the consideration of the concoctions , nor to the constitution of the bodies . true it is , that some , and that not a small part , is derived from the brain , but the chiefest part is collected together from the chiefest parts of the whole body : for if we say , that this should be ingendred of one or two parts only ; every one would find that this consequence would follow by an infallible reason , namely , that those same parts only should be ingendred again : therefore we may more rightly conclude , that besides that beginning which it draweth from the brain , it is ingendred from the whole body , and the most especial parts of the same , the effect it self manifesting the cause , most especially when we see distinct members , and perfectly finisht , according to the due form of the body , and so truly , that the thing begotten doth answer and agree to the constitution of the thing begetting ; of feeble seed , a feeble man being born ; of strong seed , a strong and lusty man : by which means it happeneth that we many times see the infirmities and ill favoured marks of the body in the children , which are inherent in the parents , and these we firmly believe to have passed into them by the corruption of the seed . and these things thus determined , may suffice to have been spoken concerning the beginning and substance of ingendring seed . chap. iii. what course parents ought to take that they may beget wise children . it may well be admired , what the reason should be , that nature being so wise and provident in all her actings , should nevertheless be so overseen in a work of so special regard as mankind , that for one whom she produceth wise , solid and judicious , she bringeth so many into the world of those that are shallow , half witted , and void of prudence : but having seriously consider'd with my self , and searcht into the reason of natural causes of this so strange a matter ; i easily found the true reason to be this , namely , that parents apply not themselves to the act of generation , with that order and diligence that is required by nature , nor know the conditions which ought to be observed , that their children may prove wise and judicious . now if by art we may procure a remedy for this , we shall have brought to the common-wealth the greatest benefit she can receive . the main difficulty of this matter chiefly consisteth herein , that we cannot discourse hereof in terms so seemly and modest , as exact decency would require ; but if for this reason i should forbear to insist upon any particular note or observation , the whole business would be of small validity ; forasmuch as divers grave authors are of opinion , that wise men ordinarily beget foolish children , because in the act of copulation they abstain from certain diligences , which are of importance that the son may partake of the fathers wisdom . for the more methodical proceeding , i have thought good to divide the matter of this discourse into four principal parts . the first is to shew the natural qualities and temperature which man and woman ought to possess , that they may use generation . the second , what diligence the parents ought to imploy , that their children may be male , and not female . the third , how they may become wise and not fools . the fourth , how they are to be ordered after their birth for preservation of their wit. as to the first point : divers both ancient and modern authors have delivered their opinions to this effect , that in a well ordered common-wealth , there ought to be assigned certain surveyors of marriages , who should have skill and judgment sufficient to look into the qualities of the persons that are to be married ; and to allot to every woman a husband , and to every man a wife agreeable and proportionable to them in all respects : but whether such a thing be of absolute necessity in a state , or no , let it lye upon the care and consideration of such as take upon them to manage , and dispose the affairs of common-wealths . hippocrates and galen took much pains in prescribing certain precepts about this matter , with several rules to know what sort of women were fruitful , and what not ; what men were able for generation , and what disable : but touching all this , they deliver very little to the purpose , and that not with such distinction as is requisite for the business in hand , therefore it will be necessary to begin this discourse from its principles , and briefly to give the same its due order and method that so we may plainly and clearly demonstrate from what union of parents wise children are generated , and from what fools and faineants issue . to which end is needful : first to be informed of a particular point of philosophy , upon the knowledge of which depends all that which is to be delivered touching this first point ; and that 's this , that man is different from woman in nothing else , as galen also observes , than in having his genital members without his body whereas a woman hath all the very same parts within , so that if , when nature hath finished her work in the formation of man , she would convert him into a woman , there needs nothing else to be done , saving only to turn the organs of generation inward , and if , having formed a woman she would transform her to a man , she may effect it by doing the contrary : but whether or no these things have hapned , as some affirm they have , and of the certainty of hermaphrodites being found in nature , may more commodiously be referred to a discourse by it self . now what might be the cause that the genital members are ingendred within , or without , and that the creature becometh male or female , is a thing plain and evident enough to demonstrate , considering that heat extendeth and enlargeth all things , and cold retaineth and closeth them up ; so that it is concluded by all that are knowing in philosophy and natural causes , that if the seed be cold and moist , a woman is begotten , not a man : and if the same be hot and dry , a man is begotten , not a woman : whence it is to be inferred , that there is no man to be termed cold in respect of a woman , nor woman hot in respect of a man. this therefore is to be noted as a thing without all controversie or exception , that the qualities which render a woman fruitful , are cold and moisture , the womb holding the same proportion with mans seed , that the earth doth with corn or any other grain ; and we see , that if the earth want cold and moisture , the seed will not prosper ; and that those are the most fertile soyls which partake most of cold and moist : yet these two qualities ought to keep a certain measurableness , lest that , either by excess , or deficiency , generation be spoyled ; for as the corn is vitiated by excess of rain , and overmuch cold ; so in conception the seed may be choaked by over-abundance of these qualities ; and on the other side , if those parts in a woman should be temperate as in a man , it were impossible she should conceive , or be a woman : nor could she breed that flegmatick blood which ingendereth milk , by which , as galen and hypocrates affirm , the birth is nourished while it remaineth in the mothers belly ; neither could she be beardless , or void of hair , if she were overmuch inclining to hot and dry . nevertheless , all women are not cold and moist alike , there being of these qualities several degrees , some being cold and moist in the first degree , some in the second , some in the third , and in each of these they may conceive , if a man answer them in proportion of heat . as for the signs of these several degrees of coldness and moisture in women , though hitherto they have not been taken notice of by any , yet it will be very requisite in this place to consider them according to the several effects , which each of these degrees produceth . first , by the quick apprehension and acuteness of wit in women , for if they be very witty and acute , they are to be judged cold and moist in the first degree only ; if very shallow and simple , in the third degree , but if they partake of a middle nature between these two extreams , it signifieth that they are in the second degree . secondly , their conditions ; they being either curst , or good natured , according to these three degrees . thirdly , their voice ; which is either shrill , or big according as they are more or less cold and moist . fourthly , their substance in flesh ; leanness being a sign of little coldness and moisture ; grosness or over much corpulency , of the redundance of those qualities : to be meanly fleshed , betokeneth the second degree . fifthly , the colour of their face ; which is either white , or swarthy , as these qualities are intense or remiss ; of the second degree is composed a fresh and lively colour . sixthly , their hair ; which is also either much , or little , according to the exuberance , or defect of cold and moist . seventhly , a handsom form and proportion of body is the result of the middlemost degree ; deformity arising from either extream . now from all these signs it may be concluded , that those women who are cold and moist in the second degree , are of the perfectest temper , and in the best capacity , as to their own proper nature , of bringing forth children . chap. iv. the signs to know the several degrees of hot and dry in a man. as there are in women three degrees of cold and moist , so likewise in men there are as many of hot and dry ; and the same signs which discover those in women , specifie these in men ; only , the first , or remiss degree in women holdeth a proportion with the third , or intense degree in men ; as namely , whereas among women those have the biggest voices that are cold and moist in the first degree ; the like is to be concluded of men that are hot and dry in the third , the defect in those answering to the excess in these : now to understand these temperatures the more exactly , we must take notice of a very observable point mentioned by galen , which is ; that the temperature of all parts of the body , especially the brain , follows the temperature of the testicles : and he affirmeth that they are of more importance than the heart , alledging this reason ; namely , that the heart is the beginning of the life only , but the testicles are the beginning of living healthfully , and without distempers . chap. v. what women ought to marry with what men , that they may have children . in respect of married women that prove childless , hypocrates adviseth this experiment to be tried , to know whether the defect be on the womans part , or on her husbands , which is to make her suffumigations with incense , or storax , with a garment close wrapped about her , which may hang down on the ground , in such sort , that no vapor , or fume may issue out , and if within a while after she feel the savour of the incense in her mouth , she may conclude that the barrenness comes not through her own defect , but through her husbands ; for as much as the fumes found the passages open , whereby it pierced up to the nostrils : but although this proof perform that effect which hippocrates speaketh of , namely , the piercing up to the inner part of the mouth ; yet this is no infallible argument of the husbands barrenness , nor of the fruitfulness of the wife : since want of children may arise through an unapt disposition in them both , in respect of the correspondency of qualities , for it hath oftentimes hapned that a man who could not have children by one wife , hath had them by another ; the like also hath befallen women . what the correspondency should be , which the man and wife ought to bear each to other , is expressed by hypocrates in these words . if the hot answer not the cold , and the dry the moist , with measure and quantity ; that is , if there meet not in the womb two seeds , the one hot , the other cold , the one dry , the other moist , extended in equal degree , there can be no generation : for so marvellous a work as the formation of man could not be perform'd , without a proportionable commixture of seeds , which could not be , if the mans seed and the womans were both of the same temperature . to exemplify what i have said , it is to be concluded , that a woman who is wily , ill-condition'd , shrill-voiced , lean , swarthy-coloured , and deformed , ( which are the signs of cold , and moist in the first degree ) may conceive by a man who is ignorant , good natured , sweet voic'd , corpulent , having little hair , a well-coloured face , and a handsome body , which are the signs of hot and dry in the first degree ; a woman cold and moist in the second degree , in regard she retaineth a mean in all those signs above-mentioned is most like to be fruitful , because she comes nearest in proportion to men of each several temperature : but from the first of these unions or conjoynings of man and woman , are most likely to issue the wisest children , because the dryness of the mother , correcteth and amendeth the defect of the father . moreover , it is requisite that women be dryed by a mature age , and not marry over young ; for from thence it comes to pass most commonly , that children prove shallow , and indued with little wit. chap. vi. what course is to be taken that male children be brought into the world , not female . those who see the comfort of having wise children , must indeavour that they be born male ; for the female , through the cold and moistness of their sex , cannot be endowed with so profound a judgment . we find indeed , that they talk with appearance of knowledge in slight and easie matters , but seldom reach any further than to a slight superficial smattering in any deep science . it is a thing very well worth observation , that , whereas the right side of the reins , and the right testicle , are naturally more hot and dry , and the left side of the reins with the left testicle , more hot and moist , nature seems to have intended that which at the beginning of the world is recorded in history to have been very frequent ; as namely , that a woman brought forth two children at a birth , the one male , the other female , the right side which is hot and dry , being assigned to the generation of males ▪ the left side which is cold and moist , to the generation of females , and it seems to have been so ordained , to that end , that for every man there might be a wife : but after the earth came to be well increased with people , it hapned as it appears , that this method and design of nature was broken off , and now not only the double child-bearing is very rare , but a far greater number of women are daily brought forth into the world than men : whence it is to be gathered , that either nature is grown weary , or else interrupted in her course of working : however , since this defect of nature is to be remedied with care and diligence , if men would imploy their serious considerations in a matter of such importance ; there are six things to be observed by those that would obtain the accomplishment of their desire , in the design whereof this chapter treats . the first is , the eating those sorts of meats which are hot and dry , provided they have not those qualities in too high an excess , lest thereof be engenderd a man extreamly wily and malicious , and such a one whose actions may prove pernicious to the common-wealth ; but rather let those viands be hot and dry in a moderate degree , such as are hens , partridges , turtles , thrushes , goats , &c. and those roasted . the second thing is the feeding so moderately , that the stomach may overcome and digest that meat which is eaten ; for those very sorts of meat which are in their proper nature hot and dry , yet being eaten in so great a quantity , that the nature cannot digest them , they become cold and moist also , the immoderate drinking wine is absolutely to be forbidden , there being no rawness which so much endamageth generation , as that of wine , being so vaporous and subtle a liquor . whereupon a law was anciently enacted in the carthaginian commonwealth , which prohibited the married couple to taste of wine that day they were to perform the rights of the marriage bed. the third is , to use much exercise , which by fretting and consuming the excessive moisture of the seed , heateth and dryeth the same ; whereas ease , and overmuch delicacy breedeth coldness and moisture in the seed . and hence it comes to pass , that rich and great persons that live at ease and feed high , have for the most part daughters : and hypocrates reporteth that the principal persons of the ancient scythians , who were very effeminate and womanish , most commonly either begot females , or else they proved either eunuches , or hermaphrodites : and being ignorant of the natural cause of this defect , he saith ( and derides them for it ) that they used to sacrifice to their gods , imploring from them a remedy of that which was an effect of their mis-governance . the fourth diligence is , not to use the act of generation untill the seed be well concocted and ripened , it being convenient for seven or eight days before , to use those meats which we have already prescribed , and observing the same course as gardiners do with the seeds which they would preserve ; for they attend till they ripen , and cleanse , and wax dry , since if they should pluck them from the stalk before they are deeply seasoned , and arrived to that point which is to be required , though they should lye in the ground never so long , they would not grow at all . the fifth point , for a man to accompany with his wife four or five days before her natural courses , in regard the child immediately standeth in need of much food to nourish it . the sixth and last point is to procure , that both the seed of the husband and wife fall into the right side of the womb , by which means it hapneth that males are ingendred ; the reason of which is , as galen affirmeth , that the right side of the womb holdeth affinity in temperature with the liver , the right side of the reins , and the right testicle , which we have already delivered to be more hot , as the left side is more cold , by which females are ingendered : to these things there is another consideration to be added , which galen hath also observed , namely , that the seed of each testicle , are of a different nature , for whereas that of the right testicle cometh out more hot , more speedily , and in a lesser quantity , that of the left cometh out more cold , more slowly , and in greater abundance . chap. vii . what means are to be used for preserving the childrens wit , after they are formed . man is compounded of a substance so subject to alteration and corruption , that at the same instant in which he begins to be formed , he also begins to fade and decline ; whereupon nature hath provided , that in mans body there should be four natural faculties : attractive , retentive , concoctive , and expulsive ; the first , concocting and altering the aliments which we eat , return to repair the substance that was lost , each succeeding in his place ; so that it little availeth to have ingendered a child of the perfectest seed , if we make no choice of the meats which afterwards we feed upon : for the creation being finished , there remaineth not for the creature any part of the substance whereof it was composed . true it is , that the first seed , if it be well concocted , possesseth such vertue , that digesting , and altering the meats , it maketh them ( though bad and gross of themselves ) to turn to its own good temperature and substance ; but yet we may so far forth use contrary meats , as the creature shall lose those good qualities which it receiveth from the seed whereof it was made ; therefore plato said , that one of the things which most brought mans wit and his manners to ruine , was , his evil bringing up in diet : for which cause , he counselled that we should give children delicate meats and drinks , and of good temperature , that , as they grow up , they may know to abandon evil , and embrace good ; the reason whereof is very clear : for , since at the beginning the brain was made of delicate seed , and that this member is every day impairing and consuming , and is to be repaired with meats which we eat ; it followeth certainly , that by using such meats as are gross , and of evil temperature , the brains will become of the same nature : therefore it will not suffice that the child is born of good seed ; but also that the meat which he eateth after he is born , be indued with the same qualities . the ancient greeks were very curious in this particular ; galen , and other greek physicians , prescribed to those parents who were desirous of begetting wise children , to eat much goats milk boyled , for about seven or eight days before copulation ; this meat being of a moderate substance , the heat exceeding not the cold , nor the moist the dry . the greeks also used to extract out of the milk , the cheese and whey , as being the grosser parts of the milk , and left the butter ; which being of a more spairy substance , they gave their children , mingling it with honey . they also gave them cracknels of white bread , of very delicate water , with honey , and a little salt. but yet , in this way of regiment and ordering of the diet , there ariseth one great inconvenience ; namely , that children using such kind of delicate meats , will not enjoy strength sufficient to resist the injuries of the air , or other occasions which use to breed maladies : and so by endeavouring that our children may become wise , we shall cause them to become unhealthful , and short-liv'd ; therefore it is to be considered , how things may be so ordered , that the advancing of childrens wit by their diet and education , may not prove inconsistent with the preservation of their health and strength ; which may be easily effected , if parents will put in practice these rules and precepts which i shall prescribe . hypocrates takes notice of eight things which make the flesh plump and fat : the first is , to be merry , and enjoy content and ease of heart ; the second , to sleep much ; the third , to lie in a soft bed ; the fourth , to fare well ; the fifth , to be well furnished and apparelled ; the sixth , to ride much on horseback ; the seventh , to have ones will , and not be crossed in any thing ; the eighth , to be much conversant in all kind of plays and pastimes , that yield contentment and delight . that this manner of life produceth the aforesaid effect , is most true ; but is likewise true , that it causeth the seed to be moist , and that the children engendred of that seed , must also abound with superfluous moisture , which both for the production of wit , and the preservation of health , ought to be dried up ; for as much as this quality stifleth the operations of the rational soul , and also occasioneth sickness and short life : so that it appears , that a good wit , and a sound body , arise from one and the same quality , namely , dryness ; whence it is to be observed , that the same rules which we are to lay down for the making children wise , will also be effectual for the making of them healthy and long lived . first , it behoveth for those children that are born of delicious parents , whose constitution must therefore necessarily consist of more cold and moist than is convenient , to be washed as soon as they are born with hot salt water , which , according to the opinion of all physitians , soaketh and drieth up the flesh , strengthneth the nerves , and by consuming the superfluous moisture of the brain , increaseth the wit , and freeth him from many dangerous diseases ; whereas a bath of hot water that is fresh , breeds ( as hypocrates affirmeth ) five inconveniences ; namely , the effeminating of the flesh , weakness of the sinews , dulness of the spirits , fluxes of the blood , and a nauseating in the stomach : but those that are born with excessive dryness , are to be bathed in hot fresh water , that the extremity of their temper may be corrected by a contrary quality . now the reason why hot salt water is available for those that are over moist , is , because it stoppeth the pores of the skin , and of two extreams , it is more conducing to health to have a skin hard and somewhat close , than thin and open . the second thing requisite to be performed when the child is new born , is to make him acquainted with the winds , and with change of air , and not to keep him lockt up in a chamber , which much enfeebleth the strength , and wasteth the spirits ; nothing being so advantageous to a healthful kind of living , as to expose ones self to all kind of winds and weathers , hot , moist , cold and dry ; it is no wonder therefore that shepherds of all men living enjoy the soundest health , since they accustom themselves to all the several qualities of the air , and their nature is dismayed at nothing ; whereas on the contrary we find that those men that give themselves to live deliciously , and to beware lest the sun , the wind , the evening , or the cold , offend them , are within a small time dispatched with a post-letter to another world. so far were the ancient germans from nicety in this point , that they use to dip their children as soon as born , in a cold river . the third thing necessary to be performed , is to seek out a young nurse of temperature hot and dry , with which two qualities the much cold and moist will be corrected , which the infant brought from his mothers womb ; she should be innur'd to hardness and want , to lye on the bare ground , to eat little , and to go poorly clad in wet , drought , and heat , such a one will yield a firm milk , as being acquainted with the alterations of the air , and the child being brought up by her , will come to enjoy a great firmness of body . the course then which is to be observed with the nurse , is to take her into the house about four or five months before the childs birth , and to give her the same sorts of meat to feed on , which the mother useth to eat , that she may have time to consume the blood and bad humors , which she hath gathered by the harmful meats she used before , and also to the end that the child may suck the like milk with that which relieved it in the mothers belly , or at least made of the same meats . the fourth thing requisite to be observed , is not to accustom the child to sleep in a soft bed , or to keep it over-warm in apparel , or give it too much meat , which are things that fatten and enlarge the flesh ; whereas the restraint of them diminisheth and dries it up , which driness increaseth wit , and much availeth toward long life , according to this rule which i have prescribed , was he , who of all men living that ever the world had , was the wisest brought up ; for as soon as he was born , he began to be inur'd to cold and other alterations of the air ; his first bed was the earth , his apparel coarse ; and a few days after , they went with him to aegypt , a place very hot , and the meat they gave him , was that which i have already mentioned to have been used by the ancient greeks . whereupon it is that the prophet esay saith , he shall eat butter and honey , that he may know to eschew evil , and chuse the good : for though he was very god , yet being also perfect man , he omitted not to make use of the same natural remedies as were used by the rest of the sons of men . thus we have shown what the qualities are , which the brain ought to have , and what the substance ; having proved according to the opinion of heraclitus , that driness maketh the wisest soul ; and that by age from the day of our birth , 'till that of our death , we still acquire more and more dryness , and by consequence more knowledge . we have also proved , that the subtile and delicate parts of the brain are corrected by what we eat ; for those that always feed upon beef and pork , must of necessity have a brain so gross and of such evil temperature , that the reasonable soul cannot be so capable of eschewing evil , or adhering to good . chap. viii . some farther considerations than have before been mentioned concerning the gradual progress of the births formation in the womb. concerning the gradual formation of the infant in the womb ; of the growing up of the fibrae within the first seven days ; of the umbilical veins and arteries , of the formation of the liver , the heart , the brain , the nerves , the gristles , &c. a particular discourse hath been already made in this book : it remains only that we touch upon some things , in reference to the same matter . as the use of the two membranules that enwrap the birth ( whereof the first is called ambiens , avicius , amnium , aurela , abcas , abigas , sela , aligas , or the armature of the conception ; the latter alanthoides , bilis , ascari , secca , involucrum ) which hath been formerly delivered , is a thing of great consequence , to be known and well considered ; so likewise is the consideration of the umbilical veins and arteries a matter no less important . these veins meeting together a little beneath the navel , and extended along that concavity where the liver is to be formed , serve for the purging of the menstruous blood , which is to be destributed through the members . the two arteries are connected with ductile ligatures unto the great artery : through those the heart of the embryo receives ventilation , and draws spirit , and the purer part of the blood from the womb. then after the first six or seven days , the lineaments of all the members are described . next , the lineation being perfected within the space of between four and eight days after , a certain sanguinous matter drawn through the navel , passeth all along through the whole birth , and being pre-disposed toward the formation of the members , fills up at that time the lineatures . the following days from the ninth to the fifteenth , this sanguineous juice is converted into flesh . at which time also the members receive their colour , and that degree of hardness or softness , which is peculiar to them ; like as a painter when he hath drawn the outward lines of any picture , in the next place , he fills it up with various colours , according as the nature of each several part requires . thus nature proceeds to perfect the formation of the heart , liver , brain , and other principle members : all which things are distinctly brought to pass from the conception to the eighteenth day of the first month , at which time it is called seed , but afterward it begins both to be called , and to be a feature . but for the better retaining of these things in memory , that author did not amiss who thought fit to comprehend them in these following verses . sex in lacte dies , ter sunt in sanguine trini ; bis seni carnem , ter seni membra figurant . six days compleat to milk , thrice three to blood convert the seed ; twice six soft flesh do form , thrice six do massive members breed . otherwise thus , injectum semen sex primis rite diebus , est quasi lac , reliquisque novem fit sanguis ; at inde consolidat duodena dies , bis nona deinceps effigiat , tempusque sequens producit ad ortum ; talis perficitur praedicto tempore forma . the first six days to milk the fruitful seed , injected in the womb , remaineth still ; then other nine of milk , red blood do breed , twelve days turn blood to flesh by nature's skill . twice nine firm part , the rest ripe birth do make ; and thus foregoing time doth form man's shape . to conclude this subject , the ancients were of opinion , that the heart ( which in all animals possesseth the middle seat , ( like a king which hath the chief seat of his empire , in the midst of his dominions ) is both the first principal member which is formed in mans body , and the last which dies : but later physitians hold that the liver is first formed , next the heart , and lastly the brain . chap. ix . concerning the notes of virginity , and whether or no it may be violated without the knowledge of man. about the orifice of the sinus pudoris , vulgarly miscalled the neck of the womb , is that pendulous production , by some termed the hymen ; by others ( more rightly ) claustrum virginale , and by the french bouton de rose ; for that it beareth a near resemblance with the expanded bud of a rose or gilli-flower ; hence therefore originally sprung that common expression of the deflowring of virgins . forasmuch as the integrity or violation of this part is accounted the most certain and infallible sign of virginity intire , or violated , some learned physitians that have written of this subject , esteem it a great vanity and folly , to think that there is any other hymen . moreover , this word flower , is used in divers acceptations , for besides the proper signification it is commonly taken for the prime or chief part of any thing , and so youth is called the flower of a mans age ; or for that which is handsome or elegant ; and so rhetorical expressions are called flowers ; or else for such things as are not marred or spoiled by use ; and according to this sense a woman deprived of her virginity may be said to have been deflowred , or to have lost her flower . now this claustrum virginale , or flower consisteth of four caruncles , or fleshy substances , called myrtle-formed , in regard they resemble myrtle berries . these four caruncles are situated as it were in the four angles of the said sinus pudoris , and are connected together by certain membranes or ligatures , which are each of them situated in the interstices or spaces between each caruncle , with which they are in a manner equally extended ; which membranes being once dilacerated , are an apparent sign of devirgination ; nor can it be denied , but that this dilaceration may be caused by other accidents , besides the accompanying with a man ; as by violent coughing , sneezing , or loud vociferation ; all which may occasion a violent flowing down of humours , to the breaking of those ligatures or membranes ; but as for any stories of a hymen , as that it should be a transverse membrane , situated now in the lower extremity of the sinus pudoris , now in the midst of the concavity , that it is perforated all about in the manner of a sieve , or in the middle only with one larger hole , or that the breaking of this hymen should be the only cause of devirgination , are all to be rejected as vain and frivolous , chap. x. whether there may be a mutation out of one sex into another ; and of hermaphrodites . before any thing can be positively determined concerning this argument ( so much of uncertainty there is in it ; ) it will be convenient to recite what hath been delivered both as to the negative and the affirmative , by authors that have maintained each contrary opinion , severinus pinaeus , who holds the negative , writes to this effect , viz. that the genital parts of both sexes , are so unlike each other in substance much more in composition , situation figure , action , and use , that scarce any thing can be found more unlike , and by how much the more all other parts of the body ( excepting the breasts , which in women are more tumid , because of their secondary use ) have an exact resemblance ; so much the more unlike are the genital parts of the one sex , compared with those of the other ; and if their figure be thus different , much more is their use . true it is , indeed , that both are appointed for generation , but in a different manner ; for women contribute the matter , but men the form : the venereal appetite also proceeds from different causes ; for in men it proceeds from a desire of emission , in women , from a desire of repletion . in women also the chiefest of those parts are concave , and apt to receive ; but in men they are only porous , and in a manner solid . these things considered , i cannot but wonder , saith he , how any one can imagine , that the genital members of female birth should be changed into those that belong to males ; since by those parts only the difference and distinction of sexes is made : nor can i well impute the cause of this vulgar error to any thing , but a mistake of some not over-expert midwives , who have been deceived by the evil conformation of the parts , which may have happened in some male-births , to have had so small a protrusion , as not to have been discerned ; as appeared by the example of a child christned at paris , by the name of joan , as if it had been a girl , when as it proved afterwards a boy : and on the contrary , the over-far extension of the clitoris in female births , may have occasioned the like mistake . but notwithstanding what hath been thus said in the negative , there have not been wanting some learned physitians , who have firmly asserted the affirmative part ; of which number galen himself is one . a man , saith he , is different from a woman in nothing else except in the having his genital members without his body : and this is certain , that if nature having formed a man , would convert him into a woman , she hath no other task to perform , but only to turn his genital members inward ; and if a woman into a man , to do the contrary . and this , however held for a fable , hath chanced many times in nature , as well while the creature hath been in the mothers womb , as after the same hath been born : for divers times nature hath made a female child , and she hath so remained in her mothers belly for the space of one or two months , and afterwards plenty of heat growing in the genital members , upon some occasion they have issued forth , and the child hath become a male ; but yet retaining some certain gestures unbefitting the masculine sex ; as a shrill voice , womanish actions , and the like . contrariwise , nature hath often made a male , and cold growing on , and turning the genitals inward , it hath become a female ; yet still retaining a manlike fashion , both in voice and gesture . now to give an impartial judgment of these two opinions , i cannot but hold that the latter of them carrieth a greater semblance of truth with it ; for as to what pinaeus affirms of the great difference of figure in the genital members of each , it will not be of so much force ; if we consider that the inversion of them is that which chiefly occasioneth this difference of form ; the reason of which is evidently deduced from the contrary natures of heat and cold ; heat enlarging and extending all things , and cold retaining and closing them up . now as to the business of hermaphrodites , or those that enjoy both sexes in one person , many there are that will not afford any belief , or , at the least , doubt whether or no there are any such things in nature ; but although there cannot be so apparent a reason given for this as for the mutation of sexes ; yet in this we may suffer our selves to be guided by the same criterium , as in the business of specters and apparitions of spirits ; concerning which , although it hath puzled many learned men to find out , what should be the true causes and reasons , that such things come to pass ; yet it argues much indiscretion not to give credit to them , both in regard histories have abounded with frequent examples of them in all ages ; and also , considering the daily reports we have of such things , both from the mouths and pens of serious and judicious men . perhaps it may be judged by some , to have been more decent that these things should have been delivered in the latin , than in the vulgar tongue , that so the secrets of nature might not have been prostituted to every unworthy reader , that makes use of such things , only for a mockery , and a may-game , and to promote idle and lascivious discourse ; yet forasmuch as they are written for god's glory , and the benefit and help of mankind , and intended only for the use of sober , pious , and discreet matrons ; and that the want of skill and knowledge in these mainly important secrets , hath been the occasion of very many mistakes , to the great misery oftentimes of women in travail , and prejudice of the poor infant , the concealment of them had been much more inexcusable , than the publishing can be . exod. . . but the midwives feared god , verse therefore god dealt well with the midwives . deo gloria . rare secrets brought to light , which for many years were locked up in the breast of that most famous and learned physician , sir theodore mayern , physician to his late majesty , king charles the first , of ever blessed memory . in which are contained the sufficient testimonies of the renowned and happy successes of his management in his general practice on the greatest ladies of the court , and country , in the use of so publick a benefit , as that of the excellent art of midwifry . london , printed in the year , . to the understanding reader . i shall not need to spend many words in recommending to the world these present observations and experiments in midwifry , since , had not my own knowledge and experience of them , warranted me to give a sufficient testimony of them , it had been enough to say , that they were the collections of a person of so great a fame , and therefore of so general a practice for a long series of years , both abroad , and in this nation ; that , not to mention his universal insight in all parts of learning , his judgment chiefly in matters of this nature ought not to be suspected . he must needs be an absolute stranger to all the concerns of publick fame , and the knowledge of eminent men , who hath not been very well acquainted ( though living in the remotest part of this nation ) with the high reputation of sir theodore mayern , who not only as he was physician to the late king , but by the proof he had given of his eminent skill and perfection in his faculty , has gained the greatest esteem and generality of practice at court , and among the nobility , of any man in his time : by which it appears that these present receipts extracted from the musaeum of this excellent person , have been frequently made use of by himself among the greatest ladies of court and countrey ; upon this account i having had the fortune ( as being a near relation of his ) to get these among several other of his papers into my hands , should have thought my self very injurious to the world , if i had not taken the first opportunity to communicate to the publick view a matter of so publick a benefit ; especially , since it is a business of no less importance than the preservation of life , to be very cautious what to make choice of , and not easily to be satisfied with every thing that may have , rashly and without mature judgment , been publisht of this subject . the truth is , among all the treatises of midwifry that i have seen set forth in our language , i have not met with any to which i can more willingly subscribe my approbation , than to the works of madam lowise burgeoise , late midwife to the queen of france : therefore hearing of a second edition of the said treatise to come forth , i thought it most convenient to annex thereunto this collection , more considerable for its quality than quantity ; the experiences of the one having been no less approved among the ladies of the french court , than those of the other among our great ladies of england : to conclude , i shall not for this supplement go about to implore the favourable censure of the courteous reader , but commit it to the fortune of that free reception which it cannot but meet with , both from the advantageous testimony i have alledged , and the beneficial effects i dare promise it will produce . rare secrets brought to light , which for many years were locked up in the breast of that most famous and learned physician , sir theodore mayern , physician to his late majesty , king charles the first , of ever blessed memory . to know the time of delivery , whereby the woman may know the better how to prepare her self . the natural time of delivery falls out to be at the end of nine months , especially if at that season the woman be wont to have her natural purgations ; or else if at nine months end she happen to be near the full or the new moon : for these things hapning together , not only hasten her delivery , but also facilitate the labour . to this end , it is necessary that a woman should be careful to remember and take notice of the time of her conception , that she may be able to govern her self according to the seasons , as she grows near her time . it is also very necessary for women to have in memory the days and seasons of their natural purgations , not only in regard of their delivery , but also in regard of several maladies and diseases , which upon this occasion happen at the said time , and of which no person can rightly judge of the cause , unless those things be well known . now if it happen that a woman have mistaken or forgot , as not being rightly able to observe , either because of some retention extraordinary , or some extraordinary and tedious flux of her natural purgations ; she may redress her self by the means which follow . most commonly and ordinarily , women have their natural purgations from the age of fourteen years to twenty one , at the new moon ; after that , from twenty one to thirty , in the first quarter ; from thirty to thirty seven , or thirty eight , they have them at the full of the moon ; from thirty seven to the time that they begin to cease , in the last quarter . signs which precede delivery . the woman having a regard to the end of the nine moons , as also to the times of the full and new moons , as also to the time that she uses to have her purgations , as hath been said , she must be provided of all things for her assistance and preservation . now when her delivery is near , she shall know by these signs . great pains in her groins thighs , the small of her belly , and all the lower parts of the navel , together with swellings , and hardness in the said places . shiverings and shakings through the whole body , as at the coming of an ague ; after that again a sudden heat , feebleness , lassitude , and small sweats upon the face ; after which the blood being inflamed , rises up into the face , which causes a heat , and redness ; great unrest , and changing from hot to cold , from strong to weak , from weak to strong ; and she shall feel the child to make violent thrusts . there will come bloody water from the lower parts . when these signs , but especially the bloody waters appear , then she ought to commit her self to the care of the midwife , for before 't is in vain , and may prove dangerous . nature hath so well ordered her works , that the matrix never opens it self before the time prefixed , at which time these signs appear ; and therefore a woman ought to be very diligent in the observance of the said seasons and signs . to cause the woman to contain the birth . take mint , roses , marjoram , saffron , musk , as much as suffices of each ; put them into a bag to be hung about the neck , so that it may reach to the stomach ; this will keep the womb from falling low . an emplaister to hinder the monthly flux in women with child . take oyl of roses , white wax , juyce of male-knot-grass of each ounces , bole-armoniack , crocus martis , each six drams , of this make a plaister : when the flux comes down , let the woman contain her self in her bed , and let this plaister be spread upon her loyns . lay a goats-skin between the sheet and the bed , because of the heat of the hollow vein ; or else take crocus martis one dram , juyce of knot grass four ounces , rose-water and vinegar , of each one ounce ; mingle them all well together with the white of an egg , then dip a linnen cloth therein , and apply it cold to the loins . an emplaister for a woman that is fearful of containing the birth . take of the root of snake-weed , and tormentil , each one ounce and a half , joubertus astringent powder , myrtle-berries , psidia , pomgranate-flowers , of each six drams ; dragons-blood , spong ▪ bedeguar , of each half an ounce , frankincense , mastick , of each three drams ; cummin one dram ; nutmegs , cloves , of each half a dram , common pitch six ounces , venice turpentine , washed in juyce of shepherds-purse , ship pitch three ounces , wax as much as is sufficient ; make of these an emplaister to be applied to the reins . preparatory oyntments to be used before the time of delivery . take oyl of lillies , and cammomil , of each four ounces , new hogs-seam strein'd , new fresh butter , of each an ounce and an half , muscilage of the seed of fenugreek extracted in mugwort-water , two ounces of powder of round birth-wort , and saffron , of each two drams , wax as much as suffices , make a mollifying oyntment to anoint the thighs , hips , and matrix or else , take the roots of white lillies cut small , four ounces , leaves of violets and mallows chopt , of each one handful ; oyl of lillies one pint : boyl these together upon hot embers , in a silver dish , always moving them 'till they grow soft , in the nature of a cataplasm . then strein it , and to the streined liquor add goose-grease , hogs-seam , of each three ounces , saffron one ounce , mingle them well , and make an oyntment for the use above-said . in case of vomiting . apply to the stomach a stomachical cerecloth sprinkled with galbanum powdered , powder of cloves and mastick , and then covered with fine linnen . or else give aromaticum rosatum before meals , which is a most excellent remedy . a woman in the first place finding her self to be with child for the three first months , ought to keep from violent exercises , as also at the first quarter , at full of the moon , and in the time when she hath her natural purgations ; for at all these seasons there is a motion of the humours , and of the blood , which many times causeth a discharge of the birth ; neither ought a woman at such times as these dance , ride , or go in coaches , but upon urgent necessity , and that very softly . in the fourth month the child being alive moves and stirs , which causeth a squeamishness in the stomach , where at that time 't is good for the woman to eat alone , that she may neither see nor hear of any thing of hurtful diet , to which she may have a longing desire . neither is it good at that time for her to walk in the field , or in gardens , for fear she should see any thing to long after , offensive to her health . the fifth and sixth months are not so dangerous , yet 't is good to have a care . in the seventh month the child comes to perfection , and oft-times endeavours to come forth ; for which cause great and diligent care is to be taken of the woman at that time . for though the child born in that month may live , yet it will prove weak , and harder to bring up . the eighth month in indifferent . the child which is born in that month is not long liv'd , because it is much weakned by its indeavours to get forth in the seventh , and has not yet recovered strength . regulation of diet. for the first eight months , it will be convenient for her to use such meats and drinks , which neither moisten , loosen , nor bind overmuch , but moderately ; and let them be of easie digestion , and good juyce . as to flesh ; capons , partridges , larks , pullets , and mutton afford good nourishment . as to fish ; the gurnard , the sole , the smelt , and many other firm fish may be eaten . her bread ought to be white , well baked , and light . marmalade is good after meals , and sometimes before , neither are the best sort of pears forbidden . as for her drink , claret is very good , as also small ale and beer well brewed ; strong wines are very hurtful , especially those that are white . she must have a care to abstain from spices , opening and windy meats ; as also from raw herbs , and salads , from beans and pease , and all baked meat . in the ninth month she must abstain from all astringent things , as paste of quinces , rice , and pears , marmalad , and the like ; on the contrary , let her use mollifying and loosening meats , as flesh that is young and tender , pottages made with borage , bugloss , lettice , violets , march-mallows , and such like . other advertisements relating to the several accidents which may happen . first , if the woman fear abortion , and that she carry her child low near her privities , let her do as follows . take the treddles of three new laid eggs , and beat them well together , then take of scarlet silk as much as suffices , and cut it very small , and mix it with the egg , and make the said mixture into pills , take of these pills in a little claret-wine ; do this three days together , and every month three times in the same manner . you may also use this following plaister . take of myr●les , orange-flowers , of each one ounce , acorn cups , stalks of roses , each one ounce ; bole armonick fine and true , dragons-blood , of each three ounces . turpentine two ounces ; oyl of quinces or myrtles as much as is sufficient to make the plaister : which is to be applied to the reins , and upon the belly , and withall to be stretched out upon the thighs . it may lye on five or six days without changing . however a woman ought not to tamper , nor use any thing , unless there be very great necessity , which she shall know thus ; if at the full or new moon , or else at the time when she uses to have her monthly purgation ; if at that time her purgations come down , then abortion is to be feared , and remedies are to be applied . but if the woman carry the infant high , and that her belly swells , and extends so strongly , that there may be some danger of fissures and clefts in the skin , then let her use this following oyntment . take half a hundred of sheeps trotters with bones and wooll ; when the moon is at the full , bruise them , and beat them , then let them boyl in a good quantity of water , for half a days time , let them cool , and then take off the fat that swims , and with this mingle four ounces of sperma caeti , four ounces of oyl of almonds drawn without fire , and four ounces of white wax ; melt all these together over a soft fire , then put therein half a pint of rose-water , then take it off the fire , and stir it till it grow cold ; with this oyntment you shall first anoint the part extended , and then lay some of it on the said part where ever it be , spreading it upon soft leather , such as childrens gloves are made of . about fifteen days or three weeks before she lyes down , she must begin to use mollifying oyntments , anointing therewith the lower part of the belly , her thighs and genitals . the oyntment of sheeps trotters will serve for fifteen days , but some eight days before she lyes down , let her use one which is more mollifying , such as this which follows . take of roots of lillies two ounces , marsh-mallow-roots two ounces , leaves of marsh-mallows , mallows , and march-violets , of each one handfull ; of hemp-seed , and seed of fenugreek , of each one ounce ; two sheeps trotters with their wooll on , cut and bruised : boyl all these together in a great quantity of water , till all be boyled to a mash , then strein them hot , then set the streined liquor over a soft fire , let it consume and evaporate , 'till there be nothing left but the fat , and something of a viscous matter beside . to this add eight ounces of oyl of hempseed , drawn by expression like oyl of almonds , and eight ounces of hogs-seam ; this oyntment mollifies very much , and renders the passages very slippery and easie , to extend upon any occasion . while the party is with child , if she happen to be bound in body , let her use this following clyster . take one sheeps trotter , hempseed , and fenugreek-seed , of each one ounce ; melilot-flowers two handfuls , boyl these in cows milk , then strein it , and take six ounces thereof , and put thereto four ounces of oyl of hempseed , if she be near the time of her labour , but if not , oyl of roses , and if the excrements be very hard , you may add thereto one ounce of catholicon . at the time of child-bearing , it is good to take the above-said clyster , if it may be done possibly , for that , after the woman is delivered , she is to be four or five days without a stool , as well because of the great evacuations which she hath so lately had , as also that being to be kept continually hot in her bed , the excrements do thereupon harden , and afterwards putrifie , and then generate putrid vapours , and many times a feaver . there happens also another inconvenience from the said excrements , being kept in the body , and not emptied before delivery ; and that is this , that when the patient endeavours to deliver her self of the infant , the excrements do also forthwith come out , which many ways give annoyance , as well to the child , the midwife , as to the other assistants , by reason of the change of linnen , and the troublesome smells . beside the foresaid inconveniencies , the child will not come forth so easily , because the intestines being full , do compress the matrix , and by consequence cause the passages to be more close and difficult . in the mean time , that is to say , when the woman is in pain , and that all the signs of child-bearing do appear , then let her take about two ounces of cinamon-water , this will fortifie her spirits , and hasten the coming forth of the infant . if the water alone do not suffice , you may give it her the second time , adding thereunto the weight of a half crown of counterfeit borax made of roach-allum , such as the goldsmiths use ; it is neither offensive to the taste , nor any way dangerous , as some physicians think , mistaking it for chrysocoll of the greeks ; for it is a soveraign medicament both to cause the child to come forth , and to expell the secondines , if they come not forth in their due time . if you cannot have the said borax , then take two scruples , or forty grains of date-stones powdered very fine , and drink it in cinamon-water ; or for want of that , in a draught of good hypocrass . the weight of a crown of the powder of the leaves of cretan dittany , drank in cinamon-water , worketh the same effect . or else take of venetian borax , one dram , saffron three grains ; drink this in one spoonful of water of white lillies : or else , take this following powder . take cretan dittany half a dram , savin , yellow amber , of each two scruples , make it into powder , and drink it in water of cinamon , hysop , or rue . or else , take of the powder of leaves of cretan dittany half a dram , of penny-royal half a scruple , a little cinamon , myrrh one scruple ; mingle these powders well , and drink them in hypocrass . or take this following water . take water of cinamon four ounces , of hysop and thyme of each two ounces , of rosewater one dram , in these waters dissolve half an ounce of confectio alchermes , let them stand a whole night , then distill them in balneo ; the dose to be taken at a time is two drams ; you may add , if there be necessity , a drop or two of oil of savin . or , you may use this powder . take of myrrh , of cinamon , and saffron , of each the weight of the third part of a crown , mix them well together , and put them into a raw egg , and cause the party to sup it up ; and let her drink after it a draught of hypocrass . or else take this potion . take of the juyce of savin two ounces , cinamon-powdered two drams , saffron half a scruple , water of radishes four ounces , and a little sugar ; of this make a potion for the woman to drink in time of travail . there be many other remedies , but these are the most certain , and easie to take , where the danger nor the pain is excessive ; but in cases of urgent necessity , you may use these following remedies . take of mugwort one handful , butchers broom and fennel , of each one handful ; of salt three drams , of assa foetida two drams , of bran one handful , of water and white-wine , of each eight pints : boil them to the consumption of the third part . or take this , which never failed . take of the root of gentian powdered one or two drams , take this in white-wine or honey , it never hurts the infant . to accelerate and hasten the labour before the time of child bearing , use this following ointment . take of the muscilage of the seed of fenugreek , and the root of marshmallows , with water of mugwort two ounces ; oil of lillies , and sweet almonds , and hens-gerase , of each one ounce and a half , of saffron half a scruple ; of wax as much as suffices : of this make an ointment to anoint the back , belly , and privy parts , for fourteen days together before the birth : or else take this following ointment . take oil of white lillies , with hens grease , of each an ounce and a half , of saffron half a scruple , of these make an ointment with as much wax as suffices , to anoint the back , navel , and privy parts , for fourteen days together . note that all those things which we have said to be good , to be given at the time of delivery , must never be given before ; for that otherwise they will be of little use , they serving only to facilitate the birth without endangering the child or mother . the woman ought also to walk about the chamber as much as she can , being held by other women . neither let any person , whether man or woman , against whom she may have any ill will , or whose presence may breed any thing of shame in her , be at that time in the room , because any such accident as that retards nature , but let them be such as she loves , sociable , merry , and helpful towards her . it is also necessary for a woman in travel to sneeze and cough , which are great means to force down the infant to the lower parts . and as to the midwifes duty , she ought to anoint the lower parts with oyl of hemp-seed , or nuts , if the waters which should precede the birth do not come forth , or if they be come down a good while before the birth , to the intent to make the said parts slippery to ease the coming forth of the child . if the child descend not easily , the midwife may with her hand gently press the top of the belly , to the intent to make the child descend with more hast . as soon as the woman is delivered , and that the secondines are likewise come away , it shall be convenient to wrap her in a warm sheep-skin , which must be flead near the chamber , for that purpose ; which must be done with as much expedition , and as near a great fire as may be , that there may be nothing of coldness when the woman is wrapt therein in this the patient must continue twelve hours . this will much help the matrix in its natural purgation ; when you take it away , you must apply warm cloths in the stead , and above all things take great care that no air do enter into the matrix , which often-times is the cause of very great evils . or you may apply warm to the belly of the patient , tow dipt in the whites of eggs , wherein the pouders of cloves , pepper , and nutmegs shall be mingled , which must be bound close to the body with swath-bands . great care is to be taken how you apply astringent things to the womb presently after delivery , unless after perfect purgation of the secondines ; for fear of very great mischiefs . now if you use the said sheep skin , and that you find the woman notwithstanding tormented with very great pains , and that the said skin doth not at all appease them ; let her take an ounce and a half more or less according to the height of the distemper , of oil of sweet almonds drawn without fire the same day ; and two hours after , let her take the weight of half a crown of this following powder either in white-wine , or capon broth . take of the root of great comfrey dryed , two drams , kernels of peaches , nutmegs , each one dram , yellow amber and saffron , of each one scruple , amber greese half a dram , make a powder of all this . for , besides that it asswages the throws , it corroborates and fortifies the body , weakened by reason of those great evacuations . after you have taken away the sheep-skin , if there be any excoriation in the privy parts , by reason either of the bigness of the child , or the streining of the woman , you must anoint the said parts with this following oyntment , which is infallible . take of oil of st. john's wort well made , one ounce , sperma coeti half an ounce , balsom of india two drams , white wax two drams . this ointment doth consolidate all the parts . but if together with this excoriation , any thing of the secondines remain in the womb , oil of st. johns-wort only will suffice , or , for want of that , oil of nuts . if the evacuations after the secondines be too much , so that they cause too great a weakness , you must apply to the navel this following plaister . take of treacle one dram and a half , bean-meal one dram venice-turpentine one dram , and thereof make an emplaister to be spread upon thin leather . if all be well , and that only the lower parts be prejudiced , after you have anointed them with balsom of the indies , together with oil of st. johns-wort , you must foment the said places with the following fomentation . take of sage four little handfuls , wild pomgranate flowers , myrtle berries , acorns , cypress nuts , of each two ounces ; let them be well bruised together ; red roses four handfuls , roche-allum one ounce ; put all these into two little bags , and let them boil in smiths water , or in water where iron hath been often quenched : when one bag is cold , apply another . the sheep-skin being taken away , if the patient be afraid of any wrinckles in the skin , which now is as much relaxed , as it was before extended ; let her anoint the belly with this following ointment . take of sperma caeti , two ounces , oil of myrtles , of mastick , and st. john's-wort , of each one ounce , white wax an ounce and a half , turpentine of venice , washt in vinegar of roses , one ounce ; of these make an ointment over a gentle fire , with which you must anoint the belly once a day , continuing so to do for ten or twelve days , laying when you have done upon the place so anointed , a linnen cloth dipt in the following ointment . take oil of sweet almonds , oil of nuts , sperma coeti each four ounces ; white wax four ounces ; melt these together , and dip therein a good large towel , big enough to wrap about the belly ; when you do these things , great care is to be taken , that the patient do not take any cold . if the patient have no mind to nurse her child , and desires to dry up her milk , then do as follows , some six or seven hours after the delivery . tak a linnen cloth cut round , about the bigness of the breasts , making a little hole in the middle for the teat to come through ; then dip the clothes in the following ointment , and lay them upon the breast , not taking them off again , 'till the end of ten or twelve days . take venice turpentine four ounces , washed in one half part of rose-water , and one half part of vinegar , populeon one ounce , mix them together , and apply them as is before said . if the milk doth not dry up for all this , make the cataplasm as follows . take bean-meal four ounces , bole-amoniack one ounce , juyce of plantain three ounces , vinegar of roses , two ounces , fountain water half a pint ; let them boil 'till they come to the thickness of a cataplasm , adding toward the end two ounces of populeon , spread this on a linnen cloth , and apply them to the breasts without washing them , changing the cataplasm twice a day . the juice of chervile boiled with bean-meal , and a little populeon , worketh the same effect . because the difficulty of child bearing proceedeth from the loss of those waters that break forth before the child ; therefore , to supply that defect , and to render the places slippery , let her use these following remedies . take marsh-mallows with the roots one handful , mugwort , savine , of each half a handful , hempseed , and fenugreek seed of each four ounces , cummin seed one ounce and a half , boil all these in water ; then take four ounces of this decoction , and add thereto oil of hempseed two ounces , mosch . gr . . and inject it into the neck of the womb . then take this following pouder . take of the bark of cassia , dittany , of each two drams , cinamon four scruples , sugar the weight of the other ingredients . make them into pouder , and let the patient take one dram thereof in white-wine , or mugwort water . an oyntment for the midwifes hands . take oyl of hempseed , one ounce and a half , oyl of castor half an ounce , gall moschate half a scruple , labdanum one scruple , make of this an oyntment , with which , let the midwife often anoint the neck of the womb . after delivery . when the infant is well cleansed by the midwife , let her give unto it in the winter nothing but a little mithridate , but in the summer let her mingle therewith a little conserve of roses and bugloss . if the mother have not yet taken any thing , let the midwife give to her the juyce of a capon pressed out in a press , with a little saffron , and the yolk of an egg . then let her take this following powder , against gripings of the belly , or after throws which indeed she ought to take before any meat , presently after delivery . take of the greater comfrey dryed , one dram and a half , kernels of peaches , nutmegs , of each two drams , yellow amber , one dram , amber-greese two scruples ; or this , take kernels of peaches and dates , of each one dram and a half , nutmegs four scruple , pulv. elect. diamargarit . calid . two drams , aniseed condited , one dram ; of the best cinamon two scruples , saffron half a scruple , sugar as much as suffices , drink two drams of this powder in white-wine twice or thrice a day , if the pains be very great . if the pains cease not with these remedies , use that which follows . take the whites of twelve eggs rosted under the embers , cummin-seed and hempseed , of each one ounce and a half , flowers of camomile and melilot , of each two drams ; boyl these in oyl of dill , 'till they come to the form of an oyntment ; apply it warm to the belly , still changing it as it grows cold . or thus : take the flowers of dill , rosemary , melilot , and camomil , of each one handful ; fennelseed , aniseed , and cummin-seed , of each two drams : boyl them in part wine , and part water , and make a cataplasm for the whole belly . to streighten the womb. take of the leaves of myrtle and starwort , of each three handfuls , green medlers , green prunes , and the sharpest wild pears , of each one little handful and a half , the stomacks of three cocks newly taken out , distill all these together , then take cotton and dip therein , and then put it into the womb , and let it continue there a good while . to streighten the womb without the help of swathe-bands . take the white of an egg , and meal as much as is sufficient ; make thereof a cataplasm to cover the lower part of the belly ; where it lies upon the belly , there must be a hole made , and that hole must be covered with moss . you must cover the plaister also with powder of frankincense . this plaister profits more in a little while , than a swathe in many weeks . a fomentation to provoke the after-birth . take the birth-worts , of each of them one ounce , or a handful ; carduus , feverfew and mugwort , each one handful ; dwarf elder , half a handful , ground ivy one handful , boyl them together in wine , or water , or ale , especially if there be any fever , for then you must by no means meddle with wine , adding to it one handfull of the leaves , or half a handful of the roots of master-wort . for the same . take savine , one scruple , rind of cassia , half a scruple , saffron ten grains , assa-faetida two grains , juyce of wall-ivy , half an ounce , snakeweed one ounce , pulvis diagar ▪ five grains , syrup of mugwort half an ounce , mingle all these together , and make a potion to drink at once . or else take four drops of the distilled oyl of savin in white-wine . a pessary for the same . take the leaves of red coleworts , and bruise them , and put them into a little piece of linnen cloth in the shape of a finger , then bruise them again , that the juyce may come through , and dip the cloth in a mixture of oyl of lillies , camomil , and sweet almonds . for the same . take long and round birthwort , assa-faetida , of each half an ounce , myrrh one dram , spike two drams , make them up with the decoction of parsley , and apple-tree leaves . for the same . take of borax one dram , cinamon one scruple , saffron three grains ; make a powder , and let the woman drink it in four ounces of water of mugwort . to expell the child , and after-birth , in time of great necessity . take of the water of mugwort , agrimony , and penny-royal , of each one ounce , syrup of mugwort one ounce and a half , powder of castor , round birth-wort , myrrh , asarabacca , of each one scruple , mingle them together , make a potion . or else take origanum , calaminth , and hysop , of each two drams , roots of orrice , asarabacca , savin , each one dram , myrrh , olibanum , galbanum , sagapenum , one scruple ; dissolve them , and make a pessary . to expell the after-birth , another . take one stone of a castor , and distill it with strong vinegar ; when you have so done , let the patient take four ounces of this distilled liquor . or , you may take of the oyl drawn out of the stone of a castor , with a soft fire , mingle it with a sufficient quantity of this oyl , a little of the waters of penny-royal , and dittany , and a little strong vinegar . to expell the birth , whether alive , or dead . take the milk of a woman that nurses a male child , and dissolve it with a little saffron , that it may not be known ; then boyl an egg rear , and take out the white , and in the place of that , put in the milk , and let the patient sup it up ; if it prevail not in a quarter of an hour , prepare another egg , and fill it with milk , as aforesaid . or take of the juyce of bugloss , four ounces sweetned with sugar . against pains of the heart . take of the roots of fennel , bugloss , and cicory , each two ounces ; boyl them in three pints of white-wine , to the consumption of two parts , then add fennel-water , and cicory-water , each six ounces ; then boyl them again till there remain but a pint and a half , take one spoonful morning and evening . to dry up the milk. take honey newly drawn out of the hive , and dissolve it in water , and wash the breasts therewith . for the same . take of the juyce of mint and shepherds-purse , of each half an ounce ; mix them together and drink them a mornings , with the broth of a hen or chicken . a fomentation for the same . take of the juyce of parsley , and the strongest wild turnep , equal parts ; and moisten therein a linnen cloth , and apply the said cloth to the breasts . another . take oyl of violets three ounces , juyce of mint and parsley three ounces , white vinegar one ounce , rose-water two ounces : boyl all these over a gentle fire , to the consumption of the juyces ; then add a little wax , and make an oyntment . or , take of the tops of elder , sage , and mint , one little handful ; boyl them in common water , and make thereof a cataplasm to be applied to the breasts . if you would increase the milk , foment the breasts with the decoction of fennel , or else give her the decoction of mint , and lay the mint boyled upon her breasts . or , if these things prevail not , use this following powder . take of anise , fennel , cummin-seed , two drams , ginger half an ounce , carui , of both sorts of pepper , coral , each one dram , cinamon , three drams , seed of daucus one dram , siler montan . half an ounce , cardamom , long pepper , each three drams , seselos half an ounce , seed of sesamum one ounce , white poppy half an ounce , mingle them , and make a powder thereof , and take one dram at pleasure , in broth made of red coleworts . or , you may use this following oyntment . take of venice-turpentine , oyl of roses , vinegar of roses equal parts , add to this a little new wax , and therewith anoint the breasts . but if the milk do curdle and harden in the breasts . first chafe the breasts well with raw honey , then take of new wax two ounces , new oyl of nuts and vinegar two or three spoonfuls , melt them together , and dip that in little round linnen clothes , with holes in the middle to lay upon the breasts . now if there be any tumour or hardness caused by the coagulation of the milk , then take of the leaves of parsley , hemlock , uinca pervinca , box and chervile , and let them boyl in the strongest vinegar , and then strain them ; then take oyl of roses , lillies , and sweet almonds each one ounce , of the foresaid vinegar four ounces , mingle them in a marble mortar for an oyntment , adding one scruple of camphire dissolved in part of the oyl and toward the latter end of your stirring it , add the white refrigerating ceratum of galen , unguent of roses of messu one ounce and a half , mingle them all well together , and apply them to the hard swelling part , it asswages the tumour , and causes the milk to flow through the teats . if the tumor be painful and enflamed , you must not use the camphire , ( for it encreases the pain ) till that the pain be asswaged . an oyntment against the curdling of the milk in the breast . take of the roots of marsh-mallows half a pound , boyl them well in vinegar , and strain them thro' a hair sieve , add to this bean-meal one ounce , powder of rue , and dried mint , one dram ; oyl of mastick as much as suffices . against fissures in the breasts . take gum-arabick most finely powdered , one ounce , rose water and aqua-vitae a sufficient quantity , prepare them together , till they come to a just thickness , make thereof an oyntment , and apply it to the said fissures . or else , anoint the said fissures with ointment of roses , then apply the inside of the leaf of ground-ivy , changing often ; this cures within six or eight days . another of the same . take lytharge of silver , myrrh , ginger , and oyl-olive , as much as suffices ; mix them to the thickness of an oyntment ; before you apply this , moisten the fissures themselves with spittle , but no part of the breast beside . pain in the breasts after delivery . take new wax two ounces , oyl of nuts half an ounce , oyl of rape-seeed , or turnep seed half an ounce ; first melt the wax , then add the oyls ; dip therein the clothes cut fit to the breasts ; if there be any pain after delivery , the application of these cloaths , will with great success asswage the same . an opiate to be given to childern newly born . take mithridate of alexandria three drams , conserve of bugloss and roses , of each one dram ; mingle them well together , and keep them in a glass vessel well stopt ; an hour , or half an hour after the child is born , before it hath suckt , give to it of the foresaid opiate , to the quantity of a filberd ; let it not suck till five hours after ; continue thus doing for a month , giving the child this opiate once in a week ; and then it will be sufficient , that the child abstain but an hours space from the teat . it will not be amiss to anoint the navel of the child with an ointment made of ambergreece , and suet , equal parts , with a little oil of sweet-almonds . this will preserve the child from epilepsies and convulsions . against barrenness . take of pine-nuts , first well washt in rosewater , six ounces ; sweet almonds , washed in like manner , and bruised , each two ounces , citron pill , condited root of satyrion , erythranion , one ounce , pulp of sebesten , prunes of damascus fat , boiled in sugared water , each one ounce and a half ; coriander prepared three drams ; pulveris diambre one dram penidium one ounce and a half , the inner rind of cinamon , half an ounce , true amber of an ash-colour , one dram , moso . one scruple , refined sugar boiled in rose-water , one pound and a half ; take all these things and beat them , and powder them well , and make thereof a paste so dried at a gentle fire . let the woman take this at pleasure after dinner , and three hours before at pleasure , abstaining from liquid meats . the man also may eat of this paste ; but let him not use copulation at the time of the womans purgations , nor when she bathes her self , but presently after . those mornings that he abstains , let him take one spoonful of the water of cocks-blood , with three or four spoonfuls of the best broth. for the same . a syrup . take syrup of hempagrimony , simple , oxymel , syrup de rad . each one ounce and a half , waters of nipp , betony , and mugwort of each three ounces , make thereof a syrup perfectly boiled , strein it , and let it he aromatized with cinamon , for three doses , morning and evening . a potion . take agarick infused in honey of roses , and a little white-wine for a whole night , one ounce ; diacatholicon , half an ounce , diaphenicon , elect. ind. major , each one dram and a half ; syrup of roses solutive , with agorick one ounce , with a decoction of red chiches ; make a potion thereof , and give it after the syrup is all taken , for ten days , and ten days before the coming of the monthly purgations . three days after the operation of the said potion , let blood in vena saphena , of the right foot , and take away three ounces of blood at evening . an opiate . take of the great triphera without opium , two ounces , methridate three ounces , mix these well together , and let her take thereof the quantity of a walnut after she is let blood , drinking upon the said bolus , a spoonful of aromatick wine , white or claret ; let the patient take this when she is clean from her purgations only in the morning , while she hath them upon her only at night , and then let her also make use of this pessary . take of spike , myrrh , and agarick , and colocynth each three drams , benedict . one ounce and a half , mix them well together with the juyce of french mercury , and wrapt in fine red silk , make thereof little pessaries , and put one of them into the womb in the day , and another at night : but , from the time that she is let blood until her purgations , let her use but one in the day ; but from the time that they begin , until the time that they end , let her use two , as is before said . let her withal take this following clyster two or three days before her purgations . take feverfew one handful , penny-royal , calamint , and savine , of each half a handful , seed of juniper one ounce , flowers of melilot , and tops of dill , of each one handful , make a decoction of nine ounces of water , add thereto oil of lillies four ounces , two whites of eggs , and one dram of common salt . lastly , one day before her monthly purgations , let her take three pills of those which are called pillulae rufi , then after she is clean from her purgations , let her lye with her husband . for the same . an injection . take cypress one ounce , myrrh half an ounce pulp of colocynth one dram , bdellium one scruple , water a pint ; boil them altogether to the consumption of the third part , then strein them , make an injection of four ounces of the streined liquor into the womb , three days before the bath , and let the patient keep it as long as she can . a fumigation . take juyce of bistort , schoenanth , cypress nuts , red storax , and mastick , one ounce , hares-dung ; mix them , and pound them well together , and make a fumigation ; let the patient receive it sitting on a stool with a hole in it . then let her use this following bath . take basil , calamint , betony , melilot , roses , each two handfuls . thyme , elder germander , mugwort , savin , balm , of each two handfuls , feverfew , leaves of laurel , and lavender , each one handful , bruise them together , and when the water boyls , throw them in ; when they have boiled sufficiently , let her take the waters off , and bath therein . a plaister , take of the mass of emplaister of mastick , one ounce ; of plaister for the womb , two ounces , mingle them together , and extend them upon a round piece of red cloth ; in the middle whereof , put one trochisch de galla moschat . and six grains of amber-greece ; the last day of her bathing , when she goes to bed , let her apply that plaister to the region of her matrix . that night , after due concoction , let her lye with her husband , to increase lust , and to help conception . take of the juyce of the herb mercury , and clarified honey , of each one ounce ; of meal of nigella , two ounces ; make thereof a mass , and let the patient take two or three every night . an opiat for the same . take conserve of eringo-roots , and satyrion , each three ounces , green ginger condited , citron rind one ounce and a half , sweet almonds , pistaches , pine-apples , filberds , chesnuts , dates , the pulp of cocus's of each one ounce ; of the reins and loins of the beast called a skink , of the pizzle of a bull , of the stones of a hare , or boar , of each half an ounce ; seed of parsnip , rockquet , and nettles , each three drams , white pepper , galang . and cinamon , each half a dram ; all these things being well provided , and beaten mix them together with wine , sweetned and boiled to a thickness , and make an opiate ; add thereto of the powder of glow-worms killed in the steam of vinegar , one scruple . for the same . take pine-apples , new filberds peel'd , of each one ounce and a half , brains of cock-sparrows two drams , new satyrion , rosted under the ashes in wet tow , three drams ; stones of a ram roasted , half an ounce , indian nuts , one dram , pound them all with the broth of young pigeons , then mingle therewith six ounces of refined sugar , and boil it to a thickness , and add thereto the following pouders . take seed of bombax cleansed , the best cinamon , each two scruples , seed of rocket , onions , nettles , and parsnips , each half a dram , the reins of skinks , long pepper , galang . white ginger , of each two scruples , shavings of the pizzle of a hart four scruples ; make a confection , and take the quantity of a walnut after the first sleep , and two hours before you eat . an application to be made upon the privities presently after delivery . take the whites of two eggs , and oil of st. john's wort , of each one ounce and a half , oil of myrtles one ounce ; dip therein flat stoups of hemp , and apply them to the lips of the privities ; do this three or four times a day , but take heed that it touch not the neck of the matrix , because it hinders its purgation . the next day foment these parts with this following fomentation . take of wine and water half a pint , of madder , rose-mary , and st. john's-wort of each two little handfuls , let them boil for a fomentation , which is to be applied hot , with the hempen stoups aforesaid . this is to be done the second day . the third day , take wine a pint , water half a pint , myrrh two drams , cinamon two drams and a half , allum two drams and a half ; of the stones of grapes two drams , the rind of granates one dram , flowers of red roses , one little handful and a half ; make of this a decoction to foment the womb until the ninth day twice a day . take oil of st. john's wort one ounce and a half , sperma coeti three drams , with a little wax ; make of this an ointment to use at the beginning , with the aforesaid fomentation to the lips of the privities . when you have taken away the sheeps-skin , as is before said , you may not only do as is there set down , but also use this following method . first , take sperma coeti two ounces , oil of sweet almonds , camomile , and st. john's wort , of each an ounce and a half , goats suet one ounce , oil of myrtles half an ounce , saffron half a scruple , with this ointment being lukewarm , let the belly be well anointed once every day , then lay over the whole belly this following cerecloth . take of new wax four ounces , sperma coeti one ounce and a half , turpentine washt in rosewater two ounces and a half , oil of almonds and st. john's-wort , of each one ounce , saffron half a scruple . let them melt and boyl together ; when all the ingredients are well mixed , take them from the fire , and put into it the hempen cloth , and when it is cool , make it smooth , and apply it ; let it be bound on with swathes , and do this for eight or nine days together . the woman being thus duly and rightly purged , and being free from any fever , or other bad symptoms , she may make use of these following baths . she shall go into the bath three mornings together , the first being luke-warm , staying therein but a very little . the second a little hotter , with something longer continuance therein . but in the third let her stay as long as she can . the bath in summer . take a very clean tub , wherein wine hath for sometime been ; put therein a quantity of the best wine , and fill it with river-water , and the second day after you have filled it , put therein marjoram , mug-wort , agrimony , penny-royal , of each two handfuls , then let them boil , and as they boil , now and then quench a hot piece of iron therein , then add flowers of red roses , two ounces and a half , camomile , dill , and melilot , of each one ounce and a half , strein them all , and so make the first bath , out of which let her come out as soon as she feels any pain . when she comes out , let her take as follows . of the rind of pome-citron , and conserve of bugloss , of each two scruples , let her take this going into her bed ; then let her sweat , and the sweat being wiped off , let her eat some good and wholsome meat . take the water of the first bath , and add thereto bean-meal , and oat-meal , of each two pound and a half , meal of tares one pound and a half , of lupines one pound , roach-allum , and salt , of each four ounces , cloves and nutmegs , of each one dram ; let them be aromatized with benjamin and storax , then put them all together in a bag , and let them boil in the foresaid water . when she comes forth , let her take the aforesaid bolus . the third part . fill the tub emptied of the wine with river water , then add thereto a quantity of white-wine ; then take of rosemary , mint , marjoram , mugwort , savin , ground ivy , of each two handfuls , scarlet grains , four ounces , flowers of rosemary , camomile , mint , of each two ounces ; bean-meal , oat-meal , of each one handful and a half , meal of lupines and tares , of each one pound ; cloves , nutmegs , and cinamon , of each half an ounce ; bruise all these things together , and let them boil in a little bag , adding thereto a pint and a half of aqua vitae , and let burning iron be often quenched therein . this is the third bath , wherein she is to stay as long as she can . when she comes forth , let her take the same bolus , as before . after she hath bathed , let her foment for one or two days the lower parts of her belly . take of red roses two handful and a half , shoenanth half a handful , myrtle-berries two drams and a half , allum one dram and a half , mastick three drams ; let them be bruised , and then boil together in sower red wine : add also two drams of nutmegs ; with this being taken lukewarm , let fomentation be made for eight days together . the fomentation ended , let her receive this following fume , in a chair with a hole in it . take lignum aloes raw , half an ounce , nutmegs , and cypress nuts , of each two drams and a half ; yellow amber one dram and a half , make all these into powder , and let her sit over the fume . a fomentation for the womb the second day after the bath . take galbanum and cypress-nuts , of each half an ounce , rind of granates two ounces , red roses dryed , one ounce , marjoram a handful schoenanth one handful ; allum a dram and a half , thyme half a handful ; let them be boiled in sharp wine for a fomentation . to cause the swelling of the belly to fall . some women have their bellies as much swelled after delivery as it was before ; when any such thing happens , do as followeth . take half a pound of figgs , barley-meal and bean-meal , of each four ounces , powder of brick two ounces , cypress nuts one ounce ; let them boil all together in smith's water , 'till it come to a thickness , then spread it upon a linnen cloth , and apply it warm to the belly ; re-iterate this often , and the belly will fall to its wonted shape . or else , take meal of beans , rice , and almonds , of each two ounces , powder of brick one ounce and a half , bole-armoniac two ounces and a half , dragons blood one ounce and a half ; of cypress-nuts ten drams , scarlet grains , three ounces , galls half an ounce , oil of myrtles six ounces , wild prunes , rosewater each a pint and a half ; boil them to the thickness of a pultess , and apply them as aforesaid to the belly . pain after delivery . take heed , that when you find the patient in pain after child-bearing , especially on the right side , that the redness , or high colour of the urine do not deceive you , whereby you may be induced to give refrigerating medicines , finding the whole body to be hot for such urine proceeds from the greatness of the pain and commotion in the body , and the hot lying in bed . therefore if you find the patient to be full of pain in her belly , and sides , and likewise perceive a retention of humours that should be voided more fluently . take of sweet-smelling flag , one ounce and a half , zedoaory half an ounce , mace eight scruples , cinamon four scruples ; make thereof a powder , and give her one dram at a time in powder . now though there be a fever which seems burning , yet refrain not at all to give this powder ; for it doth not for all that augment the fever , but causes the womb which was so lately and violently moved , to return to its former estate , and the pain of the matrix being ceased , the fever will cease of it self . or else , take sweet-smelling-flag one dram , dittany half a dram ; make thereof a powder . or , take root of dittany one dram , seed of hartwort , and leaves of rue , one scruple and a half , make them into powder , and give it as is before said . against the swelling of the belly , after delivery . take origanum , night-shade , mastick , of each one scruple , sagapenum as much as suffices ; make of this seven pills , let her take them all at once , and let her drink upon them four ounces of the water of the flowers of white lillies . against wrinckles in the skin after child bearing . take oyl of sweet-almonds two ounces , capons-grease half an ounce , liquid storax half a dram , muscilage of tragacanth , extracted with rose-water , two drams , wax as much as suffices , make thereof a cerecloath , and apply it to the belly . oyl of sweet-almonds , with the marrow of a hart , is good also for this purpose . this following oyntment may be used before a woman lyes down . take the marrow of the fore foot of a weather in the full of the moon , set it on the fire , and let it melt in rose-water by degrees ; you may conveniently add to this hens-grease , or oyl of lillies . another . take the seam of a goat , a kid , and a weather , of each three ounces ; wash them diligently in rose-water , adding sperma caeti , rose-water as much as is sufficient , and as you beat them , and mix them together , add powder of mastick with the white of an egg , and so make an oyntment . a pomatum for the same . take oyl of sweet-almonds eight ounces , sperma coeti , capons-grease , marrow of a hart , and the bone of a weather , four ounces ; melt them all together between two dishes , in water of lillies , then in rose-water . an oyntment for the same . take of the muscilage of the seed of fenugreek , and hempseed , extracted in water of lillies , one ounce , oyl of sweet almonds and lillies , of each half an ounce , the blood of a hog fryed , the fat of a capon , and a wild duck , of each six drams , with a little new wax ; make thereof an oyntment , and keep it in a glass covered with wax . another . take white wax four ounces , melt it , and add thereto the marrow of fifty feet of black weathers , gathered in the full of the moon ; when they are melted , add thereto oyl of sweet almonds , six ounces , wash them in water of gourds and lillies , 'till it grow cold , then wash it again in rose-water ; if it be too thick , you may add a little oyl of olive . or , you may take oyl of sweet-almonds , and oyl of olives of each five ounces , clove-water four ounces , musk three grains ; a little benjamin ; mingle them , and bruise them well together , and let them digest for twenty days together : then dip your cloaths or skins therein , and keep them clean wrapt up in clean linnen . the complete midwife . her practice enlarged . the serious and most choice secrets of madam louyse bourgioes , midwife to the queen of france ; which she left to her daughter as a guide for her : and also for the practice of all discreet midwives , to prevent all dangerous mistakes in a work of so high concernment ; necessary to be known by all child-bearing women , and others . in the year . a young lady whom i was wont to bring to bed , passing by my house , came in to me , and told me , that she was four months gone , and that she perceived the infant to stir ; about a month after , she came to see me , and told me that she was in much pain , for that she had not perceived the infant to stir in two days , and that therefore she believed that it was dead , by reason of a certain very great fright which she had had ; for at the time that she was frighted , she perceived the child to move , but after that never ; and her belly began by little and little to wax less ; and about three weeks after she had that reflux of milk that women use to have that lie in ; when this was gone , she had no grievance ; yet seeing her often , and knowing her to be big with child , she asked me my advice , to know what she should do . whereupon i asked her , if any ill vapours rose up into her mouth ? she told me no. if she had not lost her appetite ? she answered , that she never had a better in her life ; her heart was light , her body in good temper , so that there was nothing that troubled her but an apprehension she had , that the child was dead : whereupon i made her try all means to make the infant stir ; but she notwithstanding felt nothing , only she perceived that something did heave a little upon the operation of the remedies , which was nothing but the matrix , which being now distempered and grown cold , did as it were answer the hot remedies , testifying thereby some good which it received thereby . i advised her to be patient , and to wait nature's leisure , which is provident enough of it self ; telling her that i had seen an infant which had lain a long time in the womb without budging , which for all that was not dead , although you could not perceive in the woman any thing , but the signs of a dead child . i had oftentimes brought the lady to bed , and she still had very good deliveries , and very sound children , of a good colour , so that i believing her to be of a sound constitution , thought that if the infant were dead , nature , which was very strong in her , would expel it in time convenient , and that she should not be forced , not having given any testimony of defect ; resolving also , when her reckoning was out , if then nature shewed it self weak , that we would consult her friends and physicians . many of her friends told me , that they doubted that she was deceived in thinking her self to be with child ; to which i answered , that they might be confident that it was so . in brief , she was brought to bed , sixteen weeks after the fright which she had . now here ariseth a great doubt , whether the child died at the hour of her being scared , by reason that it did not move in all that time ? a reason that the child was not dead , may be , because that the gentlewoman had not her milk till within three weeks after ; and yet i cannot but think that it died at the same time ; for certainly , by that fright the vital spirits were ravished from it , and the blood of the arteries retired to the heart of the mother , not being distributed to the infant , but at the good pleasure of nature ; the course of which being stopped , it retired to its first source , through which the child suffering a suffocation , gave a violent motion ; and now , after the fright , was come to her self , and that nature would have returned to finish her work , she was not deceived , because the vital faculties of the infant were extinct ; and , notwithstanding all this , the mother not ceasing to restrain the menstrual blood as she was accustomed ; that finding it self stopped , and still increasing without that use made of it that was wont , it made a reflux to the breasts , which flowed down again in five or six days ; for the infant coming to decrease in the womb , now way was made for them , which came not down for all that , but in the delivery and after ; which was in this manner : at the end of the sixteenth week after the fright , she had pains in the night , she thinking to endure them well enough 'till morning , in the morning caused me to be sent for . i came to her , finding with her a physician , and sundry others of her acquaintance . the physician that expected me , had ordered a clyster to give it her if i thought it to the purpose ; i found her pale , cold , and yet in a sweat , with so little pulse , that i esteemed her dead ; i touched her , and found she had been in travail , which had been too long neglected , i called presently for a plain silver dish , into which i squeez'd the juice of half a citron , and set it upon a chafing dish of coals ; being warmed , i caused her to take it ; this restored nature a little , and stirred up her pains , and then i assisted her ; notwithstanding some of the waters ran down : after her first throw , the legs and thighs of the child came forth : now finding the infant to be dead , and seeing that she was troubled with no more throws , i was afraid of drawing it forth , for fear it might be rotten : i did give her a clyster without moving her , the force of which bringing the child away , she was delivered of a dead infant , all over of a leaden colour , without any ill vapour ; the secondine sound and fair as you shall see , her purgations as clear as could be , and she had as good and as happy a lying in , as any woman in the world ; all which time she had not the appearance of any milk at all . hence we may admire the effects of nature , which are wonderful ! but in such cases women must be sure in due time and place ; for if a woman do resist her pains , and doth not put her self in a right posture , she runs a great hazard of her life . a second observation of a woman that had been in travail nine days . being called to the labour of a woman that had been in travail nine or ten days , of whom there was little hope ; i went , and there found the woman almost dead , her eyes open and fixed , her nose shrunk in , her breath smelling like a charnel-house ; and she took nothing down into her stomach , that she did not instantly vomit up again ; she had drunk up above two pints of water in an hour , and by her bed , there was a whole sea of those things that she had vomited up . they gave her cold water , and the yolk of an egg sometimes , though it came up again at the same instant . she felt no pain of the infant , but finding her womb was open and her waters beginning to come down : i found that she had been in travail ; only nature was oppressed , and had not had any good assistance , so that the infant was retired back again , which stifled the mother , and provoked her vomiting . upon which , i gave my advice , and though i thought my self come a little too late , yet i resolved to do what lay in the power of my art ; and therefore i resolved to give her a good strong clyster to awaken nature , and to bring the infant lower , which did according to our hopes ; afterwards to drink a small quantity of rhubarb-water which stayed with her ; a little after , i gave her the yolk of an egg , which stayed with her also , causing her to drink nothing but rhubarb-water ; and at every hour's end , i gave her the yolk of an egg , which did also stay with her ; by this time , nature began to strengthen it self , and the pains of the infant came again ; and in less than two hours , after the clyster and other nourishment given , when i saw her pretty well , and that nature strove to expel the infant , i gave her half a dram of confection of alkermes in a little wine ; and a little while after i caused her to take another clyster , into which i put a little hiera , and a little benedictum , which finished the work ; for she was then delivered of a very lusty child , which lived about two days : i came thither about noon , and she was brought to bed before nine at night . i wrote this thus particularly , to let you know that oft-times for want of knowing where the mischief lies , the remedies are misapplied ; and indeed a woman travailling in the ninth month , ought chiefly to be succoured with clysters . of a woman here in town that bare her children eleven months , and could not be delivered . being called to a woman in this town , that thought her self three months and a half gone , which is one of the terms of time , wherein commonly the moles and false-births are delivered ; having then some loss of blood and pain , i was sent for , and judged it to have been some imperfect conception , and therefore i used all means to assist her ; yet could she not expel it , for all these long pains : whereupon finding some strange apprehensions in her , i wondered ; for , in all the time of my practice , i never knew such a thing as that dangerous in my life . but i afterwards found this apprehension to come from a certain accident that had happened to a sister of hers , who being with child , carried it very well to the end of the ninth month ; at the end of which she began to be in pain , as if she would have cried out : the pains were great and long , which they were not at all astonished at , by reason that it was her first child , yet were not these pains accompanied with any signs of labour , as , the opening the exterior orifice of the womb : and they continued thus for the space of two days and two nights . many medicines were used to facilitate the birth , but to no purpose ; and now she felt not the child stir any more . and now it was concluded , that she had mistaken her time ; and now being at rest for four or five days , and growing weary of the city , she went into the country , and being returned without taking notice that she had received any harm , she was taken with the same pains as before , which continued a day and a night , and then ceased as before . this was adjudged to be certain pains of the colick ; after this , she endured one month longer in her former estate , which was now the eleventh month compleat ; at the end of which she felt some little pain like throws , which presently affected her heart ; upon which she was laid upon her bed , and they brought her wine ; but at the very instant she died , without having any time to call for assistance : seeing her dead , they perceived upon the right side of her belly a very black mark about the breadth of a dollar ; being opened , they found the child all putrified . hence we must observe , that in women that are big with child , who have frequent pain , and nothing coming forth , the matrix that should open , rather shuting it self closer , whether it be at the time or no , you must make for them clysters that expel wind , which are to be reiterated as occasion requires ; which rule if it had been observed in this woman , she , nor the fruit of her womb , had not perished in that manner . of the common opinion , that a woman seven months gone , ought to walk very much ; and of the accidents that happen thereby . it is a common error among midwives , which is not to be passed by , that a woman with child , when she hath gone seven months of her time , is to walk much : upon a conceit that exercise is very proper for her ; for that , they say , doth loosen the child from the reins , and facilitates the birth . i confess , as to facilitating of the birth , it may something avail ; only i must add this also , that it is better to draw away the child than to break it ; and moreover it is better to be something longer in travail , than to incurr two or three evils which ordinarily happen ; the first is , that the child in the end of the seventh month , doth make certain endeavours to free it self from the belly of the mother ; and without doubt his first endeavour is to turn himself in the belly of the mother ; for the infant turns himself a good while before the time of labour ; and therefore , i say , exercise is very dangerous : the first reason is , because by pushing downward the belly is dilated , and especially in such as carry their children low ; and besides , oft times the head drags down all the body of the womb , and loosens the ligaments in such a sort , that after delivery it can hardly be put into its place again . besides , the children having their heads between the bones of the mother , by much walking of the mother , they come to be bruised , so that the infants do many times dye , and no man is able to give a cause why ; for the branches of veins which are for the nourishment of the brain open in an instant , letting out the blood which is contained in them ; and when the corruption is ingendered , there follows immediately feavers , and corruption of the infant : at other times , women coming to sit upon a hard seat , do bruise the head of the infant , which causes like accidents ; and in all these accidents , none but the midwife is to blame , unless the belly it self be spoyled . this , they say , is the fault of the nurse , who did not apply remedies fit to restore the fault . i must confess that remedies do much avail to the recovery of the aforesaid malady , and do much avail to the healing of that disease ; but , to restore it to such an estate as it was in before , i say it is a thing impossible for medicines to perform : for the skin which is once separated , cannot be closed again without a scar . i would now not only blame those that assist them , but , by putting the actions of people before them , shew them where lies the fault , and what reason i have so to do : i must confess that false accusations have made the most able midwives timorous ; for they lye liable to so many causes of detraction , that all that are either but indifferent good , or else not good , are all accused alike , if any thing fall out amiss with the patient , as if they were the absolute causes of the evil , or that it lay absolutely in their power to hinder it . it happens also many times , that a midwife worthy of that name , doth deliver a woman from death , and yet in the place of much praise , she incurs many times much blame ; so that they are oftentimes constrained ( to avoid the scandal ) to advertise them of their ill procedures , and to give place to those that know not how to do things with that sweetness and judgment . the fault is no where but in the ignorance , scandal , and ingratitude of women toward those of this calling . besides , there are a company of young women , that because they have had one child , do give themselves a great deal of liberty to talk of these things . cries one , i like not these midwives that handle me ; i will change mine , cries another , for that trick also ; so that many out of a kind of fear have a greater desire and will to be complacent than to do well ; and so sitting with their hands before them , entertain their patients with discourse ; who for all that feeling their pains , are constrained to thrust forward , upon which the head of the infant coming first , for the most part the womb serves for a head-band , which comes forth before it ; whereas , might the midwife be permitted to touch the patient , they might put back the womb , and prevent many accidents that happen in lyings-in , which happen sometimes to be a total relaxation of the matrix ; of which when the women complain to their complacent and flattering midwives , they reply ; why , mistress , you know i did not touch you ; and besides , i am not in fault if you have been touched : this is the fruit of their reproaches . you will say , there are abundance of countrey-women that the midwife never touch at all , and they do not know scarcely , whether a woman lye in , or no , unless they see the infant appear . but they are not free from the disease whereof i speak ; for i have seen so great a company of them , that i have been afraid to behold them . this comes , say the midwives , because they touched them not , and that it is occasioned , either because the infant is too big , or they say , it is a burstness , or the coming down of the great gut ; the most subtile put up a clew of thred , the others a ball of wax , which easeth a little while , but comes out again every hour . of a child which they thought sick of the epilepsie , occasioned by the sickness of the mother , and of the cause . one day there came to me a gentle-woman , to desire me , that i would give her something for her daughter that was sick of the mother : when her mother related what she ailed , i desired to see her . i saw her , and she had in one hour two several fits , which was an affrightment , attended with very much yawning , after which she remained in a very great weakness ; all which time the mouth of the child was drawn more to one side than the other ; the eyes when she was out of the fit were open , and fixed in one place ; i inquired of the mother , at what age her daughter came to be first troubled with it ; who answer'd , that she had been in this town somthing more than a year ; and that before that time she was never troubled with any such thing : i gave her the best counsel that i could ; and first of all i bid her to carry her again to the place where she was first nursed : using some few remedies that were convenient ; which prospered so well , that , after she came thither , she had but one fit , though she had them so frequently before . of this no other cause can be given , but that the air of the place where she lived for that year being thicker then that where she was nursed , caused in her a stirring of the humours , with which the mother was continually afflicted , she being disposed naturally to that kind of disease . of a young woman , who being struck upon the belly by her husband with his foot , was in great pain , and could not be brought to bed without the help of a chirurgeon . i will here relate a thing which i have seen in a young woman ; that , if the like accident should happen , the same remedies may be applied . there came a woman to me , to declare to me a disease with which she was troubled , desiring me to do my utmost ; for that hitherto , she could not lye in without the help of a chirurgeon , who had already killed two of her children . i , knowing what an ill husband she had , and that he had given her a blow upon the belly with his foot , and had broken the peritonaeum ; which was the reason , that part of her guts hung down upon the share-bone like the bag of a bag-pipe ; to which place , being big , the womb jutted out , so that when the time came , the infant had not liberty to turn it self ; so that the midwife seeing she could not have the child without losing the woman , was fain to make use of chirurgeon . i considered her disease , and ordered her to carry a swatheband , such a one as women with child carry to support their bellies , only made a little more hollow ; and i caused her to wear it as they that are burst do wear half-flops , lying smooth with cushionets within , and never to rise without this , whether big , or no ; which she did , and still does , and bears as fine children , and lyes in as well , as any other woman . of two deliveries of one woman . there was a woman , who being come to a sufficient age , became big : she causeth two of the best midwives of the countrey to assist her in her lying in ; the hour being come , they did as art commanded them , which was , the child coming well into the world ; to keep her in a good situation , to cause her to eat things which were only for the purpose , to keep her moderately warm , and then to bring her pains to a good issue . i excused the passion and impatience of friends , but i would not do any thing against my duty for complacency ; a fault that is soon committed , but not so easily repented of ; this woman was pretty long , as most women are of their first children ; in which time her husband , altogether impatient , and seeing her to doubt the report of the midwives , therefore , said he , here is a chirurgeon hard by , who may be sent for to resolve the doubt of the midwives ; he sent for him just about the hour that the woman was to be brought to bed : the chirurgeon when he came , saw that the child was ready to come forth . the midwives who had given way to the chirurgeon , thinking to take their place again as soon as he had touched her , to make his report , were deceived ; for he seeing the business ready to be done , told her husband that it was necessary for him to operate , but that he would proceed with so much industry , that he would not only bring forth a sound and a lusty child , but moreover that he would render his wife also into a safe condition . the midwives when they would have spoken , were put to silence . the gentlewoman was presently delivered , and he stayed but a little while to receive his reward : thus the midwives that had attended long , and all the while of the travail , were dispised , and put off ; and the chirurgeon extolled and praised , and well rewarded with several most obliging and courteous invitations . about a year after , he was entertained upon the former score like a prince ; the hour of her labour came again ; and the gentleman was gone to visit some of his friends , having such a confidence in the chirurgeon , that he set his mind at rest for any danger . the labour of this child was not like the labour of the other child ; for it came with the feet foremost ; and when the whole body was come forth , the head could not be got forth . he had brought with him no instruments , thinking that this delivery would have been like the other ; but seeing himself at a stand , he sent to a chirurgeon not far off for an istrument : in the mean time , he sent into the kitchen for a ladle , with a hook at the end thereof , to draw forth the child . he drew it so well , that he drew away the life of the child : and without seeking any further for any body to saddle his horse , or bidding any body farewell , he fled his wayes . this may be an instruction to those that are so ready to entertain mountebanks , and empericks ; than whom , there are no men more prodigal of the life of another for money . of a woman , that because she would not be ruled in her lying in , died . i was one day called to the labour of a woman , which had good deliveries of her sons and daughters , at their due time , although her deliveries of boys were always more difficult than those of her daughters ; being come to her , i found her walking in the chamber with her leggs bare , in a season that was not over-hot . i caused her to be put into her bed to warm her again , but she would by no means endure it ; although i prayed her , she was angry with me , and told me , this was not the rule , to be constrained . the mistress and the nurse combined against me ; the night approached ; the waters being come down , i feared the ill success of this business , that her disease would be irrecoverable by reason of her self-will'dness . i desired her husband to use his endeavour , but he could do no more with her than i : about midnight , i prayed her to go to bed again , and to warm her self , and unless she would do so , i could do nothing . she told me , i understood nothing in respect of a certain surgeon , who , when she had such a kind of labour before , only toucht her with his finger , and delivered her ; and that she would have him . i was content , and so she sent for him . he came very confidently , but his work was not at so easie a pass as formerly : he put a good large table-napkin before him , trussing it up to his elbows , saying he was as able to deliver her as before . she would no more see me after his arrival : the surgeon to whom i represented ( after his arrival ) all that i had understood and seen , and the fear which i had of her , told me that all would be well . at day break , a neighbour of mine calling me away , i desired her husband to let me go ; but he was unwilling , unless i would promise to come again , which i did ; and as soon as the door was open , one of the servants told me , another midwife was sent for . her husband desired me again , that since the chyrurgeon failed of his skill , i would use my skill ; but it was too late , for the chyrurgeon left them , and the woman died . see here how ill a thing it is to be opinionated , for i could easily have delivered her , if she would have been ruled by me . of certain women that bear children , and lie in before their time : and others , at their full time , who grow big , and full of humours , which causeth the death of the child , presently after their delivery ; their children being nourished in their bellies , like fish only with water . i knew a gentlewoman who had laid-in three times , but yet none of her children lived : i desired her to take a physician that might give advice both to her and me , and to order her some remedies , and a government of diet to keep her from suffering the like accidents for time to come . we chose a physician , who prescribed certain tablets or trochisques , to take from the time she began to grow big , until the time of her delivery , twice a week ; as also to take the water of indian bul-rush , and of sarsaparilla , to mix in her drink , or broth , as often as she would , having a due regard to the heat of her blood : she observed every tittle of his directions , which made her to bear a son , alive , sound , and healthful . she continued these remedies four years together , but the next time she grew big with child , she thought that nature of ●t self would be sufficient : i counselled her to the contrary , but she hearkned not ; so that when her time came , she was brought to bed of a dead child . i shall give you the receipt of the tablets , and of the water , for the benefit of women that are subject to an ill delivery , by reason of the great quantity of water , which hindereth the child from turning in the womb : the water is made in this manner . take two pints , or two pints and a half of water ; put therein half an ounce of the root of indian bul-rush , and an ounce of sarsaparilla ; put this in the drink , and let it infuse one night ; mix it with the drink , or else drink it pure . the tablets are made after this fashion take mace , saunders , rhubarb , pearl , and coral , sena , of each grains , with one ounce and half of sugar ; let every tablet weigh six drams . the observation of a woman , who was thought unable to bear any more children ; yet contrary to expectation , was delivered of one ; and the reason thereof . there are certain women who have the neck of the womb long and hardned , by a cold humor that falls down thereon , and renders them uncapable of conceiving . one i have heard of , who was afflicted with this disease , and voided a great deal of putrified blood ; by a certain fumigation that i taught her , she was cured . i can say this of a certainty , that after this woman had voided this putrefaction , she came to see me with a very lusty child , and was big of another ; for being discharged of the burden of putrified blood , she found her self marvellously free for conception ; for the matrix that began to be ulcerated , was now fortified , and strengthned again , and the natural heat began to take possession there again . a good observation in the choice of nurses . there be two sort of nurses which i have found : the one is of such women as are of an ill humor , or juice ; which humors settle all in the milk , for that is the place where these fluxes discharge themselves . these women are in a better condition being nurses , than when they are not nurses ; and being not nurses are subject to pains , sometimes in the arms , and sometimes in the shoulders , sometimes in one of their legs or thighs ; or else they are subject to the watring of the eyes , or swelling in the corner of the eye or nose . these are good nurses , as long as children are fat ; but the fat is soft , and the infants dull and sottish , giving no great signs of vivacity ; coming to bear teeth , they are very sickly , and do ordinarily die , by reason of the flux , that pusheth out too great company of teeth at once . the children that escape this , are more ill juic'd in their infancy , than are their fathers and mothers in their old age. if the flux that afflicts them be salt , the milk is of a blackish and blewish colour , if it be of choler , it is more dangerous than the other , for that is more dangerous and venomous to the children . there is another sort of nurses more dangerous than these i have now spoken of ; who presently after they have lain in ( that is , three , or four , or five , or six months ) are taken with their purgations , a thing which never happens to good nurses : for this is the course of nature , that all the blood which is retained , is dedicated to the nourishment of the infant . this is caused by a moderate heat which is in their blood ; and , to say true , as soon as ever this happens , the infant must be taken away , for they are more apt to conceive , than to nurse ; and if they continue nurses , they do but ruine the children . this is but too much experimented , and i speak this to save the lives of a great many children , when seeing them suck i have discovered their want of milk ; so that i may say , there dies a third part of the children , for want of taking care in this particular , which yet seem fat , and in good case . this is the cause of great cholicks and windinesses in children , which kills them in a moment ; for the least feaver that takes them , carries them away . besides this , there are some whose milk is so little , but withal so thick , that it sticks upon the tongue , palate , and throat , which causes , as it were , a white canker , which is more and more heated by reason of their forcible drawing in vain ; and possesseth all the throat , whereby they are hindred from sucking . these nurses will milk after this , a drop or two out of their breasts , crying , look ye , the child cares not for sucking . i never knew more abuse in any thing , than in nurses : for let them make what excuse they will , it is nothing but necessity that reduceth them to be such . although the greatest part do say , that it is to get acquaintance ; yet when they have a child , whether they have milk or no , yet they desire not to part with it , no more than they do to drown themselves ; whereby the parents are often deceived . and therefore the mothers ought to have a great care , and to make it their business to surprize the nurses at their own houses , that if there be any miscarriage , they may find it out . and indeed it is very reasonable , that the cause of these poor creatures that cannot complain , should not be neglected ; and these she-murderers be made known , that they may not go unpunished . of a woman which i laid two several times , and of the difference of her bearing of two children , proceeding from several causes . i was called to lay a woman , who said she was gone her full time ; she had the same pains that women are wont to have in the time of travail , but her waters came not down . at one forcible throw she cast forth a great membrane like a hogs-bladder , all united within and without , only that it had divers branches of veins , as you shall see in a bladder ; which i presently cut , and found therein a little infant , well shaped , swiming in black waters : it had gone its full time , and was so lean , that it resembled a meer picture ; it had the navel-string holding fast to the bladder , where it is to be supposed those small branches of the veins do end . here , as i guess , as long as it found any blood , it lay languishing ; but , that beginning to fail , it died , and presently voided those excrements that were contained in the intestines , which being mingled in the waters , made them black : and as for the woman her self , she was the fullest of humours that ever i saw in my life . another time i brought the same woman to bed , who was delivered of a child that came the ordinary way into the world , with the head foremost ; now i perceiving her in labour , found nothing at first but a certain softness , as if the waters were coming down : afterwards i perceived a certain bag with hair ; athwart which i saw certain great knobs or heads . the infant being come forth was not yet formed ; the face and the head were like vizards more than any face ; it had the form of a nose , but it was soft like wooll : the head was full of water , and those knobs which appeared , were nothing but the futures of the head , which the too great abundance of water had disjoyn'd : in the hands it had nothing but hair instead of bones , and the toes were of the same : the woman her self was said to be extream cholerick , and moist . instructions of a famous and dying midwife to her daughter , touching the practice of this art. daughter , if the excellencies of what is to be known in this world are to be found not in one , but in several countries ; certainly they are most able to instruct who have had the greatest experience , and longest travel in the world ; which is the reason , that in this small treatise i have not tyed up my self to the rules solely of my own nation , but have searched the studies also of other nations , that thou mayest be bettered , not only by my experience , but by the labour of others . in the first place therefore , i exhort thee to be diligent , and to leave nothing unsearched that may tend to the advantage of thy practice . and to this end , be always learning to the last day of thy life ; which that thou mayest not cease to do , be always humble ; for those that are proud and obstinate , never gain upon the hearts of those that are knowing in secrets . be sure thou never make trial of any new remedy or receipt , either upon poor or rich , if thou be'st not assured of the quality and operation thereof ; and that it can do no hurt , whether it be applied outwardly , or taken inwardly . hide none of those good receipts which thou knowest , either from midwives , or physicians ; for otherwise they will esteem them as little as those of mountebanks , as if thou hadst but one cure , like them , for all diseases , and yet didst brag as they do of doing wonders , yet still conceal their receipts . thou must speak freely of that which thou knowest , and give a reason for what thou sayest . be not negligent , but so increase thy talent , that people may say , you are better than ever your mother was : i must tell thee , thou hast taken a matter of great importance into thy hand ; and that in this art there are two ways easie to take ; the one to save thy credit , and the other to lose it . above all things , you must beware ( for any treasure in the world ) of adhering to one vice , such as they are guilty of who give remedies to cause abortion ; for those that do ill , and those that seek a damnable remedy , are wicked in a high degree . but it is a higher degree of wickedness for those that are no way ingaged in the business , for lucres sake to kill both the body and soul of an infant . this i do not speak that thou shouldest refuse to give remedies upon just occasions : but to take heed how you be cheated by subtle persons , who shall tell you fine stories of the diseases of their wives , or daughters , which they may say are very honest , hoping to get from you some receipts to effect their wicked designs , send them to the physicians , for you may give them a lawful excuse , in saying that such matters do not belong to your charge . never keep the cawl called amnios , which covers the head and shoulders of the child , for sorcerers to make use of . if you are sent for to any house , inform your self of what condition they are , and whether they be rich , or whether they be the poorest creatures in the world , serve them with like pains and affection , and if you find them to be very poor , take nothing ; for to them a little is a great deal : visit them also afterwards with diligence , that for the small time wherein they keep their bed , you may be assisting to them in strengthning and recovering of their healths . i charge thee , daughter , that in all thy life thou never receive a woman into thy house to lie in ; for that is but a kind of panderism cloathed in some pretence of charity ; neither doth thy profession oblige thee to do it . if it chance to be a woman that is not wholly betaken to whoredom , that there is some hopes of recovering her from that lost condition ; if then she desire you out of a belief of your sufficiency , or secrecy , you may then go to her in an honest place . you must comfort her , if she be afflicted , and put her in the right way , exhorting her never to commit the like again ; but to receive such persons into your house , is but a means to encourage evil : as the receivers of stollen goods are a means to encourage thieves ; even so , the midwives that bring such a stench to their house , do assist and abet the evil which they do , whilst they know where to discharge themselves of the like burthen again . at the first when i took upon me this calling , i took two into my house , the one of quality , the other of an ordinary condition ; i saw them sometimes in such fits of despair , that i could hardly bring them out of them again . those from whom the evil came ; upon whose account i had received them , came now and then to see them , because they brought them maintenance ; i was continually fain to keep watch with them , for fear they should do any evil in the house : and i must needs say , i had better have kept a herd of swine . such unrests as these ought not to enter into the breast of a midwife ; for , her mind ought to be free and at peace . besides that , a custom of laying women of an ill life , spoyls the reputation of a woman , and oft times endangers the health also . to confirm which , i knew an honest understanding midwife , that laid a courtezan that seemed to ail nothing at all ; but she , having an inveterated pox , gave it to the old midwife upon her right hand , upon which there came a red bubo ; for all which , being unwilling to leave off her calling , she spoyled after that above thirty housholds ; for the husbands got the pox from their wives , and the children from their mothers now let me tell thee , daughter , that thou oughtest not to take it ill to see the condition of midwives despised ; neither let this hinder thy studies in the perfections of this art , which are not to be comprehended by those that despise it . neither be dismayed if thou seest people in this condition , that do not deserve to be ; for this doth not at all diminish the honour of those that are good : for it comes from hence to pass , because they that receive them for mony , do as stablers do , put the good and bad horses together ; the good horses are in no danger to be hurt by the jades , but the jades are in hazard of being kickt and spoyled by the good horses . never think of any think else but of doing well , and serving those that shall call thee according to their own liking , if that which they desire be not prejudicial to them , but if that which they desire ; be to their hurt , be sure that thou discharge thy self of them , and especially excuse thy self to the assistants , that thou mayst perswade them to reason . a sweet disposition in a midwife is much more commendable than a rigorous : the pain of child-bearing is a very hard labour , which thou must consider , and accordingly conform thy self to the humour of the patient , knowing thy self to be called to comfort and assist her . mark well , entring into a house , in what condition the patient is ; if the evil be at hand , you must encourage her , and prepare your self with those things that are necessary ; and first you must see that the bed be well made for the woman that is to be brought to bed , and then to put on her a little smock , and waste-coat , and other linnen necessary : and if she be so opinionated , as that she will not ; tell her how much you do it for the better ; and how great a pain it will be afterwards ; content her though , for you must make of a bad market no more then you can . you ought to give order for things to be had from the apothecaries with her consent ; or if she be young , with the consent of her friends . you must take order also that some good broth be made for her to take , in the time of her travail , if it should chance to be long ; and also two hours after her being brought to bed . above all things i charge thee , that what ever business thou maist have there , that thou go not about them too hastily . for there is nothing so nauseous to be seen , as the improvident actions of over-busie women . never be dismayed if every thing go not well ; for , fear disorders the senses ; and a person that keeps her wits together , without suffering them to be scattered by fear , is capable of giving assistance in weighty affairs , and especially where things are done with leisure ; for in such cases nature helps marvellously , when we are most at a stand . there is a great necessity of prudence , especially in the age wherein we live . there is now no need of coloquintida to render any thing good in it self , bitter and disagreeable to the taste . there are few women now a days that do give that respect , or have that kindness for them as in former ages ; for then , when their midwife died , they shewed a great deal of sorrow , and prayed god that now they might have no more children : which though it were not well done , yet it shewed their affection . now adays , women use them as meer hirelings . there is a great deal of artifice to be used in the pleasing of our women , especially the young ones , who many times do make election of men to bring them to bed . i blush to speak of them , for i take it to be a great piece of impudence to have any recourse unto them , unless it be in a case of very great danger . i do approve it , i have approved it , and know that it ought to be done , so that it be concealed from the woman all her life long ; nor that she see the surgeon any more : for it is very inconvenient to husbands , that ( unless in cases of very great danger ) such things concerning their own wives should be communicated to any other men but themselves . to this purpose shall i tell thee daughter , that being called to the labour of a friend , where were none but or of her acquaintance , they asked me what i thought of the labour : to which i answered , that the child did not come well , but that i would do the work with the assistance of god , without danger to the child , or to the mother . they desired me that i would let a surgeon see her : for their satisfaction , i consented to it ; provided that she might not see him ; for i was fearful , lest she should die with apprehension and shame ; i perswaded her to slide down toward the feet of the bed , and darkned the room on that side where he was to come ; at the feet he touched her , and she was brought to bed without any other assistance , save that of god and nature . since these injuries have bin put in fashion , there have bin observed greater hazards and dangers in lying in than before , which might be remedied by persons capable of their profession , if they might be let alone . but this detraction is so much in request , that among some kind of people , there is much ado to make them believe the truth , and especially where they cannot get great advantage by so doing , and truly , honourable persons which i have had the honour to serve , make other women seem monstrous to me . you shall come into some houses , where there are certain persons that hold such false lights to the mistress of the house , that she sees quite contrary to that which is real ; which persons if they are not humoured , your business will be there soon dispatched . take great heed of coming there , for it may chance to gain you nothing but a great deal of care . there are some women that have no children , at which they are very much troubled ; which is so , notwithstanding that they might easily be helped , if they would tell an understanding midwife where the defect lay . as concerning those , who are sent for to lay women in the country , i must say this , that as for those that are not very well experimented , they may incur many hazards by reason of their ignorance , and the multiplicity of accidents that may happen : and for those that are knowing , to leave their patients in the city , is a thing that may displease , and wrong many , and run the hazard of being no more entertained among them , to their own ruine ; neither is there any certainty of a woman that will run rambling into the country . my last advice is , that thou do well , and in so doing , fear nothing but god , that he may bless thee , and thy endeavours . explanation of the first figure . a a. the right and left kernel of the reins . b. the true kidneys . cc. the emulgent veins . dd. the emulgent arteries . e e. the spermatic veins . f f. the spermatick arteries . gg . the trunk of the hollow vein . hh . the trunk of the great arterie . iiii. the ureters . kk . the vessels that prepare the seed . mm the stones with all their tunicles . n n. the vessels carrying the seed , retorted back into the bladder . o. the bladder . p. the neck of the bladder . qq . the two glaudulous fore-standers . r r. the two muscles that erect the yard . s s. two other muscles dilating the ureter . t. the body of the yard . u. the praeputium that covers the nut of the yard . explanation of the second figure . a. the bladder turned downward . bb. the insertion of the uterers into the bladder . cc. the neck of the womb , which anatomists call the sheath , which receives many vessels . eeee . the two lower round ligaments of the mouth , cut away . ff . the blind vessel of the womb annexed here to the uppermost and broad ligament . gg . the same vessel on the other side , separated from the broad ligament . hh . the different or seed-carrying vessels on each side , ending in the neck of the womb. ii. the upper and membrany ligament of the womb , like the wings of a bat ; thorow which many vessels , that arise from the preparing vessels , are scattered and diffused . k. the preparing vessels of one side , not yet discerned from the first membrany , or filmy ligament . l. the preparing vessels on the other side , severed from the filmy ligament : to shew you their insertion into the stone , with its films . mm. the stones ; where one is covered , the other is bare . nn. many veins and arteries scatered into the neck and bottom of the womb ; serving for the purgation of the flowers , and the nourishment of the birth . oo . the nerves scattered through the body of the womb. finis . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a -e the second tunicle . the proper tunicle . the original of these muscles . the nut of the yard . the two nervous bodies . their substance . the holes of the vrethra . note . the muscles of the yard . the vessels of the yard . the use of the glans . the clytoris . the neck of the womb. the substance . the hymen . the cause of the largeness of the vessels . note . the two holes , or pits , near the lips of the pudendum . the womb. the figure . the bigness . the fibres . the veins . the arteries . note ▪ the vessels . the insertion of the vessels . their situation . a doubt . their figure . their bigness and temper . the proper actions of the womb. their figure . signs of conception . conception of a male. conception of a female . conception of twins . false conception . several sorts of moles . of the true mole . of the false mole . signs of moles . the windy mole . the watry mole . the membranous mole . the signs of false conception . the pendent mole . her diet. of longing . her sleeping her exercise . other precepts . precepts concerning the breasts . concerning the belly . the liver framed . the heart formed . her age. her manners . her spirit . of women near the time of their lying down . her bed. in the time of travel what to do . certain rules . of the child dead in the mothers belly . another way . notes for div a -e to help difficult labour . to encrease milk. some observations made upon the blatta bizantina shewing its admirable virtues in curing astmahs [sic] and shortness of breath / written by a doctor of physick in the countrey to dr. heverell at london. peachi, john, fl. . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing p estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) some observations made upon the blatta bizantina shewing its admirable virtues in curing astmahs [sic] and shortness of breath / written by a doctor of physick in the countrey to dr. heverell at london. peachi, john, fl. . pechey, john, - . p. [s.n.], london : . attributed also to john pechey--nuc pre- imprints. reproduction of original in the british library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng asthma -- early works to . therapeutics -- early works to . - tcp assigned for keying and markup - apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images - judith siefring sampled and proofread - judith siefring text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion some observations made upon the blatta bizantina , shewing its admirable virtues in curing astmahs , and shortness of breath . written by a doctor of physick in the countrey to dr. meverell at london . london , printed in the year . some observations made upon the blatta bizantina ; shewing its admirable virtues in curing astmahs , and shortness of breath . in a letter , &c. sir , i recieved the letter you sent me concerning the case of your astmahtical patient , who tells you that he is troubled with a stoppage in his stomach , or the rising of the lights , as he calls it ; both you and i know very well what he means ; and the best advice i can give you in that case is to bleed him plentifully , and give him inwardly the blatta bizantina , which i know to be an incomparable specifick to give him breath , to remove the spasmodical affections of the lungs and stomach , to promote the circulation of the blood , and to prevent a pollipus from growing in the heart , which oftner causeth sudden death than the world imagins ; for when the whole mass of blood in a mans body , which should run through the heart and lungs ten or twelve time in an hour , is stopt in its circulation , and creeps through as it were by drops , and for want of motion stagnates and putrifies , it may well cause pains and stoppages in the breast , and shortness of breath . this shell-fish is the same which in exodus is called by moses onicha , one of the ingredients of the holy perfume prescribed by almighty god himself . i am sure it hath done great service , in relieving many who have had great stoppages in their stomachs , and difficult breathing , which hath made them very apprehensive of some sudden change. i confess i have known many dye of this distemper with short warning , and especially ministers , and some lawyers , after they have spent their spirits with much speaking ; and particularly i know a very grave and learned divine , who after his preaching used himself to drink two glasses of sack , which pernicious custom heated his lungs after they had been too much warmed before by earnest and loud speaking , this person had gotten an ill habit of body , and a violent astmah , but was very much relieved by drinking only warm ale , with a few drops drawn out of this medicine , with a little nutmeg and sugar , which he made his constant practice , and found much . advantage by it , less pain in his breast , a more free respiration , and a clear voice in preaching . i only once in a month advised him to take a little manna in water-gruel , to carry down the phlegm , and keep his body laxative . mr. grant in his observations upon the bills of mortality takes notice that this disease is much encreased of late years ; in . there was but forty four , but in . there was two hundred and forty nine . and he tells us , that the cause proceeds from the lungs , which are the bellows of the body , not blowing , that is , neither recieving in nor venting out breath . but a greater man than mr. grant saith , it proceeds from an abundance of morbifick matter in the blood , and nervous liquor , which causeth a convulsion in the lungs ; and sometimes it may proceed from a decay of the volatile salts of the blood , which makes it apt to fix and stagnate in the breast . but i shall not meddle with the speculative part of physick , but only the practical , which is grounded upon experience ; for as dr. castle well observes , that experienced medicines are like dials and almanacks , which agree as well with the hypothesis of copernicus as of ptolemy . the husbandman may till his land , and sow his seed , and yet not fully understand whether the earth or sun moves . hypocrates , the father of physitians , adviseth his sons not to be backward in making observations upon the cures wrought by farriers or ignorant women , though they were not able to give an account how or in what manner they cured . i lately had an astmahtical patient , whose breath seemed to be gone every moment , and all his blood would appear in his face , as if he were strangled , and yet upon taking this medicine he was wonderfully relieved , and walked abroad . i also advised him to bleed , and play at bowls often . a gentlewoman about fifty years of age complained to me of a great oppression and stoppage at her stomach , had taken many purges and vomits , but all in vain ; i gave her the tincture drawn out of these shells , mixed with the extract and spirit of the same ; she took it every morning in a glass of spring-water , mixed with virgins honey . i permitted her to eat no suppers but stewed prunes or roasted pippins , and she wonderfully recovered . a middle aged man of a sedentary life told me , he could not lye down in his bed for fear of being choaked , his stoppage and wheasing in his throat were so troublesome . i used only this remedy , it gave him help and ease . i could mention many others , but i 'le desist . finis . some observations made upon the herb cassiny imported from carolina shewing its admirable virtues in curing the small pox / written by a physitian in the countrey to esq. boyle at london. peachi, john, fl. . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing p estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) some observations made upon the herb cassiny imported from carolina shewing its admirable virtues in curing the small pox / written by a physitian in the countrey to esq. boyle at london. peachi, john, fl. . boyle, robert, - . pechey, john, - . p. [s.n.], london : . attributed also to john pechey--nuc pre- imprints. reproduction of original in the british library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng ilex vomitoria. botany, medical -- north carolina. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - spi global keyed and coded from proquest page images - judith siefring sampled and proofread - judith siefring text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion some observations made upon the herb cassiny ; imported from carolina : shewing its admirable virtues in curing the small pox . written by a physitian in the countrey to esq boyle at london . london , printed in the year . some observations made upon the herb cassiny : shewing its admirable virtues in curing the small pox . in a letter , &c. sir , i am sorry to hear that the small pox is so rise at london , it 's the less wonder to find you so inquisitive after a good specifick remedy in that distemper : i must tell you , i know no better medicine in that case than the famous carolina herb called cassiny . there are abundance of persons now dye of the small pox in our town and countrey , but i attribute it very much to ill management of nurses and ignorant people , who give many hot medicines , under the pretence of driving out , as sack , and saffron , and mithridate , and venice treacle ; by this means they fire the blood into a feavor , and that kills them . i only give a few drops of the tincture of this temperate herb in water-gruel , or in panado , or posset-drink , and do nothing else all the while , but leave it to nature , and i find better success . i have had many in one family down at one time of this loathsome distemper , and all recover'd with this method ; but if any desire to dye with more pompous prescriptions , much good may it do them . the medicines made of this herb do not in the least heat the blood , but rather moderate and gently allay the violent fermentation of it , if it be too high , and yet safely help the expulsive faculty if it be too weak . this specifick keeps them out of the head and throat , and secures the lungs , by helping expectoration . i have often observed , that the slower they are in coming forth , the more dangerous ; and if the salivation or spitting ceaseth before the eleventh day , especially in a flux pox , there is then much more reason to fear the patients being poysoned by the return of the purulent matter inwards : and yet in this extream hazard the tincture of this herb in small beer , and some times in tare broath , hath saved the lives of many . i being once sent for to a boarding-school , where several young gentlewomen , who highly valued their beauty , were surprized with the small pox , i only gave them the drops drawn out of this herb in all their liquid aliment , as water-gruel , and posset-drink , and small beer , and caused them to keep their faces cover'd with their masks all the time , and they recover'd , and preserv'd their complections . i remember that an eminent physitian of london told me an extraordinary case of a court lady of great beauty , a patient of his , who was much afflicted at the death of many who dyed of the small pox , and he was resolved to try a contrary method to what had been taken with those , he kept her moderately warm cover'd with scarlet blankets , omitted bleeding , and caused her to take no more nourishment than would keep her from starving ; her drink was posset-drink , with figgs in it ; her food only bread and water boyl'd together , with seven drops of this specifick which came out of carlina ; he caused a live sheep to be kept in the chamber all the time of her illness , to draw away the malignity ; the sheep dyed , but the lady recover'd , although it was a very unkindly sort , which much threaten'd her life ; the dr. told me he durst never give her any opiate medicine , lest it should stop her spitting , which is the most proper way of evacuation in all sorts of poxes , both great and small . the virtues of this excellent plant are at large mentioned in an account of carolina , and also in the history of the west indies , a latine book written by john delait of antwerp , many years since , who tells us that it 's an admirable dioretick , it also greatly corroborates nature , and helps her to cast off whatever is offensive to the animal and vital spirits , and also it promotes genuine easie sweats , and mild friendly transpirations , preserving the mind serene , and the body active and lively a long while after , without any other nourishment , and none but persons of great quality are permitted to use this noble beverage , which they drink as we do tea and coffee . purchas in his pilgrimage tells us , that at florida , now called carolina , they live to a very great age , and speaks of one of their kings who was three hundred years old ; and whenever the inhabitants of that countrey meet with mournful accidents , or subjects of lamentation , they drink cassiny to chear their hearts . a famous sea-chyrurgeon who came from those parts , had most of his ships passengers taken sick of the small pox , and recover'd them with medicines made with this herb. i have so great an opinion of this plant , that if i had an only child who had the small pox , i would give him the tincture of it in all his drink , and depend upon it under god , as much as i would upon the peruvian bark in a quartan ague . finis . some observations made upon the angola seed shewing its admirable virtue in curing all distempers of the eyes / written by a doctor of physick in the countrey to dr. goddard, anno . peachi, john, fl. . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing p estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) some observations made upon the angola seed shewing its admirable virtue in curing all distempers of the eyes / written by a doctor of physick in the countrey to dr. goddard, anno . peachi, john, fl. . peachi, john, fl. . pechey, john, - . p. [s.n.], london : . attributed (probably erroneously) by wing to john peachi, since he was not admitted an extra-licentiate of the college of physicians until . also attributed to john pechey--nuc pre- imprints. reproduction of original in the british library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng ophthalmology -- early works to . therapeutics, opthalmological -- early works to . - tcp assigned for keying and markup - apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images - andrew kuster sampled and proofread - andrew kuster text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion some observations made upon the angola seed : shewing its admirable virtue in curing all distempers of the eyes . written by a doctor of physick in the countrey to dr. goddard , one of the royal society at london , anno . london printed , &c. . some observations made upon the angola seed : shewing its admirable virtue in curing all distempers of the eyes . in a letter , &c. sir , i received your letter , wherein you give me an account of a strange sort of distemper in the eyes of the inhabitants about london : and i find you desire that i would communicate what usefull observations i have made in that distemper . i must tell you , that our countrey folk are infested with the same distemper , and i attribute it unto some unusual qualities in the air and winds at this time ; and i find that the use of an american specifick doth great service with us : i learned it of an indian doctor ; it is a sort of a scarlet seed with a small black speck in it : they are not easie to be met with , i once had some from a druggist in walbrook , but have forgot his name . they singularly dry up rhumes in the head , strengthen the optick nerves , cool inflamations in the eyes , and comfort the animal spirits ; they cleanse and heal : by their balsamick vertue disperse the cloudiness of the brain , and clear the sight . i am credibly informed that dr. stepkins that eminent oculist , performed many admirable cures with them , amongst men , women and children . one of your citizens of london , who hath consulted with dr. turbervil of salisbury , came into our countrey , having a grievous opthalmy , desired my assistance , finding no relief by his advice . i directed him to the use of these american seeds : i gave him the tincture , spirit and extract in waters , and also in milk , and in all the liquid aliments he took , and i caus'd him to wear a necklace of the same . it dryed up all his rhumes in forty days time . an old gentlewoman whose eyes were almost put out by the evil , and had not only an inflammation , but a cataract was much feared , because some of her relations had been blind by that distemper . i applyed the same remedies to her , and it succeeded to admiration . a young woman whose eyes were wonderfully inflamed after the small pox , and so weak she could not endure to look against the light , and in great pain ; she had been blooded , and purged , and bannio'd and blister'd , and cupt , had made two issues , and a seton in her neck ; and the lady ivy had applyed many eye-waters , and powders and oyntments for seven months ▪ and all to no purpose ; and at length the use of this specifick perfectly recover'd her eyes , to the great joy of her relations and her self . a child about four years old , whose eyes were extream bad , and lay under the hands of a woman who pretended great skill , she pickt five pounds out of the parents pocket , upon a promise of cure , but never perform'd it . but at length one who had received benefit by this specifick , recommended it , and received thanks for so doing from the childs friends , and it hath been well ever since . a minister whose eyes by reading and late studying had a violent defluxion of rhume upon them , that they always looked blood-shotten ; after the use of other methods for two months together , to no purpose ; and then hearing of this medicine , applyed himself to it , and only washt his eyes with pure spring-water , and this specifick perfectly recover'd him . a young child born blind , was helpt by the nurses taking these drops , the child only sucking her milk , but its distemper was an opthalmy , but not a true cataract . there was a whole family very much distemper'd with hot rhumes in their eyes ; three of the persons were in danger of cataracts growing in them : they had used all sorts of applications , and had suffer'd three pretending women to tamper with them several months , and at last hearing of these scarlet seeds , wore necklaces of them , and took the tincture made of them in all their drink , and in a months time were perfectly cured , only taking twenty drops at a time . finis . the store-house of physical practice being a general treatise of the causes and signs of all diseases afflicting human bodies : together with the shortest, plainest and safest way of curing them, by method, medicine and diet : to which is added, for the benefit of young practicers, several choice forms of medicines used by the london physicians / by john pechey ... pechey, john, - . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing p estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) the store-house of physical practice being a general treatise of the causes and signs of all diseases afflicting human bodies : together with the shortest, plainest and safest way of curing them, by method, medicine and diet : to which is added, for the benefit of young practicers, several choice forms of medicines used by the london physicians / by john pechey ... pechey, john, - . [ ], , - , [ ] p. printed for henry bonwicke ..., london : . first ed. cf. bm. advertisement p. [ ]-[ ] at end. reproduction of original in royal college of physicians library, london. includes index. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng diseases -- causes and theories of causation. medicine -- early works to . - tcp assigned for keying and markup - spi global keyed and coded from proquest page images - emma (leeson) huber sampled and proofread - emma (leeson) huber text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion the store-house of physical practice : being a general treatise of the causes and signs of all diseases afflicting human bodies . together with the shortest , plainest and safest way of curing them , by method , medicine and diet. to which is added , for the benefit of young practisers , several choice forms of medicines used by the london physicians . by john pechey , of the college of physicians in london . london : printed for henry bonwicke , at the red lyon in st. paul's church-yard , mdcxcv . honor virtutis praemium the preface . i believe nothing has so much obstructed the improvement of the art of physick , as the late unaccountable humour of romancing on the nature and the causes of diseases : for in many of our modern authors , the greatest part of the paper is wasted about flourishing a whimsoe , to make it pass for a probable supposition ( and hence the noble art is term'd conjectural ) so that in some of them scarce a page can be spared for the cure , that which is the main of the business being huddled up or touch'd on by the by . whereas reason and argument are not the true tests of physick , nor indeed of any thing else , when experience , the great baffler of speculation , can determine the matter . and , which is strange , this unkind usage of the art is privileg'd by a sort of men , who are set apart for the well ordering of physick ; and these broachers of whimsies , dignified with the titles of philosophers and virtuoso's . from what has been said , the following plain practice must expect but cold entertainment with the speculative physician ; but such as mind and study practice , will , i question not , patronize the vndertaking ; when , upon the perusal , they find in this one treatise , the sum and substance of several voluminous authors ; it being a collection of such methods and medicines , as i thought best and most useful : but it is chiefly design'd for young practisers , and may serve as their vade mecum , where they may readily turn to any disease , and at once view the diagnosticks and cure. and here it may not be improper to add briefly , for the benefit of young physicians , some directions relating to study and practice . and , first , spend not too much time upon anatomy , chymistry and herbs ; for tho' the knowledge of these is not only ornamental but useful too , yet if you consume the greatest part of your time in these preliminaries , you will be as foppish as those young sparks that give themselves up to dancing and fiddling , and neglect arms and history , the true accomplishments of a gentleman : but above all , be not inveigled with an hypothesis , the bane of art. in the next place , associate with such practical physicians as make their own medicines , and assist in the making of medicines , and see their practice ; for by this means ( such being usually call'd in at the beginning of the disease ) you may observe a whole process of cure ; whereas those that only prescribe , are seldom sent for till the disease is incurable . moreover , add reading to practice , and every day let some time be allotted for study ; and so you will be confirm'd , and in a great measure freed from those anxious and vexatious thoughts , that continually afflict physicians when they are not incouraged and strengthen'd by the assistance of good authors . is it not , therefore , most adviseable to abate something of the gayity of youth , and to apply , in time , to serious matters , that thereby you may procure a lasting peace with your selves , and a comfortable repose for age ? for tho' many pleasant surprizes daily occur in youth , that make the world , for a time , a very agreeable habitation , yet the continual reflections on the follies of it , in our fading years , render the mind sour and uneasy . to conclude , i shall add one short note , which i desire all young physicians to observe well , viz. that you have a regard to the predominant symptom ; for in many cases you must for a time desist from the method of curing the original disease , and immediately bend all your force against the urgent symptom ; otherwise the patient will be destroy'd before the disease can be cur'd . from the angel and crown in bazing-lane , london . january the d , / . the index . a. abscess of the stomach , after-pains , agues , albugo , anasarca , apoplexy , appetite , lost , asthma , b. barrenness , belching , bladders in the eye , bladder inflamed , bleeding at nose , c. cancer of the womb , cancer of the cornea , catalepsis , carus , catarrh , celiac passion , childrens convulsions , childrens diseases , dead child , child-bed purgations suppressed , cholera morbus , cholic , cholic , bilious , cholic hysteric , clorosis , coma , consumption , convulsion , coryza , costiveness , courses , stopt , courses , immoderate , d. deafness , diabetes , dilatation of the pupil , diarrhaea , diseases of the glassy humour , diseases of the christalline humour , diseases of the watery humour , acute diseases in child-bed , dropsie , dropsie of the womb , dysury , e. ears , noise in them , ears , pain in them , ears , things coming out of them , empy●ma , encan●his , epiphora , f. fainting , falling-sickness , falling of the vvea , fever , pestilential , fever , continual , fever , scarlet , fevers of children , fevers , intermitting , fistula lachrimalis , flux , bloody , flux of the hemorrhoids immoderate , forms of medicines , g. giddiness , gout , green-sickness , gums , ulcerated , gums , bleeding , gutta serena , h. head-ach , heart , trembling of it , hicops , hypochondriack diseases , hysteric diseases , ibib i. jaundice , jaws , ulcerated , inflamation of the tongue , inflamation of the stomach , inflation of the womb , iliac passion , incontinence of vrine , itch , l. labour , hard , lethargy , loosness , lyentery , m. madness , matter collected under the cornea , measles , miscarriage , mouth , ulcerated , n. narrowness of the pupil , nauseousness , nephritic pain , night-mare , nostrills , ill scent in them . nurse , choice of one , o. opthalmia , over-purging , ozaena , p. palpitation of the heart , palsie , palsie of the tongue , peripneumonia , bastard peripneumonia , phrensie , piles , piles , painful , ibid pimples in the face , plague , pleurisie , polypus , small pox , french pox , q. quinsie , r. ranula under the tongue , reins inflamed , rheumatism , rickets , rhyas , rupture of the cornea , s. sarcoma , schirrhus of the womb , scurvy , secundine retain'd , smelling , lost , sneezing , spitting of blood , spots in the eyes , spots in the face , stomach-pain , stone in the kidnies , stone in the bladder , stranguary , suffusion , swooning , t. tasting , diminish'd , teeth , black , tenesmus , timpany , trembling , tumors of the tongue , u. ulcers of the tunicks of the eye , ulcers of the nostrils , ulcers of the stomach , ulcers of the reins and bladder , unguis oculorum , vomiting , urine , suppress'd , urine , hot , urine , bloody , uvula , relaxed , w. weakness , whites , womb , inflamed , womb , ulcerated , womb , mortified , womb , falling , worms , the store-house of physical practice . diseases of the head . chap. i. of a phrensie . a phrensie , in latin , phrenitis , is twofold , true and spurious . a true phrensie is an inflamation of the brain and membranes of it , with a perpetual delirium , and a continual acute feaver . a bastard phrensie proceeds from an hot intemperies communicated to the brain from the whole body ; as in burning feavers , or from the inflamation of some particular part , as of the liver , lungs , and especially the diaphragm . the causes of a true phrensie proceed from cholerick blood extravasated . the signs of an approaching phrensie , are watchings , disturbed sleep , immoderate speech , urine first thick , then thin and clear ; heat and pain in the head , and the like . a phrensie is known by perpetual raving , restless watching , and by drawing the breath deep , and seldom , and the sick does not call for drink ; though there are great and apparent causes of thirst ; the pulse is small , frequent , and quick ; the feaver is continual , and the tongue black , yellow or rough . a phrensie is generally deadly , because the noble parts are generally affected : but there is most hopes of recovery when they laugh , and when all the symptoms are moderate , and when the strength is good ; and if after the disease is at height , some evacuation happens , as by sweat , bleeding at the nose , or a loosness : the following signs shew it to be deadly , trembling of the hands and tongue , gnashing of the teeth , convulsion , and a shaking at the beginning of it , catching of the cloaths , black blood droping from the nose , white stools , and a pale urine . cvre . the blood flowing to the head must be evacuated , repelled , intercepted , and a revulsion of it must be made . that which is already flown in must be evacuated and discussed ; the intemperies of the part must be corrected , and the strength of it , and of the whole body must be preserved . all these things may be performed by the following remedies : but first of all , and at any time of the day , bleeding must be used . if it be occasion'd by a suppression of the lochia , or of the courses ▪ or of the hemorrhoids , the vein call'd saphena must be open'd in the foot ; afterwards you must open a vein in the arm , to evacuate the blood that is put off upon the head , bleeding is to be repeated twice , thrice , or more , according to the height of the disease , and the age , and strength of the patient . note in opening of the vein , the orifice must be small ; for otherwise the restlesness of the sick will force the blood out , and so make it joyn the sooner ; you may apply a plaister to it made of aloes , the white of an egg , and hares down . after bleeding you must endeavour to procure sleep , by applying cooling things to the forehead and temples , and anodine medicines must be given inwardly . take of lettice and purslain water each one ounce , of diacodium half an ounce , or six drams , of syrup of lemons half an ounce , make a draught to be taken at bed-time . the sick may take often of the following julep . take of the waters of lettice , purslain , roses , red poppies each three ounces , syrup of violets and pomgranats each one ounce and an half , of sal prunella three drams , make a julep . the dose is three or four spoonfuls at a time , four or five times a day . when bleeding cannot be used , cupping-glasses must be applied , with deep scarification , first to the lower parts , viz. the thighs , &c. then to the upper parts , viz. to the shoulders , &c. and afterwards you may apply them without scarification to the legs and other parts : blisters may be also conveniently applied to the shoulders and arms , and a cooling glyster must be daily injected . for instance . take of the common decoction for glysters one pint ; dissolve in it one ounce of lenitive electuary , and four ounces of brown sugar ; make a glyster . note , that the quantity of the glyster must be varied , according to the age and bigness of the patient . bleeding in the nose , by pricking often with a lancet , the nostrils where the hairs grow , does much good ; and also leeches applied behind the ears , to the nostrils and forehead . chap. ii. of madness . madness , in latin , mania . this disease does not kill of it self , yet it is very difficult to cure , especially if it be hereditary . cvre . bleeding , vomiting , and strong purges are to be frequently used ; with which , and severe discipline , it is frequently cur'd : but if the disease be mild , kind words and good usage , and gentle physick does oftentimes the business : but in most bleeding must be us'd to a great quantity in the beginning of the disease , sometimes in the arm , and sometimes in the jugular vein , in the forehead , foot , or drawn from the hemorrhoidal veins by leeches ▪ vomits do also a great deal of good : but such as are chymical are best , because they work most powerfully , and the sick may be easily cheated with them . take of sulphur of antimony eight or ten grains , of cream of tartar half a scruple ; mix them and give it in a spoonful of broth , or with bread : repeat this vomit once in four days . strong purges are also frequently used : as , take of extract of black hellebore , and calamelanos each one scruple , mix them , and make a bolus to be taken in the morning . betwixt the evacuations , such things may be used as attemperate the blood , if the sick will take them , as steel-waters , whey , and the like . for preservation , such people as are subject to madness , should purge and bleed spring and fall. chap. iii. of giddiness . giddiness , in latin , vertigo . there are two sorts of it ; in one the sight is taken away ; in the other it is not . the cause of giddiness is a circumvolution of the spirits . an idiopathick giddiness is known by pains , and dulness in the head , a dulness of the sight , noise in the ears , deafness , and the like . the peccant matter is discovered by the following signs ; dulness of the outward and inward senses , sloth , much sleep , much spitting , want of appetite , and of thirst ; a white and crude urine shew that flegm abounds ; watching , anger , activity of body , thirst , a quick pulse , thin and yellow urine , signifie that choler is peccant ; fear , sadness , disturbed thoughts , long watching , dreadful dreams , soure belchings , and the like , signifie melancholy abounds : the bigness and stiffness of the veins , a florid countenance , and heat of the face , beating of the temples , dulness of the head , weariness , or a red and thick urine , and sometimes a thin , when there is a translation to the head , signifie that blood abounds . a sympathetick giddiness is known by the absence of the symptoms that proceed from the head , and when there is no apparent disease in the brain . want of appetite , nauciousness , soure belching , pain , or wind in the stomach , signifie that it proceeds from the stomach ; that a giddiness proceeds from the liver , spleen , or womb , is known by the following signs : when it proceeds from the spleen there are frequent and large evacuations of wind , inflation of the belly , soure belchings , and the like ; when from the womb , there is stopage of the courses , or hysterick fits. a giddiness that is recent , and seldom invades , and that which is occasioned by external causes is light , and easily cured ; that which is inveterate and frequent , most commonly ends in the falling sickness , or apoplexy . cvre . the cure is much the same with the falling sickness : which see in the chapter of the falling sickness : but when it is small it does not need so large a course of physick as is requisite for the cure of the falling sickness . but those things will be sufficient which i shall here set down . first therefore , if blood abounds , inject a pretty sharp glyster , and afterwards bleed ; then purge with the following pills . take of the fetid pills two scruples , of resin of jalap five grains , with a sufficient quantity of galbanum dissolved in briony water ; make seven pills to be taken in the morning ; repeat them thrice . but if the patient cannot take pills , the following purging potion may be given instead of them . take of gerions decoction six ounces , boil in it of the fibres of black hellebore , and of agarick each one dram and an half ; strain it , and add an ounce of the syrup of roses solutive , and two drams of compound briony water . make a potion . afterwards let the patient use the following sneesing powder . take of the leaves of marjoram , sage , rosemary dried , each half a dram , of the roots of pellitory of spain and white hellebore each one scruple , of musk three grains ; make a powder . cupping-glasses with and without scarification , frictions of the extream parts , bleeding from the hemorrhoidal veins may be used to cause revulsion . blisters are also of use for derivation . afterwards use such things as are proper to strengthen the head , which you will find in the chapter of an epilepsie . the conserves of the flowers of marrygolds is counted by some a specifick for giddiness . chap. iv. of the falling sickness . the falling sickness , in latin , epilepsia , is an universal and violent convulsion ; the fit most commonly comes of a sudden , and precipitates in the twinkling of an eye to the earth , and deprives a man of sense and understanding ; for they seem rather forcibly thrown down , than to fall ; and that part which first comes to the ground , is most commonly bruised or wounded . they gnash with their teeth , foam at the mouth , and often beat their heads against the ground ; their arms and legs either become rigid , or tossed here or there . some beat their breasts violently , and some cast their bodies impetuously hither and thither : but in most the belly swells much . after some time , sometimes sooner , sometimes longer , the symptoms suddenly cease , as if the tragedy were just ended , and then the sick come to themselves again , and are sensible ; but there remains after the fit is gone off a pain in the head , and a dulness in their senses , and often a giddiness . the fits are sometimes wont to come at set times of the day , month , or year ; but most commonly according to the greater turns of the year , or according to the conjunctions , or opposite aspects of the moon , or sun , they return more certainly , and afflict more violently ; and sometimes the fits are uncertain , and come as occasion is offered , and according to the variety of evident causes . sometimes they are gentle , sometimes violent ; sometimes , though rarely , some signs forewarn the epileptick person of a fit before he falls , as a dulness of the head ; sparkling of fire before the eyes , noise in the ears , and the like . sometimes a convulsion in some outward part , as in the arm , or in the leg , or in the back , or in the hypochondres , precedes , which rising from thence like a cold air towards the head , occasions the fit. cvre . you must begin with purging ; but if the sick bear vomiting well , a vomit must be first given , and must be repeated for several months , four days before the full moon . wine of squills mixed with fresh oyl of sweet almonds ; or half a scruple or a scruple of salt of vitriol may be given to infants : but for grown people , and such as are of a strong constitution , the following forms of medicines may be prescribed . take of crocus metallorum , or of mercurius vitae four or six grains , mercurius dulcis fifteen grains , or a scruple , grind them together upon a stone , mix them with the pap of a roasted apple , or conserve of borrage ; make a bolus . or give half an ounce , one ounce , or one ounce and an half of the infusion of crocus metallorum , or of mercurius vitae , made in spanish wine , according to the strength of the sick : or , take of emetick tartar four or six grains . they that are of a weak constitution may take a scruple or half a dram of salt of vitriol , and half an hour after let them drink several pints of posset-drink ; and then with a feather , or with the finger , let them provoke themselves to vomit often . the next day after the vomit , unless any thing forbid , draw blood from the arm , or by the sucking of leeches from the hemorrhoidal veins ; and the next day after bleeding , give a purging medicine , which afterwards must be constantly repeated four days before the new moon . take of rosin of jalap half a scruple , of mercurius dulcis one scruple , of castor three grains , of conserve of the flowers of peony one dram , make a bolus to be taken in the morning : or , take of the fibres of black hellebore infused in vinegar , dried and pouder'd half a dram , of ginger half a scruple , of salt of wormwood twelve grains , of oyl of ambar two drops ; make a pouder , give it in the pulp of a roasted apple in the morning . of the days the sick does not purge , especially at the seasons of the moon , give morning and evening specifick remedies . take of the roots of male peony dried and poudered , one , two , or three drams ; give it twice a day in the following tincture , at eight in the morning , and at four in the afternoon . take of the leaves of misleto of the oak two drams , of the roots of peony cut , half an ounce , of castor one dram ; put them into a glass , and pour upon them , of bettony water , or of simple peony water , and of white wine each a pint , of salt of misleto of the oak , or of common salt two drams : digest them in a close vessel in the heat of sand for two days . give three ounces with a dose of the powder above prescribed . at the same time make a necklace with peony roots sliced , and hang it about the neck , and the roots fried or boiled till they are soft , may be eat daily with the meat . take of man's skull prepared one ounce , of misleto of the oak , factitious cinnabar , and of elk's hoof , each half an ounce . dose , half a scruple , or one scruple . some find benefit by shaving the head , and by applying to the forepart of it a plaister . take of the roots and seeds of peony , of castor , of misleto of the oak , and of man's skull finely powder'd , each one dram , of the plaister of bettony two ounces , of carrana , tacamahaca , each two drams , of balsam copaiba a sufficient quantity : make a plaister spread on leather , and apply it to the sutures of the head. anoint the temples and nostrils often with oyl of ambar , either by it self , or mixed with oyl of copaiba , sneesing powders , and apophlegmatisms must be used every morning . take of white hellebore one ounce , of castor and euphorbium each half a dram , of sweet marjoram , and the leaves of rue each two drams , make a powder , which you may dissolve with mustard in a decoction of sage , or hyssop , and with it wash and gargle the mouth . glysters may be used daily upon occasion . 't is said that six or eight ounces of the decoction of gujacum taken twice a day , and the second decoction of it used for ordinary drink , as is used in the french pox , will cure this disease . chap. v. of childrens convulsions . childrens convulsions , in latin , epilepsia puerorum , are so frequent , that it is almost the only species of convulsions . they are chiefly subject to them in the first month , and at the time they breed teeth ; but they also happen at other times , and proceed from other causes in such are disposed to them : sometimes they do not come presently after the birth , but lye hid until the breeding of teeth , or not till a great while after , and take their rise from other evident causes either internal or external ; as from an unhealthy or big-bellied nurse , from milk coagulated or corrupted in the stomach , from a feaverish disposition , from ulcers or scabs of the head , or of other parts suddenly disappearing ; from changes of the air , or from the conjunction or opposite aspects of the sun and moon . we must endeavour to prevent these convulsions in children and infants , or to cure them when they are come ; for if the former children of the same parents have been subject to convulsive fits , this disease ought to be prevented , by the early use of remedies , in such as are born after : to this end it is customary to give to new-born babes , as soon as they begin to breath , some medicine proper for convulsions : some , upon this occasion , give some drops of pure hony ; others a spoonful of canary-wine sweetned with sugar , or oyl of almonds fresh drawn ; others give a drop of oyl of ambar , or half a spoonful of epileptick water . besides these things used at first , which certainly do good , some other remedies ought to be administred ; for instance , give a spoonful twice a day of the following liquor : take of the waters of black cherries and rue , each one ounce and a half ; of langius's antiepilectick water , one ounce ; of syrup of coral , six drams ; of prepared pearl , fifteen grains ; mingle them in a viol. the third or fourth day after the birth , make an issue in the neck , and if the countenance be florid , evacuate by bleeding , an ounce and an half or two ounces of blood from the jugular veins , but take care that too much blood do not flow out in sleep ; rub gently the temples with the following linement . take of oyl of nutmegs by expression two drams , of balsam of copaiba three drams , of ambar one scruple , mix them . hang round the neck the roots and seeds of male-peony , and a little elks hoof sewed up in a rag : moreover medicines proper for convulsions must be given daily to the nurse . let her take morning and evening a draught of whey , wherein the roots of male-peony , or the seeds of sweet fennel have been boiled . take of the conserves of the flowers of bettony , male-peony , and rosemary flowers , each two ounces ; of the powders of the roots and flowers of male-peony , each two drams ; of red coral prepared , and white ambar , each one dram ; of the roots of angelica and zodoary prepared , each half a dram ; with a sufficient quantity of syrup of peony , make an electuary . let her take the quantity of a nutmeg morning and evening , and be very orderly in her diet. but if any infant be actually seized with convulsions , because the issue does not run well , you must apply a blister to the neck or behind the ears ; and if the infant be not of a cold constitution , blood must be drawn from the jugular veins by leeches , and linements must be used to the temples , nostrils and neck , and to the soles of the feet ; and glisters which empty the belly plentifully must be injected : moreover , often in a day , namely every sixth or eighth hour , specifick remedies must be given . take of oyl of copaiba , and of castor , each two drams ; of ambar half a dram ; make a linement . apply to the soles of the feet the plaister , with euphorbium spread on leather . take of prepared pearls , of the powder de gutteta , each one dram , mingle them for twelve papers , whereof let him take one morning and evening in a spoonful of the following julap , drinking after it one or two spoonfuls . take of the waters of black cherries , and of lilly of the vallies , each two ounces ; of fennel-water , and compound peony water , each two drams ; of syrup of red poppies , six drams . take of the powder of the seeds of rue , of castor , of assafaetida , each a sufficient quantity , mingle them and tye it up in a rag , sprinkle it with vinegar , and put it often to the nostrils . vntzerus commends much the gall of a sucking kitlin , all the juice being taken out of the bladder , and mixed with a little water of lime-flowers , and given to the child : an excellent physician lately told me , that he had known several children cured with this remedy . when by reason of breeding teeth difficultly , convulsions happen , this symptom is secondary and less dangerous , and therefore does not require the first and chief work of healing ; for sometimes we are more solicitous to ease the pain , and take off the feaverish disposition . and therefore a thin and cooling diet is ordered for the eruption of the teeth , either by rubbing or cutting the gums , and things that are anodine are applied to the swelled and pained parts ; and here glisters and bleeding are often used ; and we ought to procure sleep , and to qualifie the fury of the blood ; in the mean while temperate medicines for convulsions , and such as do the least stir the humours , are to be used , and blisters , because they evacuate the serum too apt to be poured upon the head , do often give relief . when children are seized with convulsions , not presently after the birth , or upon breeding teeth , but from other occasions and accidents ; the cause , for the most part of such , is either in the head or in the bowels ; when the former is suspected , as is wont to be known by the signs which shew watry humours heap'd up in the brain , the medicines above mentioned must be used : moreover , for those who bear purging well , a vomit or gentle purge must be prescribed , wine and oxymel of squills , also mercurius dulcis , rubarb , and rosin of jalap are of good use , when the cause of the convulsions seems to be lodged in the bowels , or when worms or sharp humours in the belly are the cause : for worms , a purge of rubarb , or of mercurius dulcis , with the rosin of jalap must be given , and the following medicines are also of use . take of the roots of virginian snake-weed powdered one dram , of coral calcined till it is white half a dram ; make a powder . the dose is half a scruple or a scruple twice a day for three days following , drinking upon it the decoction of the roots of grass . take of hiera pitra , and of venice-treacle , each one dram ; make a plaister for the belly . if the convulsions are thought to proceed from sharp humours disturbing the bowels or stomach , purging upward and downward by turns is to be observed ; to this end a gentle vomit of wine of squills , or salt of vitriol , is to be given . take of syrup of peony three ounces , salt of vitriol two scruples , of compound lavender-water one dram , mingle them , give a spoonful three or four times in an hour , till the child has once vomited or went to stool once . but if evacuation downward seem most proper , give the infusion of rubarb , or the powder of it , or syrup of succory with rubarb , or syrup of roses with agarick : and moreover glisters are to be used frequently in this case , and external medicines are to be applied to the belly . take of the leaves of camomil cut small , two handfuls , put them into two bags made of fine cloth or of silk , which being dip'd in hot milk and pressed out , are to be applied successively to the belly . chap. vi. of the night-mare or incubus . it is commonly supposed by the ordinary sort of people ▪ that this disease is occasioned by the devil , or an evil spirit 's lying upon their stomachs , which perhaps may be so sometimes ; but it also comes from meer natural causes , as is supposed , though what those are , or where the morbisick matter is placed , is not known , when it is thought to come from natural causes , the cure is to be undertaken in the following manner , bleeding and gentle purging is first to be used , and afterward things proper for the head , as powders of ambar , coral , pearls , the roots of male-peony , dittany of crete , contra yerva , and other things prescribed in the chapter of the apoplexy , and the like : but an orderly diet is first to be prescribed ; windy meats , and such as are hard of digestion are to be avoided , and sleep must not be indulged after eating or study , and large and late suppers , and lying on the back must be forbid . infants and children are often troubled with this disease , the sign whereof , is their starting in their sleep , and crying out violently ; and after they have had these fits often they fall into convulsions , wherefore a right method of cure ought to be administred as soon as they seem to be disordered in their sleep : inquiry must be made concerning the milk they suck , whether it be good or not , and whether it agrees with their stomachs ; after they have sucked plentifully , they must not be suffered to sleep , the nurse must use an orderly diet , and let her take also morning and evening a dose of a powder or electuary that is proper for the head , drinking upon it a draught of posset-drink , wherein the leaves of sage or bettany , or the roots or seeds of peony have been boiled . let the infant take twice a day a spoonful of black-cherry-water ; let an issue be made in the neck , and let it lye sometimes on one side , sometimes on the other , and seldom or never upon the back : and coral , or the seeds of male-peony being hanged about the neck , or upon the pit of the stomach , may do some good . when they start violently often in their sleep , apply a blister to the neck or behind the ears . moreover , morning and evening daily give half a scruple of the powder de gutteta in a spoonful of lime-flower-water . chap. vi. of sleepy diseases , coma , lethargy , carus and apoplexy . there are four sorts of preternatural sleep , coma , lethargy , carus and apoplexy , which because for the most part they proceed from the same causes , and require the same methods of cure ; therefore they shall be treated of together in this chapter . the first and principal cause of these diseases , is a flegmatick or watry humour , contained in the brain contrary to nature . secondly , sleepy diseases are wont to be generated by blood abounding in the brain , and from extravasated blood stopping or oppressing the ventricles of the brain , sleepy disease , and especially an apoplexy is sometimes occasioned . thirdly , it is certain that a comatose disease proceeds from a tumor that oppresses the brain by its weight . fourthly , immoderate vapors carried to the head , may be the cause of a sympathetick coma. fifthly , from the immoderate use of narcotick medicines inwardly taken , so deep a sleep is occasioned , that many , by the imprudent use of opium , have slept their last . that sleepy diseases are occasioned by flegmatick humours stagnating in the brain , is known by a flegmatick habit of body , by old age or childhood , by a cold or moist season or country , by the suppression of the excretion of flegm , by the mouth and nostrils ; and for that the sick , before the coming of this disease , was afflicted with a dulness of the head , dimness of sight , and unaptness for motion ; and because in the disease flegm flows from the mouth and nostrils , or falling upon the throat , is frequently swallowed down by the sick. that blood produces a sleepy disease is known by a plethorick disposition , by redness of the face , and by a pain in the head foregoing this disease : that the sympathetick disease arises from vapors elevated to the brain , is known by the absence of those signs , which signifie an idiopathetick disease , also by the signs of the peculiar disorder of the parts , from whence vapors are transmitted to the brain . a very thin diet is to be ordered at the beginning of these diseases , and when the fit is off , the sick , to prevent a relapse , must forbear all strong liquors , and be fed with barly and oat-meal broths , or with chicken broth ; and sometimes , especially when he purges , with chickens , lamb , and the like . when a physician is first called to a patient , that is seized with a sleepy disease , he must endeavour by all means to rowse him , by offering violence to all his senses ; and therefore he must expose his eyes to the sun-beams , or to a clear light ; his ears must be filled with violent noises and clamours , and the sick must be sure to be called aloud by his own name ; sharp things are to be blown up his nostrils ; the sense of touching is to be revived by frictions , vellications , plucking of the hair , ligatures , squeesing of the fingers together , and the like ; he must be presently blooded if he has strength ; but his strength is not to be judged of by the present circumstances , but by such as he was in before the disease invaded him . you must first bleed in the arm , and then in the jugular vein , presently after give the following vomit . take of the blessed wine one ounce and an half , of carduus water one ounce , of spirit of juniper-berries two drops ; make a vomit . inject two or three sharp glisters in a day . take of the carminative decoction , with bay-berries and juniper-berries ten ounces , of the electuary of bay-berries one ounce , of vinum benedictum three ounces , and of brown sugar three ounces , of chymical oyl of juniper ten drops ; mingle them , make a glister . if the glister be not rendred in due time , provoke the belly by a suppository . take of hiera picra half an ounce , of sal gemma one dram , of hony a sufficient quantity ; make suppositories . the spirit of sal armoniack must be held to the nostrils , and things of all kinds that cause revulsion must be used , not only frictions and ligatures , but also cupping-glasses set on the back , shoulders , arms and thighs : but in an apoplexy you must not apply cupping-glasses to the back , or to the hypochonders , least the muscles of the breast and belly should be contracted , and so respiration more hindred : cupping-glasses applied to the head are counted very proper ; apply a blistering plaister with euphorbium to the neck : some , according to the custom of the ancients , hold a red-hot frying-pan to the head , at such a distance as it may burn the hair but not the skin . take of the waters of rue , balm and black-cherries , each three ounces ; of compound peony water , and of compound syrup of peony , each one ounce and a half ; of tincture of castor one dram , of spirit of sal armoniack half a dram ; mingle them , make a julep , give four or five spoonfuls often . in the general cure of these diseases you must take notice , that in those which proceed from blood , medicines that heat the least are to be used ; but bleeding is to be used more freely , and afterwards the vein in the forehead is to be opened , and things that purge choler are to be mixed with those that purge flegm : if the brain be very much cooled , the sick , after universal evacuations , may use tablets made in the following manner . take of amber-grease half a scruple , distilled oyl of the seeds of anise , cinnamon and nutmegs , of each three drops ; oyl of cloves one drop ; of sugar dissolved in orange-flower water , four ounces ; make tablets , let him take a dram or two drams every morning . the following powder is also commended and is much in use . take of white ambar half an ounce ; of the powder called diarhodon abbatis two drams ; of the roots of peony one dram and an half ; make a powder , whereof give a dram in two spoonfuls of simple peony water before the new moon . it is also proper to hold nutmeg often in the mouth , and to chew it ; and perfumes are to be held often to the nostrils , especially apoplectick balsam ; spices are to be used with meats , and the following digestive powder after meals . take of the seeds of coriander , sweet fennel , caraways , each fifteen grains , of white ambar one dram , of the yellow peel of citrons , and flowers of rosemary each one dram and an half , of nutmegs half a dram , of white sugar three ounces ; powder them grosly , and give half a spoonful after meals . if from too great a quantity of blood a sleepy disease is feared , the patient must be sufficiently blooded , and the utmost endeavours must be used to make the hemorrhoids flow , than which nothing can be more advantageous . purging is to be ordered to prevent a relapse . take of the pill of ambar , and of the lesser cochie , each two scruples , of the best castor six grains , of oyl of ambar a sufficient quantity ; mix them and make pills . take six for a dose , and the other six three days after . or , take of the pill of ambar one scruple , of rosin of jalap six grains , of tartar vitriolated eight grains , spirit of lavender eight drops , of elixir proprietatis a sufficient quantity ; make or pills to be taken in the morning . after purging prescribe the following medicines . take of the conserves of the flowers of male peony , and of rosemary each one ounce , of the bark of citron candied six drams , of the species diambra , and dianthos , each one dram , of castor powdred two scruples , of compound spirit of lavender half a dram , with a sufficient quantity of the syrups of gilliflowers , and compound peony ; make an electuary , give the quantity of a nutmeg morning and evening daily ; and let the sick take four spoonfuls of the following julep after it . take of the waters of black cherries , rue , pennyroyal each three ounces , of compound peony water , and langius's epileptick water , each one ounce , of the syrup of the flowers of male peony one ounce , mingle them . or , take of the powder e gutteta three drams , of castor half a dram , of syrup of the flowers of peony a sufficient quantity ; make forty pills , whereof let him take four every night at bed-time , drinking upon them two spoonfuls of the following julep . take of the waters of the flowers of peony , black cherries , rue , pennyroal , each two ounces , of compound peony water , and of compound briony water , and tincture of castor , each one ounce , of syrup of male peony an ounce and an half , mingle them . take of ambar one ounce , sprinkle the fourth part of it every night at bed-time upon the head. chap. viii . catalepsis , or catoche . this disease is very rare and very wonderful . galen mentions an observation of one of his scholars , who upon hard study was seized with a catalepsis . he lay , says he , like a piece of wood , extended , rigid , and inflexible ; his eyes were always kept open , but he could not speak . when he recovered , he told us he could hear us speak , though not plainly ; he remembred what was done , and saw all that were with him ; but he said he could not speak nor move a limb : and fernelius mentions two observations of this kind : he says , that a person studying very hard was seized with this disease , and that he was so stiff , that sitting with his pen in his hand , and looking earnestly upon his book , he was supposed to be hard at study ; till being called , and pull'd , he was perceived to have no sense nor motion . another lay as it were dead , who neither saw nor heard , nor felt when he was pricked . he breathed well ; and whatever was put in his mouth he readily swallowed : being taken out of his bed he stood alone ; and being push'd he went forward ; and in what manner soever his hand , or arm , or leg was bent , it stood fix'd ; so that he look'd like a statue . the like observations are to be found in many other authors ; from whence you may gather , that there is most commonly an abolition of the internal and external senses , and a stiffness of the limbs : but sometimes the senses are not wholly abolished ; for sometimes they can hear , and their limbs may be moved by the by-standers , the cure is twofold , one in the fit , the other out of the fit : in the fit , those things are proper which are prescribed for sleepy diseases . out of the fit , such things as are used for cure of melancholy are proper ; for from thence it most commonly proceeds : but if it come from a cold intemperies , such things are proper as serve to mend such a constitution ; if it proceed from abundance of blood , bleeding is to be used . chap. ix . of a palsie . a palsie , in latin , paralysis , is a privation of sense and motion , by reason the influx of the animal spirits is hindred . there are various differences of it ; for either it seizes all the parts of the head , then it is called paraplegia ; or only half the body , then it is called hemeplegia ; or it seises only one part , then it is called a particular palsie . it is also called perfect , and imperfect : it is said to be perfect when sense and motion are wholly abolished ; imperfect when the functions are weakned : and then it is also called numbness , which is a fore-runner of a palsie . there is also another species of an imperfect palsie , when motion is hurt , and the sense remains perfect ; and so on the contrary . the causes of a palsie in general , are all those things which hinder the influx of the animal spirits into the nerves and muscles ; the most frequent of all is a flegmatick humour ; which by obstructing , compressing , thickning or cooling the nerves , hinders the said influx of the animal spirits . the pituitous humour flows from the brain into the nerves and spinal marrow ; so a small apoplexy degenerates into a palsie ; because the humour occasioning it is cast from the brain upon the marrow , or beginning of the nerves ; and so it either insinuates it self into the substance of them , and shuts the insensible passages through which the spirits pass ; or passing by the vertebra's of the back , and spinal marrow , and following the course of the nerves compresses them , and so hinders the passages of the animal spirits ; and the same humour may thicken the substance of the nerves by its coldness ; so that it cannot make way for the animal spirits . there are other causes of a palsie , but they are not so common ; as taking cold , a blow or fall , the frequent handling of quicksilver , tumors near the spine or nerves ; cutting of the nerves , dislocation of the vertebra , or other joints . the kind of the disease is easily known ; for want of motion and sense may be soon perceived ; but the knowledge of the part affected is more difficult : but it may be known by those that are skilled in anatomy , who know the originations and insertions of the nerves . for if the right part of the face becomes paralytick , or the left , the other parts being sound , they know the brain is only affected according to that part from whence the nerves are carried to those parts : but if the parts under the head are also afflicted with the face , the brain and the spine of the back are also affected ; and if the parts below the head are seised , and the face well , the fault is only in the spine ; and in the beginning of it , if all the parts are affected : but if only half the body is paralytick , only half the spine is affected . when the legs are paralytick , the seat of the disease is about the end of the spinal marrow , near the vertebra's of the os sacrum ; and so in the rest , the place is to be sought for from whence the nerves arise . and sometimes enquiry after the external cause much helps to find out the part affected ; of which there are two instances in galen , one of a certain man , who in a cold and rainy season wore a long while a wet neckcloath about his neck , his hands became paralytick . the other is of one who lost the sense of three of his fingers ; and when galen understood that he fell out of a cart upon his back , he conjectured that some part was hurt by the fall under the seventh vertebra , where the nerve begins ; and therefore he applied the medicine which was used before to the fingers , to no purpose , to that part . the knowledge of the causes is to be fetched from the procatarctick causes , the foregoing diseases , and the constitution of the sick ; and so the external cooling and moistening causes going before , old age , a flegmatick constitution , winter , cold and moist diet : an apoplexy going before , signifie that the disease proceeds from a cold intemperies , and a flegmatick humour . feavers foregoing , and sometimes a present feaver , cholerick , or melancholy constitution , summer-time , or autumn , the use of spices , of salt or hot meats , violent and long passions of the mind , the excretion of cholerick and melancholy humours , or of acid , or acrid serum , hot defluxions upon various parts , and pains arising from thence : and lastly , when pain and convulsions accompany the diminution of sense and motion ; and when such as are so afflicted are injured by hot and drying medicines , and relieved by cooling and moistening remedies , the palsie proceeds from cholerick or melancholy humours . tumors , and luxations ; and wounds causing a palsie are easily known . the prognostick signs . a palsie coming from a pituitous humour stuffing the substance of the nerves , is difficult to cure. a palsie following an apoplexy is seldom cured , and most commonly turns to an apoplexy again . a trembling coming upon a palsie is good : if the paralytick part be hot there is hope of recovery ; but if it be always cold it is hardly cured . a wasting of the part , and great paleness renders it incurable . if the eye of the paralytick side be lessened , there is little hopes of a cure. a palsie of the legs or feet is easier cured , than of the upper parts . a palsie in old people is incurable . a palsie cannot be cured in the winter . a violent feaver coming upon a palsie is good , so is a loosness coming upon a small , and new palsie . the cure of a palsie is to be varied according to the variety of the causes ; but because it chiefly comes from flegm , and a cold intemperies , we must chiefly endeavour to remove this cause , and you must begin with an universal evacuation of the whole body : as to bleeding that can scarce do any good , for the blood is not in the fault , but flegm ; and for the most part this disease seises old people , such as are flegmatick , and naturally cold : but if an abundance of crude blood should seem to produce the flegmatick humour , and to nourish it , a vein may be opened in the arm of the well-side : but blood must be drawn sparingly , lest the languid heat should be extinguished . therefore bleeding being omitted , or used as is said , sparingly , the cure must be begun by removing the antecedent cause , which is a cold intemperies of the brain . to which end the following remedies must be used . take of the roots of cyperus , florentine orris , angelica , zedoary , elecompane , each one ounce , of the leaves of bettony , marjoram , balm , peniroyal , calaminth , each one handful ; of the tops of thym , and sage , each half an handful , of the seeds of anise , sesely , and fennel , each three drams ; of liquorish rasped , of raisins of the sun cleansed , each one ounce ; of the leaves of senna cleansed , and sprinkled with aqua vitae two ounces ; of the seeds of carthamus bruised , and of fresh polypody of the oak , each one ounce ; of agarick newly trochiscated ; of turbith , and hermodactil's , each three drams ; of ginger and cloves , each one dram ; of the flowers of staechas , of rosemary , sage and lavender , each one pugil ; boil them in a sufficient quantity of water to a pint ; dissolve in it four ounces of white sugar , clarifie it , and aromatize it with two drams of cinnamon , and make an apozem for four doses , to be taken in a morning . in the first and last dose dissolve three drams of diaphaenicon . or , take of the mass of pill cochiae minor two scruples , moisten them with bettony water ; make five or six pills , guild them , and let him take them early in the morning . the pills of agarick , and of cochiae major are used for the same purpose . take of gujacum , and of sarsaparilla , each two ounces ; infuse them twenty four hours in two quarts of fountain water over hot ashes , then boil them over a gentle fire to the consumption of half , strain it , give half a pint hot in the morning , and cover the sick well that they may sweat. the use of this may be continued for fifteen or twenty days , or longer . in the use of sudorifick decoctions , this is always to be observed , viz. let some purging medicine be given once a week , omitting for that day the sudorifick potion . sneezing , apoplegmatisms , blisters , head powders , and baths are also used . after the use of the diet drink , give the following pills once a week . take of the faetid pill , coch. minor , each half a dram : troches of alhandal four grains ; mingle them , and make pills to be taken in the morning . but because the humour wants preparation before every purge , therefore two or three days before every dose of the pills , give three or four ounces of the following water , in the morning two hours before eating . take of gujacum four ounces , of the bark of the same one ounce , of sarsaparilla one ounce and an half , of china one ounce , of sassafras six drams , of wood of aloes , and of galingal each one dram and an half , of the roots of angelica , peony , and fennel , each three drams and an half , of the seeds of peony two drams , infuse them twenty four hours in six pints of fountain water , and two quarts of white wine . afterwards add the leaves of bettony , ground pine , sage , each one handful ; of the flowers of the lime-tree , primrose , staechas , and rosemary , each two pugils ; of lavender flowers one pugil , of old venice treacle half an ounce , of the seeds and bark of citron each two drams and an half , of polypody half an ounce , of cinnamon six drams ; distil them in a bath , to two pints and an half of the liquor , add four ounces of penids . if the purges abovementioned are not successful , it will be convenient to give chymical vomits , as vinum benedictum , and the like , if the sick is able to bear them . after general evacuation , we must use topicks , both to the paralytick part to recall the heat and spirits , and to the spinal marrow ; where for the most part resides the cause of the disease ; therefore let the part affected be rubbed daily gently with hot cloaths , and let cupping glasses be applied to the heads of the muscles of the part affected , let them have a narrow mouth , and much flame : but they must not be kept on long , lest what is attracted should be dissipated . afterwards apply a plaister of pitch and rosin of the pine ; that what is attracted may be kept in . all the paralytick part may be stung gently with nettles . afterwards the part affected may be anointed with proper oils , ointments , and balsams . the following ointment is very good in this case : take of the juice of squills four ounces , of the juice of wild cucumber , and of the juice of rue each one ounce , of euphorbium , castor , sagapenum , ammoniacum , bdellium , dissolved all in vinegar , each one dram and an half ; of myrrh , frankincense , pellitory of spain , niter , each one dram ; of oils of elder , turpentine , and of euphorbium , each half an ounce , of wax a sufficient quantity to make an ointment . after the anointing the part , wrap it about with hot cloaths . if the disease goes not off by these means , plaisters are to be applied to the spine of the back ; the following is of excellent use for this purpose . take of ship-pitch , galbanum , sagapenum , and gum ammoniack , each one ounce , of the roots of pellitory of spain , and of mustard seed each half an ounce , of euphorbium two drams , of yellow wax three drams , of oyl of turpentine a sufficient quantity ; make a plaister . it is also very good to sweat the part affected by the vapours from a decoction of cephalick herbs and roots made in white wine ; but the decoction must not touch the part. a decoction of the roots of burdock is also much commended in this case : these sorts of baths are to be used twice or thrice a week ; and after bathing you must put the sick to bed , and give him a dram of venice treacle . the green leaves of tobacco infused in malago wine , and the parts bathed with it after sweating , is reckoned the best outward remedy for a palsie . but lastly , the bath waters are best ; if the sick drink of them some days , bath and wash the head with them , and afterwards rub the parts with the infusion of tobacco leaves . the paralytick parts must be always kept warm : if it can be , with the skins of foxes , hares , or lambs . chap. x. of a convulsion . a convulsion , in latin , spasmus , is an involuntary and perpetual retraction of the nerves and muscles towards their original . it is twofold , one properly so called , to which the definition above mentioned agrees ; the other is rather a convulsive motion ; and they are thus distinguished : in a true convulsion , the retraction of the muscle is continual , and the member immoveable : in a convulsive motion , the member is variously agitated , as in the falling-sickness . they also differ in their causes ; for a true convulsion proceeds from fulness or emptiness , a convulsive motion from irritation . a true convulsion is divided into universal and particular ; an universal takes its rise either from the brain , and then the muscles of the face are also seised with convulsions ; or it arises from the beginning of the spinal marrow , then the muscles of the head , or those that move the spine forward or backward are seised with convulsions : upon which account there are three sorts of convulsions ; the first is called emprosthotonos , wherein the body with the head and neck are violently contracted forward , so that the chin touches the breast , and the body represents the keel of a ship , and sometimes is bent like a bow , and the head touches the knees : in this sort , two muscles that bend the head forward are chiefly affected . the second is called opisthotonos ; and in it the body is bent backward : the twelve muscles that extend the head , or some of them , being convulsed . the third is called tetanos , wherein the muscles before and behind are equally contracted , and the parts kept as it were in aequilibrio . this is the strongest of all ; it arising from a contraction of all the muscles . a particular convulsion is caused by the contraction of some one part , the nerve that serves for its motion being ill affected , which has sometimes a peculiar name from the effect or symptom ; as a convulsion of the muscles moving the eyes is called strabismus , that of the jaws and muscles of the temples 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . a convulsion of the mouth , from a contraction of the broad muscle arising only from one part , is called the dog convulsion : but if there be a contraction in both sides , it is call'd risus sardonicus ; but sometimes the mouth is distorted by the palsie , by relaxation of the other muscle . a convulsion of the yard is call'd satyriasis , or priapismus . other convulsions have no proper names . the immediate causes of a true convulsion , according to hippocrates and galen , are repletion and inanition , the mediate causes which occasion a repletion , and inanition are various ; a flegmatick humour flowing into the nerves is supposed to distend them , as to their breadth , and so they must be necessarily contracted as to their length . another cause of convulsion from repletion , is an inflamation of the nervous parts . the causes of convulsions by emptiness , are all immoderate evacuations by bleeding , vomiting , sweat , and a consumption of innate moisture , which is occasioned by burning and coliquative feavers , by immoderate labour , by watchings and cares , and immoderate venery . a convulsive motion proceeds from matter that vellicates and pricks the nervous parts , which most commonly is malignant ; for such a humour commonly happens in malignant feavers : it is also occasioned by worms , poison , and by hysterick fits. a convulsion which seises many parts , especially near the head , is dangerous ; and that which seises the muscles of the breast , is also dangerous ; for the sick may be suffocated by it . a convulsion arising from great fluxes of blood , or over-purging is dangerous , if not deadly ; so is a convulsion arising from a phrensie , and upon a feaver . hypocrates says , that those who are seised with a tetanos , die within four days ; but that if they live longer , they recover . cvre . the cure of this disease is to be varied according to the variety of the causes . that which happens from emptiness is incurable . after bleeding , or it being omitted , if it be not convenient , strong purges must be used : but respect must be had to the strength of the patient : after bleeding , apply cupping-glasses , with scarification , if blood has not been drawn before , otherwise without scarification : they must be first applied to the remoter parts , afterwards to the parts near the affected part : but if the legs are convulsed , they must be applied to the buttocks and loins ; if the arms , to the neck and shoulders : blysters are also applied with good success to the parts opposite to the part affected . in the mean time , after the first purge , the matter is to be prepared , with medicines proper for the head. note , that castor ought to be added to purges in this case . sharp glysters are frequently to be injected , such as were mentioned in the chapter of an apoplexy . the part affected must be anointed with the following , or some other proper linement . take of the oyntment of marsh-mallows six ounces , oyl of turpentine and camomile each one ounce , oyl of lavender three drams , of oyl of foxes half an ounce , liquid storax two ounces , wherewith anoint the affected part , and the spine of the back frequently , with a hot hand . after anointing the parts , wrap them in a warm sheep-skin , just taken from the sheep . sheeps lungs , pidgeons or hens cut in the middle , and applied hot , are also good . it is also good to put the affected part into the belly of an ox , or sheep newly kill'd , and keep it there as long as it is warm : but the use of sulphurous baths is most successful . when a violent pain accompanies the convulsion , use the following linement . take of the oyls of violets , lillies , camomile , each one ounce and an half , of oyl of sweet almonds , mastich , and roses , each one ounce ; mingle them , and anoint the part affected . sneesing powders and apophlegmatisms are also proper in this case . chap. xi . of trembling . trembling , in latin , tremor , is a depraved motion of the members , whereby they are involuntarily moved . the chief cause of it is weakness of the nerves , occasioned by old age , by long sickness , by immoderate venery , by fear , and other passions of the mind ; or by such things as are wholly offensive to the nerves , as the fume of quicksilver . hard drinking will also occasion it , and a partial obstruction of the nerves by gross humours . cvre . it is cured by the same medicines that are used in the palsie . chap. xii . of a catarrh . a catarrh , in latin , catarrhus , according to the ancients , is a preternatural fluxion of humours from the head upon the lower parts : but the ingenious dr. lower is of the opinion , that it is put off by the blood upon the glands that are seated in the throat and jaws ; and he says there are no passages to convey it from the head. cvre . whatever precipitates the serum through the reins , or carries it off by stool , or by sweat , is good in this case , or whatever else lessens the serum . wherefore , nothing is better for curing a catarrh , if a feaver does not accompany it , then abstaining a long while from drink ; for several have been cured , by not drinking in three or four days time ; for by this means the source of the disease is dried up ; just as r●vulets become dry for want of rain . but if you have reason to imagin from the pulse , the urine , or restlesness of the body , that there is some feaver : having first purged the body , you must presently bleed , and the sick must be kept to a thin diet ; and other things are to be done which the cure of the feaver requires : but respect must be had to the flux of the serum . but if by reason of abundance of serum , the catarrh continue obstinate , in this case nothing is better , then after purging to use diureticks ; if the catarrh yet continue , you must make issues in the neck , arms , or legs , or apply blisters there . but because these things require time to do the business , if need require ; or if there be danger of suffocation , you must bleed again , and presently sweat the patient once , or twice a day , if his strength will bear it ; which by casting forth the serous humour through the pores of the body , will perform the cure. take of the decoction of senna gerionis four ounces , of syrup of buckthorn six drams , of spirit of sulphur five drops , of aqua mirabilis one dram , mingle them , and make a potion to be taken in the morning . at bed-time after purging , give the following pills . take of pill storax eight grains , of the juice of liquorish half a scruple ; make three pills : repeat the purging potion every third day for thrice . of the days the sick does not purge , let him take of the following electuary . take of the conserve of red roses vitriolated , of the electuary of sassafras one ounce , of frankincense powder'd one dram , of diacodium a sufficient quantity , make an electuary ; let him take the quantity of a nutmeg morning and evening , drinking upon it three ounces of the following decoction . take of the pectoral decoction one pint , add to it in boiling , of balsam of tolu three drams , of the leaves of ground-ivy half an handful . to the strained liquor , add two ounces of diacodium , and one ounce of spirit of carraways ; mingle them . diureticks , and diaphoreticks must be also used . lastly , he that would wholly prevent this disease , must be well cloathed ▪ and must remove into a hot and dry country . chap. xiii . of the head-ach . head-ach , in latin , cephalalgia . this word is used for all pains of the head in general ; but properly it only signifies a new pain of the head. cephalaea is an inveterate pain of the head : hemierania the pain of one side of the head. it is also divided into external and internal ; idiopathick and sympathick ; and of these , some are pricking , others heavy , and some beating ; an inward pain of the head is seated upon the meninges , which lies deep , and reaches to the roots of the eyes ; but the outward pain is seated upon the pericranium , and is exasperated when the head is prest , or the roots of the hair turned back . an idiopathick pain is continual . this does not proceed from the disorder of other parts : but a sympatick pain does . what that part is which communicates the pain to the head may be easily known by the proper signs of the affected part . the pain of the head proceeds from a cold cause , and from a hot cause . for the cure of the former , the flegmatick matter is to be evacuated by the following pills . take of the pills of ambar one scruple and an half , of cochiae minor two scruples and an half , of tartar vitriolated ten grains , of peruvium balsam a sufficient quantity ; mingle them , make twelve pills , give six of them once a week in the morning . the bath is very effectual in this case , the party being bathed , and his head washed with it . sneezing powder is also very proper . sudorifick decoctions are also very beneficial in iinveterate pains . take of sarsa parilla , and gujacum , each two ounces , infuse them twenty four hours in two quarts of fountain water , upon hot ashes , and boil them over a gentle fire till half is consumed ; add to it coriander seeds and liquorish , or of sugar and cinnamon as much as is sufficient to give an agreeable taste . strain it , and keep it in a glass ; let him take half a pint hot in a morning , for fifteen , twenty , or thirty days ; and let him have more cloaths on than ordinary . but this is to be noted in the use of sudorifick decoctions , that some purging medicine must be given once a week from the very beginning of the cure : specifick remedies should be used , and such an one is the following epithem . take of the powder of zedoary one draw , of the waters of bettony , vervain , and elder , each one ounce ; mingle them , apply it hot to the pained part , with scarlet cloth. among the specificks for the pain of the head , from whatever cause it arises , vervain is the chief , whereof the distilled water is applied to the head , and taken inwardly to four ounces , with four drops of spirit of salt ; and forestus says , that he knew two sick people that were cured , by only hanging green vervain about their necks , when other medicines were used to no purpose . if the pain of the head proceed from a hot cause , give first a glyster , and then bleed : but a greater quantity of blood is to be taken away when the pain proceeds from blood , than when choler abounds . afterwards some medicines that purge choler must be given ; not only when choler is the chief cause , but also when blood is luxuriant ; for the thinner part soon turns to choler . if by one evacuation , the peccant matter is not sufficiently purged , the purging medicine must be repeated at due distances of time , in the whole course of the disease if the belly be not fluid , glysters that are emollient , cooling , and gently purging , are to be injected every day . for pains of the head , which come upon continual feavers : sheeps lungs taken out hot and applied to the head , do powerfully asswage the pain : or , take of the seeds of white poppies two drams , of saffron half a scruple , of camphor one scruple , with a sufficient quantity of populeon oyntment , spread them upon leather , and apply them to the forehead . and after general evacuations , derivation may be successfully used , by bleeding in the forehead with a lancet , or with leeches , and by applying blisters to the neck . in the mean while , the humours must be attemperated by juleps and emulsions . lastly , if the pain be very violent , we must use narcoticks outwardly and inwardly . in every pain of the head , from whatever cause it arises , and will not yield to other remedies ; the head must be shaved , and a large blister applied all over it . diseases of the eyes . chap. xiv . of a gutta serena . when the sight is lost , and there is no apparent fault in the eye , it is occasioned by the hindrance of the influx of the animal spirits into the eyes . an obstruction is the most ordinary cause of a gutta serena , which is generated by a flegmatick humour falling from the brain into the optick nerves : but it is also certain , that this disease is occasioned by the compression of the optick nerves ; by flegm coleated about them , or with blood , or some other matter heap'd up in that place , whereby tumors are made in those places ; and experience shews , that an inflamation of the brain , or phrensie in malignant feavers occasion blindness . lastly , wounds in the head , whereby the optick nerves are cut , hinder the influx of the animal spirits to the eyes . this disease is known by the eyes seeming to continue in their natural state , only the pupil appears blacker and larger . but there is great difficulty in distinguishing the causes of it ; for though when it proceeds from blood , or pus , an inflamation , abscess , or wound go before , yet no sure sign can be given to distinguish a compression by a flegmatick humour from an obstruction . yet we may in some sort guess , because in an obstruction only of the optick nerve , the eyes are only affected : but if there be a compression by flegmatick humours , gathered together about the roots of the eyes , and the mamillary processes , that matter will either seise other parts of the brain , and then the rest of the senses , or all of them will be injured . but if it be seated only about the optick nerves , a flegmatick matter will be evacuated by the nostrils more plentifully than is usual , and there will seem a weight to lie upon the forepart of the head , especially about the eye-lids . as to the prognosticks , if the sight be quite taken away by an obstruction of the optick nerves , the disease is most commonly incurable ; for we see that obstructions of other nerves whereby a palsie is generated , is seldom or never cured , especially in those that are old. but if the obstruction be partial , and the sight be only diminished , there is more hope of recovery , though a long course of remedies , and a great deal of time is requisite for the cure. but if this disease proceed from humours collected in the forepart of the head , it is easier cured . fabritius hildanus mentions an observation of one that lost his sight by taking a violent vomit , and recovered it again by taking another : for the first by its violence stirred the humours too much , and forced them upon the optick nerves ; but the other evacuated the humours , and so cured . there are other observations of this kind ; but it is reasonable to suppose , that in these cases where the cure is so easily performed , the humour is not stopt in the substance of the nerves , but collected in the brain about the nerves . for the cure of this disease ; the matter impacted into the nerves , or adhering to them , which causes the obstruction or compression , is to be evacuated , which cannot be , unless the whole body be first evacuated : as galen says , the eye cannot be cured before the whole head , nor that before the whole body . that the remedies may be described orderly , a diet convenient for th●● disease is first to be appoin●ed , which ought to be attenuating , and moderately drying . and first an air inclining to hot and dry ought to be chosen ; but thick , cloudy , cold and rainy air must be carefully avoided . meats of easie digestion , and of good juice , must be eaten ; and such as breed a thick juice must not be used , as pork , geese , pease , cheese , and the like ; also those things that fill the head with vapours , as things made of milk , and hot spices , as pepper , ginger , and the like . the bread must be made with fennel-water , or the seed of it must be mingled with it : but great care must be taken , that darnel is not mixed with the wheat wherewith the bread is made , which has been always accounted very injurious to the eye . in sauces and broths , let the sick use those things which have an attenuating faculty , as hyssop , fennel , marjoram , bettony , sage , eye-bright , and especially nutmegs , which strengthen the brain , and clear the sight . turneps should be often eaten , and also sparrows , and pidgeons ; cold herbs must be avoided , especially lettice , which is injurious to the eyes . the sick must be moderate in his diet , and the supper sparing ; and once or twice a week , let him go to bed without supper : at meals , instead of salt , let him use the following powder . take of common salt two ounces , of eye-bright dried two drams , of nutmeg one dram , of cinnamon two scruples ; make a powder . after every meal let him take one spoonful of the following powder : take of the seeds of coriander prepared half an ounce , of the seeds of anise and fennel each two drams , of cinnamon and nutmegs each one dram ; of eye-bright dried three drams , of sugar of roses , twice the weight of all . wine is not good in this disease ; because it fills the head with vapours , and promotes fluxion ; but a decoction of sarsaparilla sweetned with liquorish , and aromatized with coriander seeds , is a proper drink : but all cannot abstain from wine , or strong beer , and therefore dried eye-bright infused in small wine or beer , may be used sometimes . sleep must be shorter than usual ; and lying on the back must be avoided as much as may be ; and the sick must not sleep after dinner : he must be moderate in his exercise , and his body must be always kept loose . these things being thus ordered , the cure must be begun with universal evacuation ; and he must be first purged with the following medicine . take of senna cleansed half a dram , of the seeds of fennel one dram , of the leaves of bettony , eye-bright , and vervain , each half an handful ; of liquorish three drams ; boil them in fountain-water to three ounces , strain it , and dissolve in it three drams of diaphaenicon , and an ounce of the syrup of roses ; make a potion to be taken in the morning after the first purge , the physician ought to consider with himself , whether bleeding is to be used : in old people , or such as are of a flegmatick constitution , certainly it is not : but in those that are young ; and of a hot constitution , especially if there be signs of blood abounding , without controversie , if it be used in time it may do much good ; and where there are such indications for bleeding ▪ after blood has been drawn from the arm , the particular veins of the head may be opened , and those which are near the eyes , viz. the forehead vein , the vein of the temples , and in the corner of the eyes , near the nose : but it is more proper to apply leeches to the temples ; and if they are set behind the ears too , they may do much good . some practitioners relate , that some blind people have been cured by wounds in the forehead , whereby the turgid veins and arteries have been emptied . but if a suppression of the courses has preceded this disease , blood is to be drawn from the lower veins , or leeches must be applied to the hemorrhoids ; afterwards the body must be purged more exactly with the following apozem . take of the roots of fennel , sarsaparilla , florentine , orris elecampane , each one ounce , of the leaves of bettony , marjoram , balm , eye-bright , fennel , vervain , the greater celandine , each one handful , of liquorish rasped , and raisins of the sun cleansed , each one ounce , of the seeds of anise and fennel each three drams , of senna cleansed two ounces , of gummy turbith , and agarick newly trochiscated , each two drams , of ginger and cloves each one scruple , of the flowers of st●chas , rosemary , and lavender , each one pugil ; boil them in fountain-water to a pint ; strain it , and dissolve in it four ounces of white sugar , make an apozem for four doses , to be taken in the morning ; clarifie it , and aromatize it with two drams of cinnamon . when all the apozem is taken , give the following pills . take of the pill coch. minor two scruples ; make six pills to be taken early in the morning . universal evacuation being thus performed , revulsion of the antecedent cause is to be made , and the conjunct cause is to be discussed , and carried off by derivation ; to this end frictions of the extream parts , especially the lower parts , are to be used : cupping-glasses are to be applied to the back and shoulders without scarification , especially to the hinder part of the head with scarification , whereby the humours are so powerfully drawn from the fore●parts and beginning of the nerves , that some upon the application of it , have immediately recovered their sight . at the same time , a blister must be applied to the neck ▪ an issue made in the neck with a skean of silk is very beneficial in this case . a potential cautery applied to the coronal suture , has been successful sometimes , when nothing else would do good . after universal purging , a sudorifick diet is to be ordered , of sarsa , and the like ; and after the use of the sudorifick decoction , the use of a sulphureous bath is very proper , to bath in , and to wash the head with . apophlegmatisms are also of use . during the whole course , the sick is to be purged often ▪ and care is to be taken to strengthen the head and eyes ; to which end , a dram of old venice treacle must be given at bed-time , twice or thrice a week , dissolved in fennel , or eye-bright water ; nutmeg also chewed i● a morning fasting is much commended ; so are candie● myrobalans eaten in a morning . in a desperate case , after all remedies have been used to no purpose , a large blister applied to the shaved head has sometimes done much good , and repeated twice o● thrice , when the excoriation begins to be dry . chap. xv. of diseases of the glassy humour . the glassy humour is placed under the cristaline , and is therefore made by nature clear , that the species may be conveyed pure and clear to the optick nerves ; if therefore the perspicuity of it be sullied by the mixture of any humour , and it become dark , the sight is more or less diminished , proportionably to the degree of darkness of it . moreover , this humour may be injured by being misplaced , namely , if part of it by a blow or contusion is thrust before the cristalin humour ; for then the sight is darkned , for the glassy humour is thicker than the watry , and so the species of objects cannot be brought pure and sincere to the cristaline humour . the former of these diseases can be known by no signs ; but be imagined only by reason : for this humour cannot be seen , nor the disposition of it known ; therefore practitioners , when they perceive no fault in the eye , confound this with the gutta serena , and that without any damage to the patient ; for extraneous humours poured upon the glassy humour must be discussed by the same remedies wherewith a gutta serena is wont to be cured . but the vitiated situation of the glassy humour may be known , by appearing like the white of an egg under the pupil ; but it cannot be distinguished from a suffusion , unless the antecedent and procatarctick causes are well considered ; for a suffusion proceeds from a simple influx of the humours : but this from the glassy humour misplaced by a blow or wound . this disease is incurable by art : but sometimes it happens to be cured by nature ; and therefore the whole business is to be left to her . chap. xvi . of the diseases of the cristaline humour . the christaline humour is the chief instrument of sight , and therefore more than the other humours of the eye , ought to retain its purity and perspicuity , that it may render the sight perfect ; and if it recede from that purity , the sight is much obstructed . the chief disease of the cristaline humour is the change of it to a grey colour , and this disease happens in old age , from a drying and thickning cause : it is known by a deep and great whiteness that appears about the pupil , and all things are seen through a smoak and cloud ; but it is difficultly distinguished from a suffusion , which represents such a whiteness in the pupil ; upon which account , many authors confound it with a suffusion : but those that look carefully , may distinguish these two diseases ; for in a suffusion , the whiteness is in the pupil , but in this it appears deep . this disease is incurable , especially in old people , in whom the driness of the parts cannot be mended . besides , the cristaline humour may be vitiated in situation , namely , when its broad part which is like a lentil , is not exactly opposed to the hole of the pupil , but is moved upward to downward , and then things appear double : but this fault of sight is also occasioned by vapours , or by thin flegm , that sullies the christaline humour . this often happens to people that are drunk . the second ill situation of the christaline humour is , when it inclines forward or backward ; if forward towards the pupil , then things that are near are not plainly seen ; but things that are at distance are ; this happens most commonly to old people : if it be placed backward towards the optick nerve , things that are near are plainly seen ; but things at distance not at all : this is called purblindness , which is to be remedied only by spectacles . the third ill situation of the cristaline humour , is when it proceeds too much to the right or left , and this is called squinting . but this is not only occasioned by the vitious situation of the cristaline humour , but also from the ill disposition of the muscles that move the eyes , which is either natural , or occasioned by a convulsion or palsie ; which is to be cured by paralytick remedies . lastly , from a greater or lesser inversion of the cristaline humour , other vices of sight may proceed ; as when things that are streight appear crooked ; or upside down ; which happened to a physician , as sennertus relates , who looking earnestly upwards , removed the cristaline humour . chap. xvii . of the diseases of the watery humour , and especially of a suffusion . the watery humour is alter'd from its natural constitution , when it is peccant in quantity or quality ; when it is encreased or diminished beyond measure , it causes a dilatation , or contraction of the pupil , which are to be treated of in their place : but when it is vitious in quality it becomes thick ; it is caused by some other humour flowing into it ; this is called a suffusion , which is to be treated of here . this disease , when it begins , and when the sight is a little darkned , is called , a suffusion : but when something is collected in the pupil , like water , it is called water . lastly , when the matter is wholly concreted in the pupil , and wholly obscures the sight , it is called a cataract . there is also a suffusion , which is spurious , which proceeds from vapours , translated from the stomach , and other parts . a flegmatick humour is the chief and most ordinary cause of a suffusion , yet some other humours may be mixed with it , at least in a small proportion ; if choler be mixed with it , it appears yellow ; when melancholy , black . these humours are wont to flow to the eyes , wh● they are weak , either naturally or occasionally : to the natural weakness belongs a prominence of the eyes ; for those that have such eyes , are subject to suffusions ; for prominent eyes are wont to be large , and so fitter to receive humours and vapours . some external causes also occasion weakness , as a blow , contusion , bathing , a southerly and rainy season , long continuing in the sun , smoak , hard reading , especially by a candle , which occasions a fluxion of humours upon the eyes . the differences of suffusions arise from the thickness , quantity , or place where the humour resides , that occasions them . by reason of the greater , or lesser thickness , the obstruction of the sight is more or less ; for if the humour be thin , and serous , the sight is but little obstructed ; if very thick , blindness is occasion'd . by reason of the quantity and place , the humour possesses either all the pupil , and then the sight is equally obstructed , which way soever it is directed to the objects ; or it covers one part of the pupil more than another , and the objects are not seen whole , by looking directly , nor many at one time : but if the humour be very small , and is seated in the middle of the pupil , the objects appear as if there were holes in them : but if the matter be torn into various corpuscles , seated in various parts of the pupil , the appearance of gnats is always before the eyes . also hair , cobwebs , circles about a candle , and many other things . the diagnostick of this disease is first to be directed to a legitimate suffusion , to distinguish it from a spurious , afterwards the various sorts of a legitimate suffusion are to be enquired into . a true suffusion seizes only one of the eyes most commonly ; or if both , not at the same time , nor alike , which happens in a bastard suffusion . secondly , in a legitimate suffusion , something dark appears in the pupil , which is not in a spurious ; but this sign is not constant ; for if the suffusion be generated from a thin and serous humour , there is no change in the eye , that humour being scarce thicker than the watery humour ; upon which account , physicians mistake it for a gutta serena . but this suffusion is easily distinguished from a gutta serena ; for in a gutta serena , the sight is wholly taken away , or much diminished , no fault appearing in the eye : but in a suffusion , which does not appear to the sight , the sick can see tolerably well ; because the serous humour , from whence it is produced , is thin and clear ; so that the species of the objects can pass through it like glass ; and then in a suffulsion , the sight is not for the most part obstructed in althe parts of the pupil ; but the objects are sometimes seen best , when they are placed directly opposite to the eye , and sometimes when they are placed towards the corner ; because most commonly , there is a greater thickness , or thinness , in one part of the pupil , than in another . thirdly , in a true suffusion , the symptoms are continual ; but in a bastard suffusion , they are encreased or lessened by intervals , as the vapours rise more or less to the head ; and so when the stomach is empty , they are much less , than when it is full , for then a greater quantity of vapours arise from the head , and then the gnats , cobwebs , and the like , appear only by intervals . besides , in a true suffusion , the sight seems to pass always through a cloud , or thick glass , which is the proper and pathognomonick symptom of it : but in a bastard suffusion , the sight is sometimes very good . cvre . the cure is easier performed in summer than in winter . if a suffusion come upon an acute fever , after a peripneumonia , frensie , or violent pains of the head , it is very hard to cure . a confirm'd suffusion can be cured only by couching . in a confirm'd suffusion , if having shut the other eye , the pupil is dilated , there is hope of a cure by couching , otherwise there is none ; for then the optick nerve is obstructed ; and so the spirits cannot come to the pupil . a black suffusion can never be cured ; and but very rarely , a green or yellow . a suffusion which represents the objects by holes , is not to be couched . couching succeeds best when the eye is full , and at its natural bigness , for if it be withered and small , it will not succeed . this operation must not be attempted in old age , or in child-hood , nor when , the eye being pressed with the finger , the suffusion appears broader , and then returns to its wonted bigness and shape ; for then it is not ripe : but if , being pressed with the finger , it does not alter its shape , it may be couched . when it is ripe , it is like a thin skin , and may be wrapped round the needle , and thrust to the lower part of the eye . the cure of a suffusion is not to be directed only to the conjunct cause ; but also to the antecedent , and therefore the whole body , especially the brain , must be first well purged , afterwards , the humour obstructing the pupil must be difcussed , or removed some other way . which indications being the same in a manner , as were proposed for the cure of a gutta serena , may be sought for there . therefore all that cure being premised , which was instituted for a gutta serena , we must proceed to those remedies which respect peculiarly the taking off the matter , that is seated near the pupil ; and though topical remedies may seem not to do much good , yet a due use of them is not to be rejected ; for experience teaches , that incipient suffusions have been cured by topical remedies , when they have been used after general evacuations . first therefore , you must begin with gentle resolvents , which must not dry too much , lest the matter of the suffusions should be hardned , and so rendred unfit for resolution ; and emollients are therefore to be mixed with the resolvents , to prevent the hardening of the matter , and to render the resolving of it more easie ; to which end , the following fomentation may be used at the beginning . take of the leaves of rue , fennel , eyebright , and the greater celandine , each one handful , of the seeds of foenugreek one ounce , of the flowers of camomil and melilot , each one pugil ; boil them in three parts of fountain water , and one of wine added at the end . strain it , and foment the eyes with it , with a soft spunge morning and evening , and the head being covered , the steam of the decoction may be received into the eyes . at the very beginning of the disease , when the fluxion is beginning , and when medicines are used for revulsion , it will be proper to foment the eyes with red wine , to hinder the fluxion . in the progress of the disease , a fomentation of white wine , wherein crocus metallorum has been infused , is very beneficial ; and the breath of a child , having first chewed fennel-seeds , received into the eyes ; and a child , or a whelp , licking the eyes in the morning , is also good ; and bread hot out of the oven , mixed with fennel-seeds , held to the eyes , till they are moist with the vapour of it . the foresaid remedies must be used in the morning chiefly . at night apply the following cataplasm . take of the flower of foenugreek-seed one ounce , of aloes half an ounce , of saffron one dram , make a fine powder , mix it with white wine , wherein crocus metallorum , has been infused , make a cataplasm to be applied hot at bed time . many commend pidgeons blood dropped hot into the eye ; but because the heat of it soon goes off , it were better to apply a young pidgeon , before it has feathers , cut in the middle , to the eye . the suffusion being cured , either by resolving medicines , or by chirurgical operation , care must be taken to preserve the eyes ; for the eyes being much weakned by the disease , are ready to receive fluxions ; therefore purging is to be used frequently , and issues are to be made to turn the humours , and such strengthening things are to be used as were proposed in a gutta serena , and the eyes must be washed in the morning , with wine held in the mouth till it is warm , and mixed with sage chewed in the mouth . moreover , spectacles that represent the objects , neither greater nor lesser than they are , preserve the sight much . lastly , all those things are to be avoided which injure the sight , and such as help it are to be used . chap. xviii . of the dilatation of the pupil . the vvea tunica is subject to many diseases , especially rupture , distortion , dilatation and constriction . a rupture may be occasioned by an external cause , as by a bruise or the like , or by an internal , namely , by a great quantity of humours extending , or breaking it : but this can never be cured by art ; the distorting of it happens from the first conformation , when it sticks on every side to the horny tunick ; and this also can never be cured . the dilatation of the pupil , which is the hole of the vvea tunica , through which the species of the objects enter the eye , injures the sight , for that the light enters in too great quantity ; upon which account , such as are troubled with a dilatation of the pupil , see better where there is a little light , than where there is a great deal ; and this shews the natural and the ordinary changes of the pupil , which happen according to the more or less light of the place we are in , for in a very light place the pupil is contracted ; and this is the reason , that when we come out of a very light place into another that is more obscure , we can at first scarce see any thing , till the pupil is gradually dilated to receive more light , and then things that could not be seen at first , plainly appear : and on the contrary , they that come put of a dark place into a very light place , can scarce bear the light. the preternatural dilatation of the pupil is either from the birth , or arises from preternatural adventitious causes , which are either internal , or external : the next and immediate of the internals , is extension of the tunica vvea , which is either from driness , or repletion ; driness stretches the vvea , and renders the hole of the pupil larger , as holes in leather are larger when they are dry . this dry intemperies is occasioned by long watchings , by fevers and other drying causes . the repletion of the tunica vvea , it being extended on every side , renders the pupil larger , and this is produced either by wind or vapours , or by humours flowing upon the eye , or by the watery humour encreased above measure ; and lastly from a swelling of the tunica vva . to these causes may be added a convulsion of the tunick , which chiefly appears in fits of the falling sickness , and in chldrens convulsions . the external causes are a fall , a violent shaking , holding of the breath in women in travail , and in trumpeters . the diagnostick of this disease is not difficult , for the dilatation of the pupil may be perceived by the eyes , especially if before the disease , the physician know the natural largeness of it , and also if with the largeness of the pupil , the sight is obstructed ; besides , the natural largeness of the pupil is known by shutting one eye , for then the pupil of the other is more dilated , which does not happen in a dilatation , that is , a disease , because the tunica vvea is so much distended by the preternatural cause , that it can be distended no further . as to the prognostick ; a dilatation of the pupil from the birth , is incurable ; and that which arises after , is difficult to cure , especially if driness be the cause . cvre . the cure is to be varied , according to the variety of the causes ; and if it come from driness , the whole body must be refreshed with moistning medicines , and nourishment , such as is used in hectick fevers , the body is also to be moistned with a bath of hot water and new milk , if it be also frequently drop'd into the eyes , especially womens milk. if it proceed from an humour that fills the eye , the-whole body is to be evacuated , and presently the hu , +mour wherewith the eye is stopped must be discussed which may be sufficiently performed by the remedies prescribed in the cure of a suffusion : but after them astringents may be used , to contract the pupil of the eye ; to which end the following collyrium may be used . take of red roses dried two scruples , of saffron , spikenard , and the bark of frankin●ense , each half a scruple , of tutty prepared , spodium , acacia , each one scruple ; reduce them to a powder , and tie it up in a fine rag , and infuse it in three ounces of rose-water : drop the water in the eyes often , and press the rag every time you use the water . if it proceed from wind , after general evacuations , those medicines are to be used , which expel wind , and the eyes may be fomented with a decoction of fennel , rue , dill , red roses and myrtles , made in rose-water , and a fourth part of white wine . lastly , if it be occasioned by a bruise , it must be cured like an ophthalma , if there be an inflammation ; but if there be no inflammation , apply at the beginning a cataplasm made of bean flower , the leaves of plantane , red roses , and rose-water : but afterwards , pidgeons blood must be often drop'd into the eye ; which is an excellent remedy for all wounds and bruises of the eyes . chap. xix . of the narrowness of the pupil . the narrowness of the pupil is also injurious to the sight : it is either narrow from the birth , and then it is no great injury ; for though they cannot see so well as others in a place where there is not much light , yet they see better in a very light place ; or the narrowness of the pupil is occasioned by preternatural causes , as from too great moisture , or driness , from a defect in the watery humour , or for want of spirits . the cure of this disease is the same with the former , though they produce different effects . chap. xx. of an albugo , spot , and other colours of the cornea changed . the natural constitution of the cornea is altered , when it loses its perspicuity , or changed into another colour . it loses its clearness , when it grows thick by driness , which often happens in old people , and is never to be cured : or it is thickned by gross humours stuff'd into it ; which frequently happens in an ophthalmia ; when , by reason of too great an use of resolvent remedies , the thinner parts of the humours are discussed , the thick remaining behind : or when by cooling medicines used too often , the humours are thickned ; and then the horny tunick is not only thicker in that part where the humour is impacted ; but it also turns white , and is called leucoma , or albugo ; but such a disease is also occasioned by the cicatrix of a wound , whereby the cornea is rendred thicker , and loses its clearness ▪ there are several sorts of it , as it is more or less thick ; one only possesses the superficies of the cornea , another is seated deep , and penetrates the whole cornea ; one is greater , and possesses the whole pupil , or the greatest part of it ; another is small , and covers only a small part of the pupil , and then it is called a spot . the cornea is also infected with a different colour , when blood is poured off upon it , and then it is called suggillatio , and then all the objects appear red ; or when choler insinuates it self into it , which often happens in the jaundice , and then the objects appear yellow . those diseases do not want peculiar diagnosticks ; because they are apparent . as to the prognosticks : an albugo which proceeds from flegm , or from a gross humour remaining after an ophthalmia , is easily cured , if it be not inveterate : but that which is occasioned by a cicatrix , is very difficultly cured ; because parts of exquisite sense , can scarce bear such sharp remedies , as are necessary to take off the cicatrix . the cure of an albugo , occasioned by flegmatick humours , concreted in the cornea , must be performed by emollient , discutient , and attenuating medicines : but universal remedies mush be premised , which carry off the antecedent cause , and prevent a new influx of humours , such are set down in the cure of a suffusion , and gutta serena ; afterwards a fomentation is to be applied with soft spunges , to mollifie the concreted matter , made of the decoction of foenugreek , melilot , celandine and fennel , or the vapour of this decoction , may be received into the eyes : presently after discussing remedies are to be used , such as are prescibed for the cure of a suffusion ; and attenuating eye medicines , and such as resolve the humour impacted in the eye , especially such as are made of honey distilled , are to be used ; for the water of distilled honey , is very good to take out spots from the eyes ; if the use of it be long continued . sugar-candy dissolved in eyebright , celandine , or fennel-water , is also good , and let the eye be often licked , with a boy 's or girl 's tongue , they having first chewed fennel in their mouths . amatus lusitanus says , that he cured a girl of twelve years of age , that had thick clouds in her eyes with the following collyrium , having first used the decoction sarsa for three weeks . take two pound of honey in the comb , of the tops of fennel , of the flowers of elder , and eyebright , each two pugils , of sugar-candy two ounces ; distil them in a bath , and drop the water into the eyes . the juice of fennel fresh drawn with one drop of peruvian balsam in it , discusses powerfully an albugo ; the oil of burnt rags mixt with the spittle of a boy , being applied with a feather , is also good . this oil is drawn by firing a rag , and extinguishing it between two platters ; when it is cold , the drops of oil will stick to the platter . but an albugo , or a spot , occasioned by a cicatrix , is cured by those remedies which mollifie , attenuate , and dissolve ; but because those things that take off the cicatrix are acrimonious , the greater care ought to be taken , that universal evacuations and revulsions are first used ▪ lest humours should flow to the part ; afterwards it will be convenient to use such fomentations which are mentioned above ; and then discutient and abstersive remedies are to be applied . first , those that are gentle , especially the compound water of honey above described : but afterwards stronger , as the galls of fish , of the pike , and the like : also of other animals , as of the partridge , cock , goose , bull , and the like ; also the juices of the greater celandine , the lesser centaury , brooklime , and the like , which are to be mixed with honey , both because the honey is discutient , and abstersive , also because liquors drop'd into the eye , run presently to the corners , and will not stay upon the pupil , upon which they ought to work ; but when they are mixed with honey , they easily stick to it ; but by reason of their sharpness , the foresaid juices or galls may be thickned with the mucilage of gum tragacanth , psyllium , or quinces extracted in penny-royal or eye-bright water , the form of a collyrium with juices may be such as follows . take of the juice of fennel , celandine and brook-lime , each three drams , of the juice of the lesser centaury half an ounce , of white honey one ounce ; mingle them like a liniment ; if with the albugo there is a redness of the eyes , the collyrium made of white wine , salt and wheat , described in the chapter of an ophthalmia , is good , or the following may be used . take of aloes and agarick , each one scruple , powder them , and tie them up in a rag , and infuse them in eye-bright or fennel-water , and rub the eyes with it , morning and evening . the aloes cleanses , strengthens , and stops fluxions , and the agarick is very abstersive . suggilatio , or the red colour of the eyes , occasioned by blood pour'd upon them ; if it be fresh , may be easily cured , by dropping pidgeons blood into the eyes , or for want of it womans milk with a little frankincense and saffron , or the yolk of an egg with wine may be used . but if the disease be obstinate , the eye must be fomented with a decoction of foenugreek , marsh mallows ▪ fennel , rue , and celandine ; or the steam of the decoction may be received into the eyes . lastly , all those things that we prescribed for a suffusion , are proper for the cure of this disease : but when the disease is inveterate , and when that which was red begins to turn black , the tops of hyssop wrap'd in a rag , and dipp'd in boiling water , and applied to the eye , are particularly recommended by galen ; and experience shews , that this remedy is so very effectual ; that the blood is apparently drawn out , and sticks to the rag. lastly , the yellow colour , which appears in the eyes of those that have the jaundice , goes off of its own accord when the disease is cured : but if you desire to hasten the dissipation of it , the steam of vinegar received in the eyes , will do it . chap. xxi . of an ophthalmia . the tunica adnata is so nearly joined to the cornea , that many diseases possess both tunicks , so an inflammation of the eyes , though it properly belong to the tunica adnata , yet is very often extended to the cornea , and produces various diseases in it , viz. ulcers , hypopyon , albugo , and others , and pustles and other tumours and wounds and ulcers are common to both tunicks : so that all the diseases of these tunicks cannot be treated of a part ; and therefore we are forced to enter upon the diseases of the tunica adnata , before we treat further , of the diseases of the cornea . therefore , beginning from an ophthalmia , which according to the signification of the word , is nothing but an inflammation of the eye , and is called in english , blearedness of the eyes . the conjunct cause of an ophthalmia , is cholerick , flegmatick , or melancholy blood , flowing into the eyes , or accumulated there . there are many causes of fluxion , both external and internal . the causes of congestion , are all those things which occasion an intemp●ries , or weakness in the eyes . the diagnostick of an ophthalmia is easie ; for the blood pour'd upon the tunica adnata , may be perceived by the eyes ; if it be occasioned by blood , the whole face ▪ as well as the tunica adnata , will look red , and the veins will appear large : if it proceed from cholerick blood , the acrimony of the tears will corrode the angles of the eyes and the cheeks , and there will be a violent pricking pain : if it proceed from flegm , the● will be a dull pain , and little heat ; the tears will not be sharp , but the eye will be much blear'd , and full of viscous matter : if it proceed from melancholy ▪ the tumour will be small , and the redness will incline to a brown colour , the tears few , and the clammy matte● little , but thick . if the fluxion arise from the inward parts of the head , there will be a head-ach , that reaches to the roots of the eyes : but if the fluxion pass by the outward vessels into the eyes , the pain of the head is more external ; the veins of the forehead are distended , and a pulsation is perceived in the temples . in order to the cure of an ophthalmia , a cooling and moistening diet must be appointed , and such meats as easily digest ; and rather boiled than roasted ; spoon ▪ meats rather than solid ; the patient must avoid acrid , salt , and pepper'd meats , and such as fill the head with vapours ; milk , sugar , and all sweet things , must be avoided . wine is not good in the beginning ; but instead of it , a ptisan of liquorice and barly , or some other cooling liquor must be used . sleep is very beneficial , because the motion of the eye then ceases , whereby the pain and fluxion are excited , the sick should lie with his head high on the well side : all motion of the body must be forbid ; and talking , and the belly must be kept open : the patient must keep himself free from passions , especially from anger . the air must be temperate , and pure , and free from smoak , dust and winds , and the room must be darkned , and the eye must be covered with black , green or sky-coloured cloth ; the well eye must be also covered ; because , when that moves to view an object , the other is also moved . the course of diet being thus appointed , the external causes , from whence it most commonly arises , must be removed . a collyrium must be presently prepared , made of rose and plantane-water , the white of an egg , and of womans milk , and let it be dropp'd into the eyes often in a day ; and a rag dipp'd in it must be applied over at the same time sleep must be indulged as much as may be ; for it much furthers the concocting , or discussing of the morbifick matter . if the disease be not taken off with these things , remedies for a true ophthalmia are to be used in the following manner . a clyster must be first injected , and blood must be drawn from the part opposite to the part affected , and bleeding must be repeated , till a sufficient evacuation and revulsion are made ; for this disease has been often cured by bleeding alone ; but respect must be had to the age , the sex , and constitution of the sick ; and in those that have had some accustomed evacuation suppressed , as of the courses or hemorrhoids , the inferior veins must be opened , or leeches must be applied to the hemorrhoids . but after a sufficient evacuation of blood has made , by vene-section , revulsion must be also undertaken , by applying cupping-glasses , with , and without scarification , to the back and shoulders , frictions and ligatures are also used to the inferior parts ; and to the foresaid revulsions , derivation is to be joined , which is made by opening the veins of the forehead and temples , and in the angle of the eye ; some apply leeches to the temples , or behind the ears ; all which kinds of derivation are very useful after sufficient evacuations . galen commends the opening of the arteries of the temples , when the ophthalmia proceeds from very hot and boiling blood : and though this kind of remedy is seldom used in our age ; yet it is very beneficial , and without danger ; for in those lesser arteries , by ligature only , the blood may be stopp'd . blisters are also of good use applied to the neck , and behind the ears ; and after bleeding has been sufficiently used , purging must be ordered , that the hot humours may be evacuated ; but you must purge with gentle medicines , and such as cool the blood ; as , take of tamarinds half an ounce , of sena two drams , of rhubarb one dram , and an half ; infuse them in fountain water : to three ounces of the strained liquor , add of manna , and of syrup of roses solutive , each an ounce . make a potion to be taken in the morning ; or the following bolus may be used . take of cassia newly extracted six drams , double catholicon three drams , pouder of rhubarb one dram , with a sufficient quantity of sugar ; make a bolus . in a flegmatick ophthalmia , pills are frequently prescribed , as pills of agarick , and the like ; which although they be very proper when the disease is at its height , yet in the beginning , it is better to let them alone , lest the humours being put in a commotion by the sharpness of the medicine , may cause a greater fluxion upon the part. neither is one purge sufficient , but they must be frequently repeated , if the disease prove tedious ; convenient preparations being premised , as apozems and juleps proper for the peccant humour : in the first place , the heat of the humours is to be temperated from the beginning of the disease , by refrigerating and thickning juleps , or with an emulsion of the four greater cold seeds , lettice and white poppy seed , made with some cooling decoction ; to which may be added rose-water . universal evacuations and revulsions being premised , topicks are to take place , and such as are repelling from the beginning ought to be used . nevertheless , the more rational practitioners do advise , not to apply repelling collyriums at the beginning of the disease : because for the most part , they six the humour that slows upon the part , and so augment the pain and inflamation . galen does censure an oculist , because he proposed repelling medicines to be used at the beginning of an inflamation . nevertheless , astringent medicines may be applied to the forehead and the temples at the very beginning of the disease ; because by them the veins by which the humours fall upon the eyes are compressed , and the humour repelled . they may be made after this manner : take of bole-armenick , dragons blood , frankincense , mastich , each one dram ; red roses , balaustins , and the flower of lentles , each two scruples , mix them with the white of an egg , and vinegar of roses . make a cataplasm to be applied to the forehead and temples . a cataplasm made of the juice of nettles , and wheaten flower is esteemed very effectual for stopping the flux of humours upon the eye , being applied to the forehead and temples ; sometimes the juice of nettles by a specifick quality does stop all manner of fluxes of blood , being either applied outwardly to the place , or taken inwardly . in the mean time , if the pain be very violent , which causes a fluxion more and more upon the eyes , anodine medicines must be applied to the eyes ; of which the new milk of an healthful woman is the best , which is to be milk'd from the breast into the eye , instead of it new cheese made of sheeps milk may be used : but it must be often changed , lest it turn to butter , and so augment the inflamation . the white of an egg beat into water , is greatly commended by galen , because it eases pain , and stops the fluxion gently . an apple roasted under cinders does also greatly mitigate the pain of the eyes . the mucilages of the seeds of fleabean , quinces , and fenugreek seeds extracted with rose-water , do greatly ease pain ; they must be changed once in two days , lest they become sharp . of these , several compositions may be made upon occasion : for example . take of the pap of a sweet apple roasted under the cinders one ounce , of the mucilages of the seeds of psyllium and of quinces extracted in rose-water , each six drams , of the liquor of the white of a new egg , and womans milk , each one ounce : make a cataplasm to be applied to the eyes . pieces of kids , calves or sheeps flesh new kill'd , frequently applied to the eyes , powerfully ease pains . a more simple cataplasm may be made of crums of bread moistned in womans milk and rose-water . but if the pain be vehement , and intolerable , narcoticks must be used , but sparingly , and with caution ; because they condense the spirits that serve for sight , and thicken the coats of the eye , and the humours , and so dull the sight . amongst the ocular narcoticks , trochisci albi rhasis with opium , are the best , which may be prescribed after this manner . take of rose water two ounces , the white of an egg strongly beaten one ounce , trochisci albi rhasis with opium one dram ; make a collyrium to be dropt into the eyes . after the pain is abated , repelling medicines are to be used , which ought to be moderate , and anodine medicines are to be always mixed with them ; to this end the following collyrium uses to be prescribed . take of plantane-water , rose-water , each an ounce and an half , liquor of the white of an egg an ounce , trochisci albi rhasis , without opium , one dram ; make a collyrium to be often dropt into the eyes . if the pain be more sharp , womans milk , and the above mentioned mucilages may be added to the collyrium . the following remedy powerfully abates the inflammation , and stops the fluxion . take the white of one egg , beat it with a pretty big piece of allum in a tin platter ; stir it until it has got the consistence of an ointment : spread it upon a rag , and apply it warm to the eyes ; romove it in the space of two hours ; lest by staying too long , it fix the humours in the eye , by the astringent force which is in the allum . sal saturni dissolved in rose-water or oxycrate , or mixed with pomatum , does powerfully extinguish the inflammation of the eyes . in the augmentation of the disease , digesting medicines are to be mixed with repelling medicines ; therefore to the above-mentioned collyriums may be added , waters of eye-bright , fennel , celandine , and the mucilages of the seeds of flax , marsh-mallows , foenugreek . galen chiefly commends the decoction of foenugreek seeds ; because it digests , concocts , and moderately repels . when the disease is at a height , sarcocol is also added to collyriums , which digests a little more powerfully : but because it hurts the eyes by its acrimony , it is fit to infuse it some days in milk , often changed before it be used , and a small quantity of it ought to be prepared at once ; for after it is long kept it turns sharp , and is hurtful to the eyes , it may be used after this manner . take of flowers of melilot , camomil , red roses , each one pugil , of the seeds of foemigreek well cleansed one dram ; boil them in plantane-water : in four ounces of the strained liquor , dissolve a dram of sarcocol prepared , of tutty prepared , and trochisci albi rhasis without opium , each half a dram , make a collyrium . there are some waters commended by authors , as very effectual . quercetan in his dispensatory , commends the infusion of crocus metallorum , in eye-bright and plantane-waters . crollius , and the rest of the chymists , greatly commend salt of saturn dissolved in rose-water , to which may be added some grains of sal ammoniacum : it may be prescribed after this manner . take of sacharum saturni three grains , of salt ammoniacum three grains , rose-water three ounces ; mix them , and drop of it into the eyes morning and night . a water made of white vitriol , it being dissolved in red rose-water or plantane-water is commonly used ; as , take of white vitriol one scruple , dissolve it in four ounces of plantane or rose-water ; strain it , and drop it into the eyes : if it be too sharp , it must be qualified by mixing more water with it . many ointments are also commended for the cure of an ophthalmia . take of prepared tutty an ounce and an half , of camphor one dram , of verdigrease grains twelve ; powder the camphor and the tutty together in a mortar , and the verdigrease by it self , all of them must be very finely powdered ; then take of fresh butter one ounce , of rose-water one dram , boil them together gently , and having taken them from the fire , mix by degrees , first the tutty with the camphor , afterwards the verdigrease ; strain them through silk , and make an oyntment ; anoint the inward part of the eye-lids , especially about corners , with this oyntment . this is of excellent use for inflammations of the eyes , and for itching of the eye-lids . when the disease is come to its state , resolving remedies ought to exceed repellents , and the same remed●es which were used at the beginning are also good , when it is at its height , if you increase the quantity of the resolvents , and lessen the quantity of the repelling ingredients . a fomentation made in the following manner , is convenient to be used to discuss the morbisick matter when the disease is at height . take of the flowers of camomil , melilot , roses , each one pugil , of the seeds of fenugreek two ounces , make a decoction , wherewith foment the eyes with linnen rags four times double . this fomentation may be also used at the beginning or declination of the disease ; it must be applied hot in the winter and warm in the summer . the oyl of rags , or the liquor which is drawn from rags , burnt and extinguished betwixt two platters , is excellent to discuss an ophthalmia , a drop of it mixed with a childs spittle , being put into the eye with a feather . and collyria that are more resolvent may be used at the declination . take of frankincense and aloes each half a dram , of sarcocol moistned with womans milk one dram and an half , of saffron half a scruple , of the mucilage of fenugreek seeds half an ounce , of fennel and eye-bright water each an ounce , make a collyrium . fennel water mixed with astringent wine , is good to be used in the manner of a fomentation , to discuss the relicks of the disease , and to strengthen the eye . a decoction of hyssop is excellent to take off the redness which remains at last . but an inveterate ophthalmia , which has continued many years , requires a somewhat different and longer method of cure. if it proceed from a hot intempories , then such remedies as correct it are to be used ; after bleeding , and convenient purging baths , whey , and vitriolick mineral waters , and leeches applied to the hemorrhoids , do much good . but if the matter of an ophthalmia arise only from an intemperies of the brain , from whence flegmatick humours flow to the eyes with somewhat of blood ; then care must be taken to purge the brain twice , thrice or four times in a month , and a seaton must be made in the neck , and masticatories are of use . but if the brain want to be more dried , sudorifick decoctions of china , sarsaparilla , and the like , must be used , and the resolvent fomentation and oyntment mentioned above are to be applied , and the following water is very effectual . take of the best aloes , and of tutty prepared , each six drams , of white sugar one ounce , of rose-water , and of white-wine that is not acid , each six ounces , infuse them in the sun for forty days , in a glass well stop'd , drop in a few drops of this water , not strained , into the eye . sometimes in an inveterate ophthalmia much filth like matter is collected in the eyes , and in this case cotton finely carded and well dried , and applied over the eyes for many nights together , will draw it out . to conclude , zacutus lusitanus cured a desperate ophthalmia , that had continued , notwithstanding all other remedies for a year , with fluxing . chap. xxii . of matter collected under the cornea . inflan●ations of the eyes , when they are violent , and a great tumor is raised , cannot sometimes be dissolved but turn to matter , which is greatly to be feared ; for then ulcers succeed , and sometimes a collection of matter under the cornea , which is called hypopyon : this also often happens by contusions of the eyes . this disease is known , not only by the white colour that resembles matter , but also by the inflammation that went before ; and when the eye is moved , the matter seems to move under the cornea ; the eye looks red , and there is a throbbing pain in it , or at least it went before . in order to the cure , universal remedies being premised , if any relicks of the inflammation remain , they must be taken off by remedies prescribed in the foregoing chapter , and afterwards use a fomentation made of the flowers of camomil , melilot , the seeds of psyllium , and fenugreek , afterwards you may use the following collyrium . take of the waters of vervain , rue , celandine , roses , fennel , each half an ounce ; of the best aloes , tutty prepared , each half a dram ; of sugar-candy one dram ; powder them and mingle them , and add to them a little womans milk ; make a collyrium . drop a few drops into the eye twice or thrice a day . the following medicine is also very effectual . take of saffron , aloes , myrrh , each one dram , of wine three drams , of hony six drams , dissolve the saffron in wine , then mingle the aloes and myrrh , and lastly the hony , anoint the eyes with it . and those remedies are also proper , which were prescribed for spots of the eyes , and for a suffusion ; but if the matter cannot be discussed by resolving medicines , other remedies must be used . galen mentions an oculist of his time , that cured many of this disease with placing the patient upright in a chair , and holding his head on both sides , and suddenly shaking it , the matter sunk down : but if this will not do , galen proposes to cure it by puncture , as in a suffusion : but for this operation , the most skilful chirurgion must be procured . chap. xxiii . of bladders called phlyctaenae . in the tunicks , called cornea and adnata , as in other parts of the body , are wont to be generated small bladders full of water , like the bladders which arise from scaulds ; they are of the bigness of millet seeds , and are occasioned by acid and watery humours , they are easily known , for they appear to sight : those that arise in the adnata , are of a red colour ; but those in the cornea , are blackish , when they are placed upon the superficies of it ; but they are white , if they lie deep . those that are seated in the adnata , are not so dangerous as those in the cornea , the superficial is less dangerous than they that are deep . the cure of then must be performed , by resolving the conjunct matter , and by turning the antecedent cause the other way , and great care must be taken to hinder suppuration ; wherefore universal evacuations , revulsions and derivations , which were propos'd in the cure of an ophthalmia , are also of use here . afterwards topicks are to be applied , which gently repel in the beginning ; but in the progress of the disease , such things as dry and and resolve are to be used , which you may see in the chapter of an ophthalmia . chap. xxiv . of the vlcers of the tunicks called cornea and adnata . ulcers in those tunicks use to follow an ophthalmia , when it comes to suppuration ; they also follow the breaking of the bladders in the cornea : they are also occasioned by sharp and corroding humours , that fall upon the eyes . great variety of them are proposed by authors , according to the various circumstances . they are easily known , because they appear to sight : if the ulcer be in the cornea , it appears white in the black of the eye ; if it be in the adnata , a red spot appears in the white of the eye . these ulcers are very hard to cure , and dangerous ; but much more in the cornea , than in the adnata . that which is near the pupil is most dangerous ; because when it is cured , a cicatrix is left behind , which spoils the clearness of the sight . the cure of this disease , as of other ulcers , is to be perform'd by cleansing and drying medicines , but they must be very gentle , by reason of the softness and exquisite sense of the part ; but those things are to be used first which stop the fluxion : such are to be found in the chapter of an ophthalmia . if there be also an inflammation and pain , medicines respecting both must be added to the former . moderate cleansing and drying medicines are , sugar , honey , saffron , myrrh , frankincense , aloes , sarcocol , tutty , and ceruss , whereof the following forms may be composed . take of the decoction of barly and foenugreek four ounces , of the best hony half an ounce , or of syrup of dried roses one ounce ; make a collyrium , wherewith wash the eye often ; or , take of vervain and plantane waters each two ounces , of sugar-candy half an ounce , mingle them for a collyrium ; or , take of hony water distilled in a bath , and of rose-water each equal parts ; or , take an egg boiled hard , and clear'd from the shell , divide it into two parts , take out the yolk , and fill the hole with sugar-candy powder'd , bind it up , and set it in a cellar , and a liquor will drop from it , which is very fit to cleanse vlcers ; if you would have it operate more powerfully , you must mix powder'd myrrh with the sugar-candy . in the progress of the disease , if it is necessary to cleanse and dry more powerfully , add to the forementioned collyria , white troches of rhasis , frankincense , aloes , myrrh , sarcocol , and such like in a small dose : you may also add milk , the white of an egg , mucilages , and other anodyns ; but tutty is better than the rest , because it dries without causing pain . the following collyrium is very drying and cleansing . take of sarcocol moistned in rose-water , of ceruss , aloes wash'd , myrrh , tutty prepared , each half a dram , of sugar-candy one dram , with the mucilage of gum tragacanth extracted in rose-water ; make a collyrium , wherewith anoint the eye-lids . chap. xxv . of the cancer of the cornea . as cancers are wont to happen in all parts of the body , so also they sometimes grow in the eyes . a cancer of the eye , is either occult or ulcerated : an occult is called a cancerous tumor ; when it is ulcerated , it is called a cancerous ulcer ; in both there is an unequal hardness , and a leaden and livid colour , great and pricking pain , especially about the temples , the veins appear swoln like a varix , in the tumour , and in the neighbouring parts , sharp blood frequently flows our , when the cancer is ulcerated ; and the pain is very much exasperated by medicines , that are never so little heating . this disease is incurable , both in the eye and in other parts of the body when it is rooted , unless it be irradicated by a chirurgical operation . two sorts of cures are proposed by authors , viz. a true one , and a palliative . the true one can be performed only by chirurgery , the palliative cure , which mitigates the symptoms , is perform'd by evacuations and convenient topicks . but first of all , a cooling and moistning course of diet must be ordered , afterwards blood must be drawn from the part opposite to the eye affected , and leeches must be applied behind the ears of the same side , and to the hemorrhoidal veins , if they are any whit swelled : cupping-glasses must be also applied to the shoulders , and other sorts of revulsions must be used . purging , and the prepara●ion of the humours by potions , apozems , medicated brothes , and the like must be frequently prescribed : but above all , black hellebore rightly prepared , or the extract of it ; for an incipient cancer has been cured by using of it twice or thrice . these remedies hinder the influx of the humours into the eyes , and much lessen the pain and other symptoms : but topical remedies , such as are described in the chapter of an ophthalmia to ease pain , do also much good , especially collyria made of mucilages , of the white troches of rhasis , of tutty prepared , and with the water of roses , night-shade and plantane . the following water is excellent for washing the eye . take of the roots of the greater figwort , and of herb-robert , each two handfuls , of ribwort , night-shade , borrage , bugloss , purslain , eye-bright , betony , each one handful , of green frogs , and of the white of eggs , each number seven , of the seeds of foenugreek and quinces each one ounce ; the roots and seeds must be beat , and the leaves cut ; then pour upon them of rose-water and eye-bright water , each one pint : mingle them , and distil them in a leaden still . the flesh of pullets eases the pain much , and some say this disease has been cured by this remedy only . a lady that had an ulcerous cancer upon all the right side of her face a long while , and had used various medicines that were prescribed by italian , french , german , and spanish physicians , was cured by a barber by this common remedy . he cut chickens into thin and broad pieces , and applied them often in a day to the part affected . lastly , the true cure of a confirm'd cancer can only be perform'd by the extraction of the eye , which fabricious hildanus says may be safely and successfully done ; and he describes at large the manner of extirpation , and all the circumstances of it in his observations . chap. xxvi . of the rupture of the cornea . there is such a solution of the continuum in the horny tunick sometimes , that the watery humour comes out of the tunica vvea ; this is call'd a rupture of the cornea . the cause of this is either a rupture , or a wound , and it is most commonly incurable ; but if the wound be small , and if but part of the watery humour flows out , the cure may be undertaken : for galen says that the watery humour is sometimes regenerated . the cure of this disease must be entred upon , by conglutinating remedies : universal evacuations , namely , bleeding and purging , if they are necessary , being first used ; drop into the eye the white of an egg mingled with the white troches of rhasis , and foment the part , with the decoction of red roses , of the leaves of knot-grass , brambles , shepherds purse and plantane , made in astringent wine , if there be not an inflammation ; if there be , it must be made in simple water . or , take of quinces paired , the seeds and cores being taken out , half a pound , of red roses three pugils , of acacia two drams , of saffron one scruple ; boil them in astringent wine , and make a pul●ise to be applied to the part ; and to strengthen the whole , the following collyrium must be used . take of aloes wash'd , of prepared tutty , and of sarcocol moistned with womans milk , each half a scruple , saffron grains eight , with mucilage of gum tragacanth ; make a collyrium . chap. xxvii . of the falling out of the uvea . the falling out of the vvea often succeeds the rupture of the cornea ; the cure of it is very difficult : but if it be very small , it may be oured by moderate astringents , such as are proposed in the foregoing chapter . chap. xxviii . of a fistula lachrimalis . hitherto the diseases of the eyes , which happen in the tunicks or humours of them , have been treated of . it remains now , that we speak of the diseases of the eye-lids , and of the corners of the eyes . and first , the tumour appearing betwixt the greater angle of the eye , and the root of the nose offers it self , it is called oegylops , and anchylops . anchylops , before it is broken : but oegylops , after it is broken . this tumor , or rather tubercle , is sometimes with an inflammation , and sometimes without ; when it is accompanied with an inflammation , it is red about and painful , and is occasioned by thin and cholerick blood , brought by the veins of the temples , forehead , and face to the part , and for the most part degenerates into a sinuous ulcer , and then it is called fistula lachrimalis ; which if it continues a year , occasions a caries of the bone , which may be known by the cavity it makes , by the stinking matter , and the roughness that is perceived by the probe . this tubercle also comes without an inflammation , and then it is generated by a gross and viscid humour , that resembles honey ; then it is to be reckoned with those tumors which are called atheroma , steatoma , and meliceris , which are wont to be without pain . the cure of an oegylops is very difficult , because medicines can be hardly applied , by reason of the nearness of the eye , and because by reason of the softness of the parts , it easily degenerates into a sinous ulcer : but is yet more difficult to cure , if the abscess pass through the nostrils , and matter flow through them ; because the bones that are under , are most commonly fouled thereby . but sometimes an oegylops is of the nature of a cancer , which may be known by the pricking pain , the swelling of the veins , and the hardness and livid colour of the skin ; and then it is better not to meddle with it , for medicines make it worse , and increase the pain . a new fistula lachrimalis , which hath an outward and plain orifice , is cured by medicines ; but that which is deep and inveterate , and joined with a caries of the bone can scarce be cured without a cautery . the various seasons of this disease require different applications and remedies , and first at the beginning of an oegylops , revulsion of the fluxion to the part must be made by bleeding and purging , and at the same time repelling medicines must be applied to the forehead , whereby sometimes the progress of the disease is stopp'd , and the suppuration hindred . to which end the following cerate may be applied . take of pomgranate peel , of acacia , balaustins , cyperus nuts , roch allum , and bole armoniack each one dram , of white wax four ounces , of turpentine three drams ; make a cerate . having used this or the like , resolving medicines are to be applied to the part for some time , as is the following decoction . take of pure honey , and of aloes each two ounces , of myrrh one ounce , of saffron one dram and an half , of water a quart ; boil them with a gentle fire , to the consumption of half : dip a piece of soft spunge , press it a little , and apply it hot , afterwards bind it on , and change it often . if the tumor cannot be dissolved by the foresaid remedies , but tends to suppuration , it must be helped by a plaister of simple diachylon , or if the pain and inflammation be violent , a cataplasm of crums of bread may be conveniently applied . if the abscess does not break of its own accord , it must be presently opened ; for otherwise the matter will corrode the neighbouring parts , and occasion an incurable fistula . the abscess being opened , the ulcer must be cleansed , and cured after the manner of other ulcers : but if it prove obstinate , and turn to a fistula , the following method of cure must be used . and first , universal evacuations , as bleeding and purging are to be repeated : the fluxion from the head is to be averted by cupping-glasses , blisters , and causticks applied to proper places ; after which a decoction of china or sarsa may be used for a considerable time : in the mean time , the brain is to be dried by suffumigations , cephalick powders , and other medicines proposed in the chapter of a catarrh . in place of an issue , a seton may be put in the neck , by which alone a fistula lachrimalis was cured , according to the relation of fabritius hildanus . in using of topicks , the orifice of the ulcer is to be opened , and dilated slowly and by degrees , by a tent made of the pith of elder , prepared spunge , or the root of gentian . the ulcer being sufficiently opened , the following medicines may be used . take of common hony two ounces , verdigrease one dram , water of rue four ounces , the verdigrease being powdered , boil them altogether , to the consumption of the third part . the strained liquor warm may be put into the eye by a syringe solftly . this remedy is to be continued for three weeks , putting upon the ulcer a convenient plaister , and defending the eye by washing it with rose-water . the ulcer being sufficiently cleansed , the following collyrium may be used to incarnate and cicatrize . take of frankincense , sarcocol , aloes , dragons blood , balaustins , allum , antimony each one dram , verdigrease five grains : powder them all finely , and with a sufficient quantity of rue-water make a liquid collyrium , to be drop'd into the eye thrice a day ; and also the tent may be dipp'd in it , and after it is put in the ulcer , a plaister of diapalma may be put over it . if there be a caries in the bone , it can only be cured by an actual cautery ; the manner of applying it is exactly described by paraeus , fallopius and aquapendens . chap. xxix . of rhyas and encanthis . to a fistula lachrimalis ordinarily succeeds another distemper , which is called rhyas , which is the consumption of the caruncle of the greater angle of the eye , whereby it becomes larger . it is also produced by other causes , as by sharp humours falling upon and corroding the part , or by cleansing medicines which are used to cure the fistula lachrimalis , to a rhyas is opposed an encanthis , which is the immoderate growing and standing out of the above-named caruncle ; which is occasion'd by the too great abundance of blood falling upon the part , or from an ulcer of that part , not timely dried up . a rhyas is cured by consolidating and sarcotick medicines , such are the following : take of red roses one pugil , cyperus nuts , myrtles , each two drams , aloes a dram and an half , rough wine one pint , boil them to the consumption of the fourth part . wash the affected part with this wine often : or , take of aloes , frankincense each one dram , dragons blood half a dram , of red roses , and berries of sumach each one scruple , rosewater a pound ; boil them to the consumption of a fourth part , make it in the form of a collyrium . an encanthis is cured by taking away the superfluous flesh that grows in the corner of the eye , which is performed by medicines which eat away proud flesh , beginning with the more moderate , and proceeding to those that are more powerful . therefore burnt allum is to be first applied , and if that be not effectual , vnguentum apostolorum , aegyptiacum , or vitriol burnt is to be used . but if these be not sufficient , the caruncle is to be cut off , or consumed with an actual cautery . in taking off the canruncle care must be taken , that it be not altogether taken away , lest the contrary distemper , viz. a rhyas , be produced . chap. xxx . of an epiphora . by the name of an epiphora in general , a flux of humours into any part whatsoever is understood . nevertheless , it is most commonly taken for the flux of a thin humour from the eyes , which is also called involuntary tears , which use to flow from the corners of the eyes continually . to the production of these tears ; which preternaturally flow from the eyes , the ill disposition both of the part sending and the part receiving do concurr . the part which sends is the brain , which being affected with a cold or hot intemperies , generates watery humours , and sends them to the inferior parts , which are fit to receive them . the recipient part is the gland by the greater corner of the eye , and the caruncle placed above the same corner : the thinness or thickness of which parts , or any other weakness , is the cause why they so easily receive the humouts that flow into them . this humour is carried from the brain into the corners of the eyes , sometimes by the internal veins , and sometimes by the external . the humour causing an epiphora is sometimes cold , and then it produces no other inconvenience to the sick , but the troublesomness of the fluxion . but sometimes it is accompanied with saltness and sharpness ; and then it produces pain , redness , and also the exulceration of the eye-lids . as to the prognostick ; a new epiphora , occasioned by external causes , is easily cured , especially in those that are young. when it is of long continuance , and in an old person , it is very hard to be cured . that which proceeds from other distempers , as from an oegylops , fistula lachrimalis , and the like , altogether depends upon the cure of those diseases . the cure of this disease consists in taking away of the fluxion , and in strengthening the recipient part. the fluxion is to be removed by evacuation , revulsion and derivation of the peccant humour , and the strengthening of the part from which it is transmitted . the peccant or serous humour abounding in the brain , is evacuated by bleeding and purging . bleeding in a cold intemperies of the brain , is not proper , unless there appears manifest signs of a plethora . but in a hot intemperies , when the humours are sharp , bleeding is very proper , and may be repeated twice or thrice , if it be needful . such purging medicines must be used as agree with the nature of the patient . revulsion of the humour must be made by cupping-glasses applied to the shoulders often , by blisters frequently applied to the neck , or by issues in the hinder part of the head , or in the arms. forestus says , when the disease is obstinate , a blister applied to the forepart of the head does much good . for derivation , leeches applied behind the ears are proper , and masticatories used in a morning . and least the humours once evacuated should be generated again , the brain must be strengthened and dried ; and if it be of a cold intemperies , such things must be used , as are proper to correct it ; if of a hot , such coolling medicines must be used , as peculiarly respect the head. and whilst the foresaid remedies are in use , topical remedies must be applied to the part receiving , and first , if the humour flows by the external veins , astringents must be applied to the forehead and temples ; and if the fluxion proceed from an hot an acrid humour , the following cataplasm must be applied . take of bole armenic , dragons blood , balaustines , and of myrtles each one dram and an half , of acacia and hypocistis each one dram of frankincense and mastich each two scruples , of red roses one pugil ; pouder them , and mix them with the white of an egg , and a little vinegar , make a cataplasm , wrap it in a rag , and apply it to the foresaid parts , and when 't is dry renew it . if it be occasioned by a cold humour , the following cerate must be applied . take of frankincense and mastick each one dram , and an half , of gum anime tacamahacca and blood-stone each one dram , of gum juniper two scruples , of turpentine and wax a sufficient quantity , make a cerate . but to the part affected , astringent and drying collyria must be applied , made in the following manner . take of tutty prepared one dram , of sarcocol moistned half a dram , of frankincense and mastich each half a scruple , of spikenard grains six ; make troches , mix them with the white of an egg , and juice of quinces , and apply them to the corner of the eye . or , take of aloes , cypress nuts , frankincense , mastich , myrrh , each two drams , of prepared tutty , sarcocol moistned , each one dram and an half , of dragons blood , barberries , summach , red roses each one scruple , powder them finely , and mix them with fennel-water , and make a collyrium . when the fluxion is hot , the following is best : take of white troches of rhasis without opium , of sarcocol moistned , of acacia and olibanum each one dram , of the stones of myrobalans burn'd , of white and red coral each half a dram , of pearls half a scruple , of the juice of pomgranates boil'd half away , a sufficient quantity . make a collyrium . if redness of the eyes accompanies an epiphora , the following is proper . take of grains of sumach bruised one scruple , of plantane-water one ounce , infuse them for some time ; then press then out hard , and add of rose-water , and eye-bright-water , and of the white of an egg well beaten , each half an ounce , of sugar-candy finely powder'd one scruple . make a collyrium . chap. xxxi . of the disease of the eye , called unguis oculorum . it is a hard and nervous membrane that arises from the greater angle of the eye ; it first covers the white of the eye , and then the black , and the whole pupil , and so it hinders sight . sometimes it is thin , and white , and sometimes fleshy , and consists of many bloody veins . this disease arises from an ulcer of the flesh in the angle of the eye , upon which account an inequality arises in the part , which in time grows to this covering . it is difficultly cured ; for the sharp medicines that are necessary for taking it off , must be used leasurely and by degrees , by reason of the exquisite sense of the eye . when it is of a moderate bigness , it may be cured by medicines ; but when it hath extended it self to the black of the eye and is become inverate , it can be cured only by manual operation . when it is thick and hard , and of a blackish colour , it is of a cancerous nature , and can never be cured . the cure must be directed to the antecedent , and conjunct cause . with respect to the antecedent cause , such course of diet must be ordered , as hath been propos'd for other diseases of the eyes arising from fluxion , evacuations and revulsions are also to be used ; and after sufficient evacuation , such topicks are to be applied , as may consume it , beginning with those that are gentle , such as are prescribed for taking off spots ; but if they are not sufficient , stronger must be used . forestus commends the following collyrium very much . take of the juice of fennel four ounces , of the juice of celandine three ounces , of the juice of rue two ounces , of the juice of mallows two ounces and an half , of aloes one dram , of vitriol two scruple , of verdigrease one scruple , of ginger and cinnamon half a scruple , of the gall of an eele , of ox gall , or hogs gall two drams , of sugar-candy two scruples ; boil the juices , add the rest and clarifie them , so make a collyrium . but before , and after the use of these things , the eye must be fomented with an emollient decoction . but if it cannot be cured by topical remedies , you must proceed to chirurgical operation ; the manner whereof is describ'd by celsus , and others . of diseases of the ears . chap. xxxii . of deafness and difficulty of hearing . we treat of deafness and difficulty of hearing in the same chapter , because they proceed from the same causes , and differ only in degree . they are either occasioned by diseases of the head , or by a fault in the ears . a cold intemperies of the brain , repletion or weakness , or any other disorder , especially in that part from whence the nerves of hearing arise , may occasion deafness of difficulty of hearing . the fault of the ear may be in the inward or outward part of it . in the outward cavity , a perfect or imperfect stoppage , by reason of a tumor , abscess , blood , matter , flegm , or other things from within , or without , may occasion a difficulty of hearing : but it is to be noted , that though the outward cavity be quite stopped , yet perfect deafness will not follow ; for sounds can pass through the mouth to the ears : for there is an open passage from the pallate to the inward cavity of the ears , which serves for the cleansing the ears , aad those that are deaf , are wont to open their mouths , that they may hear the better : and if travelling by night , you put one end of your stick , or the point of your sword betwixt your teeth , and the other end on the ground , you will easier hear a noise from a far , and footsteps of those that follow you . in the inward part of the ear , humours collected in the inward cavity flowing principally from the head , most commonly flegmatick , but sometimes cholerick , occasion deafness , or difficulty of hearing : but these humours are sometimes transmitted to the ears from the whole body , as in continual fevers , especially when they are malignant ; but it also proceeds from an ill conformation of the organs of hearing , as when the tympanum is relaxed by a violent noise , or from moisture . and for this reason very many deaf people hear worst in a southerly constitution , because the membrane is relaxed by the moisture of the air : but sometimes the tympanum is stretched and dried too much , as after acute diseases , watching or fasting , and sometimes it is broke by violent motions , or corroded by matter : but sometimes matter and blood flow from the ear in great concussions , without any injury to the hearing , when they break out betwixt the bone , and the membrane ; or if other parts of the ear are disordered from the birth , or by reason of some external cause , as from a fall , a blow , or the like . lastly , a cold intemperies occasioned by cold air , or cold water falling into ear , or the immoderate use of narcoticks , or of other medicines , may occasion this disease . to distinguish particularly all those causes by their signs is very difficult , yet they may be guest at in the following manner . if deafness happen by reason of a disease in the head● some other senses are also hurt , or some peculiar disease appears in the brain , as pain or dulness of the head , apoplexy , lethargy or the like . the stoppage of the outward cavities of the ears may be perceived by the eyes , if by the sun you look into the cavities ; for then you may see , whether it be a tumour or gross matter , or any other heterogeneous substance ; and then you may know , by the relation of the patient , whether any thing is fall'n into the ear. but if the inward cavity be filled with some humour , we may reasonably suppose it is flegm , if a flegmatick fluxion troubled the sick before , or if he has been frequently subject to such fluxions . but if a cholerick humour occasions this disease , a cholerlck fever afflicts the sick , or went before , and it is also accompanied with violent pain , if it proceed from blood , the pain is heavy , and blood abounds in the whole body . the looseness and moisture of the tympanum is known by moist causes going before , and by a moist intemperies seizing some other part ; for it can scarce be imagined that moisture should only seize this part . too much driness or tensity of tympanum may be known by the driness of the whole body , and drying causes going before . we may also guess at the rupture or errosion of the drum , if the violent corroding and tearing causes above-mentioned went before . as to the prognosticks of this disease . deafness from the birth , or which has continu'd a long while , and is absolute , is incurable . and that which is not absolute , but of a long standing , is seldom or never cured . that deafness which proceeds from choler or blood , in acute and continual fevers , commonly goes off when the fever ceases . difficulty of hearing , if it be not soon cured , degenerates into a perfect deafness ; if the drum be broke , and if a cicatrix be left upon it , the deafness is incurable . that deafness which encreases and decreases by intervals , is curable . as to the cure : that deafness which proceeds from a disease of the head , requires no other cure than what is requisite for the cure of the said disease ; that which arises from a tumour that is hard and inveterate is incurable : but if it be hot and inflamed , the cure of it is proposed in the chapter of pains of the ears : but if it proceed from matter collected in the ear , see the chapter of the things that come preternaturally from the ear. if it proceed from driness , it must be cured by a moistning diet , by long sleep , and by washing the head with warm water , and dropping moistning things into the ear , as oil of sweet almonds and the like : if it proceed from any thing dropp'd into the ear , that must be forthwith wash'd out , shook out , or extracted ; and if some little animal has crept into the ear , it must either be allur'd out , or kill'd . the ears are wash'd by pouring in such things as moisten , smoothen and dilate them as milk , oil of sweet almonds , or some mollifying or loosning decoction . things are shook out of the ears by sneezing . it is also good in this case to bend the ear downwards , and to hop upon the leg of the same side ; for by this means , boys shake water out of their ears when they have been swimming . but if those things do not succeed , you must endeavour to extract it by carefully putting an ear pitcher beyond it , or with a pair of forceps fitted for the purpose . but if this does not succeed , you must endeavour to break them , and afterwards wash them out ; and to this purpose , a probe with cotton on the end of it , and dipp'd in turpentine , or the like , is put into the ear , to clear the passage ; and if any of the clammy matter remains behind , it may be cleared by an ear-picker . some cut a quill , and put one end into the ear , and endeavour to suck out what is in it . animals are allur'd out of the ear , by putting such things to it , as are pleasing to them ; as a spunge dipp'd in milk and sugar , or the pulp of a sweet apple , or lard wherewith little worms are much pleased , and soon come out of the ear , if it be turned to the sun. if a leec● happen to get into the ears , it may be enticed out , by putting blood to the ear ; gnats may be drawn out , by putting dogs hairs into the ears ; but if you cann't get them out , alive , 't is best to kill them , because then they will not disturb the ear so much , and may be easier drawn out ; they may be kill'd by dropping spittle or urine into the ear. but bitter things kill them soonest , as the juice of wormwood , a decoction of aloes , or any gauls , sharp things do also the same , as vinegar , the juice of onions , and the like . but because a cold intemperies is the most frequent cause of deafness , rhe cure must be chiefly directed to the amendment of it ; wherefore an attenuating , drying , and moderately heating course of diet being ordered , as is prescribed for the gutta serena ; and southerly winds being avoided as much as possible , and the ears defended from them ; vaporous aliments must be avoided , especially garlick and onions , which are very injurious to the hearing , and also those that generate gross and flegmatick humours ; these things , i say being first observed , general evacuation must be entered upon by head purges . bleeding must be also used if there be an indication for it ; and if the disease be obstinate , a sudorifick diet , afterwards particular remedies that cause a revulsion of the humours , as blisters , issues , sneesing powders , masticatories , apophlegmatisms , but especially masticatories . but sulphureous and bitumenous baths are peculiarly proper for the cure of this disease , the body being bathed , and the head washed with them ; afterwards topical remedies are to be applied , to discuss the matter in the ear. take of the leaves of wild marjoram , wormwood ; penny-royal , wild thym , sage , mint , the lesser centaury , mallows , marsh-mallows each one handful , of the flowers of camomil , melilot , stechas , and rosemary each one pugil , of cinnamon and cloves , each half an ounce ; boil them in equal parts of fountain-water and white wine added towards the end . strain it , and foment the ear with it hot with a spunge morning and evening ; and the vapour of the decoction may be received into the ear through a tunel . it certainly does much good by passing into the innermost parts of the ear. instead of the fomentation , bread made up with carraway-seeds , cut and applied hot from the oven , may be used ; or common bread just taken out of the oven , the under crust being cut off dipp'd in spirit of wine , and applied as hot to the ear as can be born , is also of good use : but the bread will be more effectual , if with the common flower , the seeds of carraways , juniperberries , bayberries , and nutmegs are mixed with it . if you 'll have a stronger decoction , you may add of the pulp of coloquintida , or of the roots of white hellebore each one dram : after fomentation , some liquor must be instilled into the ear , and afterwards you may stop it with cotton perfum'd with musk. take of oil of bitter almonds , and of rue each one ounce , mingle them , and pour it hot into the ear. or , take of oil of castor , and white lillies , each one ounce , of oil of dill half an ounce , of white hellebore half a dram , of aqua vitae one ounce : boil them in a bath , till all the aqua vitae is evaporated . strain it for the use above-mentioned . chymical oils are are very effectual , as of marjoram , rosemary , sage , fennel . spike , cloves ; but because they are very strong , they must not be used alone ; but they are to be mixed in a small quantity with the foregoing oils , half a dram of them , may be sufficient to be mixed with two ounces of the foresaid oils . the water that drops out of an ash-stick when it is burning , is much commended for deafness , when it proceeds from a hot cause . the fat of an eel is much in use ; it is gathered from the water wherein a fat eel is boil'd , being scum'd off with a bay-leas , and dropp'd hot into the ear. in applying topical remedies , this must be always observed , viz. that they are applied warm or hot , and what hath been used before must be taken out of the ear , before other things are dropp'd in ; and when any thing has been dropp'd in , the ear must be stopp'd with cotton perfum'd with musk , which of it self is very good for deafness . chap. xxxiii . of noise in the ears . the sense of hearing is obstructed by a noise in the ears ; for as the eye ought to be void of colour , that it may rightly perceive all the colours of objects : for if it be preternaturally affected with any colour , as in the jaundice , the sight must be necessarily depraved , so the ear should have no sound in it , that it be able to receive all sounds that come from abroad , for if any sound is preternaturally in the ear , it hinders hearing . this noise in the ear proceeds from a preternatural commotion of the inbred air ; for though this inbred air moves naturally , yet no noise is heard from its motion , unless we stop the ear with the hand , or with some such thing . the causes of this extraordinary motion are vapours , wind , or spirits , transmitted to the ear from other parts , or bred in it ; if it be brought from other parts , it proceeds either from the whole body , or some peculiar part. it flows from the whole body in fevers , and this sound in the ear comes from a windy spirit conveyed through the arteries from the whole body to the ears : but it most frequently happens at the beginning of fits , and just before a crisis by a bleeding at the nose . wind is also elevated to the ears , from some peculiar part , viz. from the stomach , liver , spleen , mesentery , womb , and from some other parts ; upon which account , inviolent vomiting , hypochondriack melancholy , and mother-fits , there is frequently a noise in the ears . it is also occasioned by windy spirits flowing from the head , that arise from cold and flegmatick humours . wind is also generated in the ear by flegmatick matter contain'd there . upon which account , difficulty of hearing is commonly accompanied with a noise in the ear , for the obstruction is occasioned by humours , other causes occasioning this noise in the ears , are ulcers , a hot intemperies , weakness , exquisite sense , a violent shaking in the head , and violent sounds . the cure of this disease is to be varied , according to the variety of the causes ; and first the cure of the noise proceeding from a consent of other parts , depends on the cure of the diseases of those parts : but that which arises immediately from the ear requires a peculiar cure ; and if it be generated by a cold intemperies , and from gross wind , it requires the same cure which is described in the chapter above . if it proceed from an ulcer in the ears , it requires the same cure , which is proposed for curing the ulcer in the following chapter . if it proceed from weakness , after long sickness , it will decrease gradually as the strength increases . but you must drop into the ear oil of camomil , of dill , or oil of sweet almonds . and lastly , if it takes its rise from a hot intemperies , or an exquisite sense , a cooling and moistning diet must be ordered , and cooling things must be dropp'd into the ear , and first a decoction of barly , violets , lettice , water lilies , to which may be added , to make it more penetrating a little balm or camomil ; and if these do no good , the juice of lettice , purslane , and henbane may be used . galen proposes the juice of poppies , and opium it self ; but these are to be used sparingly , least by weakning the native heat of the part , they should too much dull the hearing . chap. xxxiv . of pain of the ears . pain of the ears is a very violent disease . the chief causes of it are intemperies immaterial and humoral , wounds , ulcers , and external things falling or thrust into the cavity of the ear. a cold intemperies often occasions a pain in the ears ; it is occasioned by cold winds , cold water , and other cold thlngs ; for cold things are injurious to those membranous and nervous parts . but a cold matter occasioning pains in the ears , is either flegmatick , or serous flowing from the brain , or wind transmitted from the brain , or lower parts . hot matter occasioning those pains is either cholerick , or sanguinious , whereby an inflammation is raised . if an immaterial intemperies be the cause , there is no weight peceived in the ear , nor no tumour . a cold intemperies is known by cold causes going before , as travelling in the winter time , the increase of pain by external cold , and its being eased by the application of hot things . a hot intemperies may be known , by the external things that heat , as a hot air , the heat of the sun , pain arising from the use of hot things . if the pain arise from a flegmatick humour , there is a weight perceived in the ear and in the head , and a flegmatick fluxion has sometimes fallen upon some other parts . besides , cold causes went before , as cold and a northerly wind , cold aliments , winter time , old age and the like . if the pain arise from wind , it will be violent , but not continual , and a noise of the ear will be joined with it . that it comes from a serous humour , may be known by other diseases produced by it , and afflicting the sick at the same time , as sharp and thin fluxions on the teeth , the eyes , the ears , the breast , and other parts , and by an evacuation of serous humour by vomit , stool , urine and sweat. if it arises from a cholerick humour , it will be pricking and sharp , with a sense of heat ; it will be eased by cooling medicines , and the constitution is hot and cholerick , the sick young , the course of diet hot , it is summer , and some other heating causes went before . an inflammation is known by the violence of the pain , pulsation , by great heat and redness , that extend themselves sometimes to the cheeks and temples ; a violent continual fever accompanies it , sometimes a delirium , convulsion , fainting , and coldness of the extream parts . a wound may be known by blood pouring from the ear , an ulcer by matter flowing out : but because a flux of matter sometimes flows from the brain through the ears , there is need of distinction ; for if it proceed from the brain , the pain of the head , and other signs of an imposthume went before , the matter is evacuated in great quantity , and is lessen'd by degrees , till at length it quite ceases . but it may proceed indeed in a great quantity from an abscess of the ear ; but then the signs of an inflammation went before , afterwards an ulcer follows , which afterwards may be known by the following signs , whether it takes its rise from an abscess , or from a flux of some sharp humour , a small quantity of matter flows continually , pain and heat , and pricking in the ear , especially when the ear-picker is put in . moreover , we may guess at the differences of the ulcer ; for if the ulcer actually exists , it may be known by the thin sanies , that is of a citron colour : and by the length of the disease , you may know if it be deep by the quantity of matter ; if it be sordid , by the thickness and quantity of it ; if it be virulent , by the thin sanies ; if putrid , by the stinking matter ; if corrosive , by blood flowing out after the sanies ; if it be fistulous , by the duration of the ulcer , the virulent sanies , and by the hard and callous flesh . things fallen into the ear , or thrust into it , may be known by the relation of the sick , and may be perceived in the cavity of it . the prognostick of the pain of the ear is various , according to the variety of the causes ; that which proceeds only from an intemperies , is easily cured . that which proceeds from cold , flegmatick , serous , or windy matter , is not dangerous , but is most commonly long in curing : but that which proceeds from hot humours , and especially if they cause an inflammation , is very dangerous for the brain , by reason of its nearness , suffers by consent , and a delirium and a convulsion often follow ; and young men are in most danger of this disease ; for they being of a hot constitution , and their blood being hot , the inflammation is so great , that it destroys the native heat of the brain , and kills the sick within a week ; but old mens humours are colder , and the inflammation less , and so they are less in danger . ulcers in the ears are difficultly cured , because the brain puts off its excrements upon them , but those that follow an abscess are easier cur'd , and also those that yield good matter : but when the sanies is virulent , fetid , or otherwise ill qualified , the cure will be very difficult , and especially if the ulcer be fistulous , or the bone foul . the cure must be varied according to the variety of the causes , if it proceed from a cold intemperies alone , bo●● medicines applied to the ear may be sufficient for the cure , such as were proposed for the cure of deafness a hot intemperies , if at any time it happen without matter , may be cur'd by cooling topicks . if it proceed from a cold intemperies joined with matter viz. flegm , or wind , or serous matter , the same cure is to be administred , which was proposed for the cure of deafness ▪ if it arise from a hot intemperies with a fluxion o● cholerick humours ; first the humout flowing to th● part must be drawn away by bleeding , whereby also th● hot intemperies of the whole body , may be moderated ▪ afterwards the peccant humour must be evacuated by proper purgers ; and afterwards cooling juleps and broth● ▪ goats milk , mineral waters , baths of warm water , and the like , must be used ; and lastly , all those things are to be used , which are proposed for the cure of a head-ach , proceeding from a hot intemperies : but the pain must be asswaged by cooling and anodyn topicks . for the cure of an inflammation of the ear , an emollient , cooling , and loosning clister must be injected , and so much blood must be taken away , as may answer to the fulness of it , and to make a sufficient revulsion of the humour flowing to the affected ear , the cephalick vein opposite to it must be opened , and a great quantity of blood must be taken away at several times ; and if the disease seem to arise from a suppression of the courses , or of the hemorrhoids , the inferior veins must be opened , a good quantity of blood being first taken from the arm. and if those causes are absent , the opening of the inferior veins will make an excellent revulsion to the most distant parts , to which end leeches applied to the anus are also proper . revulsions may be also commodiously made by frictions , and ligatures of the arms and legs , and by cupping-glasses applied to the shoulders and back . and sometimes cupping-glasses applied behind the ears for to make derivation , do much good . zacutus lusitanus also commends leeches applied behind the ears , four of a side , which he says , gave much relief to a certain young man , who was afflicted with a violent inflammation of the ear : the opening of the artery of the temples has also sometimes admirable success . purging is also very proper in this disease , with cholagoges ; afterwards the whole mass of the humours is to be attemperated with cooling juleps made of a decoction of lettice , purslain , plantane , sorrel , and the like , also of the syrups of lemons , pomegranates , and of red poppies . in the mean time , whilst the foresaid remedies are used , topicks are to be continually applied , which must be always anodyn , by reason of the violence of the pain , the mitigation whereof is principally to be taken care of ; but at the beginning and increase , gentle repellents are to be mixed with the anodyns ; at the state and declination , resolvents are to be mixed with them . take of womans milk , fresh drawn , two ounces ; of the white of an egg beat to a liquor half an ounce ; mix them , and drop it warm into the ear. or the milk alone milk'd into the ear. take of the leaves of plantane , and night-shade , each one handful ; of the flowers of camomil and melilot , each one pugil ; make a decoction ; let the vapour be received into the ear by a tunnel . take of oyls of violets , water-lillies and roses , each one ounce , mingle them , drop it warm into the ear. millepedes infused in the foresaid oyles , and press'd out , make an excellent anodyn ; for they have an excellent faculty to ease pain , and for that reason they are used for pains of the teeth , the piles , and other pains . if the heat is very violent , cooling juices are to be mixed with the foresaid oyls in the following manner . take of oyl of water-lillies , and oyl of roses , each one ounce , of the juice of night-shade and plantane , each half an ounce , mingle them , and drop it into the ear. oxyrrhodinum is used by many practitioners , made of oyl of roses two parts , and one part of vinegar ; but it may be suspected as may be also all other things which repel powerfully , for there is danger , least the humour should flow back upon the brain ; and it is a general precept always to be observed , not to apply strong repellents in inflammations that are near noble parts ; but gentle repellents may be mixed with loosening and anodyn things ; for so the fluxion may be moderately suppressed , and not driven far back . but in violent pains we are forced to use narcoticks , but they must be used rarely , and with great caution , for they are offensive to the head. i know a person , says galen , who lost his speech and sense by the use of opium , nor could he be restored by any medicines : but if there be absolute necessity , they may be prescribed in the following manner . take of the oyl of the seeds of poppies one ounce and an half , of camphor and opium each two grains , mingle them , and drop them into the ear. or , take of oyl of sweet-almonds two ounces , of the juice of mallows half an ounce , of myrrh half a dram , of saffron half a scruple , of opium three or four grains , mingle them , use it as above . in the application of topicks the precept of galen must be carefully observed , viz. that the inflamed ear be not touched , but medicines must be dropt into the ear by a probe wrapt round with the softest wool dipt in the medicines , and the sick must be ask'd whether it be warm , and whether he can bear it any hotter , and you must drop it in as hot as he can bear it ; the probe must be dipt in the medicine and applied gently to the passage of the ear , that it may flow into it ; you must continue doing of it till the passage is full , and then apply over it to the mouth of the passage and over all the ear , wool dipt in the medicine . at the state of the disease , oyls gently resolving are to be mixed with anodyns in the following manner . take of the oyls of camomil , sweet-almonds , and violets , each one ounce , oyl of lillies half an ounce , mix them . but fomentations and fumes resolve more powerfully , which may be prepared of the following decoction . take of roots of marsh-mallows one ounce ; of the leaves of mallows , nightshade and st. johns wort , each an handful , of the seeds of flax half an ounce , of the seeds of mallows , marsh-mallows , white poppies , each two drams ; of the flowers of camomil , dill and roses , each one pugil , make a decoction in water or milk for a fomentation or fume . the water drawn from ash-sticks , being dropt into the ear eases the pain wonderfully ; it is drawn by burning green sticks in the fire , it drops from the ends of them . if the tumor cannot be resolved , but tends to suppuration , which may be known by the increase of the pain a great pulsation , and a violent feaver , nature must be furthered in her motion , and the following cataplasm must be applied . take of crums of white bread one pound , boil them in milk to the consistence of a poultis ; then add the yolks of eggs number two , of oyl of roses two ounces , of saffron one scruple , make a cataplasm . or , take one onyon , fresh butter two ounces , oyl of camomil and roses , each one ounce , of saffron one scruple ; make a cataplasm , which must be applied moderately hot to the part . when the abscess is broken , and the matter comes out through the membrane of the ear , either rarified or corroded ; then the sick should lye on the ear affected , that the matter may flow out easily , and such things should be dropt into the ear , as may wash and cleanse it . take of the decoction of barly four ounces , of honey of roses one ounce , mingle them , drop it warm into the ear. if the ulcer be generated by acrimony of matter , it requires a peculiar cure , which may also be used for an ulcer arising from fluxion of humours . and first , according to the opinion of galen , topical medicines must not be applied to any member , before the whole body is purged ; wherefore evacuation by bleeding and purging being administred , agreeable to the nature and constitution of the patient , and repeated through the whole course of the cure as often as there is occasion , drying and astringent topicks may be used , beginning with the mild , and proceeding to stronger by degrees . for instance , take of the best honey , and of old white-wine , each three ounces , boil them till all the scum rises , drop it into the ear ; afterwards stop the ear with cotton dipt in the same liquor ; when you would have the medicine stronger , mix the juice of horehound , smallage , wormwood , the lesser centaury , or of sow-bread with honey ; boil them gently , and drop them into the ear. or , take of the juice of beets one ounce , of horehonnd half 〈◊〉 ounce , of the best honey six drams ; boil them a little ; afterwards add two drams of syrup of wormwood , mingle them . you may make a stronger medicine in the following manner ▪ take of the juice of sow-bread one ounce , of myrrh on● ounce , of saffron half a scruple , of frankincense one scruple , of verdigrease half a scruple , of old wine one ounce an● an half , boil them till the wine is consumed , drop th● liquor into the ear twice or thrice a day . note , before any liquor is dropt in , the ear must be well cleansed with warm hydromel , a probe wrap● round with a cotton , being dipt in the liquor , and used for that purpose . the ulcer being well cleansed it must be cicatrized by epulotick medicines used in the following manner . take of round birthwort , of the bark of pomegranates , and of galls , each half an ounce , boil them in equal parts of wine and smith's-water to half a pint ; strain it , and add to it of the juice of plantane and knot-grass , each one ounce , of honey of roses two drams ; mingle them , and drop it into the ear ; or drop into the ear burnt allum mixed with the wine , for it is very drying . if the ulcer be very obstinate , and has continued a long while , it is certainly promoted by fluxion , which therefore you must endeavour to remove , by purging and a diet-drink of gujacum or sarsaparilla , by errhins , masticatories , issues , and by other remedies that divert the fluxion . if pain arise by reason of the sharpness of the remedies , oyl of sweet or bitter almonds , with myrrh , aloes and saffron , must be dropt into the ear : if the pain be violent , a little opium must be mixed with them , or the oyl of the yolks of eggs beat in a leaden mortar may be used . if the ulcer be very sordid , aegyptiacum must be mixed with the foresaid juices . if the pain of the ear be occasioned by something thrust into the ear , you must endeavour to draw it out , by wrapping wool upon a probe dipt in turpentine , or made glutinous by rosin , or some other gum : but if this will not do , warm oyl must be often dropt into the ear , to relax it , and to lubricate the matter contained in it , and so it may the easier be drawn out , and sneesing-powder must be given , and these things must be used continually till the sick is freed ; for if any thing remain long in the ear , an inflammation will arise , and afterwards it will be much more difficult to extract any thing from the ear ; and there will be besides great danger . lastly , if the foresaid remedies are not sufficient , chirurgical instruments must be used . see the manner of extraction in fabritius hildanus , cen. i. observ . , , . gnats sometimes insinuate themselves into the ears , and moving in the cavity of it , they cause much trouble , but they may be extracted by a probe wrapped round with cotten , and dipt in turpentine . sometimes water runs into the ear in swimming , or when the head is wash'd , and is often very troublesom and causes pain , but is most commonly easily shook our , by hopping upon the leg of the same side , and by holding the ear downwards : but if this will not do , you must endeavour to suck it out with a pipe wrapt round with wool to stop the hole of the ear , that the external air should not enter in . it is also dried by a small soft piece of spunge often put in . chap. xxxv . of things that come out preternaturally from the cavities of the ears . many things come out preternaturally from the ears , which must be particularly mentioned , and peculiar remedies must be prescribed for them . first therefore , an abscess being broken arising from an inflammation , or from an ulcer , proceeding from the acrimony of humours , matter or sanies , is wont to flow ; the cure of which depends on the cure of the forementioned diseases , which are proposed in the foregoing chapter . blood also sometimes flows from the ears , as in wounds and concussions of the head , whereby the veins of the ears may be broken or torn : but if this flux be moderate , it must be left to it self , for if it should be retained within it might cause an inflammation ; but if it be immoderate , or continue a long while , it must be restrained by bleeding in the arm , and by applying cupping-glasses with scarification to the shoulders ; afterwards cooling and astringent things must be dropt into the ears , as the juice of plantane , knot-grass , or the decoction of bramble-tops , red roses , mastich , acacia , hyposistis , balaustins , sumach , and the like , in wine and vinegar , or smiths water . a watry humour sometimes flows from the brain to the ears , this most commonly happens to children , and ought not to be stop'd , for being suddenly stop'd , it occasions the falling-sickness , or some other great disease of the head. for nature puts off excrements , and the too great moisture that abounds in childrens heads , not only by the ordinary ways appointed for this use , viz. the nostrils and pallate , but also through the eyes , the ears , and the superficies of the head , where ulcers and scabs often happen : but when such an evacuation is symptomatick , and when the humour flowing to the ears causes ulcers in them , and hinders the hearing , you must endeavour to cure it by a convenient method . and first , the superfluous humours in the brain must be evacuated by gentle purges often repeated , and also by derivation , by blisters in the neck , and an issue there ; afterwards the ears must be cleansed and dried by the following medicine . take of the juice of agrimony , and worm-wood , each four ounces , of whitewine , and honey of roses , each one ounce , boil them a little , and drop them into the ear the filth being cleansed away , afterwards the ears must be stopped with cotton dipt in the same liquor . but if a watry humour flows from the ears of grown people and continues so a long while ; the whole body and the brain must be evacuated , afterwards , the superfluous moisture must be dried up by sudorifick diet-drinks , and the course of it must be endeavoured to be turned by blisters , issues , and cupping-glasses . lastly , worms are sometimes generated in the ears , from putrid ulcers , which being cured they cease to come out . but because the healing of the ulcer requires time you may endeavour to kill the worms in the mean while by convenient remedies . for instance , take of the oyl of bitter almonds , of the juice of smallage , and the lesser centaury , each two ounces , of vinegar two drams ; boil them a little , then add of mirrh , and aloes , each one scruple ; mingle them , and drop it into the ear. if you would have it stronger add ten grains of coloquintida . of diseases of the nose . chap. xxxvi . of vlcers of the nostrils , and of an ozaena . an ulcer of the nostrils is either fresh and simple , or old and putrid , which is called an ozaena . the fresh and simple proceeds either from extetnal causes ; as a wound or contusion , or from internal , viz. from acrimony of humours flowing thither , espeally from salt flegm . but an ozaena comes from a simple ulcer neglected , or by reason of greater acrimony of humours . a simple ulcer hath little or no pain ; and blood flows frequently from it , especially when it is touched or rubd , or it is covered with a dry and black scab , which is sometimes blown out ; but an ozaena is accompanied with a greater pain , the scab is more filthy , and the snot stinks , and it often eats the back bones , and perforates the pallat , especially if it be of a cancerous nature , or from the french pox , or an elephantiasis . as to the cure , such a course of diet must be ordered as may attemperate the acrimony of the humours , and hinder its generation ; afterwards the whole body must be evacuated by bleeding and proper purges ; and cuping-glasses must be applyed with scarification . and if the fluxion of sharp humours to the nostrils be very obstinate , derivation must be made by blisters in the neck , and issues there , and things that strengthen the head must be used . after universal remedies , topicks must be applyed , and first you must see whither the ulcers are crusty , if they are , the scabs must be taken off before you go any farther ; and first you must foment them with warm water , or anoint them with fresh butter , with fresh goose or hens grease , or with rhe oyl of sweet almonds , or the like . when you have mollified them , they must not be forcibly pulled off , but you must suffer them to fall themselves , or gently remove them with your finger , anointed with oyl of almonds . when the scabs are cleared , you must use drying and astringent medicines ; in a simple ulcer it may be sufficient to wash it with barly-water sweetned with honey of roses , and to anoint it , with oyntment of tutty , or with the white oyntment of rhasis , or with the oyl of the yolks of eggs rub'd in a leaden mortar . but for an ozaena you must prepare the following medicines . take of whole barley one pugil , of the leaves of agrimony , plantane , wormwood , and the lesser centaury , one handful ; of red roses half a pugil ; boil them in smiths water , in the liquor strained dissolve four ounces of honey of roses , make an errhine , which must be often snuffed up . after it hath been cleansed , the following decoction must be used . take of balaustins , and pomegranate-peel , each two ounces , of the leaves of plantane , horse-tail , mouse-ear , rupture-wort , each one handful , of the roots of bistort one ounce , of crude-alum , one ounce and an half ; make a decoction . the water of allum is also very good , and also those medicines which are to be proposed to dry a polypus in the following chapter . egyptiacum also dissolved in barly-water is good . afterwards use the following oyntment . take of omphacine oyl half an ounce , of pomegranate-bark and balaustines , each three drams ; of mirrh , allum , and labdanum , each two drams ; of chalcitis , aloes , and the bark of frankincense , each one dram ; of the oyl of roses , and mirtles , each two ounces , of red wax , a sufficient quantity to make an oyntment ; apply it to the vlcer , or dissolve it in wine , or plantane-water , snuff it up often , the mouth being filled with water . when the ulcer is well cleansed , you must dry it with the powder of red roses snuft up . rondeletius says , that nothing is so effectual to dry the ulcers as fumes of orpiment and cinnabar : as for instance , take of pure labdanum , of hypocistis , mastich , and mirrh , each three drams ; red storax , and storax calamit , of the bark of frankincense , sandarach , and orpiment , each two drams ; mix them all with turpentine , and make troches , wherewith let the sick be fumed , morning and evening in his chamber . it is also of great use to burn candles made of red wax in the patient's chamber , which ought to be small , and the windows and doors must be kept close shut . and this way , says rondeletius , i have cured ulcers which the italian and french physicians left off as incurable . chap. xxxvii . of a sarcoma and polypus . upon ulcers of the nose comes sometimes fleshy excrescences which constitute another kind of disease , viz. a preternatural tumour , whereof there are two sorts , one a sarcoma , and the other a polypus . a sarcoma is a fleshy excrescence in the nose , which has no certain shape , and is much like proud flesh in other ulcers ▪ but a polypus is a fleshy excrescence arising with small roots , and afterwards spreads broad and hangs down in the nose , and resembles the fish polypus , from whence it takes its name . it is a soft caruncle , sometimes white sometimes red , and sometimes livid ; and if it grow much , it sometimes hangs out of the nostrils : but if it be rooted high in the nose , it sometimes hangs down to the pallat , and obstructs the common passage of the mouth , and it may be plainly seen behind the uva : it swells much in a southerly constitution , and at full moon , and is much diminished at the new moon : it may be distinguished from a sarcoma , because a sarcoma , is wont to grow at the bottom of the nostrils , but a polypus near the root of the nose . the cause of both tumours is a thick viscid and flegmatick humour flowing from the brain mixed with some blood , and sometimes a melancholly humour is mixed with it , and then there is danger lest it degenerate into a cancer . a sarcoma is also generated often from a superfluous nutriment of the nostrils . a sarcoma is most commonly easily cured , but a polypus very difficultly : but that which is soft , and white or red , or redish , is cured most easily ; but when it is hard and livid it is very hardly cured ; and there is danger least it should turn to a cancer . that which is seated below or in the middle of the nostrils , is easier cured than that which grows at the root of the nose , because medicines can scarce reach thither . both of them are to be cured the same way , viz. the superfluous flesh must be taken off : but first the antecedent cause must be removed , which is a flegmatick humour falling from the head. to this end an attenuating course of diet must be ordered , and universal evacuations , revulsion and derivation . afterwards the superfluous flesh must be taken off , either by a caustick or by an instrument , and the ulcer remaining must be cicatrized : but at the beginning , when the disease is fresh , it is sometimes cured by astringent and very drying medicines , and such gentle means are always to be used before you proceed to greater . take of unripe grapes three pounds , of the bark of pomegranate , of balaustins , and sumach , each two pounds ; infuse them in vinegar , and distil them ; then add of allum a pound , of vitriol three ounces ; distil them all again , and touch the inward parts of the nostrils frequently with the water . if this is not sufficient more powerful things must be used , and you must add sandarach , and orpiment to the foregoing water ; or the polypus must be frequently touched with spirit of vitriol tempered with plantane water : but red precipitat often washed is reckoned the best medicine . it may be mixt with honey of roses , and applyed with a tent dipt in it . plaisters are also used in this case . take of verdigrease , orpiment , vitriol , crude-alum , each one ounce and an half , of antimony six drams ; infuse them in vinegar , and then powder them very fine ; when they are dry , infuse them and powder them eight times more ; then lastly infuse them in plantane water , and dry them ; afterwards take of oyl of roses four ounces , of thithargo two ounces , mix them and boyl them ; and towards the end , two ounces of the foresaid powder , boyl it to a sticking plaister , and make tents of it to be put up the nostrils . note , that before the use of causticks , the nostrils must be defended by galen's cooling oyntment , or with populeum , or with the white of an egg mixt with the oyl of roses , or the like . secondly , you must take notice , that caustick medicines must be conveyed through a silver pipe , which must incompass the polypus so that the medicine may work and not touch the nostrils . thirdly , you must take notice , that such medicines must be used when the moon is waneing , for then the tumour is much diminished , and so the medicine may the easier reach the root of it . lastly , if it cannot be cured by medicines , you must proceed to chirurgical operation , which is described by cornelius celsus and by late authors . chap. xxxviii . of the loss of smelling , and other faults of it . smelling , as all the other actions of the body is hurt three ways , it is either diminished , abolished , or depraved . the cause of smelling diminished and abolished are the same , they only differ in degree ; they are intemperies , obstruction and compression . a cold and moist intemperies , joyned with flegmatick matter , lessens smelling , or quite abolishes it ; upon which account in a catarrh and coryza , the sense of smelling is frequently lessened , or wholly destroyed . obstruction is occasioned by a flegmatick humour , which stops the passages of the nostrils , and the pores of the mamillary processes , so that smells cannot come to them ; it may also be occasioned by a sarcoma , polypus , or any thing else that stops the passages of the nostrils . a compression also sometimes may happen from a flegmatick humour collected in the fore part of the brain , compressing the mamillary processes , as happens in diminution of the sight by compressing of the optick nerves . it also may happen from a natural defect in the confirmation of the nostrils , as when the nostrils are so narrow and low that there is not a free passage . the cause of depraved smelling , is a bad savour continually striking upon the nostrils , which either proceeds from an ulcer of the nostrils , or from putrid flegm gathered together about the nostrils or the os ethmoides : for that flegm that putrifies in the sense of smelling , or near it , betwixt the coats of the brain , does not affect the sense it self , nor those that labour under it ; but any one that sits near them will easily find it out , for nothing can be smelt but what is carried to the sense from some other place . a nasty and stinking vapour may be carried to the processus , mamillares from other parts , as from the stomach , gums , and the brain it self , that spoil the sense of smelling , so that all savours are thought to be such ; even as the tongue being disordered by bitter choler , tasts all things bitter . any of these causes are easily known , a cold intemperies and abundance of flegm are known by a cold and moist intemperies of the brain , and a slimy flegm dropping from the head. an obstruction , if it be occasioned by flegm , is known by the same signs . if it proceeds from a sarcoma , or a polypus , the diagnostick is to be taken from their proper chapters . the place wherein the matter causing the obstruction resides , is known from this , if it sticks in the passages of the nostrils , there is a defect of the speech , because the nostrils do greatly contribute to the forming of words . but if the matter stick in the fore part of the brain , or the mamillary passages , the speech will be perfect . you may know by the peculiar diseases of each part , from whence the ill scent arises that offends the organ of smelling . as to the prognostick smelling , if it be lately lost , or if it arises from a simple coriza , may be easily cured . the cure must be varied according to the variety of the causes , if it arise from a cold intemperies , those things are proper which are used for a cold catarrh : but to open an obstruction occasioned by flegm thrust into the passages of the nostrils , or into the mamillary processes , such remedies are to be used as purge those parts , viz. errhins , sneazing-powders , and apoplegmatisms . lastly , if the nostrils are obstructed by a sarcoma , or polypus , it must be cured by the removing of them . chap. xxxix . of an ill scent in the nostrils . an ill scent in the nostrils and a stinking breath , are very different , for that comes wholly from the nostrils , but this from various parts , viz. from the stomach , lungs , gums , or from ulcers in the jaws , which are either apparent to sense , or may be known by their proper signs , but an ill scent in the nose , is occasioned by putrid vapours , arising either from the nostrils , as in an ozena , a sarcoma , or polypus , or from air transmitted to the nostrils from putrid humours contained in the brain , and in rhe fore part of it , or about the mamillary processes , or os cribrasum : but flegmatick humours putrifie in the said parts when they are retained in them beyond measure , especially if there be also a hot and moist intemperies of the brain , they are retained by reason of an obstruction of those parts , or too great an oppression of them , as in those that are flat-nosed . the disease of the nose occasioning such a stink , may be known by its proper signs . but if there be no such disease in the nostrils , we may conjecture that it arises from a putrid humour contained in the brain , or mamillary processes , or in the os cribrosum . the prognostick of an ill scent in the nostrils , which is occasioned by an ulcer , polypus or sarcoma , depends on the prognostick of them ; but that ill scent which proceeds from corrupt humours contained in the fore part of the head , if it be lately come may be easily cured , if it be inveterate , it is incureable , especially if it come from an ill confirmation of the nostrils , as in such as are flat-nosed . the cure is performed by taking away the causes , and by moderating the symptoms . the cure of an ulcer , sarcoma and polypus , are mentioned above , but a putrid humour contained in the brain . mamillary processes , or in the os ethmoides , must be carried off by purging and cleansing . and first , universal evacuations are to be ordered which free the whole body and the brain from flegmatick excrements ; and if there be abundance of humours , a sudorifick diet-drink must be also ordered ; afterwards cleansing errhins must be prescribed to remove the conjunct matter . and first , whitewine , wherein centaury has been infused , must be put into the hand , and snuft up morning and evening , or the juice of beet drawn with marjora● water may be used , but the following is more powerful , take of the roots of florentine-orris half a dram , o● white hellebore , and long pepper , each half a scruple of the seeds of anise , and of dried marjoram powdered each one scruple ; of the oyls of nard , wall-flower , and violets , each as much as is sufficient : make a soft oyntment wherewith anoint the top of the little finger and anoint the nostrils within , or a tent besmeared with the oyntment , may be applied . lastly , to palliate the ill stink , sweet-smelling things may be often drawn up the nostrils , as an infusion of nutmegs in fragrant wine , angelica water , and the like . chap. xl. of a coryza . coryza is a sort of catarrh , wherein the fluxion falls on the nostrils , it 's easily known by the abundance of moisture that is evacuated by the nostrils , 't is commonly call'd a cold , or stoppage in the head. it requires the same method of cure as is used for a catarrh , but in this case you must not use errhins , least they should draw humours to the part affected . masticatories and apoplegmatisms may be prescribed after general evacuation , and some-things are reckned peculiarly proper for this disease , as the vapour of a decoction of marjoram received into the nostrils , or of vinegar wherein red roses have been infused , the venegar being poured upon red hot iron , if it be occasion'd by a very cold fluxion , the fumes of frankincense cast upon live coals corrects the cold intemperies of the brain , and dries up the superfluous moisture . chap. xli . of sneezing . tho sneezing often happens in health , and is generally so small a thing that it scarce deserves the name of a symptom , yet sometimes 't is so very troublesome that it requires medicines and the physicians help , and the ancient custom of saying god bless you upon sneezing , shews that some time or other it has proved dangerous ; some say 't was an epidemical disease in the time of gregory the great , and that the sick died sneezing . as to the prognostick 't is of it self without danger , but 't is very injurious at the beginning of a catarrh or coryza ; and in feavers when it is frequent it sometimes occasions bleeding at the nose , but most commonly it does good by expelling superfluities from the brain . when sneezing is injurious , as in a plurisie , peripneumonia , and the like , or when it becomes a disease , the cure must be undertaken by revulsions and evacuations ; and if by reason of a hot intemperies of the brain , or of any other part , sharp vapours are transmitted to the nostrils , bleeding must be used and proper purges ; and to qualifie the acrimony , and to asswage the irritation of the nostrils , it will be proper to snuff up warm milk into the nose , or to anoint the nostrils wlth oyl of violets , or of sweet almonds , or with fresh butter . chap. xlii . of bleeding at the nose , or spitting of blood. bleeding at the nose comes at any time of the year , and seises chiefly those that are of a weakly constitution , and have hot blood , and oftner when they are in years , than when they are young ; at first there are some signs of a feaver , which goes off by bleeding at the nose , but a pain and a heat in the fore part of the head remains ; the blood flows for some hours , then stops a while , and afterwards breaks out again , and so it does by turns , till at length it is quite stop'd , either by the use of remedies , or of its own accord , by reason the quantity is diminished ; but the sick is in danger of a relapse yearly , either upon drinking of spirituous liquors , or from being over-heated upon any other account . in order to the cure , i endeavour to qualifie the head and ebullition of the blood , upon which account the preternatural extravasation arises . wherefore i bleed often in the arm , and take away a large quantity of blood ; i order a cooling and thickning course of diet , as three parts of fountain water , and one of milk boil'd together , and drank cold , roasted apples , barly-broths , and the like ; forbidding the use o● flesh : i also prescribe thickning and cooling juleps , and emulsions and the like . take of the clarified juices of plantane and nettles , each six ounces , of the aqua lactis alexiteria four ounces , of cinnamon water hordeated three ounces , of white-sugar a sufficient quantity , mingle them , make a julep ; let him take four ounces in the morning , and at four in the afternoon , and so daily for three days following . take of the waters of plantane , and of cinnamon hordeated , each four ounces , of distill'd vinegar half an ounce , of true bole , and of dragon's blood , each half a dram , of london laudanum three grains , of syrup of myrtles one ounce and an half ; mix them , make a julep ; let him take five or six spoonfuls every night at bed-time . take of the syrup of juice of nettles four ounces ; give half an ounce in his liquor every time he drinks , and he may drink of tincture of roses every time he drinks . take of the seeds of henbane , and of white poppies , each half a dram ; of sugar of roses three drams , of syrup of comfry a sufficient quantity ; make an electuary , give the quantity of a small nutmeg twice a day , and let him drink a draught of tincture of roses presently after it . or , take of the four greater cold seeds , each one dram and an half ; of sweet almonds two pair , of the seeds of white poppies two drams , plantane-water eight ounces , of red-poppy-water four ounces , of cinnamon-water hordeated one ounce and an half ; make an emulsion , to which add three drams of pearled sugar , and half an ounce of the juice of citron ; mingle them , give four ounces thrice a day . i order that the sick should keep from bed daily for some time , and that a gentle cooling glister be injected every day , and a paregorick draught to be taken at bed-time : but because sharp humours often accompany such hemorragies , besides cooling and revulsion , i order gentle purging , even when the disease is at height ; and when it has done working , i give an anodyn that is stronger than usual ; and when the symptom is quite abated , i give another purge . as to external applications , rags four times doubled , and dipt in cold water , wherein sal prunella has been dissolved , and gently press'd out , may be applied often in a day to the neck ; and after general evacuations the following liquor may be applied . take of hungarian vitriol , and of alum , each one ounce ; of the flegm of vitriol half a pint , boil them till all are dissolved ; filter the liquor when it is cold , and separate it from the cristals that sometimes arise ; to the remaining liquor add a twelfth part of oyl of vitriol ; dip a tent in this liquor , and put it up the nostril from whence the blood flows , and leave it there two days . rags dipt in this liquor and applied , stop blood in any external part . a spitting of blood , which i shall now treat of , seises weakly people of a hot constitution , whose lungs are weak ; it happens chiefly to young people in the spring or summer-time . it must be cured much the same way as the bleeding at the nose , only purging must not be used often , for if it be the sick will quickly fall into a consumption . take of lucatellus's balsam one dram , of true bole one scruple ; mingle them , and give it morning and evening , with a draught of the traumatick decoction . take of plantane-water two ounces , of cinnamon-water hordeated one ounce , of distill'd vinegar half an ounce , of red coral prepared half a dram , of dragons blood half a scruple , of london laudanum two grains , of syrup of myrtles one ounce ; mingle them , give a spoonful every hour till the blood stops . or , take of tincture of roses one pint , of comfry one ounce and an half ; mingle them , give a draught every fourth hour . or , take of conserve of red roses , and of comfry , each three drams ; of cutle-bone finely powdred two drams , of crabs eyes one scruple ; boil them in half a pint of milk to four ounces ; let him eat and drink all . or , take of the lohoch of purslain one ounce and an half ; give three drams every fourth hour . and lastly , bleeding frequently used , a glister every day injected , and diacodium taken every night at going to bed , and also a diet , and medicines that thickens and cools , will perfect the cure. of diseases of the tongue . chap. xliii . of an inflammation of the tongue , and other tumours of it . as all parts of the body , especially such as are fleshy , are wont to be inflamed , so also is the tongue sometimes , by reason of blood flowing into it ; and as it is pure , cholerick , flegmatick or melancholly , it occasions either a flegmon , or an erysipelas , an oedema , or a scirrhus , and sometimes it ends in suppuration ; whereof forestus mentions an observation , of a brewer who had a great inflammation of the tongue , which suppurated . but most commonly the swelling of the tongue is soft and loose , and purely oedematous , of which galen proposes an example , of a man whose tongue was so tumified , that it could not be contained in his mouth . and sometimes also the tongue grows excessively big , when there is no oedema , no scirrhus , nor any other kind of tumour , and without any kind of pain , and is only an increase proceeding from too great nourishment of the part . the diagnostick of these tumours is not difficult , for they may be seen ; but the differences of them may be so distinguish'd , if there be an inflammation , pain and heat , and redness attend it , and the face is also affected therewith ; but if the swelling proceed from flegm , the tongue is white , and much flegm flows out , which tasts sweet and insipid : but if it be only an increase of the tongue , there are no signs of other tumours or ill humours . as to the prognostick ; tumours of the tongue , for the most part , do not endanger life , unless they grow so great , that suffocation should be feared from thence , or take their rise from some malignant humour , which may generate a cancer , which is known by hardness , pricking pain , and a livid colour . the cure of an inflammation of the tongue , must be begun with such things as cause a revulsion , and with repelling medicines : and then first a loosening glister must be injected , and a large quantity of blood must be taken away ; presently after cupping-glasses with scarrification must be applied to the shoulders ; afterwards cooling and repelling gargarisms must be used . galen commends the juice of lettice wherewith the tongue must be washed ; or a gargarism may be prepared , of a decoction of plantane , nightshade , of syrup of dried roses . after bleeding purging may be prescribed , with a medicine made of cholagogs and flegmagogs . the fluxion being stopt by evacuation , revulsion and derivation , the derivation of the humour stuft into the tongue must be endeavoured ; to which end the veins under the tongue must be opened : but if it cannot be done , by reason of the bigness of the tongue , a cupping-glass , with scarification , must be applied under the chin. if the tumour tends to suppuration , it must be promoted by applying a fig cut in the middle , which must be frequently changed , or by a gargarism made of a decoction of barly , mallows , violets , figs , raisins of the sun , of the seeds of quinces and fenugreek , adding to them syrup of violets and of jujubs . suppuration being made , if the abscess does not break of it self , let it be opened with a knife , and the ulcer must be presently cleansed with a decoction of barly , agrimony and plantane , with honey of roses . but a soft and loose tumour arising from flegm , is cured first by revulsion made by bleeding , if the sick abound with blood ; afterwards some strong purge must be given , as is the pill coch minor : but if the sick cannot take pills , a strong purging potion must be used . after these evacuations , cooling and repelling medicines must be applied at the beginning : the tongue may be washed with the juices of lemons , pomegranates , sorrel , of plantane , or with simple oxymel , to which may be added in the increase of the disease , a little ginger , sal gemma , or sal armoniack . zacutus lusitanus in a very dangerous case , when suffocation was feared , by reason of the bigness of the tongue , applied four leeches to it , and soon after a great quantity of blood was evacuated , and the tongue asswaged . the same zacutus scarrified the tongue deep in a boy of ten years of age , when the tongue was soft , and by that means a great quantity of salt-water flowed out , and the patient was presently cured . lastly , when the tongue is much increased , claudinus proposes the cutting off the superfluous flesh , necessary preparations being first used . chap. xliv . of the ranula under the tongue . though in the foregoing chapter we treated of the tumours of the tongue , yet one remains , which we thought best to treat of in a chapter by it self , because it is of a different nature from the others , and requires a different way of cure. a ranula is a tumour under the tongue , in that part wherein it is joyned to its bridle ; and so great is this tumour most commonly , that it rises higher than the lower teeth ; a cleft is in the middle of it , whereby it is divided into right and left , and by this means it resembles the hinder part of a frog , from whence it takes its name : it is of the nature of a meliceris , and the matter which flows from it is like honey , and contained in a bag , and in this bag a stone is sometimes found . it is most commonly without danger , but it is dangerous when it looks black and brown , and is hard , for then it is of a cancerous nature , and ought not to be medled with . as to the cure of this disease , first the antecedent cause must be taken away ; and if it be inveterate , then you must use cauteries and sudorifick decoctions , afterwards you must endeavour to dissolve it by topical remedies . take of pomegranate-peel , of dried hyssop , and of common salt , each two drams ; make a powder to be held under the tongue , and to be repeated often . forestus says , that a girl of twelve years of age was cured by this remedy within two days : but in grown people it is best to use sal armoniack , which dissolves and penetrates more powerfully . but if the tumour cannot be cured by medicines that discuss , it must be opened , which most commonly must be done ; for it is seldom dissolved ; but a large apertio● must be made , that all the matter may come out together ; afterwards the ulcer must be washed , first with gentle things , as with a decoction of mallows , afterwards with cleansing things , as with whitewine ▪ mixed with honey of roses : lastly , with oxymel : when the ulcer appears clear , and free from the bag , it must be cicatrized , by washing the mouth often with allum dissolved in claret . if the ulcer be inveterate , and cannot be cured by the foresaid remedies , touch it twice a day with the oyl of sulphur , tempered with rose-water , viz. mix one drop of the oyl with five or six drops of the water ; for so the intemperies will be corrected , and the part dried ; which may be also strengthned by washing the mouth often with a dissolution of allum in claret : but if it will not be cured by these means , the actual cautery must be used . you may see the manner of using of it in paraeus , book vii . chap. . chap. xlv . of tasting diminished , abolished or depraved . tasting , as the other senses , and all the actions of the body , is injured three ways , it is diminished , abolished and depraved . it is diminished when it scarce perceives tasts that are not strong , and but little such as are . it is abolished when it cannot taste any thing . and lastly , it is depraved , when it supposes the object tasts differently from what it really does . the causes of diminution , and abolition of tasting are the same , they only differ in degree ; for if they are small , they only diminish the taste ; if they are great they abolish it . the causes are either a defect of the animal spirits in the part , or an intemperies of the nerve , that comes from the third pair to the tongue , or the tongue it self is some way preternaturally indisposed . the spirits are in fault , either by reason of the paucity of them , as in people that are dying ; or upon account of obstructions of the nerves of the third pair through which they are conveyed ; or by reason of a tumour in that part of the brain from whence the nerves rise . the tongue is either covered with a moist and flegmatick humour , or it is affected with tumours , pustles or ulcers ; and by these its proper action , or the sense of tasting , may be either diminished or abolished . the taste is depraved when the tongue is affected with some vitious humour , as in feavers , when it is infected with choler , all things seem bitter ; and when it is infected with salt flegm , or a melancholly humour , all things taste acid or salt ; for the external objects coming upon the tongue move the vitious juice of it ; and so all things that are tasted seem of the same taste with the humour in the tongue : but sometimes the tongue perceives the taste of the juices contained in it , although no external object come near it . this is daily seen in feavers , when the tongue is infected with choler , for if it be very bitter , there is continually a bitter taste in the mouth . the diversity of the foresaid causes may be known by the variety of the tasts , and by the disposition of the tongue ; a sweet tast , and a redness of the tongue signifies blood , bitter taste and a yellow colour signifies choler ; whiteness with sweetness flegm ; a brown colour and sharpness melancholly ; an abominable taste shows ill humours contained in the stomach : pustles , tumours , and ulcers may be easily seen . but lastly , if there be no alteration seen in the tongue , and yet the tast is either diminished or abolished , we must suppose that the cause lies hid in the brain or nerves . the cure is various according to the variety of the causes , and therefore if the disease be in the brain or nerves , such medicines must be ordered as are used for the cure of a palsie : but when the taste is depraved by vitious humours , that symptom most commonly proceeds from other diseases , especially from feavers , which being cur'd the symptom ceases , if the taste be injured by tumours , the cure of it depends on the cure of them . lastly , if the fault arise from pustles or ulcers of the tongue , the cure of those must be undertaken by bleeding , and purging , and with the application of cooling drying and astringent topicks , in the form of a gargarism . but if the ulcers are sordid , they must be cleansed with honey of roses , sharpned moderately with oyl of vitriol , or of sulphur . but when you would dry more powerfully , the affected part must be touched once and again with the oyls unmixed . and so may be cured aphthae and all ulcers of the mouth and tongue presently . chap. xlvi . of a palsie of the tongue , and of the motion of it hurt . the chief action of the tongue is speech , and that is abolished , diminished and depraved by various causes , which have reference to simular , organick , or common diseases . as to simular , a moist intemperies joyned with matter renders the tongue too soft and loose , so that it cannot move readily ; also too much dryness hinders speech , which happens in feavers ; but organick diseases are magnitude increased , as was said before of tumours , which hinders the free motion of the tongue ; the figure of it faulty , as when the tongue is naturally too short , or when the top of it is cut off , or when the bridle is too strait , and an obstruction of the nerves of the seventh pair , which are brought to the muscles that move the tongue . lastly , common diseases are a solution of the continuum , and wounds of the part. too great a moisture of the tongue causes stammering , and such so affected cannot pronounce the letter r , and it is either native as in children , who by reason of too great moisture are troubled with it , and are freed from it in progress of time , whereby the superfluous moisture is consumed ; but in some it remains all their life long , and they always stammer . but in some stammering is accedental , and comes from a catarrh , and from a great fluxion of a flegmatick humour falling upon the jaws or tongue , and is cured by evacuation , revulsion , and derivation , and by strengthning and drying the head. the cure of a palsie of the tongue , is performed by taking off the antecedent cause , viz. the humour abounding in the brain , and by discussing the conjunct cause , viz. the humour thrust into the nerves moving the tongue . and first , purging must be ordered , and bleeding must be used if blood abound , and such a quantity must be taken away as is agreeable to the age and strength of the patient ; afterwards cephalick things must be used , and if the diseases be obstinate , a sudorifick diet-drink . after universal evacuations , derivation of the morbifick matter must be made by cupping-glasses , and blisters applied to the neck , and by an issue in the hinder part of the head. avicen applies a cupping-glass to the chin , which is also approved of by late authors . bleeding under the tongue is also used successfully after general evacuations ; and to discuss the humour the following gargarism is frequently used . take of the roots of florentine-orris half an ounce , of the leaves of wild marjoram , sage , staechas , rosemary , each half an handful , of cubebs three drams , of liquorish , one ounce ; boil them in equal parts of water , and whitewine added towards the end ; to one pint strain it , and dissolve in it two ounces of oxymel of squils ; mlke a gargarism . but if it be not strong enough to do the business , two or three drams of the roots of pellitory of spain , or the like quantity of mustard-seed may be added to it . castor also may be added if it be not too unpleasing . the juice of sage is much commended the tongue being rub'd with it , you may also add mustard-seed to it . the following pills may be also held frequently upon the tongue . take of the juice of bettony , and liquorish , each one dram and an half , of castor , and assa-faetida , each half a dram , of nutmeg , and spicknard , each one scruple , make them up into small pills with honey , fumes and powders sprinkled into the hair , and the like , must be used to strengthen the brain , and to discuss the relicts of the flegmatick humour . and lastly , to hinder the growth of new matter , which the intemperies of the brain is wont to cause , after general and particular evacuations things that strengthen the head must be used . of diseases of the gums , teeth , jaws , uvula , and larynx . chap. xlvii . of pains of the teeth . the pain of the teeth is occasioned by the influx of humours , which are either cold , flegmatick , hot , serous , salt , or acrid ; worms also bred in rotten teeth occasions pain , and some think that the pain proceeds sometimes from wind. the external and procatarctick causes occasioning pain in the teeth , are all those things which promote fluxion of humours ; the chief whereof are cold air , or southerly winds , standing long in the heat of the sun , or abroad in the night , surfetting , and all errors in diet. to these add rottenness of the teeth , which weakens them and renders them more apt to receive fluxions . the diversity of the causes may be known by various signs , when the pain arises from hot humours it is very violent , the constitution hot , the age flourishing , it is summer , there is great heat in the part , and often an inflammation of the gums , cooling medicines give ease ; hot increase the pain ; but if the pain arise from cold humours , signs contrary to these appear . if worms are the cause the pain is by intervals , and the motion of the worm is sometimes perceived in the part. pain is likewise produced by a flatuous spirit , which appears by the vehemency and tearing pain which is felt in the part , and which goes off in a little time , and is easily cured , by applying discutient remedies to the place . the prognostick is various according to the variety of the causes . a pain which is occasioned by a hot , thin , or sharp , acrid and salt humour , is the more vehement indeed , but sooner goes off , by reason of the sudden changes of the humours ; that which proceeds from a cold and flegmatick humour , is more gentle but of longer duration . a tumour arising in the gums or jaws , eases the pain of the teeth , by reason that the fluxion is carried to the exterior parts ; so that it falls no more upon the cavity of the teeth . as to the cure , the cause of the pain must be taken away , and the pain it self mitigated . and although anodyns have no great effect , unless the fluxion be taken off , yet it is often so violent , that it must not only be mitigated with anodyns , properly so called , but also with narcoticks before the cause be removed . therefore the humour which flows to the teeth must be drawn back , evacuated and repelled ; that which is already flown in , must be discussed and carried off by derivation . first therefore , if the pain arise from hot humours , bleeding must be used in the arm of the same side , whereby a revulsion of the humour may be made ; but if the pain proceeds from cold humours , bleeding is not so proper , but by reason of the fluxion it may be used because it principally makes revulsion ; but a small quantity of blood must be taken away , unless the signs of a plethora appear ; for in that case large bleeding may be allowed , which is the best means to ease the pain in the teeth , and all other pains . the next day some purging medicine must be given , that is proper for the peccant humour ; afterwards if the pain continues , cupping-glasses with scarification must be applied to the shoulders , or a large cupping-glass without scarification ; a blister may be applied to the neck or behind the ears , for it draws powerfully the humours backward . and to stop the flux astringents are properly applied to the temples ; such are the plaisters of gum-elemi , of mastich alone , or ad herniam . the fresh roots of comfrey , bruised and applied to the temples are excellent for stopping of fluxion , also the powder , of allum and galls made into a plaister with pitch are very effectual . riverius , chief physician to henry the great , kept the following plaister as a great secret. take of pine-nuts , and red roses , of the seeds of cresses torrified , of mastich , and seal'd earth , each one dram and an half , infuse them in rose vinegar twenty four hours , afterwards dry them , and add of opium dissolved in aqua vitae three ounces , of ship pitch and colophony , each one ounce , of yellow wax melted in the oyls of henbane , and white poppies , by expression a sufficient quantity , make a plaister , which must be applied to the arteries and pained part. medicines also are put into the ears for pain in the teeth , because the arteries which nourish the teeth do pass by the ears ; upon that account , oyl of bitter almonds is put into the ear next to the tooth affected , also a suffumigation of vinegar , in which penyroyal , or wild marjoram hath been boiled , is often used . vinegar is also dropt into the ear , by which the fluxion is powerfully stopped , and it is most effectual in a hot fluxion . but in a hot fluxion , juice of garlick mixed with venice treacle , and dropt warm into the ear , mitigates the pain powerfully : also the root of garlick , the bark being taken off , and made in the form of a suppository , and put into the ear , produces the same effect . astringents are also applied in the beginning of the fluxion , and they ought to be cold if the matter be hot ; but if it be cold , hot medicines mixed with those that are repelling are to be used ; in whatever cause , if the pain be violent , anodyns are to be mixed with discutients . to which purpose the following medicine may be prescribed . take of the roots of cinquefoil , bistort , tormentill , each one dram , of the leaves of vervain , plantain , and mullein , each one handful , cypress-nuts , galls , and cups of acrons , each two drams , of red sanders , a dram and an half , of red roses , and balaustines , each one pugil , boil them in astringent wine and vinegar , fomeri● the pained part with this decoction frequently . this decoction may be used in the beginning of a hot fluxion , in a cold one you may add the roots of cyperus , the bark of box-wood , ivy-leaves and the like . a more simple medicine may be prepared of plantain , and rose water , with a little vinegar , after the manner of an oxycrat . or the teeth must be washed with a decoction of galls in vinegar . or , take of cinquefoil-roots half an ounce , of willow-leaves half an handful , boil them in astringent wine , and wash the mouth with the decoction . this decoction stops the fluxion , and eases pain . after that these remedies have been used which mitigate the pain , and discuss the cause of it , of which there are a great number proposed by authors , and also by the common people . we shall in the next place propose those that are more effectual ; of the which such choice is to be made , that these which not only resolve , and discuss , but also stop the flux , being mixed with astringents , in the beginning and increase of the disease , those which only discuss in the height and declination . take of the juice of house-leek , and night-shade , each two ounces , of cow or sheeps-milk , eight ounces , oyl of roses , omphacin , one ounce and an half , of opium and saffron , each three grains , mix them and apply a rag dipt in the liquor warm often to the jaws where the pained tooth is . or , take of the pap of sweet apples boiled two ounces , of bra● infused in vinegar , three ounces , oyl of roses , omphacin one dram , saffron half a scruple , of opium two grains , mix them and make a cataplasm to be applied to the part affected . or , take of wheaten and bean-flower , each three ounces , of oyl of roses compleat , and of sweet almonds , each half an ounce , of the juice of the greater house-leek an ounce and an half , of milk a sufficient quantity , make a cataplasm , to be often applied warm to the part affected . or , take the whites of two eggs , beat them with rose-water , with rags whereon two drams of pepper powdered has been sprinkled , apply them over the whole cheek affected . nevertheless it is carefully to be noted , that astringents be not applied to the jaws if they be tumified , least the humour be repelled back , and should suffocate the patient . cotton dipt in oyl of cloves , and put into the hollow tooth is frequently used to ease the pain , oyl of box also does the same . but if the pain be so violent that it cannot be quelled with the foresaid remedies , we must use narcoticks , which may be applied to the pained tooth , but they most certainly give ease being taken inwardly ; you may give three or four grains of the london laudanum , it gives ease and stops the fluxion . take of opium , mirrh , and labdanum , each one dram , powder them , and boil them in whitewine to the consistance of a liniment , mix cotton with it , and stop the hollow tooth . if worms are in the teeth , they must be killed by bitter things . take of aloes one dram , of champhor ten grains , of aqua vitae half a dram , mingle them , and apply them to the teeth with cotton , it is to be noted , that there is seldom a pain in the teeth , unless they are hollow , and untill they are eaten through to the nerve ; wherefore that the pain may be taken off , the nerve must be burnt , either with an actual cautery , or with aqua fortis , or oyl of vitriol put into the cavity . but if notwithstanding all these means the pain continues , the tooth must be drawn , but care must be taken that the tooth be not drawn when the fluxion rushes violently upon it , or when the headach accompanies it ; or the gums are swelled , and when the pain is violent ; and the tooth-drawer must be admonished , that he does not pluck it out violently at once , least a concussion of the brain shou'd follow , or the breaking of the jaw-bone , upon which violent bleeding , a feaver , and sometimes death comes . as soon as the tooth is drawn , the part from whence it is taken must be pressed on every side , that it may be restored to its natural state , afterwards let the sick wash his mouth with warm oxycrat , and let him be careful least he catch cold , whereby a new fluxion may fall upon other teeth . but if blood flow so much as that it can scarce be stopt , which sometimes happens , though the jaw be not broken , by reason of a vein or artery torn . this flux of blood is most commonly stopt by applying lint rolled up hard , and pressing it hard down an hour or two with the fingers . but if this does not succeed ; burnt vitriol must be applyed , and a rag dipt in vinegar over it , which also must be pressed down with the finger , till it be crusted . the last remedy is an actual cautery , which presently stops the blood. but if any timerous person cannot bare the drawing of a tooth , but desires to have it extracted by remedies . those things are to be tryed , which are proposed every where by authors for the same purpose , as a paste made of frankincense powdered , a little starch , and the milk of spurge , the root of crow-foot , the bark of the root of mulberry tree , the ashes of earth-worms , pellitory of spain steep'd in vinegar , the root of wild cucumber infused in vinegar , and the like . but bears-foot is the most effectual , the tooth being rub'd with the leaf of it bruised , but great care must be taken , that the other teeth be not touched with it ; for if so , they wou'd be in danger to drop out . a certain country fellow being grievously afflicted with the toothach , desired another to rub his teeth with bears-foot , who unwarily rub'd almost all his teeth with it , and in a few hours almost all of them dropt out . wherefore if any one intends to use so violent a medicine , i wou'd advise him to cover the rest of his teeth with wax to secure them . though the tumour arising in the jaws most commonly takes off the pain of the teeth , the matter being translated to the outward parts ; yet to procure ease the sooner some remedies must be used : the following liniment does good . take of fresh-butter and hens-grease each one ounce , of the powder of florentine orris one dram , of saffron half a scruple , of oyl of camomil , and oyl of sweet-almonds , each half an ounce ; make a liniment to be applied to the jaws . a cataplasm made of figs bread and vinegar operate sooner . nettles bruised and applied to the jaws soon ease the pain . this cure is for the present pain , but if it be wont to return frequently , the generation of humours flowing to the part must be hindred , and the teeth must be strengthned , that they may not so easily receive the humours flowing to them . chap. xlviii . of black and rotten teeth . the teeth are often black , yellow or livid , by reason of vitious humours sticking to their superficies , which by lying long on them corrode , and make them rotten ; ill vapors do the same , which arise from unwholsome meats eaten , or from an intemperies of the stomach ; quick-silver used to the whole body , or to the face to beautifie it , blackens the teeth : upon which account women that use paint are wont to have black or foul teeth . in order to the cure , the antecedent cause must be first removed , and if ill humours abounding in the stomach occasion this disease , they must be evacuated , and the intemperies producing it must be corrected , and a good course of diet must be ordered , and such meats must be avoided as are apt to corrupt the teeth , especially those that are sweet . there are a great many medicines proposed to whiten the teeth by authors , which every one may make trial of ; we use only one , which presently frees the teeth from all filthiness , and renders them white ; and also preserves them from a caries , that is , the spirit of vitriol or of sulphur , in which a small stick wrapt round with a rag may be dipt , and the teeth rubbed with it , and presently after the teeth must be dried with a clean linnen cloth. when the teeth are very foul , the pure oyl may be used , or mixed with honey of roses , or it may be corrected with simple water , least the use of it corrode the gums . montanus relates that he learned this from a woman at rome , whom he had seen when he was very young , and she about the age of twenty ; he found her afterwards when she was fifty in the same condition , who had preserved her beauty and strength by the use of the oyl of vitriol ; and that her teeth which were very ill in her youth were become firm and clean in her old age by the use of it ; for she was wont daily to rub her teeth and gums gently with a drop or two of it . the ashes of tobacco are also excellent to cleanse and whiten the teeth . but to preserve them and to keep them clean , they must be daily cleansed from filth , and meat that sticks in them , by a tooth-picker , made of the lignum leutiscinum . afterwards you must wash the mouth with wine , and the teeth must be rubbed with the following powder . take of the roots of bistort , allum , and white coral , each one ounce ; make a fine powder wherewith rub the teeth . chap. xlix . of the errosion and vlceration of the gums . the gums are eaten and ulcerated by acrid and corroding humours flowing to them from the brain , stomach , spleen , and other parts . splenetick people are more especially troubled with ulcers of the gums , and such as are scorbutick ; and sometimes also the gums are corroded by worms , or by the humours that occasion them ; so that when they continue long to be so , they signifie worms to be in the body . fabritius hildanus mentions an observation of a boy , that was much troubled a long while with corroded gums , and after he had tried many medicines both inward and outward , at length he died , and his body being opened , there were found great numbers of worms , which had eaten through his guts , and lay in the cavity of the belly . the cure must be first directed to the antecedent cause , and the peccant humours must be evacuated by bleeding and purging . the acrid and hot must be attemperated by apozems , juleps , and medicated broths , and the like . and the fluxions of the same humours is to be turned , by applying cupping-glasses to proper places . and lastly , the diseases of the part principally affected must be cured . and afterwards we must use topicks , which are to be varied according to the greatness of the disease , for in a simple errosion those things are only to be applied which are astringent and dry : and first the following lotion must be used . take of unripe galls , of the cups of acorns , and of balaustins , each one dram ; of red roses one pugil ; of crude-allum three drams ; boil them in two parts of smiths water , and one of rough wine : the teeth must be often washed with this water , and if the errosion is not cured with it , the following opiat must be used . take of dragons blood three drams , of wood of aloes , red roses , spodium , harts-horn burnt till it is white , and cypress nuts , each one dram ; of myrrh , and the ashes of tobacco , each one dram ; of allum two drams ; make of all a powder , mix it with honey , and add to it a few drops of spirit of vitriol or sulphur , make an opiat , which you must spread upon a rag , and apply to the gums at bed-time . spirit of sulphur either by it self or mixed with honey of roses , cleanses and whitens the teeth , and cures the corruption of the gums . if the ulcer is deep or sordid , you must use the following balsam . take of choice myrrh , and of sugar-candy , each equal parts ; powder them , and fill the white of an egg with them first boiled hard and cut in the middle , afterwards bind it up with thread , and hang it in a cellar , put a glass under for the liquor to drop into , wherewith anoint the part affected often in a day . but if the foresaid remedies will not do the business , and if the tooth near the ulcer be rotten , it must be drawn out , and the ulcer will be soon cured , otherwise it will be incurable . chap. l. of blood flowing from the gums . blood sometimes flows in a great quantity from the gums , either critically or symptomatically : but though a critical hemorrhage seldom happens by the gums , yet that it does so sometimes , experience and the observations from authors show . it flows symptomatically from the gums , by reason of its acrimony , and of the vitious constitution of the spleen , and also the scurvy : it also sometimes flows plentifully after the drawing of a tooth ; the little artery being torn , which was inserted into the root of the tooth ; upon which account sometimes so much blood flows as kills the patient . the cure of a symptomatick flux is performed by bleeding , and purging , and other remedies that correct the disorders of the bowels ; afterwards topicks must be used that are of an astringent nature , in the form of a gargarism , lotion , powder , liniment , or opiate . if a great quantity of blood flows upon drawing a tooth , revulsion first must be made by bleeding , and cupping-glasses and astringent medicines must be applied to the part ; as a cataplasm made of bole-armenick , dragons blood , sealed earth , and other astringents mixed with the white of an egg. if these things do not do , the patient must apply his finger to the part from whence the blood flows , and must be kept there so long , till the blood coagulated upon the orifice of the artery stops the flux . if the blood cannot be stopt by these gentle means , stronger must be used . chalcitis burnt and applied , stops blood wonderfully , gum-arabick powder'd , and the cavity fill'd with it , is also of use : so is also the powder called thuraloes , applied with the white of an egg and hares down . chap. li. of vlcers of the mouth and jaws . small and superficial ulcers of the mouth are called aphthae , and when they are large they go under the common name of ulcers , as those are that happen to pocky people . these ulcers are wont to be generated by acrid humours , or vapors translated from various parts of the body to the jaws . so in malignant feavers , such ulcers frequently happen , and to those which are of a hot constitution , and are subject to an intemperies of the parts , and to others that abound with corrupted humours , upon which account children are frequently troubled with aphthae . these ulcers are various , not only for that some are small , some greater , and because some trouble children , and some grown people , but also because an inflammation accompanies some of them , and others it do's not . these various degrees happen according to the variety of humours from whence they are generated , for either they proceed from blood , choler , flegm , or melancholy , or rather from black choler , which is of a burning and malignant quality . but these differences may be known by their proper signs , for red ulcers proceed from blood , yellow from choler , white from flegm , livid from black choler , a stinking ulcer signifies putrefaction . as to the prognostick , aphthae properly so called are easily cured , but deep ulcers , or such as are putrid are difficultly cured , and they are most dangerous in children , both because they spread more by reason of the softness of their flesh , and also , because they cannot bear strong medicines ; upon which account children sometimes die of them , if they are accompanied with putrefaction and malignity . and with respect to the cause from whence they proceed , they are more or less dangerous ; if they proceed from flegm there is little danger , if from blood , or choler , there is more , if from black choler most of all . black and crusty ulcers are deadly , especially in children . ulcers of the jaws accompanied with a feaver are dangerous . as to the cure , a cooling and drying diet must be ordered to hinder the generation of the antecedent cause ; wherefore if in children , the disease arises from a fault in the milk , either the nurse must be changed , or her milk must be corrected by proper meats and drinks , and by bleeding and purging if there be occasion . but you must be sure to prescribe a cooling and astringent diet to the nurse , as quinces , pears , medlars , lettice , and purslain . the same must be prescribed for grown people , and they must avoid acrid , salt , and peppered meats . moreover with respect to the antecedent cause , universal evacuations must be prescribed , according to the age of the sick , and first , bleeding makes a powerful revulsion of humours flowing to the part , and attemperates their acrimony , and cools the whole body . afterwards cupping-glasses with scarification must be applied , leeches behind the ears , and under the chin , and a blister must be applied to the neck . the next day after bleeding purging must be ordered suitable to the peccant humour , and the age , at the same time , viz. from the very beginning of the cure , topicks must be applied ; but such as are gentle must be first used , as gargarisms , or lotions made with the waters of plantain , or honey-suckle , and sweetned with syrup of dried roses , or of mulberries , or of a decoction , of plantain leaves , bramble-tops , knot-grass , balaustins , red sanders , and the like , with the foresaid syrups . and if there be an inflammation , it is proper to add the juice of night-shade , house-leek or of purslain , and sal prunella , in such quantity as may not sharpen it too much , or instead of them a small quantity of crude allum may be mixed with it . if there be no inflammation , spirit of vitriol , or sulphur is the only remedy which may be used by it self to grown people ; the ulcer being touched with a stick wrapped round the top , with a rag dipt in it , and so simple aphthae will be cured immediately . but for children the spirit must be mixed with honey of roses to mitigate the sharpness , and must be used with a stick , as above directed . if the ulcers are very painful , and accompanied with inflammation ; the mouth must be often gargled with milk , or with an emulsion of the cold seeds , or with a mucilage of the seeds of fleabean , and of quinces extracted with plantain and rose-water . lastly , if the pain be so very obstinate that it cannot be appeased by the revulsions and topicks proposed ; but by reason of the violence of it , sharp humours are continually attracted , and long watchings occasioned , and a wasting of the whole body , whereby the life is much endangered , the last remedy are narcoticks , which ease the pain , and hinders the influx of the humours , they are to be dosed according to the age and strength of the patient . i cured a boy , says riverius , of four years of age , when he was just dying , by giving him a grain of laudanum . his jaws and tongue were full of deep ulcers , and the inflammation so great , that he cou'd not bear topick remedies , and the flux of humours so much , that they flowed perpetually out of his mouth like a stream , and the child cryed night and day . if the ulcer be putrid , and sordid , it must be first washed with a decoction made of barley and honey of roses , and in children , with milk wherein steel has been quenched , mixed with conserve of roses ; afterwards you must use things that are stronger , honey of roses is the chief , made acid with the spirit of vitriol . if these are not sufficient , burnt allum may be added to the things abovementioned , or unguentum aegyptiacum , in a greater or lesser quantity , according to the degree of the diseases . lastly , if the ulcer of the jaws proceed from the french pox , it cannot be cured until that is taken off . chap. lii . of the relaxation of the uvula . the relaxation of the uvula , happens by reason of a flegmatick humour , falling from the head upon it , wherewith some blood is often mixed , and then an inflammation accompanies the relaxation , which also frequently happens to the almonds , concerning the cure of which inflammations we shall say nothing ; because the cure of them is performed by the same remedies which were proposed for the cure of an inflammation of the tongue , and for ulcers of the mouth with inflammation . the flegmatick humour falling upon the uvula , moistens , softens , and so relaxes it , that it touches the upper part of the oesophagus , and creates nauseousness , and those that are so affected , always endeavour in vain to swallow something that lies at the top of the oesophagus , and by this sign without inspection , the relaxation of the uvula may be known . the cure of it must be first directed to the anticedent cause , wherefore the humours flowing from the head , must be evacuated , and diverted by those remedies which are proposed for the cure of a catarrh . the topicks which are used in the beginning must be astringent and repellent , such as were proposed for ulcers in the jaws and gums ; afterwards the things that are drying and astringent must be mixed with them ; and though the gargarisms proposed in the said places , are profitable in these cases ; yet when there is no inflammation , the use of powders is more effectual . for by them the relaxed uvula is more powerfully dried and contracted . and therefore the bark of pomegranates finely powdered should be first used , and in progress a little pepper may be used with it . or , take of red roses , balaustines , pomegranate-peel , each half a dram , of the roots of bistort , tormentil , and unripe galls , and of florentine-orris , each one dram , of burnt allum two scruples , make a powder . common chyrurgeons apply long pepper powdered to it , but it is not safe , for there is danger least the humours should be drawn violently to the part affected , and so should occasion some great mischief . the manner of using these powders is as follows : the tongue must be depressed with a speculum-oris , and then with a spatula , or with a small spoon for the purpose ; the powder must be conveyed to the uvula , often in a day , till the humour imbibed be wholly consumed . but if the uvula relaxed cannot be reduced by the foresaid remedies to it's former state , but still continues troublesome by being so long , the top of it must be cut off ; but care must be taken that too much of it be not cut off , for if so the speech and respiration wou'd be injured . chap. liii . of a quinsie . it comes at any time of the year , especially between spring and summer , and chiefly seizes young men , and such as are of a sanguine constitution , and red hair'd people , ( which i have often observed ) more than any other , they shiver and shake presently , a feaver follows , and a little after a pain and inflammation of the jaws , and if the patient be not presently relieved , he can neither swallow nor draw his breath through his nostrils ; so that he is under the apprehension of strangling , by reason the jaws are stopt by the inflammation and tumour of the uvula , almonds , and larynx , and is indeed in a manner suffocated . there is great danger in this disease , for it sometimes destroys a man in a few hours . in order to the cure , i presently take away blood plentifully from the arm , and presently afterwards from the veins under the tongue , and then i order that the inflamed parts shou'd be touched with honey of roses , made very sharp with spirit of sulphur , and that the following gargarism shou'd be used not after the common way , but that it shou'd be kept in the mouth without any agitation till it wax hot , and then that it shou'd be spit out , and that it should be repeated now and then . take of plantane-water , and red rose-water , and of the water of the spawn of frogs , each four ounces ; the whites of three eggs turned to a water by beating , of white sugar-candy three drams , make a gargarism . i likewise order , that the patient take dayly of the emulsion prescribed in the cure of a pleurisie or the like . the next morning i bleed again , unless the feaver , and difficulty of swallowing somewhat abate , and defer purging till the next day : but if both these are lessened , i presently give a lenitive purge . if the feaver and other symptoms are like to be troublesome , after purging they are to be quelled by bleeding repeated as before , by applying a large and strong blister to the neck , a cooling and emollient glister is to be injected every morning , except when the patient purges , through the whole course of the disease . the use of flesh of all kinds , and their broths are to be forbid , and the patient is to be dieted with oatmeal and barley broths , and roasted apples , and the like , let him use a ptisan of barley or small beer . let him keep up some hours every day , for the warmth of the bed heightens the feaver , and other symptoms . but it is to be noted , that such a quinsie which is only a symptom of a feaver i call stationary , is to be cured by that method which is requisite for the feaver , and so is either to be taken off by sweat and transpiration , or by any other method of cure which is necessary for the primary feaver whereon it depends , which is worth observation . chap. liv. of an asthma . though an asthma is taken for a difficulty of breathing in general , yet it principally signifies that which proceeds from a stoppage of the lungs , and an obstruction of the bronchia , which of its own nature is without a feaver , though sometimes a feaver accompanies it . an asthma is divided into three species , one is called dyspnoea , another asthma , the third orthopnoea . a dyspnoea is a difficulty of breathing , arising from an obstruction of the lungs ; this is less than an asthma , or orthopnoea , and arises from a smaller quantity of matter that obstructs more the substance of the lungs , than the bronchia ; upon which account there is no wheezing , which is occasioned by a commotion of the humour contained in the bronchia . an asthma is a great and frequent respiration , wherein the diaphagma , the intercostal muscles , and the muscles of the abdomen are violently moved , and a wheezing accompanies it . but an orthopnoea , is the greatest difficulty of breathing , wherein the sick can only breath , as the word signifies , sitting upright . the cure of an asthma is twofold , one in the fit , and the other out of it ; in the fit a glister being first given , bleeding must be used ; if blood seem to abound in any degree , and the sick must be placed upright in a free air , and smoak , or the breath of the standers by must not offend him ; and his cloathes , or any thing else that covers his breast must be loosned . after bleeding , or it being omitted , if it be not thought proper , a phlegmagogue purge must be given . as to vomits , though some dislike them , yet are they very proper in this disease , as is evident by experience , and frequently the fit is taken off by this remedy alone . sharp glisters are often to be injected to make a revulsion , nevertheless their quantity ought to be small frictions in the inferior parts are also to be used , and many cupping-glasses are to be applied to them , and to the neck ; afterwards the gross humours must be moistned and attenuated , and the wind arising from them must be discussed , to which purpose the following medicines must be given . take of gum ammoniack and bdellium dissolved in vinegar of squills , each one dram and an half of castor , and of the flowers of sulphur , each half a dram , of millepedes prepared one dram , of salt of ambar one scruple , of elixir proprietatis half a dram , with a sufficient quantity of oxymel , make small pills ; let him take four morning and evening , drinking upon them three spoonfuls of the following julep . take of the waters of rue , black-cherries , lime-flowers , each two ounces , of compound peony , and compound briony-waters , and of spirit of castor , each one ounce , of syrup of staethas , and gilly-flowers , each one ounce and an half , mingle them and make a julep . take of the nerve plaister half an ounce , of oyl of amber four drops , of balsam of sulphur half a dram , mingle them , spread a plaister upon leather , and apply it to the breast . take of the cephalick , plaister with euphorbium a sufficient quantity , make plaisters for the soles of the feet . in the mean while , things that expectorate the gross matter must be used . take of the pectoral decoction a quart , add to it of spirit of salt-armoniack half a dram , of oxymel of squils half an ounce , of tincture of castor one dram , of ground-ivy water three ounces , mingle them , let him take six spoonfuls every two hours . or , take of the seeds of annise finely powdered , and of powder of liquorish , each three drams ; of the flowers of sulphur one dram and an half ; mingle them , add two ounces and an half of the best honey , dissolved in three ounces of cinnamon-water hordeated ; make an electuary ; add to it of balsam of sulphur fifteen drops ; of oyl of annise-seeds ten drops ; let him take one dram every third or fourth hour , drinking upon it five spoonfuls of the following decoction . take of the roots of elecampane one dram and an half , of the leaves of ground-ivy half an handful ; boil them in three pints of the pectoral decoction strained ; add three ounces of canary-wine , syrup of maiden-hair two ounces and an half ; mix them . the breast must be anointed with oyntments and liniments that soften and discuss . take of the oyntment of the flowers of oranges , and pomatum , each three drams ; of oyl of nutmegs by expression two drams ; of oyl of the berries of juniper and annise , each half a dram ; mingle them , make a liniment , wherewith anoint the whole breast morning and evening . take of the oyntment of marsh-mallows one ounce and an half , of oyl of annise-seeds thirty drops ; make an oyntment . if the fit continue , apply a blister to the neck ; when the fit is off , the fluxion of the humour must be hindred , and that which has already flowed upon the lungs must be incided , cleansed away , and expectorated , and to restrain the force of the fluxion , a clear and pure air must be chosen , and southerly and rainy air must be avoided , and the air in the night ; sleeping and watching must be moderate , and the humour must be purged off by the following medicines . take of the bitter decoction , made with a triple quantity of senna , three ounces and an half , manna half a ounce , mingle them , make a purging potion . or , take of the pilulae ruffi one dram , of the species hiera half a dram , of salt of wormwood half a scruple , of aloes rosat , and of rhubarb powdered , each one scruple , of elixir proprietatis a sufficient quantity ; make ten pills of a dram , let him take four at bed-time . of the days he does not purge , let him take of the following medicine . take of the seeds of annise finely powdered two drams , with a sufficient quantity of lucarellus's balsam , make pills , of each drams six , let him take three in the morning , and as many at four in the afternoon , drinking upon them four ounces of the bitter decoction . it is to be noted , that purging must be often used in this disease , and the form of them must be varied , least nature should be too much accustomed to one and the same remedy . chap. lv. of a pleurisie . this disease that is as frequent as any other , comes at any time , but especially about the spring and summer ; for at that time the blood being heated by the nearness of the sun , rushes violently into effervescences and inordinate motions . it chiefly seises those that are of a sanguine temperament , and often country people , and those that are accustomed to much labour . it most commonly begins with a shaking and shivering , and then heat , drouth , and restlessness , and other symptoms of a feaver follow , after a few hours , though ( sometimes it is much longer before this symptom comes ) the patient is taken with a violent pricking pain in one of his sides about the ribs , which sometimes reaches towards the shoulder-blades , sometimes towards the back-bone , and sometimes towards the breast , he coughs frequently , which occasions great pain , so that sometimes he holds his breath to prevent coughing ; the matter which is spit up at the beginning is little and thin , and often sprinkled with particles of blood , but in the process of the disease 't is more and more concocted and mixt with blood ; the feaver in the mean while keeps the same pace , and is helpt on by those symptoms that proceed from it , and the said feaver with all its ill train ( viz. the cough , the spitting of blood , the pain , and the like ) is gradually lessened , according to the degree of the free expectoration of the morbisick matter . but the matter occasioning this disease , does not always in the process of it attain the concoction that is due to expectoration ; for it often happens , that the matter spit up is yet little and thin , as at the beginning of the disease ; and consequently the feaver and other symptoms do not at all remit till they have destroyed the sick. in the mean while he is sometimes bound in his body , and sometimes too loose , the stools being frequent and very liquid ; it sometimes happens when the disease is very high , and bleeding has not been used , the patient is not able to cough , but labouring under a great difficulty of breathing , is in a manner suffocated by the violence of the inflammation ; which is sometimes so very great that he can't open his breast large enough for respiration , without exquisite pain . and sometimes after a violent inflammation , and when bleeding has been ommitted which ought to have been used at the beginning of the disease , an imposthume is presently occasioned , and the cavity of the breast is filled with matter ; in which case tho the original feaver either wholly ceases , or is at least lessened , yet the patient is not out of danger , for an empyema or an hectick feaver following , the poor wretch dies consumptive . but now though a pleurisie commonly takes its rise from the proper and specifick inflammation of the blood , which is wont to produce it when it is an original disease . yet it comes sometimes accidentally upon other feavers , of what kind soever they be , from a precipitation of the febrile matter upon the pleura , or intercostal muscles , and it happens for the most part at the very beginning of the feaver ; the febrile matter being as yet crude , and not subdued by a fit ebullition , and so not prepared for a due separation ; but this inconvenience most commonly arises from an unseasonable and preposterous use of hot medicines . for nature being disturbed by this means , is forced to expel the humour , as yet crude by any way ; and so sometimes the feaverish matter is impetuously cast upon the meninges of the brain , and then a frenzy is occasioned ; and sometimes upon the membrane covering the ribs , and from thence a pleurisie arises ; especially when the age and temperament of the patient , and the season of the year , betwixt spring and summer contribute to it . for certainly at that season feavers are prone to turn to pleurisies . though this disease has an ill name , and is of it self more dangerous than any other , yet if it be well managed it is easily cured , and indeed as certainly as other diseases . as to the cure , as soon as i am called , i order that ten ounces of blood be taken away from the arm of the side affected ; and afterwards , i prescribe the following potion to be taken presently after bleeding . take of erratick poppy-water four ounces , of sal prunella one dram , of syrup of violets one ounce , mingle them , make a draught . at the same time i prescribe the following emulsion . take of sweet almonds number seven , of the seeds of melons , and pompions , each half an ounce , of the seeds of white poppies two drams , beat them together in a marble mortar , pouring gently upon them a pint and an half of barley-water , of rose-water two drams , of sugar-candy half an ounce , mingle them , make an emulsion , give four ounces every fourth hour . i also order pectorals to be taken frequently : for instance , take , of the pectoral decoction a quart , of syrup of violets and maiden-hair , each one ounce and an half ; mingle them , make an apozem ; let him take half a pint thrice a day . take of the oyl of sweet-almonds two ounces , of syrup of violets , and maiden-hair , each one ounce ; of sugar-candy half a dram ; mingle them , make a linctus , of which let the patient lick often in a day . oyl of almonds by it self , or oyl of flax-seeds , is often used with good success . as to diet , i forbid the use of all flesh , and all broths of it , though never so thin : i advise that the patient be fed with oaten and barly-broths and panada , and let him drink of a ptysan made of barly-water , with the roots of sorrel and liquorish , and the like , and sometimes small-beer . moreover , i prescribe the following oyntment . take of the oyl of sweet-almonds two ounces , of the oyntment of marsh-mallows and pomatum each one ounce ; mingle them , make a liniment , with which anoint the affected side morning and evening , applying upon it a cabbage-leaf . i also order he should persist in the use of the said remedies through the whole course of the disease . of the same day i am first called ; if the pain be very violent , i take away again the same quantity of blood , or else the day following , and so the third day ; and after this manner four times one day after another ( unless the patient be well before ) when the pain and other symptoms rage violently ; but if the disease , being more moderate and less dangerous , permits me to proceed more gently ; or if the patient , being weak , cannot well bear bleeding so often , i do not repeat it again after it has been twice used , till a day or two be past betwixt each bleeding . i have seldom observed , that a confirmed pleurisie has been cured in grown people with less than the loss of forty ounces of blood , or thereabout ; though in children , once or twice bleeding is most commonly sufficient ; nor does the diarhea , which sometimes comes upon this disease , hinder the foresaid repeated bleeding ; for indeed it may be soon stopt by this very method , without any astringent medicine : but i either wholly omit glisters , or take care that they be injected at as great a distance as may be betwixt the bleedings ; and they should be only made of milk and sugar . all the time of the disease , i take care that the patient be not over-heated , and therefore i give leave that he be taken every day out of his bed , and that he keep up some hours according to his strength ; which is of so great moment in this kind of disease , that if the patient be kept continually in bed , neither this so large evacuation of blood , nor other remedies , how cooling soever , will sometimes do any good for the taking off the said symptoms . presently after the last bleeding , unless perchance it happens before that all the symptoms abate , and that the patient ( who has been kept hitherto for some days from all spirituous liquors and strong nourishment ) soon recovers his strength , it will be convenient to give a gentle purge . but now if any one should say , that proceeding in this way , we scarce touch upon expectoration , so far are we from discoursing largely of the ways by which it is to be promoted , through the various seasons of the disease , he is to know that these things were not unwarily past over : but after good consideration designedly neglected ; for i always thought that they were in very great danger , who committed the cure of this disease to expectoration ; for it often happens that part of the morbifick matter being concocted , and perhaps spit up , the rest remains crude ; the best maturating and expectorating medicines having been used in vain ; for sometimes the expectoration goes on very well , and sometimes is wholly suppressed . the patient in the mean while being in jeopardy on every hand , and for any power i have over expectoration , which indeed is none at all , may be adjudged for life or death ; whereas on the contrary by bleeding , the morbifick matter is in my power , and the orifice of the vein may supply the use of the aspera arteria ; for i confidently assert , that this disease , which if it be treated by the method we have spoken against , is deservedly reckon'd among the most dangerous , may be as certainly and as safely cured , by the method i have now prescribed , as any other disease whatever ; nor could i ever find the least injury befall any one by so large an evacuation of blood , though unskilful people think otherwise ; but for as much as the cure of this disease almost wholly consists in bleeding repeated , which being performed in places far distant from populous towns by unskilful surgeons and farriers , poor people are often in danger of losing their arms , and their lives are hazarded by the pricking of a tendon . i thought sit to add here the cure of such punctures when they happen : they whose tendons are prick'd do not presently perceive a pain , but twelve hours after bleeding they complain of it , not so much in the orifice lately made , as in the parts tending to the arm-pits , where at length the pain fixes , and is chiefly perceived when the arm is extended : but the part hurt has no great swelling , that scarce exceeding the bigness of a hazel-nut ; an ichor continually distills from the orifice , which is the chief sign of a puncture of a tendon , i have known it cured in the following manner . take of the roots of white lillies four ounces ; boil them till they are soft in a quart of cows milk ; then take of oat-meal , and of the meal of flax-seeds , each three ounces , boil the meal to the consistence of a pultis , in a sufficient quantity of the milk strained from the aforesaid roots , and mingle the roots mash'd ; make a cataplasm , apply it hot morning and evening to the part affected . chap. lvi . of a peripneumonia . a peripneumonia is an inflammation of the lungs , with an acute feaver , a cough , and a difficulty of breathing : they that have this disease perceive a great inflammation in the breast , with a swelling of the lungs , and sometimes a pricking pain ; they labour for breath , and breath is short ; the feaver is accompanied with great thirst , watchings , and a troublesom cough , and the spi●tle bloody , or streaked with blood. the formal reason , and the conjunct cause of a peripneumonia , consist in the febrile effervescence of the blood , together with the stopage of it in the narrow passages of the lungs , which occasions an inflammation there . it is observed that a peripneumonia frequently follows , or comes upon a pleurisie , or succeeds a quinsie . as to the prognosticks of this disease , common experience does attest , that 't is a very dangerous disease ; for many either dye of it , or very difficultly recover health ; and this is manifest from its aetiology ; for a wound with a great extravasation or stagnation of blood made in the lungs , is very difficultly cured , and the affected place is never restored to its pristine state. the prognostick signs which are of chiefest note , are taken from appearance of the symptoms , and from the nature of things evacuated , and from the degrees of strength . a peripneumonia coming upon a pleurisie or quinsie , most commonly is worse than when it comes of it self , or succeeds either of them . but if upon this disease , after what manner soever begun , an acute feaver presently follows , with great thirst , watchings , and an orthopnoea ; it is ill , and yet much worse , if a delirium , or phrensie , or convulsive motions , or an hemiplegia come upon it . moreover , the patient is as much indangered if he be very short-breathed , if he be troubled with vomiting , or frequent swooning away , a weak pulse , or cold sweats : for while these symptoms are urgent , the obstruction of the blood in the lungs is not at all removed , nothing is digested or spit up ; but the circulation of the blood being more and more obstructed , and its accension by respiration hindred , the animal spirits are much disordered ; so that at length the strength is quite spent , and the vital flame extinguished . as to the prognosticks from things evacuated , we observe a peripneumonia to be dangerous when nothing is spit up ; next to this , when the spittle is thin and crude , mixed with blood ; it 's far better when the spittle is yellow and thick , streaked with a little blood. the urine being yellow from the beginning , and of a good consistence , with a cloud in the midst , shews that almost all the impurities are lodged in the place affected ; when from that state it is changed into a thick and turbid urine , it shews that the morbifick matter is resorbed from that part into the blood : but if such kind of urine be suddenly changed into a thin one , then a delirium , or death it self , is at hand . much sweat , and plenty of urine , a diarrhaea , bleeding at nose ; the flux of the courses , or of the hemorrhoids , are good signs in this disease ; yea , any of these evacuations happening seasonably , do frequently discharge the disease . the condition of strength is ever of great moment in making a due prognostick in this disease ; for oftentimes when there be dreadful symptoms , as a violent feaver , a difficulty of breathing , with a cough , watchings , and other ill signs , if the pulse be as yet strong , and the animal spirits vigorous , there is more hope of the patient , than when these things are more sedate , if the pulse be weak , and the spirits torpid and oppress'd . the first indication of cure in a peripneumonia , is , that the blood impacted in the vessels of the lungs , and causing obstruction and inflammation , may be discussed from thence , and restored to its wonted circulation ; but if it cannot be done , the second indication will be , that the matter be duly digested , or suppurated , and presently spit up . while the former indication prevails , the intentions of healing may be these following : first , that the more plentiful flux of blood to the part affected be prevented : secondly , we must endeavour that the blood stagnating or extravasated in the lungs , be resorbed again by the veins into the rest of the mass , and restored to circulation : and that it may be the better done , the blood ought thirdly to be freed from its clamminess whereby its fluidity is hindred . fourthly , we must take care of the most urgent symptoms , viz. the feaver , cough , watchings , and difficulty of breathing : but if notwithstanding all these things , the other indication shall come into use ; it will be requisite to prescribe maturating and expectorating medicines vulgarly so called , together with these remedies just mentioned . that we may answer the first and second intention together , bleeding is for the most part requisite in every peripneumonia , yea , sometimes it ought to be frequently repeated ; for the vessels being emptied of blood , do not only withdraw the nourishment of the disease , but do often resorbe the matter impacted in the part affected : wherefore if strength remain , and the pulse be strong enough , large bleeding is convenient at the very beginning ; but otherwise let it be used in a small quantity ; which however may be repeated as occasion offers it self . it is to be noted , that blood drawn in a peripneumonia , and also in a pleurisie , after it 's cold , contains in its superficies a small viscous and discoloured film . moreover , we may observe one while the blood entirely bad , another while only part of it is subject to this change ; for when the blood is received in three or four dishes , sometimes in all , but oftner in the second and third dish , it is apparently bad , and in the first and last good enough . wherefore it is commonly ordered , that the blood is always to run so long , till that which is so depraved begins to come forth ; and if there be sufficient strength , the flowing out is to be continued till it runs good again : indeed as frequent experience does approve of this practice , so doth reason it self ; for in this disease , seeing the whole mass of blood does not presently acquire that clamminess , the depraved portions are chiefly accumulated about the place of the obstruction , and adhere on every side in the lesser vessels ; wherefore the blood first flowing out by phlebotomy is often good : afterwards , the vessels being emptied , receive the other morbifick stagnating before , and restore it to circulation ; and when portions of it placed near , troop together to the orifice of the vein , they flow out together ; and after that the corrupted blood hath flowed out , the residue more pure doth succeed . wherefore in this case , let incision be ever made with a large orifice , and let the blood be drawn out with a large and continued stream ; for otherwise , if in the midst of bleeding , the bad blood issuing out , the orifice ( as the manner of some is , that the spirits should not faint ) be closed with the finger ; when it is opened again , the pure blood will flow next , but the bad sliding by , if there be any remaining , will not presently return to that orifice . besides phlebotomy , many other remedies , namely , whatever does repress that urgency of blood , and empty the passages thereof , are to be used , wherefore a very thin diet is prescribed , for the most part meerly of barley and oats ; and though catharticks are altogether prohibited , because they disquiet the blood , and hurry it impetuously upon the part affected , yet glisters which gently loosen the belly , and draw the impurities of the blood towards the belly , ought to be daily used . moreover juleps , and temperating apozems which restrain the feaver of the blood , and evacuate the superfluous sorosities of it , and gently open the passages of the breast , are used with good success . the third intention of healing which respects the taking off the clamminess or obstructing viscosity of the blood , is wholly to be performed by remedies , which unloose the frame thereof too much bound , and dissolve the combinations of the salts , as testaceous powders , the tooth of a boar , the jaws of a pike , and other things indued with an alkali salt , also sal-prunella . i have frequently known the spirit of sal-armoniack , and harts-horn to have yielded notable relief in this disease , and the infusion of horse-dung , by reason of its volatile salt is of great use , though it be a common remedy . as to the symptoms and their cure , very many remedies appropriated to these , fall in together with the former , for against the feaver the same juleps and apozems , which appease the heat of the blood , and withall recreate the animal spirits are to be used ; to which , in respect of the cough and difficulty of breathing , temperate pectoral remedies are added . the greatest difficulty is what ought to be exhibited against want of sleep , when it is very urgent ; for opiats because they further the difficulty of breathing in this disease , are scarce safely taken ; yea sometimes they are very pernicious ; wherefore laudanum , and the strong preparations of opium , are to be shunned in a peripneumonia , more than a dog or a snake . nevertheless , anodyns and gentle hypnoticks , as water and syrup of red poppies are not only allowed , but are accounted specifick remedies in this disease , and in a pleurisie ; and sometimes it will be expedient to use diacodiats , if the strength be sufficient , and the pulse strong enough ; for the pain of the breast , if at any time it be troublesome , it is necessary to apply liniments , fomentations , and cataplasms . the second curative indication which intends the digestion of the matter impacted in the lungs , ( if it cannot be dispersed or resorbed , ) and to throw it up by spittle requires ordinary , maturating , and expectorating medicines that are temperate , such as asswage thirst , and appease the feaverish heat . the more select remedies , that are chiefly accommodated to this disease shall be now mentioned . the medicines conducing to the first and second intention are prescribed according to the following forms . take of the waters of maries thistle ten ounces , of red poppies three ounces , of the syrup of red poppies one ounce , of pearls prepared one dram , make a julep . the dose is six spoonfuls every fourth hour . take of black cherry water , of the water of carduus benedictus , and of baulm , each four ounces , of the powder of boars tooth one dram , of syrup of violets ten drams , make a julep to be taken after the same manner . take of grass-roots three ounces , shavings of ivory , and harts-horn , each three drams ; raisons stoned one ounce and an half , liquorish two drams ; boil them in spring water , from three pints to two ; to the strained liquor add , syrup of violets one ounce , sal-prunella one dram ; make an apozem . take three or four ounces thrice a day , for the same intention , viz. that the vessels being emptied may substract the nourishment of the disease , or resorbe the morbifick matter , purging is prescribed by many . the ancients in this disease as in many other , used after phlebotomy , preparatives and purgatives in a constant course ; and of late the chymists with greater boldness give vomits , and prefer them before all other remedies in peripneumonia ; yea neglecting or forbidding bleeding , they chiefly depend on stibiate vomits , but i think there cannot be a more pernicious course ; for though sometimes they do no hurt in rustick and robust bodies , yet they are without success ; but in tender constitutions they are in a manner as destructive as poison . but as to purging , though it may not be convenient at the very beginning , for indeed it 's then most commonly injurious , yet the fluxion of the morbifick matter being stopt , and the effervescence of the blood being appeased , we may safely evacuate the body with a lenitive purge . take of the decoction of senna gerionis four ounces , of syrup of roses solutive one ounce , mingle them , make a potion . or , take of the best senna three drams , of all the cassia , and tamarinds , each half an ounce ; of coriander seeds two drams , let them be boiled in a sufficient quantity of fountain water to six ounces ; when it is strained add one ounce of syrup of violets ; let it be clarified with the white of an egg , and give it . purgatives are not always to be given , nor ever unadvisedly in this disease , but glisters are used frequently , and most commonly daily ; they must be gentle and emollient , such as easily move the belly , without any great agitation of the humours or blood ; for this purpose , milk or whey is often convenient , with brown sugar , or syrup of violets . or , take of the leaves of either sort of mallows , of melilot and mercury , each one handful ; of linseed , and sweet fennel-seeds , each half an ounce ; of sweet prunes number six ; boil them in a sufficient quantity of spring water to a pint , to which add syrup of violets one ounce , sugar ten drams , sal prunella one dram , make a glister . medicines for the third intention , viz. for dissolving the clamminess of the blood , are wont to be administred in the form of a powder , of a spirit , or a potion , according to the manner following . . powders . take of crabs-eyes two drams , of sal prunella one dram and an half , of pearled sugar one dram , make a powder for six doses , one to be taken every sixth hour , with a proper julep or apozem . or , take of the tusk of a boar , of the jaw of a pike , or of crabs-eyes , each one dram and an half ; of the flowers of sal armoniack , of the powder of red poppy flowers , each half a dram ; mix them for four doses , . spirits and chymical liquors . take of spirit of sal-armoniack distil'd with olibanum three drams , the dose is from fifteen drops to twenty , thrice a day . or , take of the spirit of vrine , or soot , after the same manner . take of the sweet spirit of nitre three drams , the dose it from six drops to ten . . potions . take of carduus-water one pint , fresh horse-dung three ounces , dissolve it warm , and filter it ; the dose is three or four ounces twice or thrice a day ; add half an ounce of syrup of violets , or of red poppies . or , take of the leaves of dandelion two handfuls bruised , and infused in half a pint of the water of maries thistle , treacle-water half an ounce , press them out , add powder of crabs-eyes one dram ; take four or six spoonfuls thrice a day . the fourth intention of healing in respect of the symptoms greatly urging , does suggest divers sorts of operations . first , in respect of the feaver , the juleps and apozems above prescribed are convenient . moreover the use of sal-prunella ought to be frequent . secondly , for the cough and difficulty of breathing , lambatives and decoctions , or pectoral juleps are administred with success . take of the syrups of jujubes , and maiden-hair , each one ounce and an half ; of syrup of violets one ounce , flowers of nitre one scruple , make a linctus to be lick'd now and then . take of syrup of marsh-mallows one ounce , of diacodium , and of syrup of red-poppies , each half an ounce ; powder of crabs-eyes two scruples , make a linctus to be taken the same way . take of the syrups of hyssop , and liquorish , each one ounce and an half ; of the powder of red-poppy flowers one scruple , of crabs-eyes one dram , of the lohoch of the pine six drams , make a lohoch , take the quantity of a nutmeg four times , or oftner in a day . take of the roots of grass , chervil , marsh-mallows , each one ounce ; figs number four , jujubs , and sebastines , of each number six ; raisins one ounce , liquorish three drams , barley half an ounce , boil them in three pints of spring-water to a quart , strain them , the dose is three or four ounces . take of raisins stoned one ounce and an half , filberds number four , of liquorish sliced three drams , of hyssop water one pint and an half , infuse them warm in a close vessel six hours , strain them , and add one ounce and an half of syrup of marsh-mallows , make a julep ; the dose is three or four spoonfuls often in a day , swallowing it by degrees . thirdly , against watching . take of red-poppy water three ounces , of syrup of the same six drams , of epidemick-water two drams , make a draught to be taken at bed-time . if the pulse be strong , and the strength remains . take of cowslip water three ounces , of diacodium half an , ounce , make a draught to be taken at bed-time . fourthly , if the pain be much about the place affected . take of oyntment of marsh-mallows two ounces , of oyl of sweet almonds one ounce and an half , mingle them , make a liniment to be applyed with thin paper . fifthly , for the last intention of healing , ( which assisting the secundary indication prescribes medicines maturating , and expectorating ) the following forms are convenient . take of linseed oyl fresh drawn three ounces , syrup of violets two ounces , of hissop water half a pint , mingle them in a glass , take two or three ounces twice or thrice a day , shaking the glass first . take of olibanum powdered one dram , put it into an apple made hollow , roast the apple in the embers , let him eat it at bed-time , repeating it three or four times . take of oyl of almonds fresh drawn , of syrup of maiden-hair , each one ounce and an half ; sugar-candy , two drams , stir them in a glass mortar till they are perfectly mixed , make a linctus to be taken often in a day with a liquorish stick , also let a spoonful be taken thrice a day in a draught of posset drink . it would be easie to produce many observations of peripneumonick patients , but seeing the type of the disease , and the reasons of the symptoms , are in all almost the same , it will be sufficient to mention only one or two ; and while i was writing these things , i was sent for to a patient very sick of a peripneumonia , he was about fifty years old , lean and cholerick , he fell into a feaver by taking cold , he was troubled with a cough , a pain in the breast , and a difficulty of breathing , when he had continued thus four days without any remedy or physical administration , i found him in a great feaver , with thirst , and a great inflammation in the breast , breathing very difficultly and painfully , and ratling , insomuch that he seemed in the agony of death ; but because his pulse was strong enough , though quick and disturbed , i presently ordered him to be blooded , and that eight or ten ounces of blood should be taken away , and seeing he was little relieved after three hours intermission , a glister being first administred i ordered twelve ounces more of blood to be taken away ; moreover i prescribed spirit of harts horn , twelve drops of it to be given every sixth hour with a proper julep , and between i ordered a dose of the following powder to be administred , take powder of crabs-eyes , and sal-prunella , each one dram and an half ; of pearl one dram , sugar-candy two scruples ; make a powder to be divided into eight doses . moreover , he took as often as he pleased a draught of a pectoral apozem ; by the use of these within three hours all the symptoms began to abate , and the night after he sweated and slept a little ; the day after i repeated phlebotomy , and then continuing the same remedies , he recovered in four or five days ; the blood we took from him was always in the superficies viscous and discoloured . a certain gentleman of a sanguine complexion , and of a strong habit of body , after immoderate drinking of wine , fell into a feaver with a grievous peripneumonia , so that heat and thirst mightily afflicting him , sitting always upright in his bed or chair , and breathing short and very frequent , he could scarce draw in air enough to sustain the vital flame ; because he could not undergo large bleeding , i took it away by degrees , twice or thrice day after day ; glisters were often injected . moreover , apozems , and juleps , also spirit of sal-armoniack , and testacious powders were given by turns ; within four or five days the feaver some what abated , also he began to breath better , and sometimes to sleep a little ; yet he did always complain of a great heaviness of his breast , and of an intolerable oppression of the lungs ; wherefore when bleeding was no longer safe , i applied very large blisters to the arms and thighs ; the blisters on his arms soon dried up , but those on his legs did not only remain open , but after five or six days did run very much , and afterwards almost for a month daily discharged great plenty of a sharp ichor ; in the mean time his lungs sensibly amended , and at length were freed of their burden . lastly , the little sores raised by the blisters were difficultly cured , and not without frequent applications of medicines . chap. lvii . of a bastard peripneumonia . a feaver accompanied with many peripneumonick symptoms , invades yearly about the beginning of winter , but oftner at the end of it ; it chiefly seizes those that are of a gross habit of body , and middle aged , or ( which oftner happens ) those that are older , and too much addicted to spirituous liquors , especially to brandy ; for when the blood in such men has been burdened with flegmatick humours , heapt up in the winter , and stirr'd into a new motion by the approaching spring , a cough is presently occasioned by this means , by which the said flegmatick humous rush upon the lungs ; at which time , if the patient chance to live irregularly , and continues to drink freely such spirituous liquors , the matter growing almost thick , which occasioned the cough , stops the passages of the lungs , and the feaver consumes the mass of blood : at the beginning of the feaver , the patient is sometimes hot and sometimes cold , is giddy , ond complains of a launcing pain of his head ; when the cough is violent , he vomits up all liquid things when he coughs , and sometimes when he does not ; the urin is turpid and very red ; the blood taken away is like that of pleuriticks ; he is often short breath'd : if he cough , his head akes just as if it were cleft in pieces ( for so the patient terms it ) there is a pain of the whole breast , or at least a pressure of the lungs , which is perceived by the standers by when the patient coughs ; the lungs not sufficiently dilating themselves , the vital passages are as it seems shut up by the swelling , and the circulation on that account is so intercepted , and the blood so stopt , that there are no signs of a feaver , though this may also happen by reason of the plenty of the flegmatick matter , by which the blood is so burdened , that it cannot rise to a perfect ebullition , especially in gross bodies . in curing this feaver i count i am oblidged to take away that blood by phlebotomy , which occasions the suffocation and inflammation of the lungs , and to ventilate and open the lungs with pectoral remedies , and to mitigate the heat of the whole body with a cooling diet : but whereas on the one hand the heap of flegmatick matter contained in the veins daily supplying matter for the inflammation of the lungs , may seem to indicate bleeding often repeated ; yet on the other hand i found by the best observation i could make , that bleeding often repeated , has succeded very ill in feavorish people of a gross habit of body , especially if they have passed the flower of their age , and therefore i forbore the repetition of it ; and instead of it , used frequent purging , which is well enough substituted for it , in those that abhor large and often repeated bleeding . therefore i proceeded after this manner : i ordered that the patient should be blooded in the arm lying in bed , and that he should not rise till two or three hours after ; for all blood letting somewhat weakning and disordering the whole body , may by this means the easier be born ; for the patient lying a bed can better bear the taking away of ten ounces , than of six or seaven when he is up ; the next day i give the following potion in the morning . take of cassia extracted one ounce , of liquorish two drams , of fat figs number four , of the leaves of senna two drams and an half , of agarick trochiscated one dram , boil them in a sufficient quantity of water , in four ounces of the strained liquor dissolve one ounce of manna , of syrup of roses solutive half an ounce , mingle them , make a potion . the next day i used to bleed a second time ; and the next day save one , i order the purging potion above prescribed , to be repeated , and to be given every other day till the patient is quite well ; when the patient does not purge , i advise him to use a pectoral decoction , and oyl of sweet almonds , and the like . i forbid the use of flesh , and the broth of it , but especially of all spirituous liquors ; in the stead of which i allow him for his ordinary drink a ptisan of barley and liquorish , and small beer , if he desire it . and indeed , the bastard peripneumonia occasioned by a great deal of flegmatick filth heapt up in the blood , is to be cured by bleeding repeated , and by purging . though this bastard peripneumonia is something like a dry asthma , both as to difficulty of breathing , and some other symptoms ; yet it is sufficiently distinguished from it ; for in this there are manifest signs of a feaver , and inflammation , which never appear in that , though in this kind they are much less and obscurer than those which accompany a true peripneumonia . but you must carefully observe , that 't is by no means safe to forbid the drinking of spirit of wine , and such liquors all of a sudden , when the patient has been a while addicted to them , but they must be left off gradually ; for there is danger of a dropsie from an hasty and abrupt change , which ought to be observed in all diseases that come on this occasion ; and seeing there has been mention made of spirit of wine , i will say by the by , that indeed it ought to be wished that they were either wholly prohibited , or at least used for refreshing the spirits , and not for extinguishing them ; or that the internal use of them was wholly abdicated , and that they should be only used by surgeons , in fomentations to digest ulcers , or to be applied to burns , in which case they are better than any other medicine yet found out , for they defend the under skin from putrefaction , and so soon perform the cure ( not waiting for digestion , which requires a considerable time ) if a rag dipt in spirit of wine be presently applyed to the part hurt , with scalding water , gunpowder , or the like , and moistned with the foresaid spirit now and then , till the pain from the fire be quite gone , and afterwards only twice a day . chap. lviii . of an empyema . an empyema is a collection of matter within the cavity of the breast , whereby the organs of respiration are oppressed . this collection of matter is occasioned either by a pleurisie , peripneumonia , or angina , suppurated and broken . the signs of an empyema , either shew it is coming , or that it is already perfectly formed . of the former kind are these diseases going before , from whence this usually arises , as a pleurisie , peripneumonia , and angina ; and sometimes also a bruise or wound in the breast , and sometimes also other diseases not well carried off ; from whence there will be a greater suspicion of an empyema , if after a week or two passed without plentiful spitting , shaking and a feaver , and faintness of the spirits supervene ; and then after fourteen or twenty days , the signs of a confirmed empyema will appear , viz. difficulty of breathing , a weight upon the breast , fluctuation of the matter , an uneasiness from motion , thirst , and almost always a small feaver , redness of the cheeks , restlesness , and watching . as to the cure of an empyema , you must first consider whether the signs of its being already made be certain or dubious ; in the former case there is not much use of medicines ; but the body being well prepared , we must presently open the side ; wherefore if from a pleurisie , or a peripneumonia not well cured , or if by reason of blood extravasated by a blow , a fall , or wound , a fluctuation of pus , of purulent or bloody matter be perceived , and the spittle lessened , or none at all , it is to no purpose to wast time in using expectorating and maturating medicines ; but having loosned the belly , and attemperated the blood and humours , by juleps , apozems , and anodyns , an aperrion must be undertaken , either by the knife , or in tender and timerous people by applying a caustick betwixt the sixth or seventh vertebra ; and when the eschar is made , we must divide it gently with a knife , and pass the knife gently into the cavity of the breast ; then having put in a silver pipe , the matter must be evacuated by degrees ; but it must be let out as hastily as the strength of the patient will permit ; for that which remains within , will stink horridly in a few days ; to prevent which a cleaning and traumatick liquor must be injected , with a syringe twice or thrice a day . it is not necessary to describe particularly the manner of the operation , it being well known , and often practiced by skilful chirurgions , and daily practiced . after it is cut open and dressed as it ought to be , there is little more to be done by the physician . an exact course of diet , a frequent loosning of the belly ( so oft as there is occasion ) by glisters , and also these remedies , which are vulgarly called traumatick , which do hinder the dissolution of the blood , and keeps the seresities of it from falling upon the breast to hurt it , ought to be prescribed . but if the signs of this disease are uncertain , or altogether doubtful , the breast ought not to be opened too soon or rashly . i have known some have their breasts opened to no purpose , when they have spit stinking pus , and they have also laboured under a dyspnaea , and a difficulty of breathing ; therefore when an empyema is not evident by pathognomick signs , medicines ( such as are prescribed for the cure of a peripneumonia ) which help expectoration , and evacuate gently by sweat and urine , ought to be used for some time : if these do not any good , and the empyema still remains , or augments , then the breast must be opened . as to the forms of the medicines requisite for the cure of an empyema before section , the same remedies which were prescribed for a peripneumonia , are to be used : but after the opening of the breast the following are chiefly to be used . to prevent fainting which may happen either in the operation or after it , the following julep must be in readiness , and four or five spoonfuls of it must be taken upon occasion . take of the waters of balm , and black cherries , each six ounces ; of aqua-mirabilis one ounce , of pearl powdered one dram , of syrup of gilly-flowers one ounce , mingle them , make a julep . the following decoction must be taken twice or thrice in a day . take of the leaves of harts-tongue , speedwell , hemp , agrimony , colts-foot , mouse-ear , sanicle , each one handful ; of the roots of madder , and chervil , each one ounce ; of barley half an ounce , of red cicers half an ounce , raisons of the sun one ounce and an half ; boil them in two quarts of fountain-water till half is consumed , sweeten it with clarified honey , or with the syrup of mouse-ear as it is taken . if there be no feaver the following pills may be used . take of the powders of crabs-eyes two drams , of flowers of sulphur one dram , of sal-prunella half a dram , of the species diarrhodon-abbatis one scruple , of venice turpentine washed a sufficient quantity ; make a mass , make small pills , take a scruple or half a dram of them morning and evening ; or the turpentine being omitted , half a dram or two scruples may be taken in the form of a powder twice a day . chap. lix . of a consumption . a phthysis in general , is a consumption of the muscular parts of the body : it is twofold , either original or sympromatick . there are two species of the original phthysis , viz. atrophia , and a consumption of the lungs . an atrophia is twofold , viz. either nervous , or arising from inanition . a symptomatick phthysis is occasioned by other diseases going before . an atrophy , or nervous phthysis , is a consumption of the whole body , without any considerable feaver , cough , or difficulty of breathing , but loss of appetite and indigestion accompany it ; upon which account faintness , and a daily wasting of the body follow . this sort of consumption sometimes happens in england , but very often to the inhabitants of virginia , when they return hither . in the beginning of this disease , the body appears oedematous , the face pale and squalid , and the stomach nauseates every thing but liquors ; and the strength is so languid , that the sick , before the fleshy parts are evidently consumed , is rendred so very weak , that he cannot keep from bed , the colour of the urine is most commonly of a deep red , and very little in quantity , though sometimetimes ( but rarely , as it is wont to happen in diseases of the nerves ) it is pale , and voided in a great quantity ; but no considerable feaver can be discerned , either by the pulse , drouth , or heat , how high-coloured soever the urine is ; so that the pathognomonick signs of this consumption beginning , are faintness and want of appetite , without any notable feaver , cough , or short breath ; though in progress of the disease , when the habit of the body is wasted , some difficulty of breathing ( as is usual in all that are faint ) may be perceived . this disease is very difficultly cured , if the physician be not made use of at first ; it ends in an hydropical and oedematous tumour of the body , especially of the lower parts , and then the disease is past all hope . the main of the business must be performed by stomachick medicines , and such as strengthen the nerves , such are chalybeats , antiscorbuticks , and cephalicks , and bitter things of every kind : for instance , let the sick take , if his body be bound , four ounces of the bitter decoction with senna , and every fourth night two ounces of tinctura sacra , or of the tinctura of hiera picra , made in the waters of rue , black cherries , compound peony . in his ordinary drink , hang a bag of cephalicks , and antiscorbuticks ; an hour before dinner let him take half a dram of elixir proprietatis in a draught of whitewine , wherein wormwood has been infused : apply to the region of the stomach the magisterial stomachick plaister , with a few drops of the chymical oyl of cinnamon and wormwood ; or foment the stomach daily with aromatick bags , made of the leaves of mint and wormwood , cinnamon , mace , zedoary , galingal , cyperus , and sweet-smelling flag , and boil'd in claret : if it be summer-time , let him drink chalybeat waters ; if winter , syrup of steel or the wine of it , made by quenching filings of steel in good whitewine three or four times ; then by infusing in it zedoary , galingal , nutmegs , sharp cinnamon , mace , cubebs , and cloves grosly beaten : but amongst chalybeats , mynsichts extract is thought the best , which must be given in the form of a bole , or of pills , for the space of twenty or thirty days . for instance , take of the extract of mynsicht half a scruple , balsam of gilead seven drops , of haly's powder six grains , of the compound powder of wake-robin four grains , of the powder of liquorish a sufficient quantity ; make pills of an ordinary size , repeat them every day once . opobalsamum by it self , as also spirit of harts-horn , and spirit of sal-armoniack , are very effectual in this case , because they are agreeable to the nerves . for instance , let the sick take eight or ten drops of opobalsam , or of spirit of harts-horn , in a sufficient quantity of sugar-candy . let him endeavour to make himself chearful by exercise and company ; for this disease most commonly proceeds from care and sorrow ; and let him live in a good and open air : and because the stomach is chiefly affected in this disease , he must eat a delicate sort of meat , and not be too long accustomed to any one . the consumption that proceeds from innanition is next to be discoursed of ; and first , of that which proceeds from an hemorrhage , whither by the nostrils , or from the lungs by coughing , or from the jaws by hawking , or from the stomach by vomit , or from the reins by urine , or from the hemorrhoidal or uterin vessels in the customary monthly purgation , or from hard labour ; or lastly , from wounds when there has been a great and long flux of blood. in this case the hemorrhage must be first stopt by thickning remedies , and by binding hard the extream parts ; and if there be occasion , and the sick have strength , bleeding must be used frequently , but sparingly ; you must apply , if the part will admit of it , galen's stiptick plaister , the royal stiptick water , oxycrat cold , ink , ashes of hair a little burnt in a retort , and with vinegar made up in the form of a cataplasm , true bole , dragons blood , and the like ; and they must be often renewed . let the sick take inwardly three or four times a day twenty or thirty drops , or more , of the royal stiptick-water , in a draught of the milk-water , and five or six spoonfuls of the clarified juices of plantane and nettles ; or let him take frequently in a spoon the following linctus . take of syrup of purslain three ounces , of true bole , dragons blood , of the troches of spodium , and of sealed earth , each two scruples ; of japan earth one dram , of gum-tragacanth a sufficient quantity dissolved in plantane-water ; mingle them , make a linctus . or let him take thrice a day the quantity of a nutmeg of the following electuary . take of the conserve of red roses one ounce , of the troches of ambar three drams , of true bole , and of dragons blood , each half a dram ; with syrup of myrtles make an electuary . let him take also every night at bed-time five or six spoonfuls of the following julep , shaking the viol when he uses it . take of plantane-water six ounces , of cinnamon-water hordeated three ounces , of distilled vinegar half an ounce , of true bole , and of dragons blood , each half a dram ; of london laudanum three grains , of syrup of myrtles one ounce and an half ; make a julep . the flux of blood being stopt , we must endeavour by all means to raise the weak blood with new and good chyle , and to extinguish the febrile flame , if it be begun , least a consumption should follow ; wherefore the sick must be frequently nourished with good broths , and variety of meats that are full of nourishment , and of easie digestion , and pleasant to the stomach ; but he must be sure to abstain from wine , and from things salted and spiced ; and because this sort of sick , and all other that are inclining to a consumption , are subject to anger , sorrow , oppressions of the hypochonders , hysterick passions , and want of appetite ; upon which account they can neither eat plentifully , nor digest well : they must endeavour to recreate themselves , and to take the benefit of a wholsome and free air , which most commonly does more good than medicines . but if the sick be hectick , the peruvian bark given freely is of admirable vertue ; and if there be occasion the sick must use a milk diet , or chalybeat waters ; but you must by no means loosen the body . a consumption also often arises from a simple gonorrhaea , and the whites ; also from imposthumes and large ulcers , and also from giving suck , from a loosness and dysentery , from a diabetes , from salivation , a dropsie , violent sweating , and the like . but a consumption of the lungs is the chief : the cause in general of it , is an ill disposition of the whole mass of blood , and of the nervous spirit , contracted by degrees by the various procatarctick causes , whereby the acrid and malignant serum of the blood separated by the soft and glandulous paranchyma of the lungs , stuffs and inflames them , and at last causes ulcers , which is indeed the containing cause of this disease . the procatarctick causes are first , a suppression of the usual and necessary evacuations , as of the courses , the lochia , of old ulcers , of issues , of sweat by the soles of the feet , and other parts of the body , and the like , without correcting and removing the causes on which they depend ; whereby the blood is vitiated . secondly , great passions of the mind , especially fear , sorrow , anger , deep thinking , unseasonable and too hard study , and the like . thirdly , eating and drinking too much , and unseasonably , especially drinking too much of wine and spirituous liquors . fourthly , neglect of due exercise . fifthly , long watching . sixthly , marshy and gross air , and smoak of coals . seventhly , an hereditary disposition . eighthly , an ill conformation of the breast . ninthly , contagion . tenthly , stones generated preternaturally in the lungs . eleventhly , particular diseases which corrupt the blood and spirits . by these and such-like procatarctick causes , the body being predisposed for a consumption , the disease takes its rise immediately from taking cold. for the cure of an original consumption of the lungs , blood must be drawn from the arm , especially if the sick be plethorick , or accustomed a long while to blood-letting , and let six , seven , eight or ten ounces be taken away . secondly , it is requisite after bleeding , especially if the disease took its rise from a surfet , or is accompanied with nauseousness , or a disposition to vomiting , to give a gentle vomit of honey , or of oxymel of squills , and sometimes of the vinum benedictum in a moderate quantity : the vomit , especially if the sick bear it well , and if it be necessary , may be repeated three or four times at the distance of three or four days betwixt each vomit : it is best to give the vomit towards the evening , the sick being blooded the day before ; and at bed-time after every vomit you must give an anodyn . take of honey of squills half an ounce , give it in a draught of posset-drink , and repeat twice or thrice in an hour , if the sick does not vomit enough . this is proper for children and young people . take of oxymel of squills , and of oyl of sweet-almonds , each one ounce ; mingle them , let the sick , take it in a large draught of posset-drink , and let it be repeated twice or thrice in an hour if there be occasion . or , take of vinum benedictum seven drams , syrup of violets two drams ; mix them and make a potion for vomiting . and , if it be needful , you may give of oxymel of squills and oyl of sweet-almonds , each half an ounce , in a draught of posset-drink twice or thrice , in the operation . salt of vitriol is not at all convenient in this case , because it irritates and pricks continually the glandulous parts about the jaws , and so promotes the flux of the serum , and increases the cough . after the vomit hath done working , give the following opiat or the like . take of the pectoral decoction clarified four ounces , of tincture of saffron two drams , of helmont's liquid laudanum fifteen drops , of syrup of violets two drams ; mingle them , make a draught ; or you may give ten grains of the pill of hounds-tongue , or of storax . thirdly , it is convenient to purge gently by stool the humours by stomachick purges , and the like , which the least agitate the blood. for instance , take of choice manna , and of oyl of sweet-almonds , each one ounce and an half , or two ounces ; dissolve them in a pint of hot ptisan ; let the sick drink half in bed , and the rest half an hour after when he is up . or , take of the best senna two drams , of cassia with the canes broke , and of tamarinds , each half an ounce ; of the seeds of coriander prepared half a dram ; boil them in a sufficient quantity of fountain or barnet water to eight ounces ; dissolve in it an ounce of manna , and half a dram of sal-prunella : let the sick take half in the morning , and the rest half an hour afterwards . and every night after purging give an opiate to asswage the blood , and to quiet the lungs , least a new flux of humours should fall upon the lungs by the agitation of the blood occasioned by the purge . for the same reason it is proper to mix some opiate with stomachick purges to be taken at bed time. for instance . take of aloes-rosat one scruple , or twenty five grains , of the pills of hounds-tongue half a scruple ; mingle them make four pills to be gilded , which are to be repeated every other night after the patient hath been blooded . these pills are vulgarly called pilulae catarrhales by the apothecaries ; for they do not only evacuate the humours by stool , but also hinder a new flux of them to the lungs . or , take of the stomachick pills , with gums , aleophagin of mastich , or of ambar , half a dram , or two scruples ; of london laudanum one grain ; mingle them , make four pills , gild them , and let them be taken every third night for thrice . and if the catarrh be very violent , and if a difficulty of breathing , or a straitness on the breast does not arise from the use of opiates , an opiat must be given every night ; for at the beginning of this disease nothing considerable can be done without them . fourthly , in this state of the disease , diaphorecticks do much good ; but you must take notice , that they must be never used before bleeding , vomiting and purging , if they are necessary , and they must be always mixed with opiates , and such must be chosen as are least hot . take of venice-treacle half a dram or two scruples , of conserve of old red roses half a dram ; mingle them , make a bolus . or , take of diascordium , and conserve of wood-sorrel , each one dram , make a bolus . or , take of matthew's pill fifteen grains ; make two pills , gild them , and let them be taken at bed-time . or , take of the pill of hounds-tongue twelve grains , of diaphoretick antimony one scruple , of tincture of saffron a sufficient quantity ; mingle them , make four pills . these diaphoreticks must be taken at bed-time , and great care must be taken that the sick does not take cold after the use of them : blisters must also be applyed to the arms , and betwixt the shoulders , and pectoral medicines must be used when the sick does not purge . take of oyl of sweet almonds , of syrup of maiden-hair , of jujubs , violets , or of marsh-mallows , each one ounce and an half ; of white sugar-candy one dram and an half ; mingle them exactly , whereof let the sick take a spoonful every fourth hour , drinking upon it four ounces of the following apozem hot . take of the pectoral decoction clarified one pint and an half , of tincture of saffron extracted with treacle-water , of syrup of maiden-hair , scabious , or of jujubs , each one ounce ; mingle them , make an apozem . if you desire to have a more thickning linctus . take of fresh oyl of sweet almonds , of syrups of comfrey , of red-poppies , of dried roses , each one ounce and an half ; of diacodium half an ounce , of sugar of roses one dram and an half ; mingle them , make a linctus . if you wou'd have a more lubricating linctus . take of fresh oyl of flax extracted without fire , of syrup of liquorish , and of honey of violets , one ounce and an half ; of white sugar-candy one dram and an half , mingle them exactly , make a linctus . if there be a feaver , omit the hissop and tincture of saffron ; if there be a loosness , use the following . take of the lohoch of the lungs of a fox , of colts-foot , and purslain , each one ounce ; of syrup of jujubs , and maiden-hair , each one ounce and an half ; of flowers of sulphur two drams , of tincture of saffron half an ounce , of the species diatragacanth frigid , of diamargit frigid , of the powder of haly , each one dram ; of penediat sugar half an ounce ; mingle them , make a linctus . take of tacamahaca , of balsam of peru , each one drain ; of the ingredients for the pectoral decoction a sufficient quantity , boil them in a sufficient quantity of fountain water to a pint and an half ; with the strained liquor , and with a dram of each of the four cold-seeds , with the seeds of white poppies , and of henbane , each two drams ; and with eight almonds blanched , make an emulsion to be sweetned with pendiat-sugar . but if by reason of the clamminess of the flegm the difficulty of breathing is more than usual , the following linctus must be prescribed . take of the lohoch of raisons , and of squills , each one ounce and an half ; of syrup of hedge-mustard , of hyssop , and of hore-hound , each one ounce and an half ; of the species diaireos , diacalaminth , and the flowers of sulphur , each one dram and an half ; tincture of saffron half an ounce , of white sugar-candy six drams ; mingle them , make a linctus . and if this symptom be very violent , a dram of pure gum-ammoniack , and a dram and an half of flowers of benzoin may be added . and for these intentions , balsamick medicines , with things that agglutinate are proper . for instance , take of the pulp of the conserve of red roses , and wood-sorrel , each one ounce and an half ; of olibanum three drams , of opobalsam two scruples ; mingle them , make an electuary , whereof let the sick take the quantity of a nutmeg thrice a day , drinking upon it four ounces of the following apozem . take of the leaves of millfoil , mouse-car , burnet , dandelion , spotted lungwort , scabious , each one handful ; of the flowers of st. john's-wort , violets , the greater daisy , red poppies , each half an handful ; of jujubs , and dates , each six pair ; of saffron tied up in a rag half a dram , of the seeds of annise , and juniper-berries , each three drams ; infuse them , and boil them in a sufficient quantity of fountain-water to three pints , in the hot liquor strained dissolve four ounces of conserve of red roses , which being added to the apozem render it balsamick and pleasantly tasted ; strain it again , and add of the syrups of coral , and of oak of jerusalem , and of maiden-hair , each one ounce , make an apozem . or instead of the foregoing electuary the following may be substituted , take of the pulp of the conserve of red roses two ounces , of the conserve of hips one ounce , of the powder of haly one dram , of lucatellus's balsam half an ounce , of balsamick syrup a sufficient quantity ; mingle them , make an electuary to be taken as before . let the sick take often in a day one or two spoonfuls of the balsamick syrup , which is very agreeable to the stomach , and with every dose of the syrup , a scruple of the balsam of tolu made into small pills , may be taken ; and every night at bed-time the sick may take twenty five or thirty drops of helmont's liquid laudanum in a spoonful of balsamick syrup : when there are no other medicines to be taken , and there is nothing contrindicates it , it is also very effectual to prescribe a dram of flowers of sulphur to be taken in a rear egg , or honey of rosemary-flowers . if a tickling cough , by reason of the acrimony and thinness of the humuor , issuing from the windpipe and bronchia , be very troublesome to the patient , the following tablets must be used . take of the pulp of the roots of marsh-mallows one ounce , pearl-sugar , gum-arabick , tragacanth , white starch , dissolved in poppy-water , each two drams ; of penediat sugar dissolved in rose-water a sufficient quantity ; make tablets , each weighing a dram . but if the cough continues long , and is violent , and will not yield to the foregoing remedies , we must use balsamicks . for instance , let the sick take thrice a day three of the following pills , in a spoonful or two of some proper linctus . take of the powder of millepedes prepared three drams , of gum-ammoniack well purified one dram and an half , of the flowers of benzoin two scruples or one dram , of extract of saffron , and peruvian balsam , each half a scruple ; of balsam of sulphur anisated , or made with turpentine , a sufficient quantity ; mingle them , make pills of a moderte bigness , gild them , or cover them with powder of liquorish . these pills have often done good in consumptire coughs . the sick must chuse an air that is moderately hot and dry , and somewhat thin ; the diet must be of easie concoction , as mutton , and veal , and the like ; and the sick must eat flesh only at dinner ; at supper he must only eat water-gruel , panada-broths , potched eggs , and the like ; and he must be sure to be moderate in his diet ; he must drink sparingly of small beer , and the like ; wines must be avoided , and other spirituous liquors ; it is also convenient that his beer be medicated with pectoral things and the like , which are proper for the disease ; for by this means a great quantity of medicines will be mixed with the blood without nauseating the stomach , or injuring the appetite , which a physician ought to take great care of . for instance , take of the best sarsa-parilla cut eight ounces , of the roots of china sliced four ounces , of polypody of the oak , maiden-hair , ground-ivy , spotted lung-wort , colts-foot , scabious , oak of jerusalem , each two handfuls ; of the flowers of scabious , water-lillies , and of rosemary , of the grater daisy , and of st. johns-wort , each one handful ; of juniper-berries four ounces , of raisins of the sun stoned six ounces , of liquorish rasped one ounce , of the seeds of annise two drams ; mingle uhem , make a bag for four gallons of middling beer , which let the sick use for his ordinary drink . the sick must exercise himself daily moderately , especially before dinner ; he must take great care that he does not catch cold : the sick must be diverted as much as may be from anger , sorrow , deep thinking , and all other great passions of the mind ; from study , and unseasonable watching , always sleeping , if he can , the first part of the night . but in the second state of this disease , which may be known by the increase of the hectick feaver , which now is often like a putrid intermitting feaver , and by the manifest wasting of the flesh , by the dry cough , a weight upon the breast , and difficulty of breathing ; all evacuacuations by stool , vomit , or sweat , are injurious ; for they promote the feaver , and increase the consumption : nor is bleeding to be used at this time , unless it be to prevent a peripneumonia ; but the alteratives and pectorals before prescribed must be used frequently , as often as the stomach will bear them ; but especially the use of the balsamicks before prescribed must be long continued , if there be no considerable feaver ; and by this means many consumptive people have been recovered . issues are also of use , and the shaving of the head. and if the hectick heat be but small , the sick ought to drink calybeat waters in the summer-time ; for by this means many have been relieved year after year ; their stomack , flesh and strength recovered , and the hectick heat and cough left them , and their breath has been freer : but these waters are not to be used when the lungs are evidently putrified , or when the flesh is very much wasted by colloquative sweats , a loosness , or a dropsie , for then they are deadly . and when they are proper , the sick must use them the greatest part of the summer , but not so great a quantity at a time as is usual in other cases , two quarts , five pints , or three quarts , may be sufficient at a time ; and the sick must take care that he does not catch cold , and of errors in diet : purging is not to be used during the drinking of the waters in this case , but if the body be subject to be bound , the purging mnieral-waters must be taken three or four times , at the distance of three or four days before and after the use of the calybeat-waters . if the waters do not pass well by urine , or if they cause a diarrhea , you must not continue the use of them long , unless these inconveniences may be remedied by art , to take off or to prevent the diarrhea . i use to prescribe the quantity of a walnut of the following electuary , to be taken at bed-time every night . take of the pulp of the conserve of old red roses , of the electuary of quinces , each half an ounce ; of the troebes of ambar three drams , of true bole , of dragons-blood , each half a dram ; of london laudanum three grains , of syrup of mirtles a sufficient quantity ; mingle them , make an electuary . to force the urine , i order that a scruple of the whitest salt of ambar , well cleansed from the oyl , should be dissolved in the first draught of water . it is also good , during the course of the water , to medicate the ordinary drink with a bag of pectoral ingredients . but secondly , if the hectick feaver be considerable , it is safer to attemperate the blood by a milk-diet ; but as to a milk diet what followeth must be observed . first , in the use of this diet , nothing but milk , or things made of milk , bread only excepted , must be allowed of ; but good quantities of it must be taken frequently , least by reason of the thinness of it , the parts should be deprived of their due nourishment . secondly , this sort of diet must be continued for the space of a month or two . thirdly , spring time is most seasonable for a milk course , for then the herbs and flowers , wherewith the beasts are fed , flourish most . fourthly , but if by reason of the ferment of the stomach being too acid , common milk , as it sometimes happens , curdles , and so cannot be concocted ; upon which account , vomiting , grips , and a loosness follow ; it is better to abstain from the use of it , and to endeavour to attemperate the blood with asses-milk : concerning the use of which observe the following directions . first , give this milk in the morning , and let the sick sleep a little in bed afterwards ; let it be given again at five in the afternoon . secondly , nothing of a contrary nature , whether diet or medicine must be taken till the milk is concocted . thirdly , you must give a pint , or half a pint at a time , or thereabout ; for a great quantity of this , or of common milk , can neither be received nor concocted by the stomach , but is usually cast out presently , either by vomit or stool , to the great prejudice of the sick ; wherefore it is prudently ordered by physicians , that as the stomach is by degrees accustomed to this sort of diet , so the quantity of it should be daily increased from half a pint to a pint. fourthly , if the sick , by reason of the acid ferment of the stomach , is subject upon taking asses-milk , to a loosness● ( which frequently happens ) the milk , must be sweetned with sugar of roses , and must be milked upon a branch or two of mint ; and if there be occasion , and nothing forbids , the sick may take every night at bed-time a grain of london landanum , or a dose of the beforementioned astringent electuary . fifthly , the milk must be drank whilst it is warm , for if it should grow cold , and be afterwards warmed upon the fire , it would be rendered less pleasing to the tast and stomach , and the remedy would not be so effectual , by reason of the spirits being wasted . sixthly , during the use of asses-milk , which also ought to be ordered in every milk-diet , the sick must abstain from all other medicines , except opiats and astringents , if they are necessary to prevent a loosness , or to quiet the cough at nights . seventhly , but if the loosness , occasioned by the milk , cannot be taken off by the laudanum , and the astringents , or if after it is taken off , vomiting or at least a continual sickness , or weight upon the stomach succeed , which are the certain signs of the milk curdling in the stomach : or lastly , if there be signs of a schir●hus and obstruction of the liver , which are frequent in scorbutical and hypocondriack people , that have had a consumption a long while , rhey must carefully avoid all sorts of milk ; for the use of milk , by increasing the obstruction of the liver , is wont to bring upon the consumption a dropsie and jaundice , whereby the original disease is rendred deplorable . wherefore , fourthly , in these cases it is better to alter the blood , and to blunt its acrimony by the free use of fish , and of testaceous medicines ; and also by restorative broths made of the extream parts of animals , and drinking freely of the compound waters of milk , capons , and snails , and the like ; though what we said before of the use of milk is also true , with respect to these flegmatick waters , viz. that when the liver is obstructed , the jaundice or dropsie is wont to follow the free use of these . wherefore in such a case it is better to endeavour to sweeten the blood in the following manner . let him eat freely of river and sea-crabs , of lobsters ; and generally speaking of all testaceous fish , which sort of diet eaten plentifully , much attemperates the acidity of the blood , and the sharp ferment of the stomach ▪ of these testaceous fish are also made very pleasant broths , which must be taken plentifully . take of river crabs number an hundred , beat them whilst they are alive , and boil them in two quarts of fountain-water ; add towards the end of boiling two or three blades of mace , one nutmeg rasped , and of malago-wine half a pint ; strain it for use . jellies and restorative broths may be also used to the same purpose . for instance , take of the shavings of harts-horn and ivory , each four ounces ; two blades of mace , one bark of an orange candied ; boil them in two quarts of fountain-water to a quart , or a pint and an half ; strain it ; let the sick take three or four spoonfuls , either by themselves or in some hot broth. these kind of jellies may be made more pleasant to the pallate , by adding at the time of use a little of the syrup of baulm , gilliflowers , raspberries , oranges or lemmons ; though it must be confessed acid syrups do not so well agree with jellies . the manner of making a restorative broth is as follows . take a capon drawn and cut in pieces , of sheeps and calves feet , each two pair ; the shavings of ivory and harts-horn , each half an ounce ; two leaves of mace , one nutmeg cut , yellow sanders , three drams or half an ounce ; boil them all gently in one gallon of fountain-water , till half is consumed ; add towards the end of boiling a pint of malago-sack , and of the flowers of the greater daisie , coltsfoot , maiden-hair , spotted lungwort , each one handful ; of fat dates eight pair , of jujubs twelve pair , of sebestens ten pair , of raisins of the sun stoned three ounces ; strain it , let the sick take a large draught of it twice or thrice a day . prepared coral , millepedes , pearls , crabs-eyes prepared , the simple powder of crabs-claws , and other testaceous medicines taken plentifully , and often in a day , are good to blunt the acrimony of the blood. take of the aqua lactis alexiteria , of carduus , or of black cherry-water , one pint ; of cinnamon-water hordeated half a pint , of prepared pearl half an ounce , of white cristaline sugar two ounces ; mingle them , make a julep , whereof let the sick take four ounces ( shaking the viol always when it is used ) three or four times in a day , adding , if the stomach require it , one or two ounces of epidemick water . or , take of the powder of millepedes , of crabs-eyes prepared , of the simple powder of crabs-claws , each one dram ; of the powder of white ambar half a dram ; mingle them , divide it into nine papers , whereof let him take one thrice a day in a spoonful of the pearl julep . fifthly , if the sick seem free from an obstruction of the liver , and has neither the dropsie nor the jaundice , but the milk-diet before described does not agree , by reason of a loosness , or the acid ferment of the stomach ; besides the altering medicines above described , the free use of the compound distilled waters of milk , snails , a pig , and the like , may be ordered with success , to attemperate farther the acrimony of the humours . the milk-water . take of the leaves of maiden-hair , coltsfoot , spotted lungwort , speedwell , each three handfuls ; of hyssop , goats-rue , mint and wormwood , each two handfuls ; of the flowers of st. john's wort and scabious , each two handfuls ; of english saffron one dram , three nutmegs sliced , dates and fat figs , each half a pound ; of raisins of the sun stoned one pound ; cut them , and infuse them in three gallons of fresh cows milk , and three quarts of malago-sack , distill them in a cold still , and draw off half the liquor , and mix the distillations , and keep them for use . if the consumption be scorbutical , you may add in distillation the tops of pine , water-cresses , and brook-lime , and ground-ivy , with other gentle antiscorbuticks : and instead of malago sack , you may use brunswick mum. if you would have this water also restorative , you must add a capon or a pig in the second distillation . for instance , take a capon or a pig , ( the intrails being taken out ) cut in pieces , of the milk-water above described one gallon , distill off three parts of the liquor . snail-water . take of garden-snails cleansed with salt three hundred , of common milk , or rather of the milk-water above prescribed three gallons ; distill them in a cold still with a gentle fire till the liquor becomes acid : and the following magisterial water of worms is not to be despised , for it will keep good a long while . take of fresh milk two gallons , of mint and roman worm-wood , each two handfuls ; distill off one gallon : then take of garden-snails , first wash'd in common water , then in small-beer , half a peck ; of earth-worms prepared one pint , of angelica one handful and an half , of agrimony , bettony and rue , each one handful ; put the herbs into a still , and the snails and worms upon them ; and at top shavings of harts-horn half a pound , cloves one ounce , saffron three drams ; infuse them in two quarts of syder , and one of malago-sack ; then distill all in a cold still . these liquors are to be drank freely for the ordinary drink , mixed with an equal part of milk , if the stomach will bear it , and if the sick can quench his thirst with it . if a julep be more pleasing , give it in the following manner . take of the waters of pig or capon before described one pint , of white cristaline sugar a sufficient quantity , boil them to a syrup . take of milk , or snail-water one pint and an half , of the syrup just described four ounces ; mingle them , make a julep , whereof let the sick drink freely . or , take of the water of milk , or of magisterial snail-water a quart , of pearled sugar ten drams or an ounce and an half ; mingle them , make a julep , whereof let him take freely and frequently . but if there is not so much a hectick feaver as a difficulty of breathing , as it often happens to such as are afflicted with a scorbutick consumption , a pectoral hydromel is better for the ordinary drink , than distilled waters abounding with flegm . take of the roots of china sliced six ounces , of the roots of coltsfoot gathered at a fit-time three ounces , of the roots of burdock and avens , each three ounces ; of the roots of elecampane two ounces , of the leaves of lungwort , all the scabious , both the speedwells , meadow-sweet , and monywort , each two handfuls ; of all the capillaries , each one handful ; of the flowering tops of bugles and bettony , of the flowers of red speedwell , and of cowslips , each four pugils ; of all the ground ivy three handfuls , of jujubs , dates , sebestens , and raisins of the sun cleansed , each one ounce and an half ; of spanish liquorish one ounce and an half , cut them all , and boil them in sixteen quarts of fountain-water with a gentle fire till half is consumed ; strain it and clarifie it , and add to it four pound of the best honey ; boil it again , and take off the scum ; strain it again , add half an ounce of cinnamon , six drams of coriander-seed , of the seeds of annise and sweet fennel , each three drams ; put the liquor into a large tub , and let it ferment , which it will the sooner do , if the tub be placed in the sun , for then it will be sufficiently fermented in forty days , otherwise it will require a much longer time : the vessel must be always kept open and full . of this let the sick drink a good draught twice or thrice a day for many months . when the consumption comes to its third state , the sick very rarely is cured or lives long , unless the ulcers are very small and benign ; wherefore , though a prudent and honest physician , being called to consumptive people at this time , may endeavour to mitigate as much as may be the symptoms , and may prescribe medicines proper for the consumption and the present indications ; yet he ought by no means to promise a cure , but rather acquaint the patient of his danger ; and so he will secure his own reputation , and that of the medical art. the curative indications at this time of the disease are these four : first , pectoral medicines must be prescribed , and the cure of the ulcers must be promoted ( if they are small , benign and curable ) as much as can be , in this weak and wasting condition of the sick. secondly , the peripneumonick or inflammatory feaver , as often as it happens , must be taken off , with all its dreadful symptoms . thirdly , the putrid feaver arising from the purulent matter of the lungs must be mitigated . fourthly and lastly , the tormenting symptoms arising from the putrid feaver by reason of the colliquation , must be removed as far as may be , that at least the sick may dye easily . as to the first in this state of the consumption , altering , expectorating and balsamick , or healing medicines that are not too hot , ( by reason of the great height of the feaver ) but always cordials are to be given , and those are to be chosen that are most palatable , and may be taken in the smallest quantity . for instance , take of the pulp of the old conserve of red roses , of wood-sorrel , and of lucatellus's balsam , each one ounce ; mingle them , make an electuary , whereof let him take the quantity of a nutmeg wrapt in a wafer morning and evening ; or let him take twice a day of the balsamick pills above described , number three . take of the aqua lactis alexiteria eight ounces , of the magisterial water of snails , of cinnamon-water hordeated , each three ounces ; aqua mirabilis one ounce ; of prepared pearl two drams , of clear ghalk one dram , of white cristaline sugar one ounce or ten drams ; mingle them , make a julep , whereof let the sick take four or five spoonfuls after every dose of the electuary , and of the pills , and as often as he will. take of the balsamick syrup , which is very agreeable to the stomach , three ounces ; of tincture of saffron made in treacle-water two drams ; mingle them , let him take of it often in a spoon , and in a spoonful or two of this mixture , let him take twice a day six or eight drops of opobalsam . but if the cough and watchings are very obstinate , let him take sometimes twelve drops of helmont's liquid laudanum . nevertheless in this languid state , opium ought to be given cautiously in small doses , and in due distances of time ; neither ought it to be given at all without urgent necessity require it , least a sudden death follow , and the disgrace of the medical art. or , take of the syrup of maiden-hair four ounces , of aqua mirabilis half an ounce or six drams ; mingle them ; let the patient take a spoonful of it frequently , or with a liquorish-stick , especially when the cough is troublesome . jellies and restorative broths are to be prescribed in this case : and indeed in this deplorable condition , medicines are rather to be taken from the kitchin than the apothecary's shop . as to the peripneumonick feaver , it arises always from the great inflammation of the tubercles of the lungs ; and therefore it uses to return frequently , viz. as often as a new tubercle either of its own accord , or from cold taken , or from any error committed in diet , happens to be inflamed ; and during the inflammation this feaver continueth , and often kills the patient suddenly ; it being accompanied with uncertain shivering , and violent heat succeeding alternately , with watching , restlesness , a delirium , difficulty of breathing , difficulty of expectoration , violent and wandring pains of the side , breast and shoulders ; but when the inflammation first begins to imposthumate , which , if the sick lives , happens usually about the seventh day of the disease , the continual inflammatory feaver is succeeded by a putrid intermitting feaver , either quotidian or tertian , which certainly indicates matter in the tubercles , and can never be perfectly eradicated unless they be cured . this inflammatory feaver , as all others of the same kind , requires a thin diet , that the belly should be kept open , and cordial and attemperating juleps are to be used freely ; also pectoral apozems , and lubricating and inciding linctuses , to facilitate the expectoration of the flegm , too much thickned by the feaverish heat , and to take off the painful compression of the lungs , and to ease the cough . diaphoretick opiats are also to be used sparingly , at due intervals , to promote the expulsion of the febrile matter through the pores of the skin : also blisters and epithems are to be used for the relief of the brain , and genus nervosum , which would otherwise suffer much by feavers of this kind . liniments also and anodyn fomentations must be prescribed , to remove the painful and convulsive contraction of the muscles , and membranes of the breast ; but above all , bleed seasonably and largely , and it must be repeated , if there be occasion , according to the strength of the sick , and the present effervescence of the blood ; and perhaps consumptive people require bleeding more than those that are strong . wherefore the physician , though he count the consumption deadly , ought to endeavour the cure of the peripneumonia in the following manner : let him order a diet of water-gruel , ptisan , roasted apples , and the like , and middling beer with a toast in it : but at the first declination of the feaver , chicken-broth , potched-eggs , and the like . and the belly , if there be occasion , must be presently loosned , with a glister made of milk and sugar , with camomil-flowers , which also must be repeated upon occasion ; then eight or ten ounces of blood must be taken away from the arm of the pained side ; and bleeding must be repeated every day , or every other day , according to the effervescence of the blood , and the violence of the pain in the side , and of the difficulty of breathing , if the strength will permit that an imposthumation may be hindred if possible . in the mean while , through the whole course of the disease , one spoonful of the following linctus dissolved in four ounces of the pectoral apozem , must be taken every third or fourth hour hot . take of the fresh oyl of sweet-almonds , of syrup of maiden-hair , each one ounce and an half ; of white sugar-candy one dram and an half ; mingle them exactly and make a linctus . and if the flegm be very tough , and if the difficulty of breathing and the pain increase by reason of it , instead of oyl of almonds , oyl of linseed fresh drawn without fire may be substituted , and syrup of hedge-mustard , or of the five opening roots instead of syrup of maiden-hair , if a flux of the belly does not contra-indicate : besides two or three ounces of the oyl of linseed may be taken by it self every fourth hour , for it does not only lubricate , but is also very anodyn . take of the pectoral decoction clarified one pint and an half , of tincture of saffron made in treacle-water , and of syrup of maiden-hair , each one ounce ; mingle them , make an apozem for the use above described . to recruit the strength , and to attemperate the effervescence of the blood , four or five spoonfuls of the following julep may be prescribed . take of the aqua-lactis alexiteria eight ounces , of cinnamon-water hordeated , and of plague-watery each two ounces ; of prepared pearl one dram and an half , of white sugar six drams ; mingle them , make a julep . at bed-time the following anodyn and diaphoretick bolus may be prescribed to be taken , with a draught of the cordial julep , especially if the belly , as it often happens in this state of the disease , be too loose . take of venice-treacle half a dram , of the compound powder of crabs-claws one scruple , of syrup of gilly-flowers a sufficient quantity ; mingle them , make a bolus . presently after bleeding apply blisters to the neck , to the inner parts of the arms and legs , and a cephalick plaister with euphorbium to the soles of the feet , to relieve the brain and genus nervosum . to ease the pain of the side occasioned by the convulsions of the muscles and the membrans of the breast , the following fomentation and liniment may be applyed by turns to the parts affected . take of the roots of parsly ▪ and fennel , and of linseeds , and of fenugreek-seeds , each two ounces ; of the flowers of camomel , and of melilot , each two handfuls , mix them and boil them in a sufficient quantity of fountain water , pour it into a fresh ox-bladder , let the bladder be half full , apply it hot to the parts affected ; when the bladder is taken off , apply an hot flannel besmeared with the following liniment . take of ointment of marsh-mallows half an ounce , of oyl of white-lillies , and of bricks , each three drams ; mingle them , make a liniment . to attemperate further the effervescence of the blood and the heat of the lungs , the following powder may be used with good success , take of pure salt-peter two drams , of white cristaline sugar half an ounce , mingle them , and make of them eight papers , whereof let one be dissolved in every draught of beer . as to other things they must be left to the judgment of the physician that attends , to be prescribed upon occasion . as to the putrid feaver of consumptive people , it is to be noted , that although the sick being treated according to the preceeding method , do not die of a peripneumonia , yet the inflammation of the tubercles of the lungs ending most commonly in an ulcer , presently after the inflammatory feaver , a putrid intermitting feaver arises , returning at certain periods every day or every other day with shivering , heat and sweats . which feaver seems impossible to be taken quite off unless the ulcer be cured from whence it arises ; yet the peruvian bark , frequently repeated at due intervals , is often very successful for suppressing the feaver for a while , and the lives of some , by the frequent use of it , have been protracted for many years . take of the peruvian bark finely powdered half a dram , of the balsamick syrup a sufficient quantity ; make a bolus , which let the sick take in the morning , and every sixth hour for three days successively , drinking upon it three or four ounces of the following apozem . take of the peruvian bark powdered three ounces , of the balsam of tolu two drams , of english-saffron , and cochinele , each one scruple ; boil them in a pint of the pectral decoction clarified to six ounces , then strain it , and put on a pint more of the decoction ; repeat the operation thrice , then mix all the strained liquor , and add to it of maligo saek , and balsamick syrup , each fou● ounces ; mingle them , make an apozem . repeat the use of this febrifuge in the manner now described twice in a month , or oftner if there be occasion ; and in the intervals , the daily use of balsamick and pectoral medicines must be ordered , and they must be varied according to the temper of the sick , and the genius of the disease : if the belly be too loose , a grain of london laudanum may be added to every bolus to be taken at bed-time , or instead of the bolus's , pills made of diascordium , and the jesuits powder may be substituted ; but every dose must contain half a dram of the powder , yet it must be confessed that the bark is not constantly so successful in the consumptive feaver as in agues . to take off a loosness , and to mitigate a dysentery , and the gripes , opiat medicines must be used freqently and freely ; and during these symptoms , the sick must abstain from all sorts of beer , and , instead of it , must use the white decoction or milk-water : let him take also , if there be occasion , every fourth hour , the quantity of a walnut of the astringent electuary described before in the use of asses-milk ; or let him take twelve drops of helmont's liquid laudanum , and to attemperate the acrimony of the humours , that are wont to be evacuated by the glandulous tunick of the great guts , and to restore the tone of the parts weakned thereby , let a glister be daily injected made of chicken broth ▪ or of a sheeps-head with the wool on , boiled in water , or this that follows . take of milk altered with red roses , and by quenching often hot steel in it ; six ounces , of diascordium half an ounce ; mingle them , make a glister . but in a moderate diarrhea , viz. when the gripes are not very violent , especially if there be a difficulty of breathing , opium must be prescribed rarely and sparingly in any form ; for most commonly upon giving it , the breast is oppressed , and breathing , and expectoration are rendered more difficult , and the stomach becomes nauseous . wherefore it is safer only to moderate the loosness , by giving an opiat every third or fourth night , than to stop it quite ; least a greater injury should follow ; and always after the use of an opiat , expectorating and lubricating medicines should be freely used ; least the matter should be so much fixed in the lungs , that the strength of the patient should not suffice to bring it up . when the cough and watchings are very violent , the following medicines may be used ; but it is to be noted , that opiats must be used very sparingly , and with great caution when the sick is very weak . take of syrup of marsh-mallows , and purslain , each one ounce and an half ; of the species diatragacanth frigid , of the powder of haly , each two scruples ; of diacodium an ounce and an half , mingle them , make a linctus to be taken in a spoon , or with a liquorish stick , when the cough is violent . aqua-mirabilis also mixed with pectoral syrups does good . or , take of the balsamick syrup two ounces , of helmont's liquid laudanum two scruples ; mingle them , let the sick take a spoonful every hour or every other hour , the white and black lozenges being leisurely dissolved in the mouth , and swallowed down , are also of use . to moderate the great and colliquative sweats , let the sick sleep but little at a time , and let him take temperate pearl cordials often , and in a large quantity ; to which it is fit to add chalk , coral , dragons-blood , and other temperating astringent and emplastick medicines , which in some manner fix and mitigate the ferment of the blood. for instance , take of the waters of tormentil , oak-buds , each three ounces ; cinnamon-water hordiated four ounces , of aqua-mirahilis one ounce , of pearls , and coral prepared , and of chalk , each two scruples ; of true bole , and dragons-blood each half a dram ; of jap●n earth a scruple , of destilled vinegar or spirit of vitriol as much as is sufficient to make it gratefully acid , syrup of mirtles an ounce and an half ; mingle them , make a julep ; let the sick take two or three ounces of it every third or fourth hour , shaking the viol every time it is used . the cloaths on the bed must be also lessened , and the sick must be removed into a thin , warm and free air ; let him always sleep in a large room , and as soon as his strength begins to fail , the sweat must be rubbed off with dry linnen cloaths a little warmed ; and the patient must be removed to the other part of the bed. as to the violent vomiting that seises consumptive persons at the latter end , there is little help to be afforded by art , only the physician ought to assist by his prudent counsels ▪ since he cannot by medicines . first therefore , the sick ought to be ordered to eat little ( though frequently ) at a time . secondly , he must eat those things that afford good nourishment and are of easie digestion . thirdly , after eating he must avoid ( as much as he can ) coughing , sleeping , and lying down . sometimes it happens after the putrid feaver begins especially if the evacuation of the colliquative matter by stool or by other ways is hindered by art , that nature indeavours , tho in vain , the protrusion of the enemy by the salivary ducts , or the glandulous tunick of the mouth and oesophagus , by which means a troublesome spitting arises that continues for many weeks . secondly , by reason of the acrimony of the humour evacuated by these parts , an inflammation not only of the membrane of the mouth , but also of the oesophagus and stomach follows . thirdly , by the inflammation an ulceration is occasioned , and from thence little ulcers called aphth●● , accompanied with a very troublesom pain of the throat . and lastly , an hicop that is very troublesom arises from the inflammation and exulceration . which symptoms , as they are troublesome , so are they sometimes long , and always deadly , for the cause from whence they proceed is incurable ; yet cleansing softning astringent and mucilaginous gargarisms must be injected with a syringe ; and to ease the pain of the throat , a double flannel worn about the neck does much good , by defending it from the external cold. chap. lx. of swooning or fainting . the next and immediate cause of this disease , is a defect of the vital spirits ; and this defect of the spirits chiefly happens four ways , either because there is not a sufficient quantity of them generated , or because they are dissipated and evacuated when they are generated ; or they are preternaturally altered , and corrupted : or lastly , they are suffocated and overwhelmed . they are not generated either by reason of a fault of the faculty , or of the matter ; the faculty of the generating the spirits is hurt , either by a peculiar disorder of the heart or by consent . the peculiar diseases of the heart that are chiefly to to be taken notice of , are great intemperies overturning the native temper of it ; or destroying the substance of the parts , and of the native heat ; as acute and malignant feavers , colliquative , pestilential and hectick fevers , also organical diseases , as constriction and too great dilatation . the faculty of the heart is hurt by consent , as from the brain and liver , which have a great sympathy with it ; and also often from the mouth of the stomach , by reason of its nearness and exquisite sense , upon which account swooning is divided into cardiack and stomachick ; that is cardiack which proceeds from the heart being primarily affected ; that is stomachick which is produced by consent of the stomach : it also often arises from the womb , by reason of ill vapours transmitted thence to the heart . the fault of the matter , is a defect or corruption of the air and blood , from whence the vital spirits are generated . a defect of the air happens from respiration or transpiration hurt : a defect of the blood from a fault in nutrition . the corruption of both is occasioned by putting on another quality ; so from the infected air in a pestilential constitution , swooning and fainting frequently happen , and some ill smells occasion the same , and sweet smells in some women . the blood is also often corrupted by unwholesome food . too large evacuations dissipate the spirits , both sensible and insensible : sensible evacuatioins , are first of blood it self by the mouth , nostrils , womb , belly , hemorrhoids , bleeding , and great wounds . secondly , of other humours , which though they are excrementitious , yet being evacuated in a large quantity , they dissipate the spirits and occasion fainting . such humours are w●nt to be evacuated by vomit , stool , urine , sweat , by opening a large abscess , especially inwardly , as of an empyema ; and also outwardly , as in a dropsie , the navel being open . insensible evacuations are made by too great a rarity of the skin , and by reason of thinness or acrimony of things contained , by immoderate heat , bathing and excessive labour . they are also dissipated by long , watching , long fastting , immoderate venery , anger or excessive joy ; long and acute sickness , violent pains of the heart , stomach , bowels , veins , ears , teeth , and of all the nervous parts . the spirits are altered and corrupted by an ill disposition of the bowels , and by any thing that has a malignant and an inimical quality to the heart ; as a venomous and pestilential air drawn in by the breath , or generated in the body by putrefaction of humours ; poison taken inwardly does the same , and the biting of venomous creatures . lastly , a violent reflux of the spirits and blood to the heart , and the like , suffocates and overwhelms the vital spirits . a noble virgin , which was very subject to fainting upon every small occasion , died suddenly , by reason of a sudden reflux of the blood , and spirits to the heart , as she was about to sign a contract of marriage with a very handsom and accomplished gentleman . fainting also sometimes happens from cold and thick blood , heapt up in abundance in the greater vessels . as to the cure , it must be varied according to the variety of the causes ; but from whatever cause it proceeds , that which follows must be observed in the fit , you must lay them on their back , and sprinkle water in their faces , and provoke sneezing ; put some good wine or cinnamon-water into their mouths ; apply bread hot out of the oven to their nostrils ; call them aloud , shake them , pull them by the nose , double their fingers , pull their hair , use frictions , ligatures and cupping-glasses . but the cure must be varied according to the variety of the causes in the following manner . if it takes its rise from want of nourishment , the sick must be refreshed with good wine , and by a piece of bread dipt in it and eaten , and also by nourishing broths , and the like . if by reason of the thinness of the humours , the spirits exhale , perfumes and meat of good juice and thickning must be prescribed , and the pores of the skin must be stopt with oyl of roses and by the cold air. if it proceed from an hysterick disease , remedies proper for that must be given ; if from a malignant quality cardiacks and alexipharmicks must be used . if from taking poyson , things that evacuate must be used ; a vomit must be given , and afterwards treacle must be prescribed ; and then if a heat and erosion of the stomach be perceived , he must take milk or butter , or fat broths , or cooling cordial potions . if from immoderate evacuation , the sick must be refreshed with perfumes , meat and drink , sleep and rest . if from too great a loss of blood , lay the sick on a bed with his head downward , sprinkle his face with cold water , give him a little wine diluted with cold water . if by over-purging , give new treacle ; or for want of it old treacle with two grains of opium ; or rather with three grains of laudanum dissolved in wine . anoint his belly with the following oyls . take of oyl of mirtles , and of quinces , each one ounce and an half ; of oyl of wormwood one ounce , of rose vinegar a little ; mingle them , anoint his belly with it often . inject a glister of calybeat milk , adding to it the yolks of three eggs , of philonium romanum two drams ; rub his arms and upper parts ; dip a piece of bread in wine and give it , or let him drink wine it self . and lastly , every evacuation , whether of blood by the nostrils , womb , or other parts , or of other humours , by vomit or stool , is to be restrained by remedies described in their proper chapters . that fainting which arises from too great sweat , must be cured by remedies that restrain sweat , as with cold water , rose-water alone , or with a little vinegar in it cast upon the hands and face ; the air also must be cooled with the foresaid waters , and with fanning ; cold epithems must be applied to the heart , made of rose-water , sorrel , borrage , and of the powder of diamargarit ; frigid , and with a little wine to make them penetrate . also cooling juleps of syrup of sorrel , violets , of apples , or lemmons , with cooling waters , and sal-prunella , are frequently to be given ; the pores may be stopt by anointing the skin with oyl of roses , mastich and myrtles . let the sick abstain from wine ; he must by no means be rubbed ; let him often change place , and be lightly covered ; let the bed be sprinkled with the following powder . take of the flowers of water-lillies , and red roses , each three ounces ; of pure labdanum half an ounce , of storax two drams , of myrtles , and the grains of sumach , each two ounces ; make a powder . if the fainting arise from suffocation of the spirits , they must be called back to the surface of the body , by frictions , ligatures , cupping-glasses , and the like ; but if the suffocation arise from fullness , blood must be drawn plentifully by intervals ; if fainting proceed from a fright or fear , blood must be also let , least an obstruction or inflammation should be occasioned . chap. lxi . of the palpitation of the heart , and of the trembling of it . the palpitation of the heart is so violent sometimes , that it may not only be manifestly felt , but also seen and heard at some distance : and some authors of note say , that by the violent vibration of the heart , the ribs have been broke , or thrust out in young people . as to the cure , it must be varied according to the variety of the causes . first therefore , when this disease proceeds from a fault in the blood , the curative intention will be , to exalt the watry blood , and to render it more apt for fermentation ; to which purpose spiritous medicines , also saline of every sort and sulphurous , especially chalybeats ; and also those things which are used for the green-sickness , or lucophlegmatia , and a cold scurvy , do good . take of the conserves of roman wormwood , of the yellow peel of oranges and lemons , each two ounces ; of the winteran bark powdered two drams , of the species diacurcuma one dram , of steel prepared with sulphur three drams , salt of wormwood one dram and an half , with a sufficient quantity of the syrup of citron-bark ; make an electuary . the dose is the quantity of a nutmeg in the morning , and at five a clock in the afternoon , drinking upon it three ounces of the following julep , and walking after it . take of the waters of wake-robin leaves one pint , of penny-royal and hyssop , each four ounces ; of the water of worms , snails , and mirabilis , each one ounce ; of sugar one ounce ; mingle them , make a julep . take of the tincture of antimony one ounce . the dose is twenty or twenty five drops twice a day in the same julep . moreover , tincture of steel , or the syrup of it , also elixir proprietatis are proper . secondly , the palpitation of the heart is oftner and much more violent from a fault in the cardiack arteries , which is either an obstruction or a convulsion . the first is most commonly continual , and often incurable , especially if it be occasioned by tabid lungs , or by reason the roots of the arteries are half filled or compressed by a tubercle , or bony excrescence ; which causes , when they are and can be perfectly known , it is to no purpose to endeavour to remove ; and then all that can be done , is only to give ease by hypnoticks . moreover , it is probable , that the passage of the blood is hindred , sometimes by a polypus growing within the sinus of the heart : but it is difficultly known , and hardly cured ; when there is a suspicion of it , saline medicines seem most proper , and of those such as are volatile or acid : but they are not to be given together , you are to try one sort first , and if that does not do , you must try the other . take of compound spirit of sal-armoniack , viz. distilled with millepedes , or with other anti-asthmaticks , three drams . the dose is from fifteen grains to twenty thrice a day , in some proper julep or distilled water . in the same manner spirit of harts-horn , of soot , of blood , and of a scull dug up , may be tried . take of spirit of sea-salt , or of vitriol , distilled with spirit of wine , impregnated with pectoral herbs , and often cohobated , three drams . the dose is from fifteen to twenty drops . spirit of tartar , of the wood of gujacum , or of box , may be used to the same purpose . thirdly , the palpitation of the heart is often convulsive , and proceeds from the same cause as other hypochondriack or asthmatick passions do , and must be cured also by antispasmotick remedies ; but respect must be had to the constitution of the sick. take of spirit of sal-armoniack with ambar three drams . the dose is from fifteen to twenty drops twice a day , in some proper julep or distilled water . tincture of tartar , of steel , or of antimony , may be also given by turns . as to the cure of the trembling of the heart , medicines proper for convulsions must be given , it being meerly convulsive . wherefore having made sufficient evacuation , the follow medicines may be given . take of prepared coral , and of pearls , each two drams ; of both the bezoars , each half a dram ; of white ambar two scruples , of ambar-grease one scruple ; make a powder . the dose is half a dram twice or thrice in a day , in some proper julep or distilled water . take of compound powder of crabs-claws two drams , of the powder of the roots of male-peony , of mans skull prepared , each one dram ; of the flowers of male-peony , and of lillies of the vallies , each half a dram ; make a powder to be taken the same way . take of ivory , and red coral powdered , each three drams ; of the species diambra one dram , of white sugar dissolved in a sufficient quantity of orange-flower-water and boiled to tablets , seven ounces ; make tablets each weighing half a dram : let him take one or two often in a day , or when he pleases . take of the conserve of the flowers of lillies of the vallies six ounces , of coral prepared , of pearls , ivory , and crabs-eyes , each one dram and an half ; of vitriol of mars one dram , with a sufficient quantity of syrup of coral , make an electuary . the dose is one or two drams twice a day , drinking upon it a draught of the following julep . take of the waters of orange-flowers , and of the whole citron , each six ounces ; of orange-peels distilled with wine two ounces , of sugar half an ounce ; make a julep . take of syrup of steel six ounces . the dose is one spoonful in the morning and at five in the afternoon , in two ounces of the julep above prescribed ; but you must omit the sugar . take of the powder of ivory , and of coral , each two drams and an half ; of the species of diambra one dram , of salt of steel two drams , of sugar eight ounces , of ambar-grease dissolved half a scruple ; make tablets , each weighing half a dram . the dose is three or four drams twice a day . ta●e of fresh strawberries eight pints , of the outward peel of twelve oranges , of the fresh filings of steel half a pound , beat them together , and pour upon them four quarts of wine : let them ferment together in a close vessel twenty four hours ; then distill them in a cold still . take of spirit of harts-horn , or of blood , or the like , three drams . the dose is twenty drops twice a day in some proper vehicle . take of the flowers of sal-armoniack , and of coral prepared , each two drams . the dose is one scruple twice a day . take of sal-prunella two drams , of salt of ambar one dram , of salt of harts-horn one scruple . the dose is from fifteen to twenty grains twice a day in some proper liquor . note , such of these medicines as agree with the constitution of the patient are to be chosen . chap. lxii . of weakness . the cause of weakness , is a defect of native heat , and of spirits : this defect is occasioned by the defect of vital spirits : the vital spirits are wanting , either when they are not generated in a sufficient quantity , or because , when they are generated , they are dissipated , corrupted , or suffocated , as it happens in fainting : but the difference betwixt fainting and weakness is , that in fainting the causes produce their effect of a sudden , but in weakness by degrees . the cure of this disease respects the taking away the cause , and the cherishing the heart and vital spirits . the causes are , almost all great diseases , whereby nature is much weakned ; therefore the taking off the causes , respects the cure of almost all diseases , which must be sought for in their proper chapters . but the strengthning the heart , and the restoration of the vital spirits , are to be treated of a part , and sometimes to be preferred before the cure of the morbifick causes , when there is danger of death : but you must always take care , that whilst you endeavour to refresh the spirits , you do not increase the morbifick causes ; and therefore in a hot disease you must give temperate cordials , in a cold such as are hot . and first , with meat you must mix cordials , as confection of alkermes , or of hyacinth in broths ; also mutton broth , the fat and skin being cut off , is good ; also gravy of mutton is frequently used , and the gravy of the heart is mightily commended . the italians make a soop of yolks of eggs , wine , sugar and cinnamon , which is very restorative . jelly of harts-horn is also very good . cordial juleps may be also prepared in the following manner . take of the waters of bugloss , roses , and the flowers of oranges , each one ounce ; of syrup of apples , and of lemons , each half an ounce ; confection of alkermes half a dram , of cinnamon-water two drams ; make a julep . to the stomach may be applied bags made of spices , and moistned with wine ; the private parts may be fomented with confection of alkermes dissolved in wine : the arteries of the temples , the hands and feet may be anointed with the same . and apoplectick balsam may be often held to the nostrils . chap. lxiii . of appetite depraved , diminished , and abolished . the cause of an excessive appetite , is a sharp juice abounding in the body , and especially brought from the pancreas to the intestine ; and sending thence vapors that are sharper than usual to the stomach . this acid is increased in the whole body by sharp meats , and drinks , cold and serene air , immoderate grief continued long , violent motion , and long watching . the appetite is diminished by fat choler , and by fat and viscid meat , by hot or rainy weather , by too much sleep , sloath and great cares . the causes that diminish appetite will wholly abolish it , if they are extream . depraved appetite is usual in the green-sickness , and in women with child , and sometimes , but rarely , men are troubled with it : it most frequently happens before the flux of the courses , or when they are suppressed . in the green-sickness they crave for meats that are improper and unusual , or they eat chalk , ashes , coals , pitch , dirt , leather , and many other things . appetite increased , is to be cured with such things as temperate the acid juice , as coral , pearls , crabs-eyes , filings of steel , and the like ; also fat and oily things , and volatile spirits . take of coral prepared , and pearls prepared , each one scruple ; of white chalk half a scruple , of white sugar three drams ; make a powder to be divided into six doses . take two papers in a day , three or four hours after eating , in a spoonful of strong wine . if a liquid medicine be more pleasing , let him take a spoonful of the following mixture now and then . take of the waters of mint two ounces , and of scurvy-grass-water , and of the tincture of cinnamon made by infusion in rectified spirit of wine , each half an ounce ; of syrup of wormwood one ounce ; mingle them . or , take of oyl of mace by distillation , and of the oyl of juniper-berries , each one scruple ; mingle them in a glass : let the sick take two or three drops of this oyl in a spoonful of malago sack , or in any other generous wine , or in the foregoing mixture , and let him eat fat broths . appetite diminished or abolished must be cured by medicines that evacuate , and correct flegmatick and viscid humours : acids and spices correct them , coloquintida , turbith , hermodactiles , evacuate them . take of mint-water two ounces , of cinnamon-water half an ounce , of syrup of fennel one ounce , of spirit of salt a sufficient quantity to make it pleasantly acid. or , take of tartar vitriolated half a dram , of cream of tartar one dram ; of white sugar-candy two drams ; mingle them ; make a powder to be divided into three doses . let him take one or two in a day in rhenish-wine , or in the preceding mixture ; and if he please , instead of spirit of salt , he may add half a dram of elixir proprietatis to be taken by spoonfuls they that dislike acids , may take the following mixture by spoonfuls . take of the waters of mint , and of fennel , each one ounce and an half ; of aqua vitae matthioli six drams , of oyl of mace by distillation three drops , of syrup of mint one ounce . they that had rather take a medicated wine , may use the following . take of the roots of elecampane , and of acorus , each two drams ; of the leaves of sage , marjoram , garden-rue , each one handful ; of the seeds of sweet fennel two drams , of orange-peel dried one dram ; being cut , and grossly bruised , put them into a bag , and hang it in a glass , and pour on it twenty ounces of whitewine ; after it has stood a night in a cellar , three , four or five ounces may be taken in a morning fasting , or at dinner or supper , as every one pleases , or as they find it agrees best with them . and fresh wine may be put on as long as the aromatick vertue remains in the ingredients . when purging is necessary , take of the greater faetid pills half a dram , of coche one scruple , extractum catholicon ten grains , oyl of cloves two drops ; mix them , make fifteen pills , gild them , or cover them with powder of liquorish or cinnamon . let the sick take five of these pills , or more , if he be hard , to purge . but if you design to add chymical medicines in form of pills , you may prescribe in the following manner : take of gum-ammoniacum , or opoponax , or the like , cleansed by vinegar , and afterwards thickned , half a dram ; of the troches alhandal , mercurius dulcis , each one scruple ; mix them , make fifteen pills , and gild them : let the sick , take five or more of them . but if the form of an apozem seem more convenient for the sick , he having no great aversion to bitter things , the following is convenient . take of liquorish rasped half an ounce , of the roots of smalage one ounce , of the shavings of guajacum three ounces , of laurel-berries , and seeds of annise , each two drams ; of the pulp of coloquintida half a dram ; boil them in a sufficient quantity of rain-water , in thirty ounces of the strained decoction , dissolve of syrup of roses solutive , with senna of diacnicum , each one ounce and an half ; of the salt of tartar vitriolated two scruples ▪ tincture of cinnamon one ounce ; mix them . let the sick take three , four or five ounces of this decoction once or twice a day , by which the flegmatick and viscid humours , are both corrected and evacuated per epicrasin . in the mean time let the sick abstain from fat and viscid meats : let him use a clear air that is hot and dry : let sleeping be diminished if it be too long : let the mind be chearful : let the motion and exercise of the body be moderate . evacuation by stool and urine , daily ought to be proportionable to what is taken in by the mouth , if it can be conveniently . appetite diminished by fat choler is presently cured by correcting of it , if it abound too much it must be evacuated either by stool or vomit , for correcting of this choler , there is nothing more effectual than elixir proprietatis given in wine , or any other convenient mixture , five or six drops at a time , especially before eating . those who do not love acids , may take in place of it sweet spirit of salt , prepared with rectified spirit of wine by several cohobations . the same choler is corrected by wormwood , and wormwood-wine ; in the place of which also , other aromatick plants may be likewise infused in wine , which may be drank in a small quantity at dinner and supper . such plants are mountain-calamint , marjoram , rosemary , garden-rue , hyssop , thym , sage , and the like . choler is very conveniently evacuated by vomit , by several medicines prepared of antimony , as crocus metallorum , glass of antimony , and the sapa vomitoria that is made of it , oxysarcharum , or oxymel vomitorium , mercurius vitae , or the like . rhubarb , scammony , tamarinds , and the like , evacuate choler by stool . scammony may be prepared presently and well , if a convenient dose of it , twelve or fifteen grains , more or less , according to the age and constitution of the sick , be powdered in a mortar , and a little baulm-water , succory-water , or the like , be poured upon it , and rubbed with it till it becomes of a milky colour ; pour it off and put more water on , that all the vertue of the scammony may be extracted leaving the black faeces at the bottom ; then add to the liquor of cinnamon-water , or fennel-water , or some other aromatick-water , two drams ; of syrup of roses solutive , or the like , two or three drams ; and so you will have a very pleasant purging draught ; and that it may work the easier , a scruple or half a dram of cream of tartar may be drank in broth half an hour after taking the purging draught . pleasant tablets may be also made of scammony in the following manner . take of christals of tartar one ounce and an half , of diagridium three drams , of oyl of cinnamon six drops , of white sugar dissolved in rose-water eight ounces ; mingle them , make tablets . these tablets may be conveniently prescribed for infants , children , and delicate people ; the highest dose of them is from three drams to half an ounce ; an infant must take but half a dram , or a dram , a youth may take two drams . they who are afraid to use scammony or medicines made of scammony , though it be a kind , safe , and powerful medicine , may use rhubarb in the following manner . take of choice rhubarb rasped two drams , of the best crude tartar half a dram , of succory-water a sufficient quantity ; infuse them all night over ashes or in a bath , to the liquor strained , gently add of syrup of roses solutive , or of succory with rhubarb , half an ounce , of cinnamon water two drams , and to take off the nauseous smell of the rhubarb , and to expel wind , add of oyl of annise-seeds two or three drops ; make a draught . to evacuate the over abounding choler , those that had rather use an electuary may take of the following . take of the pulp of sharp and sweetish prunes ten ounces , of cream of tartar , and the best scammony , each two ounces ; of choice rhubarb ten drams , of sharp cinnamon half an ounce , of yellow sanders two drams , of clarified sugar a pound ; mingle them , make an electuary . the dose is from three drams to half an ounce ; it may also be dissolved in some convenient water , and so you may make a potion of it . the cure of a depraved appetite , depends on the purification of the blood and humours : but volatile salts are more successful in this case than any other medicines , a few grains of them being taken twice or thrice in a day in wine or some other liquor , especially at dinner or supper ; and to evacuate the vicious humours , purging and vomiting must be used . chap. lxiv . of nauseousness , belching , and vomiting . in perfect health nothing is wont to be evacuated upwards by the mouth , wherefore whatever comes this way signifies sickness , whether it be meat , wind , or a thick or thin liquor . when wind comes forth with a noise it is called belching , when the meat is ejected it is called vomiting . nauseousness always precedes vomiting , and sometimes belching . wind by reason of the clamminess of its nature , sticks to the stomach , and is difficultly excluded , and is often accompanied with an inflation of the stomach . belching arises from windy meats , or from other flatulent things taken inwardly , as chesnuts , pease , beans , turneps , redishes , and the like , or from flegmatick and viscid humours sticking to the stomach , and rarified to wind by taking aromaticks . that the material cause of wind , is a flegmatick and clammy humour , is evident from the antecedent causes ; as from meats of a like kind , viz. milk , fish , especially sea-fish , and the feet of animals , and gellies ; and from the cure , which is wholly performed by evacuating and correcting flegmatick humours . as in belching , only wind is evacuated , so in vomiting , either meat crude , or more or less fermented , or various sorts of humours , as watery , serous flegmatick , and cholerick , and the like ; thin , thick , white , yellow , green , sky coloured , or black humours , or the like , insipid , bitter , acid , rough , sweet , stinking , or humours without taste , and sometimes bloody matter , or excrements . all vomiting is occasioned by the stomach being primarily or secondarily affected . the stomach is primarily affected , when the cause of vomiting , or of the peristaltick motion inverted is in it self . it is secondarily affected by consent from other parts ; and it is provoked to the inversion of its peristaltick motion , in part or altogether by the peristaltick motion of the guts , which is sometimes occasioned by the violent agitation of the diaphragma , and of the muscles of the belly by a violent cough . the stomach is primarily disposed to vomit , first when it is inflamed , excoriated , or ulcerated ; then it is easily excited to any violent contraction of it self from any sort of nourishment taken . secondly , when the nourishment by its quantity , and chiefly by its quality , is troublesome to the stomach . thirdly , when sharp humours from he head fall upon the s●omach , and corrode the lower orifice , and so occasion vomiting . from the total inversion of the peristaltick motion of the guts , vomiting is occasioned , as in the iliack passion , whereby glisters are often vomited up . from the same motion inverted in part , vomiting is occasioned frequently , as in the cholera morbus , and from any other motion upwards of humours fermenting in the small guts , and by reason of the passage of the excrements stopped . in a violent cough the diaphragm being shaken violently , vomiting is occasioned ; which we think to be caused by a conjunct compression of all the bowels contained in the abdomen made towards the breast , which mightily troubles the stomach , and forces it to the inversion of the natural motion . vomiting oecasioned by things taken in at the mouth , is quieted of its own accord , so soon as they are vomited up , or upon use of a few aromaticks , and opiats , it is stopped and cured . for instance , take of mint-water two ounces , tincture of cinnamon two drams , london landanum two grains , syrup of min● half an ounce , mingle them , let the sick take a spoonful of this mixture by short intervals , and the vomiting will presently cease . sharp humours flowing from the head upon the stomach , are to be evacuated by proper purges mentioned before , or corrected by medicines , that alter and temperate the noxious acrimony . vomiting of blood occasioned by the rupture or erosion of the vessels of the stomach and intestins , is cured by conglutinating them by the following mixture , which is also useful in other excresions of the blood. take of plantain-water two ounces , of cinnamon two drams , distilled vinegar half an ounce , of red coral prepared half a dram , of dragons-blood ten grains , of london laudanum two grains , of syrup of mirtles one ounce ; mingle them . a spoonful of this mixture being taken often cures most ruptures of the vessels , and will ●top fluxes of blood in a short time beyond expectation . but blood collected in the stomach , the flux , and the vomiting of it being stopt , will be carried off of its own accord by stool ; but if there is danger of the blood 's coagulating , to the foregoing mixture may be added half a dram of crabs-eyes , and one scruple of diaphoretick antimony . vomiting of matter chiefly following an inflammation of the pancreas , or of some neighbouring part , or some notable ulcer , must be cured by curing the primary distemper . in the mean time you may use the above described mixture , with crabs-eyes and antimonium diaphoreticum . it will be also proper to give a drop of balsam of sulphur annisated in all the liquor he takes . the belching and generation of wind will be cured by , first , avoiding flegmatick and windy meats : secondly , by inciding and evacuating clammy flegm : thirdly , by attemperating the choler if it be acrid : fourthly , by discussing the wind that is already made . acids and aromaticks , and volatile salts , incide clammy flegm , and flegmagoges purge it off . spirit of nitre attemperates choler when it is acrid better than any thing else ; two or three drops of it being taken in common beer , or in some convenient mixture . most spices discuss wind , so do the oyls of them , but especially the seeds , flowers , and barks ; but spirit of niter is better than all , for it corrects choler and flegm , and hinders the generation of wind , and discusses that which is generated . the following mixture is also good to expel wind from the stomach and bowels . take of the waters of mint , and fennel , each two ounces ; of spirit of wine rectified one ounce , of the sweet spirit of niter twenty drops , of london laudanum three grains , of oyl of mace by distillation six drops , of syrup of mint one ounce and an half ; mingle them . this mixture must be taken by spoonfuls , often or seldom according to the degree of pain , and quantity of wind. silvius's carminative spirit is made in the following manner . take of the roots of angelica one dram , of master-wort , and galingal , each one dram and an half ; of the flowers of rosemary , and marjoram , garden-rue , and of the herb called basilicon , and of the tops of the lesser centaury , each half a handful ; of bay-berries three drams , of the seeds of angelica , lovage , and annise , each half an ounce ; of ginger , nutmegs , and mace , each one dram and an half ; of cinnamon six drams , of cloves , and the bark of oranges , each one dram ; cut them and powder them grosly , and pour upon them twenty quarts of maligo wine ; digest them two days in a bath , then distil them till they are dry , pour all again upon the ingredients , and distil off three fourths . chap. lxv . of the hickops the hickops are a convulsive motion of the stomach . the matter occasioning the hickops is either collected in the stomach , or communicated to it from the liver , spleen , bowels , or other parts , or from the whole body ; so sharp meats or medicines , sharp humours or worms contained in the stomach , may occasion an idiophathick hickop : but a sympathick is occasioned by inflammations of the neighbouring parts , or from humours , or sharp vapours transferred to the stomach from diseases of the whole body , as in acute and malignant feavers . the signs of the causes must be thus distinguished : if it be idiopathick it is more continual , and signs of humours contained , in the stomach appear , and then it is cured by vomiting . the peccant humour collected in the stomach , may be known by vomiting , belching , a taste in the mouth , and other signs , if it proceed from a disease of any other part , the signs of it must be sought for in the proper chapters . as to the prognostick , that hickop from any procatarctick cause , as from meat , drink , or cold , is not dangerous ; and also that which precedes a critical vomiting if it happen in a feaver , it shews that the disease is very dangerous : a hickop coming after vomiting is also dangerous . the cure of this disease is to be directed to the causes of it , which as is said before , produce this disease sympathically , or idiopathically ; the causes that occasion a sympathick hickop , are the diseases of other parts , which being cured , the hickop is also taken off , though those remedies which are proper to remove the symptom may be used in the mean while . an idiopathick hickop is occasioned by flegm , wind , choler , or any other acrid or malignant humour . that which is occasioned by a flegmatick humour must be cured by remedies that incide , purge , and cleanse that humour , and that strengthen the stomach ; to which may be added the following medicines , which are peculiarly proper for the symptom . take of tincture of castor one dram , of the juice of mint four ounces . let the sick take a spoonful or two at a time , and let his stomach be anointed with it hot twice or thrice a day . vinegar of squills may be taken frequently to incide and dissolve the matter impacted into the tunicks of the stomach ; or instead of it oxymel of squills ; cloves also held frequently in the mouth do good ; also elixir proprietatis described by crollius is good . take of the seeds of dill two or three drams ; boil them gently in eight ounces of good wine : let the sick tak● two spoonfuls morning and evening . the seed also tied up in a rag may be held to the nostrils frequently ; when the disease is obstinate the following pills are very effectual . take of castor , and mirrh , each three drams ; of sal-gemma half an ounce , of diagridium , and mastich , each one dram ; of the fresh troches of agarick three drams , of choice aloes the weight of all ; mix them with the juice of mint , and make a mass . of each dram make six pills , gild them , let the sick take two or three in a morning , two hours before meat , twice a week . pills also made of the powder of hiera , with oxymel , are also good , whereof a dram may be taken at a time . of the days the sick does not purge , let him take the following powder . take of the seeds of dill half an ounce , of zedoary , and of woo● 〈◊〉 aloes , of nutmegs , cloves , and of the powder of d●●mbra , each one dram ; mix them , let him take two scruples with a little good wine , or adding three ounces of common salt , let him use of it with his meat . let the following cataplasm be applied to his stomach . take of the roots of long birth-wort , of florentine-orris , of bayberries , of the leaves of rue , and dried mint , each three drams ; of castor , and mirrh , each two drams ; of cloves , and hyposistis , each six drams ; with honey of rosemary-flowers ; make a cataplasm . lastly , when the disease is very obstinate , we must use a decoction of guajacum , and the bath-water . that which prooceeds from wind , must be cured by remedies that are proper to expel wind : let cupping-glasses be applied to the region of the stomach , which , like a miracle , mitigate and take off suddenly flatulent diseases of the lower-belly . that which proceeds from an acrid and cholerick humour , must be cured by bleeding if there be a plethora , and by vomiting , or by purging every third day . take of choice rhubarb powdered , and moistened with endive-water , half an ounce , of the pulp of tamarinds two drams , of the seeds of endive , purslain , and spodium , each one dram ; of yellow sanders , and of diagridium , each half a dram ; with syrup of lemons , make a mass for pills ; of half a dram , make four or five pills to be taken in the morning . of other days let him take the conserve of roses and borrage , mixed with a little of the powder of the three sanders . emulsions of the cold seeds attemperate powerfully the acrimony of the humours ; syrup of apples mixed with syrup of quinces is also good ; hot or cold water , or a ptisan is also to be drank freely of . foment the stomach with a spunge dipt in rose-vinegar , and apply the following plaister to the back and stomach . take of the ceratum santalinum , and of ointment of roses , each one ounce ; of mastich half an ounce , of the bark of citron , and of the flesh of quinces , each one dram ; with the juice of housleek ; and with a little turpentine , make plaisters . if there be a suspicion of a malignant quality , treacle or some other alexipharmick must be prescribed ; and the region of the stomach must be anointed with the oyl of scorpions . but from whatsoever cause the hickops arise , the following medicines are to be used . first , the peccant humour must be evacuated by vomit , if the sick can bear it , and it must be repeated , if the disease be lessened by it , but not quite taken away : and strong vomits must be given , if the case so require , as platerus teaches in his practice , whereof he mentions an observation in these words . a surgeon was seized with the hickops , and they were so continual night and day , that he cou'd not sleep , nor scarce speak or eat , being extreamly weakned by them , he earnestly desired we should give him a strong chimical vomit , which being taken , he cast up a vast quantity of green and black choler , the vomiting stopt , and he recovered . but if the sick cannot take a vomit , he must be purged by stool , but the humour must be first prepared by things that incide and cleanse : afterwards these things that follow are convenient . cupping-glasses must be applied opposite to the region of the stomach , and to the stomach . the stomach must be bound with a swath-band , that it may not be so much dilated . ligatures of the extremities must be used . let him eat anniseeds , which is thought to cure the hickops peculiarly . frequently glisters must be injected , to draw away the noxious humours from the stomach . young animals must be applied to the stomach . vinegar of squills may be taken by spoonfuls . sneezing casts off the matter impacted in the coats of the stomach . as the physician chrysimacus cured aristophanes of a hickop by provoking sneezing , when he could not do it by stopping of the spirits , and gargling with cold water . pills made of one dram of aloes , and three grains of london laudanum are good . platerus in his observations says , that he cured a boy of ten years of age , that had the hickops for eight days and nights continually , with the water of green nuts distilled , with radishes infused , first in vinegar , which he gave him to provoke vomiting ; and though he did not vomit at all , yet he was cured . but to conclude , narcoticks wiil do the business when nothing else will. chap. lxvi . of vomiting of blood. the conjunct cause , is the quantity or quality of the blood exceeding . the external causes , are wounds and bruises , and violent heat , or immoderate cold , or unaccustomed labour and excercise , or hollowing . if the blood flow from the stomach , there will be almost always a continual pain and weight there , and the quantity of it will not be much , because the veins of the stomach are small , and nauseousness will accompany it , and 〈◊〉 blood will be mixed sometimes with meat , sometimes with choler , and sometimes with flegm . if it flow from the head , there will be a tickling perceived about the jaws and pallate , and blood will flow sometimes from the nostrils mixed with snot , and a pain or heaviness of the head precedes . if vomiting of blood proceeds from a suppression of the courses , it will be periodical . as to the prognostick , vomiting of blood from what cause soever it arises , is dangerous ; for if too great a quantity be evacuated , there is danger of death ; if it coagulate in the stomach , and corrupt there , it occasions fainting . but a vomiting of blood from suppression of courses is least dangerous . they which fall into a dropsie by vomiting of blood die . it must be cured by medicines that cause a revulsion of the blood from the stomach , and by such as attemperate it , and stop the apertion of the veins . and first , because an orderly diet is of great use in this case , the common diet ought to be astringent and emplastick , and also cooling , as barley broths , almond and rice diet , water-gruel , and jellies , and especially starch boiled in milk , whereunto may be added pomegranate juice , or a little rose-vinegar ; hard eggs may be also used dipt in vinegar . also bread dipt in water ; chicken broth , with wood-sorrel , purslain , and plantane boiled in it ; but at the beginning of eating , some astringent thing should be taken , as a quince baked under ashes , medlars , or the like . let the sick abstain from all acrid , salt , peppered , and fried meats , and also from such things as yield a great deal of nourishment , unless the weakness of the sick requires that they should be taken sparingly . he must drink but little , and when he does , he must drink water wherein iron has been quenched , with a little juice of pomegranates in it . the air must be somewhat cold , but he must not expose himself to the winds , nor to the rays of the sun or moon : he must sleep moderately , and his body must be kept open , and his mind free from passion . bleeding must be used sparingly , and it must be repeated ; frictions and ligatures must be used , and cleansing glisters must be injected . apply cupping-glasses to the buttocks , legs , loins , and hypochondres . let two spoonfuls of oxycrat be given , if there be a suspicion of coagulated blood ; for by the use of it , it may be easily dissolved , and driven from the veins of the stomach , and they will be stopt thereby ; foment the region of the stomach also with it cold ; and if the sick does not vomit , the following mixture may be used to stop the veins , take the white of one egg , of rose-water , and vinegar , each one dram and an half ; shake them well , and add to them two drams of starch ; mix them , and let the sick take it by spoonfuls . or , take of prepared coral , sealed earth , bole-armonick , blood-stone , troches of ambar , each one dram ; of plantane-water , and syrup of mirtles , each two ounces ; mingle them , let the sick take it as before . or , let the sick take morning and evening , four ounces of the juice of plantane cold . galen says , that nothing is better than this juice to stop any flux of blood. the juice of purslain and knot-grass is also good for the same purpose . take of the waters of plantane , and purslain , each one ounce and an half ; of syrup of mirtles half an ounce , of syrup of poppies one ounce ; mingle them , make a julep to be repeated often . take of old conserve of roses , and of comfrey-roots , each one ounce ; of marmalad of quinces half an ounce , one mirobalan candied , troches of ambar , and of lemnian earth , each two drams ; of coral prepared , and of saffron of mars , each one dram ; with syrup of dried roses ; make an opiat to be used frequently . troches of ambar do not only bind , but also dissolve concreted blood , and therefore are frequently to be used : tincture of coral , made with juice of lemons , is also very good . but when the blood is evacuated violently , and cannot be stopt by the forementioned medicines , narcoticks must be taken inwardly , and injected by glisters , and the region of the stomach must be anointed with oyl of roses and of mirtles washed in vinegar , and after you have anointed it , sprinkle on powder of coral , bole-armonick , and sealed earth ; or anoint the stomach with the following ointment . take of the juices of plantane , and knot-grass , each one ounce and an half ; rose-vinegar one ounce , of omphacin oyl six ounces ; boil them to the consumption of the juices , then add of dragons-blood , mastich , pomegranate peels , and mirtles , each two drams ; of camphor one scruple , with a sufficient quantity of red wax , make an ointment . let him drink water wherein hot iron hath been quenched , with syrup of quinces and spirit of vitriol in it , and let his broths be made of the same water . let his loins and hypochondres be fomented with a decoction made of plantane and purslain in oxycrat ; and let it be used when it is almost cold ; and let him put his hands into cold water ; afterwards let the foresaid parts be anointed with galen's cooling ointment washed in vinegar . bleeding being sufficiently used , gentle and frequent purging must be ordered , whereby the blood may be cleared from serous and cholerick humours occasioning this disease : but they ought to be made of rhubarb , myrobalans , tamarinds , and the like , which bind as well as purge , and do not stir the humours ; they may be given in the form of a bolus with syrup of mirtles , or dried roses , or in a potion made of a decoction of sorrel , succory , purslain , and the like . when purging is used , which ought to be continued for three or four days , at bed-time , after every purge , the forementioned opiate , syrup of coral , or some other astringent and corroberating medicine must be used . lastly , for precaution , a● dram of rhubarb powdered must be given once a week for a long time . chap. lxvii . of the cholera morbus , i. e. vomiting and loosness . this disease was most epidemical in the year , says doctor sydenham , than ever he knew it in any other year ; it comes as certainly at the latter end of summer , as swallows at the beginning of spring , and as cuckows at the heat of the following season . that disease which is occasioned by a surfeit comes at any time , the symptoms are indeed alike , and the cure the same , yet it is of another kind . the disease is easily known , for there are violent vomitings , and an evacuation of ill humours , with great difficulty and trouble by stool ; there is a violent pain and inflation of the belly and guts , an heart-burning , drouth , and quick-pulse , with heat and anxiety , with great nauseousness , and sometimes a colliquative sweat , contractions of the arms and legs , fainting , a coldness of the extream parts , and such-like symptoms , which greatly terrifie the by-standers , and kill the patient in twenty four hours . there is also a dry cholera from a flatuous spirit breaking out above and below without vomiting and loosness . i have found , by diligent application of mind , and by manifold eperience , that if on the one hand i should endeavour to expel the sharp humours , that are the fewel of the disease , by catharticks , i should do just as he that endeavours to quench fire with oyl , seeing the operation of the most gentle cathartick wou'd but give farther disturbance , and raise new tumults : and on the other hand , should i at the first restrain the primary effort with narcotick medicines , and other astringents , whilst i hindred natural evacuation , and detained the humour against nature , the patient would be undoubtedly destroyed by an intestine war , his enemy being inclosed in his bowels : for these reasons therefore , i thought i must go the middle way , that i might partly evacuate , and partly dilute the humour . i ●ound out this method several years ago , and have long experienced it , and have by it many times reduced this disease to good order . a young chicken is boiled in about three gallons of spring-water , so that the liquor hath scarce any relish of the chick . the patient is ordered to drink several large draughts of this a little warm ; at the same time a good quantity will serve for several glisters , to be given successively , until all the broths be consumed , and rendred upwards and downwards ; an ounce of the syrups of lettice , violets , purslain , water-lilly , may be now and then mixt with the draughts and glisters ; though the broth may do very well without any such addition . so the stomach being loaded with a considerable quantity of the liquor , and as i may say turned , and the injection of glisters being reiterated , the sharp humours are either cast out , or their acrimony being taken off , they are reduced to a due temper , the filth being cast up by these means , which require three or fours hours : some paragorick medicine perfects the cure ; i use this often . take of couslip-water one ounce , of aqua-mirabilis one dram , liquid laudanum fourteen drops . instead of which any shop-narcotick may be made use of , and this way of diluting the humours is much safer , and more expedite , than that which is most commonly taken to stop this most dangerous disease ; viz. either by evacuaters or astringents ; because the tumult is heightned by evacuaters , and all things are put in a hurly-burly by them ; and the other , on the contrary , detain an enemy in the bowels , and of a stranger do plainly make him an inhabitant : to say nothing of the tedious trouble created to the patient , when the disease is protracted , whereby at length the bad humours creep into the mass of blood , and easily kindle a malignant fever . but it is to be diligently noted , that if the phisician be not called till the voming and loosness have continued many hours , suppose ten or twelve , and the patient is worn out , so that the extream parts wax cold ; i say in this case , all other remedies being omitted , he must immediately fly to laudanum , the sacred anchor in this disease , which is not only to be given when the symptoms are urgent , but also after the vomiting and loosness go off , and to be repeated morning and evening daily , till the patient has recovered his strength and health . though this disease be epidemical , yet it very seldom lasts longer than august , in which it first began ; on which account i have been induced to contemplate that most subtile and elegant artifice , which nature uses in the production of epidemick diseases ; for though the same causes wholly remain , so that many should be seised with this disease as well in september as august , by reason of eating too much fruit , yet we see the same effect does not follow : and he that has carefully collected the phaenomena of a legitimate cholera , of which only we treat at present , will confess , that that disease which invades at any other time of the year , though coming upon the same occasion , and accompanied with some of the same symptoms , is quite different from this now spoken of ; just as if there were some secret and peculiar thing in the air of this peculiar month , able to impress on the blood , or on the ferment of the stomach , some such specifick alteration adapted only to this disease . chap. lxviii . of a pain in the stomach . a pain of the stomach proceeds from something that distends and gnaws it , and so causes a solution of the continuum . but in the stomach three very different parts are to be considered , viz. the upper and lower orifice , and the body of it which makes its cavity . the upper orifice is indued with an exquisite sense , because a great nerve is placed there proceeding from the sixth conjugation , and therefore the pains in it are very sharp , and the heart , by reason of its nearness is also affected ; and therefore this pain is called cardialgia , and cardiogmos ; and so great is the agreement of the heart with the upper orifice of the stomach , that the ancients called this orifice 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but if the membranes , constituting the cavity of the stomach , or if the lower orifice be affected , it is called a pain of the stomach , or the cholick of the stomach , especially when it is occasioned by wind. the next cause of this pain , is a solution of the continuum occasioned by things that bite and distend ; and those things that chiefly and most frequently bite and distend the stomach , are humours , or wind , whereunto may be added worms velicating the tunicks of the stomach . acrid and malignant humours , as green or black choler , salt flegm , corrupt ichor , stinking matter coming from an abscess of the liver or breast broken , and poured upon the stomach , and all other acrimonious humours , may occasion a pain of the stomach . also acid vapours arising from the said humours may occasion the same pain : wind also contained in the cavity of the stomach may occasion inflation , and a painful tension , but especially when it is contained within the tunicks of the stomach , which makes the disease obstinate , because it can be hardly discussed . diseases also of the stomach , and of the neighbouring parts are wont to occasion this pain , as a hot or cold intemperies , inflammation , schirrhus , or any other hard tumour occasioning a heavy pain : and lastly , wounds and ulcers of the part , and tumours and inflations of the neighbouring parts , by pressing the stomach may occasion pain . but humours and wind that occasion the pain of the stomach , are either generated in the stomach , or flow from the whole body , or some parts of it ; from the whole body in feavers , or when the body is full of ill humours ; from other parts , but especially from the liver , spleen , and brain ; from the liver flows choler , from the spleen melancholly and black choler , from the head salt flegm . also from other extraordinary and rare causes , such a pain may arise , as from stones generated in the stomach , and the like . fabritius hildanus relates , that a matron having swallowed a piece of the rine of bacon , kept it in her stomach two years , and was afflicted with continual pain , and at length by taking a vomit , she cast it up and was cured . external causes occasioning this disease , are either meats infected with an ill quality , or indued with a great deal of acrimony , which are sufficient of themselves to occasion such a pain , or they are apt to generate winds ; or taken in too great a quantity , they putrifie and become acrimonious , or they are too hot : or strong and acrid medicines , or such as are indued with a destructive faculty may occasion the pain ; or when they are taken in too great a quantity , or not being well corrected , and poisons may also occasion the same pain . the diagnostick signs are to be directed to the part affected and to the cause , and first the situation of the pain shews that the upper orifice of the stomach is affected , when it is perceived under the xiphoid cartilage , but the violence of the pain occasioned by the exquisite sense of the part shews more certainly that this part is affected , and that it is a true cardialgia , so do the anxiety and restlesness , so that the sick cannot abide in one posture , there is also fainting and swooning by reason of the consent of the heart , wherewith there is a great sympathy , not only by reason of the nearness , but because there is a great loss of spirits by the violence of the pain ; sometimes also the brain is affected by sympathy , by reason of the great nerve that is implanted in this part , and because acrid vapours are elevated to the head from the stomach , upon which account head-achs , giddiness , and the falling-sickness arise sometimes . in other parts of the stomach there are also sharp pains , but they are not accompanied with so grievous symptoms , and they resemble chollick pains , but they differ in situation . the causes occasioning these pains are distinguished by their proper signs , whereof the most plain are known by things evacuated ; for if flegm , or choler , or wind , or worms , are ejected by vomit or stool , it is easie to conjecture that the disease proceeds from such causes ; but though there be no evacuation of the morbifick matter , we may know by peculiar signs , when choler , flegm , or wind abounds . the signs also of worms may be taken from the chapter of worms , and the peculiar diseases of the stomach it self , or of the neighbouring parts occasioning this disease may be known by every ones proper signs ; the humour causing the pain may be also guessed at by the time of the invasion , of its increase and cessation ; for in some the pain is ▪ worst before eating , and this signifies that choler prevails , which when the sick is fasting is drawn into the stomach , or becomes more acrid thereby ; in others the pain begins presently after eating , because the crude and biting humours , which before lay quiet in the tunicks of the stomach , are disturbed by eating ; or being seated in the bottom of the stomach , they at that time are raised , and offend the upper orifice , and in some the pain is worst whilst the meat is concocting , because acrid and biting vapours are elevated from the morbifick matter by the heat increased in the stomach at the time of concoction ; in others four or five hours after eating , because the meat is corrupted by the concoction being depraved , by which means it velicates the stomach ; in others the pain is augmented after sleep , and this is occasioned by a catarrh , the humour flowing from the brain in the sleep , which being heaped up in a great quantity occasions pain when the sick awakes ; but the pain is sometimes quieted by eating , the acrimony of the humours being asswaged by the benignity of the food . as to the prognostick , it is certain that a cardialgia is much more dangerous than other pains of the stomach , by reason of the exquisite sense of the mouth of the stomach , and the great sympathy that is betwixt that and the principle parts . the greater or lesser is the pravity of the morbifick cause , and the violence of the symptoms , so is the danger more or less . a continual and acute feaver , joined with a great pain of the stomach , threatens great danger ; for hippocrates says , aphor. . section . a great heat about the stomach , and cardiogmos in feavers , are ill , for they signifie a great quantity of vitious humours contained in the stomach . a pain of the stomach , occasioned by worms or wind is most commonly less dangerous , for that the cause is not so obstinate , and not fixed to the part ; but yet sometimes violent symptoms arise from worms contained in the stomach , and biting it , whereby the sick is presently killed ; and also when the intemperies occasioning wind is obstinate , as it were habitual , it is not without danger , because it degenerates into a dry dropsie . hippocrates , aphor. . sect. . says , that coldness in the extream parts , in a cardialgia , portends death . the cure of this disease is to be varied according to the variety of the causes , for if it arises from the diseases of other parts , the cure of them must be taken care of ; but if the cause be seated in the stomach it self , the pain proceeds either from wind or sharp and cholerick humours , or from an inflammation , abscess , or ulcer . that which is generated by wind , must be cured by remedies that discuss and evacuate that flatulent matter , and also flegm which breeds wind. and first , an emollient and loosning glister must be injected , and presently after a carminative and discussing glister made of the decoction of the leaves of wild-marjoram , calaminth , penny-royal , rue , and the lesser-centaury , the seeds of annise , fennel , daucus , cummin , and the like , wherein may be dissolved benedictum laxativum , oyl of dill , rue , and honey of rosemary . if the pain continue , a glister must be made of oyl of rue , or of nuts , and of generous wine each equal parts , you must add to it two ounces of aqua-vitae , or you may prepare a glister of whitewine mixed with eight drops of oyl of juniper , cinnamon , or of chymical oyl of cloves ▪ afterwards the following fomentation must be applyed to the region of the stomach . take of the roots of cyperus , galingal , sweet smelling flag , each one ounce ; of the leaves of mint , wild-marjoram● marjoram , penny-royal , hyssop and sage , each one handful ; of the seeds of fennel , daucus , caraways , bay-berries , each half an ounce ; of the flowers of camomil , melilot , rosemary , and lavinder , each one pugil ; cut them and beat them , and put them into two bags , boil them in generous wine , press them out and ●pply them hot to the stomach and belly by turns . but when the matter is not very cold , the following fomentation may be prepared , which is much commended by forestus , and he says , it will give ease when other medicines will do no good , take of the roots of marshmallows half an ounce , of red roses , the flowers of camomil , and of the tops of centaury , each one handful ; boil them in fountain and camomil-water to a pint and an half ; at last add a little good rhenish-wine , rose-water , and vinegar , make a fomentation . after the fomentation , anoint the parts with oyl of rue , and dill mixed with aqua-vitae , and a little of the oyl of sage , or of cloves chimically extracted ; after the anointing apply the plaister of laurel-berries , or instead of it a cataplasm made of honey and the seeds of cummin . in the mean time whilst these things are about , if the stomach be nauseous , vomiting may be provoked by some gentle vomit , or a purge may be given that evacuates flegm . after the body is purged , oyl of bitter almonds mixed with white-wine may be taken , or aqua-clareta , or cinnamon-water . the following julep is very effectual to ease pain , discuss wind , to cleanse flegm , and to strengthen the stomach . take of the leaves of common worm-wood , of the lesser centaury , and agrimony , each half an handful ; boil them to five ounces ; in the liquor dissolve one ounce of white sugar . let it be taken for two days in the morning . amatus lusitanus greatly commends the distilled water of camomil-flowers , as a special remedy to ease pains of the bowels and stomach ; three ounces of it may be taken warm ; or in the place of this water , a decoction of camomil-flowers may be used , which is greatly commended by forestus , who says , that he cured a certain merchant of a violent pain in the stomach , with only giving this decoction once ; he had no sooner drank it than he fell into a sweat , belching up wind , and in a minute all the pains went off , so that there was no occasion for any other remedies . a vomit may be prepared of this decoction , made with seeds of dill , or with agarick , or the roots of wake-robin , wherein may be dissolved oxymel , syrup of sorrel , or of roses solutive , which may be given at the beginning of the disease to mitigate the pain by evacuation . galen says , that a cupping-glass applied to the stomach removes the pain wonderfully , but this caution must be taken notice of , viz. that but little or no crude humour be in the stomach , for if there be , it will increase the pain . bread fresh drawn out of the oven , cut in the middle , and applied to the part , does good , either by it self or sprinkled with aromatick powders . but if the disease be obstinate , you must use a bath made of a decoction of emollient and healing herbs , which is safest and most effectual , for it eases the pain by discussing the wind , and driving it through rhe pores of of the skin . but the buisness will be sooner done , if in the bath the sick take some discutient remedy , for both concurring the cure will be effectually performed . the bath ought to be very hot , that the wind may be the easier discussed , and that the gross humours may be melted , if glisters cannot be injected or retained , by reason of the violence of the pain , a purge must be given in the bath , where the sick must continue half an hour or an hour till the purge begins to operate . but sometimes when there is danger , by reason of the violence of the pain , narcoticks must be given , which being prudently administred do often a great deal of good . some mix narcoticks with purgers , that the pain may be eased , and the peccant matter evacuated at the same time. take of diaphaenicon half an ounce , of philonium romanum two scruples ; with the water or decoction of camomil make a potion . after the pain is taken off , purging should be repeated once or twice a month in such as are subject to this disease , that the cause of wind may be removed ; corroborating medicines must be also used , but if the pain arise from choler , it must be cured by the evacuation of the peccant humour , as by a gentle vomit , or a purging medicine ; or by injecting glisters frequently , which ought to be emollient , not sharp or hot . afterwards the acrimony of the humours is to be mitigated by cooling and thickning juleps ; by emulsions of the four greater cold seeds , by new milk , oyl of sweet almonds newly drawn , by yolks of eggs and the like . strenghning medicines must be used , and narcoticks upon occasion , and outwardly must be applied a cataplasm of white-bread crums boiled in milk , yolks of eggs and saffron being added . or you may apply bread fresh drawn and cut in the middle and moistened with vinegar ; or let the part be fomented with a decoction of the flowers of camomil , violets , and of water-lillies ; or which is much better , let the sick be bathed with warm water , for this is very effectual for the cure of this disease . if when the pain is eased , it should chance to return again , the sick must be purged twice a month , and the hot intemperies must be corrected by a cooling diet and convenient remedies . but when the pain proceeds from an inflammation , abscess , or ulcer , it must be cured by remedies to be proposed in the following chapter . chap. lxix . of an inflammation , abscess , and vlcer of the stomach . though in the stomach , as in all other parts , all sorts of tumours may happen , yet here we only treat of an inflammation or phlegmon , which is most frequent , for other tumours rarely happen , and may be cured by the same method , wherewith the tumours of other inward parts are . an inflammation of the stomach is a preternatural tumour arising from blood poured upon the substance of the stomach , and its membranes . and this blood is either pure and sincere , and then it produces a phlegmon properly so called , or it is mixed with choler , flegm , and melancholly , and then it produces an oedematous , schirrhus , phlegmon , or a phlegmon mixed with an erysipelas . there may be many external causes , viz. whatsoever renders the blood hot , as hot medicines ; drinking of wine , or whatever forces the blood thither , as a bruise of the stomach , especially when it is full of meat ; to which may be added hot and acrid things taken inwardly , as cantharides , sublimate , and the like . the diagnostick signs of this disease are , a great burnining , pricking distending , pain with pulsation , stretching it self to the back . the tumour may be felt and sometimes seen ; the shoulders are drawn backward ; the breathing , swallowing , and belching are difficult . sometimes something bloody is vomited up ; there is a violent feaver accompanied with dreadful symptoms . if the inflammation be purely from blood it is somewhat gentler , but if it be joined with an e●ysipelas , the symptoms are very violent , and there is an inward feaver , though the outward parts are cold , and the thirst is unquenchable : to this inflammation of the stomach that inflammation is near of kin , which either seises that part of the liver , wherewjth the stomach is covered , or that lies upon the region of the abdomen , which can be only distinguished by the violence of the symptoms ; for the inflammation of the stomach is the most violent and most dangerous . from what has been said , it may be easily prognosticated that this disease is very dangerous and most commonly deadly . nevertheless that is most dangerous which seises the upper orifice of the stomach , and partakes of the nature of an erysipelas . if the inflammation do not kill , and be not resolved , it degenerates into an abscess , which is known by the remission of heat and feaver , the tumour remaining . the abscess being broken an ulcer is left behind , which may be known by the evacuation of matter by vomit and stool . but an ulcer of the stomach does not only proceed from an abscess broken , but also from other causes , which must be here mentioned , least any thing should be desicient in the theory of it . therefore the causes of an ulcer of the stomach are either internal or external ; the internal causes are acrid humours bred in the stomach , or transmitted from another place to it , as yellow and black choler , or salt flegm . the external causes , are acrid and corroding medicines or poisons , and hither may be referred wounds of the stomach ill cured , which degenerate into an ulcer ; and also the rupture of some great vein , which cannot be well cured after vomiting much blood up . an ulcer bred in the stomach , may be known chiefly by the evacuation of matter by vomit and stool , to which primary sign others may be added : for first , there is perceived in the stomach a pricking pain with heat , especially when any thing acrid , salt , acid , or any thing very hot or very cold is taken inwardly . there is moreover a loss of appetite , stinking , belching , and a small and continual feaver . the prognostick is most commonly deadly , unless the ulcer be very small , and possess the superficies , and has not a feaver joined with it ; for the membrane of the stomach being ulcerated is difficultly cured , and the nourishment cannot be well concocted , and it is rejected before a due concoction ; besides medicines can do little good , for things that cleanse , which are necessary for the cure of the ulcer , cause pain ; and things that dry , which should satisfie the other indication of healing the ulcer , are continually spoiled by the meat and drink , and chyle , and other humours which always stagnate in a weak stomach . the cure of the foresaid diseases is to be instituted particularly . and first , the cure of the inflammation is to be begun by bleeding repeated in the arm as often as the strength will bear ; and though it may seem to be dejected at first by reason of the fainting and coldness of the extream parts , yet this infirmity of the strength proceeds from an oppression which requires evacuation , and therefore bleeding ought not to be forbid . moreover , the opening of the hemorrhoid veins , if the sick has been accustomed to this evacuation , may conveniently cause a revulsion of the blood from the stomach . cupping-glasses applied to the back and buttocks , both dry and moist , frictions and ligatures of the extream parts , and the heating those that are wont to be cold , by applying hot cloaths , and by anointing them with oyl of orris , nard , and with other hot things , may be also conveniently used to draw the blood from the stomach . but purging is not allowed of , because it disturbes the humours , and draws them to the part affected . yet avicen commends a decoction of tamarinds , or half an ounce of cassia , dissolved in endive-water , or in whey , and would have it given daily till the seventh day ; yet it is better to abstain from all purging at the beginning ; but the seventh day being over , and some signs of concoction and declination appearing , purging may be instituted with a dram of rhubarb , and a scruple of red sanders infused in borrage-water ; you must add one or two ounces of the syrup of roses , that the filth sticking to the part may be evacuated . in the mean while lenient , cooling , and emollient glisters must be daily injected . take of chicken-broth , or a decoction of mallows and violets , one pint ; of cassia fresh drawn one ounce , of oyl of roses and violets , each two ounces ; of sugar one ounce and an half , yolks of eggs number two ; make a glister . the same altering and corroborating things may be taken inwardly , which were proposed for a cure of the pain of the stomach occasioned by a cholerick humour . but syrup of water-lillies , and of the juice of purslain , are peculiarly proper , especially at the beginning ; because they may serve instead of a repelling medicine . emulsions also of the four cold seeds , and of the seeds of white-poppies are proper , for they are lenitive , and qualifie the heat , and so do also the following juleps . take of the waters of roses three ounces , of plantane two ounces , of the juice of sorrel one ounce and an half , of sugar of roses one ounce , boil them a little and strain them . let him take two ounces twice or thrice a day . if the pain be very violent , syrup of poppies may be taken . let him use for his drink barley-water sweetned with syrup of violets , which he must drink cold . in progress of the disease , medicines are to be mixed with the foregoing , which may help the resolution ; to which end the following julep may be prescribed . take of the syrups of water-lillies , of apples , and of the juice of purslain , each one ounce ; of the syrup of roman wormwood half an ounce , of the waters of sorrel , lettice , and fennel , each three ounces ; of the species diamargarite frigid one dram ; make a julep for three doses to be taken twice a day ▪ to these may be added restorative opiats , narcoticks and the like ; all which are to be varied according to the judgment and discretion of the physician . turpentine washed in wormwood-water taken twice or thrice , resolves and ripens imposthumes of the stomach . the following fomentation may be applyed outwardly in the beginning . take of the roots of sorrel two ounces , of the leaves of endive , succory , and mallows , each one handful ; of the seeds of lettice , and of white poppies , each three drams ; of white and red sanders , each half a dram ; of the flowers of violets , and of water-lillies , each one pugil ; make a decoction , add to it a little rose-vinegar , foment the region of the stomach with it warm . after the fomentation , anoint the part with oyl of roses and oyl of violets mixed . cataplasms are not convenient in the beginning , because they oppress the part by their weight , and by retaining the heat increase the inflammation . if the disease come to a declination , and if the tumour should be resolved , which is most to be wished for , a resolving fomentation may be applied made in the following manner . take of the roots of florentine-orris two ounces , of the leaves of mint , marjoram , penny-royal , and of roman wormwood , each one handful ; of the seeds of f●enugreek and of annise , each two drams ; of the grains of kermes one dram , of the flowers of staechas , rosemary , and camomil , each one pugil ; adding towards the the end a little white-wine , make a decoction , wherewith foment the region of the stomach . after the fomentation , anoint the part with oyl of nutmeg , wormwood , nard , and the like ; to which wax , and the powder of florentine-orris , and of cinnamon being added , an oyntment may be made ; but plaisters and cataplasms are not convenient , because they oppress the part. but if the tumour seem to tend to suppuration , foment the part with a decoction of the flowers of camomil , and red roses , and afterwards apply the following cataplasm . take of the roots of marsh-mallows two ounces , of the leaves of bears-breech , and of roses , each one handful ; boil them well , and then add of the flower of barley , and of linseeds , and faenugreek-seeds , and of the powder of camomil , each half an ounce ; of white and red sanders , each two drams ; with oyl of roses and of camomil , and with a little hens-grease , make a cataplasm to be renewed often . the abscess being broken , cleanse the ulcer by drinking hydromel , to which must be added sometimes , according to galen's order , manna of frankincense , or barly-water , with sugar of roses in the beginning in a hot constitution . when the ulcer grows old , from what cause soever it prooceeds , broths are proper , altered with cooling , and moderately astringent herbs , barly-broths sweetned with sugar of roses , new milk sweetned with sugar and a little honey , steel-waters for the ordinary drink , or water wherein some bole-armonick or sealed earth has been infused ; to which may be added , a little red rough wine , if there be but little heat in the part ; afterward the following apozem may be used . take of whole barley one pugil , of the leaves of scabious , agrimony , burnet , and of maiden-hair , each half an handful ; of the seeds of melons two drams , of red roses dried one pugil ; make a decoction to one pint , wherein dissolve three ounces of syrup of dried roses , make an apozem for four doses to be frequently repeated . for internal ulcers , a decoction of china is also very good , when there is no feaver , for being taken for twenty days or more , it gently provokes sweat , and dries the ulcer by degrees . but if there be danger of a consumption , the foresaid root must be boiled in chicken-broth , with the foresaid herbs , and with cleansed barley . when the ulcer has continued long , chalybeat or purging waters drank for a month do good ; and gentle catharticks , as rubarb , and tamarinds , myrobalans , syrup of roses , are to be used once a week . lastly , the following things are to be used . take of bole-armenick , sealed earth , red coral , blood-stone well washed in rose-water , each one dram ; of dragons-blood , gum-arabick , and tragacanth , each half a dram ; of the seeds of white poppies gently bruised and roasted , of hypocistis , sarcoco , and frankincense , each one scruple ; of sugar of roses one ounce ; make a powder , whereof let him take a dram in plantane-water , or with conserve of roses daily . or of the same powder may be made an opiat with conserve of comfry , and roses , and with syrup of quinces or of myrtles ; or troches may be made of it , with the mucilages of the seeds of psyllium , or of tragacanth ; of all which the sick may take by turns , least his stomach turn by taking of one medicine a long while : and outwardly , to heal the ulcer , may be applied to the region of the stomach , a fomentation made of wormwood , roses , pomegranate-peel , galls , balaustins , myrtles , frankincense , mastich , and the like : and afterwards the part must be anointed with some astringent oyntment , and an astringent plaister must be applied over . chap. lxx . of the chollick . it takes its name from the gut colon , which is the part affected , which is long and winding , and designed by nature to receive the excrements of almost all the body ; and when those excrements are retained too long , they are wont to occasion pains of this kind . therefore the causes of the chollick is all excrementitious matter , that occasions a solution of the continuum , either by distending , pricking , or corroding , and is either wind or humours . wlnd generated by crudities , or from a cold intemperies of the stomach or bowels , if it cannot be seasonably excluded , by reason the feces are very hard , or by reason the intestines are obstructed , it is heap'd up in a great quantity in the great guts , especially in the colon , and occasions violent pain . thick cold and flegmatick humours , stufft into the tunicks of the guts , may occasion such pains by corroding them , if they are indued with acrimony or by chilling them ; which consequently occasions costiveness and convulsions , as galen says of himself , that he having a violent chollick , evacuated glassy flegm which was actually cold . wind , which is easily elevated by a weak and gentle heat from gross and clammy humours , may also occasion this pain . cholerick and acrid humours , and also melancholly and acid , may occasion these pains , by vellicating and pricking the intestines : but in the action of these causes , it may be asked how the chollick pain should have exacerbations and remissions , the same matter remaining in the bowels , which as long as it is there should always bite and distend them . to which i answer , that that matter does sometimes remain quiet , and then it occasions little or no pain ; but sometimes is moved and excited by various fermentations that happen to the humours , as is wont to happen to the falling-sickness , hysterick fits , and in fits of feavers . but we must take notice , that the wind or humours do not only reside in the cavity of the intestines , for then they would be easily excluded by things that evacuate and cleanse , and by carminative medicines ; but most commonly they are fixed in the very tunicks of the intestines ; upon which account it is difficult to remove them , and so they occasion an obstinate disease . the gross , flegmatick and melancholly humours , flow by little and little through the veins of the intestines , and so do not presently cause pain , till there is a quantity sufficient to irritate nature for their expulsion , and then being moved cause pain ; or wind occasioned by them , and included in the coats of the intestines distends them , and not easily getting out occasions a lasting pain ; also choler after the same manner , poured through the veins of the intestines upon their coats , and imbibed by them , causes violent pains , which are wont to be long and obstinate , because it is difficultly removed from their substance . there is another species of a bilious chollick , which degenerates into a palsie , scarce known unto the ancients , which proceeds from a bilious humour , not poured as the former upon the colon , but upon the membranes of the abdomen which is transferred thither , either from the gall-bladder , or from the mesentery in the crisis of long feavers , or by reason of violent anger , or some other external cause , when because of obstructions it cannot be carried to the common passages , but by a preposterous motion is put off suddenly upon the foresaid membranes of the abdomen : and hence great pain arises like the chollick , which yields neither to glisters nor fomentations , nor any other remedy , but continues for many months , by which the body wasts , and the sick is vexed with a sort of intermitting feaver , and often with a slow continual feaver ; at length the pain remitting , a palsie succeeds , that humour leasurely creeping through the membranes of the abdomen to the spine of the back ; but this palsie chiefly possesses the upper parts ; yet there is most commonly a pain in the thighs and legs , and in some few the use of them is wholly taken away , and sometimes it breaks in upon the ●ra● , and causes the falling-sickness , from whence death generally follows . there are other causes of the chollick , but less frequent , viz. stones growing in the guts , worms wound up in a bottom and obstructing the intestines , a compression of the guts by a tumour of the neighbouring parts , and the narrowness of them , by reason of an inflammation , and other tumours of the guts , or a twisting of them occasioned by wind , which is next to an iliack passion , and sometimes the matter which causes a chollick is venomous and malignant . lastly , all hard bodies , by obstructing the guts , or distending them , may occasion a chollick , as stones generated in the guts , a great quantity of cherry-stones , hard cheese , and the like . as platerus relates of a certain governour , a long while troubled with the chollick and convulsions , who after the use of glisters , evacuated a great quantity of hard cheese by stool . the external causes are a cold constitution of the air pressing and hardning the belly , or a hot constitution which does likewise harden the excrements , the use of meat and drink unfit for the mans constitution , of crud● and harsh roots , and of gross meats of hard digestion , too much rest , immoderate sleep , unseasonable exercise , immoderate venery , and other external causes which may injure the concoction of the stomach . the diagnosticks of this disease are plain , for first the pain is violent , sometimes afflicting grievously this part , sometimes that , sometimes it possesses the region of the spleen , sometimes of the stomach or liver , or of the reins , sometimes it is above , sometimes below the navel , and oftentimes it is most violent in the left side ; the patient often vomits , the pain is increased after eating , the belly is most commonly bound . the signs of the causes are distinguished in the following manner , if the pain proceed from flegm , it is not violent , unless it be accompanied with wind ; the sick is eased by hot things , and injured by cold things , a course of diet before apt to increase flegm preceded . if the chollick is occasioned by wind , there is a stretching pain , and a certain inflation of the belly ; the sick perceive a great deal of wind , and a rumbling in the belly ; they are much eased by breaking wind , a course of diet fit to breed wind was used before , as unseasonably drinking cold water , the frequent use of pulse , turneps , and chesnuts , herbs and fruits , and the like ; and if the the wind be contained in the cavity of the intestins , the pain is wandring , and not fixed to one part , and is renewed by intervals . but if it be kept in within the coats of the guts , the pain is fixed and is continual and obstinate because it cannot find vent . if the chollick proceeds from an acrid and cholerick humour , it is most sharp , there is a twitching and pricking heat , drouth , and for the most part a feaver , the disease is increased by hot medicines and diet , and is mitigated by cold . by the following signs the chollick and nephritick pain may be distinguished , if they are accurately examined . first , the nephritick pain is fixed in the kidney , and stretches it self from that to the testes according to the length of the ureter , but the chollick is wandring , and painfully girds the lower belly . secondly , the chollick increases after eating , by reason of the pressure upon the gut by a full stomach , but the nephritick pain is not at all increased after eating , but rather lessened , because some of the nutritious juice is carried to the veins which somewhat asswages the pain . thirdly , in the chollick vomiting is more severe , and the belly is more bound , because the colon lies near the bottom of the stomach , and the intestines being full or violently provoked , contract themselves that they may expel the common enemy ; but either of the symptoms is common to either of the diseases ; so that the intention or remission of them has a difficult diagnostick . for the nephritick pain being intense , may occasion greater vomiting , and bind the belly more than a remiss chollick . fourthly , in the chollick , the patient is more eased by vomiting and going to stool , than in nephirtick pains , fifthly , in the nephritick pain , the urine is first clear and thin , afterwards something settles to the bottom , and at length sand or gravel is evacuated ; bu● in the chollick the urine is thicker from the beginning . the cure of this disease must be varied according to the variety of the causes : and first , there is the same way of cure for a windy and flegmatick chollick , you must begin with an emollient glister , and afterwards you must give a carminative and discutient glister , which must be repeated twice , thrice , or four times in a day , till the pain be gone ; but if after the use of one or two glisters , the sick does not go to stool , as sometimes it happens , the belly must be irritated by a sharp suppository , but it is convenient to add to one of the glisters four ounces of the aqua-benedicta , or two or three drams of coloquintida may be boiled in an emolient and carminative glister . if glisters do not give ease you must not obstinately persist in the use of them ; for it has been observed , that when a sick person has taken , without any success , twenty glisters , another physician having given only an ounce and an half of manna , with two ounces of oyl of almonds in fat broth has cured the patient . but in that pain which proceeds from thick flegm , stronger medicines must be given . afterwards fomentations , oyntments , baths , plaisters and other remedies are useful , to which must be added some specificks . boil simple water , and when it is boiling hot , add a fourth part of common oyl , and some grains of pepper grosly beaten . let the sick take three or four spoonfuls as hot as he can bear it , the pain will be gone as it were in a moment . take of the best aloes one dram , of laudanum opiatum grains four ; mingle them , make six pills , gild them , let the sick take them at a convenient time , they give ease in an hours time , and afterwards purge off the noxious humours . instead of the pills , a potion may be taken made of half an ounce of diaphaenicon , and two scruples of philonium romanum in the water or decoction , of camomil . take of the oyl of almonds , or of some other oyl , for poor people , four ounces ; of generous wine one ounce , of syrup of poppies one ounce ; mingle ehem , make a potion . oyl of sweet almonds also taken with manna in fat broth asswages the pain , and evacuates the peccant matter . if the disease is lasting , it may be successfully treated with a decoction of guajacum continued for many days , purging now and then with elixir salutis , and injecting glisters frequently . but if the chollick proceed from flegm , boil the guajacum with wine . a bilious cholick is cured by emolient glisters , and with such things as attemperate the acrimony of the humours . give juleps of the waters of erratick poppy , of lettice and sorrel , with the syrups of violets , apples , and lemons : if the pain is very violent we must use narcoticks ; the pain being somewhat mitigated . an infusion of rubarb in succory-water is to be given with syrup of roses , and to be repeated often , till the stock of matter is evacuated . if gentle purging be not sufficient to eradicate the disease , we must use mercurius dulcis , which being given sometimes with purging medicines that have diagridium in them perfects the cure. they that dislike diagridium , may give mercurius dulcis alone made into pills , with conserve of roses , drinking upon them an infusion of rubarb and senna , with manna , and syrup of roses added to it . afterwards it will be convenient to use tunbridge or such like waters . when the pain is violent , you must fly to laudanum , with which catharticks may be sometimes given , but in a large dose , because they are much blunted by laudanum . bleeding is sometimes proper in this sort of chollick , when there is danger , least the violence of the heat should occasion a feaver ; if there be a feaver already it is presently to be used . when there is a great drouth cold water must be given , according to galens instruction . and amatus lusitanus says , he wonderfully cured of a sudden such a pain by the use of it ; and septalius declares , in two observations , that he used it inwardly and outwardly with great success . for the cure of a chollick that degenerates into a p●lsie , put the patient into a warm bath , made of a decoction of emollient things , the belly being loosned with various glisters , and the first passages opened by catharticks , the patient must be bathed twice or thrice , or four or five times in a day , that the acrimony of the humours may be attemperated , and that the pores of the membranes may be opened . the next day let the humour be purged with some proper cathartick , and then the bath must be repeated , and so you must do every other day , if the patient be able to bear it , till the humours being purged off , and the pain quieted , he is recovered . in the mean time you must continue the use of glisters , but those made with milk are best to asswage the pain , to which may be added cassia , oyl of violets , and oyl of lillies . let the belly be frequently anointed with oyl of camomil , of dill , sweet almonds , lillies , and with butter . lastly , use whey and tunbridge-waters , or the like ; and if the disease continues a long while , those things may be used which are proper to cure hypochondriack melancholly ; and bleeding is to be used at the beginning of the disease , and before purging , and to be often repeated , if the blood seem to be bad , or if something of a rheumatism seems to be joyned wtih it . lastly , all those remedies which are proposed for the cure of a bilious chollick may be used in this case ; and if these things do no good , some physicians prescribe the following potion , which though it be loathsome , and will not go down with the delicate , yet they say it presently mitigates the pain . take of horse-dung one ounce , crumble it in small pieces , and infuse it in a pint of erratick poppy-water , to which add eight or ten drops of spirit of wine . strain it gently , and divide it into three doses to be taken when the pain is most violent . but if the disease degenerates into a palsie , you must use to the spine of the back , and the paralitick parts , some resolving balsam , and such an one as strengthens the nerves , if there be a feaver ; but if there be no feaver , you may apply wooll dipt in oyl or ointment to the paralitick parts , taking great care that the patient does not catch cold , for by that means the humour will be more fixt upon the parts , and the perspiration of it will be hindred . chap. lxxi . of the bilious chollick of the years , , . in all these years the blood was much inclined to put off upon the bowels hot and cholerick humours , upon which account this chollick was more frequent than is usual : the same febrile symptoms preceded this disease as used to go before the dysentery , that reigned in those times ; and sometimes this disease followed the dysentery , when it had a long while afflicted the patient , and was just about to leave him ; but when it did not follow a long dysentery , it generally took its rise from a feaver , which after some hours was wont to end in this disease ; it chiefly seised young people of a hot and cholerick constitution , especially in the summer the pain of the bowels was extreamly violent , and more intollerable than any other that afflicts poor mortals ; it sometimes binds as it were the guts , and sometimes being contracted to a point , it bores like an auger ; the pain now and then remits , and presently the fit approaches again , which as soon as the patient perceives , he looks sadly , and bemoans himself , as if it were actually upon him . at the beginning of this disease the pain is not so certainly determined to one point , as in the progress of it ; nor is the vomiting so frequent , or does the belly so obstinately resist catharticks ; but the more the pain is increased , the more pertinaciously is it fixed in a point , the vomiting is more frequent , and the belly more bound , till at length by the dreadful force of these symptoms , a total subversion of the peristaltick motion of the guts , if the patient be not relieved ; and by consequence an iliack passion is procured , in which disease all purging medicines become presently emetick , and glisters that are injected are vomited up with the excrements . the matter that is cast up after this manner , if it be sincere , and without mixture , is sometimes green , and sometimes yellow , and sometimes of an unusual colour . in order to the cure , i bleed freely in the arm , if no blood has been taken away before , and after two or three hours i give an anodyne ; the next day i prescribe some gentle purge , and order that it should be repeated . the next day save one , and sometimes thrice , according as the relicks of the humour are more or less . but we must take notice , that if this disease proceeds from eating too much fruit , or from any meat of hard digestion , upon which account ill and corrupted juices are first transmitted to the blood , and afterwards to the bowels : i say in this case the stomach must be washed with large draughts of posset-drink , which must be vomited up again ; which being done , an anodyne must be given and the next day a vein must be opened ; and as to other things , you 〈◊〉 proceed according to the directions above mentioned ; but when the violence of the pain , and the vomiting ( by reason of which the guts are as it were inverted ) do resist the operation of the catharticks , for it is in vain to give a gentle purge , unless the patient is easily purged , which must be carefully inquired into ; for such a medicine being not strong enough to make its way through the intestines , the patient is more injured thereby ; for by its ineffectual agitation the vomiting and the pain are increased . a lenitive purging potion of the infusion of tamarinds , of the leaves of senna , and rubarb , in which may be dissolved manna , and syrup of roses , is to be preferred before other catharticks , for it least exagitates and moves the humours ; but if the sick cannot retain a liquid medicine by reason of an aversion , or because of the vomiting , you must necessarily use pills ; among which the pill coch pleases me best , for they pass best through the body in this , and in most other cases . but when the weakness of the stomach , or the vomiting is so great , that the pills cannot be retained , then i first order an anodyne , and a few hours after a purge ; but there must be so much space betwixt them , that the cathartick be not quelled by the narcotick , and so rendred ineffectual ; but that it may continue so long in the stomach as is necessary for its imparting its purgative quality to it , that it may operate when the vertue of the narcotick is spent , though the purge , if it could be conveniently done , is best given a long while after the anodyn , for twelve hours after taking it , the patient is difficultly purged . but because in this , as well as in most other diseases wherein narcoticks are indicated , a purge always increases the pain ( at least when it has done working , for while it is in operation the patient is not so ill ) therefore i usually give an anodyne as soon as the purge has done working , which i order to be taken morning and evening daily betwixt the purges , that i may the more certainly appease the pain , till the patient has been sufficiently purged . the purging of the humours being over , i endeavour to bridle the fury of the disease ( which now only remains to be done ) by giving an anodyne constantly morning and evening , which must be sometimes repeated oftner ; nor could i ever take off violent pains without a larger dose than is usual , and that repeated too ; for that which is sufficient to vanquish another disease , will be altogether insufficient in this case , the violence of the disease subduing the force of the medicine : and it is indeed safe to repeat narcoticks , while such a pain as this continues violent , but not when it is gone off . wherefore i repeat the anodyne according to the degree of the pain till it ceases , or till it be very much lessened . yet there must be such a space of time between them , that you may find what may be hoped for from the former dose , before another be given ; but for the most part unless the pain be very violent , a paregorick given morning and evening may be sufficient . liquid laudanum is the anodyne i chiefly use , whereof i give sixteen drops in some cordial water ; or the dose may be increased according to the violence of the pain . but here i must admonish you , that though i have said bleeding and purging must necessarily precede this quieting method , yet sometimes upon occasion both being omitted , you must begin with anodynes . for instance , when by reason of some preceding sickness , large evacuations have been used not long before the coming of the chollick , for many times they who have recovered of another disease have fell suddenly into this , by reason of the weakness of the bowels ; especially if there be a great degree of heat occasioned by drinking of wine or some other spiritous liquor immoderately ; i say in this case , it is not only unnecessary , but i think it is injurious , to give catharticks again ; for by them new tumults will be raised . moreover , the guts are most commonly sufficiently cleansed by glisters frequently used , before the physician is advised with ; so that partly for this cause , and partly by reason of the long continuance of the disease , narcoticks seem in a manner to be only useful . but because this pain of it 's own nature is wont to return more than any other , all occasions of its relapse must be prevented , by giving an anodyne twice a day for some days ; but if as often as the narcotick is intermitted , the pain now and then returns , as it sometimes happens , i do not know any thing that will so certainly perfect the cure , as riding on horseback , or in a coach , with which the patient must take long journies ; and in the mean while an anodyne must be given constantly morning and evening . but riding must not be used before the patient has been well purged , and then it must be continued for many days . if the patient be young , and of a hot constitution , i order a cooling and thickning diet , suppose pulp of barly , panada , and the like ; and every third day , if the stomach is craving , a chick or a whiteing boiled ; and i allow no other drink than small beer , or milk-water , and this is all i order , unless riding necessary to recover the health requires more nourishing food , and more generous liquor , whereby the spirits exhausted by exercise may be repaired . but when the disease , being unskilfully treated , has a long while afflicted the patient , so that the bowels become weak and infirm , and he is in a manner quite wasted , i say in this case we find by experience , that the free use of epidemick water , or of aqua-mirabilis , or any other the patient likes best , relieves him at this time beyond expectation , moreover , as in the cure of the disease , so when it is over , the thin diet we have mentioned must be observed for some time ; for this disease being more apt to return than any other , and seating it self upon the principle parts of concoction , the least error in this kind will presently occasion much pain : wherefore in this and all other diseases of the bowels , meats of hard digestion are carefully to be avoided , and things of easie digestion must be taken only in such a quantity as will suffice to sustain life . chap. lxxii . of the hysterick chollick . a certain kind of hysterick disease afflicts some women very like the bilious chollick , both as to the sharpness and situation of the pain ; and also upon the account of the humours ejected by vomit of a yellow and green colour . but least any one should take it for the bilious chollick just now mentioned , i will treat of it in a chapter by it self . those women that are of a lax and crude habit of body , are chiefly afflicted with this disease ; and they that have lately laboured under some other hysterick indisposition , ( or which is very often ) those that have scarce evaded a difficult and hard labour in bringing forth a large child , whereby the mothers natural strength has been almost spent . a pain , as violent almost as that of the chollick or iliack passion , seises the region of the stomach ; and sometimes it comes a little lower , and then violent vomitings follow , and the matter which is cast up is sometimes yellow , and sometimes green . and moreover , ( which i have often observed ) there is a greater dejection of spirit , and despiration , than in any other disease whatever . after a day or two the pain goes off , and returns again in a few weeks after as violent as it was before ; sometimes it is accompanied with the jaundice , which is very visible , and which goes off of its own accord in a few days , when all the symptoms are gone off ; and when the patient seems very well , the smallest disorder of mind , whether it be occasioned by anger or sorrow ( to both which in this case women are very prone ) almost recalls the pain , which may be said of walking , or any other exercise used too soon , for by these means vapours are elevated in a lax and weak habit of body ; when according to the vulgar opinion i say vapours , whither they be so or no , or whither they are convulsions of particular parts , the phaenomena may be solved either way . these vapours or convulsions , when they invade this or that region of the body , produce symptoms agreeable to the part they invade , and though they are one and the same disease every where , yet they cunningly resemble most of the diseases mankind is exposed to . bleeding and purging repeated , which were plainly indicated at the beginning of a bilious chollick , are not to be used here , but the whole business must be done by anodyns , unless a great quantity of blood and humours so resists the operation of the narcotick , that though it be often repeated , it cannot quell the tumult , till the patient is blooded and purged , which i have observed in women of a very sanguine constitution , and in virago's . if the case is so , bleeding or purging , or perchance both , must make way for the anodyne ; for either of these being used , a moderate dose of the narcotick will perform the business , which otherwise would signifie nothing , though the largest dose is given : but this seldom happens , and these remedies must not be repeated ; and when they are used , when there is need of them , you must proceed in giving anodynes in that method which i have proposed in the bilious chollick ; and they must be taken often or seldom according to the degrees of pain . but for as much as this disease , in hypochondriack as well as in hysterick people , often ends in the jaundice , and as this comes on that goes off , we must take notice that in curing this kind of jaundice , all catharticks are to be wholly omitted ; or if they are given , you must use only rubarb , or some other gentle purge ; for there is danger least by purging new tumults should arise , and so all the symptoms return ; and therefore in this case nothing must be done presently , seeing the jaundice taking its rise on this account , generally lessens of its own accord , and wholly vanishes in a short time : but if it continues a long while and seems to go off difficultly , remedies must be taken for it . i use the following . take of the roots of madder , and of turmerick , each one ounce ; of all the greater celandine , and of the tops of the lesser centaury , each one handful ; boil them in equal parts of rhenish-wine , and of fountain water to a quart ; in the liquor strained dissolve two ounces of the syrup of the five opening roots ; mingle them , make an apozem . let the patient take half a pint morning and evening till he is well . but if the jaundice comes of it self , the chollick not going before it is necessary , besides the alteratives just mentioned . to give cholagogues , that is such things as purge choler by stool , viz. once or twice before the patient enters upon the apozem prescribed , and afterwards once a week , as long as he takes it . as , take of the electuary of the juice of roses two drams , of rubarb finely powdered half a dram , of cream of tartar one scruple ; make a bolus with a sufficient quantity of syrup of rubarb with succory ; give it early in the morning ; let the patient drink upon it a small draught of rhenish-wine . but if notwithstanding the constant taking of these things a long while , the disease continues obstinate , the patient must drink tunbridge-waters , or such like , from the fountain every morning till he recovers . chap. lxxiii . of the iliack passion . this dreadful disease being hitherto almost in the opinion of all mortal , takes its rise from the inverted and preposterous motion of the intestines , to wit , the fibres of the intestines , which ought to be contracted from the superior toward the inferior , are drawn to the superior ; and whatsoever is contained in the intestines , is not protruded to the belly , but towards the stomach , and is violently regurgitated to the mouth , so that glisters , how sharp soever become vomitive ; and also catharticks taken by the mouth are suddenly cast up by vomit . and in my opinion , the exquisite and intollerable pain coming upon this disease , is only occasioned by the foresaid preposterous motion of the intestines ; for whereas those folds , which the many circumvolutions of the intestines make , are so formed by nature , that they should most fitly conduce to the carrying down of the faeces : when they , i say , are forced to give way to a motion contrary to their fibres , the aforesaid pain is occasioned from thence , which is fixed to one part , and is like the boreing of an auger , when either the valve , which is placed at the beginning of the colon , hinders the going back of the excrements to the ilion , or any other membrane belonging to the sinus sustains alone the force of this preposterous impulse . we may assign a twofold cause of this inversion , from whence the pain arises , viz. obstruction and iritation . first therefore , whatever violently obstructs the intestines , so that nothing can pass downwards , necessarily produces this contrary motion in them . among these authors are wont to reckon the excrements hardened , gross wind collected in a great quantity , and tying up as it were the intestines , the constriction of them in a rupture : and lastly an inflammation , and other great tumours , which stop up the internal cavity of the intestine . in the mean time we must not deny , that this contrary motion , owing its rise to these causes , is rather to be accounted the motion of these things taken in , than of the intestines ; nor is this an inversion of the whole duct of the intestines , but only of those which are situated above the seat of that obstruction ; wherefore i call an iliack passion proceeding hence spurious . secondly , i think that in the iliack passion , the cause of the inversion of the peristaltick motion of the intestines , is most commonly after this manner , viz. sharp and malignant humours are cast upon the stomach , and the guts that are next to it , by which the motion of the stomach is inverted , and forced violently to cast up what is contained in it ; at length the small guts that are joined to the stomack being weakned , yield to the violent motion of it , and with them at last the greater follow by consent ; the stomach vomiting , leading as it were the dance , this i call a true iliack passion , and which is treated of now . the method of cureing it has been hitherto in a manner unknown , whatever some boast of the use of quicksilver and bullets , which besides that they do little good , are very oft injurious . i have successfully used the following method , when it appears by glisters cast up by the mouth , and other signs , that it is a true iliack passion , i endeavour these three things . first , that the contrary motion of the stomach , which causes the like motion of the guts , may be hindred . secondly , that the intestines being weakned by the sharp humour may be corroborated . thirdly , that the stomach and guts be freed from these humours . and that i may answer these indications , i institute the cure after this manner . first , i prescribe one scruple of salt of wormwood in a spoonful of juice of lemons to be taken morning and evening ; but at other times of the day i order some spoonfuls of mint water , without sugar or any thing else , to be taken twice in an hour ; by the repeated use of which alone , the vomiting and the pain arising from thence will soon vanish . at the same time i order a living kitling to lie continually upon the naked belly . but after the pain and vomiting has wholly ceased for the space of two or three days , i give one dram of the pill coch-major dissolved in mint-water , which i also order to be used very often , all the time of the working of the pills , that i may the more certainly hinder the return of the vomiting ; nor is the kitling to be removed , before the patient has taken the pills . i have observed , that it is to no purpose to give these pills , or any other purge , how strong soever , until the stomack is strengthned , and reduced to its natural motion , and the guts also to that which is proper to them ; for otherwise all catharticks taken inwardly would prove emetick , and so do more hurt than good , and therefore i do not use purging medicines , until for some time i have used those medicines which respect the stomach . i prescribe a very thin diet , for i allow onely some spoonfuls of chicken-broath to be taken twice or thrice a day ; in the mean while i order the patient to keep his bed all the time of the sickness , till the signs of perfect health appear ; and when he is well i appoint him to persist in the use of the foresaid water for a long time , and to keep his belly warm with flannels doubled , that there may not be a relapse where unto this disease is very prone . chap. lxxiv . of costiveness . by costiveness we do not understand a pefect stoppage of the belly , so that nothing is evacuated downwards as happens in the iliack passion , but only a slow and unsuitable evacuation that way , whereby the excrements , and the relicts of the meat are seldom ejected , and not according to the quantity taken in . when the belly is bound , vapours arise to the head , and catarrhs and diseases of the brain are produced , the concoction is hindred , and the actions of other parts . for the cure of this disease the following medicines must be used . take of the roots of marsh-mallows , and of lillies , each two ounces ; of the leaves of mallows , marshmallows , mercury , violets , bears-breach , each one handful ; of linseed , and fenugreek-seeds , each half an ounce ; of the seeds of annise one dram and an half , of sweet prunes three pair , of the flowers of camomil , and melilot , each one pugil ; boil them to a pint and an half , in the strained liquor dissolve of oyl of lillies , and of fenugreek-seeds , each two ounces ; of fresh-butter half an ounce , of catholicon duplicatum , and of diaprunum simplex , each six drams ; make a glister to be injected as often as there is occasion . but we must endeavour to loosen the belly by other remedies , because by the frequent use of glisters nature grows more slothful , and at length will never ease the body without a glister . to this end sweet prunes , or roasted aples , are to be eaten an hour before meals , or in a decoction of prunes an ounce of mauna must be dissolved . the following broth certainly loosens the belly and keeps it loose for some days . take of the leaves of beet and mercury , each one handful , boil them in common broth , let it be taken an hour before dinner . chap. lxxv . of a lientery , and the caeliack passion . a lientery is a sort of loosness , wherein the meat is voided in a short time , nothing altered , but as it was taken in at the mouth : in the caeliack passion the nourishment is voided crude and imperfectly digested . there are many causes of the lientery and caeliack passion proposed by authors , all which may be reduced to three heads ; viz. a cold intemperies of the stomach and intestines ; an irritation of those parts , and a great debility of the retentive faculty , from a grievous and deadly disease . there is another cause different from those mentioned , which uses peculiarly to produce the caeliack passion , viz. the obstruction of the meseraick veins , whhich stops the passage of the chyle . aetius and celsus , and many of their followers , do propose another cause of the lientery , viz. a hard cicatrix upon the intestines produced by a dysentery , the cure of this disease is to be varied according to the variety of the causes producing it : and first , that which is occasioned by a flegmatick humour , may be cured with the following remedies ; but you must begin by purging medicines made of aloes , rubarb , and mirobalans , take of old conserve of roses six ounces , of the best venice treacle six drams , marmalad of quinces a sufficient quantity , mix them . let the sick take half a dram in the morning drinking nothing upon it . or , take of japan earth one dram and an half , of red coral and crabs-eyes prepared , each one dram ; of old conserve of roses one ounce and an half , of balsamick syrup a sufficient quantity ; mix them , make an electuary . the quantity of a nutmeg of it may be taken morning and evening . take of gum-caranna , of the magisterial stomach plaister , each a sufficient quantity ; of the chymical oyl of wormwood twelve drops ; mix them , make a plaister for the region of the stomach . that which proceeds from a bilious humour , is to be cured with the following remedies . take of the best aloes washed in rose-water three drams , of rubarb powdered and moistened with borrage-water one dram , of mastich , red sanders , red coral prepared , each one scruple ; of syrup of roses solutive a sufficient quantity ; make a mass for pills , of which let the sick take half a dram , or one dram at a time . take of sealed earth , bole-armenick , red coral prepared , pearls prepared , of the seeds of purslain and sorrel each one dram , of the shavings of hartshorn , and of the leaves of mint dried , each one scruple , of red roses half a pugil ; make a powder to be sprinkled upon broth , or to be taken in a spoon with a little water wherein iron hath been quenched . but if the stools be pure chyle , this distemper does not proceed from the fault of the stomach , but from the obstruction of the meseraick veins , which is very frequent , and is chiefly incident to children , therefore it is to be cured with remedies that open obstructions . chap. lxxvi . of a diarrhea . a diarrhea , is that sort of a loosness , in which excrementitious humours , without blood , chyle or ulceration of the intestines are voided by stool . there is another species of a diarrhea which is called colliquative , arising from the colliquation of the substance of the body . if a diarrhea be critical , and is easily born , and the disease goes off by it , or is greatly diminished , the sick is benefited by it . but if a diarrhea be symptomatical , it occasions a great deal of pain to the sick , the strength greatly decreases , and the disease upon which it comes is considerably augmented , or at least does not decrease . as to the cure a symptomatick diarrhea rises for the most part from bad and corrupted humours , therefore the cure of it is to be begun with the evacuation of the peccant humour . take of the best rhubarb six grains , of the seeds of coriander bruised two scruples , infuse and boil them in a sufficient quantity of fountain-water , to three ounces of the strained liquor , add of rubarb torrified one scruple , of the syrup of succory with rubarb one ounce , mix them , make a draught to be taken in the morning . a vomit is also sometimes convenient , because it makes a revulsion and evacuation of the morbisick matter . if there be signs of abundance of blood , and the body being strong , bleeding is necessary in the beginning . the body being sufficiently evacuated , both by purging medicines , and the loosness it self ; astringent and strengthning medicines are to be given , as well by the mouth , as injected by glisters , and applied to the belly . take of diascordium grains twenty five , of the compound powder of crabs-claws grains seventeen , of syrup of mint a sufficient quantity , mix them , make a bolus to be repeated upon occasion . take of epidemick-water half an ounce , of cinnamon-water hordeated three drams , of black-cherry-water , two ounces , of liquid laudanum prepared with juice of quinces fifteen drops , syrup of mint a sufficient quantity ; mix them , let the sick take this mixture after the bolus above prescribed , and at bed-time . take of epidemick-water , and of cinnamon-water hordeated each three ounces ; of mint-water one ounce , of black cherry-water five ounces , of syrup of mint a sufficient quantity ; mingle them , let him take six spoonfuls after the bolusses . take of hartshorn calcin'd two ounces , of nutmeg four scruples , of the roots of tormentil three drams ; boil them in fountain-water to three pints , adding towards the end an ounce of white-bread , add to the strained liquor two ounces of doctor stephens's water , and sweeten it with syrup of quinces , let him take it for his ordinary drink . or , take of diascordim three drams , of cinnamon-water , and simple angelica-water , each five ounces ; infuse them hot in a close vessel to draw a tincture , strain it , and add to it fifty drops of laudanum cydoniated , and a sufficient quantity of syrup of mint ; mingle them , let him take two spoonfuls every night at bed-time , and in the day a spoonful after every stool . or , take of london laudanum three grains , of doctor stephens's water , and of cinnamon-water hordeated each one ounce , of syrup of quinces one dram , mingle them , make a draught , let him take it at bed-time , repeat it at three in the morning , and at eight in the morning . take of the leaves of mint , the tops of wormwood each four handfuls ; of zedoary , galingal , cyperus , sweet smelling flag , nutmeg , sharp cinnamon , mace , each half an ounce ; of cubebs , cloves , each two drams ; make two bags to be boiled in clarret-wine and smiths-water , each a quart ; press them hot out of the liquor , and apply them by turns to the region of the stomach . take of conserve of common wormwood half an ounce , of old mithridate six drams , of powder of mastich a sufficient quantity , make a plaister to be spread on leather , and to be applied to the region of the stomach , you must spread the margin with paracelsus's plaister to make it stick . or , take of the stomach-plaister three drams , of oyl of mace by expression two scruples , of chymical oyl of wormwood , and of chymical oyl of mace , each two drops ; mingle them , make a plaister to be applied to the stomach . take of diascordium six drams , of venice treacle two drams ▪ boil them in cows milk , let eight ounces of the strained liquor be injected for a glister , and let it be repeated thrice . or , take of the roots of tormentil three drams , of yellow mirobalans two drams , of balaustins one dram and an half , of the flowers of red roses half an handful , of rice bruised half an ounce , of coriander-seeds half an ounce , boil them in a sufficient quantity of fountain-water , to fourteen ounces , strain it , and make a glister of half of it , and give the other half four hours after if the loosness continues . chap. lxxvi . of the bloody flux . sometimes it begins with shaking and shivering , and heat of the whole body follows , as is usual in feavers , and soon after the gripes and stools ; but oftentimes there is no appearance of a feaver going before , for the gripes begin and stools soon follows ; but there are always great gripes , and a depression of the bowels with pain , when the patient goes to stool ; the stools are frequent , with a very troublesome descent as it were of the guts , and they are all mucous , not excrementitious , excepting that sometimes an excrementitious stool comes between , and that is without any great pain , these mucous stools are streaked with blood , yet sometimes there is no blood at all mixt with them through the whole course of the disease , yet notwithstanding , if the stools are frequent with gripes and a mucous filth , the disease may be as properly called a dysentery , as if blood flow'd with them . moreover , the sick , if he be in the flower of his age , or is heated by cordials , has a feaver , and his tongue is covered thick with a kind of whitish matter ; and if he has been much heated 't is black and dry ; the strength is much dejected , the spirits are dissipated , and all the signs of an ill favoured feaver are present . and this disease does not only occasion dreadful pains and sickness , but , unless it be skilfully managed , it brings the patient into great danger of his life ; for when a great many of the spirits , and a great deal of the vital heat , have been exhausted by frequent stools , before the peccant matter can be cast out of the blood , his hands and feet growing cold , he will be in danger of dying ; and if he should escape death this time , yet many symptoms of a different kind attend the poor wretch . for instance , sometimes in the progress of the disease , instead of those sanguineous filaments which at the beginning us'd to be mixed with the stools , pure blood is evacuated unmingled with slime , and in a larger quantity at every time which is an argument that some of the greater vessels of the intestines are corroded , and so the patient is in danger of death : and sometimes also , by reason of the great burning which is occasioned by a large flux of hot and sharp matter to the parts affected , the intestines are gangren'd . moreover , a thrush at the end of the disease does very often affect the mouth and jaws , especially when the body has been a long time heated , and when the evacuation of the peccant matter has been hindred by astringent medicines , the fomes of the disease having not been first purged off , ; and this is most commonly the forerunner of death ; but if the patient get over the foresaid symptoms , and the disease continues long , at length the intestines seem to be affected successively downwards , till the disease be thrust down into the right gut , and ends in a tenesmus . but tho this disease is very often deadly in grown people , but especially to ancient people , yet 't is very gentle in children , who sometimes have it some months , without any injury , if it be left to nature . as to the cure , when i was first called , i bled in the arm , and at night i gave an anodyne , and the next morning the following lenitive purge . take of tamarinds half an ounce , of the leaves of senna two drams , of rubarb one dram and an half , boil them in a sufficient quantity of water , in three ounces of the strained liquor , dissolve of manna , and of syrup of roses solutive , each an ounce ; to be taken early in the morning . and because 't is very obvious , that purging medicines , tho they be never so gentle , do heighten the gripes , and cause a general disorder and depression of the spirits , by the adventitious tumult they raise in the blood and humours , therefore i usually give an anodyne after every purge somewhat earlier than is customary , viz. at any time of the afternoon if the purge seem to have done working , whereby i may be able to quiet the tumult i have raised . i repeat the foresaid purge twice , to be taken every other day , and give an anodyne after every purge at the time above mentioned , and i order this to be us'd morning and evening when the patient don't purge , that i may quell the violence of the symptoms , and gain a truce while i am evacuating the peccant humours . the anodyne i use is chiefly liquid laudanum , viz. sixteen or eighteen drops of it in any cordial-water for one dose . after bleeding and purging once used , i allow through the whole course of the disease , any temperate cordial to be taken now and then , as epidemick-water , compound scordium-water , and the like . for instance , take of the waters of black-cherries and strawberries , each four ounces ; of epidemick-water , and compound scordium water , and of cinnamon-water hordeated , each one ounce ; of prepared pearls one dram and an half , of christaline sugar a sufficient quantity , add half a dram of damask-rose-water to make it pleasant to the taste , mingle them , and make a julep , of which let him take four or five spoonfuls when he is faint , and any other time when he will. i chiefly used these things in ancient and flegmatick people , that i might somewhat refresh and comfort their spirits usually dejected in this disease : their drink was milk mixt with three times the quantity of water , or the white decoction of harts-horn , and of white-bread , each two ounces , boyled in three pints of fountain-water to two , and sweetned with a sufficient quantity of white sugar , and sometimes posset-drink ; and when they were very weak , they took for their ordinary drink cold , a quart of fountain-water boiled with half a pint of sack ; they were dieted sometimes with panada , and sometimes with broths made of lean mutton . i kept ancient people much in bed , and permitted them to use more freely any cordial-water they had been accustomed to , than was fit for young people and infants . this method was the best i have hitherto met with for the cure of this disease , which seldom lasted after the third purge . but if the disease was obstinate , and did not yield to these things , i prescribed the foresaid paregorick every day in the morning and at bed-time , till the patient was quite well ; yea , that it might be the more certainly quelled , i gave the foresaid laudanum every eighth hour , and a larger dose than i have mentioned above , viz. twenty five drops , if the former dose was not sufficient to suppress the flux . moreover , i ordered a glyster made of half a a pint of cows-milk , and of an ounce and an half of venice-treacle , to be injected daily , which is exceeding beneficial in all manner of fluxes of the belly . infants seized with this disease are to be treated after the same manner , but the quantity of blood to be taken away , and the doses of the purging and anodyne medicines are to be lessened with respect to their age , so for example , two drops of the narcotick may be sufficient for a child of a year old . the liquid laudanum , which as was said , i daily us'd , was prepared according to this easie method . take of spanish-wine one pint , opium two ounces , of saffron one ounce , of the powder of cinnamon , and of cloves , each one dram ; let them be infused together in a bath for two or three days , till the liquor come to a due consistence , strain it , and keep it for use . in the dry-gripe dysentery , i used the following method . if the patient was in the flower of his age , and had a feaver , i ordered him to be bled in the arm , and after an hour or two , that he shou'd take great quantities of liquor , as i us'd to do in the cholera morbus , but not chicken-broth , or posset-drink , as in that case , but whey , which i ordered to be drank cold in the same quantity as in the cholera ; but the glisters were to be injected warm , without sugar , or any other thing ; i found the gripes and the bloody stools went off , with the fourth glister : this business being over , and all the whey ejected ( which might be done in the space of two or three hours , if the sick minded his business ) i presently put him to bed , where he soon sweated of his own accord ( by reason of the whey mixt with the blood ) and i ordered it should be continued for twenty four hours , but not at all provoked , allowing him all the while nothing but milk a little warmed , which he only used three or four days after he left his bed. if either by rising too soon , or by leaving the use of milk too soon , the patient relapses , the same method is to be repeated . to conclude , 't is to be noted , that tho in those years wherein the bloody-flux is epidemical , the foresaid evacuations are wholly necessary before we come to the use of laudanum , yet in any constitution , not favouring so much this disease , they may be safely omitted , and the cure may be performed more compendiously by laudanum alone in the manner we have described . chap. lxxviii . of a tenesmus . a tenesmus is a continual motion to go to stool , whereby nothing but a mucous matter is evacuated . the cause of this disease is an ulcer of the right gut , from whence a purulent matter continually flows , and irritates the expulsive faculty . it is not dangerous , unless it proceed from black choler , and so shou'd turn to a cancer , or should occasion miscarriage in women with child . the manner of cure is much the same with that of the bloody-flux . if there be an inflammation ( which is chiefly known by a feaver ) or an abundance of blood , bleeding must be us'd ; and if the inflammation remains after bleeding , and occasion a strangury ( which sometimes happens ) bleeding by leeches in the hemorrhoidal veins is beneficial . glisters are also to be injected according to the various seasons of the ulcer , sometimes those that are lenient when the pain is violent , sometimes cleansing , glutinating , or astringent ; but in giving glisters you must observe , first , that they must be given often and in a small quantity , because 't is difficult to keep them , and then the pipe must be put up gently , least it should anger the part and cause pain . and the part must be well fomented and bathed , and fumes , suppositories and oyntments must be us'd to it ; a fomentation may be made in the following manner . take of the leaves of mullein , and wormwood , each six handfulls ; boil them in new milk , and put them into two bags , and apply them hot by turns to the fundament and belly . or , take of the flowers of camomil and roses , each one handful , of red wine a quart ; infuse them for two hours upon hot ashes , foment the fundament as hot as the patient can bear it with clothes four times double ; afterward let hlm set upon a spunge pressed out of the same liquor . or fill two bags with wheat-bran , and boil them in vinegar , let the sick sit hot upon them by turns , as he can bear them . if much blood be evacuated , you may make a fomentation in the following manner . take of the leaves and roots of mullein two handfuls , of red roses one pugil , of the bark of pomegranates , and of gauls , each half an ounce ; boil them in two parts of smiths water , and in one of red wine , 't will be more powerful if you add half an ounce of alum . a bath to ease the pain must be made of emollients boyled in a decoction of sheeps-feet , and if the heat be much , violets , night-shade , goards , and pieces of melons may be added : but to heal the ulcer , a bath must be made of astringents ; fumes are proper to dry the ulcer , made of frankincense cast on coals , or of a decoction of savine made with oxycrate ; the following is much commended by forestus . take of mastich one dram , of frankincense one scruple , of mirtles one dram and an half , of red roses two scruples , make a fume to be received through a chair that has a hole at the bottom . suppositories do much good in this case , but they ought to be gentle , least they should exasperate the sensible part ; they may be made of goats suet cut into the form of a suppository ; for it gives ease and heals the ulcer ; but it will be more powerful to ease the pain , if you mix with it the seeds of white poppies , and of henbane bruised ; but t is much better to add , instead of the seeds , three drops of the oyls pressed from the seeds , or a grain of opium dissolved in half a scruple of oyl of almonds . but to heal the ulcer , 't is best to add to the suet dissolved , starch , and gum-tragacanth beat or infused first in plantane-water ; or it may be compounded in the following manner . take of gum-tragacanth as much as is sufficient , pour upon it a little plantain-water , that it may only swell , and not be too moist ; add the mucilage of the seeds of psyllium , or of quinces a sufficient quantity , and the yolk of one egg , mingle them and make them warm ; and of melted wax a sufficient quantity , to make suppositories . narcoticks may be also added , and the powders of ceruss , tutty , bole , balaustines , and other things that dry , and are not acrimonious , when there is a great corrosion , but they ought to be finely powdered least they should cause pain . oyls and oyntments may be also applied , as oyntment of roses , populeum of the mucilages , of yolks of eggs , and oyl of roses , and the like , to asswage the pain and inflammation . lastly , when the disease is violent , narcoticks must be used inwardly and outwardly ; laudanum opiatum is best , whereof three or four grains may be given with mastich , or sealed earth , or mixt with a glister made of a decoction of camomil flowers . chap. lxxix . of worms . the worms are generated in various parts of the body , yet because that is very seldom , and they most frequently abound in the guts , therefore we shall treat only of these . the signs of worms in the bowels are various , the following are most frequent and ordinary , a stinking breath , and excrements like cow-dung : there are other signs , but they are not so common , as a continual feaver , which has exacerbations often in a day , with a cold sweat , anxiety , and sometimes with fainting , nauseousness , vomiting , and great thirst ; the pulse are unequal , the cheeks are red by turns , or wax livid , the eyes shine , the nostrils itch , the teeth gnash , there is a small dry cough , the spittle is more than usual , sometimes the head is heavy , there is a sleepy disposition , sometimes a delirium and convulsive fits , there is most commonly a pain in the belly , like a gnawing or biting , sometimes the belly swells as in a dropsie , sometimes the body wastes beyond measure , and sometimes there is an insatiable appetite . the worms called ascarides are known by a troublesome itching about the fundament , and they also often appear upon the excrements : to conclude , putrefaction of the gums is also a sign . the cure of worms is to be directed to the expulsion of them , by purging medicines that kill them , and expel the matter from whence they are generated . take of calcin'd harts-horn three grains , of mercurius dulcis sprinkled with a drop of oyl of sulphur by the bell grains fifteen , of diagridium grains nine , of cinnamon grains two , of spirit of harts-horn drops three ; mingle them , make a powder to be taken in the pap of an apple once a week . take of spirit of harts-horn half a dram , give ten drops at bed-time after purging thrice . or , take of the roots of virginian snake-weed one scruple , of harts-horn calcin'd , and of coraline , each half a scruple , mingle them , make a powder to be divided into three doses , give one morning and evening in a small draught of the white decoction . take of aloes , and mirrh each one dram and an half , with a sufficient quantity of venice-treacle , and oyl of wormwood , make a plaister for the region of the navel . for broad worms and ascarides make a glister of bitter things , with catharticks , and repeat it often till the impurity from whence the worms are generated is evacuated . horatius augenus mentions an observation of a man about twenty six years of age , that grew extreamly hungry , so that nothing would allay his appetite , at length he voided a worm twenty five cubits long , and recovered a moderate appetite ; he cured him by the following medicines , he gave him a pint and an half of fresh oyl of sweet almonds divided into four doses , to be taken a quarter of an hours distance one from another ; just before dinner he gave him two bolusses made of a dram of hiera picra , and one scruple of rubarb , and presently after ordered him to take six ounces of a decoction of sebestines ; and before supper he injected a glister made of a quart of goats-milk , and gave him a dram and an half of the pill of aloes not washed . chap. lxxx . of an immoderate flux of the hemorrhoides , and of the pain of them . an immoderate flux of the hemorrhoides is very dangerous , and occasions other dangerous diseases , viz. weakness of the whole body , a consumption , cachexy and dropsie . the same remedies are good for the cure which were prescribed for bleeding at the nose . the hemorrhoidal veins ending in the extremity of the right gut and fundament , are often swelled , whereby much pain is often occasioned . as to the cure , first blood must be drawn from the arm , that revulsion may be made from the part affected , which being sufficiently peformed , a vein in the foot must be opened for derivation . the belly must be kept continually open , because hard excrements ; and straining to evacuate them , exasperate the pain ; an infusion of cassia taken morning and eve is very good to loosen the belly . take of the leaves of lettice , and purslain , and the tops of mallows , each one handful ; of liquorish rasped and of raisins of the sun ston'd each half an ounce ; of the flowers of bugloss and borrage and of violets , each one pugil ; boil them to eight ounces , in the strained liquor dissolve of cassia fresh extracted one ounce , strain them and clarifie them , and add to them one ounce of syrup of violets . in the mean while various topicks are to be applied to the part , to asswage the pain and inflammation , and to discuss the tumour , oyl of sweet almonds fresh drawn , applyed to the part eases the pain , and several liniments and oyntments may be prescribed for the same purpose , whereof some ease the pain , others dicuss and dry , and others heat the ulcers ; they are to be applyed with lint or cotton . take one yolk of an egg , of oyl of roses , or of violets , as much as is sufficient ; make a liniment , and if you add to it populeum oyntment , 't will be more effectual to ease pain , and when the pain is very violent , a few grains of opium may be added to it . or , take of the mucilage of the seeds of psyllium and of faenugreek extracted with wine two drams , of fresh butter three ounces , of kid suet one ounce , stir them together in a leaden mortar , make a liniment . balsom of sulphur made of the flowers of sulphur and oyl of turpentine , is excellent to ease pain , and to discuss the swellings , and to cleanse the ulcers ; a white onion roasted under ashes , and mixt with fresh butter like a cataplasm , eases the pain , and discusses the swellings ; but if they cannot be easily resolved they must be opened after convenient revulsions with a knife , or by leeches . chap. lxxxi . of the jaundice . the jaundice arises by the consent of most , from an obstruction of the gaul-bladder . as to the cure , a vomit at the beginning of the jaundice whilst the strength and tone of the bowels are firm , does often good . take of the infusion of crocus metallorum half an ounce or six drams , of wine of squils one ounce , of simple oxymel half an ounce , make a vomit . purging medicines are to be used in this disease whether it be new or old . take of the electuary of the juice of roses six drams , of rubarb one dram , of salt of wormwood and cream of tartar each half a scruple , with a sufficient quantity of syrup of rubarb , make a purging bolus to be taken in the morning . or , take of the pill ruffi one scruple , of extract of rudius half a scruple , make four pills , take them in a morning , and repeat them four or five days , afterwards once a week . take of elixir proprietatis one ounce , let him take twenty drops in a glass of wite-wine every day in the morning , and at five in the evening . or , take of madder , and turmerick , each one ounce , of all the greater celandine , and of the tops of the lesser centaury , each one handful ; boil them in equal parts of rhenish-wine , and fountain-water to a quart ; in the strained liquor dissolve two ounces of the five opening roots ; let him take half a pint morning and evening hot till he is well . silvius much commends a decoction of hemp-seed , and soap dissolved ; our common remedy is lice , nine being taken alive in a morning five or six days following , and i have known several that have been cured this way , when other medicines would not do the business . but if , notwithstanding all above mentioned , the disease continues obstinate , the sick must use iron-waters , such as are tunbridge , which he must drink at the fountain till he is well . moreover , those that are afflicted with this disease are often subject to pains that are very troublesome , and they rage chiefly a nights : and moreover , the sick cannot rest well , wherefore anodynes are to be used . take of aqua-mirabilis , and of the water of worms , each one ounce ; of diacodium six drams , of tincture of saffron half an ounce ; mingle them . the dose is one spoonful or two late at night when the sick cannot rest . chap. lxxxii . of a dropsie . every age and sex are sometimes troubled with a dropsie , yet women are more inclined to it than men , it comes upon men chiefly when they are old , and upon women when they have done breeding ; but it sometimes seises barren women when they are young : the pitting of the lower part of the leg by impression of the finger , is not so certain sign of a dropsie in women as in men ; for women that are with child , and such as have a stoppage of the courses , are often subject to the same ; nor does such a swelling certainly indicate a dropsie ; for when an old man of a gross habit of body , having been a long while afflicted with an asthma , is suddenly freed from it in the winter , presently a great swelling seises the legs , yet notwithstanding , generally speaking , the swelling of the legs is to be accounted a sign of an approaching dropsie . three symptoms accompany this disease , difficulty of breathing , little urine , and great thirst . there are two sorts of tumours of the belly that resemble a dropsie , that are common to women ; the first is , a preternatural excrescence of the flesh in the parts within the belly , which makes the belly as bulky as when water is included in it ; the other kind arises from wind , which does not only occasion a tumour , but also other signs of breeding ; widdows are most inclined to this sort , or such women as were not married till they were in years . the true and genuine curative indications are wholly to be directed , either to the evacuation of the water contained in the belly and other parts , or to strengthen the blood. that purging may be instituted to the advantage of the patient , we ought to know whether the sick is easily purged or hardly ; which can be known no other way than by inquiry , how purging remedies used at other times worked . a dropsie , above all other diseases , requires the strongest and quickest purges , and the sick ought to be purged every day , unless by reason of the weakness of the body , or the too violent operation of the preceding purge , he ought to rest a day or two ; for you must not leave off purging , unless necessity urge , till all the water is quite carried off . for those that are easily purged , syrup of buck-thorn may be sufficient to carry off the water . but when the sick is of such a constitution , that gentle catharticks will not work quickly nor easily , stronger must be given ; for which i have frequently prescribed the following potion with success . take of tamarinds half an ounce , of the leaves of senna two drams , of rubarb one dram and an half , boil them in a sufficient quantity of fountain-water to three ounces ; in the strained liquor dissolve of manna , and syrup of roses solutive , each one ounce ; of syrup of buck-thorn half an ounce , of the electuary of the juice of roses two drams ; mingle them , make a potion . but this potion must be given only to strong people ; it purges when other things will not , as i have found by frequent experience . or , take of white-wine four ounces , of jalap finely powdered one dram , of ginger powdered one scruple , of syrup of buck-thorn one ounce ; mingle them , make a potion to to be taken early in the morning , and to be repeated every day , or every other day , according to the strength . but two medicines remain , which in my opinion are better than all the rest , for those that are difficultly purged , i mean elaterium , and the infusion of crocus metallorum , elaterium , or the fecula of wild cucumbers , being given in a small quantity , purge watery humours powerfully , for two grains of it are a sufficient dose for most people ; i used to mix it with a scruple of the pill ex duobus , and to make three small pills to be taken in the morning . as to the infusion of crocus metallorum , an ounce and an half of it , or two ounces for those that are difficultly vomited , given in a morning , and repeated daily , according to the strength of the sick , though it may seem at first only to evacuate the water contained in the stomach , yet at length it will free the belly from the waters that are in it . but if the foresaid vomit does not sufficiently purge the belly , for it uses to purge at last , after the third or fourth dose of the infusion of crocus metallorum by it self , i sometimes though rarely , use the following . take of the water of carduus benedictus three ounces , of the infusion of crocus metallorum one ounce and an half , of syrup of buck-thorn half an ounce , of the electuary of the juice of roses two drams ; mingle them , make a potion . but here it is to be noted , that if the swelling of the belly be but small , the water is not so easily evacuated by the infusion of crocus metallorum , as when the dropsie is great , and a great quantity of water is heaped up ; wherefore unless the belly be much swelled , it is best to do all by things that purge downwards . but you must take notice that it often happens , that water is cast not only upon the thighs and legs , but also into the cavity of the belly , and yet it is not to be evacuated by purging medicines . for instance , when such a tumour follows a long consumption , or when it is occasioned by the putrefaction of some of the bowels , or from the tone of the blood spoiled , and the spirits exhausted , or by long continuance of fistula's in carnous parts , or occasioned by great weakness and evacuations by sweating , fluxing , or by violent purging , and by a thin diet in the cure of the french pox , in these cases the patient will be rendered worse by purging ; wherefore we must endeavour all we can to strengthen the blood and bowels : and among remedies to this purpose , which are to be mentioned by and by , i have found by experience that the change of the air , and exercise in a free air , such as the sick can bear , answers this indication excellently well . and when the sick is of a weakly constitution , or a woman subject to vapours , neither purge nor vomits must be used , but you must endeavour to evacuate the water by diureticks . i order one pound of the ashes of broom to be infused in the cold in three pints of rhenish-wine , and that a pugil or two of the leaves of common wormwood be added to it , let the sick take four ounces of the liquor filtrated daily in the morning , at five in the evening , and late at night , till the swelling goes off ; with which remedy alone i have known some dropsies that were accounted deplorable cured , in such whose weak constitution could not bear purging . but to come to the second intention , half the business is no more than done , when the water is evacuated ; wherefore we must endeavour to strengthen the blood by a long and daily course of heating and strengthening medicines to prevent a new collection of water , and to this end the sick must drink wine whilst he is under cure after the passages are open for the water to go out , or instead of wine strong beer . for poor people who could not provide better medicines , i use to order srong-beer , wherein horse-radish root , the leaves of common wormwood , garden scurvy-grass , sage , the lesser centaury , and the tops of broom have been infused , for their ordinary drink . rich people may use canary-wine , wherein the same bitter herbs have been infused , whereof a small draught may be taken twice or thrice a day , or they may take nine spoonfuls of wormwood-wine instead of it , after two drams of the following digestive electuary in the morning , at four in the afternoon , and at bed-time . take of conserve of garden scurvy-grass one ounce and an half , of the conserve of roman wormwood , and of the yellow rind of oranges , each one ounce ; of candied angelica , and nutmegs candied , each half an ounce , of venice treacle three drams , of the compound powder of wake-robin , two drams , with a sufficient quantity of syrup of oranges , make an electuary . the sick must be sure to drink sparingly of small liquors ; but to take off his thirst , he may often wash his mouth with cold water sharpened with spirit of vitriol , and he may hold tamarinds in his mouth now and then , or may chew a lemon , but he must swallow neither of them . but amongst corroborating things , steel is not the least . garlick is also very good ; and without any evacuatious i have known a dropsie cured by it . take of syrup of steel a quart ; let a spoonful be taken with fifteen grains of cream of tartar , every morning , in five spoonfuls of the following julep . take of aqua-lactis alexiter . one pint , of compound water of wormwood , and of compound water of gentian , each three ounces ; mingle them , make a julep . take of steel prepared , with sulphur of astringent saffron of mars , each half an ounce ; of crabs-eyes , and red coral prepared , and of salt of wormwood , each one dram ; of volatile salt of amber one scruple , of extract of gentian a sufficient quantity ; mingle them , make ten pills of every dram , let him take four every night at bed-time . 't is to be noted , that that dropsie which only swells the the legs or the belly a little , does not presently require to be cured by vomiting , and purging ; for it 's often removed by the heating and strengthning medicines above mentioned ; but above all , 't is to be minded , that when we undertake to cure this disease by corroboratives or lixivial medicines , the patient must by no means be purged . topical or external remedies , as far as i have observed do nothing considerable , and blisters often occasion a gangrene . to conclude , though this disease , when it comes to a dropsie of the belly , has been always accounted desperate , yet it will appear , that if it be treated according to the method above described , it may be as certainly cured ( if the bowels are not corrupted ) as many other diseases which are not reckoned so deadly . chap lxxxiii . of a timpany . a timpany is a fixt hard and equal swelling of the belly , that sounds when 't is knock't upon with the finger , it proceeds from a convulsive inflation of the bowels , the animal spirits being obstructed in the fibres ; it generally ends in a dropsie . medicines do little good in this disease , yet they are not wholly to be rejected , the following are prescribed by dr. willis . take of peach-flowers , and of damask-roses , each two pugils ; of the flowers of broom , elder , and the lesser centaury , each one pugil ; of the leaves of agrimony , and of sea-wormwood , each one handful ; of the best senna one ounce , of rubarb six drams , of the seeds of bastard-saffron half an ounce , of dwarf-elder two drams , of yellow-sanders three drams , of the roots of galingal two drams , cut them , and bruise them , and put them into a silken bag , and hang them in a glass-bottle , and pour upon them a quart of white-wine , and a pint of saxifrage-water , and put into the bottle , a dram and an half of salt of tartar ; let them infuse forty eight hours , and then take four or six ounces every third or fourth day . the following has been used with success in this disease in a hot constitution . take of purging-waters four quarts , of salt of wormwood two drams , evaporate a quart over a gentle heat ; and to these i used to add of the water distilled from wine with catharticks four ounces , the dose is four or six ounces . or to the purging-water evaporated to a quart , add the roots of mecoacan , and tu●bith , each half an ounce , of rubarb six drams , of yellow-sanders two drams , of cloves one dram , digest them hot in a close vessel two hours , filter them hot through paper , the dose is three or four ounces . glisters are often used in this disease , because they loosen the belly without much provoking the fibres . take of the infusion of stone-horse-dung , with camomil-flowers one pint , of mercurial-honey two ounces , make a glister . or , take of vrine one pint , of sal-prunella one dram , of venice turpentine dissolved with the yolk of an egg one ounce and an half ; mingle them , make a glister . diureticks also seem proper . take of live millepedes cleansed three ounces , one nutmeg sliced , beat them together , and pour upon them a pint of the following diuretick-water , strain out the liquor hard , the dose is three or four ounces twice a day . take of the green-berries of juniper , and elder , each six pounds ; of the tops of fir four pounds , of green wallnuts two pound , of winteran bark four ounces , of the yellow-peel of six oranges , and four lemons , of the seeds of bishops-weed , rocket , and cresses each one ounce and an half : of dill two ounces ; cut them , and bruise them , and pour upon them four quarts of white-wine posset-drink , distill them in a common still , and mingle all the waters . whilst these things are taken inwardly , topicks must be also applied , not such things as are hot and discussing , but those things which are indued with particles of volatile salt and nitre . take of the flowers of sal-armoniack one ounce , of sal-prunella two ounces , of small spirit of wine a quart , mingle them , and dissolve them in a bottle . flannels dipt in this are to be applied warm over the belly twice a day for the space of half an hour ; afterwards apply a cataplasm made of cows-dung , and the powder of dogs-dung , or the following plaister . take of the plaister of sope , that is of the red-lead plaister , with a sufficient quantity of venice sope , spread it thin upon thin leather , and apply it to the belly , and renew it within ten or twelve days . altering medicines are also requisite . take of the filings of steel finely powdered two drams , of the distilled water above described a quart , of the syrup of the five opening roots two ounces ; mingle them in a glass , and let them clarifie by standing . the dose is three or four ounces in the morning , and at five in the afternoon . take of the powder of the roots of wake-robin , and of crabs-eyes , each three drams , of sal-prunella two drams , of vitriol of mars one dram and an half , of anthosat sugar two drams ; mingle them , the dose is half a dram in a convenient vehicle . and medicines are to be prescribed against fainting , difficulty of breathing , watching , and drouth . cordials . take of the waters of orange-flowers , of the flowers of marigolds , and of camomil , each three ounces ; of dr. stephens's water two ounces , of tincture of saffron two drams , of sugar one ounce , of pearls one dram , make a julep , the dose is four or five spoonfuls thrice , or oftner in a day . take of the conserve of marigold-flowers two ounces , of confection of atkermes , and of hyacinth , each two drams ; of pearls powdered one ounce , of the syrup of the juice of citron a sufficient quantity ; make a confection , let him take the quantity of a nutmeg morning and evening , drinking upon it a draught of the julep . hypnoticks . take of the hysterick-water six drams , of diacodium half an ounce , mingle them , let it be taken at bed-time . or , take of syrup of cowslips three spoonfuls , of compound peony-water one spoonful , of laudanum tartarized one dram , let a spoonful be taken in the night , if the sick cannot sleep . to quench the thirst without much drinking , which is always very prejudicial , let the sick lick often a small quantity of the following linctus . take of conserve of wood-sorrel pulped three ounces , of the pulp of tamarinds two ounces , of sal-prunella one dram , of the syrup of the juice of wood-sorrel a sufficient quantity ; make a linctus . chap. lxxxiv . of an anasarca . an anasarca is a white soft swelling of the outward parts of the body , or of some of them , it yields to the touch , and will pit , and is occasioned by watry humours extravasated . as to the cure , there are two things chiefly to be minded , first , that the water within the skin should be evacuated . secondly , that care be taken to prevent the heaping up of new water , to which end we must endeavour ( the viscera of concoction being freed from obstructions and filth ) that good chyle be made and carried in a due quantity to the mass of blood , and that it be sufficiently fermented . the vital indication is of little use in this disease , because there is seldom fainting or watching for which cordials and hypnoticks are required , and also a strengthning diet ; for fasting and abstinence do good in this case , and often perform the greatest part of the cure ; for the vessels being emptied by fasting , absorb the waters within the skin or stagnating elsewhere , and evacuate them by the reins or the pores of the skin , or otherwise . the sick must use purging medicines prescrib'd for a dropsie , and the same diureticks . a decoction of the woods is also very proper . take of the shavings of guajacum six ounces , of sassafras two ounces , of all the sanders each six drams , of ivory and hartshorn rasped each three drams ; infuse them , and boil them in four quarts of fountain-water till half is consumed , adding to it the roots of sweet-smelling flag , of the lesser galingal , of burdock , and butter-bur , each one ounce ; of the leaves of sharp-sage , and of dried germander , each two handfuls ; keep the strained liquor for use ; the dose is eight or ten ounces hot twice a day , to every dose add twenty or five and twenty drops of spirit of sa●armoniack , with amber , or of soot , or of the tincture of salt of tartar half a dram , or a dram . frictions do often good in an anasarca , wherefore the whole body may be rubb'd once or twice a day with a course napkin , or with brushes made for that purpose . blisters evacuate the water plentifully , but there is danger of a gangrene by the use of them . but escharoticks may be more safely used than blisters ; an emperick often evacuated successfully water from the members of dropsical people , if they were never so much swelled , in the following manner by an escharotick , viz first , he fomented their legs morning and evening with a decoction of dwarf-elder , wormwood , camomil , and other hot herbs , the grounds of beer or wine being added to it ; and betwixt the times of bathing he applied a cataplasm made of the dregs of the decoction and bran ; after these things had been used three days , he covered the legs and feet with a plaister made of burgundine-pitch , leaving only upon each calf a little hole about the bigness of a small nut , in which places he applied an escarotick medicine to the naked skin , made of the ashes of the bark of the ash , which being taken off , after twelve hours , a small eschar remained from the pores whereof the water first drained gently and daily ; afterwards it dropt more freely , but when the eschar cast , it flowed as from a fountain , till it had emptied the legs . another way remains ( as good as the former but less us'd ) to drain the water , viz. by pricking with a needle , which also must be used cautiously and leisurely , lest the flux of waters should be too great ; provide such a needle as tailors use , and prick the place that is most swelled with it so as that the blood may not come ; you must prick only six or seven holes at at a time , at the distance of the breadth of a thumb , one from the other ; the water will break out drop by drop from each hole continually , till all the swelling about the parts prick'd disappears ; and then the next time , sometimes after twelve hours , sometimes after eighteen , and sometimes after twenty four , prick again in another part of the same leg , or in the other ; and so once or twice a day in this or that member , in one or two or more at a time , for the water may be drawn more plentifully and safer this way than any other ; and if the breeding of new water be prevented by medicines , the disease will be easily cured . moreover , in a deplorable dropsie the life may be prolonged this way : an old man of seventy years of age , that was dropsical all over , kept his head above water , and lived many months by this means , contrary to expectation . but to strengthen and restore the blood , the following medicines must be used . take of conserve of sea-wormwood , of scurvy-grass , and the yellow peel of oranges , each two ounces ; of the winteran-bark two drams , of the species diacurcuma one dram and an half , of steel prepared with sulphur three drams , of salt of wormwood two drams , of syrup of the bark of curon a sufficient quantity , make an electuary ; the dose is two drams in the morning , and at five in the afternoon . chalybeats do often a great deal of good in this disease . take of the compound powder of the roots of wake-robin , of the winteran-bark , each three drams ; of the roots of the lesser galingal , and of cubebs , each one dram and an half ; of steel prepared with sulphur half an ounce , of sugar anthosated six drams ; make a powder to be divided into twenty parts , give one part every morning , and at five in the afternoon . let him drink of the following decoction instead of beer . take of the shavings of guajacum , and sassafras , each four ounces ; of the roots of florentine-orris , of sweet-smelling-flag , the lesser galingal , and of elecampane , each one ounce and an half ; of the berries of juniper and bayes each two ounces ; of the seeds of annise , carrawayes , sweet-fennel , coriander and dill , each one ounce ; of long-pepper , and cubebs , each one ounce and an half ; of cloves , nutmegs , and ginger , each half an ounce ; of jamaica pepper two ounces , of the dried leaves of sharp-sage , wild-sage , calaminth , agrimony , each one handful ; of liquorish four ounces , cut them and bruise them , and boil them in four gallons of fountain-water till half is consumed , keep the strained liquor in bottles for use . many have been cured by this liquor . chap. lxxxv . of the scurvy . in the old treatises of physick , there is so seldom mention made of the scurvy , and the description of it is so small , that some have doubted whether such a disease ( that is now endimial in many places , and sporadick almost every where , and wherewith almost every one is affected , or thinks he is so ) did at all exist in ancient times ; and some think its rise is of a newer date , as are the french-pox and rickets ; but this disease , though it had other names , was observed by the ancients , and the cure of it was described by them , though not very exactly . many and various are the symptoms of the scurvy , and sometimes such as are of a contrary nature , are imputed to it ; and if any unusual accident happens to the body , that cannot be referred to any other certain kind of disease , we presently pronounce it scorbutick . and so this notorious disease bears the blame of all , but many truly belong to it which arise in almost every part of the body , and therefore we will trace it from head to foot ; it occasions violent , habitual , wandering or periodick head-achs , sometimes a dulness of the spirits , and drowsiness , sometimes watchings , giddiness , convulsions , palsie , much spitting , ulcers of the gums , loosness of the teeth , and a stinking of the breath . about the region of the breast , pains in various parts of the membranes , and especially on the breast-bone , which are often very violent for many nights and days ; an asthma , difficult and unequal breathing , constriction and narrowness of the breast , a dry cough , an inordinate pulse , trembling of the heart , frequent fainting , and almost a continual fear of it . this disease makes the lower belly its principal seat , and occasions many disorders there , as nauseousness , vomiting , wind , a cardialgia , frequent collicks , and troublesome pains running hither and thither , a loosness that is almost continual , sometimes a bloody-flux , a consumption , and a dropsie . the urine is often red , with a crust upon it , or sticking to the sides of the pot , and sometimes 't is pale and rendred in a great quantity ; in the outward members , and over the whole body , there are wandring pains , and oftentimes such as are violent , especially in the night ; also spontaneous lassitude , a wasting of the flesh , a weakness of the limbs , spots of various colours upon the skin , tumours , tubercles , and ill ulcers , numbness and contraction of the muscels , twitching of the tendons , erratick feavers , and great hemorrhagies . these are the common and usual symptoms of the scurvy , whereof sometimes more , sometimes fewer , sometimes this kind , sometimes that kind afflict the sick , and sometimes unusual and prodgious accidents happen . as to the cure , because it is not one simple preternatural disorder , but a legion is to be combated with ; therefore the method of cure consists of many indications , that are variously complicated , but yet they may be referred to these three heads , viz. they must be preservative to respect the cause of the diseases , and curative , that respect the disease it self and its symptoms . and lastly , vital , which restore and defend the strength of the patient . first , the sick must be purged , and if there be a weight upon the stomach , a vomit must be given ; and if the patient be strong and lusty , and used to bear vomiting well , the vinum-benedictum may be given , and the like . but if the sick be of a weakly constitution ; you must give wine of squills , or gilla theophrasti , and the sick must fill his stomach with posset-drink , and force it up with his finger , or with a feather . as to purging , if the sick be of a hot constitution ; medicines of aloes and diagridium must be avoided , and such as are made of senna and rubarb , must be given , as , take of the leavss of senna one ounce , of rubarb six drams , of dodder of thym three drams , of the roots of polypody of the oak , and of english rubarb dried , each half an ounce ; of yellow sanders two drams , of celtick spike half a dram , of salt of wormwood two drams ; cut them and bruise them , and infuse them in a matrass , in the heat of sand , with whitewine and fumitory-water , each a pint for two days ; evaporate the clear liquor strained in the gentle heat of a bath to the consistence of hony , then add of the powder of the leaves of senna , and of rubarb , each one dram and an half ; of the species of the three sanders one dram , of cream of tartar one dram and an half ; make a mass for pills . the dose is from half a dram to a dram , to be taken once a week , or oftner . or let the infusion be evaporated to the consistence of a syrup , adding towards the end , of manna strained and of white sugar , each two ounces ; make a syrup . the dose is one or two spoonfuls in a proper vehicle . they who are of a cold constitution may take the following pills . take of the stomach-pill with gums two drams , of rosin , of jalap , grains twenty ; of tartar vitriolated grains sixteen , of oyl of juniper ten drops , with a sufficient quantity of ammoniacum dissolved in the water of worms ; make sixteen pills , let four be taken once a week . take of the roots of sharp-pointed-dock , of polypody of the oak , of stinging-nettles , and of chervil each six drams ; of the leaves of hemp , agrimony , and speedwell , each one handful ; of yellow and white sanders , each one dram ; of the seeds of bastard saffron one ounce , of white-wine tartar half an ounce ; boil them in a quart of fountain-water till half is consumed , add a pint of rhenish-wine , strain it presently , and add to it half an ounce of the best senna , six drams of rubarb , half an ounce of the leaves of black-hellebore , of the yellow peel of oranges two drams ; infuse it warm in a close vessel twelve hours ; keep the strained liquor in a glass well stopped ; the dose is five or six drams . after purging once or twice , if bleeding be indicated , you must bleed in the arm , or with leeches . after bleeding many remedies of another kind are necessary ; but that you may prescribe orderly , you must consider whether the preservatory indications have only place here , or whether some curatory indications , namely such as respect the symptoms that are violent ought not to be minded between whiles . but if there be no urgent symptom , you must wholly apply your self to the cure according to the following method . and as to the cure of the symptoms , we shall treat of them by themselves below . wherefore , if your chief design be to erradicate the cause of the scurvy , digestive , and specifick or antiscorbutick remedies must be used at all times , except on the days the sick purges , whereunto , if there be occasion , diaphoreticks or diureticks must be sometimes added . various forms are prescribed by authors every where to answer these intensions , but we will only mention the chiefest , which according to the twofold disposition of the scorbutick cause , viz. the sulphurous saline , and the salino sulphurean discrassy of the blood , we will distinguish , into two classes ; and first , of the cold scurvy . among digestive medicines , cream of tartar , salt and tincture of it , tartar vitriolated , elixir proprietatis , or either of these , may be taken twice a day . or , take of the winteran-bark , of wood of aloes , of the roots of the lesser galingal , each two drams ; of cinnamon , cloves , and cubebs , each one dram ; of the seeds of bishops weed , and cresses , each half a dram ; bruise them , and pour upon them the following menstruum three fingers high ; digest them in a matrass six days in sand , keep the strained liquor in a glass well stopeed . the dose is twenty drops more or less , in a spoonful of canary-wine , or some proper water twice a day . the menstruum is made in the following manner . take of spirit of vitriol rectified six ounces , of spirit of wine rectified sixteen ounces ; mingle them , and distill it in a glass retort , and cohobat it thrice , and keep it in a glass well stopt for use . elixir proprietatis is made easier and better by this menstruum , than by the common way . whilst these remedies are given in a small quantity morning and evening , antiscorbutick medicines of another kind may be taken , which are generally prescribed in a double form , viz. solid and liquid to be taken together , the solid first , and the liquid presently after . take of the conserves of scurvy-grass , and roman wormwood , and of fumitory , each two ounces ; of the powder of the winteran-bark , of the roots of angelica , and of wake-robin , each two drams ; of the species of the three sanders one dram and an half , of the powder of crabs-eyes one dram , of salt of wormwood , two drams , with a sufficient quantity of the syrup of the bark of citron ; make an electuary . take of the conserves of the leaves of scurvy-grass , and brook-lime , made with an equal quantity of sugar , each three ounces ; of the troches of capers , and of rubarb , each two drams , of salt of wormwood , and of scurvy-grass , each one dram ; of ivory powdered , and coral calcined , each one dram ; with a sufficient quantity of the syrup made of the juice of scurvy-grass ; make an electuary . i use to prescribe conserves made of the yellow peel of lemons and oranges , of the purple-flowers of the ash , of the leaves and flowers of ladies-smock , of the roots of sharp-pointed dock , and of english rubarb , made with an equal quantity of sugar , which i give by themselves , or mixed with other conserves or species . for country and poor people , who desire medicines that are cheap and easily prepared , i prescribe after this manner . take of the leaves of scurvy-grass , and brook-lime , each four ounces ; of white sugar eight ounces ; beat them together in a mortar , and add to them of the powder of the winteran-bark half an ounce , of tartar calcined with niter three drams ; with a sufficient quantity of spanish-wine ; make an electuary . the dose is the quantity of a wallnut twice a day , drinking upon it some proper liquor . take of the leaves of scurvy-grass one pound , of raisins of the sun stoned , and of white sugar , each half a pound ; of the lees of the root of horse-radish two ounces ; beat them together and reduce them to the form of an electuary . in some scorbutical cases , where the use of steel is indicated , three drams of steel prepared with sulphur , or two drams of vitriol of mars , may be mixed with any of the electuaries : after the taking of the medicine once or twice a day the body must be exercised . take of the compound powder of wake-robin one ounce and an half , of winteran-bark half an ounce , of cubebs , grains of paradise , and cardamoms , each two drams ; of salt of wormwood three drams , of tablets of oranges three ounces ; make a powder . the dose is one dram in some proper liquor . for delicate people the following tablets may be prescribed . take of the powder of the winteran-bark , and of crabs-eyes , each one dram and an half ; of pearles powdered half a dram , of white-sugar dissolved in a sufficient quantity of the water of worms , and boiled to tablets , six ounces ; of spirit of scurvy-grass two drams ; make tablets , each weighing half a dram , let two be taken twice a day , drinking upon them some proper liquor . tablets of oranges are made in the following manner . take of orange , lemmon , and citron peel candied , each one ounce ; of eryngo-roots candied half an ounce , of pine , and pistach-nuts , each twenty ; of sweet almonds blanched number ten , of annise-seeds powdered half an ounce ; of ginger candied two drams , of the species aromatick rosat , and of nutmegs , each one dram and an half ; of the roots of galingal one dram , of cloves number ten , of ambar-grease grains four , of musk , and civet , each grains two ; of white-sugar dissolved in rose-water and boiled to tablets , one pound and an half , and so make tablets . antiscorbutick wines and beers . take of the leaves of scurvy-grass four handfuls , of horse-radish-root rasped four ounces , of winteran-bark bruised half an ounce , of the yellow peel of four oranges , and as many lemmons ; put them into a glass , and pour upon them six quarts of rhenish-wine ; keep the glass close stopt in a cold place ; let a quarter of a pint be taken morning and evening , and at dinner-time daily , and pour off the wine clear when you use it . but medicated beer is more common for the scurvy , to be drank constantly for ordinary drink . provide four gallons of ale , and instead of hops , boil in it four handfuls of the tops of pine , or of fir ; when it has done working in the vessels , put in four handfuls of scurvy-grass , four ounces of the roots of sharp-pointed dack , and the peels of four oranges ; when it has stood a week and is clear , it may be drank for ordinary drink . diet-drinks do a great deal of good in the scurvy , because they being continually taken with meat they alter the blood. but in some scorbutical cases , and in a hot scurvy , scurvy-grass , horse-radish , and the winteran-bark , and other acrid things , such as abound with volatile-salt are sometimes injurious ; wherefore when the morbisick discrasie of the blood is hot , temperate medicines are indicated . take of conserves of brook-lime , and ladies-smock , made with an equal quantity of sugar , each three ounces ; of the species of the three sanders , of diarrhodon abbatis , each one dram and an half ; of ivory powdered one dram , of pearls half a dram , of salt of wormwood , and tamarisck , each one dram ; with a sufficient quantity of syrup of coral , make an electuary take of the conserves of wood-sorrel , and of hips , each three ounces ; or of the conserve of the roots of sharp-pointed dock , and of the roots of succory , each three ounces ; of the troches of rubarb two drams , of the species diamargarite frigid one dram and an half , of the bark of tamarisck one dram , of sal-prunella one dram and an half , of mirobalans candied number two , with a sufficient quantity of the syrup of candied mirobalans ; meke an electuary . for the poor i used to prescribe the following electuary . take of the leaves of brook-lime six ounces , of wood-sorrel two ounces , of white-sugar eight ounces ; bruise them , and add to them half an ounce of the flower of the seeds of sweet fennel , of ivory powdered two drams , of sal-prunuella one dram and an half , with a sufficient quantity of the syrup of the juice of brook-lime ; make an electuary . take of the powder of the leaves of ground-pine , of the compound powder of wake-robin , each one ounce and an half ; of ivory powdered , and of red coral , prepared with the juice of oranges , each two drams ; of the tablet of of oranges two ounces . the dose is one spoonful twice a day , take of the species of the three sanders , of diamargarite frigid , each one dram and an half ; of pearls powdered , red-coral prepared , and of ivory powdered , each one dram ; of sugar dissolved in scordium-water , and boiled to tablets , six ounces ; make tablets . but if chalybeats are to be mixed with these temperate antiscorbuticks , two or three drams of crocus martis , or the like , may be added to the electuaries : but it is often best to take calybeats in liquors . wines and mediated beers . although the use of wines in the scurvy , caused by reason of the heat , and sulpherous saline discrasie of the blood , are not very convenient ; nevertheless when the weakness of the stomach , or custom at least requires wine mixed it with water . such a liquor that is temperated and medicated may be prepared . in the first place , small wines , mixed with water , and those that are impregnated with the infusion of baulm , borrage , and burnet , may be allowed . moreover , wines may be prepared of the juice of currants , of cherries and of garden-fruits , which may be ripened by fermentation , and are very grateful to the stomach , and purifie the blood : syder is also very good , if it be clear , and not sharp . moreover , many ingredients may be put into clear syder , as the tops of pine or of fir , the flowers of tamarisck , the raspings of ivory or harts-horn , which sweeten and preserve the liquor . temperate medicated diet-drinks may be prescribed in the following manner . provide six gallons of small ale , and instead of hops , boil the tops of pine or tamarisck in it , or the raspings of the wood of either of them ; and when it has done working ; put into a bag sharp-pointed dock dried , which is an excellent medicine for the scurvy ; also the leaves of water-cresses , or brook-lime , and bank-cresses ; also citrons , or oranges cut in slices , and hanged in vessels . hitherto we have treated about the removal of the morbisick cause , but when the symptoms are very violent , they require a peculiar method of cure. and first , difficulty of breathing , with narrowness of the breast , and asthmatical fits , must be taken off by medicines proper for the symptom : elixir proprietatis is of excellent use in this case . pain of the stomach , nauseousness , belching and vomiting , must be cured by a gentle vomit of wine of squils , or of salt of vitriol ; or the patient must be purged with an infusion of rubarb , with salt or cream of tartar added to it . elixir proprietatis is also good in this case . the collick and gripes must be cured by glisters , opiats and testaceous powders . take of the powder of crabs-eyes , and of egg-shells , each one dram and an half ; of pearls , one dram ; make a powder to be divided into twelve doses , whereof one must be taken every sixth hour in some antiscorbutical-water . and in this case epsom and barnet-waters do a great deal of good. an inveterate diarrhea which frequently happens to scorbutical people , must not be stopt by astringent medicines , nor is it easily cured by alteratives and antiscorbuticks . tunbridge-waters and the like are of excellent use in this case . chalybeat medicines are also very good , but crocus martis is the best . i have used the following method often with very good success . first , the sick must be purged with the powder or infusion of rubarb , with some astringent aromaticks added to it ; and it must be repeated three or four days after . on the days the sick does not purge , he must take morning and evening the quantity of a nutmeg of the following electuary . take of the conserve of roman-wormwood , made with an equal quantity of sugar , six ounces ( in a hot constitution conserve of roses may be used instead of it ) of diarrhodon abbatis two drams , of white and red sanders powdered , each one dram ; of the best saffron of mars half an ounce , with a sufficient quantity of syrup of steel ; make an electuary . in a bloody-flux and tenesmus , the like method is to be used , especially tunbridge-waters or the like . moreover , glisters made of vulnerary decoctions must be often injected . i lately cured a man of a long disentery who daily voided many ounces of blood by the following remedy . take of the best rubarb powdered two drams , of cinnamon one dram , of crocus martis three drams ; make pills with a sufficient quantity of lucatellus's balsam . he took four sometimes every day , sometimes every other day , for the space of a fortnight , and was perfectly cured . but he constantly drank a medicated beer made of the roots of sharp-pointed docks , and of the leaves of brook-lime . a vertigo often comes upon an inveterate scurvy ; as also frequent swoonings , and numbness in the limbs ; they are very difficultly cured , by reason they are produced by a scorbutick salt obstructing the brain and nerves . cephalick medicines , such as are proper in the vertigo and paralitick distempers , which come of themselves , mixed with antiscorbuticks , are to be given . therefore the body being cleansed by catharticks which are proper in the scurvy , you may proceed with medicines proper to cure these diseases after this manner . in the beginning of the cure the hemorrhoids are to be opened by the application of leeches ; and this ought to be often repeated , unless something contraindicate . take of the roots of male-peony half an ounce , of red cora● prepared two drams , of man's skull , and elks-hoof , each one dram ; take of fine sugar dissolved in peony-water compound , or the compound water of horse-radish , and boiled to tablets , eight ounces ; of the best oyl of amba● rectified half a dram ; make tablets . a dram and an half or two drams of them may be taken morning and night , drinking upon them a draught of the following distilled water . take of the leaves of scurvy-grass , brook-lime , lillies of the valley , sage , rosemary , bettony , each three handful● , of green wallnuts one pound , the peels of six oranges and of four lemmons , the roots of male-peony green ● pound and an half ; after they are bruised and sliced , pour upon them of flegm of vitriol one pound , of who made with syder five pints ; distil them after the common manner ; mix all the liquor together . the dose is three or four ounces . fluxes of blood often threaten great danger in the scurvy ; therefore these fluxes , whether they be too great , or from an inconvenient place , ought to be stop for the present , and guarded against for the future . the common method of stopping blood when it flows immoderately , is generally known , and there is no peculiar thing more to be done on this occasion , than what is usual in other fluxes of blood. nevertheless , to hinder these fluxes of blood , remedies must be used which sweeten the blood , and contract the orifices of the vessels which are too lax and open . both these intentions are excellently performed by steel medicines . take of the conserve of red roses , and of hips , each three ounces ; of the species diarrhodon abbatis , of the three sanders , each a dram and an half ; of salt of steel one dram , of saffron of mars two drams , of red cora● prepared one dram and an half , with a sufficient quantity of syrup of steel ; make an electuary . the dose is the quantity of a nutmeg three times a day , drinking upon it a draught of some proper liquor . for the poor you may prescribe after this manner . take of the tops of cypress , and of stinging nettles , each four ounces ; of brook-lime two ounces ; beat them in a mortar with ten ounces of white sugar ; afterwards add filings of steel finely powdered one ounce , of white and red sanders powdered , each two drams ; with a sufficient quantity of syrup made of the juice of nettles , make an electuary . the dose is the quantity of a wallnut twice a day . when the scurvy does infect the inward parts of the mouth , as when the gums begin to swell , and their flesh grows spungy , medicines are presently to be used that resist putrefaction : liquors to wash the mouth , and liniments are of great use both at the beginning and height of this distemper ; and as they respect various intentions , so they are to be prepared after divers manners . gargarisms or waters for the mouth are of divers kinds , which are all made for the most part of the decoctions of vegetables , or the infusion of minerals . the herbs and roots which are boiled in a proper liquor , viz. water , or wine , are for the most part sharp , bitter , or stiptick . afterwards these decoctions are impregnated with a salt either volatile , lixivial , vitriolick , or chalybeat and aluminous . when the gums are swelled , and become spungy , a gargarism may be prescribed after this manner . take of the bark of elder , and of elm , each half an handful ; of the leaves of savory , sage , hedge-mustard , and cresses , each one handful ; of the roots of pepper-wort two drams . after they are cut and bruised , boil them in three pints of lime-water to the consumption of the third part ; make a gargarism ; it may be sweetned with two ounces of honey of roses . liniments may be also prescribed for the same purpose , they are most properly applied at night . the following is greatly commended by authors . take of the powder of the leaves of columbines , of curled mint , sage , nutmeg , mirrh ( which is sometimes left out ) each two drams ; of burnt-alum half an ounce , of virgin-honey a sufficient quantity ; make a liniment . if the flesh of the gums be dried , and falls off from the roots of the teeth , light scarification is often used ; the mouth also is to be washed with this decoction . take of the tops of madder , cypress , of the leaves of sanicle , ladies-smock , each one handful ; boil them in three pints of water wherein hot iron hath been quenched , to the consumption of a third part ; add to the strained liquor two ounces of honey of roses ; mingle them . when the gums are putrified and corrupted , and the teeth being carious and loose , stink , stronger medicines , and such as greatly resist putrefaction , are to be used . the infusion of vitriol camphorated , and of lapis medicamentosus , is very effectual in this case . if deep and putrid ulcers afflict the gums , or any other part of the mouth , strong remedies must be often used ; also cotton dipt in aegyptiacum dissoloved in spirit , or in the infusion of lapis medicamentosus , or sublimate , must be sometimes applied to the part affected . scorbutick people are also oftentimes afflicted with pains in the legs and in other joints , especially in the night-time , for the removing of which pains , which are sometimes very violent , besides the general method of curing the scurvy , specifick remedies are to be used : therefore in such a case purging having been rightly performed , and bleeding , if there be occasion for it , medicines both external and internal must be used . as to the first , those that evacuate by sweat , and by urine , are oft-times very effectual : testaceous powders , crabs-eyes , the jaw of a pike , the spirit , and flowers of sal-armoniack , spirit of blood , tincture of antimony , and of coral , decoctions of the roots and seeds of burdock , ground-pine , and germander , are very proper ; and such like remedies may be taken twice or thrice a day ●n distilled antiscorbutick-waters . the distilled water of horse-dung , with scurvy-grass , brook-lime , and ground-●ine , and the like , may be conveniently used . in the mean time fomentations , liniments , cataplasms , and ●uch like applications must be applied to ease the pain . for a scorbutical gout , henricus petreus mentions ●wo remedies , which are frequently used in west●halia . take nine worms , beat them in a mortar with two spoonfuls of wine , press it through a cloth , and add to it half a measure of wine ; let three spoonfuls of it be taken in the morning , at noon , and in the evening for many days . the other is as follows . take of savin two or three branches , of virgin-honey two spoonfuls , boil them in a measure of wine till the wine sink two fingers ; let four or five spoonfuls of the strained liquor be taken thrice a day . certainly the magisterial-water , of worms , of the london dispensatory , is very beneficial in this disease , so are the spirit and salt of harts-horn , spirit of blood , flowers of sal-armoniack , which i have often used with good success . moreover , testaceous powders , as crabs-eyes , coral , pearls , and vegetables , which are counted good for the gout , as the roots of birth-wort , the leaves of ground-pine , and germander , and the like , mixed with antiscorbuticks conduce to the cure of this disease . oyl of worms , of frogs and toads , are often useful to ease the pain . i have been told by a worthy man , that the water drawn from what is contained in the stomach of an ox newly killed , by distillation , and applied hot with cloaths , gives certainly ease . for convulsive and paralitick diseases occasioned by the scurvy , remedies proper for them must be mixed with antiscorbuticks , for a consumption and a feaver ocasioned by the scurvy , gentle catharticks , digestives , and things that corroborate must be used . and because they often arise from a scirrhous tumour in the stomach , or parts thereabouts , things that open obstructions are to be used , as tunbridge-waters , and the like . moreover , fomentations , liniments and plaisters must be outwardly applyed ; asses or cows-milk , diluted with barly-water , or with some proper distilled-water is often good ; so is broth made of snails , and snails boiled in milk. moreover , distilled waters of milk or whey with snails , and antiscorbutick herbs , do a great deal of good in this case . and for the feaver , the following medicines may be used with a thin diet , take of the raspings of harts-horn , and ivory , each two drams and an half ; of eryngo roots candied six drams , of the roots of chervil , dandelyon , each half an ounce ; of the leaves of harts-tongue , liverwort , each one handful ; one apple sliced , of raisins one handful ; boil them in four pints of fountain-water to the consumption of a third part ; pour the strained liquor upon two handfuls of brook-lime , and a dram and an half of sal-prunella , or of nitre fixed one dram ; let them infuse for the space of three hours ; four or six ounces of it may be taken three times a day . take of the leaves of brook-lime four handfuls , of wood-sorrel , of the herb and root of dandelyon , each two handfuls ; of snails cleansed one pound and an half , the peels of two oranges : after they are bruised and cut , pour upon them six pints of new milk , or whey made with syder , or of the fresh juice of apples ; distill them after the common way . three ounces may be taken twice or thrice a day . a scorbutical rhumatism must be cured by purging , but especially by bleeding , and repeated sometimes according to the strength of the patient . diureticks and diaphoreticks must be also used , and four or six ounces of the infusion of horse-dung in wine or ale may be taken twice or thrice a day on the days the sick does not purge . spirit of harts-horn , or of blood , is also very good in this case . a scorbutical dropsie arising from an evident cause , or occasionally , is often cured ; wherefore , if the sick cannot sleep , opiats must be given , and purging must be repeated at due distances , according to the strength of the patient , and glisters must be often injected to keep the body loose . take of mercurius dulcis one scruple , of rosin of jalap five or ten grains , of cloves half a scruple ; mix them and give it in a spoonful of panado : at other times diureticks , and sometimes diaphoreticks , must be given . take of tincture of salt of tartar , impregnated with the tincture of millepedes , as much as you please : give a scruple or two scruples twice a day in some proper liquor . take of the spirit of sal-armoniack what quantity you please : the dose is fifteen drops . take of mille pedes prepared three drams , of salt of tartar two drams , of nutmegs one dram ; mix them , make a powder . the dose is half a dram twice a day with some proper liquor . or , take of dried bees powdered two drams , of the seeds of bishops-weed powdered one dram , of oyl of juniper one scruple , of turpentine a sufficient quantity for a mass of pills . the dose is one scruple or half a dram to be taken twice a day , drinking upon it three or four ounces of the following water . take of the leaves of both the scurvy-grasses , of water-cresses , of pepper-wort , and arsmart , each three handfuls ; of the roots of wake-robin , briony , and florentine-orris , each four ounces ; of the middle bark of elder two handfuls , of the winteran-bark two ounces , of the yellow peel of four oranges , and three lemmons , and of fresh juniper-berries , four ounces ; cut them and bruise them , and pour upon them two quarts of rhenish-wine , and of the wine made of the juice of elder-berries one quart . distill them in a common still , and mix the waters . the dose is three or four ounces twice a day , after a dose of any of the medicines above prescribed . there remains one symptom , that comes , though rarely , upon the scurvy , viz. a crackling of the bones ; but the cure of it is not yet known . an orderly diet is of great moment in the cure of the scurvy : the sick must only eat meat of easy digestion , he must avoid thick and clammy meat , and such as are smoaked , and pulse , milk-meats , unripe fruit , and things that are sugared ; for the scurvy has increased wonderfully of late by the immoderate use of sugar . their drink must be middling mild beer , that is clear and medicated with antiscorbuticks . exercise and labour are so beneficial in the scurvy , that many have been cured by them alone . an air moderately hot and dry , thin and pure , should be chosen . chap. lxxxv . of the stone in the kidneys , and of the nephritick pain . the nephritick pain is called that whick afflicts the reins and ureters : the cause of this pain is various ; but the most frequent is a stone or gross flegm . the less frequent causes are clods of blood thrust into the ureters , or thick matter , conveyed from the reins or other parts into the ureters . the diagnostick signs of the stone . the first sign is a fixed pain about the region of the loins ; the second is bloody urine ; the third thin and little water at the beginning of the fit , which is sometimes succeeded by a total suppression of urine , if both the ureters be obstructed ; the fourth is , the frequent voiding of sand and little stones ; the fifth is , a numbness of the legs ; the sixth is , the drawing up of the stones ; the seventh is , nauseousness and vomiting . the cure of the nephritick pain , and stone sticking in the reins and ureters , is peformed by dilating the passages , by the explosion of the stone , or any other matter which causes pain ; and also by removing the antecedent cause , and mitigating the pain , to the which indications the following remedies answer . take of the carminative decoction for a glister ten ounces , of the electuary of laurel-berries , of the electuary of juice of roses , each three drams ; of venice-turpentine dissolved in the yolk of an egg six drams , oyl of saint johns-wort ten drams ; mingle them , make a glister , after the glister hath done working , a vein may be opened in the arm. it is diligently to be observed , that purging medicines are not to be given until the pain be somewhat abated , notwithstanding a vomit may be proper at that time , take of salt of vitriol two scruples ; it may be taken in a draught of posset-drink with regiment . those medicines are to be taken at the mouth that dilate the passages and mitigate the pain . take of white-wine , compound-water of horse-radish , each one ounce and an half , of the juice of lemmons one spoonful and an half , of tartar vitriolated one scruple , oyl of sweet almonds one ounce , syrup of marshmallows two ounces , powder of nutmeg one scruple ; make a draught , let it be taken warm . take of the decoction of the syrup of marshmallows two pints , sweeten it with syrup of water-lillies and marsh-mallows ; add to it six ounces of white-wine ; a large draught of it may be taken warm . when the pain is very violent narcoticks must be used . take of the waters of pellitory of the wall , saxifrage , and cowslips , each one ounce ; syrup of poppies six drams , london laudanum one grain ; mix them , make a draught to be taken at bed-time . take of mathews's pill half a scruple , of turpentine half a dram ; mix them , make four pills to be taken at bed-time . but because a great quantity of crude humours ordinarily accompanies this disease , some purging medicine must be given . take of whole cassia half an ounce , boil it in a sufficient quantity of the decoction of senna geronis , to three ounces of the strained liquor , add of choice manna one ounce ; mingle them , make a draught to be taken with regiment . or , take of choice manna two ounces , dissolve it in four ounces of milk-water , add to the strained liquor two scruples of cream of tartar. anoint well with a warm hand the region of the kidneys and ureters , with the oyntment of marshmallows , and oyl of scorpions of mathiolus . the following medicines are often used . take of turpentine of chios two drams , of balsam of tolu half a dram , with a sufficient quantity of troches of alkakengi , make middling pills , let four of them be taken at bed-time . take of the powders of crabs-eyes , and of millepedes , each two scruples ; of the seeds of daucus powdered , and of sal-prunella , each one scruple ; make a powder to be divided into four parts , let one be taken at bed-time . to prevent this disease , tunbridge-waters , and the like , and whey , drank for the space of a month in the spring are good . in the use of all diureticks , this is perpetually to be observed , viz. they must not be frequently given . the immoderate heat of the reigns may be qualified by wearing continually upon them plates of lead with holes in them . chap. lxxxvii . of the stone in the bladder . it is very difficult to know this disease , especially at the beginning , when the stone is small ; but when it is great it is easily known . the first sign is , a pain in the neck of the bladder , which is exasperated about the end of making water , and stretches it self to the glans ; it is very like a heat of urine , and can scarce be distinguished from it at first , till other signs begin to appear . the second sign is , an itching on the yard , which forces the sick to handle and scratch it often . the third sign is , a weight in the peritonaeum , and in all the region of the pubis , with a heavy pain ; this is when the stone is large . the fourth sign , when the stone is large , there is a great difficulty in making water ; the sick endeavours to make water often , but renders it by drops . the sixth sign is , a suppression of urine in making water , when it stops suddenly in the middle course , the stone being brought with the urine to the neck of the bladder . the sixth sign is , the voiding urine most easily upon lying on the back , because the stone in that position goes farthest from the channel of the bladder ; also when the urine , being suppressed in making water , flows freely ; when the body is laid back and shook , the stone falling then to the bottom of the bladder . the seventh sign is , frequent erection of the penis , which prooceeds from a retention of the urine , and from an inflammation of the bladder occasioned by the rubbing of the stone . the eighth sign is , a tenesmus , and a frequent endeavour to go to stool , which follows the endeavours of making water , by reason of the consent betwixt the sphincter of the anus , and the bladder ; and the one being irritated , the other is so too , because they receive branches from the same nerve . the ninth sign is , that the sick cannot rest in one place , they move their legs alternately ; and if the stone be large , he can scarce stand upright , or ride or walk in stony places . the tenth sign is , that the sick are eased by no remedies , but most commonly grow worse thereby , because all medicines that come to the urinary passages increase the disease , either by bringing new matter to the bladder , or they rub off the flegm which encompasseth the stone , and then it grates harder upon the bladder . the eleventh sign is , that when the sick has been subject to nephritick pains , and used to void gravel at the end of the fit. if after such pain he has not voided a stone as he was wont , it is a sign that the stone remains in the bladder , and increases by degrees , and occasions the foresaid symptoms . the cure is much the same with that described in the foregoing chapter ; when the stone is small , water distil'd from onyons being used for forty days , has evacuated a stone of the bigness of a bean : but daily experience shews , that a stone cannot be dissolved in the bladder by any medicines ; wherefore we are generally forced to leave such patients to the lithotomist ; and having been intimately acquainted with one of the chiefest lithotomists in the city of london , and made some observations upon his practice ; i find that children bear cutting well , and generally recover ; but that men past forty years of age , most commonly die . if the sick will not undergo cutting , or if it be not safe , by reason of his age , gentle medicines must be used , such as are prescribed for heat of urine , least the stone should ulcerate the neck of the bladder by its roughness , upon which it is often rolled ; and if it happen to be thrust upon the neck of the bladder , and so stop the urine , the patient must lie upon his back , and you must endeavour to remove it by shaking the body and lifting up the legs ; afterwards you must use an emollient fomentation or bath , and you must force back the stone with a catheter . chap. lxxxviii . of an inflammation of the reins and bladder . because an inflammation of the reins and bladder is cured by the same remedies ; therefore we include them both in one chapter , the signs of an inflammation of the reins are , a heavy pain in the region of the reins , and there is sometimes a pulsation : if the place wherein the arteries are be affected , and the pain is extended to the neighbouring parts , so that the sick cannot raise himself upright nor stand , and but difficultly turn himself to the opposite side , neither can he lie upon that side nor upon his belly , and therefore he is forced perpetually to lie upon his back ; if his knees , or if his body be any way moved , the pain is much exasperated ; there is a numbness of the same side , by reason of a nerve which goes from thence to the leg ; his urine is hot , and in the beginning thin and yellow ; afterwards red and thick . the sick has a continual and acute feaver , and it is often accompanied with watchings , a delirium , nauseousness and vomiting . but in an inflammation of the bladder , the pain is seated upon the region of the pubis , and perinaeum , in which parts there is a heat , and sometimes an apparent redness , the urine is always hot , and voided difficultly , the passage being stopt by the tumour ; and the right gut is affected by reason of its nearness ; upon which account there is frequent endeavours to go to stool , and sometimes the belly is bound : there are also other symptoms that are common with the inflammation of the reins , as a feaver , watching , and the like . the cure of an inflammation in the reins and bladder , is performed by medicines that cause revulsion and derivation , and by such as cool and moderately repel , by anodyn , resolving and suppurating medicines . and first , bleeding is very necessary twice , thrice , or oftener , acccording to the strength , until the fluxion is stopped and the pain abated . a large quantity of blood being taken away from the upper veins , the lower are to be opened also in the foot to make derivation . the hemorrhoidal veins are also to be opened , especially if they are swelled ; and cupping-glasses with scarification are to be applied to the upper and lower parts to make revulsion . frictions and painful ligatures of the extream parts are also to be used ; emollient cooling , and moderately loosning glisters must be injected in a small quantity . take of the roots of marsh-mallows one ounce , of the leaves of mallows , violets , and lettice , each one handful ; of sweet prunes four pair , of barley cleansed , and of the flowers of violets , each one pugil ; make a decoction to eight or ten ounces ; in the strained liquor dissolve one ounce of cassia , of oyl of violets four ounces , of yolks of eggs number two , make a glister . the heat of the blood must be mitigated by juleps and emulsions . take of the waters of endive , lettice and purslain , each four ounces ; of syrup of pomegranates two ounces , of syrup of water-lillies one ounce ; mingle them , make a julep , for three doses to be taken morning or evening . or , take of the roots of sorrel two ounces , of the leaves of mallows , plantane , purslain , and endive , each one handful ; of the tops of white poppies half an handful , of the seeds of annise and lettice , each one dram ; of the flowers of borrage , violets , and water-lillies , each one pugil ; boil them to a pint and an half ; then add of the syrup of pomegranates four ounces . or , take of sweet almonds blanced one ounce , of fresh pine-nuts half an ounce , of the seeds of lettice , sorrel , purslain , and white poppies , each three drams ; beat them in a marble mortar , and pour upon them of the waters of barley , or lettice , or purslain one pint and an half ; in the strained liquor dissolve one ounce of sugar of roses ; make an emulsion for three doses . syrup of poppies may be conveniently added to this emulsion , to restrain the fluxion more powerfully . cooling glisters must be also injected . in the beginning of these inflammations , purging is not convenient , but at the declination gentle purges may be used , as of manna , cassia , rubarb , tamarinds and the like . but cooling and moderately repelling medicines must be used outwardly at the beginning , as liquid epithems made of the waters or juices of plantane , sorrel , endive , night-shade , and of roses , with a little vinegar , red sanders , and camphor ; also liniments of oyl of roses omphacine , and of violets , the white oyntment , or populeon alone , or mixed , a little vinegar being added to them , may be applied almost cold to the parts every hour . if the pain be very violent , it will not be improper to add to the epithem or liniment , a little opium or saffron . a cataplasm may be also made of barley-meal , with the juice of endive , purslain , and night-shade , oyl of roses being added to it and populeum oyntment ; but it must be frequently changed before it grows hot . but here three things are to be observed : first , we must not continue too long the use of cooling medicines ; least the expulsion of the conjunct matter by sweat should be hindred , and the tumours should grow scirrhous . secondly , in an inflammation of the bladder , things that are but a little cooling and astringent must be used , least a suppression of urine should happen , which is a symptom that is very frequent of it self in this disease . thirdly , cataplasms are not so proper in an inflammation of the bladder , as liniments and oyntments , because they oppress the part with their weight . wherefore when cooling medicines have been used a very little while , and after bleeding repeated , the fluxion being pretty well stopt , we must use emollients , and gentle resolvents , as fomentations made of a decocton of the roots of marsh-mallows , of the leaves of mallows , violets , pellitory , of the seeds of flax , fenugreek , mallows , and of cotton , of the flowers of camomil , melilot , rosemary , and roses ; and liniments are to be applied of oyl of lillies , roses , and with a little oyl of camomile , the following pultis is very softning , and anodyne . take of the crums of white bread one pound ; boil them in goats-milk to the consistence of a pultiss ; then add the yolks of three eggs , of oyl of roses four ounces , of saffron half a dram ; make a cataplasm ; it must be often changed ; a little opium and camphor may be added to it if the pain be very violent . if there be danger of a gangrene , a corroborating cataplasm must be made of the meal of beans , orobus , and of lupins boiled in wine . but when the inflammation is in a manner taken off , then resolving decoction and liniments must be used . in the whole course of the disease , respect must be always had to the feaver , pain , watchings , suppressions of urine , and the like . and to ease the pain of the bladder , anodyne suppositories , or yolks of eggs , with a little opium , and with the juice of henbane , or the like , must be tied up in a rag , and put up the fundament . if the inflammation of the reins cannot be discussed , but tends to suppuration , which may be known by the increase of the feaver , of the pain , and of other symptoms ; also by shaking and vomiting , and by a greater weight about the part , especially when the sick bends towards the well side ; the motion of nature must be furthered by applying cataplasms made of emollient roots , and herbs , of the seeds of flax , and of the flowers of camomil , to which being boiled , bruised , and pulped , meals , butter , grease , and proper oyls must be added , whereby , unless the abscess break and cleanse it self by urine , the matter breaks into the cavity of the belly ; upon which account sudden death , or an hectick feaver follows . sometimes the tumour swells outwards , and then it must be opened by a potential cautery , or with a knife . it also happens sometimes , that the tumours become scirrhous , the feaver ceasing , but the pain continuing with a greater sense of weight , and a numbness of the neighbouring parts , which are most commonly incurable , for the sick falls into a cachexy and dropsie ; yet the cure may be attempted by emollient , inciding , and digestive medicines . chap. lxxxix . of bloody vrine . blood may be conveyed from many parts to the urinal passages , and be mixed with the urine , and so render it bloody ; but that rarely happens , and we only discourse here of diseases of the reins and bladder , and of that bloody urine which proceeds from the fault of those parts : the blood flows from the reins and bladder , as from all other parts , either by opening of the vessells , by a rupture , or a solution of the continuum , but very rarely , by reason of the thinness of the veins which carry blood to these places . the most frequent causes , are fullness and acrimony of the blood , and a stone in the kidneys , a fall or blow , the lifting or carrying of a great weight , violent motion of the body , or the like . when blood flows from the bladder it is little in quantity . the cure of this disease must be varied according to the variety of the causes : and first , if it proceed from a great quantity or acrimony of the blood , bleeding must be used frequently , but little must be taken away at a time ; and in this case cupping glasses , frictions , and ligatures must be used to the upper parts , and derivation must be made by bleeding in the foot , or by opening the hemorrhoidal veins . when serous and cholerick humours promote this evacuation , they must be purged off by catharticks used by intervals . take of rubarb a little torrified and powdered one dram , of coral prepared half a scruple , of the whey of goats-milk , or of plantane-water , three ounces ; make a potion . take of cassia fresh drawn half an ounce , of the pulp of tamarinds six drams , of bole-armonick half a scruple ; with sugar make a bolus . after due revulsions and evacuations , or whilst they are used , if there be occasion , such things as restrain the blood , and heal the veins must be given ; but they must not be presently used , least the blood should be stopt too soon , and being thickned , it should coagulate somewhere ; for this purpose the juice of plantane fresh drawn is much commended , four or five ounces of it being taken morning and evening , which is also very proper in all hemorrhagies , but if it be too cold for the stomach , it may be boiled a little with sugar . sheeps-milk is also much commended , four ounces of it being taken with a dram of bole-armenick , but after takeing it , the sick must not sleep nor exercise himself . decoctions also of knot-grass , horse-tail , purslain , and of the tops of brambles , sweetned with syrup of quinces ; or to qualifie the heat of the blood , the following apozem may be used . take of the leaves of lettice , purslain , plantane , and comfrey , each one handful ; of the four greater and lesser cold seeds , each one dram ; of jujubes three pair , of liquorish half an ounce , of the flowers of water-lillies , of violets , and of roses , each one pugil ; make a decoction to a pint and an half ; in the strained liquor dissolve of gum-tragacanth a dram and an half ; of syrup of violets , and of dried roses , each one ounce and an half ; of sal-prunella half an ounce , of the troches of alkakengi without opium half a dram ; make an apozem for four doses . to thicken and restrain the blood more powerfully , we may add to it an ounce of syrup of poppies . if the disease be lasting , an electuary may be made in the following manner . take of the conserves of roses , and of the roots of comfrey each two ounces ; of sealed earth , and bole-armenick , of dragons-blood , red coral , blood-stone , and troches of ambar , each one dram ; of hypocistis , grains of kermes , and of the seeds of plantane , each one scruple ; with equal parts of syrup of mirtles , and of poppies , make an electuary , whereof let him take the quantity of a walnut morning and evening , drinking upon it a little plantane-water . dr. gordon's troches are also reckoned excellent in this case . but because clots of blood are wont to be retained in the bladder , and to occasion violent symptoms , for the dissolution of them , it will be convenient to drink warm now and then mallow-water , mixed with a little vinegar , but the quantity of the vinegar must be so small , that it can scarce be tasted . outwardly topicks must be applied to the region of the loins , such as are proper to cool and bind the reins . take of the roots of bristort , and of comfrey , each one ounce ; of the leaves of plantane , purslain , shepherds-purse , knot-grass , each one handful ; of the flowers of pomegranates half an ounce , of the grains of sumach , and mirtles , and of hypocistis , each two drams ; of the cups of acorns , and of yellow and red sanders , each one dram ; of red roses three pugils ; boil them in smith's-water with a little vinegar , strain the liquor , and foment the reins with it warm . a bath may be made of the same decoction the quantity of it being increased . take of the juice of plantane , and of blood-wort , each two ounces ; of vinegar half an ounce , of omphacine oyl one ounce , boil them to the consumption of the juices , then add of dragons-blood , mastich , and of pomegranate-peel , each two drams ; of champhor half a dram , of the countesses oynoment four ounces , of wax a sufficient quantity ; make a liniment . anoint the loins with it frequently ; at the time you use it , mix a little vinegar with it . leaden plates with many holes in them , worn upon the reins , are very proper . when the voiding of blood proceeds from the stone , the following method has been found very successful by dr. sydenham , who was much troubled with the gout , the stone in the kidneys , and a bloody urine ; and i have also found it very successful , i drank , says he , two ounces and a half of manna dissolved in a quart of whey , swallowing now and then a little of the juice of lemmons , while i was purging , to quicken this cathartick , which used to work slowly , and to render it more pleasant to the stomach . it can scarce be said how much ease i received about the region of the reins by the use of this remedy ; for though they did not always ach before , yet they were affected with a heavy and troublesom pain ; and because it succeeded so well with me , i took the same of a set day once a week for some months , and after every purge i plainly found my self better , and could bear the shaking of a coach when it went fast , and was indeed wholly freed from this symptom . but it returning again , some time after , i took it twice a week for three weeks , and afterwards only once a week : i continued this method some months on set days , and the bleeding quite stopped : the diet that i observed is as follows , in the morning when i rise i drink a dish of tea , at dinner i moderately refresh my self with any sort of meat of easie digestion that i like ; a draught of small beer is to me instead of a supper ; and when i am in bed i take another draught , that by this julep i may cool and dilute the hot and acrid juices lodged in the kidneys , whereof the stone is generated ; and i prefer at this time , and at dinner time , small beer that has hopps in it , before that which has none , for though that which is not hopped is smoother and softer , and so fitter to carry off the stone from the kidneys , yet that which is hopped , by reason of the stiptick quality which the hopps impart to it , is not so apt to generate sandy and stony matter , as that which is not hopped , the substance whereof is more viscous and slimy . i take care to go to bed early , especially in winter ; and to prevent a bloody urine , i take care , that as often as i have occasion to ride a long way upon the stones , to drink a large draught of small beer before i go ; and also before my return , if i be abroad a pretty while , whereby i secure my self pretty well from bloody urine . chap. xc . of an vlcer of the reins and bladder . an ulcer is occasioned in the reins and bladder by three causes , first , from an abscess broken , secondly from the acrimony of the humours , and thirdly , from a rough stone , and this is the most frequent and ordinary cause . among the diagnostick signs , the first and chief is the voiding of matter with urine , which continuing a while , certainly shews an ulcer in the urinary passages ; but whither the reins or the bladder are affected with the ulcer , may be known by the situation of the pain , as whether it be in the region of the loins , or in the pubis , or perinaeum . moreover , matter proceeding from the reins is better concocted , is white , light , and not at all stinking , because the parenchyma of the reins being fleshy concocts better , and the matter is also in a greater quantity , and more mixt with the urine , which looks like milk , along while after voiding it the matter is seperated from it , and falls to the bottom of the chamber-pot . but purulent matter flowing from the bladder , is little and not much mixed with the urine , nor so concocted , but crude , variegated and stinks much , for the part having little heat , cannot sufficiently concoct the matter , but from the neck of the bladder , or from the urinal passage , pure matter without urine is often voided . moreover , in an ulcer of the bladder or of its neck , there is a continual heat of urine , and a continual pain in the part , which is not so in an ulcer of the reins ; for in that ulcer the heat of urine and pain cease sometimes . when the ulcer is deep , blood sometimes flows out plentifully , which is difficultly stopt , and often small pieces of the parts are voided with the blood and matter , viz. most commonly small caruncles from the reins , sometimes they are larger , and passing difficultly through the ureters , they occasion a nephritick pain , but from the bladder small scales , or small membranous skins flow like bran. and lastly , in a long and callous ulcer of the bladder , a mucous flegm is produced . as to the prognostick , these ulcers are very difficultly cured , because there is a perpetual flux of humours to the part ; for though the serum of its own nature is cleansing , yet when it is infected with other qualities it is not so , and when acrid and salt humours are mixed with it , ●hey occasion ulcers , or further them . fresh ulcers of the reins and bladder may be cured , but when they are inveterate they are incurable . in old men they can never be cured , in young men they may sometimes , but with great difficulty . ulcers that are occasioned by the stone cannot be cured till the stone is extracted . the pain and other symptoms which accompany these ulcers , occasion watchings , and waste the body , and at length the sick is brought into a cachexy and consumption . the cure of the ulcers of the reins and bladder , as of all other ulcers , is performed by cleansing , drying , and consolidating medicines . to which end the following things may be used . and first , if there be a plethora , or an inflammation of the part , bleeding must be ordered , first in the arm , and afterwards in the foot. afterwards purging must be prescribed frequently , that the vitious humours abounding in the whole body , and flowing to the part affected may be evacuated ; but only gentle and lenitive medicines must be ordered , as cassia , manna , syrup of roses , rubarb , and agarick reduced to a bolus , or some other solid form , because in a liquid form they easily run to the urinary passage , and so increase the acrimony . the following electuary may be prescribed . take of polypody of the oak , and of liquorish rasped , each half an ounce ; of the four greater cold seeds each one dram , of the flowers of violets , and borrage , each half a pugil ; of jujubes six pair , of damask prunes three pair , of raisins half an ounce , of senna cleansed two ounces and an half ; infuse them a night in barley-water , boil them in the morning and strain them ; afterwards dissolve an ounce and an half of manna in a sufficient quantity of the decoction , strain it again , add to it three ounces of cassia fresh drawn ; boil them to the consistence of an electuary , adding at last half an ounce of rubarb powdered . the dose is one ounce once a week two hours before eating . or , take of cassia two ounces , of manna one ounce and an half , of the pulp of sebestines , and tamarinds , each one ounce ; of the mucilage of the seeds of psyllium six drams , of the four greater cold seeds each one dram , of juice of liquorish two drams , with syrup of roses solutive make an electuary . if you add mercurius dulcis to the electuaries above mentioned it will succeed the better ; for it is of great vertue to cleanse and heal all inward and outward vlcers . among purgers turpentine is reckoned , and is much commended in this case , because it loosens the belly , and cleanses the ulcer ; half an ounce of it washed in plantane water must be given in powder of liquorish ; but it is chiefly to be used when the urine is very mucous and thick . vomiting is much commended by many , whereof some provoke it before meals with warm water and oyl , with which only remedy often repeated , they say this disease has been cured . but it is to be noted , that vomiting must be only used in those that vomit easily , for violent vomiting irritates the ulcer . after due evacuations and revulsions we must come to the use of such things as cleanse , the chief of which are whey drank in a great quantity in the morning , and small mead , whereof also six or eight ounces may be taken in a morning , and it may be used for the ordinary drink . a decoction of barley with liquorish and sugar may be used in the same manner . if mead be thought too hot , the greater cold seeds , or the roots of liquorish , and the tops of mallows may be boiled in it . asses-milk also does not only cleanse but it also consolidates ; but it must not be given when there is a feaver ; or the following decoction may be used . take of the roots of marsh-mallows half an ounce , of the leaves of plantane agrimony , maiden-hair , and the tops of mallows , each one handful ; of the seeds of mallows , and of mellons , with the barks bruised , each half an ounce ; of the grains of alkakengi six drams , of liquorish rasped one ounce , of whole barley one pugil ; boil them to a quart , in the strained liquor dissolve of honey of roses three ounces , of sugar-candy two ounces ; make a julep , whereof take eight ounces in a morning , for ten days . those things which are given for diseases of the reins and bladder , must be prescribed in a large quantity , for otherwise their vertues will not reach the parts affected . but instead of all , barnet or epsom-water , or tunbridge-waters may be used ; for by the long use of them , the hot intemperies will be corrected , and the ulcers cleansed and cured . some commend to dry up the ichor , and to cleanse and heal internal ulcers , especially in patients of a flegmatick constitution , and for such as have been at any time infected with the french pox , and when there is no feaver nor flux of blood , a sudorifick decoction made of china , sarsa-parilla , sassafras , or of guajacum , to be taken for thirty days or more , and that the second decoction should be used for ordinary drink , with a thin and drying diet. in the mean time , least the bowels should be too much inflamed by the use of this decoction , they may be qualified by cooling broths given about the evening , and by anointing the reins with cooling oyntments ▪ but the following decoction is safer and more successful in every case . take of the roots of sarsaparilla three ounces , of lignum lentiscinum two ounces , of sassafras one ounce , of the raspings of ivory and harts-horn , each six ounces ; of jujubes , and sebestines , each half an ounce ; of nephritick wood four ounces , of barley cleansed two ounces ; infuse them twelve hours in five pints of fountain-water , boil it to three , for six doses to be taken twice a day . aromatise them with two drams of cinnamon . when the ulcer is sufficiently cleansed , which may be known , for that the matter is voided with the urine in a lesser quantity , and is white , and does not stink at all , astringent things and such as heal must be given , take of bole-armenick , of sealed earth , and of red coral , each three drams ; of gum-arabick , and tragacanth , each half an ounce ; make troches with agrimony-water , weighing each two drams ; one of them must be taken morning and evening with a decoction of comfry . but dr. gordon's troches are better than all the rest , to cleanse and heal ulcers of the reins and bladder ; and at the same time ease the pain , and take off the heat of urine ; two drams of them may be taken at a time in mead , or a decoction of barley , when you design most to cleanse ; and in goats or rather sheeps milk , when you chiefly design to heal . consolidating juleps may be made in the following manner . take of the roots of comfry two ounces ; of the leaves of plantane , and mouse-ear , each one handful ; of the tops of mallows , and maiden-hair , each half a handful ; of liquorish rasped half an ounce , of white-starch , gum-arabick , tragacanth , and bole-armenick , each one dram ; of the seeds of lettice , purslain , each one dram ; of the seeds of red roses one pugil ; make a decoction in rain-water to one pint and an half ; in the strained liquor dissolve four ounces of sugar , and two ounces of penids ; make a julep , whereof let him take eight ounces in a morning for ten or twelve days . the following pills are also very good . take of the roots of marsh-mallows , and of comfry dried , of gum-arabick , and of the gum of the cherry-tree , and prune , each one dram ; of olybanum and mirrh , each four scruples ; of the seeds of white poppies , and of alkakengi , each one dram and an half ; of camphor two scruples ; powder them finely , or with a third part of the weight of all of ceruss , of antimony , and with a suffici-quantity of venice turpentine , make a mass for pills , whereof let him take a dram morning and evening . if the turpentine should cause pain , the juice of liquorish may be used instead of it ; but new cows-milk is the best of all , a quarter of a pint of it being taken with half a dram of bole-armenick every morning . in inveterate ulcers a decoction of round birth-wort in white-wine sweetned with sugar is very beneficial . the following oyntment may be used outwardly to consolidate the ulcer . take of the juice of plantane , and night-shade , each four ounces ; of oyl of roses omphacine three ounces , of vinegar one ounce , of letharge finely powdered one ounce and an half , of ceruss washed half an ounce , of tutty finely powdered two drams ; of dragons-blood one dram ; reduce them all to the form of an oyntment . injections are peculiarly proper for an ulcer of the bladder , they must be used twice a day : first , such as cleanse made of hydromel , of whey , or a decoction of barley , with a littie honey of roses ; but afterwards astringent and consolidating injections must be used , wherein the roots of comfry , mirrh , allum , sarcocoll , and tragacanth have been boiled ; dr. gordon's troches dissolved in milk are of excellent use . fabritius hildanus cured a great ulcer of the bladder with the following injection , and with some other remedies . see his observation , cent. . take of the roots of comfry one ounce , of whole barley one handful , of the leaves of agrimony , speedwell , scordium , ladies-mantle , sanicle , each half a handful ; boil them to a pint ; in the strained liquor dissolve of honey of roses two drams ; mingle them , make an injection . it is to be noted , that these injections are not to be squirted in with a syringe , because they do not penetrate into the cavity of the bladder , the sphincter muscle hindering ; but a catheter being put into the bladder , you must syringe through it , and so the injection will reach the part affected . but because these ulcers are commonly painful , all the course of the cure you must endeavour to mitigate the pain with anodynes taken inwardly , and used outwardly , syrup of poppies , london laudanum , and the troches of alkakengi , which are peculiarly proper in this case , must be used inwardly : also emulsions of the cold seeds , of the seeds of white poppies , adding if there be occasion , syrup of poppies . and lastly , the conserve of the flowers of marsh-mallows must be frequently given . and the following fomentation may be used to the region of the reins , take of the roots of marsh-mallows , of the leaves of mallows , pellitory , and violets , each one handful ; of the seeds of flax , fenugreek , and alkakengi , each three drams ; of the flowers of camomil , melilot , and water-lillies , each one pugil ; make a decoction , wherewith foment the part with flannels . after the fomentation use the following liniment . take of oyl of violets , and of sweet almonds , each one ounce and an half ; of oyl of roses one ounce , of the mucilages of the seeds of marshmallows and fenugreek , each two ounces ; of suffron one scruple ; make a liniment . but to ease the pain , new milk from the cow , with dr. gordon's troches dissolved in it injected , is the best anodyne , for it eases the pain and cures the ulcer . chap. xci . of a diabetes . this disease was so rare amongst the ancients , that many famous physicians made no mention of it ; but in our age , wherein excessive drinking has been , especially of wine , so much used , there are many instances of it . as to the cure , the chief intentions of healing , are to prevent fusion of the blood , and to take off that which is so . first , the fusion of the blood is hindred , when its gross and watry parts contain one another , and are contained , so that they do not too hastily separate , which may be effected by thickning remedies ; and for this purpose rice , starch , and mucilaginous vegetables , also gums , and some resinous things are of use . secondly , that the fusion of the blood may be taken off , such remedies are indicated as dissolve the concretions of the salts . i have prescribed in this disease , the tincture of antimony with good success , and lime-water , with the seeds of annise , raisins , and liquorish , is much commended by some . a noble-man fell into a desperate diabetes , for besides that , he voided a gallon and an half of clear urine , that was almost as sweet as honey , in the space of a night and a day ; he was also afflicted with great thirst , a hectick feaver , great weakness , and with a wasting of the whole body ; he was cured in a short time by the following medicines . take of the tops of cypress eight handfuls , of the whites of eggs a quart , of cinnamon half an ounce ; having cut them small , pour upon them four quarts of new milk , and distill them in a cold still . have a care of an empyrema . he took six ounces of it thrice a day . take of gum-arabick , and tragacanth , each six drams ; of penediate sugar one ounce , make a powder ; give one dram , or one dram and an half , twice a day , with three or four ounces of the distilled water . take of rubarb powdered fifteen grains , of cinnamon six grains , make a powder ; let him take it in the morning and repeat it six or seven days after . take of cowslip-water three ounces , of cinnamon-water hordeated two drams , with half an ounce of diacodium ; make a draught to be taken at bed-time every night . his diet was altogether in a manner of milk , which he eat sometimes crude , sometimes boiled , with bread or barley ; sometimes it was diluted with a distilled water , or with barley-water . when he had been well a long time , he fell into the same disease again , and the same method and medicines were ordered again , whereby he grew better in a few days ; afterwards he took five or six ounces of lime-water daily thrice in a day ; and having used it four days , he voided urine in a moderate quantity well coloured and somewhat salt . i cured another of a deplorable diabetes by the same method , especially with lime-water . chap. xcii . of incontinence of vrine . incontinence of urine proceeds from a fault of the retentive faculty of the bladder ; it befalls either people waking , and then the cause is great , or sleeping , and then it is less , for at that time the animal functions are not so freely exercised ; and this happens two ways , viz. either by the weakness , or laxity of the sphincter muscle of the bladder ; which sucking children are subject to , old people , and some in their middle age , and others by false imagination ; for many there are , who by reason of excessive drinking , or by reason of the exquisite sense of the bladder , or sharp urine , piss in bed , in some sort willingly ; for they imagine in their sleep , that they are making water against the wall or some other place ; and they are so accustomed to this vice , that they do it where there is no fault either in bladder or muscle of it , and they are not cured by medicines , but by rectifying their imagination , as in children by the rod , and in grown people by placing some precious things upon the places where they think they make water in their dreams ; and by shewing such things to them often . but a preternatural disorder occasioning an incontinence of urine , is seated in the sphincter muscle , which is either affected sympathically , or idiopathically , it is affected by sympathy many ways , as when the whole body is weak , and the natural heat decayed , as when death approaches , or when the whole body , or half of it , is seised with the palsie , or those branches of the nerves only , which arising from the os sacrum , are communicated to the bladder . this resolution of the muscles , is occasioned sometimes by reason of the nearness to other parts affected ; as in women with child , in swellings and pains of the womb , and great diseases of the right gut. but the sphincter muscle is also affected various ways , idiopathically , as by wounds upon it , as it happens in cutting for the stone , or by reason of deep wounds that hinder the contraction and shutting of it ; but the chief and most frequent cause , is a cold and moist intemperies , whereby that part is weakned and relaxed . this intemperies is much furthered by a natural cold and moist constitution , by childhood , age ; the feminine sex , by diseases of the whole body , or of some parts arising from a cold and moist intemperies , to which may be added , external causes proper to produce such an intemperies . the diagnostick signs of this disease , either shew a sympathick disease , which are to be taken from the effects proper to produce an incontinence of urine mentioned above ; and if they are present , we must suppose the disease proceeds thence ; but if they are absent we must count it idiopathick ; and if it be occasioned by a wound , ulcer , or any other disorder of the sphincter , it is easily known , but if none of these appear , we must consider whither there be a cold and moist intemperies of the part , which may be known by the constitution of the internal and external causes , and by the effects of them ; as softness of the whole body , a pale colour , a laxity of the genus nervosum , and of the genital parts by childhood , age , and a flegmatick cachexy , and the like . as to the prognostick . this disease is incurable in old age , in a feaver it is dangerous ; but it may be cured in children by increase of years , for in time the superfluous moisture may be consumed , and the lax parts rendered firm and strong . the cure of involuntary urine must be directed to the correcting of the cold and moist intemperies , and to the laxity of the sphincter muscle , for that which is occasioned by sympathy from other parts primarily affected , must be referred to the cure of those diseases ; and that which proceeds from a wound , ulcer , and other manifest diseases , depends on the cure of them ; wherefore the following method of cure must be observed , both for children and grown people ; but in children the most gentle medicines must be used , and they must be dosed accoding to their age. first , bleeding is not of use in this case , unless there be a plethora of the whole body in youth , but purges are always necessary in this case ; they must be made of phlegmagogue medicines , and astringent things may be mixed with them , especially such as purge too , as rubarb , mirobalanes , and the like . afterwards electuaries , medicated wines , and the like , must be used to dry up the phlegmatick matter , and to constringe the relaxed part . take of the nuts of cypress , and of mirtles torrified , of the raspings of ivory , coriander seeds prepared , red coral , ambar , each two drams ; of spodium one dram , of the roots of cyperus , and galingal , each half a dram ; with candied citrons ; make an electuary , whereof let him take the quantity of a chesnut morning and evening , drinking upon it a little red wine . take of the roots of comfry half an ounce , of the roots of cyperus , and galingal , each one dram ; of the leaves of plantane , horse-tail , five leaved grass with the roots each one handful ; of cypress nuts ▪ and of the cups of acorns , each four scruples ; of the seeds of rue , and of the chast tree , of frankincense , and of the raspings of ivory , each half a scruple ; of red roses one pugil , of red wine two quarts ; infuse them twenty four hours , then strain them , and add to it half an ounce of cinnamon , and with a sufficient quantity of sugar make a claret , whereof let him take three or four ounces twice a day . many specificks are proposed by authors for the cure of this disease , as the brains and testicles of a hare burnt , also a cockle in its shell burnt , and drank ; the dung of a hare , the ashes of a mouse burnt the hoof of a boar torrified , the ashes of date-stones , the powder of egg-shells , but above all the powder of agrimony , and the inward coats of the stomach of a hen dried , which may be given a part , or together , in red wine . solinander , says , he saw excellent success by the use of a cocks throat torrified , the powder was taken before supper in a little red wine , it was repeated for some days . in grown people sudorifick decoctions made of guajacum and sassafrass , and used for twenty days , are proper to dry the body . so are also bath-waters , applied with flannels . the sick must drink red rough wine by it self , or diluted with chalybeat waters , and he must drink but little at supper , he must make water just as he is going into bed , in the middle of the night , and early in the morning . and outwardly topicks must be applied to the pubis and perinaeum , such as heat , strengthen and dry . take of the roots of elecampane , sweet-smelling flag , of acorus and cyperus , each half an ounce ; of the leaves of mint , sage , wild-marjoram , calaminth , and wormwood , each half an handful ; of the nuts of cypress , mirtles , galls and balaustines , each one dram ; of red roses one pugil ; boil them in equal parts of smiths water and red wine , to one quart ; in the strained liquor dissolve of salt and allum , each one ounce ; foment the region of the pubis and perineum , morning and evening hot . of the same decoction , the quantity of it being increased , a bath may be made to be used for many days . after the fomentation or bath , the parts may be anointed with a liniment made of oyl of foxes , rue , orrise , unguentum , martiatum , aregon , and with the powder of mastich , cyperus , and mirtles , or the following plaister may be applied . take of labdanum , and mastich , each two drams ; of the wood of alces , and of storax calamite , of cinnamon , and of turpentine , each one dram ; of mirtles , and of the roots of cyperus , each half a dram ; of the juice of mint and hors●-tail extracted with red wine , a sufficient quantity ; make a plaister . chap. xciii . of a total suppression of urine , and of the strangury . a total suppression of urine is called by authors ischuria , but when the voiding of urine is lessened they term it a strangury . an ischuria or total suppression of urine is twofold , viz. true when the bladder is full , and false when the bladder is empty , and nothing comes from the reins to it . the true ischury depends on three causes , the first whereof is sense abolished in the bladder by reason of a palsie or obstruction of its nerve , or because the spirits are diverted another way , as in a delirium or the like . the second cause is a cold intemperies of the bladder . the third cause is a narrowness of the neck of the bladder , and of this three causes are assigned , for the muscle incompassing the neck of the bladder is so swelled that the passage is stopt , or a caruncle grows in the neck of the bladder , or a callus is generated there , the passage is also obstructed by a stone , by a thick humour , a clot of blood , or by matter . the passage is also stopt by a swelling of the neighbouring parts , as by a large child in the womb , by the excrements hardened in the right gut , and by the piles much swelled . this suppression also happens sometimes by too great a quantity of water retained too long , that so much distend , the whole body of the bladder , that it cannot be contracted to expel it ; first , when any person that is well retains his urine for want of a convenient place to void it in , or when the nerves of the bladder are affected , so that the bladder cannot be sensible of the weight and fulness . a false ischury is occasioned by reason either the serum is not put off upon the reins , or not conveighed through the ureters , they being stopt by a stone or the like . a true ischury is known by a weight and tension of the hypogaster , and by a swelling resembling the bladder . the causes of it are known by things that go before , and accompany it ; for if it proceed from a large quantity of urine , which hinders a contraction of the bladder , it is perceived by the relation of the sick , he having omitted to make water , by reason of long travelling , or by being in the presence of great persons ; and if he never had it before in those parts ; but if he be delirious or paralitick , the suppression of urine may be imputed to either of these diseases . the compression that is made by tumours , of those or of the neighbouring parts , or by other causes above mentioned may be known by the proper signs of those diseases . the obstructions of the channel of the bladder may be known by probing it with a wax candle , or a catheter ; and if they do not penetrate , but stop in the passage , it is a sign that a stone or a caruncle , or some other matter obstructs ; and these things that obstruct may be distinguished , viz. if a stone stop the channel , nephritick pains went before , if it fell from the reins , and if it was bred in the bladder , or lay a long while there , the signs of the stone in the bladder preceded , at least some of the gentlest of them ; if a caruncle stop the passage , a virulent gonorrhea preceded , or an ulcer in the passage of the yard , that emitted purulent matter for a long time . lastly , if clotted blood , or concreted matter , or thick pus , occasioned the obstruction , small parts of them have been evacuated through the yard , or have stuck to the catheter , when it has been used . a false ischury may be known , for that there is no tension nor no tumour nor weight in the region of the pubis , but rather a vacuity is perceived there ; there is no desire of making water , nor no irritation of the bladder ; and when the catheter is used it passes in easily ; but signs of the stone in the kidneys went before , or of an inflammation of the ureters , or of great fullness , or large drinking went before , but little urine followed ; upon which account the veins were too much filled . or lastly , there is a burning feaver or a dropsie , whereby the serous matter is diverted . as to the prognostick , a suppression of urine is very dangerous , if it exceed the seventh day it certainly kills , for the serum regurgitates upon the whole body , and the patient is in danger of a suffocation , or a coma. suppression of urine , occasioned by a wound in the spine , or by reason of a luxation of a vertebra is incurable . if the smell of urine can be perceived from the mouth , or nostrils of the sick , it is deadly . if a tenesmus come upon a suppression of urine , the sick dies in seven days . the hickops also indicate sudden death . the cure of a suppression of urine , whether it be total or partial , is to be directed to the taking off the causes : and first , the false ischury , that depends on the diseases of the reins or ureters , must be cured in the same manner as an inflammation , a nephritick pain , or the stone in the kidneys : but that which proceeds from a fulness of the emulgent veins must be cured by large bleeding , and by hydragogue medicines . a true ischury must be also cured by remedies that take off the cause producing it . and first , if it proceed from an inflammation of the bladder , or neighbouring parts , it must be cured as an inflammation of the bladder is ; but if the suppression is caused by a stone thrust into the neck of the bladder , it must be removed by the following remedies . first , the sick must be laid upon his back , and his legs must be elevated , and he must be shook much , and a long while , that the stone may fall back into the bladder ; and if by this means it cannot be moved , it must be forced back with a catheter ; but if the stone has passed into the passage of the yard , we must endeavour by all ways to exclude it , by moving gently with the fingers towards the end of the yard , and also by dipping the yard into warm milk , or by placing the sick in a bath , to enlarge the passage : but if it will neither go backwards nor forwards , practitioners teach that it must be cut out , the upper and lower part being tied . but an obstruction of the neck of the bladder , which proceeds from an inflammation , must be cured by proper remedies for an inflammation . but in the mean time , if the urine be retained too long , it may be gently let out by a wax-candle dipt in oyl of sweet almonds : but you must forbear the use of a catheter , least pain being occasioned , you should increase the inflammation thereby . but the suppression of urine , which proceeds from a caruncle , must be cured by the extirpation of the caruncle . this must be done by proper remedies thrust in by a skillful chirurgion upon a wax-candle . but necessity urging , for sometimes the caruncle swells , and obstructs the whole channel , we must use the catheter to evacuate the water , though there is danger that the part will swell more . but you must first endeavour to lessen the inflation of the caruncle by bleeding and vomiting , and by repelling medicines applied to the pubes and perinaeum . if the suppression of urine be occasioned by thick flegm , purging is first convenient , with diaphaenicon and rubarb made up in a bolus , and afterwards turpentine must be given frequently with powder of liquorish ; afterwards a decoction of the opening roots may be given , with oxymel and byzantine syrup . in the mean while glisters , fomentations , and emollien and opening baths must be used ; and all those things are proper that are proposed to dissolve or expell the stone . and amongst the rest the following are found by experience peculiarly proper . take of benedictum laxativum half an ounce , of the troches of mirrh two scruples , of a decoction of savin three ounces ; mingle them , make a potion , whereby a suppression of urine was cured in a short time in a certain woman . if there seem to be abundance of flegm in the whole body , a universal purge by an apozem prepared for three or four days must be ordered , which is proper at the beginning , bleeding being first used . a julep also of the juice of pellitory , of sea-fennel , and of lemmons , with oyl of sweet almonds , is also very beneficial . dodoneus mentions an observation of one of eighty years of age , that was perfectly cured of a suppression of urine , by only using once a lee made of the ashes of egg-shells , mixed with rhenish-wine . arnoldus villa novanus commends winter-cherry-wine , and he mentions a cardinal , who had not made urine for four days , and was much swelled , was cured by drinking winter-cherry-wine ; the wine was made by beating five or seven or more winter-cherries with good white-wine ; afterwards it must be strained . millepedes also beat and given in white-wine are very effectual to provoke urine ; oyl of scorpions of mathiolus also forces urine powerfully , five or six drops of it being given with broth or some other liquor . the frequent use of sal-prunella does also the same , especially when there is danger of an inflammation , which is often occasioned in the inner coat by the urine too long retained ; spirit of salt also does the same , but is more effectual ; the juice of pellitory clarified , and four ounces of it given with half an ounce of sugar is very good ; sal-prunella , or the spirit of salt may be mixed with it . if suppression of urine occasioned by a phlegmatick matter often recur , nothing is better than the bath-waters , which easily dissolve and cleanse away the mucilaginous matter . a certain nobleman , that was afflicted with a suppression of urine for many days , after other medicines used to no purpose , was freed by injecting the following glyster , which he retained two hours . take of the roots of smallage and parsly , knee holm , asparagous mallows , each two drams ; of pellitory two handfuls , of the seeds of annise , fennel , daucus , bishop-weed , bastard saffron , rue , cummi● , and juniper-berries , each half an ounce ; of the flowers of camomil , mellilot , dill , and stoechas , each two pugils ; boil them in whitewine till half is consumed ; in one pint of the strained liquor dissolve four ounces of fresh butter , of honey of roses two ounces , of red sugar one ounce , of benedictum laxativum half an ounce , of the yolk of one egg , of oyls of nuts , dill , or linseeds , one ounce ; make a glister . in the whole course of the cure fomentations , liniments , cataplasms , baths , and the like , must be used ; among other things a cataplasm of pellitory fried with butter , or rather with oyl of scorpions is good ; also a bladder half full of oyl wherein cantharides have been boyled . a cataplasm made of onyons fried in lard and with some oyl , is commonly applied to the region of the pubis and loins . when an ischury proceeds from clotted blood , troches of ambar , mumny , simple oxymel , oxymel of squills , syrup of sorrel , and the like , must be used ; and cow-dung outwardly applied does wonders . lastly , when the suppressions proceeds from pus , things that cleanse and incide must be used , such chiefly as were proposed for an ulcer of the reins and bladder . chap. xciv . of a dysury , or heat of vrine . the next and immediate cause of rendring urine with pain , is a solution of the continuum in the sphincter muscle , or channel of the bladder , and therefore whatsoever causes solution of the continuum in those parts , occasions also a dysury or heat of urine . among these causes , the chief and most frequent is an acrimony of the urine , sometimes simple without the mixture of other humours , which a hot intemperies of the bowels , or of the whole body , or the use of acrid and hot meats , occasions it . but it is most commonly from a mixture of acrid humours , sometimes matter flowing from the reins or bladder ulcerated , occasion such an acrimony in the urine , and sometimes a white and milky matter that is emitted plentifully with the urine , occasions the heat of it ; also a stone in the bladder , or gravel produces the same . lastly , an inflammation , as in a gonorrhea , as long as the prostratae are inflamed , the heat of urine continues . the signs of the causes may be thus distinguished , if it proceeds from an acrimony , the urine is thin and high coloured , or there will be a mixture of purulent matter , and an intemperies of the bowels went before , or hot and acrid aliments , the heat of the air or the like heating causes preceded . lastly , stones and inflammations of these parts , may be known by their proper signs . as to the prognostick , this disease is not of it self dangerous , but is very troublesome to the patient , and is sometimes difficultly cured , especially in old men , who , if they are decrepid , have it as long as they live ; and if it continue long in any age , it ulcerates the neck of the bladder . the cure is first to be directed to the taking off the cause ; and therefore if it arise from the stone , an inflammation , or from an ulcer of the bladder , or the neck of it , the cure must be taken from the chapters of these diseases ; but those things which are mentioned below , may much abate the symptom . but that which proceeds from an acrimony of urine , and from hot humours mixed with it , must be cured with the following remedies . and first , to qualifie the intemperies of the parts , frequent bleeding is necessary , and it must be often repeated , if there be a great quantity of blood , or danger of an inflammation : purges are also convenient in this disease , but they must be lenitive and cooling , for otherwise they mightily exasperate the heat of urine , wherefore some do not dare to give any thing besides a simple bolus of cassia ; and this is certainly to be preferred before all other things . yet it may be made more cooling if tamarinds are added to it , or a decoction of lettice , purslain , and the tops of mallows with cassia , may be taken for many days , that the acrid humours flowing to the urinary parts , may be by degrees turned upon the bowels , but yet if a large quantity of ill humours requires more purging , we may use the following potion . take of the leaves of lettice , purslain , plantane , and the tops of mallows , each half an ounce ; of tamarinds , half a dram , of yellow mirobalans one dram ; boil them to six ounces ; in the strained liquor dissolve one ounce of cassia fresh drawn ; strain them again , and afterwards add the infusion of one dram and an half of rubarb in lettice water , with yellow sanders , of manna , and of syrup of roses , each one ounce ; make a potion . vomiting also , with gentle remedies , is excellent , for it makes revulsion from the part affected , and does not occasion those disorders that purging does ; and therefore such as can bear vomiting well , may take a gentle vomit once or twice a week . glisters also frequently injected do good . take of the roots of marsh-mallows one ounce , of the leaves of mallows , violets , and lettice , each one handful ; of the flowers of water-lillies , and of barley cleansed , each one pugil ; boil them to a pint , in the strained liquor dissolve an ounce of cassia newly extracted , one whole egg , and two ounces of oyl of violets ; make a glister . the mucilages of the seeds of marsh mallows , quinces , fenugreek , may be mixed with glisters to ease the pain . but to qualifie the heat , and to ease the pain , glisters of milk by it self or mixed with the foregoing things are usually so effectual , that i have known some eased of long pains with this remedy only , and by the bath which shall be mentioned by and by . but many things may be given inwardly to asswage the pain , and to correct the intemperies of the parts affected . take of the waters of purslain , lettice , and water-lillies , each one ounce ; of the syrup of violets , and of water-lillies , each six drams ; sal-prunella one dram ; mingle them , make a julep to be repeated often . emulsions may be also used , though they are diuretick , because they cool and gently cleanse the urinary passages . take of the four greater cold seeds , and of white poppies , each three drams ; of sweet almonds blanched , and infused in cold water , half an ounce ; bruise them in a marble mortar , and pour upon them gently a pint and an half of the decoction of barly , of liquorish , and the tops of mallows ; make an emulsion for three doses , adding to each one ounce of syrup of violets , and a dram of sal-prunella ; if the pain be very violent , some syrup of poppies may be added to it , and a dram of gum arabick powdered . broths may be also prepared in the following manner . take of the roots of marshmallows half an ounce , of mallows one handful , of liquorish half an ounce , of the seeds of quinces one dram ; boil them with chicken broth , and let it be taken for several days together . the whey of goats milk is also very good , a large draught of it being taken at a time ; and if there be no feaver , milk it self is more effectual , especially asses milk. if the disease is inveterate , epsom and tunbridge-waters are very proper . forestus cured himself of a violent dysury , by only using a decoction of mallows sweetned with syrup of violets ; a conserve of mallows has also done much good , an ounce of it having been taken morning and evening , and three ounces of mallow-water being drank presently after ; the conserve of the flowers of marshmallows is as good or rather better ; some practitioners commend the troches of alkakengi ; a dram of them being taken at a time in some proper liquor . when the pain is very violent , the dipping the yard in milk , whilst the urine is rendring , or in a decoction of mallows , and the seeds of white poppies , does much good in this case . a small decoction of mallows sweetned with syrup of violets , or with conserve of roses , is very proper for the ordinary drink . and to ease the pain , injections may be made for the passage of the bladder of milk , an emulsion of the cold seeds of plantane and whey , whereunto may be added the white of an egg well beaten , and a scruple of the troches of alkakengi . external remedies do also much good to qualifie the heat of urine , as baths and fomentations applied to the pubis and perinaeum , made of a decoction of cooling herbs ; also liniments made of oyls of roses , of white-lillies , and of oyntment of roses , and of the white oyntment with camphor . chap. xcv . of a chlorosis , or the green-sickness . the green-sickness is a vitious habit of the body proceeding from obstructions , it is accompanied most commonly with a palpitation of the heart , difficulty of breathing , and a longing for absurd things , and with an unfitness for motion , and other symptoms . the diagnostick manifestly appears by the following series of symptoms . first , the face and whole body is pale , and sometimes of a leaden , livid , and green colour . secondly , an inflation , and as it were a swelling , appears upon the eye-lids ; the legs also swell , especially about the ankles . thirdly , there is a dulness and unwillingness for motion . fourthly , there is a difficulty of breathing , especially when they move much , or go up stairs . fifthly , there is a palpitation of the heart upon motion . sixthly , there is a heavy , and often a lasting pain of the head. seventhly , the pulse is quick . eighthly , the sick are drowsie , and incline to sleep . ninthly , there is a great aversion for wholesome food . lastly , the disease increasing , and the obstructions being multiplied , a suppression of the courses at length follows which shews the disease is confirmed . as to the prognostick , this disease most commonly is no● dangerous , but if it be neglected too much , it occasions great diseases , as a scirrhus , tumours , a dropsie , and other grietvous diseases , which at length kill the patient . when the disease is small , and chiefly arises from obstructions of the veins of the womb , it is easily cured by marriage in young virgins . women that have had this disease a long while , are either barren , or bring forth children that are sickly and short liv'd . there is great hopes of cure , when the courses keep their exact periods , and flow in a due quantity and quality . the cure of this disease is performed by opening obstructions , by purging off the vitious humours , by correcting the intemperies of the bowels , and by strengthning them . first therefore , a gentle purging medicine must be given that is agreeable to the constitution , that the first region may be only emptied ; and if the belly be bound , a glister must be given first of all . afterwards bleeding must be ordered , unless the disease is very inveterate , and the maid be inclined to a cachexy . but a vein in the arm must be opened , though the courses are stopped , for at that time if you should bleed in the foot , the obstructions of the veins and of the womb would be increased : that quantity of blood being taken away that is necessary , proper purges must be used , viz. take of the pill coch major two scruples , of castor powdered two grains , of peruvian balsam four drops ; make four pills , let her take them at five in the morning , and let her sleep after them . let these pills be repeated twice or thrice every morning , or every other morning , according to the strength of the sick and their operation . after the purging pills let her take the following . take of the filings of steel grains eight , with a sufficient quantity of extract of wormwood ; make two pills to be taken in the morning , and they must be repeated at five in the afternoon . she must continue this course for thirty days , drinking presently after the pills a draught of wormwood wine . if a bolus be more pleasing . take of the conserve of roman-wormwood and of the conserve of the yellow peel of oranges , each one ounce ; of candied angelica , and nutmegs candied , and of venice treacle , each half an ounce ; of ginger candied two drams , with a sufficient quantity of syrup of oranges , make an electuary . take of this electuary one dram and an half , of the filings of steel well powdered eight grains , with a sufficient quantity of syrup of oranges , make a bolus to be taken in the morning , and at five in the afternoon , drinking upon it a draught of wormwood-wine . take of choice mirrh , and of galbanum , each one dram and an half ; of castor sixteen grains , with a sufficient quantity of peruvian balsam ; make twelve pills of each dram . let her take three every night at bed time , drinking upon them three or four spoonfuls of compound briony water through the whole course : but if these pills should purge , then the following must be used instead of them . take of castor one dram , of volatile salt of ambar half a dram , with a sufficient quantity of extract of rue ; make five and twenty small pills . let her take three every night at bed-time . cahp. xcvi . of the suppression of the courses . there is said to be a suppression of the courses , when in women of a mature age , that neither give suck , nor are with child , the evacuation of blood by the womb , which naturally is wont to be monthly , seldom or sparingly proceeds or is wholly stopt . the cause of this suppression , is to be referred either to the womb or to the vessels of it , or to the blood which flows or ought to flow through them . various diseases of the womb may occasion this suppression , namely a cold moist intemperies , or a hot and dry intemperies ; also organical diseases of the part , as an inflammation , or scirrhus , or the like . the vessels of the womb also often occasion obstructions , which is the most frequent cause of the suppression of the courses , they being stopt by cold and thick humours , or compressed by swellings of the neighbouring parts . the blood is peccant , when it is thick and clammy , or when it is evacuated by other ways , as by the nostrils , vomiting , spitting , hemorrhoides , and many other parts . i saw , sayes riverius , a girl that had a pustle in the head which opened monthly , and evacuated a large quantity of blood ; and i have seen many , says he , that by casting up blood periodically from the lungs , had the courses that way . the external causes occasioning this suppression , are cold and dry air , and a northerly season going into cold water , especially when the courses flow , too little or too much nourishment taken , also gross and cold meats , or such as are astringent and such as are too hot , or such as are salted and spiced too much , violent exercise , immoderate watchings , much sleep , immoderate ease , bleeding at the nose , or piles , a loosness , and other evacuations by vomit , urine , and sweat : and lastly , violent passions , as extream anger , a sudden fright , long sorrow , great jealousie , and the like . the diagnostick of the suppression must be received from the sick ; but because it proceeds both from natural and preternatural causes , the signs of both shall be distinctly proposed , least physicians should be deceived by women being with child , by illegitimate coition , and so prescribe medicines to provoke the courses rashly to women with child . first therefore , women with child most commonly retain their natural colour , and others do not . secondly , the symptoms which use to happen to women with child , at the beginning abate daily ; but on the contrary , in a suppression of the courses , the longer they are stopt , so much the more the symptoms are increased . thirdly , in women with child , after the third month , the motion and situation of the child may be sensibly perceived , by laying the hand on the belly ; but in others the swelling is oedematous , and not at all hard ; nor is it always contained within the limits of the womb. fourthly , if the inward mouth of the womb be touched by a skilful midwife , she will find it not exactly closed , as it is in women with child , but rather hard , contracted , and somewhat painful . fifthly , women with child are most commonly chearful ; but on the contrary in a suppression they are most commonly sorrowful and sad . the faults of the womb which occasion a suppression , may be seen by inspection , and be felt by touching the parts . the obstruction and narrowness of the vessels of the womb , may be known by the disorder that is felt in the loyns , and in the parts near the womb , especially just before the coming of the courses ; and if any thing flows out it is mucous , whitish or blackish . the diseases of the neighbouring parts , which stop the mouth of the womb , or the veins , may be known by their proper signs . an abundance of blood may be known by the veins being much swelled in the legs and arms , if the woman be fleshy , and of a ruddy countenance , and has indulged her self for a long while in high eating . but a defect of blood may be guessed at , if the woman be fat , if she has had a long feaver , and has fasted a long while ▪ or has loathed he● meat . an ●ll quality of the blood may be known by an ill habit of body ; the preposterous motion of the blood , viz. when it flows by contrary passages , is manifest of it self . as to the prognostick , a suppression of the courses is very dangerous , and many desperate diseases rise from it ; some in the womb , as tumours abscesses , and ulcers ; others in the whole body , and in various parts , as feavers , obstructions , cachexies , loathing of meat , a dropsie , a cardialgia , a cough , difficulty of breathing , fainting , melancholly , madness , pains of the head , gout , and many others ; if the suppression continue long the belly grows hard , great quantity of urine is voided , there is a loathing of meat , and long watching , the legs , feet , and belly swell , and they die of a dropsie . the cure of this disease must be varied according to the variety of the causes . and first , if it proceed from too great a quantity of blood , bleeding must be ordered in the arm , and a large quantity of blood must be taken away , afterwards it must be drawn downwards by opening the lower veins , about the time the woman used to have her courses before she was ill . frictions , ligatures , cupping-glasses , with and without scarification , may be used . if by reason of want of blood the courses stop , as after long feavers , after great evacuations , and when the body is much wasted , you must not endeavour to provoke the courses , till the body is replenished , and till a sufficient quantity of blood is bred ; which being done , they generally follow of their own accord . but if it happen that nature forget her office , she must be roused up by opening the lower veins , and by medicines proposed in the foregoing chapter ; but the quantity of blood taken away must be moderate , least the strength should be dejected , and the sick should fall into a consumption . but here it must be carefully noted , that every wasting of the body does not indicate a want of blood ; but only that which succeeds great evacuations , and the like ; for sometimes it happens , that the courses being suppressed , and retained in the veins , occasion an ill quality , whereby the blood is rendred unfit to nourish the parts ; upon which account the body wasts though the veins are full of blood , in which case large bleeding is required . as to the suppression of the courses , which happens by a preposterous motion of the blood , when it is evacuated by bleeding at the nose , by vomiting , spitting , or the hemorrhoides , and other parts . the cure of it is performed by repelling the blood from the parts through which it flows preternaturally , and by drawing it back to the passage of the womb. the first is performed , when the blood rushes out of the upper parts , by washing the arms , head , and face with cold water , and by forbearing the exercise of those parts , especially singing , and speaking aloud . the second is performed by opening the inferior veins three or four days before the blood breaks out , and by cupping-glasses applied to the thighs and legs , sometimes with , sometimes without scarification , by provoking the hemorrhoids , by frictions , ligatures , walking , fomentations , baths made of opening herbs , pessaries , uterine glisters , and by other things to be described below . but the bath-water is especially commended , and the sick must bath in them often a good while after meals ; but the water must not rise above the hypochondres , and at the same time , the upper parts must be cooled by fanning them . if the blood flow by the hemmorrhoides , the cure is very difficult , for if you use things to draw downwards , they bring the blood also to the fundament ; and if you use astringent things to it , they , by reason of the nearness of the parts , repel what should be brought to the womb , so that the only way of cure , is to apply such things to the womb as may allure the blood thither , after you have used such things as draw the blood downwards . but the most frequent obstruction of all , is that which proceeds from an obstruction of the veins of the womb , the cure whereof is in a manner the same with that of the green sickness : but the eruption of them must be helpt by opening a vein in the foot about the time they used to flow when the patient was well ; as also by cupping-glasses applied to the hips and legs , instead of bleeding with , or without scarification , by frictions of those parts , and by painful ligatures . take of the roots of round birthwort half a dram , of the leaves of dried savin one dram and an half , of dittany of crete , and of troches of mirrh , without assa-faetida , each one dram ; of choice cinnamon two drams , of white sugar two ounces ; make a powder , whereof let her take two drams every morning for some days , with the broth of red vetches wherein two drams of cinnamon , and half a dram of saffron have been boiled . take of roots of briony , of lillies , cyperus , valerian , angelica , asarabacca , orris , and parsley , each one ounce ; of the leaves of mugwort , bays , rue , savin , thym , rosemary , penny-royal , nep , mallows , mercury , each one handful ; of the flowers of elder , of wall-flowers , and of camomil , each two pugils ; of the grains of juniper two ounces ; boil them in water and whitewine ; with the strained liquor foment the belly and thighs with a spunge . with the same decoction , the quantity being increased , a bath may be made , wherein the sick may sit up to the navel , and the boiled herbs being put in a bag , may be applied to her belly ; but you must take care that she does not sweat , for that rather stops the courses . take of the leaves of mercury bruised one handful , of the powder of hiera picra , and of benedictum laxativum , each two drams ; of the powder of long birthwort one dram , with a sufficient quantity of honey , or the juice of mercury ; make a pessary injections are also wont to be made for the womb , which are called uterine glisters , for they cleanse it from filth sticking to the sides , and they open the inner orifices of the vessels : they may be prepared with a decoction for the fomentation above described , the acrid things being left out , or of fat figs with mugwort , penny-royal , mercury , or only of the juice of mercury clarified , wherein a little benedictum laxativum has been dissolved , for you must not use acrid things , lest they should occasion an inflammation . and after the use of these things , which must be retained only an hour , it is convenient to inject a decoction of mallows , barley , and violets , or a little hydromel diluted with the whey of goats milk. when the disease is inveterate , issues in the leg do much good . in the use of the forementioned medicines some things are to be observed . first , you must never use remedies to force the courses , unless general evacuations went before . secondly , you must begin with gentle means , and proceed by degrees to stronger . thirdly , medicines that are given to move the courses must be taken in a large quantity . fourthly , pessaries and uterine glisters must be prescribed only for married women : but for virgins fomentations , baths , and the following fume may be ordered . take of cloves , cinnamon , and mace , each two drams ; of juniper-berries half an ounce , of the seeds of nigella one dram , of storax calamit two drams ; make a gross powder which must be cast upon coals , and the fume must be received through a tunnel . lastly , in cholerick and melancholly constitution , the hottest medicines must be avoided , and only such as are gentle must be used , and things that are opening , moistening , and mollifying , must be mixed with them . chap. xcv . of an immoderate flux of the courses . an immoderate flux of the courses invades either in child-bed , or at other times : as to the first , that afflicts women most on the first days after a difficult labour , and is accompanied with a long train of hysterick symptoms ; and as it happens only on the first days , so usually does not last long , for if a thickning diet be ordered , it soon abates . the following drink may be also used . take of plantain water , and red wine , each one pint ; boil them till a third part is consumed : sweeten it with a sufficient quantity of white sugar , and let her take half a pint of it twice or thrice a day , and in the mean while some gentle hysterick julep may be used , and the following nodulus may be often held to the nostrils . take of galbanum and assa foetida , each two drachms , of castor one drachm and an half , of volatile salt of amber half a drachm ; mingle them , make a nodulus . or two drachms of spirit of sal armoniack may be often held to the nose . but as to the flux which happens out of child-bed , though it befals women at any time , yet most commonly it invades a little before the time they leave them , viz. when they are about forty five years of age , if they had them very young , and about fifty if it was late before they began to have them : and by reason of the great quantity of blood , which is continually evacuated , they are almost continually seized with hysterick fits ; and though in this case hystericks both inward and outward may be used by the by ( but you must forbear the strongest , lest they should further the flux ) yet the cure must be managed by such things as stop the flux . you must bleed in the arm , and eight ounces of blood must be taken away . the next morning the following purge must be given . take of tamarinds half an ounce , of s●na two drachms , of rhubarb one drachm and an half , infuse them in a sufficient quantity of fountain water : in three ounces of the strained liquor ▪ dissolve of manna and syrup of roses solutive , each one ounce ; make a purging potion , which is to be repeated every third day for twice , every night at bed-time , through the whole course of the disease ; let an anodyn be given of an ounce of diacodium . take of the conserve of dryed roses two ounces , of the troches of lemnian earth one drachm and an half , of pomgranate peel , and of red coral prepared , each two scruples , of blood-stone , of dragon's-blood , and of bole-armenick , each two scruples ; with a sufficient quantity of simple syrup of coral make an electuary , whereof let her take the quantity of a large nutmeg in the morning and at five in the afternoon , drinking upon it six spoonfuls of the following julep . take of the waters of oak-buds , and of plantain , each three ounces , of cinnamon-water hordeated , and of syrup of dried roses , each one ounce , of spirit of vitrial a sufficient quantity , to make it pleasantly acid . take of the leaves of plantain , and of nettles , each a sufficient quantity , beat them together in a marble-mortar , and press out the juice , clarifie it and give six spoonfuls of it cold three or four times in a day . after the first purge apply the following plaster to the region of the loins . take of the plasters of diapalma , and ad herniam , each equal parts , mix them and spread them upon leather . a cooling and thickning diet must be ordered , only it may be proper to allow once or twice a day a small glass of claret ; which tho' it be not so proper , because it is apt to raise an ebullition , yet it may be allowed to recover the strength . this method may be also used to prevent miscarriage , but the juices and the purges must be omitted . chap. xcvi . of the whites . this obstinate and lasting disease may be cured by bleeding once , and by purging with two scruples of pill . coch. major four times , and by the following corroboratives . take of venice treacle one ounce and an half , of the conserve of the yellow peel of oranges one ounce , of diascordium half an ounce , of ginger candied , and nutmegs candied , each three drachms , of compound powder of crabs-eyes , one drachm and an half , of the outward peel of pomgranates , of the roots of spanish angelica , and of the troches of lemnian earth , each one drachm , of bole-armenick two scruples , of gum arabick half a drachm , with a sufficient quantity of syrup of dried roses make an electuary ; whereof let her take the quantity of a large nutmeg in the morning , and at five in the afternoon , and at night drinking upon it six spoonfuls of the following infusion . take of the roots of elecampane , masterwort , angelica and gentian , each half an ounce , of the leaves of roman wormwood , white horehound , the lesser centaury , and calaminth , each one handful , of juniper berries one ounce : cut them small , and infuse them in five pints of canary-wine , let them stand in infusion , and strain them only as you use them . through the whole course of corroboratives purging must not be used , for every evacuation spoils what the corroborative has done . chap. xcvii . of hysterick and hypochondriack diseases . these diseases , if i calculate right , are the most frequent of all chronical diseases ; and as fevers , with those diseases that appertain to them , if they are compared with chronical , taken altogether , make two thirds ; so , hysterical diseases , at least those that go under that name , are half the remaining third , that is , chronical diseases are half hysterick ; for very few women , which sex contains half of grown people , are wholly free from all kinds of hysterick diseases , if you except those who being accustomed to labour live hardly ; yea , many of those men that live sedentary lives , and are wont to study hard , are afflicted with the same disease ; and though , heretofore , hysterical symptoms were always reckoned to proceed from a vicious womb , yet if we compare hypochondriack symptoms , which were supposed to proceed from obstructions of the spleen or bowels , or from some other i know not what obstructions , with women's hysterick symptoms , an egg is scarce more like an egg , than these symptoms are like one another in all respects : but it must be confessed , that women are much more subject to this kind of disease , than men. this disease is not only frequent , but so wonderfully various , that it resembles almost all the diseases poor mortals are subject to ; for whatever part it seats it self in , it presently produces such symptoms as belong to it ; and unless the physician be very sagacious and very skilful , he will be mistaken , and suppose that t●ese symptoms proceed from an essential disease of this or that part , and not from an histerical distemper . sometimes , for instance , it possesses the head , and occasions an apoplexy , which also ends in an hemipl●gy , and this seizes women very often after delivery ; or it is occasioned by hard labour , or some violent commotion of the mind . sometimes it produces violent convulsions very like an epilepsy , the belly and bowels swelling toward the throat , the patient strugling so violently , that though at other times her strength is but ordinary , she now can scarce be held by all the strength of the by-standers , uttering some odd and inarticulat sounds , and striking her breast . women who are accustomed to this disease , commonly called mother-fits , are generally extraordinary sanguine , and have a habit of body almost like that of a virago . sometimes it possesses the outward part of the head , betwixt the pericranium and skull , causing violent pain continually fixed in one part , which may be covered with the top of your thumb , and violent vomiting accompanies this pain : i call this species clavus hystericus , chiefly afflicting those that have the green-sickness . sometimes falling upon the vital parts , it occasions so great a palpitation of the heart , that the women who are afflicted with it , may verily believe that the by-standers may hear the sound of the heart thumping upon the ribs . this kind chiefly afflicts those that are of a thin habit of body and of a weak constitution , and who look almost tabid ; and also , young maids that have the green-sickness . sometimes the patient coughs almost without intermission , but expectorates nothing . this kind of hysterick-cough is very rare , and chiefly invades women that abound in flegm . sometimes rushing violently upon the colon , and the region under the scrobiculum cordis , it occasions violent pain , much like the iliack passion , and the woman vomits exceedingly , ejecting a certain green matter somewhat like that they call porraceous bile ; and sometimes matter of an unusual colour : and often after the sick have been almost destroyed by the said pain , which would tire a stoical apathy , and reachings to vomit for many days , at length it is carried off by the jaundice tincturing the superficies of the body like saffron . moreover , the sick is oppressed by an anguish of mind , and wholly despairs of recovery , with dejection of mind , and as it were a certain desperation ; as certainly accompanies this kind of hysterick disease , as the pain and vomiting above-mentioned . this kind chiefly invades those that are of a lax and crude habit of body , and those that have suffered much in bringing forth great children . when this disease falls upon one of the kidnies , it plainly represents , by the pain it causes there , a nephritick fit ; and not only by that sort of pain , and by the place it rages in , but also by the violent vomitings that accompanies it , and for that sometimes the pain extends it self through the passage of the ureter ; so that it is very difficult to know whether these symptoms proceed from the stone , or from some hysterick disease ; unless , perchance , some unlucky accident disturbing the woman's mind , a little before she was taken ill of the vomiting of green matter , shews that the symptoms rather proceed from an hysterick disease , than from the stone . nor is the bladder free from this false symptom ; for it does not only cause pain there , but it also stops the urine , just as if there were a stone , whereas there is none : but this last kind seizing the bladder , happens very seldom . that which resembles the stone in the kidnies is not so rare ; both use to invade those women , who are much weak'ned by hysterick fits coming frequently , and whose health of body is much impaired . sometimes falling upon the stomach it causes c●ntinual vomiting , and sometimes a looseness , when it is setled upon the guts . but no pain accompanies either of these symptoms , though oftentimes in both the green humours appear . both these kinds are familiar with those that are weak'ned by the hysterick fits coming frequently . and as this disease afflicts almost all the inward parts , so sometimes it seizes all the outward parts , and the musculous flesh occasioning pain , and sometimes a tumour in the jaws , shoulders , hands , thighs , legs , in which kind that tumour which swells the legs , is more conspicuous than the rest . but whereas in hydropical swellings , these two things may be always taken notice of , viz. that the swelling is most in the evening , and that the finger prest upon it , leaves a pit : in this tumour the swelling is most in the morning , nor does it yield to the finger , or leave any mark behind it , and for the most part it only swells one of the legs . as to other things , if you mind the largeness of it , or its superficies , it is so very like hydropical swellings , that the patient can scarce be brought to believe that it is any other disease ; nor can the teeth free themselves from the assaults of this disease , tho' they are not hollow , and tho' there is no apparent defluxion that may occasion the pain , yet it is no whit gentler , nor shorter , nor easier cured . but these pains and tumours which afflict the outward parts , chiefly seize those women that are in a manner quite destroyed by a long series of hysterick fits , and by the force of them . but among all the torments of this disease , there is none so common as a pain in the back , which most certainly all feel , how little soever they are afflicted with this disease . moreover , this is common to the foresaid pains , that the place on which they were , will not bear touching after they are gone ; but is tender , and akes just as if it were soundly beaten : but this tenderness goes off by degrees . and this is worth observing , that often a notable cold of the external parts makes way for these symptoms , which for the most part does not go off till the fit ends ; which cold i have observed is almost like that by which a carcass grows stiff , yet the pulse is good . and moreover , all hysterick women which i have hitherto taken care of , complain of a dejection and sinking of the spirits ; and when they would shew the place where the sinking of the spirits is , they point to the region of the lungs . lastly , every one knows that hysterick women sometimes laugh excessively , and sometimes cry as much , without any real cause for either . but among all the symptoms that accompany this disease , this is the most proper , and almost inseparable , viz. a urine as clear as rock-water , and this hysterick women evacuate plentifully ; which i find , by diligent enquiry , is in almost all the pathognomonic sign of this disease , which we call hysterick in women , and hypochondriack in men ; and i have sometimes observed in men , that presently after making water of a citron colour ( yea , almost the next moment ) being suddenly seized with some violent commotion of the mind , they make water as clear as cristal , and in a great quantity with a continued violent stream , and continue ill till the urine comes to its wonted colour , and then the fit goes off . and it happens to all hysterical and hypochondriacal people , that sometimes they belch up ill fumes as often as they eat , tho' they eat only moderately , and according as they have an appetite ; and sometimes the wind that comes from the stomach is sower just like vinegar . nor are they unhappy upon this account only , viz. that their bodies are so ill affected , and as it were tottering like ruined houses just about to fall ; for their minds are more diseased than their bodies , and an incureable desperation is mixed with the very nature of the disease ; and what the roman orator said of the superstitions exactly agrees with these melancholy people , sleep , says he , seems to be a refuge to the laborious and careful , but from thence cares and fears arise , whilst only funerals and apparitions of their deceased friends are represented in dreams , and they are so tormented in body and mind that one would think their lives were a purgatory , wherein they were to purifie themselves , and to expiate crimes committed in some other state. nor does this happen only to mad people , but also to those who , if you except those impetuosities of mind , are very prudent and judicious , and who much excel for deep thought and wisdom in speech , others , who 's minds were never excited by these provokments to thinking . but this dreadful condition of mind which we have above described , seizes on those only that have much and a long while conflicted with this disease , and have been at length wholly vanquished by it , especially if adversity , care or trouble of mind or hard study , or the like , join'd with an ill habit of body , have added oil to the flame . a day would scarce be sufficient to reckon up all the symptoms belonging to hysterick diseases , and i think democritus reckoned pretty right ( though he mistook the cause of the disease ) when he said in an epistle to hippocrates , that the womb was the cause of six hundred miseries , and of innumerable calamities . the procatarctick or external causes of this disease are either violent motions of the body , or which is much oftener , vehement commotions of the mind . but to these disorders of the mind , which are usually the occasions of this disease , is to be added emptiness of the stomach , by reason of long fasting , immoderate bleeding , and a vomit or purge that works too much . as to the internal , efficient causes , in my opinion ▪ those diseases which we call hysterick in women , and hypochondriack in men , proceed from a confusion of the spirits . the origin and antecedent cause of this confusion , is a weak constitution of the spirits . in order to the cure , i order , that ounces of blood be taken from the right arm , and that the following plaster be applied to the navel . take of galbanum , dissolv'd in tincture of castor and strain'd , three drachms , of tacamacha two drachms ; mix them , make a plaster . the next morning , let her make use of the following pills . take of the pill coch. major two scruples , of castor powder'd two grains , of peruvian balsam four drops ; make four pills , let her take them at five in the morning , and sleep after them . repeat them twice or thrice every morning , or every other morning , according to their operation and the strength of the patient . take of the waters of black cherries , rue and compound briony , each three ounces ; of castor , tyed up in a rag and hanged in the glass , half a dram ; of fine sugar a sufficient quanity , make a julep , whereof let her take four or five spoonfuls when she is faint , dropping into the first dose , if the fit is violent , twenty drops of the spirit of harts-horn . after the purging pills just described are taken , let her use the following . take of the filings of steel eight grains , with a sufficient quantity of extract of wormwood ; make two pills , let her take them early in the morning , and at five in the afternoon , for thirty days , drinking upon them a draught of wormwood-wine . or , if she like a bolus better . take of conserve of roman-wormwood , and of the conserve of the yellow rind of oranges , each one ounce ; of candied angelica , and nutmogs candied , and of venice treacle , each half an ounce ; of candied ginger two drachms ; make an electuary , with a sufficient quantity of syruy of oranges . take of this electuary one drachm and an half , of the filings of steel well rubbed eight grains ; make a bolus , with a sufficient quantity of syrup of oranges , to be taken in the morning , and at five in the evening , drinking upon it a glass of wormood-wine . take of choice myrrh and galbanum , each one drachm and an half ; of castor fifteen grains , with a sufficient quantity of balsam of peru ; make twelve pills of every drachm . let her take three every night , and drink upon them three or four spoonfuls of compound briony-water , through the whole course of this process . but if the pills last prescribed move the belly , which sometimes happens in bodies that are very easily purged , by reason of the gum that is in them ; the following may be used instead of them . take of castor one drachm , of volatil salt of amber half a drachm , with a sufficient quantity of extract of rue ; make twenty four small pills : let her take three every night . but here you must take notice , that chalybeats , in whatsoever form or dose they are taken , occasion sometimes in women great disorders both of body and mind , and that not only on the first days , which is usual almost in every body , but also all the time they are taken ; in this case , the use of steel must be interrupted at those times ; but laudanum must be given every night for some time , in some hysterick water , that they may better bear it . but when the symptoms are mild , and it seems that the business may be done without taking steel , i think it sufficient to bleed and to purge three or four times , and then to give the altering hysterick pills before-mentioned , morning and evening , for ten days ; which method seldoms fails , when the disease is not violent ; yea , the pills alone , bleeding and purging being omitted , oftentimes do a great deal of good . yet we must take great notice , that some women , by a certain ideosyncrasy , so abhor hysterical medicines ( which give ease in most of the symptoms of this disease ) that they don't only not receive benefit , but are much injur'd thereby ; therefore , they must not be given to such ; for hippocrates says , 't is in vain to do any thing contrary to natures inclination . which ideosyncracy is so great and so frequent , that if we have not regard to it , the lives of the sick may be hazarded . and so hysterical diseases are most commonly cur'd and most obstructions of women , especially the green sickness ; and also , all suppressions of the courses . but if the blood is so very feeble , and the confusion of the spirits so great , that ste●l order'd to be us'd according to the method prescrib'd , is not sufficient to cure the disease , the patient must drink some mineral waters impregnated with an iron mine , such as are tunbridge , and some others lately found out , for the chalybeat vertue of these is better mingl'd with the blood , by reason of the great quantity that is taken of them , and also because they are more agreeable to nature , and they cure diseases more effectually than iron how much soever exalted by art. but this is more especially to be observ'd , in drinking of them , that if any sickness happens that is to be referr'd to hysterical symptoms , in this case the patient must forbear drinking them a day or two , till that symptom that hinder'd their passage is quite gone ; and it is to be noted , that purging must be avoided all the time the patient drinks these waters . but if this disease , by reason of its obstinacy does not yield to steel-waters , the sick must go to the bath , and when she has used them inwardly three mornings following , the next day let her go into the bath , and the day following let her drink them again , and so let her do by turns for two months ; for in these and in others , of what kind soever they are , this must be carefully noted , that the patient must persist in the use of them , not only till she perceives some benefit , but till she is quite well , that the symptoms may not return again in a short time . venice-treacle alone if it is us'd often and a long while , is a great remedy in this disease ; and not only in this but in very many other diseases , that proceed from want of heat , or concoction or digestion , 't is perhaps the most powerful that has been hitherto known . spanish wine medicated with gentian , angelica , wormwood , centory and other corroboratives infus'd in it , does a great deal of good , some spoonfuls of it being taken thrice a day , if the woman be not of a thin and cholerick habit of body ; and truly , a large draught of spanish wine by it self taken at bed-time for some nights , by my advice , has been very beneficial to some women ; for by it the habit of the whole body was render'd stronger , and they who before were cachectical , became fresh-colour'd and brisk . moreover , sometimes we find that the peruvian bark wonderfully comforts and invigorates the blood and spirits , a scruple of it being taken morning and evening for some weeks ; but it succeeds best in that kind of hysterick diseases , wherein vvomen are afflicted with convulsions . but if any of the remedies above-mentioned don't agree well , which often happens in cholerick and thin constitutions , then a milk-diet may be us'd , for some vvomen ( which one wou'd wonder at at first ) that have been conflicted a long while with hysterick diseases , and even such as have frustrated all the endeavours of physicians , yet have recover'd by dieting themselves for some time only with milk ; and especially those that labour with that disease , i call an hysterick cholick ; which can't be appeas'd by any thing but narcoticks , to which , repeated by intervals , the vvomen are much accustom'd , the pain returning assoon as the vertue of the anodyne fades . but nothing of all i have hitherto mention'd does so much comfort and strengthen the blood and spirits as riding on horse-back every day for a long while , but though it may be inconvenient for women that are accustom'd to a slothful and delicate way of living , for they may be injur'd by motion , especially at the beginning , yet 't is very proper for men , and soonest recovers their health . one of our right reverend bishops , famous for prudence and learning , having studied too hard a long while , fell at length into an hypochondriac disease , which afflicting him a long time ▪ vitiated all the ferments of the body , and wholly subverted the concoctions ; he had passed through long courses of steel more than once , and had tried almost all mineral waters , with purging often repeated , and antiscorbuticks of all kinds , and very many testaceous powders , which are reckoned proper to sweeten the blood , and so being in a manner quite worn out , partly by the disease , and partly by physick , used continually for so many years , he was at length seized with a colliquative loosness , which is wont to be the forerunner of death in consumptions , and other chronical diseases , when the digestions are wholly destroy'd . at length he advised with me ; i presently considered that there was no more room for medicine , he having taken so many already without any relief ; for which reason i persuaded him to ride on horse-back , and that first he should take such a small journey as was agreeable to his weak condition . had he not been a very judicious man , and one that weighed things well , he would not have been persuaded so much as to have tryed such a kind of exercise : i intreated him to persist in it daily , till in his own opinion he was well , going daily furthur and further , till at length he went so many miles in a day as prudent and moderate travellers , that go a long journey upon business , use to do , without any regard to meat , drink or the weather : but that he should take every thing as it happened : to be short , he continued this method , increasing his journies by degrees , till at length he rode twenty or thirty miles daily ; and when he found himself much better in few days , being encouraged with such wonderful success , he continued this course a pretty many months ; in which time , as he told me , he rode many thousand miles , till at length he did not only recover , but also gained a strong and brisk habit of body . this is the general way of curing this disease , which is applied to the original cause , viz. the weak crasis of the blood , and so is to be used only when the fit is off : therefore as often as the fit invades , joined with any one of the foresaid symptoms , if the disease be such , or so great an one , that it will not bear a truce , till it may be cured by medicines that corroborate the blood and spirits , we must presently make use of hysterick remedies , which by their strong and offensive smell recal the exorbitant and deserting spirits to their proper stations , whether they are taken inwardly , or smell'd to , or outwardly applied : such are assa foetida , galbanum , castor , spirit of sal armoniack , and lastly , whatever has a very ungrateful and offensive smell . in the next place , you must take notice , that if some intollerable pain accompanies the fit , in whatever part it is ; or violent vomiting or a loosness , than besides the hystericks above-mentioned , laudanum must be used , which only is able to restrain these symptoms . but in quieting the pains , which vomiting occasions , we must take great care that they are not mitigated either by laudanum , or any other paregorick , before due evacuations have been made , unless they almost exceed all human patience . first , because sometimes there is so great a quantity of blood and humours heap'd up ( especially in sanguine women , and in men of a proper habit ) that is able to withstand the operation of the most effectual narcotick , though it be often repeated , and therefore in such blood must necessarily be evacuated from the veins of the arm , and a purge must be given before we come to use laudanum ; for when these things are duly performed , that which before given in a large dose would do no good , does now perform the business in a moderate dose ; and then because i have found by frequent experience , that when the sick has been accustomed by little and little to laudanum , and has not been duly evacuated before she was forced , by reason of the return of the pain presently after the vertue of the medicine vanished , to take a paregorick again , and so daily for some years , the dose being sometimes by degrees increased , so that at last they can by no means abstain from laudanum , though thereby all the digestions are vitiated , and the natural functions weakned ; though i do not think that the use of laudanum does immediately hurt the brain , or nerves , or the animal faculties : therefore i judge and speak what i have found , that evacuation ought to go before anodynes , viz. in virago's , and in women that abound with blood , a vein must be opened , and the body purged , especially if they have been lately seized with the fit : but if weak women , and those of a quite contrary constitution , labour with such a fit and pain , and have been not long ago afflicted with it , it will be sufficient to cleanse their stomachs with a gallon of posset-drink , more or less , taken in and ejected by vomit , and then to give a large dose of venice treacle and a few spoonfuls of some spirituous liquor , that is pleasing to the taste , with a few drops of liquid laudanum to be taken presently after it . but if the sick has vomited a great while before the physician was called , and there is danger , lest by further provocation , by emeticks , the spirits should be put in a rage , and the sick too much weakned : in this case you must give laudanum without delay , and such a dose that is not only suitable to the violence and duration of the symptom , but such an one as is sufficient to vanquish it . but here two things are to be chiefly noted ; first that when you have once begun to use laudanum after due and necessary evacuations , it must be taken in that dose , and often repeated till the symptom is quite conquered ; only such a space must be betwixt each dose , that we may know what the former has done before we give another : and then when we treat the disease with laudanum , we must do nothing else , and nothing must be evacuated , for the gentlest glister of milk and sugar is sufficient to spoil whatever has been repaired by the paregoric , and to occasion the return of the vomiting and pain . but though the pains above-mentioned , as we have said , are apt to overcome the vertue of the anodyne , yet violent vomiting indicates the largest dose of it , and that it should be very often repeated ; for by the inverted peristaltick motion of the stomach ( by which that which is contained in it ought to be carried downwards ) the paregorick is ejected through the oesophagus , before it can do any good , unless after every time the sick vomits the narcotick be given afresh , and chiefly in a solid form , or if it be given in a liquor the vehicle must be so small , as that it must but just wet the stomach , so that by reason of the small quantity of the matter it cannot be cast up . for instance , some drops of liquid laudanum in one spoonful of strong cinnamon-water , or the like ; and the sick must be admonished to keep her self quiet , presently after taking the laudanum , and that she keep her head , as much as possible , immoveable , for the smallest motion of the head provokes vomiting more than any thing else , and then the medicine , just taken , is ejected ; and when the vomiting ceases , and is , as it were , tamed , it is expedient to give an anodyne morning and evening for a few days , to prevent a relapse , which also ought to be observed after a loosness , or an hysterick pain taken off by a narcotick ; and so at length by this method we may readily cure the symptomatick pain and vomiting , whereby , because they are very often like other diseases , physicians are easier imposed upon than by any other symptoms whatever . chap. xcviii . of an inflammation in the womb. an inflammation of the womb is a swelling of that part , from blood poured upon it . the inflammation either possesses all the womb , or a part of it ; and it is occasioned either by pure blood , and then it is called simply a phlegmon , or it is mixed with choler , or with flegm or melancholy . the diagnostick signs are a swelling , heat and pain in the region of the womb , with a continual fever . but because the right-gut and the bladder possess the same region , therefore an inflammation of the womb must be distinguished by other signs , as by a suppression or diminution of the courses , the pale or yellow colour of them , and by the pain in evacuation of them , and when the courses are gon off , by a fetid itchor that moistens the privities , the inward mouth of it will appear swell'd , drawn back and painful , and the neck will be red and inflamed . if all the womb be inflamed , all the symptoms will be more violent ; if the inflammation be most upon the neck of the womb , the heat and pain will be extended most to the croins and privities . if the forepart be most afflicted , the bladder will most sympathise : if the hinder part be most afflicted , the right gut will most sympathise , and the pain will stretch it self to the loins : if the right part or the left part be inflamed , the swelling and pain will appear about either groin , and the leg of the same side will have a weight upon it . the signs of the causes are to be known in the following manner : if the inflammation be occasioned by pure blood , all the symptoms will be gentle ; but if choler be mixed with it , the fever will be high , and all the symptoms violent ; but if the blood be flegmatic or melancholy , the fever is not so acute , but more lasting and obstinate : also the signs of the humor predominating in the body are to be referred to the diagnostick . if the inflammation tends to suppuration , the pain and fever increases , and there are shiverings which come most commonly about evening , and all the rest of the symptoms are increased . when suppuration is made they all abate , but the tumor is more increased , whereby the belly , and sometimes the urine are suppressed . but if the inflammation is discussed without suppuration , the tumor is lessened , and the symptoms abate . lastly , if it degenerate into a scirrhus , the fever and pain , and the rest of the symptoms lessen , but the swelling grows hard , and a weight remains , not only in the womb but also in the circumjacent parts ; so that the sick moves difficultly . as to the prognostick , this disease is very dangerous , and most commonly deadly , for the inflammation easily turns to a gangrene . as to the cure of this disease , revulsion and derivation must be made of the flux of blood to the womb. and it must be repelled from thence , and that which has flow'd to the part must be resolved , and if the tumor tends to suppuration , it must be furthered , and the abscess being broken , the matter must be evacuated , which may be done by the following remedies . an emollient and cooling glister being first given , the sick must be blooded in the arm ; and it must be repeated twice , thrice or four times , according to the strength of the patient , and the greatness of the inflammation . after sufficient revulsion , and the increase of the disease being over , and when there is no more fear of the fluxion , the lower veins must be opened for derivation from the part affected . but as long as there is any indication for revulsion , it is safest to open the veins of the arm. and for revulsion , frictions and ligatures of the upper parts are proper , and cupping-glasses applied to the shoulders , back and loins . if vitious humours , especially cholerick , abound in the body , which are , as it were , a vehicle for other humours in the flux , they are to be evacuated by gentle medicines ; as with syrup of roses , manna and rhubarb , or with lenitive electuary . by reason of the fever , cooling medicines are to be used ; as juleps and emulsions ; if there be great watching , pain or restlesness , narcoticks may be mingled with them , or they may be given apart . after the first evacuation topicks may be applied to the belly , betwixt the navel and the pubes , or about the reins ; first , things that cool and repel in the form of a liniment , epithem or cataplasm . a liniment may be made of oyl of roses wash'd in vineger , or with ointment of roses . an epithem may be made of waters , or of a decoction of plantain , sorrel , night-shade , of the tops of white poppies and of roses , adding to them a little bole-armenick , dragon's-blood , or sealed earth . a cataplasm may be made of crums of bread boiled in milk , to which may be added a little oil of roses ▪ the juice of henbane or of night-shade , with the yolks of eggs , or of the meal of barly ; of the seeds of flax or of fenugreek , with oil of roses ; to which also may be added , the plants above-mentioned bruised . injections may be made for the womb , in the following manner . take of the leaves of plantain , water-lillies , night-shade and endive , each one handful ; of red roses , two pugils : boyl them till a third is consumed , and add to them one ounce of oyl of mirtles , and half an ounce of vineger ; make an injection . pessaries for the womb may be made of the same herbs bruised , and with oyl of roses and vineger . but you must not use repelling and cooling things too long , lest the tumor grow hard , and turn to a scirrhus ; therefore , things that mollify and dissolve , must be mixed with repellents , with this caution , viz. that the farther the inflammation is from the beginning , the greater must be the quantity of the things that digest : to the fore-mentioned remedies may be added , mallows , marsh-mallows , mugwort , fenugreek , camomile and melilot ; the quantity of them being increased or diminished as there seems occasion . in the mean time if the belly be hard , it must be loosened by things that purge gently ; and cooling glisters frequently injected , do much good in qualifying the inflammation , the womb lying upon the right gut. but the quantity of them must be very small , that they may be the longer retained . take of the roots of marsh-mallows one ounce , of the leaves of mallows , violets and lettice , each one handful , of night-shade half an handful , of the flowers of violets and red roses , each one pugil , of acid prunes number ten ; boyl them in barly-water ; to six ounces of the strained liquor , add three ounces of oyl of roses ; make a glister . if the pain be very violent , to the foresaid glister may be added yolks of eggs , hens grease , woman's milk , the mucilages of the seeds of fenugreek , flax o● mallows , and a little opium , and a little saffron . injections may be also made for the womb , of goats or sheeps milk with opium or saffron , each grains three or four , with a little rose-water . or to the pessaries , may be added a moderate quantity of opium with a little saffron , yolks of eggs , and oyl of roses ; or pessaries may be made of philonium romanum with cotton , or an anodyne fomentation may be prepared in the following manner . take of marsh-mallows with the roots , of mallows and violets , each one handful ; of camomile , melilot and roses , each one pugil ; boil them for a fomentation the disease decreasing , purging must be repeated with gentle catharticks ; but if it tend to resolution , which may be known by a remission of the symptoms , and by a lesser weight in the part , discutients must be added in larger a quantity to the foresaid remedies ; or make the following cataplasm . take of the powder of the roots of marsh-mallows one ounce , of the flowers of melilot and camomile , each two drachms , of the leaves of mugwort powder'd , of the meal of barly and beans , each half an ounce ; boil them a little in rough wine , add to them of fresh lard , of the oils of camomile and of white lillies , each one ounce ; make a cataplasm . a dissolving fomentation or bath is here also of use . if the tumor cannot be dissolved , but tends to supparation , it must be furthered by the following cataplasm . take of the powder of the roots of marsh-mallows , of the flowers of camomile and melilot , of the meal of linseeds , fenugreek-seeds , each one ounce , of fat figs number eight ; boil them to the consistence of a cataplasm ; then add of the yolks of eggs number four , of saffron ten grains , of oil of lillies and fresh butter ▪ each one ounce ; make a cataplasm . the pus being made , which may be known by the remission of the heat and pain , and by its ●loating when it is touched , the breaking of the abscess must be endeavoured by the motion of the body , sneazing , coughing , by applying cupping-glasses , by cleansing and attenuating injections , or by pessaries that have a faculty of breaking tumors . for instance , take of goose-fat half an ounce , of turpentine two drachms ; of the powder of the seeds of rue , and of orris-root , each half a drachm ; mix them , and make a pessary . the abscess being broken , we must endeavour to cleanse and heal the ulcer ; as shall be shewed in the following chapter . chap xcix . of an vlcer in the womb. an ulcer follows an inflammation of the womb suppurated ; it also proceeds from other causes , viz. from whatever corrodes the womb. therefore , the causes of it are an abscess broken , acrid humours flowing to the womb , acrid and corr●ding medicines injected , or taken inwardly , as cantharides . the antecedent causes are all those things that occasion an inflammation , as hard labour , violent and ungovernable copulation , acrid and long whites , wounds , falls , contusions ; but especially a virulent gonorrhaea , and the french pox , the contagion whereof is easily communicated to the womb , and the neck of it . the differences are to be sought for from the place , magnitude , figure and complication with other diseases . the diagnostick signs are a pain and gnawing , and the evacuation of purulent matter . the cure of the ulcer must be performed by stoping the defluxion of acrid humours , and by cleansing and conglutinating the ulcer . and first , if the body be plethorick , or if the ulcer be accompanied with an inflammation , a vein must be opened in the arm , and bleeding must be repeated as often as there is danger of a new fluxion , especially at the time of the courses , to lessen them , which are wont to increase the matter of the ulcer , and to promote the flux of other humours to the womb. purging is also very necessary to cleanse the body from ill humours ; but it ought to consist of gentle catharticks , as of sena , rhubarb , tamarinds , myrabolanes , and the like , which must be often repeated , that the vitious humours may be diverted ; and this is of so great moment , that forestus says , that a noble matron was cured of an ulcer of the womb , by taking every fourth day five ounces of the decoction of sena , dodder of thym , red roses , indian myrabolanes sweetned with sugar , and by injecting a cleansing decoction into the womb. for common use , a magisterial syrup may be made in the following manner . take of the roots of comfry , and of fresh polypody of the oak , each one ounce ; of the bark of dried citron six drachms ; of the leaves of plantain , periwinkle , sanicle , sorrel and maiden-hair , each one handful ; of liquorish rasped , and of raisins of the sun stoned , each one ounce ; of sena cleansed six drachms ; of the seeds of bastard-saffron bruised , two ounces ; of agarick fresh trochiscated , and tyed up in a rag , ten drachms ; of the seeds of anise and melon , each three drachms ; of the cordial flowers of rosemary and of dodder , each one pugil ; make a decoction of all , in a part of which infuse half an ounce of choice rhubarb , and one drachm of cinnamon ; in a pint and an half of the strained liquor , dissolve three ounces of syrup of roses solutive , and a sufficient quantity of sugar ; boil them well and make a syrup , whereof let her take two or three ounces twice or thrice in a month , with a decoction of agrimony and plantain , or with an infusion of rhubarb in endive water . if the sick vomits easily , a vomit is most useful , for it makes a revulsion of the humours from the womb ; and the days the sick does not purge a vulnerary decoction must be used a long while , made in the following manner . take of the leaves of agrimony , knot-grass , burnet and plantain , each half a handful ; of the roots of china three drachms , of coriander-seed one drachm , of raisins half an ounce , of red sanders one scruple ; boil them in chicken broath , strain it . let the sick take of it morning and evening . or , take of the leaves of mugwort , plantain , yarrow , each one handful ; rhaponticum half an ounce , of the seeds of nettles one drachm ; boil them in a measure of white wine , and sweeten it with sugar ; let the sick take two or three ounces in a morning . if the fever be violent , and if a great quantity of sanies be evacuated , whey is very proper ; half a pint or more being taken in a morning , with a little hony of roses . if the body begin to waste , and there is a hectick fever , asses milk must be taken , with sugar of roses for a whole month. sudorificks , there being no inflammation , or a hot intemperies may also do good to dry the ulcer , and to drive the serous humours towards the habit of the body . turpentine washed in some proper water for the womb , as in mugwort or feferfew-water , or in some water proper for the ulcer , as plantain or rose-water , taken with sugar of roses , by intervals cleanses and heals the ulcer . pills of bdellium taken daily or every other day , are also very good . take of bdellium three drachms , of myrrh and frankincense , each one drachm ; of sarcocoll , amber , storax , and of myrabolanes , called chebule , each one drachm ; of red coral two scruples , with syrup of poppies , make a mass for pills ; to which , when the pain is violent , may be added a little opium . troches of alkakengi with opium , may be also used when the pain is violent ; and to ease the pain , the same remedies may be prescribed , which were proposed in an inflammation of the womb , for the same symptom . the following powder is also very effectual to dry the ulcer . take of acacia and hypocistis , each one drachm , of dragon's-blood , white starch , the roots of plantain and of round birthwort , each half a drachm ; of bole armenick one drachm , of mastich and sarcocol , each half a drachm ; make a fine powder ; the dose is one drachm in plantain or rose-water , or in some chalybeat-water . to cleanse , dry and heal the ulcer , various injections are prepared ; but they must not be used till the inflammation is taken off , and till the pain is eased ; and , therefore , upon account of the inflammation and acrimony , emulsions of the cold seeds , the whey of goat's-milk , or the milk it self , or mixed with the juice of plantain or shepherd's purse , may be injected first ; if necessity requires , a decoction of poppy-heads and tops of mallows may be injected . some practitioners say , the sick may be much relieved by injecting frequently warm water . the hot intemperies , and the pain being quieted , or at least diminished , we must use such things as cleanse , beginning with the gentle , and proceeding by degrees to the stronger . the gentle , are whey with sugar , a decoction of barly with sugar , or hony of roses ; but simple hydromel cleanses more . a decoction will be a little stronger made with barly , lentils , beans not excorticated , of the leaves of smallage , plantain and pellitory , a little hony of roses being added . when the ulcer is very sordid , the following decoction may be used . take of the roots of gentian , rhaponticum , zedoary , and round birthwort , each one ounce , of white wine three pints ; boil them to the consumption of a third part ; in the strained liquor , dissolve half a pound of sugar , and keep it for use . if the ulcer be very fetid , a little vnguentum aegyptiacum may be added to the decoction . when the ulcer is well cleansed , we must use such things as dry and consolidat . take of the roots of comfry and bistort , each one ounce , of the leaves of plantain , horsetail , shepherd's-purse , sanicle , mouse-ear , milfoil , each one handful , of red roses half an handful ; boil them in a measure of water for an injection . the following sarcotick powder may be added to it . take of the roots of orris , birthwort and comfry , each half an ounce , of myrrh one ounce , of aloes three drachms ; make a powder , whereof let half an ounce be mingled with every injection . take of turpentine washed in plantain-water , two drachms , dissolve it with hony and the yolk of an egg , and mingle it with the injection . this is very effectual ; but is more so , if the sarcotick powder be also added . oil of the yolks of eggs stirred well about in a leaden mortar , is also very good . fumes must be used for deep ulcers , for they penetrate to the bottom of the womb , and dry the ulcers . take of frankincense , myrrh , mastick , gum-juniper , labdanum , each one ounce , with a sufficient quantity of turpentine ; make troches for a fume . when the ulcer is very obstinat , cinnabar must be added , which is of excellent use . the bath-waters have cured women , when all other medicines have been ineffectual . plasters may be also conveniently applied to the epigaster . if the ulcer be in the neck of the womb , it must be anointed with liniments , that cleanse and dry . take of the juice of smallage two ounces , of hony of roses one ounce and an half , of turpentine half an ounce , of the meal of barly or of orobus , a sufficient quantity ; make a liniment . oyntment of diapompholigos may be also applied , adding to it frankincense , mastich , myrrh , aloes , according to the condition of the ulcer : these things cleanse . after you have sufficiently cleansed the ulcer , you must apply a drying and cicatrizing ointment . take of tutty washed half an ounce , of lytharge , ceruss and sarcocoll , each two drachms , of oil and wax a sufficient quantity ; make an ointment . sometimes the ulcer penetrates the right gut , and sometimes the bladder , which may be known by the matter evacuated by those parts . if it flow by the right gut , lenitive , cleansing and drying glisters must be injected : but if it flow from the bladder , gentle and cooling diureticks must be used , as an emulsion of the greater cold seeds , turpentine and other remedies prescribed for an ulcer of the bladder . if the ulcer turn to a fistula , which chiefly happens , when it is opened outwardly towards the hip , though it may happen in the womb it self , or in the neck of it ; in this case we must consider , whether it be best to leave the accustomed passage untouched , through which nature endeavours to evacuate various excrements , or to undertake the cure of it : but if that be thought most proper for the sick , a cure that is called palliative must be instituted by purges frequently repeated , and by sweating twice a year , and by cleansing and strengthening injections , and by applying over a plaster of diapalma , or the like . but if there be any hopes of a cure , the same remedies must be used which are proper for other fistula's . if the ulcer be occasioned by the french pox , it cannot be cured without an universal cure ; in performing which , the fumes of cinnabar received through a tunnel into the womb , are peculiarly proper ; also , the anointing the inner parts of the womb with a mercurial ointment . in all ulcers of the womb , if there be a troublesome itching about the neck , as it frequently happens , by reason of a defluction of an acrid and salt humour to the part ; a pessary must be made to qualifie it , dipt in the ointment of elecampane with mercury , or in aegyptiacum dissolved in sea or alum-water , or in fresh butter , wherein quick silver has been extinguished ; to which must be added sulphur . chap. c. of the scirrhus of the womb. the signs of a scirrhus in the womb are a hardness in the region of it , a sense of weight in the part , especially when the sick stands , but there is no fever or pain , whereby it is distinguish'd from an inflammation , and if there be any pain it is small . if it be in the body of the womb it is easily known by feeling the region of the pubes , but if it be in the neck of the womb it may be touch'd with the finger ; it is distinguish'd from a mola by the preceding causes , also because in a mola the courses , if they flow , flow disorderly : but in a scirrhus , if they flow , they keep their order . also in a mola , the breasts are full of milk , but in a scirrhus they grow small . as to the prognostick , every scirrhus is difficultly cur'd ; for great hardness once contracted can scarce be mollified : moreover the natural heat in the part affected with the scirrhus is very weak , so that it can scarce discuss the gross and almost stony matter . a great and obstinate scirrhus occasions at length a dropsie . if a scirrhus of the womb be treated with too hot , and too moistening remedies , it degenerates into a cancer . the cure is to be directed to two things , viz. to the antecedent and conjunct cause . by reason of the antecedent cause , bleeding must be ordered first in the arm ; if the disease be not very inveterate : but afterwards in the inferior veins , especially when the courses are stopt . the opening of the hemorrhoidal veins is also very proper , for they evacuate feculent blood , and draw from the womb , by reason of the communication which they have with it . purging is also necessary , and it must be repeated by intervals . the purges must be made of such things as evacuate melancholy . first you must use such as are gentle , afterwards stronger . but opening medicines , and such as prepare the melancholy humor must be given before purges , in the forms of apozems , juleps or broaths , according to the disposition of the sick. but besides common apperitives , chalybeat medicines must be also used , whereby the great obstruction in the womb and other parts may be dissolved . and that the superfluous humors may be diverted , issues should be made in the legs , and must be continued there till the courses , which are generally stopt in this disease , return orderly . for the conjunct cause emollient and resolving medicines must be applied outwardly in the following manner . take of the roots of marshmallows , and of lillies , each two ounces ; of the leaves of mallows , violets , marshmallows , and bears-breach , each one handful ; of the leaves of mugword and calamint , half an handful ; of the seeds of flax and fenugreek , each one ounce ; of the flowers of camomile and melilot , each one pugil : make a decoction , wherewith foment the region of the pubes and groin with a spunge dipt in it and pressed out . to mollifie more , a decoction may be made of the entrails of a sheep , and the roots of briony and wild cucumber may be added : but you must begin with things that are gentle , and proceed by degrees to stronger of the same decoction , the dose of the simples being increased , a bath may be made , which is very effectual in this case , and more powerful than the fomentation . glisters also and injections may be made of the same decoction , and frequently used ; whereunto may be added the oils of lillies , camomil and sweet almonds . take of the oils of lillies , and of sweet almonds , each three ounces ; of the mucilage of the seeds of fenugreek , extracted with white-wine one ounce ; of the fat 's of hens , geese and ducks , each one ounce and an half ; of fresh butter and of lard , of each two ounces ; with a sufficient quantity of wax and turpentine make an ointment . the following is approved of in all scirrhus's . take of bdellium , ammoniacum , and galbanum , each equal parts ; beat them in a mortar with oil of ben and lillies ; then add of the mucilages of the seeds of fenugreek , flax , and of figs a like quantity ; make an ointment . of the same matter , wax being added , an effectual plaster may be made , and applied to the region of the womb behind and before ; or diachylon with orris may be applied . a cataplasm may be made of the residue of the decoction for the foresaid bath , bruised and pulped , adding to it of the meal of fenugreek and flax-seeds , each one ounce , of figs , number six , of the powder of orris root two drachms , of saffron half a drachm , of hens fat and oil of sweet almonds , each a sufficient quantity ; make a cataplasm . the mud of a sulphurous bath may be applied instead of a cataplasm . but these medicines must be used with great caution , lest the scirrhus should be hardned ; or what is much worse , should degenerate into a cancer . so that it is best to desist by intervals ; and it is to no purpose to use medicines when the scirrhus is without pain , and of a stony nature . chap. ci. of a cancer of the womb. a cancer of the womb is a hard swelling of the body or neck of it , with pricking and lanceing pain . it is occasioned by black choler collected in that part , or by a scirrhus ill cured , which easily degenerates into a cancer in that part , especially by reason of a great afflux of blood , which being retained in the veins near the scirrhus , and not sufficiently evacuated by the courses , acquires a malignant quality . it is twofold , either ulcerated or not ulcerated . as long as the morbific matter is of lesser acrimony and malignity the cancer does not break ; but when the matter becomes more acrid , it causes an ulcer . it is easily known by what has been said ; for if there be a hard tumor in the body or neck of the womb , which occasions a pricking and lancing pain , you may pronounce it cancerous : but it is more evidently distinguished , if it be seen by the eyes , as when it is in the neck of the womb , by the help of a speculum matricis , for then an unequal , livid , or black tumor , encompassed with branches of veins will appear : but if it be ulcerated it casts forth a yellow or black sanies that stinks much , and sometimes blood , by reason the veins are corroded which run to it , so that sometimes when a large vessel is opened , it flows so much that the life of the sick is hazarded . there is also a small fever , anxiety , nauseousness , and a heat of the privities , and the like . as to the prognostick , a cancer is incurable , whether it be ulcerated or not ; wherefore seeing a perfect cure cannot be expected , we must endeavour to hinder the breaking of it , and the increase of it when it is broken , and in both we must qualifie the violence of the pain ; which may be done by such things as evacuate the whole body , and by other remedies which alter and evacuate the melancholy humor , and black choler , and hinder their growth : as by bleeding in the arm , hemorrhoids , foot , potions , apozems , juleps , broath , milk , whey , cold mineral waters , and the like , which are commonly prescribed for any cancer : but purging , most especially must be repeated , that the antecedent cause of the cancer may be diverted . topicks must also be applied , which moderately bind and cool without sharpness ; they must especially be used in form of liniments . take of oyl of myrtles , and of roses , each two ounces ; of the juice of night-shade , and of housleek , each one ounce ; stir them all about in a leaden mortar , with a leaden pestle , till they grow black ; then add of litharge , and cerus washed in scabious water , each three ounces ; of tutty prepared two drachms , of camphor ten grains ; make a liniment , wherewith anoint the part three or four times in a day . or , take of the oils of the yolks of eggs and of roses , each one ounce and an half , of sacharum saturni one drachm ; stir them about in a leaden mortar till they change colour . the following is better than the rest , and with it tumors of the paps , which are counted cancerous , may be perfectly cured . take of the oil of yolks of eggs two ounces , of the juice of night-shade and speedwel , or of housleek , each half an ounce , of crude mercury two drachms ; stir them about in a leaden mortar , with a leaden pestle , till they acquire the consistence of a liniment . the foresaid liniments are to be put into the womb with a long tent , or with a wax-candle , wrapt round with a rag : but injections may be much easier used . take of barly-water half a pint , of the waters of night-shade , and plantain , each two ounces , of the water of speedwel one ounce , of the white troches of rhasis two drachms , of sacharum saturni one drachm : make an injection . if the pain be very violent add to four ounces of the injection one ounce of the syrup of popies . foment the part affected with the waters of plantain and night-shade , or with the decoction of them , whereunto may be added the leaves of water-lillies , white poppies , and red roses and camphor ; which decoction may be also frequently injected into the womb , and it will be much more effectual , if it be stirr'd about in a leaden mortar , or if sacharum saturni be mixed with it . among specificks , are commended frogs wash'd and boil'd , and apply'd instead of a cataplasm , or a decoction of them injected ; also , the decoction or juice of river-crabs injected into the womb , or herb-robert taken inwardly or apply'd . if the cancer be ulcerated the dose of the minerals to be added to the foresaid linimenss must be increas'd . and the ashes of river-crabs may be conveniently added to them ; but with the injections may be mixt the white troches of rhasis and barly-water . if the pain be very violent , fomentations of mallows , marsh-mallows , water-lillies , poppies , henbane , green coriander , dill , of the seed of psyllium , milk , saffron , and the like , may be used by intervals , or a cataplasm made of them may be apply'd , with which also decoctions , injections and baths may be also prepar'd . but all these things are not sometimes sufficient to appease the violent pain , which sometimes will not suffer the sick to sleep or rest , so that we are forced sometimes to use narcoticks ; and indeed , they are not injurious in this disease . i knew a woman that was afflicted with a cancer in her breast , who took every night for four months two or three grains of laudanum , and was much reliev'd by it . if much blood flow from a cancer ulcerated , as it often happens , inject into the womb the juice of plantain , with a little frankincense . chap. cii . of a gangrene and mortification of the womb. a gangrene is an incipient mortification ; this disease is easily generated in a womans privities , because those parts are very moist and soft , and easily receive the excrements of the whole body ; it often succeeds an inflammation , absess or ulcer ill cured , when the vital heat of the part is suffocated and destroy'd , it is suffocated in great inflammations , when more blood flows in , than the innate heat of the part can digest ; 't is destroy'd either by a cold intemperies that extinguishes it , or by an hot that dissipates and resolves it . an incipient gangrene is known by an unusual heat that is perceiv'd in the part ; a shaking and shivering also invades , with a languid and frequent pulse , and with fainting , and because most commonly this disease is chiefly seated on the neck of the womb , and so the part affected may be seen , that appears soft , livid , black and cadaverous , and may be prick'd and cut without feeling , and sends forth a fetid and cadaverous stink . as to the prognostick , this disease is very dangerous and most commonly deadly . but it has been observed by many authors , that the womb having been corrupted or gangren'd has fallen off of its own accord , or has been cut off , and the woman has done well . the cure is to be perform'd by the same remedies wherewith the gangrenes of the other parts us'd to be cur'd ; if the gangrene be in the neck of the womb , or tend towards the external parts , scarification must be us'd , and a decoction of wormwood , myrrh and the like ; also unguentum aegyptiacum , and a cataplasm made of the three meals . take of the meals of barly , beans and orobus , each two ounces , of oxymell , one pint ; boil them to the consistenee of a cataplasm , but it will be more effectual , if you add the meal of lupines , myrrh , aloes and wormwood . but if it be wholly corrupted it must be cut off , or in a falling of the womb it must be bound by degrees harder and harder , till at length it falls off , of which operations schenkius has collected many observations . in the whole course of the cure , corroboratives must be us'd , and emollient cleansing and cooling glisters must be frequently injected . chap ciii . of a dropsie and inflation of the womb. the inflation and dropsie are confounded by almost all authors , but they are to be distinguish'd ; for there is a certain inflation of the womb which ought not to be call'd a dropsie , viz. when the womb is inflated and stretch'd suddenly by wind rushing in , upon which account a violent pain is occasioned , as it happens in the cholick ; and , therefore , if this inflation does not last long , it does not deserve the name of a dropsie ; such an one is often in hysterick diseases . wherefore , a dropsie of the womb is twofold ; one from wind , which is like a timpany ; another , from a watry humour , which is like the dropsie of the belly : some add a third , from phlegm . and first of wind , contain'd in the cavity of the womb. sennertus mentions an observation in a woman , that when she thought she was with child and about to be deliver'd , evacuated a great quantity of wind , and her belly presently asswag'd . he also mentions observations of great quantities of water , contain'd in the cavity of the womb. but authors testifie , that water is sometimes contain'd in bladders , and excluded in them , and sometimes a dropsie of the womb is complicated with being with child , as fabricius hildanus relates of his own wife . as to the diagnostick of this disease , many things are to be inquir'd into ; first , how this particular dropsie of the womb may be distinguish'd from an universal dropsie ; secondly , how the species of it may be known , viz. whether it proceeds from wind , water or phlegm ; thirdly , whether it arise primarily from the womb , or be occasion'd by the fault of some other part ; fourthly , whether the peccant matter be contain'd in the cavity of the vvomb , or within the membranes of it , or in bladders ; fifthly , how it may be distinguish'd from other tumours of the vvomb ; sixthly , how it may be distinguish'd from being with child ; seventhly , how it may be distinguish'd from a mola . as to the first question , 't is distinguish'd from an universal dropsie ; for that in a dropsie of the vvomb the tumour possesses more the bottom of the vvomb , but an universal dropsie extends equally the whole belly ; besides , in a dropsie of the vvomb , there is not so soon a paleness and wasting of the whole body , as in an universal dropsie , in which also most commonly there is considerable drought , and dryness of the tongue , but not in a dropsie of the vvomb ; and also in this , all the symptoms are much milder , and the hardness when 't is from vvind , or the fluctuation when 't is occasion'd by vvater , do not possess so great a space , as in an universal dropsie . and , lastly , in a dropsie of the vvomb , wind breaks out by intervals , or a little water flows out , which manifestly shew , that wind or water is contain'd in it . to the second question we answer in the following manner : the species of a dropsie in the vvomb are thus distinguish'd ; if it be occasion'd by wind , the bottom of the belly sounds , being struck ; there are pricking pains in the belly , which sometimes run through the diaphragm , stomach , loins , navel and other parts ; and sometimes the wind does evidently break through the neck of the vvomb , and the vvomen perceive the vvomb to rise up often to the stomach like a ball ; breathing is sometimes difficult , the disease grows worse upon eating or drinking , and they often belch , and are better after it , and they are often troubl'd with mother-fits : they sometimes perceive a pain in the region of the hypogaster , so that they can't bear an hand laid upon it ; these signs are also in an inflation of the womb ; but there is this difference , for as we said before , an inflation is but for a small space , but a dropsie from wind continues much longer . but if a dropsie of the womb is occasion'd by water , that region appears soft and flaccid , for wind causes a tension ; there is a greater weight in the part , and a sound as it were of water floating , and water sometimes drops from the part . and , lastly , if it proceed from phlegm , there is a greater softness and flaccidity of the part , which daily increases and afflicts the neighbouring parts , viz. the hypogaster , the pubes perineum and loins , with an oedematous swelling . as to the third question , if there be signs of the whole bodies being ill affected , as by acute or long fevers , by immoderate hemorrhagies , by weakness of the stomach , swellings of the liver or spleen , or by other obstinate diseases of those parts , with which the dropsie of the womb began and increased with them , there is good reason to conjecture , that the matter of the dropsie is receiv'd in those parts ; but if when the whole body is well , such a tumour happens , and succeeds particular diseases of the womb , as hard labour , suppression of the courses , or too large an evacuation of them , or ulcers and tumors , we may guess that the dropsie of the womb proceeds from them . to the fourth question we answer , that the matter which is contained in the cavity of the womb , causes a much greater tumor than when 't is contain'd within the membranes . to the fifth question we answer , that a dropsie of the womb may be distinguish'd from tumors that proceed from a phlegmon or an erysipelas , because in these there is a fever and pain upon the least touching ; it may be distinguish'd from a scirrhus or cancerous tumour , by the hardness that resists the finger upon touching . to the sixth question we answer , that when a woman is with child , the tumor is not equal and depress'd , but thrusts it self out above the navel . secondly , when a woman is with child , after some months she is better most commonly ; but the longer a dropsie lasts , the worser it grows . thirdly , in a woman with child , the motion of the fetus is manifestly felt , after the third or forth month , which does not happen in a dropsie ; yet sometimes when a dropsie arises from wind , a palpitation is perceiv'd in the womb ; but it may be easily distinguished from the motion of a child , because 't is more equal , and is wont to possess more parts of the belly . fourthly , when a woman is with child the breasts swell , but in a dropsie they grow small . to the seventh question we answer , that in a mola there is a weight felt in the belly , which is not perceiv'd in a dropsie of the womb ; and when the sick lye on either side , a weight is perceiv'd , as if a stone roll'd thither . moreover , in a mola there are violent fluxes of the courses by intervals , viz. every third of fourth month , which does not happen in a dropsy of the womb. and , lastly , in a mola the breasts swell , and have milk in them sometimes ; but there is no such thing in a dropsie . as to the prognostick , a simple inflation of the womb is not dangerous ; but if it continue long , it may turn to a dropsie . if wind or water be contain'd in the cavity of the womb , 't is easier cur'd than when 't is included in the membranes or in bladders . the cure of this disease is perform'd in a manner by the same remedies which are propos'd for the cure of a dropsie or the green-sickness , but some things that are peculiar to this disease must be added . and first , as to bleeding in a recent disease occasion'd by an obstruction of the courses , and there being a fulness of blood , it may be proper , otherwise 't is injurious . but purging is always necessary , and it must be often repeated ; and after sufficient purging , aperitives , diureticks , and such things as move the courses must be us'd ; to which may be added the following . take of the roots of smallage and madder , each half an ounce , of the leaves of savine , feverfew and penny-royal , each one pugil , of the seeds of daucus , one drachm ; boil them in the broath of young pidgeons , and let her take it strain'd in a morning for many days , but before she takes the broath , let her swallow one of the following pills . take of the best castor , myrrh and madder , each half a drachm , of saffron one scruple , with the juice of lemons ; make nine pills . after the use of which medicines violent exercise must be us'd , that thereby the excrements bred in the bowels and in the habit of the body may be dissipated ; and also , all that which is contain'd in the womb , the skins being broken by the violence of the exercise . and if the woman vomit easily , 't will be proper to vomit her twice a week , whereby not only the humors flowing to the womb may be recall'd and evacuated , but also the skins sticking to the womb , and sometimes containing a watry humour , may perchance be broken , and so the ill humors may flow out . the following bolus is very effectual to discuss the humour contain'd in the womb. take of mineral borox half a drachm , of saffron half a scruple , with the juice of savin ; make a bolus , to be taken twice a week . sudorificks are also very proper in this disease , for by them the watry humours contained in the womb , or the whole body , may be discuss'd and evacuated . in the mean while the heat of the stomach must be strengthened by things taken inwardly , and outwardly apply'd . and outwardly must be apply'd proper topical remedies to strengthen the womb , and to discuss the humors contain'd in it . and first , may be prepar'd fomentations and baths , made of a decoction of the roots of briony and wild cucumber , of the leaves of dwarf-elder , mercury-elder , wild marjoram , calaminth , wormwood , rue , sage , marjoram , thyme , bays , penny-royal , mugwort , of the seeds of broom , daucus , cummin , annise , fennel , laurel-borries and juniper-berries , the flowers of camomile , melilote and rosemary , of which may be made bags to be boil'd in wine , or the foresaid things may be boil'd in a lee made of the ashes of the twigs of a vine . but that the foremention'd fomentations may operate the better , they must be applied before and behind , and the sick ought to sweat , if she can , in the bed , or in a bath . in a windy dropsie dry fomentations are more beneficial with bags made of gromwel , salt , cummin and bran , torrefied in a frying-pan , and sprinkled with wine . after the fomentation , anoint the belly with the oils of nard , dill , rue , wormwood , and southernwood , which if they are drawn chymically will be much more effectual . after you have anointed the belly apply the plaster of laurel-berries , or a cataplasm of cow-dung , sheeps-dung , of the seeds of smallage , parsly , cummin and boiled hony. for the same use is commended the skin of a sheep newly kill'd , and sprinkled with hot wine . glisters must be also frequently injected made of a decoction of wormwood , wild marjoram , pennyroyal , rue , centory and the like , or with oils of rue , nuts , dill and white-wine or mallago-sack , wherein must be dissolv'd benedictum laxativum , turpentine , rosemary , hony and the like . injections for the womb may be prepar'd in the following manner , to evacuate the humours contain'd in it . take of the roots of asarabacca three drachms , of the leaves of pennyroyal and calaminth each one handful , of the seeds of savine one pugil , of mechoacan one drachm , of the seeds of annise and cummin , each half a drachm ; boil them , and in the strain'd liquor dissolve of oil of orrice and of elder , each one ounce , in six ounces of the liquor , and make an injection . for the same use pessaries may be made in the following manner . take of coloquintida and mechoacan each one dracm , of salt of niter half a scruple , with a sufficient quantity of boil'd hony , make a pessary . or , take of elaterium half a drachm , of figs bruis'd a sufficient quantity , make a pessary . when the inflation is occasion'd by wine , a fume made of nutmegs and conveyed through a tunnel has done much good . and in the same case a cupping-glass applied to the navel , with much flame , discusses wind powerfully . but when the disease is humoral , issues in the legs discharge the filth of the womb by degrees . the bath-waters used inwardly and outwardly , are also very good , if the body be not very hot . for the pain of the womb , which often afflicts the sick in this disease , amatus lucitanus commends the water or decoction of camomel , four or five ounces , of it being taken at a time . and lastly , if an inflation happen after delivery there is no need of any other cleansing than that of the womb ; but if it does not proceed well , it must be helpt by drawing pessaries , and by cupping-glasses applied to the thighs , and by other remedies prescrib'd for the stoppage of the courses ; and if wind be the cause , the fume of nutmegs above-proposed is very proper . chap. civ . of a falling of the womb. for the cure of this distemper regard must be had to two things ; the first is to reduce the womb into its natural place , and the second is to strengthen it , and keep it there . for the execution of the first , which is to reduce it , if the womb be quite out or turned , the woman must first of all render her urine , and a glister must be given , if it be necessary , to empty the gross excrements that are in the right-gut , that so the reduction may be the easier perform'd ; then place her on her back , with her hips rais'd a little higher than her head , and then foment all that is fallen out with a little wine and water luke-warm , and with a soft rag put it up into its proper place , thrusting back not all at once , but waging it by little and little from side to side , in case this be too painful , because 't is already too big and swell'd ; anoint it with oil of almonds , for the more easie reduction of it , being careful as soon as 't is reduc'd , to wipe off the oil as much as may be , to avoid a relapse : but if notwithstanding all this , the womb cannot be put up , because 't is very much inflamed and tumified , which happens when it has been a long time so , without the use of necessary means , during which time it is continually moistned with urine and other excrements , which contribute very much to its corruption , in this case there is great danger that 't will gangrene . also the second part of this cure , which consists in the retention of the womb in its place , and the strengthning of it ; it will be done by a convenient situation ▪ let the woman , for this purpose , keep her self in bed , on her back , having her hips a little raised , her legs something crossed , and her thighs join'd together , to prevent the falling of it out again ; but the best way is to put up a pessary into the neck of the womb , to keep it firm . there are two or three sorts of them made for this purpose , the figures of them may be seen in moriceau's midwifery ; see page . take of oak-bark two ounces , boil it in two quarts of fountain-water , add at the latter end one ounce of pomegranate-peel bruis'd , red roses , pomegranate-flowers , each two handfuls , and then add half a pint of red wine , strain it , and bath the part affected with flannels dipt in it , in the morning , two hours before the woman rises , and at night , when she is in bed ; continue the use of it 'till the symptom is quite gone . chap. cv . of barrenness . as to the cure of barrenness , too much fat must be corrected by an orderly diet , and by convenient evacuation . such as are of a robust and manly constitution must be reduc'd to a womanly state by all means ; they must forbear strong meats and labour , and the coarses must be forced , and by bleeding and purging , and the like , the habit of the body must be rendred moist and cold . if from distortion , obstruction , tumors or ulcers of the womb , or from its being shut , barrenness is occasion'd , proper remedies must be applied . if too hot an intemperies be the cause , it must be corrected , so must immoderate siccity by milk and bathing . but the most frequent cause of barrenness is a cold and moist intemperies of the whole body , and of the womb , which the whites often accompany , and for the cure in this case , the whites must be cur'd by the method prescrib'd in the chapter for the whites , and the following things must be order'd , which are peculiarly proper for the said intemperies , which may be varied according to the discretion of the physician , so as that they may heat more , or dry more , according as humidity or frigidity exceeds . and first , the flegmatick humors , stagnating in the body , must be evacuated by medicines that purge , sweat and force urine ; and revulsion must be made by issues in the arms , neck and legs , and the principal parts must be strengthned by treacle , mithridate , confection of alkermes and the like . aftewards such things must be us'd as are proper by a specific quality to strengthen the womb and to help conception . take of the roots eryngo and satyrion candied , each one ounce ; of green ginger candied , half an ounce ; of hazel-nuts , pine-nuts and pistaches , each six drachms ; one nutmeg candied ; of the seeds of rocket and cresses each two drachms ; of the ashes of a bulls-pisle , of the reins of scinks , and of the raspings of ivory each one drachm ; of confection of alkermes , three drachms ; of diambra and sweet diamoch each one ounce and an half ; of ambergrise half a drachms , with the syrup of candid citrons , make an electuary ; let her take the quantity of a nutmeg at bed-time , drinking upon it a glass of good wine . some count the secondine of a woman dried and powder'd very effectual , one drachm of it being taken . the seeds of bishop's weed is also much commended . many good authors affirm , that if a woman drink six ounces of the juice of garden-sage with a little salt , the fourth day of her menstrous purgation , and a quarter of an hour after has conversation with her husband , she will infallibly conceive : and by the use of this remedy , aetius says , the egyptian women became fruitful after a great plague . topicks are also to be used , but purging must always go before . take of diaphenicon and hierapicra , each half an ounce ; of turpentine and mercurial hony , each one ounce ; of castor one drachm : mingle them , and reduce them to a convenient consistence , that pessaries may be made for the womb. if the womb abound with a great quantity of excrements , a stronger pessary may be made in the following manner : but this injection must be first used . take of the leaves of wormwood , mugwort , mercury and rue , each one handful and an half ; of the pulp of coloquintida one scruple ; of agarick trochiscated , half a drachm ; of ginger and myrrh each one scruple ▪ make a decoction in water and white-wine to a pint , in which dissolve two ounces of hony of roses : let three ounces of this decoction be injected for three or four days , morning and evening , after the flux of the courses ; and afterwards immit the following pessary . take of hiera picra and of benedictum laxativum , each one ounce ; of the pulp of coloquintida and of agarick trochiscated , each half a drachm ; of spikenard and of the seeds of roman nigella , and of the leaves of savine powder'd , each one drachm : let them be incorporated with rosemary-hony , and put them up in silk , and make pessaries ; let one be put into the privities at bed-time , and let it remain there two hours ; afterwards let the part be washed with white-wine . to bind , strengthen and dry the womb the following medicines may be us'd . take of round birthwort , half an ounce ; of wood of aloes , three drachms ; of cypress-nutts , and of the roots of cypress , each two drachms ; of sweet-smelling flag , one drachm ; of the leaves of dittany of crete , and of savory and myrtles , each one handful ; of choice myrrh , storax calamit and benzoin , each two drachms and an half ; of the flowers of stechas , rosmary and marjoram , each one pugil : boil them in a sufficient quantity of good white-wine ; in a pint of the strain'd liquor dissolve of the troches of alipta moschata two drachms ; of ambergreese and of musk , each seven grains ; of civet five grains : make an injection morning and evening , hot , for some days . before or after the injection the following fume may be used . take of the troches of gallia and alipta moschata , each two drachms , of storax calamit , benzoin and pure labdanum , each half an ounce ; of wood of aloes and of rhodium , each one ounce ; of the seeds of roman nigella , cubebs and cloves , each four scruples , of amber and tacamahaca , each one drachm and an half ; of mace half a drachm : make a powder , and with gum tragacanth dissolv'd in orange-flower-water , make troches ; whereof let one or two be cast upon the coals , and let the fume be received through a tunnel . poor people may be fumed with equal parts of myrrh , franckincense , wood of aloes , storax , benzoin , cinnamon and cloves . after the injections and fume the following pessary may be used . take of frankincense and mastick , each two drachms ; of the troches of gallia and alypta moschata , each four scruples ; of the roots of bistort , of cypress-nuts , shavings of ivory and of red roses , each one drachm ; of storax , benzoin and labdanum , each two scruples ; of sweet-smelling flag and cyprus , each half a drachm : moisten them with orange-flower-water , and with a fine rag make two pessaries of a due magnitude , whereof let one be used at bed-time , the top of it being anointed with oil of nutmegs and civet mixed . before the strengthning injections and the fumes , the sick may use the following bath . take of the roots of briony , masterwort , valerian , orris , elecampane ; each three ounce ; of the leaves of marjoram , mugwort , catminte , pennyroyal , mercury , sage , lawrel , each four handfuls ; of the berries of lawrel and juniper , each one ounce : boil them for a bath . but sulphurous and bituminous baths are the best , as our bath-waters , and the like , to which such women fly as to an asylum . after the bath and fume , the region of the pubes and perinoeum must be anointed with the following liniment . take of nard-oil , one ounce and an half ; of oil of wall-flowers , half an ounce ; of diambra and dimosh , each one drachm and an half ; of liquid storax , one drachm ; of civet half a scruple ; of musk and ambergrise , each six grains : with a little white wax make a liniment , wherewith anoint the said parts , and anoint within with civet , or with natural indian balsam . lastly , let plasters be applied to the perineum and the loins , and let rhem be worn continually . take of the plaster for the matrix four ounces , of the plaster of mastick two ounces ; of gum tachamacha and caranna , each one ounce ; of the powder of the roots of tormentil and bistort , each three ounces ; of the powder of myrtles two drachms ; of aromatic rosat , four scruples ; moisten them with oil of quinces , and with a drachm of oil of nutmegs , spread two plasters upon leather , the one round for the pubes , and the other square for the loins . chap. cvi. of miscarriage . miscarriage is the exclusion of an imperfect or unripe child , and consequently a child dead in the womb is not said abortive till it is excluded ; so that whether alive or dead child be brought forth not being ripe , nor having attained to the just growth in the womb , it is to be termed abortive . the causes of abortion are some internal , some external ; the internal may be reduced to four heads , viz. to the humors , to the child , to the womb , and to the disease of the mother . the humors may occasion abortion , when they offend in quantity or quality . they offend in quantity , either by way of excess or defect . the quantity is excessive in a plethora ; for there being more blood than is requisit to nourish the fetus , it flows into the veins of the womb , and is excluded like the monthly courses , and so the child comes away with it . there is too small a quantity of the nutritious humor when the child's nourishment is by any means lessened , as by fasting , whether volunary or forced ; and when women with child nauseat all sorts of food , or vomit it up again : likewise , by reason of a thin diet in acute diseases , or by an immoderate evacuation of blood : likewise , by reason of extream leanness of the whole body . in respect of the child , abortion may happen if it be over great , so that it cannot by reason of its bulk be contained in the womb ; and for this reason little women often miscarry , especially if they are married to men bigger than ordinary , whose children grow very great , and find not in the womb a space large enough to contain them , till they come to their perfect growth ; also , plurality of children may occasion abortion , as when two or three , or more , are contained in the womb at one time . the womb it self occasions abortion , if it be not large and capacious enough to widen it self sufficiently according as the child grows , or if there be any thing preternatural in the womb , as an inflammation , a scirrhus , or imposthume , or the like ; or if the womb be over moist and slack , so that it cannot contain the child so well as it ought to do . abortion comes two ways from the diseases of the mother : first , when her diseases are communicated to the child , whereby it is killed or so weakned , that it cannot receive due nourishment nor growth ; such are continual fevers and agues , the french pox , and many such like . secondly , when the said diseases of the mother cause great evacuations , or great commotions of the body ; as large bleeding from what part of the body soever , fluxes of the belly , grievous swooning , falling-sickness , vomiting and a tenesmus , which above all other diseases is wont to cause abortion . external causes which further abortion , do some of them kill the child , others draw away it 's nourishment , and others dissolve those bands wherewith the child is fastned to the womb. the child is killed by great commotions of the mind , as by anger , sadness , frights , and the like ; by meats earnestly longed for , and not obtained ; by strong purging medicines , by things that provoke the courses , and by those things that expel the child , and by such things as are reckoned by a specifick quality to destroy the child in the womb , by abominable smells ; especially the stink of a candle ill put out . violent exercise dissolves the bands that fasten the child to the womb ; as dancing , running , riding , jolting in a coach or cart , carrying or lifting from the ground a heavy weight , a violent fall , a blow on the belly , vehement motion of the belly , by coughing , vomiting , looseness , sneezing , convulsions , crying-out , immoderate or over-wanton embraces , and in a word , vehement motion of the arms , the turning a wheel , or doing some such work , may exceedingly promote abortion . the signs of present abortion are manifest of themselves ; but such as go before abortion , and prognosticate the same , are these : an unusual heaviness of the loins and hips , an unwillingness to stir , appetite gone , shivering and shaking coming by fits , pain of the head , especially about the roots of the eyes , a straitening of the sides and belly above the navel , the flagging or falling , and extenuation of the dugs ; but if frequent pains , and almost continual torment , the reins and loins reaching towards the share , as far as the os sacrum , with endeavours to evacuate the womb , certainly the woman will shortly miscarry . if from violent external causes , such as are a blow , a fall , and the like , vehement pain and perturbation arise in a woman with child ; she ought to keep her bed three days or longer . as to the prognosticks , women are more endangered by abortion than by a true and timely birth , because it is more violent and unseasonable ; for as in ripe fruit , the stalks are loosened from the boughs , and the fruit falls off of it self ; so in a natural birth , the vessels and ligaments wherewith the child is tyed to the womb are loosened and untyed , as it were , of their own accord , which in abortion must needs be vioiently broken asunder . abortion is most dangerous in the sixth , seventh and eighth month. our ordinary women say , a miscarrying woman is half with child again . the cure of abortion consists in preservation ; for that which is past , cannot be helpt : but all the symtoms which follow abortion , are the same which accompany women duly brought to bed . the preservation from abortion consists principally in these two things ; the one concerns the woman before she is with child , and the other when she is with child . before the woman is with child , all indispositions of the body , which are wont to cause abortion , must be removed ; as fulness of blood , ill humours , and peculiar diseases of the womb , viz. intemperies , swellings , ulcers , and the like . fulness of blood opens the veins of the womb , or strangles the infant while it is in the womb ; this , if it be a pure and simple plenitude , may be cured by blood-letting , such as shall answer the quantity of blood superabounding . a cacochymy is either cholerick , and partaking of acrimony , so as to open the orifices of the veins , or by provoking nature ; it stirs up the expulsive faculty , whereby the child comes to be expelled with those ill humours ; or it suffocates the child , by reason of plenty of excrements heap'd together in the first region , and distending the belly ; or it vitiates the blood in the whole body , rendring it unfit to nourish the child ; or it fills the vessels of the womb which retain the child , with a slymy moisture . bleeding may be also used for this cacochymy , in a small quantity ; but the chiefest way of cure is by frequent purging , that the superfluous excrements of the body may be evacuated ; and betwixt purge and purge , such things must be used as asswage the intemperies of the bowels , and the acrimony of the humors if there be any , and thicken the said humors , in case they be too thin , and if flegmatick humors abound , they must be discussed with sudorificks and diureticks , and other remedies ; howbeit , we must diligently observe , that whatever ill humors abound , issues are very proper to prevent abortion ; of which zacutus lusitanus gives a special note in these words : by most happy experiments i have observed , that frequent abortion caused by corrupted humors , which flow from the whole body to the womb , and by their evil disposition or abundance kill the child , is hereby , as by a most present help , prevented ; many women have miscarried on this account , among whom some having oftentimes brought a child of seven months , or four months growth , torn and putrified , cou'd by no other means be freed from so great a calamity , save by issues made in their arms and thighs , which were always made at the beginning of the fluxion ; by which means they went out their time , and brought forth children healthy , and not defiled with any infection . the peculiar diseases of the womb , as over-great moisture , swellings , ulcers , and such like , must be cured by their proper remedies . if these diseases happen when a woman is with child , the difficulty is greater , because big-bellied women cannot so easily bear all kind of remedies ; yet , lest being destitute of all help , they should remain in extream danger of miscarriage and death , some kind of remedies are to be used . in case , therefore , the patient be too full of blood , she must have a vein opened , tho' she be with child , especially in the first months , and so twice or thrice if need be , always remembring that there never be much blood taken away at a time . and when there is abundance of some ill humors , gentle purging must be repeated , especially in the middle months ; and if a moist and flatulent , or slymy intemperies annoy the patient , we may sometimes proceed to a sudorifick diet , at least a gentle one , in the strongest sort of women . in the mean while , these astringent and strengthening medicines are to be used all the time the woman is with child , that are proper to hinder abortion . take of kermes-berries and tormentil-roots , each three ounces , of mastich , one drachm and an half ; make a powder , of which give now and then half a drachm , or as much as will lie on the point of a knife . or , take of red coral , two drachms , kermes-berries , date-stones , each one drachm , shavings of ivory half a drachm , of pearls not bor'd , one scruple ; make a powder . or , let her take every day in the morning , some grains of mastich . our ordinary women use frequently plantain-seed , which they take in the morning to the quantity of half a drachm with wine and water , or in an egg , or broath , or by it self , almost every day , all the while they are with child , and with good success . to the same purpose , very effectual electuaries are compounded , according to the following example . take of conserve of roses , two ounces , of citron-peel candied , six drachms , of myrabolans candied , of the pulp of dates , each half an ounce , of coral prepared , pearl prepared , and shavings of hartshorn , each one drachm , with syrup of quinces ; make an electuary , of which let the patient take often the quantity of a nutmeg . if a liquor be more pleasing , a decoction of tormentil-roots sweet'ned with conserve of roses , may be given successfully . the following lozenges are very good ; for they strengthen , and by little and little free the body from excrements , though they do not sensibly purge sometimes . take of mace , of the three sorts of sanders , rhubarb , sena , coral , pearl , each one scruple , of sugar dissolved in rose-water , four ounces ; make all into lozenges , weighing three drachms apiece . let her take one twice a week by it self , or dissolved in a little broath . ointments and plasters are to be applied outwardly . take of ship-pitch , half an ounce , of frankincense one ounce , mastich half an ounce , dragons blood and red roses , each two drachms ; make a cerecloath . or , take of oil of myrtles and mastich , each one ounce , of red and yellow sanders , hypocistis and acacia , each half an ounce , of spodium and red roses , each two drachms , of bole-armonick , seal'd earth , ivory , each two scruples , of turpentine washed in plantain-water , one ounce , with a sufficient quantity of wax ; make a cereloath , spread it on cloath , and apply it to the reins , or , take of the plaster for the matrix three ounces , of bistort-roots , acacia , hypocistis , pomgranat-peels , each half an ounce , of labdanum , six drachms ; soften them with the juice of quinces , and make a plaster for the use aforesaid . as to plasters it is to be noted , that they must not be worn long together , but taken off now and then ; otherwise , if they stick too long upon the back , they do so heat the kidnies , that sometimes they occasion an heat of urine , and the voiding by urine sand , stones , yea blood it self . nor are those things to be omitted , which are accounted specificks for retaining the child in the womb , as the eagle's stone worn about the neck , a load-stone applied to the navel , corals , jaspers , smaragds , bones found in the hearts of stags , and such like , worn under the arm-pits or hanged about the neck . but that the success of these medicines may be good , the patient must be ordered to rest , and to keep her self as quiet as possibly she can , both in body and mind , and to abstain from coition , which does much disquiet the womb ; for whilst the womb opens it self to receive the semen , with which it is much delighted , it drops out the tender fetus , not yet well setled in the womb. but if notwithstanding the medicines aforesaid , by reason of the vehemency of the cause , whether it be external or internal , the patient be ready to miscarry , we must do the best we can with these following remedies . and , in the first place , so soon as pains and throws shall be perceived to be in the lower parts of the belly , towards the pubis , in the loins , and about the os sacrum , we must seek to allay and stop them , both by medicines taken inwardly , and outwardly applied , according to the variety of the causes ; for if abortion be caused by crudities and wind ( which is most usual when it begins from an internal cause , ) a powder must be given , made of aromaticum rosatum and coriander-seeds ; and we may give of the aqua imperialis , if phlegm and wind abound . at the same time let carminative medicines be applied below the navel of the patient ; such are , bags of anniseeds , fennel-seeds , fenugreek-seeds , flowers of camomile , elder , rosemary and stechas mixed together ; or a rose-cake fried in a pan with rich canary , and sprinkled with powder of nutmegs and coriander-seeds , or the gaul of a wether newly kill'd , or his lungs laid on warm , if by these means the pains cease not , let a glister be injected made of wine and oil , wherein two drachms of philonium romanum may be dissolved , or narcoticks may be given inwardly in a small quantity , to allay the violence of the humors and wind , as we are wont to do in the pains of the cholick . but if by reason of contumacious pains that will not be asswaged , or of the violence of some external cause , blood begins to come away , medicines that cause revulsion are to be applied to turn the course of the blood from the womb ; such are , frictions of the upper parts and painful ligatures , also cupping-glasses fastened to the shoulder-blades under the dugs , and under the short ribs on both sides ; and if the woman be full of blood , it will not be amiss to take some blood from her , when she begins to void blood , and especially before it begins to come ; and the blood must be taken away at several times , a little at once . and if the flux of blood continues , we must proceed to an astringent and thickening diet and medicines , and so the powders and electuaries before described may be administred ; also juice of plantain new drawn , and syrup of poppies to the quantity of an ounce , with powder of bole-armenick or dragons-blood . also binding and astringent fomentations may be used outwardly , made of pomgranate-peels , cypress-nuts , acorn-cups , baclaustins , grape-stones and the like boiled in smiths water and red wine . or a little bag full of red roses and balaustins may be boiled , and applied hot to the patient's belly . the above-mentioned plasters and cere-cloaths may be used ; and to bind more , make a pultiss of astringent powders , with turpentine and whites of eggs , spread it upon tow or course flax , and apply it to the navel and reins warm : the tow that is to be applied to the navel must be moistened with wine , that which is to be apply'd to the kidnies , with vinegar . the two following medicines are accounted secrets , and it is believed they will certainly retain the child in the womb , if they be used before it be torn from the vessels of the womb. take of leaves of gold , number twelve , of spodium one drachm , the cock's treading of three eggs not addled ; mix all very well , till the gold be broken into small pieces , afterwards dissolve them in a draught of white wine , and give it three mornings following . at the same time let the following cataplasm be applied . take of male-frankincense powdered , two ounces , the whites of five eggs ; let them be stirr'd together over hot coals ; add turpentine to make them stick , then spread them upon tow , and lay them upon her navel as hot as she can possibly endure them twice a day , morning and evening , on the three days aforesaid . chap. cvii . of hard labour . that is said to be hard labour which does not observe the due and ordinary course of nature , and longer time is spent in it , and the pains are more violent than usual , and the symptoms that accompany it are more grievous . many causes may be assigned of it , both external and internal : the internal depend on the mother , the womb or the child . as to the mother , the natural weakness of the whole body may make the labour difficult , or her age , she being too young or too old , or it may be occasioned by diseases which she had with her big-belly , leanness and too much dryness of the body , or fat compressing the passages of the womb ; the ill conformation of the bones encompassing the womb as in those that are lame , may also occasion it , wind swelling the bowels , a stone , or a preternatural tumour in the bladder that presses the womb , may be the cause ; so may the ill constitution of the lungs , or of the parts serving respiration : for the holding of the breath is very necessary to help the exclusion of the child . as to the womb , various diseases of it may render the delivery difficult , as tumors ulcers , obstructions , and the like . as to the child , hard labour is occasion'd , when by reason it is dead or putrified , or any way diseased , it cannot confer any thing to its own exclusion : also , when the body or head of it is large , or when there are many . so twins most commonly cause hard labour , or when it is ill situated , as when the hands or the feet offer first , or when one hand or one foot comes out , or when it is doubled , or when the membranes break too soon , so that the water flows out , and leaves the orifice of the womb dry at the time of exclusion , or when the membranes are too thick , so that they cannot be easily broken by the child . the external causes depend on things necessary and contingent ; things necessary are those which are commonly call'd non-natural ; so cold and dry air , and a north-wind are very injurious to women in labour , because they bind the body , and drive the blood and spirits to the inner parts , and they are very injurious to the child coming from so warm a place ; also , hot weather dissipates the spirits , and weakens the child , and causes a fever in an ill habit of body . crude aliments and such as are difficultly concocted , and those that bind , taken in great quantity before labour , do render it difficult , the stomach being weakened , and the common passages contracted , which ought to be very open in this case . drowsiness hinders the action of the mother and child , and shews that nature is weak . the unseasonable motion of the woman much retards the delivery ; as when she refuses upon occasion to stand , walk , lie or sit , or flings her self about unadvisedly , so that the child can not be born the right way , being turned preposterously by the restlesness of the mother . the retention of such things as should be evacuated at the time of labour , as of urine that swells the bladder , or excrements in the right gut ; the hemorrhoids also much swelled , narrow the neck of the womb , and so hinder natures endeavours . and , lastly , violent passions of the mind , as fear , sorrow and anger , make the labour difficult . to things contingent ought to be referred , a blow , a fall or a wound , which may much obstruct labour ; also , the by-standers , which ought to assist the woman , viz. strong women and maids , which may lift her up just at the time of delivery , especially a skilful midwife , which ought to advise in every matter , for if she be unskilful she may make the labour difficult : for sometimes the midwife orders the woman to endeavour an expulsion , and to stop her breath when the ligaments of the fetus stick firmly to the womb , so that the woman is tired before the time of her delivery . difficult labour is known , both by the woman , by the by-standers , and especially by the midwife . and , first , if the woman continue a long time in labour , viz. two , three , four or more days , whereas a natural birth is finished in hours . another sign of difficult labour is languid pains , returning at long intervals ; also , the pains tending backward rather than forward : but the causes of difficult labour may be known by the womans relation , and most commonly upon sight . so the weakness of the woman , or leanness , or over-fatness , may be seen by the habit of body . the diseases of the womb may be known by their proper signs , the weakness of the child by the weak and slow motion of it : but the signs of a dead child may be known by the following chapter . the bigness of the child may be judged of by the stature of the parents , especially if a gigantick man be married to a dwarfish woman : but when there are none of these causes , and the womans and childs endeavours are strong , and yet the labour is difficult , it is a sign that the secundine is so strong , that it cannot be easily broken , and this will be confirmed if no water or moisture flows out in labour . the preposterous figure of the fetus may be perceived by the midwife , and other things , as has been said , by sight . as to the prognostick , difficult labour is of it self dangerous , and sometimes the woman , and sometimes the child , and sometimes both are extinguished . if a woman continue in labour four days , she will hardly escape . sleepy diseases and convulsions coming upon hard labour , are most commonly deadly . sneesing coming upon hard labour , is good . as to the cure of hard labour : first , all those things which retard it must , as much as may be , be removed ; afterwards , medicines that further labour must be methodically administred . and first , it is common with women to give a spoonful or two of cinnamon-water , or cinnamon powdered with a little saffron , or half a drachm of confection of alkerms in broath , or half a scruple of saffron alone in some broath , or every hour in a little vvine . or , take of oil of sweet almonds and of white wine , each two ounces , of saffron and cinnamon , each twelve grains , of confection of alkermes , half a drachm , of syrup of maiden-hair , one ounce and an half ; mingle them , make a potion . if these things are not sufficient , the following may be used , which i have frequently found very effectual . take of dittany , of crete , and both the birthworts , and of troches of myrrh , each half a scruple , of saffron and cinnamon , each twelve grains , of confection of alkermes , half a drachm , of cinnamon-water half an ounce , of orange-flower-water , and of mugwort-water , each one ounce ; make a potion . oil of ambar , of cinnamon , and extract of saffron are very effectual in a small quantity , viz. five grains of extract of saffron , four or five drops of oil of cinnamon , twelve or fifteen drops of oil of ambar , in vvine , broath , or some other liquor . sneesing hastens delivery ; it may be provoked by the following powder . take of white hellebore , half a drachm , of long pepper , one scruple , of castor , five grains , make a powder ; let the quantity of a pease , be blown up into the nostrils . but difficult labour must be helpt , not only with inward remedies proposed , but also with external ; let the midwife , therefore , frequently anoint the vvomb with the oils of lillies , sweet almonds , linseed and the like ; and let the belly be fomented with an emollient decoction of the roots of marsh-mallows , lillies , the leaves of mallows , violets , mugwort , of linseeds , fenugreek-seeds , of the flowers of camomile and melilot . sharp glisters are to be injected , by the irritation of which the expulsive faculty of the vvomb will be stimulated , and the guts being emptied thereby , there will be more room for the vvomb . anoint the navel with oil of ambar ; and such things as are thought to help delivery by a specifick quality are to be used , as the eagle's-stone , the load-stone , storax , calamint and the like bound to the hips ; and if the woman has any gems about her , as in rings or the like , they must be pull'd off ; for many women think , that such things retain the child by a specifick quality . if the child seem to be weak , it must be refreshed , by giving strengthening things to the mother , as hot wine , confection of alkermes , cinnamon-water , and the like . if the child begins to come forth preposterously , as with one arm , or first with the foot , or the like ; the midwife must thrust them back , and turn the child right , which may be done by placing the vvoman in a bed upon her back , with her head low , and her feet high ; and then force the child gently into the vvomb , and then the midwife must endeavour to turn it right , viz. to turn the face towards the mothers back , and the buttocks and legs must be elevated towards the mothers navel , and so she must hasten a legitimate birth . but all hopes of delivery being past , or the mother being near death , some authors propose the cesarian section , whereof franciscus rossetus wrote an excellent treatise , wherein he endeavours to shew , by many arguments , that it may sometimes succeed : but because this operation is dangerous , and very terrible , it ought rarely or never to be attempted by a prudent physician , if he values his own reputation . chap. cviii . of a dead child . when the child is dead the motion of it ceases , which either the mother felt before in the womb , or the midwife with her hand ; a greater sense of weight with pain afflicts the belly ; when the woman turns from side to side , she perceives the child fall like a stone from one part to another , the belly feels cold , the natural heat being extinguish'd , and the spirits dissipated , which were contained in the child ; the eyes are hollow , the face and lips pale , the extream parts cold and livid , the breasts flaccid , and at length , the child putrifying , a fetid ichor and sanies flows from the womb , an ill and strong smell exhales from the woman's body , and her breath stinks : if the secundine be excluded before the fetus , it is a certain sign that the child is dead . the whole cure consists in the exclusion or extraction of the child . take of the leaves of savin dryed , of the roots of round birthwort , of the troches of myrrh , and of castor , each one drachm ; of cinnamon half a drachm ; of saffron one scruple : mingle them , make a powder , whereof let her take one drachm in savin water . in the mean while apply to the pubes , privities , and perineum an emolient decoction . after the fomentation anoint the parts with the ointment de arthanita , and let a pessary be put up the privities . take of the roots of round birthwort , orris , black helebore ; of coloquintida and myrrh , each one drachm ; of galbanum and opopanax , each half a drachm : with ox-gall make a pessary . it is also proper , if the strength be sufficient , to give a purge . angelus sala says , that he has used with very good success mercurius vitae in this case , four or five grains at a time , and that it does powerfully exclude a dead child , and is better than other remedies : but it must be used with great caution , because it is a violent medicine . if after having tried medicines a long while , the child cannot be ejected , chirurgical operation must be used , that is perform'd either by instruments or by the hand alone , chap. cix . of the secundine retained . in a natural birth the secundine is wont most commonly to be excluded presently after the child , yet sometimes it is retained , whereby the life is much endangered . the internal causes of this retention are too great a thickness of the coats , so that they stick firmly to the sides of the womb , the swelling of them , by an afflux of humors occasioned by hard labour , and the shutting of the mouth of the womb after the exclusion of the fetus . the external causes are , coldness of the air , whereby the secundine is expelled , and the orifice of the womb shut ; certain perfumes , whereby the womb is allur'd upwards ; violent passions of the mind , as fear and sudden frights ; the perversness of the woman , who will not abide in such a position , or use such endeavours as are requisite ; the weight of the child , whereby the navel is broken , the secundine remaining within ; the unskilfulness of the midwife , who cuts the umbilical vessels too soon , or does not hold them in her left hand as she ought , for if they are let go they are drawn back into the womb , and are hid there with the secundine , whereas it ought they serve for the extraction of the secundine . it is easie to be known when the secundine is retained in the womb ; but sometimes a piece of it is separated and remains in the womb , which is not so easily found ; yet it may be known , for that the womb after delivery endeavours to eject something : but tho' its endeavours are but small , a sense of heat and pain is perceived in the womb , and after a few days a cadaverous smell exhales from the womb. the retention of the secundine is very dangerous , and if it continues some days , an acute fever , nauseousness , fainting , difficulty of breathing , coldness of the extream parts , epileptick and hysterick fits , and at length death follow . the secundine retained is expelled by the same remedies which were proposed for a dead child , to which may be added some specificks delivered by authors . gesner and augenius commend much the testicles of a horse cut in pieces , and dried in an oven , as much of the powder of them as may be contained with three fingers , being taken in chicken-broath , and it may be repeated twice or thrice upon occasion . rulandus says , he has given , with success , thirty drops of the oil of juniper . some order the woman to bite an onyon three or four times , and to swallow the juice , and presently after to drink a small draught of wine , by which she may be soon relieved . forestus mentions a widwife who received the following secret from a jewish physician ; he took the leaves of green lovage , and pressed out the juice with good rhenish-wine , and gave a draught of it . angelus sala commends mercurius vitae , as before in a dead child . to these things may be added sneezing-powders , fomentations , liniments and other things both external and internal , described above for difficult labour . the following decoction has been very succesful . take of vinegar of roses four or five quarts , of the leaves and berries of bayes , each three handfuls ; one rose-cake cut in pieces : boil them , and with the decoction , hot , wash the hips and legs from the groin to the feet for a long while . to this decoction may conveniently be added of myrrh and both the birth-worts , each one ounce . but among other things the hand of a skilful surgeon may do much , before the inflammation and inflation are increased ; for so the secundine may be gently drawn out , and the woman freed from all the symptoms and fatigue of medicines . if the secundine cannot be ejected by any means , but sticks firmly to the womb , and putrifies there , suppuratives must be injected , mixed with things that cleanse , that that which is putrified may be drawn out by degrees ; to this purpose , rondoletius commends basilicon , especially being dissolv'd in the following decoction . take of the leaves of mallows , with the roots three handfuls ; of the roots of both the birth-worts , each six drachms ; of flax-seeds and fenugreek-seeds , each half an ounce ; of violets one handful ; of the flowers of camomel , and the lesser centaury , each half an handful : make a decoction in water , mingle oil with it , if you would have it suppurate much ; but if you more design to cleanse , add a little vnguentum aegyptiacum . chap. cx . of a suppression of the child-bed purgations . there is so great a flux of humors from all parts of the womb , when a woman is with child , and during the commotion in her labour , that in case there be not afterwards sufficient evacuation of them , the woman is in great danger of very ill accidents , and sometimes of death it self ; because these humors corrupting by their stay there , will certainly cause a great inflammation : and this is the reason why the suppression of the lochia is one of the worst and most dangerous symptoms which can befal a woman after delivery , especially if they happen to be totally and suddenly stopt the first three or four days , which is the time they should come down plentifully ; for then follow an acute fever , great pains in the head , pains in the breast , reins and loins , suffocation of the mother , and an inflammation , which is suddenly communicated to the belly , which becomes very much swell'd and blown up ; there happens also a great difficulty in breathing , choakings , palpitation of the heart , fainting , convulsions , and often death it self , if the suppression continues , and if the woman over-lives it , she is in danger of an abscess in the womb , and afterwards of a cancer , or there may happen great imposthumes in the belly , also the gout , sciatica and lameness , or an inflammation and abscess in the breast . the causes of the stoppage of the lochia proceed either from a great loosness , because a great evacuation that way turns the lochia , and makes them stop , or any strong passion of the mind ; so do great colds , and cold drink . to bring the lochia well down , let the woman avoid all perturbations of spirit , which may stop them ; let her lie in bed with her head and breast a little raised , keeping her self very quiet , that so the humors may be carried downwards by their natural tendency : let her observe a good diet , somewhat hot and moist , and apply an hysterick plaster to her navel . take of the conserves of roman wormwood and of rue , each one ounce ; of the troches of myrrh two drachms ; of castor , english saffron , volatil salt of sal armoniack and of assa fetida , each half a drachm : with a sufficient quantity of the syrup of the five opening roots ; make an electuary . let her take the quantity of a large nutmeg every third hour , drinking upon it three or four spoonfuls of the following mixture . take of the water of penny royal and balm , each three ounces ; of compound briony-water two ounces ; of syrup of mugwort three ounces and an half ; of saffron two drachms ; of castor tied up in a rag and hanged in the glass , one scruple ; mingle them . if these things are used presently upon the suppression , they generally take it off : but if they have been used so long that all the quantity is taken , and the lochia are still stopt , in this case we may use laudanum for once , but it is best to mix it with hysterick things : for instance , take of liquid laudanum sixteen drops , in a spoonful of compound briony-water : or , take of solid laudanum one grain and an half ; of assa fetida one scruple and an half : make two pills . but it must be carefully noted , that if upon once taking the business is not done , opium by no means must be repeated again : but having waited a while to see what it will do , we must return again to emmenagoges mix'd with hystericks , and afterwards we must inject a glister : but what was said before of opium is also to be taken notice of in respect of glisters ; for unless the first bring down the lochia , nothing is to be hoped for from more . these things therefore being done , it is safest , and the duty of a prudent physician to wait and see what time will do ; for every day the danger will lessen , and if the sick live over the twentieth day , she will be in a manner out of danger ; for then she will be able to bear that method , which is fittest to conquer the diseases which were occasioned by the suppression of the lochia . chap. cxi . of after-pains . pains happen so frequently to women in childbed , that few are free from them ; but they seldom require the physicians help , because they usually cease in two or three days : but if they are sharp and continue longer , they are forced to send for physicians , who before they prescribe ought to enquire into the causes of the pains . the chief causes therefore of pains after labour are a great quantity of blood , the thickness and acrimony of it , and the narrowness of the vessels ; for when the veins of the womb have ceased to evacuate blood for nine months ; and when that is heaped up in a great quantity , and also grows thick and acrimonious by it's long stay , it occasions pain while it passes through the narrow passages , which returns by intervals , as often as the womb endeavours the evacuation of the blood ▪ and when that is over , the pain ceases till more blood endeavours to come out . these pains are also sometimes occasioned by wind , or cold received into the womb ; but the pain seldom happens from these causes this pain is distinguished from other pains , that are wont to afflict the belly , by the continuance or intervals , which follow the evacuation of blood , and women can easily distinguish them themselves . the thick blood easily coagulates , but the thin is known by its thinness and fresh colour . if the pain arises from wind , it is more wandring , and possesses more parts of the belly , nor does it follow the intervals of the evacuation of blood : if cold air be admitted into the womb , it may be known by those things which have been done about the woman . these pains are not dangerous , but are most commonly very troublesome , and therefore are to be taken off or asswaged as soon as may be . as to the cure , the vessels of the womb must be relaxed , and the thickness of the blood attenuated , and its acrimony qualified , all which may be done by the following means . and first the woman's belly must be gently swathed , that it may subside and not move hither and thither , as it often happens after delivery , upon so sudden an evacuation , and then give of oil of almonds fresh drawn three ounces , mixed with an ounce and an half of syrup of violets . and glisters may be injected made of milk and sugar , and yolks of eggs ; or they may be prepared of a decoction of camomel-flowers , and of mugwort in chicken-broath , adding to them oil of lillies and yolks of eggs. and the belly of the woman must be anointed with carminitive and aperitive oils , as with oil of dill , rue , jasmin , or with the following , which is very effectual , which may be prepared for this use in due season and kept in the shops . take of the roots of round birth-wort , of orris and peony each one ounce , of cyprus half an ounce , of the dried leaves of mugwort , feverfew , wild marjoram , calaminth , pennyroyal , dittany of creet , of wormwood , savin , rue , bettony and sage , each one handful , of the flowers of rosemary , stechas , lavender , camomel , dill , s. john's wort , elder , each half an handful , of the grains of lawrel and juniper , each half an ounce , of cummin , the seeds of rue , peony , daucas , of the chast tree , each three drachms , of cloves , nutmegs , cinnamon and ginger , each two drachms , of storax and myrrh each one ounce : bruise them and cut them , and infuse them in three quarts of old oil , adding a litte white-wine ; keep them in an earthen vessel , well stopt , for the space of a week , then boil them upon hot ashes four or five hours , then press out the oil , and keep it for use . if you have it not ready prepared , you may boil the simples upon occasion with equal parts of oil and white-wine , to the consumption of the wine , afterwards press out the oil. a fomentation may be also made of a decoction of mugwort , feverfew , baulm , of the leaves of bays and calaminth , of the seeds of daucas , cummin and caraways , of the flowers of wall-flower and camomel made in water and white-wine , or in milk : or the following cataplasm may be applied . take of onions boil'd in water number three or four , bruise them in a mortar , and add to them of the seeds of cummin and flax bruised , each one handful : with a sufficient quantity of the flowers of camomel and barly-meal , make a cataplasm ; and if there be occasion , add a little of the water wherein the onions were boil'd : spread it upon a cloath , and apply it hot to the navel . it is also proper to cover the belly with a sheep's-skin fresh flea'd off , and applied hot , for the heat of it is very agreeable , it eases the pain , and keeps the belly from wrinkling . and the following things may be taken inwardly . take of the seeds of daucas powdered one drachm , of white-wine three ounces : mingle them and give it twice in a day . or , take of nutmegs , aniseeds and cinamon , each one scruple : mingle them , make a powder , give it with white-wine , or one scruple of oil of nutmegs with broath . forestus used the flowers of camomel in beer , or a decoction of camomel and mugwort in chicken-broath with good success . it is good presently after delivery to give the broath of an old cock early in the morning fasting , for three days , with a little cinnamon and saffron . the following powder taken presently after delivery , preserves the woman from pain , in a wonderful manner ; and some think if a woman takes it the first lying in , she will never be troubled in child-bed with these kind of pains . take of comfry dried one drachm , of the kernels of peach-stones , and of nutmegs , each two scruples , of ambar half a drachm , of ambergrise half a scruple : make a powder , whereof let her take a drachm with white-wine , and if there be a fever with broath . let her use for her ordinary drink a decoction of mugwort and cinnamon . when the pains arise from cholerick and acrid humors , they must be cured in a manner the same way as the cholick , occasioned by choler . for instance , take of syrup of violets and of borrage , each one ounce , of the mucilage of the seeds of quinces , extracted with violet-water half an ounce , of borrage , and scorzonera-water , each three ounces ; mingle them , make a julep for two doses : or , take of oil of sweet almonds two ounces , of syrup of violets one ounce , of borrage water half an ounce : mingle them for one draught . external medicines that loosen and mollifie the passages must be applied . child-bed women after delivery are often troubled with a pain in the groin ; it may be taken off by applying a plaster of galbanum and assafetida to the navel , in the middle whereof some grains of musk must be placed . chap. cxii . of the acute diseases of women in child-bed . the fever from milk , whilst the child-bed purgations proceed right , seldom lasts beyond three days , for about that time it usually goes off , by a great sweat coming of its own accord : but this intemperies occasioned by the coming of the milk is somewhat heightned , and continues longer , when the milk flows plentifully to the breasts , and is not milkt out , but repelled : for by its going back as well as its coming , there is a disturbance in the whole body usually , which comes more certainly , if the milk be driven violently back by repelling topicks . some common rules are to be observed concerning the coming of the milk , or in driving of it back . if the milk flow too freely into the breasts , that the inflammation of them , and the immoderate effervescence of the blood may be prevented , a thin and spare diet must be ordered , viz. of broath without flesh , and the breasts must be often sucked , and if it be not thought convenient that the woman should give suck , it is customary on the first or third day of lying-in , to apply over the breasts moderately astringent cere-cloaths : but this kind of remedy must be used with caution , lest the milk should be excluded altogether , or too hastily , and so cause a disorder in the blood , and a putrid or malignant fever , of which we shall speak next . women with child , by reason their bodies are ill affected , are as it were infected with a pestilential contagion , and so are very subject to a putrid , or rather malignant fever . this fever seizes child-bed women at various seasons , and upon several occasions ; sometimes presently after delivery , especially if it has been difficult and hard ; sometimes on the first , sometimes on the second , third , or fourth week ; but the later it begins , the better it goes off . it begins and proceeds , most commonly , in the following manner : after a previous indisposition the fever begins most commonly , with a shaking and shivering , which heat presently follows , and after that sweat ; the first or second day fits of heat and cold succeed one another , and then all the blood being inflamed , the lochia , if they were not suppressed before , flow but little , or quite stop . if the disease be acute and of quick motion , it comes to its height the third or fourth day ; the heat is violent , and the thirst very much , the pulse vehement and quick , watchings obstinate , there is great restlessness , so that the sick tumble from one side of the bed to the other continually , the urin is thick and red , and there are many other grievous symptoms ; when this fever is in its state , no crisis is to be expected ; for i never saw this disease go off by a critical sweat ; for when the blood has a while boyled , the adust matter being presently translated to the brain , dangerous disorders of the genus nervosum are occasioned , and convulsive motions of the tendons , and inflations of the bowels , like mother fits , and sometimes a phrensie , or delirium , and often a stupo● and loss of speech follow , and the strength is suddenly dejected , almost in all , without any manifest cause ; the pulse is weak and unequal , and the sick soon die : and if any chance to escape , the flux of the courses being restored , or a loosness happening , they recover difficultly after a long sickness . the acute diseases of women in childbed , are not always according to the manner of the fore-mentioned fever , but sometimes they are accompanied with some great symptom , as with a quinsie , pleurisie , peripneumonia , bloody-flux , small-pox , and the like . of these a quinsie , pleurisie , and peripneumunia , by reason of the great similitude of the cause and analogy of the cure , may be considered together . presently at their first beginning , we must endeavour , that the blood fixed any where , and beginning to be extravasated , be restored to circulation , lest an imposthume should be occasioned ; wherefore internal remedies , which free the blood from coagulation , must be used , of which sort are diaphoreticks abounding with volatile salt , as spirit of harts-horne and soot , urin , also testaceous , and bezoartick powders , lapis prunella , decoctions and juleps , made of vegetables that force urine and the courses ; with all which must be mixed such things as have been found by experience to have been proper for uterine diseases . moreover discutient medicines , which disperse the matter impacted , such are liniments , fomentations and cataplasms , must be carefully applied to the parts affected : in the mean while the violent motion and immoderate effervescence of the blood must be driven far from thence , and the filth must be driven , as much as possible , downwards . to this end frictions , ligatures , epispasticks , and if there be occasion , cupping-glasses must be applied about the legs and feet ; if the disease be very violent , bleeding is indicated , and unless there be a plethora in the whole body , and the inflammation be very acute in the part affected , it will be best to open a vein in the foot , or to apply leeches to the hemorrhoidal veins : but if necessity urge we may bleed in the arm , and afterwards , if it can be admitted , in the foot. but you must take notice , that bleeding must be cautiously used in these cases ; for unless it does good , which i have seldom found , the sick is in worse condition , the pulse being thereby rendred weaker . a dissentery is very often deadly , and so much the rather because such things as qualifie the blood , and that moderately bind are indicated ; but the flux of the lochia forbid the use of them . wherefore in this case till she has been well purged by a long flux of the lochia , the fierceness of the symptoms must at present be only appeased . the indications of the small-pox are not only contrary to those above-described , but also to one another ; for the flux of the lochia must be moderately restrained ; but in the mean while the efflorescence of the blood and gentle sweating must be continued : for seeing a twofold venomous ferment is in this disease , and the corrupt particles of the blood are to be carried out two ways , we must take care that the least and narrowest passage do not draw all the matter , or more than it can let out . wherefore , lest the lochia flowing plentifully should turn inward the venom that is inclined to go off by sweat , the course of diet must be somewhat changed , and first such things as are of an alexipharmick and astringent nature must be boyled with their broaths , as the roots of tormentil and bistort , also powders , juleps and electuaries endued with such vertues must be given at due intervals ; and in this case the woman must be no ways allowed flesh , or the broath of it , not must she rise , but she must be kept as quiet as is possible , and the whole business must be left in a manner to god and nature . all women in child-bed have an inbred venom , and they ought to be careful of it , and to avoid it as much as the greatest malignity . wherefore they ought to use an exact course of diet , whereby the impurities of the blood and humours may be purged in child-bed without the danger of a fever ; and that the disorders of the womb may be heal'd , and their strength , weakned by delivery , may be restored : to which end three things are to be minded ; first , an exact course of diet must be ordered , viz. that they be fed for a week at least with water-gruel , sometimes made with beer , sometimes made with water mix'd with whitewine , or with panada , and other things of easie digestion . secondly , they must take great care that they do not catch cold , whereby the pores and the lochia may be stopt ; wherefore let them continue in bed , at least till the tenth day . thirdly , the lochia must be gently provoked ; to this end midwives , when after hard labour , there is danger of a stoppage of the lochia ; give sperma caeti , irish slates powdered , or white wine tinctured with saffron , and they make the gruel with water and white wine , wherein , as also in posset drink , they boyl marygold flowers , the leaves of penny-royal or mugwort . chap. cxiii . of childrens diseases . of ordering them ; and of the choice of a nurse . a child , which during the stay in its mother's belly , had no other nourishment , but the blood it received by the umbilical vessels , hath for want of that after its birth , need to take some by the mouth , and suck breast-milk ; however , it is not good to give it suck , as soon as it is born , to prevent that so sudden a change , as well in respect of the difference of nourishment , as the manner of receiving it , lest it cause some alteration in its health . first therefore empty the phlegm out of its stomach , by giving it the first three or four days some wine and sugar to cut and loosen it , to prevent the milk he shall take from corrupting , it being mixed with this viscous phlegm ; wherefore it is best to stay until the next day before you give it suck . it were to be wished that the mother shou'd not give it suck until the eighth day of her child-bed at soonest , and it is best if she stay three weeks or a month , for in that time she will be well purged by the lochia , and the blood will be much more pure ; besides the small holes of the nipples are not at first sufficiently opened , and therefore it is necessary for a woman to suck first . but often poor people cannot observe so many precautions , and such mothers are obliged to give their children suck from the first day ; and likewise others will not suffer any but themselves to do it . in this case let her breasts be a little drawn by some old woman , or some lusty sucking child , or they may draw them themselves . if the nurse has much milk , she must not give the child any thing else , at least the first two months . as to the quantity of milk the child ought to suck , it must be proportionable to his age and strength ; in the beginning he must not suck too much , nor too often , afterwards by little and little let it be daily augmented , until he may take his fill ; but he may suck at any time night or day . after the child has suck'd two or three months , more or less , according as one finds he needs stronger nourishment , give him then pap made of flower and milk , though but little at first , and not too thick , lest his stomach may be overcharged . when the child has taken pap thus made , which must be but once a day , especially in the morning , or twice at most , the nurse may give it a little suck , to the end that being washed down into the stomach , the digestion may be the better and easier made . there are many women who give their children pap as soon as they are born , and nurses who have little milk , ordinarily do so to hinder their crying , as they will do when they are hungry : but sometimes this of it self is enough to kill them , because of the indigestion and obstruction it occasions , which by reason of its gross and viscous consistence can scarce find passage through the stomach and guts , which at the beginning are weak and not sufficiently opened and dilated , whereby there happens to children great oppressions , difficulty of breathing , gripes , swellings , pains of the belly , and often death . wherefore do not give it the child , till after the first or second month at soonest , and if you forbore it three or four months he would thrive the better , provided the nurse does not want milk. when he is in the cradle , let it be so turned as it may be towards the fire , the candle , or the chamber window , that having the light directly in its face , he may not be allured to look continually on one side ; for doing so often , his sight will be so perverted , that he will grow squint-ey'd . wherefore for the better secucurity , throw some covering over the head of the cradle . many children are so grip'd that they can't forbear crying night nor day , and some die so , and this is very often the first and most common disease that happens to little infants after their birth . to remedy all these pains which women generally call gripes , respect must be had to their different causes : as to that which is the general cause , viz. the too sudden change of the nourishment , you must forbear giving the child suck till the next day , lest the milk being mix'd with the phlegm which is in the stomach corrupt ; and at first it must suck but little until it be accustom'd to digest it , if it be the maeconion of the intestines , which by its long stay causes these pains , for to help to discharge them of it , give them inwardly a little oyl of sweet almonds and syrup of roses ; and to provoke it further , give it beets-stalk cover'd with hony for a suppository , or a sugar'd almond also dip'd in common honey , or you may give a small glister . and when the child is grip'd , give no pap , because this food by its viscosity , easily causes obstructions , which afterwards ingender wind. if the pain be occasioned by worms , lay a cloath dipp'd in oyl of worm-wood mix'd with ox gall upon the belly , or a small cataplasm mix'd with powders of rue , wormwood , coloquintida , aloes , and the seeds of citrons incorporated with ox-gall and flower of lupines ; and to drive them downwards if the little infant can take any thing by the mouth , give it a small infusion of rubarb , or half an ounce of compound syrup of succory , having before given a small glister of sugar'd milk. when the gripes are caused by wind , as it often happens , or by sharp humours in the guts , anoint the child's belly all over with oyl of violets , or else with oil of sweet almonds , or else with the oyls of wallnuts , camomel and melilot , mixed together , having first warm'd them , in which also a cloath may be dipp'd to lay upon it , and a little anodyne , or carminative glister may be given . very frequently the milk of a nurse that is red hair'd , given to wine , or very amorous , may by its heat and acrimony , cause small ulcers in an infant 's mouth , which are called apthae , or the thrush ; and vulgarly cancers : sometimes also though the milk have no ill quality in it self , it may however corrupt in the stomach , because of its weakness , or for some other indisposition . of these ulcers some are benign , as they are caused by a simple heat of the nurses milk , or by the child's blood and humours being a little over-heated , or also from having had a small fit of a fever , and they are then very superficial , of a small continuance , and easily yielding to remedies : others are malignant , such as are caused by a venereal venom , or that happen after a malignant fever , and are scorbutick ; these are putrid , corrosive and spreading , and do not only possess the superficies of the membranes , which cover the roof of the mouth and tongue , but make deep scabs , and are communicated to the internal parts of the throat , the venereal ones especially , which can never be cured by ordinary remedies , but must be handled with specificks , without which they ever augment , and soon kill little infants , who are too weak to undergo the remedies fit for their cure. to cure these ulcers , when they are small and without malignity , you must take care to temper the nurse's milk , prescribing her a cooling diet ; bleeding and purging also if there be occasion , and wash the child's mouth with barly or plantain water , and hony of roses , or syrup of dryed roses , mixing with them a little verjuice , or juice of limons , as well to loosen and cleanse the viscous humours , which cleave to the inside of the child's mouth , as to cool those parts , which are already over-heated . this may be done by means of a small fine rag , fastned to the end of a little stick , and dipp'd in the remedy , wherewith the ulcers may be gently rubb'd , being careful not to put them to too much pain , lest by irritating them an inflammation should be caused . the child's body must be kept open , that the humours being carried to the lower parts , so many vapours may not ascend , as usually do , when the excrements of the belly are too long retained . if the ulcers participate of any malignity , let topical remedies then be used , which do the business speedily , and as it were in an instant . for this purpose , touch the ulcers with plantain-water , sharpned with spirit of vitriol , taking great care that the infant swallows none of it ; and the remedy must be so much the stronger and sharper , as the ulcers are profound and malignant . as soon as they have been cauterized with this water , by only touching them once or twice with it according to their bigness , depth or corruption , that no sharp serosities may destil upon the parts not yet ulcerated , and upon the infants throat , wash its mouth with plantain-water , or with a decoction of barly , agrimony and hony of roses , continuing to touch and wash the ulcers , as it may be judged convenient , and until you find they spread no further . to prevent that in the use of these sharp medicines , not the least portion of them should fall upon the child's throat , and that by swallowing of them , you may receive no great prejudice . some chuse rather to cauterize these ulcers with small linnen tents dipt in boiling oil , and if it should be swallowed , it would be no great hurt . it will not be amiss to punge the ill humors out of the whole habit of the child , by giving him half an ounce of syrup of succory with rhubarb . the teeth , which were hidden in the jaws , usually begin to come forth , not all at a time , but one after another , towards the fifth or sixth month , sometimes sooner and sometimes also later ; for to effect which , they cut the gums wherewith they were covered . then because of the exquisite sense of those parts , there happens so great pains to the children , that many who were hitherto very well , are now in great danger of their lives , and often die by reason of many mischievous accidents , which happen to them at that time . and hippocrates says , when children begin to breed their teeth , they are troubled with itching of their gums , fevers , convulsions and loosnesses , and principally when they breed their tusks or dog-teeth , especially those children who are fat , and full of humors , and bound . the dog-teeth , commonly called the eye-teeth , cause more pain to the child than any of the rest , because they have a deep root and a small nerve , that has communication with that which moves the eye . the teeth , which are first bred , are the cutting or foreteeth . the signs when children will breed their teeth , are , when the gums and cheeks are swelled , they feel a great heat there with an itching , which often makes them put their fingers in their mouths to rub them , from whence much moisture destils into the mouth , because of the pain they feel there . the nurse in giving them suck , finds their mouths hotter ; they are much changed , and cry every moment , and cannot sleep , or but very little at a time . and one may feel and see small points of the teeth through the gums , which appear thin and pale on the top , and swelled and red on the sides ; and if it happen that the teeth are a long time ' ere they are cut , or that too many of them cut at a time , there is great danger that the child will fall into those accidents mentioned above . in this case two things are to be regarded ; first , to preserve the child from the ill accidents that may happen to it , by reason of the great pain : secondly , to assist as much as may be the cutting of the teeth , when they can hardly cut the gums themselves . to prevent these accidents , the nurse must keep a good diet , and use all things that may cool and temper the milk , that a fever may not follow the pain of the teeth , and to hinder the falling of the humors upon the inflamed gums , keep the child's belly always loose , to which purpose give him a gentle glister , if the belly be bound ; but there is commonly no need of it : for at this time the children are usually troubled with a looseness . as to the second , which helps the cutting of the teeth , that the nurse must do from time to time , by gently rubbing the childs gums with her finger ; to which end the child it felf may be useful , if they give a little stick of liquorish to them , or a small piece of a new wax-candle , which is very good to soften the gums . coral is also often used to this purpose , and the teeth of a wolf. but these things that are peculiarly proper , what they do is by their solidity and roughness : but if these things do no good , the gums must be cut with a lancet to prevent ill accidents . as soon as little infants are in the least indisposed , they very commonly fall into a looseness , to which their natural moisture very much contributes . for the most part the looseness happens to them , by reason of the great pain they have at the cutting their teeth : it may also happen by the vitiousness of the nurses milk. but if the looseness be not accompanied with a fever , or some other accident , it is not dangerous ; but if it continue so long , it will not be amiss to remedy it . for this purpose , let the child suck good milk , and give it a slight infusion of rhubarb , or a little compound syrup of succory ; gentle anodyn glisters may be also given , made of milk , yolks of eggs , and hony of violets ; and after purging , let them be made with plantain-water , and mix the yolk of an egg with the pap. anoint the belly with oil of quinces , and lay on the stomach a compress dipt in red wine , wherein province roses have been boiled . vomiting usually happens to children , because they often draw more milk than their little stomachs can easily contain or digest : a cough does sometimes occasion it , so does the swathing of the belly too hard . when the vomiting is too frequent , it is fit it should be stopped ; to which end , regard must be had to that which causes it , as when the child sucks more than it should , the nurse must not give it so much , but it must suck but little at a time , that the stomach may the easier contain and digest what it receives . if it be occasioned by an ill quality of the milk , the nurse must be changed for a better ; if from a cough , it must be helped by things fit to appease it . the nurse must not dance it rudely , nor rock it fiercely after it has sucked . care must be likewise taken , that it be not too close wrapt , and swathed about the stomach . and it will be very convenient to purge the infant with a gentle infusion of rhubarb , or with half an ounce of compound syrup of succory : and after it has been well purged , it may take a little syrup of quinces to fortify the stomach , and a compress dipt in red wine , wherein province-roses , cinnamon and cloves have been boiled , may be applied to the region of the stomach . children are sometimes afflicted with scabs in the head and face , but the course of these humors must by no means be hindred by driving them inwards ; because their evacuation defends little infants from many ill diseases ; and we ordinarily see them , whose bodies have a long time purged away such superfluities , to be better in health , after they have cast forth all this kind of corruption . but endeavours must be only used to hinder the generation of more of these ill humors in the child ; wherefore , a healthy nurse must be provided , whose milk is pure and cool , the child's belly must be kept open , and purged upon occasion with a little syrup of roses or of succory , that so the humors may not be sent in too great abundance to the head , and that the sanies under the scabs may not eat and corrode the skin , and so cause deep ulcers ; it will not be amiss also to make the scabs fall off , that there may be a freer vent or issue ; for which end , fresh butter is ordinarly made use of to moisten them , or oil of sweet almonds ; afterwards , apply a cabbage-leaf , and change it twice or thrice a day . as to the choice of a nurse , the first and principal of all the qualities in a good nurse , is , that she be the own mother of the child , as well because of the mutual agreement of their tempers , as that having much more love for it , she will be much more careful than an hired nurse , who ordinarily loves her nurse-child but with a feigned and seeming love , having no other end or foundation , but the hope of the recompence she expects for her hire . wherefore the true mother , though not the best nurse , should ever be preferred before a stranger . but because there are several that either will not , or cannot suckle their own children , there is a necessity to provide an other nurse , which should be chosen as convenient for the child , as may be . now as we see trees produce fruits of a different taste , by reason of the difference of the nourishment , so the health of children , and sometimes their manners depend on the nourishment they receive at the beginning . for as to the health of the body , it is well known , it answers the humors that all the parts are nourished and maintained with , which humors ever retain the nature of the food whereof they are engendred : as for the manners , they ordinarily follow the temperament , which also proceeds from the quality of the humors , and the humors from the food . by this consequence , as the nurse is , so will the child be , by means of the nourishment it draweth from her ; and in sucking her , it will draw in both the vices of her body and mind . this appears very easily in animals that suck a strange dam , for they always partake something of the creature they suck ; being accordingly , either of a mild or fiercer nature , or of a stronger or weaker body , which may be noted in the example of young lions , tamed by sucking a domestick animal , as a cow , a goat or ass ; and , on the contrary , a dog will become more furious or fierce if it sucks a wolf. the necessary conditions of a good nurse are usually taken from her age , the time and manner of her labour , the good constitution of all the parts of her body , and particularly of her breasts , from the good nature of her milk ; and , in fine , from her good manners . as to her age , the most convenient is from twenty five to thirty five years of age , because that during this space the woman is most strong , healthy and vigorous : she is not fit before five and twenty , because her body not having yet acquired all its dimensions , cannot be so robust ; nor after thirty five , because not having blood enough in so great abundance , she cannot have milk enough for the nourishment of the child . however , some women are indifferent good nurses from twenty to forty , but very rarely before or after . as to the time and manner of her labour , it must be at least a month or six weeks after it , that so her milk may be throughly purified ; because , at that time , her body is usually cleansed of the lochia , which follows labour , and the humors are no longer disturbed with it ; nor must it be above five or six months , that so she may be able to make an end of nursing the child , that there may be no necessity to change her afterwards for another . she must not have miscarried , but have been brought to bed at her full time of a healthful son , for it is a mark of a good constitution ; and it must be her second or third child , that she may by experience know the better how to tend her nursery . as to the healthful constitution of her body , 't is the principal thing , and on which almost all the rest depends . in general , she must be very healthful and of a good habit , not subject to any distemper ; that she be come of parents that never had the stone in the reins and bladder , nor subject to the gout , king's-evil , falling-sickness , or any other hereditary disease ; that she hath no spot , nor the least suspicion of any venereal distemper ; that she have no scab , itch , scald , or any other filth of the like nature ; that she be strong , the better to watch and tend the child in all things necessary for it ; that she be of a middle stature , neither too tall nor too low , too fat nor too lean , because a person of such a natural symmetry performs all the functions more perfectly , and as is usually said , in medio consistit virtus . but above all , she must not be with child : let her be of a sanguine complexion , which may be known by her vermilion colour , not altogether so red , but inclining to white ; of a firm flesh , not soft ; she must not likewise have her courses , for that is a sign that her blood is too hot , either because her temperament is such , or from an amorous passion , or otherways ; neither must she be subject to the whites , for such superfluities are a sign of a bad habit ; she must not be red haired , nor marked with red spots , but her hair must be black , or of a chesnut brown : she must be well shaped , neat in her cloaths , and comly in her face , having a sprightly eye , and a smiling countenance : she must have good eyes , sound and white teeth , not having any rotten or spoiled , lest her breath should smell ; she ought to have a sweet voice to please and rejoice the child , and likewise ought to have a clear and free pronunciation , that he may not learn an ill accent of her , as usually red-haired have , and sometimes also that are very black-haired and white skins ; for their milk is hot , sharp and stinking , and also of an ill taste : she must not have a strong breath , as they who have a stinking nose and bad teeth , as we have said before , because the nurse that constantly kisses the child , would infect its lungs by often drawing in her corrupted breath : her breasts ought to be pretty big , to receive and concoct there a sufficient quantity of milk , but not big to excess ; they must be sound and free from scars proceeding from former impostumes ; they must be indifferent firm and fleshy , and not flaggy and hanging : the nurse must be broad-breasted ; as to the nipples they must be well shaped , they must not be too big nor too hard , nor grisly , nor sunk in too deep , but they must be a little raised and of a moderate bigness and firmness , and with many little holes , that the child may not take too much pains to draw the milk. the quantity of the milk must be sufficient for the child's nourishment , it must be of a middle consistence , neither too waterish nor too thick , which may be easily judged , if the nurse milking some into her hand , and turning it a little on one side , it immediately runs off ; but if it remains fixed , without running by turning of the hand , it is a mark it is too thick and viscous . as to the colour , the whitest is best ; it must taste and smell sweet and pleasant . the nurse must not be subject to choler nor be quarelsome ; she must not be melancholy , but merry and chearful , smiling often to divert the child : she must be sober , not given to wine , and yet le●● to the excess of venery ; but she may moderately use the first , and not totally abstain from the second , if her nature requires it . if a nurse has all , or most part of these conditions here specified , as well respecting her person as manners , and that she maintains this condition by a diet fit for the childs temperament , and not contrary to her own , there is then great reason to believe she is fit to make a very good nurse , and to bring up , in perfect health , the son of a prince . chap. cxiv . of the rickets . this disease began about fifty years ago in the west of england : it is a disease of children , and it seizes them when they are about half a year old . the diagnostick of this disease , as of all others , depends upon the knowledge of the symptoms , which follow . the proportion of the parts is irregular , viz. the head is bigger than ordinary , so is the face , the wit is sharper than is usual at such an age , the external members , especially the muscular , are thin and wasted , the skin is loose and flaccid , the bones most commonly bowed , and about , the joins sticking out and knotty , the spine is variously bent , the breast is narrow and sharp , the extremity of the ribs knotty , the belly somewhat swelled and stiff . these things are observed outwardly . as to the inner parts , the liver is larger than usual , so are all the parenchyma , the stomach and bowels are larger than in those that are well , the mesentery is affected with glandules that are larger than ordinary , if they are not scrophulous ; these things are observed in the belly . in the breast the lungs are stuffed and swelled , they are sometimes purulent and scrophulous , and often stick to the pleura , the jugular veins and the carotid arteries are sometimes larger than they shou'd be , but the brain is only peccant in bigness . to these are added a weakness of almost all the parts and unwillingness to move , for such children will play only sitting and do not care to stand , and at length in progress of the disease , the head can scarce be sustain'd by the weak neck . as to the prognostick of this disease , most commonly 't is not deadly ; but sometimes the symptoms growing to a heighth , it degenerates into a consumption , hectic fever , dropsie of the lungs or an ascitis , and so at last is deadly ; but the prognostick may be easier instituted by the following rules . first , if this disease invades before the birth , or presently after , 't is very dangerous , and most commonly deadly . secondly , the sooner it comes the worse ' t is . thirdly , the more violent the symptoms are , viz. if the parts are very much disproportion'd and much wasted , the cure is the more difficult . fourthly , if this disease is accompanied with the foresaid diseases , it can scarce ever be cur'd . fifthly , those that are not cured before they are five years of age , are ever after sickly . sixthly , an itch coming upon this disease , much conduces to the cure. seventhly , in those the symptoms are not increased , but rather lessened , the cure need not be doubted . as to the cure , we must begin with purging , because most commonly there is abundance of slegmatick humors heapt up in the belly , and the bowels are frequently affected with scrophulous tumors ; but purging is to be instituted by glisters , vomits and lenitive catharticks . the use and forms of some glisters . if the belly be bound , or the bowels are troubl'd with wind or gripes , glisters must be us'd frequently , which must not be only solutive , but sometimes alterative and corroborative . for instance : take of the leaves of mallows , one handful , of the flowers of melilot , camomile and elder , each one pugil , of the seeds of annise and fennel bruis'd , each half a drachm ; boil them in a sufficient quantity of new goat's milk , to four , five or six ounces of the strain'd liquor ; add of red sugar and of syrup of violets and roses , each one ounce : make a glister , inject it warm a good while after eating . take of the roots of marshmallows bruis'd , half an ounce , of the leaves of mallows and pellitory , each half an handful , of the flowers of camomil and elder , each one pugil , of the carminative seeds , two drachms ; boil them in a sufficient quantity of posset-drink to or ounces of the strained liquor ; add of lenitive electuary , or of diacassia half an ounce , of fresh butter six drachms ; mingle them , to be injected warm . corroborative glisters may be made in the following manner . take of fresh stone-horse dung , one ounce and an half , of the flowers of rosemary and sage , each one pugil , of juniper-berries , two drachms , of the seeds of annise , fennel , each half a drachm ; infuse them close and warm in a sufficient quantity of whey , in four ounces of the strained liquor , dissolve one ounce of brown sugar and six drachms of fresh butter ; mingle them , make a glister : there may also be added , if it seem convenient , six drachms of manna . take of millepides washed number or , bruise them , and pour upon them or ounces of posset-drink made of white wine , in the strained liquor dissolve an ounce of brown sugar , and a drachm of venice-turpentine dissolved in the yolk of an egg ; mingle them , make a glister to be injected warm . the use of vomits and forms of them . if the stomach be burthened with vitious humors , and they tend upwards , vomits must be given ; but in the prescription of them , respect must be had to the tender age , and they should consist rather of salt of vitriol and the wine of squills , than of stibiat medicines ; for it is not so safe to give these to infants for fear of convulsions , though sometimes they may be of use . take of wine or oxymel of squills , half an ounce or an ounce , which being taken , give half an hour after a great quantity of posset-drink , and provoke vomiting with the finger , and let it be repeated now and then . or , take of oxymel of squills , half an ounce or an ounce , if it does not vomit in half an hour , give of salt of vitriol half a scruple or fifteen grains , in a draught of posset-drink . if the strength will bear stronger vomits , let them be used . as , take of the infusion of crocus metallorum well clarified by standing , one or two drachms , according to the age and strength , of oxymel of squills three drachms or half an ounce , of simple walnut-water , or of the water of the lesser centaury , six drachms ; mingle them , make a vomit . forms of catharticks . some days after vomiting , or if vomiting be not to be used , gentle purging must be instituted , and repeated by intervals . as , take of the augustan syrup , or of syrup of succory with rhubarb , six drachms or an ounce , of cream of tartar ten or fifteen grains , mingle them , let them be taken early in a morning , either by themselves or in a draught of posset-drink . or , take of calabrian manna , half an ounce or an ounce , of tartar vitriolated five or ten grains , mingle them , let them be taken in a morning in broath or in posset-drink . take of the roots of polypody of the oak , and of sharp pointed dock each six drachms , of the bark of the roots of elder , and of dwarf-elder , each half an ounce , of the roots of flowering fern , male fern and succory , each half an ounce , of the herbs agrimony , liverwort , speedwel , hartstongue and spleenwort , each half a handful ; boil them in three pints of fountain-water to the consumption of a third part , strain the liquor into a matrass , and put to it two ounces of senna , one ounce of rhubarb , of dodder , of thyme and yellow sanders , each two drachms , of the seeds of annise and fennel , each one drachm , of salt of wormwood , one drachm and an half ; infuse them hot in a close vessel hours : to the liquor , cleared by standing , add an equal weight of sugar , and by gentle boiling make a syrup . the dose is one , two or three spoonfuls , either by themselves , or in some proper liquor . or to the above-mentioned purging infusion , add of cassia and tamarinds extracted , with part of the same infusion of manna strained and of the best sugar , each one ounce and an half ; evaporate them over a gentle heat to the consistence of an electuary . the dose is the quantity of a nutmeg , more or less , as it works . take of the species hiera picra simple , one drachm , of the best rhubarb powder'd half a drachm , of tartar vitriolated ten grains , of gum ammonieum dissolved in vinegar fifteen grains , with a sufficient quantity of elixir proprietatis , of paracelsus , make a mass for pills , of which half a scruple or a scruple may be made into pills , and taken at bed-time . a bochet made of rhubarb and yellow sanders , in convenient distilled waters , may be used . if the sick be affected with worms or the king 's evil , or if there be any suspicion of the king 's evil , the following bolus may be given by intervals . take of mercurius dulcis , from six to ten grains , rosin of jalap , or of scammony two or four grains , of the chymical oil of juniper , one drop ; make a powder , which may be made into a bolus with the pap of a roasted apple , or a drachm of the conserve of violets ; let it be taken early in the morning . or , take of mercurius dulcis , six or ten grains , of the conserve of flowers of succory , half a drachm ; mix them , make a bolus . let it be taken early in the morning , drinking presently upon it a sufficient dose of the purging infusion or syrup . chyrurgical remedies . after gentle purging , if the sick be of a sanguine constitution , blood-letting is of use . our empericks use to draw a small quantity of blood by scarifying the lobe of the ear ; which operation they rather perform with a blunt knife , than with a sharp lancet ; and they repeat it twice or thrice , intermitting about the space of days . altho' practitioners greatly praise this way by scarification , i do not know but leeches may be more effectual . neither do i think it is to be fear'd that the sucking of leeches should cause a greater afflux of blood to the head. for whatever blood is drawn to the part by their sucking , is also evacuated by it ; and as to the greater afflux of blood , by reason of the emptying of the vessels , the same happens in bleeding by the lancet . issues are also very effectual in this disease , especially an issue made between the first and second vertebrae of the neck . the usefulness of issues consists in that they are very effectual to evacuate the superfluous ferosity of the brain , and also to lessen the irregular form of it , and likewise to dry up the too great moisture of the spinal marrow , and consequently to strengthen the nerves that arise from thence . a seton may be put in the place of an issue . as to vesicatories , it is not to be doubted , but that they give ease being applied upon the vertebres of the neck or behind the ears . but their strength is soon gone , and the use of them seems to be both troublesom and painful to children . moreover , cupping-glasses , without scarification , apply'd along the back-bone are very effectual to correct the moist and cold temperies of the spinal marrow , and to remove the dulness of the nerves . and i think also that they may be applyed upon the upper vertebres of the neck , with a light scarification . besides purging and chyrurgical remedies , specifick altering medicines are to be used , to which sometimes diureticks and diaphoreticks are to be added ; of which we shall add some examples . the specifick remedies , that are found most effectual to cure this distemper , are either simple or compound ; among simples , the following are most approved . wood of guiacum and its bark , sassafras , lentiskwood , rosemary , the knotty parts of firr , the roots of china , of sarsaparilla , the three sanders , the roots of osmund-royal , or rather the cloves of the roots ; the roots of sea-fern , or rather the buds of them ; grass-roots , the roots of asparagus , eryngo , succory , burdock , the barks of the roots of cappers ; the capillary herbs , and chiefly trichomanes , ceterach , wall-rue , harts-tongue , liverwort , male-speedwell , agrimony , brook-lime , water-cresses ; the leaves and flowers of sage , of rosemary , betony , dead nettle and of tamarisk ; also steel prepared , or its salt or vitriol . tartar , castor , flowers of sulphur , earthworms , millepides prepared , and the like . of which compositions may be made after this manner : take of the cloves of the roots of osmund-royal , or the roots of sea-fern , or the twigs of the roots of it scarcely sprung above ground , onehandful ; boil them in a pint of milk or spring-water to the consumption of a third part . let the strained liquor , sweetened with sugar , be drunk twice or thrice a day . take of the leaves of tea , one drachm , of the flowers of sage , betony , each half a drachm ; put them in a convenient vessel , and pour upon them a pint of boiling water , let them stand close and warm about an hour . sweeten the strained liquor with sugar , and let it be drunk in the same manner as the former . take of the cloves of the roots of osmund-royal , of the roots of burdock , grass succory , each one ounce , of the herbs male-speedwel , agrimony , hartstongue , liverwort , maiden-hair , each half an handful , of the raspings of ivory and hartshorn , each an ounce , of raisins of the sun stoned , one ounce ; boil them in two quarts of fountain-water , to the consumption of a third part , add of white-wine or rhenish-wine , half a pint ; strain it presently , and then add to it of the leaves of water-cresses and brooklime , and of the tops of fir , each half an handful , of juniper-berries , half an ounce ; make a warm infusion in a close vessel for about two hours ; keep the strained liquor in a glass well stopt , and sweeten it at pleasure . the dose is two or three ounces at nine in the morning , at three in the afternoon , and six in the evening . take of lignum lentiscinum , rosemary , of the roots of sarsaparilla , flowering fern , or of male fern , each three ounces , of the herbs agrimony , maiden-hair , speedwel , hartstongue , sage , bettony , each two handfuls , of the teps of fern and tamarisk , each handfuls , boil them in four gallons of ale till one is consumed ; when it has done working in the vessel , put into a bag millepides washed in whitewine , and gently bruised , of juniper-berries , two ounces , of nutmegs cut number two , hang the bag in the vessel , and put a piece of steel into it to make it sink . if there be any suspicion of the scurvy , you may add of water-cresses and brooklime , each two handfuls ; after a fortnight , let it be drunk for the ordinary drink . but the medicine which is most approved of in this disease is ens veneris , five or six grains of it may be taken every night at bed time , in half a spoonful of syrup of gillyflowers . if the lungs are stuffed with viscid humors , as happens often , and the mesentery with scropholous glandules , balsam of sulphur may be given , three or four drops being mixed with sugar-candy powdered , and taken morning and evening . sometimes the use of steel agrees ; but it must not be used in coughs , pleurisies , a stoppage of the lungs and hectick fever , and the like . to the foresaid remedies are sometimes added diaphoreticks , as a decoction of guaiacum or the like , which must be taken in bed , and sweat must be promoted according to the strength . the bath-water also is very proper , and is excellent to take off the swelling of the belly . the following artificial bath is much commended . place the sick in a large vessel , and put round him warm barly fermented , which has been a while infused in boiled water , as is usually done for making beer ; cover him well , and let him abide in it to provoke sweat . of the symptoms . regard must be had to the symptoms coming upon this disease , the most frequent whereof is a loosness ; for the cure whereof gentle catharticks , as an infusion of rhubarb and tamarinds , and of sanders , or a bolus made of them is of use : but sometimes astringents , and gentle opiats may be used ; but purging and sometimes vomiting must go before . sometimes immoderate sweating afflicts the child , which if it follow a feverish fit , is critical , and ought not to be rashly stop'd ; but if it flow inordinately , it is a sign that the body is oppressed with ill humors ; and , therefore , this sort of sweat must be corrected by a gentle purge , especially with rhubarb . a vomit does also good sometimes in this case . aperitives also , and such things as help concoction , must not be omitted . moreover , breeding of the teeth difficultly is familiar to this disease , which often occasions a fever ; in which case , gentle evacuations , especially by glisters must be made , tho' sometimes purging and vomiting gently are of use . if the tooth be about to pierce the gum , nurses are wont to rub the gum with a piece of polished coral ; but the roots of marshmallows or sharp pointed dock will do as well : but sometimes it is necessary to cut the gum to make way for the tooth , and to apply blisters behind the ears ; and if there be great pain and watching , hypnoticks must be used ; as one or two drachms of diacodium in a spoonful of cowslip-water . besides internal medicines and chirurgical helps , external things also must be used , as exercises of all sorts , and if the child be able , walking frequently ; if not , he must play sitting , or be carried about in the nurses arms , and the like . frictions are also good in this case , with warm flannels ; the parts to be rubb'd are the spine , which is primarly affected , and the muscular parts ; but with this caution , that you must not rub the bones where they stick out ; but you may rub freely the concave parts of the bones . ligatures are also of use , which are to be made above the knee and above the elbow ; but they ought to be soft and loose . boots are also of use , but you must take care that they press a little upon the protuberant part of the bone , and scarce touch the cavity . bodice are also to be used to keep the body upright . swinging is also necessary . lastly , we will mention some things that are to be applied outwardly . a fomentation of all sorts of wine , also common aqua vitae is very good to corroborate the nervous parts , which must be used for the weak parts and especially for the spine ; which being done , the parts must be anointed with oil , or some proper ointment , which we shall mention by and by , and instead of wine , the following decoction may be used . take of the roots of osmund-royal , or of male-fern three ounces , of the leaves of bettony , sage , rosemary , marjoram , water-cresses , each one handful , of the flower of camomel , melilot and elder , each one pugil , of the berries of lawrel and juniper , each half an ounce ; boil them in a sufficient quantity of fountain water to a quart , add of white-wine , or of common aqua vitae , one pint ; keep the strained liquor for use . take of the leaves of elder , lawrel , marjoram , sage , rosemary , bettony and the tops of lavender , each two handfuls , of the berries of juniper and lawrel , each one ounce ; cut them and bruise them , and put them into a vessel with three pound of may butter , or of fresh butter not salted , and add to them half a pint of aqua vitae ; boil them to the consumption of the aqua vitae , and while the strained liquor is hot , add half an ounce of the oil of nutmegs by expression , and one drachm of peruvian balsam ; mingle them , make an ointment . instead of may-butter , beef , marrow , or deers suet , and oil of worms or oil of foxes , each one pound and an half , may be used . the ointments must be applied warm before a hot fire and naked , with a warm hand , till the parts are dry . if the belly be hard and swelled , the following ointment must be applied . take of the oils of cappers , wormwood and elder , each one ounce , of the ointment above described , one ounce and an half , of gum ammoniacum dissolved in vinegar , half an ounce , make a liniment . whilst ointments are applied to the hypochondres , the bowels must be handled by the nurse . if the lungs are affected , the breast must be anointed with the pectoral ointment , or with the ointment of marsh-mallows , or both mixed together ; and at the time of unction a little oil of nutmegs by expression may be mixed with it . the nerve-plaster , or a plaster of bettony may be apply'd to the spine . chap. cxv . of the gout . the gout chiefly seizes those old men , who after they have lived the best part of their lives tenderly , and delicately indulging themselves freely with splendid banquets , wine and other spiritous liquors , at length , by reason of the sloth that always accompanies old age , wholly omit those excercises of body , which young men are accustomed to . moreover , they who are obnoxious to this disease have large skulls , and are most commonly of a gross habit of body , moist and lax , and of a lusty and luxuriant constitution , the best and richest foundation for life . not that the gout only seizes those that are corpulent , for sometimes , though seldomer , it invades thin people ; nor does it wait always till they are old , for sometimes it seizes those that are in the flower of their age , when they have receiv'd the unhappy seeds of the disease from their parents , as it were ex traduce : or if this be not the cause , they have too early us'd venery , or have quite forsook violent exercises that they us'd formerly . moreover , they have great stomachs , and have drank spirituous liquors immoderately , and afterwards they have suddenly betook themselves to thin and cooling liquors . i will discourse of this disease as it proceeds regularly , and afterwards of its anomalous and uncertain phaenomena . when the gout is regular , it seizes the patient most commonly after this manner , about the latter end of january , or at the beginning of february it comes suddenly and for the most part without giving any notice , except that the patient has been troubled with indigestion and crudities of the stomach for some weeks before . moreover , the body is oppress'd and puff'd up with wind , which daily encreases till the fit thunders upon him ; but a few days before it comes the thighs are benummed , and there is as it were a descent of wind through them , with convulsive motions ; and the day before the fit the appetite is sharp , but not natural . he goes to bed , and to sleep well , but at two a clock in the morning is wak'd by the pain , seizing either his great toe , the heel , the calf of the leg or the ankle : this pain is like that of a dislocated bone , with the sense as it were of water almost cold , pour'd upon the membranes of the part affected , presently shivering or shaking follows , with a feverish disposition , the pain is very gentle but increases by degrees , ( and in like manner the shaking and shivering go off ) and that hourly , till towards night it comes to its height , accommodating it self neatly according to the variety of the bones of the tarsus and metatarsus the ligaments , whereof it seizes , sometimes in a manner resembling a violent stretching or tearing those ligaments , sometimes the gnawing of a dog , and sometimes a pressure : moreover , the part affected has such a quick and exquisit pain , that 't is not able to bear the weight of the cloaths upon it , nor hard walking in the chamber , and the night is not only pass'd over in pain upon this account , but also by reason of the restless turning hither and thither till two or three a clock in the morning , ( viz. a night and a day being spent from the first approach of the fit ) at which time the sick has suddenly ease ; and now being in a breathing sweat , he falls asleep ; when he wakes , he finds the pain much abated , and the part affected swell'd ; the next day , and perhaps two or three days after , if the matter apt to degenerate the gout is copious , the part affected will be in pain , but 't will be eased about the cock's crowing ; within a few days the other foot will be in pain as the former was ; and if the former has left off aking , the weakness which render'd it infirm , will presently vanish . after it has vext the feet , the fits that follow are irregular both as to the time of invasion and duration , yet the pain always returns in the evening and is less in the morning ; and of a series of these small fits , consists that which is call'd a fit of the gout . but when the gout is disturb'd by improper methods , or by the obstinate continuance of the disease , the very substance of the body being as it were perverted to the nourishment of the disease , and nature unable to eliminate the same by its wonted method , then the phaenomina are much different ; for whereas the pain was hitherto only troublesom to the feet ( which are the genuine seat of the peccant matter , and if it possesses any other parts , 't is most certain that either the method of the disease has been alter'd , or that the vigour of the body is by little and little diminish'd ; ) now it possesses the hands , wrists , the arms , the knees and other regions , tormenting these as much as it us'd to do the feet ; for sometimes distorting one or more of the fingers , it makes them like a bunch of parships , taking away the motion by degrees , and at length it generates stony concretions about the ligaments of the joints , sometimes the matter occasioning the disease thrust upon the arms causes a whitish swelling almost as big as an egg , which is by degrees inflam'd ; sometimes falling upon the thigh , it feels as if there were a great weight hanging upon it , yet without any considerable pain ; but , passing to the knee , it handles that more severely . and whereas the gout before did not use to invade before the latter end of winter , and was wont to go off after two or three months , now it continues upon the sick a whole year , excepting only two or three of the hot months . the sick is also afflicted with many other symptoms , as with a pain of the hemorrhoidal veins , and with unsavory belchings , and upon yawning , especially in the morning , the ligaments of the bones of the metatarsus are violently pull'd ; and sometimes when yawning does not go before , the sick just dropping asleep , suddenly feels a blow , as it were , of a club breaking in pieces the metatarsus . women are very seldom troubled with the gout , and if they are , not till they are old , or unless they are of a masculine habit of body . as to the cure , bleeding , purging and sweating are not indicated ; but the intention of curing is to be directed to the helping concoction . whatsoever , therefore , assists nature in duly performing her offices , whether in comforting the stomach that it may rightly concoct the nourishment , or the blood that it may well assimulate the chile brought into it , or the solid parts that they may the better convert it to their proper substance , the juices designed for their nourishment and increase . lastly , whatever preserves the various organs of excretion , and the emunctories of the body in such a state , as that they may be able to discharge duly and orderly the excrements of each part : this , and such like , conduce to the answering this intention , and are properly called digestives , whether they are medicines or a course of diet , or exercise , or any other of those things which are called the six non-naturals . medicines of this kind are those in general which moderately heat , and are bitter , or gently bite the tongue ; for they are very agreeable to the stomach , they purify the blood and comfort all the parts . the remedy which i use , is made in the following manner . take of the roots of angelica , sweet-smelling flag , master-wort , elecampane , leaves of common wormwood , the lesser centaury , white horehound , germander , groundpine , scordium , calaminth , meadow saxifrage , s. john's-wort , golden rod , feverfew , thyme , mint , sage , rue , carduus benedictus , penny-royal , southern-wood , of the flowers of camomil , tansie , lilly of the vallies , english saffron , of the seeds of treacle , mustard , garden scurvy-grass , carraways , juniper-berries , each a sufficient quantity ; let the herbs and flowers , and roots be gathered when they have most vertue in them ; let them be dried , and kept in paper-bags till they may be finely powdered : to six ounces of each well mixed , add a sufficient quantity of purified hony and canary-wine , to make an electuary : take two drachms morning and evening . or for want of this , use the following . take of conserve of garden-scurvygrass , an ounce and an half , of roman wormwood and of the yellow rind of oranges , each one ounce , of candied angelica , and of nutmegs candied , each half an ounce , of venice treacle , three drachms , of compound powder of wake robin , two drachms ; make an electuary , with a sufficient quantity of syrup of oranges ; let him take two drachms twice a day , drinking upon it five or six spoonfuls of the following water . take of the roots of horse-radish sliced , three ounces , of garden-scurvygrass , twelve handfuls , of water-cresses , brooklime , sage and mint , each four handfuls , the peels of six oranges , two nutmegs bruised , of brunswick mum , six quarts ; distil them in a common still , and draw only six pints of water for use . among the medicines commonly known , venice-treacle is the best ; but because it contains a great many species that heat too much , and besides a great deal of opium , the electuary above-mentioned may be more commodiously prepared of the chief heating vegetables ; but we must take care to chuse such simples as are pleasant to the taste , for the sick must take it a long while , viz. almost as long as he lives . among the simples , the peruvian-bark is the best ; for it strengthens the blood and renders it vigorous , if some grains of it are taken morning and evening . a mediocrity is to be observed in meat and drink , so that neither more nourishment be taken in than the stomach can concoct : nor , on the contrary , must the parts by too much abstinence , be defrauded of that proportion whereby their strength and vigour ought to be sustained . morever , as to the quality of the meat , though things of easy digestion considered by themselves are to be preferred before things of hard digestion , yet regard must be had to the patient's palat ; for we must take notice , that that which the stomach earnestly craves for , though of difficult digestion , is sooner concocted by nature , than that which is accounted to be of easier digestion , if it be offensive to the stomach ; but those things that are reckoned of hard digestion , are therefore to be eaten more sparingly : and , i suppose , the patient ought to feed upon one sort of meat at a meal ; for various sorts of flesh eaten at once , disturb the stomach more than one sort eaten in the same quantity ; as to other things besides flesh , let him eat at pleasure , if they are not sharp , nor salted , nor spiced . as to the times of eating , a dinner is only necessary , for the bed being most proper to digest the humors , that time ought not to be wasted about concocting the meat ; therefore , they that are subject to the gout should not eat suppers , yet they may allow themselves a large draught of small beer ; for such are inclinable to breed the stone in the kidnies , the concretion whereof is much hindred by such kind of liquor drunk at this time , the reins being cooled and cleansed thereby . the drinking of milk or a milk-diet , either crude or boiled without any thing else , except perhaps a piece of bread with it once a day , has been much used this years , and it has done more good to many than any other sort of remedy for this disease , as long as they kept to it ; but as soon as they return to common diet , though of easy digestion , the gout returned more violently than before , and held them longer ; therefore , he that intends to betake himself to this method , ought , first , to consider seriously whether he can persist in the use of it all his life long , which perhaps is not in his power , how resolved soever he may be . for i knew a noble man , who after he had been dieted with milk only a whole year with pleasure ( all which time he went to stool daily once or oftner ) was forced to leave it off by reason he was suddenly bound in body , and the temper of his body altered , and because at length his stomach nauseated milk , tho' the inclination of his mind still continued ; but some hypochondriacal people of a gross habit of body , or who otherwise have accustomed themselves much and a long while to spirituous liquors , can by no means bear a milk-diet . as to liquors , those in my opinion are best , that are neither as strong as wine nor as weak as water , of which sort is our london small beer , either with or without hops , for extreams on either hand are hurtful . but now though it may be sufficient for him that has the gout but little and at sometimes only , to use small beer and diluted wine , the degree of his disease not requiring more severe usage ; yet when the whole substance of the body is as it were degenerated into the gout , he will be less able to conquer the disease , who does not wholly abstain from any sort of fermented liquors though small and mild ; therefore , a dietetick drink must be prescribed for his ordinary drink . the following pleases me best . take of sarsaparilla , six ounces , of sassafras , china and the shavings of hartshorn , each two ounces , of liquorish , one ounce ; 〈◊〉 them in two gallons of fountain-water for half an hour , afterwards let them stand covered in hot ashes hours ; afterwards boil them to the consumption of a third part : as soon as it is taken from the fire , infuse in it half an ounce of anniseeds ; after two hours strain it , and let it stand till it is clear ; keep the clear liquor in glass-bottles for use . this liquor is most conveniently us'd at first when the patient recovers of the fit , and he must persevere in the use of it all the rest of his life , as well when he has the fits as at other times ; at the same time the foresaid electuary must be us'd daily , as well in the fits as when they are off . yet if the sick , by reason of a long and too great use of intoxicating liquors , or by reason of old age or weakness cannot concoct his meat without wine or some other fermented liquor , he cannot leave it off suddenly without great danger , the doing whereof has been fatal to very many ; therefore , in my opinion , he shou'd not use the dietetick apozem at all . the sick must go to bed early ; for besides bleeding and purging , nothing does so much destroy the strength of nature as watching a-nights . moreover , tranquility of mind must by all means be obtain'd ; but the exercise of the body is more profitable than all other things that are us'd to hinder the indigestion of the humors , and to corroborate the blood and to restore strength to the parts ; but unless 't is used daily 't will do no good , yet it must not be violent . as to the kind of exercise , riding on horseback , when old age and the stone do not hinder , is much to be preferr●d before the rest ; if this cannot be used , riding in a coach does almost as well : and on this account , at least , it is well with gouty people , for their riches , which enticed them to luxury , whereby the disease was bred , can provide them a coach , which kind of exercise they may use , when they cannot the other : but it is to be observed , that it is best to use exercise in a good air , viz. in the country , and not in the city , where the air is filled with vapors exhaling from the shops of various artificers , and thickned by the closeness of the buildings , as it is here in london , which is generally supposed to be the largest city in the whole world. as to venery , old and gouty people must not indulge themselves in it . but notwithstanding what has been said of the utility of exercise in the fits of the gout ; if the sick , by reason of the violence of the fit is as it were overwhelmed presently by the first assault of it , which happens to those , for the most part , in whom the gout has now come to its height , nor is yet grown gentle by a course of many years ; in this case , if the sick is confined to a chamber , it will also be convenient that he keep his bed for some of the first days , till the violence of the pain is abated ; for the bed does somewhat supply the want of exercise : for the continual use of it does more powerfully digest the morbisick matter in a few days , than keeping up in many , especially at the beginning of the disease , if the sick can abstain from flesh without fainting or other ill symptoms , and can be contented only with barly-broath , small beer , and the like . but you must take notice , that if the gout is inveterate and inclines the sick to fainting , gripes and loosness , and such kind of symptoms , he will scarce avoid being destroyed by one of the fits , if he do not use exercise in a free and open air ; for a great many gouty people , perish by these symptoms , whereunto they have been obnoxious by being confin'd to their chambers , and especially to their beds , whereas had they bore the fatigue of riding in a coach the greatest part of the day , they had not died so soon . but as to the symptoms of the gout , we must apply our selves to those whereby the life of the patient is endangered , viz. the debility and faintness of the stomach with gripes of the belly ; for the sickness and faintness , a small draught of canary wine is very good . but if any great symptom , scarce bearing a truce , comes suddenly , by reason of striking in of the gouty matter , and threatens death , we must neither trust to the wine nor to the exercise above commended ; but in this case , if it does not fall upon the head , but upon the natural or vital parts , we must presently fly to laudanum , viz. give drops of liquid laudanum , mixed with a small draught of epidemick water , and let the patient compose himself to rest in his bed. but if the matter occasioning the gout produces a loosness , because it is not yet cast upon the limbs , if it be not the crisis of a particular fit , and if notwithstanding the laudanum above commended , and exercise of all sorts ( for these must be first used for the cure of the diarrhaea ) the loosness continues accompanied with sickness and gripes , there is only one remedy that i know of , viz. to provoke sweat by a method , and medicines designed for this use , which if it be done two or three days , morning and evening , for two or three hours at a time , it most commonly stops the loosness , and forces the disease upon the limbs . there is another symptom not so frequent , though i have seen it divers times , viz. a translation of the peccant matter upon the lobes of the lungs , when a winter-cough , by reason of cold taken in the time of the fit , has by degrees drawn the matter upon the lungs . in this one case , the curative indication is not to be directed to the gout , but this symptom is to be treated as a true peripneumonia , by bleeding repeated , and cooling and thickning remedies and diet. moreover , the sick must be purged betwixt the bleedings ; but sweating does hurt in this case . moreover , it is to be noted , that almost all gouty people , when they have been conflicted a long while with this disease , are subjected to the stone in the kidnies , most commonly at the declination of a general fit. in this case , setting aside all other medicines , let him presently take a gallon of posset-drink , wherein two ounces of the roots of marshmallows have been boiled , and let the following glister be injected . take of the roots of marshmallows and lillies , each one ounce , of the leaves of mallows , pellitory of the wall , bears-breech , and of the flowers of camomil , each one handful , of flax and fenugreek-seeds , each half an handful ; boil them in a sufficient quantity of water ; dissolve in the strained liquor , of brown sugar and syrup of marshmallows , each two ounces ; mingle them , and make a glister . as soon as he has rendred all the posset-drink by vomiting , and has ejected the glister , let him take a large dose of liquid laudanum , viz. drops , or grains of mathew's pill . if any one inquires for external remedies to ease the pain of the gout , i have hitherto known none , excepting things meerly cooling and repelling , which are very dangerous ; and i confidently affirm , that the greatest part of those who have perished in the gout , have not so properly been killed by the disease , as by an improper use of medicines ; therefore , if the pain be very violent , it will be better for the sick to keep himself a bed till the pain is a little abated , than to use external anodynes . but it will not be amiss to take a little laudanum in the evening , if the pain is intollerable , otherwise it will be better to omit it . chap. cxvi . of a rheumatism . this disease comes at any time , but especially in the autumn , and it chiefly seizes those that are in the flower of their age , and it begins most commonly upon the following occasion , viz. the sick catches cold after having been much heated with violent exercise , or any other way . it begins with shaking , and shivering and heat , restlessness , thirst , and the other unhappy train of symptoms which accompany fevers , follow , after a day or two , and sometimes sooner , the sick is seized with a violent pain sometimes in one limb , sometimes in another in the wrists , shoulders , knees especially , which changing place , seizes them by turns , redness and swelling remaining in the part which was last affected . there is another sort of this disease , though it is commonly thought of another kind , it may be properly called lumbago rheumatica , viz. a violent and fixed pain about the region of the loins , which sometimes reaching to the os sacrum , resembles the stone in the kidnies , only the sick does not vomit . this violent pain , unless it be removed in the same manner the former is , lasts as long , and is full as painful . having seriously considered that this disease arises from an inflammation , i thought it was probable it might be cured by a simple cooling diet moderately nourishing , as well as by bleeding repeated , and a whey-diet i found did as well as bleeding . mr. malthus , an apothecary , an honest and ingenious man , was seized violently with a rheumatism ; and because he was of a weakly and dry habit of body , i was afraid he would not be able to bear large bleeding ; and therefore i ordered , that he should be dieted with whey alone for four days : afterwards , besides the whey , i allowed him white bread for dinner ; being contented with this diet , he continued it for days , only at last he eat bread for supper also . he drank daily four quarts of whey ; afterwards , when he went abroad , he eat chicken , and other things of easy digestion ; but every third day he was dieted with whey only , till he was quite well . but how well soever a whey-diet may agree with young people , and with those that live temperately , it is not safe to treat old people so , or such as have too much addicted themselves a long while to wine , and other spirituous liquors , for in such it will weaken the stomach and chill the blood , and so cause a dropsie . in this case , therefore , it is necessary to bleed twice or thrice , and after the second , or at most after the third bleeding , to purge very often till all the symptoms quite cease with lenitives , as with tamarinds , sena , rhubarb , manna and syrup of roses solutive ; and you must give , every night after purging , one ounce of diacodium , somewhat earlier than is usual . but here we must take notice of a symptom like a rheumatism , which also sometimes resembles a nephritick pain , but it proceeds from an ague , and must be cur'd as that is . there is also another sort of rheumatism which comes near the scurvy , and requires in a manner the same cure ; and , therefore , i call it a scorbutick rheumatism ; the pain seizes sometimes this , sometimes that part , but seldom swells ; nor is it accompanied with a fever , nor is it so fixt , but is of a more wandering and uncertain disposition , and accompanied with irregular symptoms : sometimes it seizes this or that member , and then presently it affects only the inner parts , and occasions sickness , which goes off again , when the pain of the external parts returns , and so afflicts the patient by turns , and continues a long while like those diseases that are accounted most chronical , it chiefly seizes women , and men of a weakly nature . they who for a long while have us'd the peruvian-bark are subject to this disease , which , by the by , is the only inconvenience i ●ver knew follow upon the use of this remedy ; but , however it be , whether the disease take its rise on this occasion , or from any other cause , 't is very easily cur'd by the following remedies ; which should have been kept secret , if i had a greater regard to my private advantage than to the publick good ; for by these alone , i have cured many afflicted after the manner i have described . take of fresh conserve of garden scurvy-grass , two ounces , of wood-sorrel , one ounce , of the compound powder of wake-robin , six drachms ; make an electuary , with a sufficient quantity of syrup of oranges . the dose is two drachms , to be taken thrice a day for a month , drinking upon it three ounces of the following water . take of garden scurvy-grass , eight handfuls , of water-cresses , brook-lime , sage and mint , each four handfuls , of the peels of six oranges , of nutmegs bruised half an ounce ; infuse them in six quarts of brunswick-mum , and distil them in a common still , and draw off three quarts for use . the precise dose of the compound powder of wake-robin must be observed , or , at least , it must not be lessened . chap. cxvii . of the pestilential fever , and of the plague of the years and . the plague rarely rages violently in england oftener than once in the space of or years : the last dreadful plague destroyed in the space of a week , notwithstanding that two thirds , at least , of the citizens of london fled into the country for fear of the infection . its first approach was always accompanied with shaking and shivering like the fits of an ague , presently violent vomitings , a pain about the region of the heart as if it were pressed , a burning fever , with the usual concourse of symptoms perpetually molest the sick , till either death it self , or a happy eruption of a bubo or parotis , discharges the morbifick matter , and so frees them from that deplorable condition . it does , indeed , now and then happen , but it is seldom that it comes without any sense of a fever before , and suddenly destroys men , the purple-spots , which are the fore-runners of present death , breaking out , as they are about their business . it sometimes also happens , that tumors appear , when neither a fever , nor any other grievous symptom went before . as to the cure , if a tumour has not broke out , i bleed moderately with respect to the strength and temperament of the sick , and afterwards a sweat is easily and soon raised ( whereas otherwise it is not only very difficulty procured , but there is also danger , lest the inflammation should be heightned by it , and so the tokens forced out ) and the benefit of the sweat immediately following abundantly , compensates the loss of blood , which how little soever it be , would otherwise be very injurious . after bleeding , which must be performed in bed ( when all things are in a readiness to promote sweat ) without any manner of delay ; i order the patient to be covered quite over with cloaths , and that a piece of flannel be bound to the forepart of his head ; and , indeed this covering of the head conduces more to the procuring sweat than any one would easily imagine ; afterwards , if the patient does not vomit , i give these and the like sudorificks . take of venice treacle , two drachms , of the electuary of the egg , one scruple , of compound powder of crabs eyes , twelve grains , of cochinel , eight grains , of saffron , four grains , with a sufficient quantity of the juice of kermes ; make a bolus , which let him take every sixth hour , drinking after it six spoonfuls of the following julep . take of carduus water , compound scordium water , each three ounces ; of treacle water two ounces ; mingle them , make a julep . but if the patient be troubled with vomiting , as he is very frequently in the plague and other pestilential fevers , i defer the giving of sudorificks so long as till he begins to sweat by means of the covering only , excepting that sometimes i put part of the sheet over the face to collect the vapors , for ( which is indeed very well worth observation ) when the rays of the morbifick matter extend themselves to the circumference of the body , the loosness and vomiting that were occasioned by their being inwardly reflected and cast upon the stomach and bowels , cease presently of their own accord ; so that how great soever the preceding subversion of the stomach was , the medicines that are taken afterwards are easily retained , and procure sweat as well as can be wished . i order , that the sweat should be continued for the space of a natural day , by sage-posset-drink or mace-ale , now and then taken ; and i strictly forbid , that the patient should be any way cleansed ; neither indeed do i permit , that the shirt , how moist and foul soever it be , should be changed within the space of hours from the end of the sweat , which i would have observed with the greatest caution . but if the sweat be circumscribed in a narrower compass of time , the violence of the symptoms soon returns , and the health of the patient is very uncertain , which a longer continuance of the sweat would have put out of danger . if any defection be perceived towards the latter end , i permit the sick to take a little chicken-broath , the yolk of an egg or the like , which with cordials and draughts commonly used to keep up the sweat , abundantly repair the strength . i admonish , that cold be carefully avoided , that their cloaths dry on their body of their own acc●●d , and that all drinks are taken somewhat hot , and that the use of sage-posset-drink be continued for the space of hours after the sweat. the next morning i give a common purge , viz. of the infusion of tamarinds , of the leaves of sena , of rhubarb , manna and syrup of roses solutive ; and with this method , the next year after the plague , i recovered very many that were seized with the pestilential fever , so that not one died of this disease that was under my care , after i began the use of the same . but where the tumor has been out already , i have not hitherto ventured to bleed , though in a body unapt to sweat , fearing least the sudden death of the patient should prevent the designed sweat , by reason of the morbifick matter flowing back to the empty veins ; yet perhaps bleeding may be very safely administred , if a sweat be procured presently after it , without any manner of delay , which being prolonged to the space above required , may be able to dissipate and consume by little and little the whole bulk of the humor , and with much less danger than when a legitimate maturation of the imposthume ( which is very uncertain and fallible in so very acute a disease ) is long waited for . chap cxviii . of the regular small-pox . there are two sorts of them ; either they are distinct or confluent . the distinct begin with a shivering and coldness , which is presently follow'd with excessive heat , a violent pain in the head and back , vomiting , a great propensity to sweat ; i mean in grown persons , for i never yet observed any such disposition in children , either before or after they came out ; a pain at the cavity of the breast , beneath the region of the heart , if it be pressed with the hand , dulness and sleepiness , especially in children , and sometimes convulsive fits ; and if these happen to them that have all their teeth , i reckon the small-pox are at hand , which most commonly coming out a few hours after , sufficiently answer the prognostication : for instance , if the child has a convulsive fit in the evening , as it usually happens , the small-pox appear the next morning ; and moreover i have very often observ'd , that when they come immediately after these fits , they rise in large pustles , and are mild and favourable , and seldom flux : and these for the most part were the symptoms which accompanied this disease at its beginning , and preceded the eruption of the pustles . but here it is proper to acquaint you , that sometimes it happened so , that in a looser texture of the blood , which is easily changed , the course of separation was passed over gradually without any violent sickness , before the expulsion of the matter discover'd it self , by the eruption of the pustles . the distinct small-pox usually come out on the fourth day inclusively , and sometimes a little later , but rarely before , at which time , for the most part , the symptoms are very much abated , or totally vanish , and the patient thinks himself very well ; only grown people are so disposed to sweat , that they can scarce be kept from it , though they have little or no cloaths on them , which disposition does not leave them till the pustles begin to ripen , and then it vanishes of its own accord : the eruption is after this manner , first pimples as big as small pins heads here and there shew themselves , and first of all in the face , neck and breast , and afterwards in the whole body . at this time the jaws are affected with a pain that increases as the pustles rise , which growing daily bigger and higher , inflame the neighbouring skin and flesh ; for about the eighth day from the first approach of the sickness , which i always diligently observe in this disease , the spaces between , that before were somewhat white , now begin to be red and swell more or less , according to the number of the pustles , with a tensive and launcing pain of these parts , which increasing , hourly occasions the inflammation and swelling ; so that in progress of this disease the eye-lids are so filled up and extended , that the patient is sometimes depriv'd of sight , and when they are thus tumified , they shine and are like a bladder blowed up ; and if a greater number of pustles besiege the eyes at the first eruption , they sooner retire to their dark mansions ; next after the face , the hands and fingers , swell more or less , according to the number of the pustles : the pustles that were smooth and red to this day , are now grown rough and somewhat white , which is indeed the first sign of their coming to maturity ; moreover , they cast out by degrees a certain yellowish matter , in colour like a hony-comb , and the inflammation of the face and hands , when it is at height , causes a very florid colour , not unlike a damask-rose , in the spaces between the small-pox . on the eleventh the tumour and inflammation of the face manifestly diminish , and on the fourteenth or fifteenth day totally vanish . that sort of small-pox which we call the flux , has the same symptoms with the distinct , only they are more violent ; the sickness , the vomiting , the fever , and the restlesness , rage more violently : moreover , a loosness sometimes precedes the eruption , and continues a day or two after it . this sort comes out generally on the third day , sometimes before , scarce ever after it . but it is to be noted , when some grievous symptom afflicts the patient before the eruption , as a most violent pain , sometimes in the region of the loins , like a fit of the stone ; sometimes in the side , like a pleurisie , sometimes in the limbs , like a rheumatism ; lastly in the stomach , with violent sickness and vomiting ; in these cases i have observed the small-pox to come out later than ordinary . and in the nex place , i must acquaint you , that the fever and other symptoms molest the sick many days after the coming out of the pustles . this sort comes out sometimes like an erysipelas , sometimes like the measles , and as to the outward appearance they cannot be distinguished by any but those that are very conversant in this distemper ; yet he that shall diligently consider the great difference as to the time of eruption in these diseases , and other circumstances which he may gather from the history of each of them , will easily be able to distinguish them . these do not rise so high as the distinct , especially those in the face ; after the eighth day they begin to change into a duskish colour . there are two other symptoms that attend the flux-pox , which are as considerable as the pustles or swelling , viz. salivation in grown people , and a loosness in children . the first of these is so perpetual a concomitant , that i never knew but one that had the confluent kind and was free from salivation ; but the latter , viz. a loosness , does not so certainly vex children that have this sort . sometimes salivation discovers it self at the first coming out , sometimes not till a day or two after ; first the matter is thin and easily spit up , so that the sick foul a great many cloaths in a nights time ; but about the eleventh day it is most commonly more clammy , so that it is difficulty hawked up , the sick is thirsty , and now and then coughs as he drinks . a loosness does not invade children so soon , as spitting does old people ; but at what time soever it comes , if it be not stopped by art , it continues through the whole course of the disease . in both kinds of small pox , the fever is highest from the beginning to the eruption ; after which it is more moderate , till the pustles begin to ripen , and afterwards it totally evanishes . i have always observed , that when the disease was violent , the sick had , as it were , a fit in the evening ; and then the symptoms raged more cruelty . in the next place i will treat of the irregular symptoms that happen in this disease , when it is unskilfully handled . it is to be noted , therefore , that the irregular symptoms that occur on the eight day , in the distinct small pox , and those that happen on the eleventh in the flux , always reckoning from the first approach of the disease , are of very great moment with respect either to the life or death of the patient ; and , therefore , they ought to be exactly weighed ; for it is manifest that the greatest part of those that die of either sort , die on the days above-mentioned . when sweat is promoted much by cordials and hot regimen , the particles are eliminated , which should have served to elevate the pustles , and to swell the face on the eight day ; and it appears flaccid and white , and the sweat , which flowed freely to this day , now ceases of its own accord , nor it can it be raised again with the hottest cordials : the patient is taken light-headed of a sudden , with anxiety , violent sickness and restlessness , he makes water often , but little at a time , and in the space of a very few hours , takes leave of his friends , and repairs to his long home . but in the flux the sick is in the greatest danger , and most commonly dies on the th day ; for the salivation which hitherto preserved the patient is wont to cease of its own accord at this time : therefore , unless the swelling of the face persists a little longer , and that of the hands now manifestly beginning supplies it's place , the sick must necessarily perish : but it happens too often in this hot disease , that the cras●s of the blood being weakened , and broke by an over-hot regimen , and being so highly inflamed , that it is no longer able to exterminate leasurely the inflammatory particles , ( to say nothing at present of those mischiefs that are occasioned by sweat unseasonably forced ) so that either the face or hands do not swell at all , or the tumour vanishes with the salivation . there are yet other symptoms that happen at any time of the disease , and belong as well to the distinct small pox as the flux . as a frensie , a coma and purple spots , which are most commonly the forerunners of death ; and sometimes there is a bloody urin , or blood is cast up from the lungs , both these hemorrhages happen most commonly at the beginning of the disease , before the pustles come out ; sometimes also there is a total suppression of urine . there are also other symptoms that sometimes arise from a cause contrary to those above mention'd , when the patient has been injured by violent cold or excessive bleeding , or by being over purg'd , viz. the pustles fall of a sudden , and a loosness supervenes , so that the patient , if he be adult , is in great danger ; moreover , the tumour of the face and hands is repell'd on this account . but the symptoms that proceed from taking cold very rarely occur , for what those do that are occasioned by too hot a regimen . as soon as the signs of this disease shew themselves , i keep the sick from the open air , and forbid them the use of wine and flesh , and allow them small beer gently warmed with a tost for their ordinary drink , and now and then permit them to drink as much of it as they will , i order them for their victuals , oatmeal and barly broaths , and rosted apples , and other things , which are neither too hot nor cold , nor too hard to be digested ; i forthwith prohibit a hot regimen and the use of all manner of cordials . on the fourth day i commit the sick to his bed ; and then if they come not out well , some gentle cordial may be properly prescribed , at least for once , to drive out the pustles . among the medicines for this purpose , those they call paregoricks , such as liquid laudanum , diascordium , and the like , if they be mixed in a small quantity with some proper cordial waters excell the rest : but it is to be noted , that if i am call'd to a strong young man , who has besides given occasion to the disease by excessive drinking of wine , or any spirituous liquor whatsoever , i reckon it not sufficient for the restraining of the ebullition of the blood , that he abstrain from his bed and cordials ; unless , moreover , he be blooded in the arm. when the pustles first come out , i then diligently consider whether they be of the distinct or confluent kind , because they differ exceedingly one from the other , though they agree as to some symptoms . if , therefore , from the bigness and paucity of the pustles , and the slowness of their coming out , and from the vanishing of sickness and other symptoms , which tire the patient after the eruption of the flux pox , it appear that they are the distinct sort , i take care that the sick be refreshed with small beer , oatmeal and barly-gruel , and the like . and if the small pox be but few , and in summer-time , and that very hot , i see no reason why the patient should be kept stifled up in bed , and why he may not rather rise a few hours every day , provided the inconveniencies of too much cold or heat may be prevented by the place and cloathing ; but if either the cold season of the year , or a large eruption of the pustles , put the patient under a necessity of keeping his bed continually , i take care that he lie not hotter nor has more cloaths on him than when he was in health , and that he have a fire kindled only morning and evening , unless it be winter ; nor do 〈◊〉 require that he should be always fixed to one place , lest he sweat , which i confidently affirm cannot be promoted without great danger . when the disease is going off , it is proper to give three or four spoonfulls of canary-wine hot , or some other temperate cordial medicine . at the same time also , a little hotter and more cordial-diet may be allowed . for instance , sugar-so●s , and oatmeal-candie and the like ; nor is there need of any other thing at all in the distinct and gentle sort , if the patient will suffer himself to be treated moderately in this method and diet , unless by change restlessness , or watchings , should now and then persuade the use of a paregorick . but if the small pox flux , the case is very hazardous ; for i reckon this sort is no less different from the other than the plague is from this ; though among the vulgar , who take names and words for things , the cure of both is said to be the same ; for towards the end of the disease the sick is in great danger , viz. on the th day in the common flux-pox , on the th day in a worser sort , and the th day in the worst sort : but sometimes , though rarely , one the st day , the fever , the restlessness and other symptoms invading together , whereby the sick is generally destroyed , unless art relieve him : wherefore , seeing there is so much danger when they flux , the physician should endeavour all he can to hinder their fluxing , by bleeding presently in the arm , if there be the least suspicion of the flux-pox , and by giving a vomit afterwards , and by keeping the sick up till the th day from the first sickness . afterwards he must be put to bed , and keep there to the end of the disease ; but he must have no more cloaths on , nor a greater fire in his chamber than he used to have when he was well , and he must drink freely of small beer or other cooling liquors . but because , notwithstanding the sick frequently grows hot , lightheaded , and restless , i give an anodyne every night , but a little earlier than is usual ; because in this disease , a fit of heat and restlessness comes almost every day towards the evening . but , which is to be lamented , notwithstanding these things , and all other physical helps , the sick is very often seized on the th day , or on some other of those days , which we said , were most fatal in the various kinds of flux-pox , with a violent fever , difficulty of breathing , and restlessness , and dies suddenly . in this case nothing is more effectual than the taking away of ten or twelve ounces of blood , and in the evening a large anodine must be given , as before ; and so afterwards morning and evening , and sometimes oftener ; for it is diligently to be noted , that in some the fury of the disease is so high , that a very large dosed anodyne cannot stop its force in hours ; in which case it is necessary to repeat the anodyne every th or every th hour . but because it happens often at the latter end of the disease , that the body is bound up so much , that the sick is like to be suffocated , and consequenrly is in great danger ; in this i have given successfully an ounce and an half of lenitive electuary dissolved in four ounces of succory-water or the like ; which draught gives some stools before night ; but if it does not , an anodyne must be given in the evening , and sooner , notwithstanding the purge , if great restlessness or some considerable sickness threaten danger . if , therefore , the purge does not answer the first day , it must be repeated the next , and then it seldom fails , and in this manner bleeding and purging may be repeated by intervals , as occasion requires . but it is to be noted , that the sick must not be purged till the th day or after , nor then , unless bleeding has gone before . for spitting of blood and a bloody urine coming upon the small pox , for both these hemorraghes come sometimes at the beginning of the disease : after bleeding largely once , give an anodyne . take of red poppy water , two ounces , of liquid laudanum , drops , of distill'd vinegar , three drachms , of diacodium , half an ounce ; make a draught to be repeated every night at bed time . take of troches of lemnian earth and of bole-armenick , each one drachm , of sealed earth , bloodstone , dragon's-blood and red coral prepared , each half a drachm , of mastich and gum-arabick , each one scruple ; mingle them , make a fine powder , whereof let him take half a drachm every third hour in a spoonful of syrup of comfry , drinking upon it four or five spoonfuls of the following julep . take of the waters of plantain and oak-buds , each three ounces , of cinnamon-water hordeate , two ounces , of syrup of dried roses , one ounce ; make it a little acid with spirit of vitriol . emulsions also of the four greater cold seeds with white popies do a great deal of good . but after the hemorrhage is stopt , you must proceed according to the method described in the small pox. great care must be taken that the salivation continue according to the manner of it , from the beginning to the th or th day ; for if it quite stop before the th day , the sick is in great danger : it may be much promoted by ordering the sick to drink freely small beer , or any other liquor , which is neither heating nor provokes sweat . in the next place the loosness in children must be permitted , because it evacuates the morbifick matter . at last , when the pustles are crusty and hard , i use to anoint the face often with oyl of sweet almonds . if in the distinct small pox the face does not swell , i give an anodyne presently ; but if the patient be light-headed and very sick , and makes water often , but little at a time , he can be relieved no other way , death being near at hand , than by giving narcoticks freely , or by taking away a large quantity of blood , and by exposing the body to the air ; but i would not be so understood here as if in every phrensy coming upon the small pox , there being no symptom more frequent , that i should advise bleeding presently ; but only in that which therefore happens , because the face does not swell in the distinct kind , tho' there be a great number of pustles . if in the flux-pox the spitle be so thick and clammy that the sick is in danger of being suffocated , which happens often on the th day , a gargarism must necessarly be prescibed , and must be ordered to be used often day and night : it may be made of small beer or barly-water , with hony of roses . or , the following may be used . take of the bark of elm , six drachms , of liquorice , half a drachm , of raisins of the sun ston'd number twenty , of red roses , two pugils ; boil them in a sufficient quantity of water to a pint and an half : in the strained liquor dissolve of simple oxymel , and of hony of roses , each two ounces ; mingle them , make a gargarism . but when the sick is in danger to be suffocated every moment , and is stupid , an ounce and an half of the infusion of crocus metallorum must be given , for a less dose will not work , by reason of the stupidity of the sick . but this remedy does not always do the business . the coma may be easily relieved by the help of a moderate regimen . for a suppression of urine , which sometimes afflicts young and brisk people , nothing does so well as taking the sick out of bed ; and after he has walked twice or thrice cross the room , by the assistance of the by-standers , he will presently make water freely , and be much relieved thereby . but the symptoms arising from catching cold , or by evacuations unduly used , whereby the small pox are struck in , must be removed by cordials , and an agreeable regimen ; but they must not be continued after the symptoms are gone off : the chief of these are a flatting of the pustles , and a loosness in the distinct small pox ; for in the flux a depression of the pustles is natural ; nor is a loosness dangerous in children . in both these cases , a cordial-potion made of distilled waters , diascordium , liquid laudanum , and the like , is proper , not only to remove these symptoms , but also at any time of the disease , if the sick complain of a pain at the heart , or of sickness . but to speak the truth , symptoms of this kind are very rare , compared with those which owe their original to the other extream , which is more fatal , though less blamed . when the patient is mending , and the pustles are falling off , after he has 〈◊〉 meat a few days , namely , about the st or d day , i think he ought to be blooded , if the disease has been violent ; and , after bleeding , he must be purged three or four times . but sometimes after the sick has recovered of the flux-pox , and rises daily , he has great swellings in his legs ; but they either go off of themselves , or are easily cured after bleeding and purging , by the use of emollient and discutient herbs boiled in milk , as mallows , the leaves of mullein , elder , bays , with the flowers of camomil and melilot . the distinct irregular small pox of the years , and , differed from the general distinct small pox in the following things : first , the eruption was generally on the third day , and then in the process of the disease the pustles did not arrive to a due bigness ; and towards the end , when they began to ripen , they seemed black . moreover , there was a salivation sometimes , though rarely , when there were very few pustles : but the flux-pox differed in many things from the other flux-pox ; for they came out sometimes on the second , sometimes on the third day , in the form of a redish tumour covering the whole face , and thicker than an erysipelas , and scarce any visible distance betwixt the pustles , with a heap of almost infinite , red , angry pimples running into one , and disguising the whole body between the pustles ; especially in the thighs appeared some little bladders very conspicuous like a burn , and distended with clear water , which flowed out plentifully , when the skin was broken , the flesh underneath being black like a mortification . but this dreadful symptom seldom happened . the fever , and all other symptoms which either preceded or accompanied this kind of small pox were more violent than in other sorts of pox , and had a greater inflammation . the free use of the white decoction and milk-water did a great deal of good in this sort . the flux of the courses , which happens often to women when they have this disease , requires a free use of these liquors , if they flow at an unusual time . a gentlewoman that had this black sort of pox was seized with so large a flux of the courses at an unusual time , that the women about her thought she had miscarried , and tho' this symptom continued many days , yet i continually used the milk-water through the whole course of the disease . chap. cxix . of the measles . this disease chiefly invades infants , and all those that are together in the same house . it begins with shaking and shivering , and with an inequality of heat and cold , which mutually expel one another the first day ; the second day it ends in a perfect fever with violent sickness , drowth and want of appetite , the tongue is white but not dry , there is a tickling cough with a heaviness of the head and eyes accompanied with a perpetual drowsiness , and for the most part a humour distils from the eyes and nose , and this effusion of tears is a certain sign of the approaching measles . to which this is to be added , no less certain , that tho' this disease shews it self most commonly in the face after the manner of little swellings in the skin , yet in the breast rather red spots than swellings are perceived , arising no higher than the superficies of the skin ; the patient sneezes as if he had taken cold , and the eye-lids swell a little before the eruption ; he vomits , but is oftner troubled with a loosness with greenish stools : but this chiefly happens to children that are breeding their teeth , and they are frowarder in this disease than they are wont to be for the most part ; the symptoms increase till the fourth day , at which time generally , ( though sometimes they are deferred ) little red spots like fleabites begin to come out about the forehead and other parts of the face , and being increased in number and magnitude branch into one another , and so paint the face with large red spots of various figures , which are occasioned by little red wheals , not far distant one from another , that are elevated a little above the superficies of the skin , and their protuberances may be perceived by a gentle touch , though they can scarce be seen . these spots spread themselves by degrees from the face , which at first they only possess'd to the breast , belly , thighs and legs : but they affect the trunk and members with redness only , without any sensible inequality of the skin . the symptoms of the measles do not abate by the eruption , as in the small pox , yet i never observed the vomiting afterwards ; but the cough and fever increase , with the difficulty of breathing , weakness of the eyes , and the defluxion on them , with perpetual drowziness and want of appetite , continuing the same as before . on the th day , or thereabouts , the skin breaking , and the pustles drying off , the forehead and face grow rough , and at that time the spots in other parts of the body are very large and very read . about the th day , the spots in the face vanish , and are scarce perceived in the rest of the body : but on the th day they totally disappear , and as we said the measles most commonly vanish on the th day , at which time the vulgar , being deceived by reckoning upon the time the small pox use to last , affirm , they are struck in , tho' really they have finished their course , and they think that these symptoms which come upon their going off are occasioned by their being struck in so soon : for it is to be noted , that the fever and difficulty of breathing are increased at that time , and the cough is more vexatious , so that the patient can neither sleep night nor day . children are chiefly subject to these ill symptoms , which appear now at the going off of the measles by reason of too hot a regimen or hot medicines that were used to force them out ; and by this means they are cast into a peripneumonia , which destroys more than the small pox or any symptom belonging to it ; and yet the measles are not at all dangerous if they are skilfully managed . and among the rest of the ill symptoms , a loosness often happens , which either presently succeeds the disease , or continues many weeks after it and all its symptoms are gone off , not without great danger to the patient by reason of a continual loss of spirits ; and sometimes after a very hot regimen , the measles are first livid and afterwards black ; but this only happens to grown people , and they are utterly lost when the blackness first appears , unless they are presently relieved by bleeding and a more temperate regimen . as the measles are much of the same nature with the small pox , so is the method of cure much the same . hot medicines and a hot regimen are very dangerous , how frequently soever they are used by ignorant nurses to drive the disease from the heart . this method , above others , has been most successful in my practice , viz. that the patient be kept in his bed only two or three days after the eruption , that the blood may gently breath out , according to its own genius , through the pores of the skin , the inflamed particles , which offend it ; and that he have no more cloaths nor fire than he is wont to have when he is well : i forbid all flesh , and allow him oatmeal and barly-broaths , and the like , and sometimes a rosted apple ; his drink must be either small beer , or milk boil'd with treble the quantity of water . i oftentimes mitigated the cough , which almost continually accompanies this disease , with a draught of some pectoral decoction , or with a linctus fitted for the purpose ; but above all the rest , i took care to give diacodium every night through the whole course of this disease . for example , take of the pectoral decoction , one pint and an half , of syrup of violets and maiden-hair , each one ounce and an half ; mingle them and make an apozem , take three or four ounces three or four times a day . take of oil of sweet almonds , two ounces , of syrup of violets and maiden-hair , each one ounce , of white sugercandy , a sufficient quantity ; mingle them and make a linctus , of which let the sick lick often , especially when his cough troubles him . take of black cherry-water , three ounces , of diacodium , one ounce ; mingle them for a draught to be taken every night . but if the patient be an infant , the dose of the pectorals and of the narcotick is to be lessened with respect to the age. but if by means of too hot cordials and too hot a regimen , the patient be in danger of his life after the measles go off , which is very frequent by the violence of the fever and the difficulty of breathing , and other accidents that use to afflict those that have a peripneumonia , i have bled the smallest infants in the arm , and have taken away that quantity of blood which their age and strength indicated , with very great success ; and sometimes when the disease has been obstinate , i have repeated bleeding : the loosness also which follows the measles , is also cur'd by bleeding . what we have now said of the cure of those symptoms that come upon the going off of the measles , may be sometimes also of use when they are at their height , if they are occasioned by a false and artificial heat . i was called to visit a maid-servant that had this disease , together with a fever , difficulty of breathing , and purple spots all over her body , with very many other dangerous symptoms ; all which i attributed to the hot regimen and hot medicines , which were too much used . i ordered her to be bled in the arm , and i prescribed a cooling pectoral ptisan to be taken often ; by the help of which , and a temperate regimen , the purple spots , and all the other symptoms vanished by degrees . chap. cxx . of a continual fever . first , i observe , that the inordinate commotion of the blood , the cause or companion of this fever , is stirred up by nature , either that some heterogenious matter contained in it , and inimical to it , should be excluded , or that the blood should be changed into some new disposition . i reckon that the true and natural indications that arise in this disease shew , that the commotion of the blood must be kept to that degree , which is agreeable to nature's purpose , that it does not rise too high on the one hand , from whence great symptoms flow , nor be depressed too low on the other , by which means the protrusion of the morbisick matter may be hindred , or the endeavours of the blood affecting a new condition frustrated ; so that whither the fever takes its rise from heterogeneous matter provoking it , or from the blood affecting a new state , in either case the indication is the same . these things being premised , i institute the method of cure in the following manner . when i am called to patients , whose blood of it self is weak , as it is most times in children , or when it wants spirits , as in old age , and in young men weakned by long diseases , i forbear bleeding ; for if i should bleed such , their blood being already too weak , it would be rendred altogether unfit to perform the business of despumation . but when i have to do with those whose blood is of a contrary nature , such as is wont to be in young men of a robust constitution , and sanguine complexion ; i order bleeding in the first place , which cannot be omitted here without hazard ; beside , in some other cases to be mentioned hereafter ; for otherwise not only phrensies , pleurisies and such-like inflammations may be feared , but also by reason of the superfluity , a stagnation of the whole mass . as to the quantity , i only take away so much blood as i conceive will free the sick from such dangers he is obnoxious to by the immoderate commotion of the same ; furthermore , i regulate the estuation by repeating bleeding , or omitting it , by using or forbidding the use of hot cordials , and lastly by keeping the body loose , or stopping it , as i perceive the commotion is high or low . after bleeding , if it be necessary , according to the cases above-mentioned , i diligently enquire whether the patient was enclined to nauseousness at the beginning of the fever , and if so , i presently prescribe a vomit , unless the tender age , or some great weakness of the sick forbid it : truly a vomit is so necessary when an inclination to vomiting has preceded , that unless that humour be expelled , it will occasion many difficult symptoms , that will hinder the physician in performing the cure , and will very much endanger the patient ; a loosness is the chief and most usual of these , which most commonly follows in the declination of the fever , as often as vomits are indicated . the vomit i frequently use is this following . take of the infusion of crocus mettalorum six drachms , of oxymel of squills , and compound syrup of scabious , each half an ounce , mingle them , make a vomit , which i order to be taken in the afternoon , two hours after a light dinner . and that the vomit may succeed the better , i appoint six or eight pints of posset-drink to be provided , for these medicines are dangerous , if they are not washed off ; and therefore as often as the patient vomits or goes to stool , he must presently take a draught of it , by which means the gripes will be prevented , and he will vomit easier . it is to be noted , that if the condition of the patient requires bleeding and vomiting , it is safest to bleed first , for otherwise , whilst the vessels are distened with blood , there is great danger , lest by violent straining to vomit , the vessels of the lungs should be broken and the brain hurt , and so the patient may die apoplectick , of which i could produce some examples , if i thought it convenient ; let it suffice that i warn you to use great caution in this case . if any one should ask , at what time of the fever i would give a vomit , i say at the very beginning , if i had my choice ; for by this means , the sick may be defended from those horrid symptoms that take their rise from the filth of those humours that lurk in the stomach and neighbouring parts , and perhaps we may crush the disease in its beginning . but if we are called in late , as we are often , so that we cannot assist the patient at the beginning of the fever by prescribing a vomit , yet i have thought it proper to order one at any time of the disease , provided the patient has strength enough to bear the operation of it : i have given a vomit on the twelfth day , and i should not doubt to prescribe one later , unless the weakness of the patient forbids . the evening after taking the vomit , i always endeavour to quiet the tumult raised in the humours by the vomit , and therefore i prescribe an anodyne to be taken at bed-time , for instance , take of erratick poppy two ounces , of aqua-mirabilis two drachms , of syrup of white and red poppies , each half an ounce , mingle them , make a draught . but if there be no fear of raising the ebullition for the future , either by reason of a great loss of blood , or by frequent vomiting and stools , or by a present apurexy , or debility of the fever , or its declining state , i boldly order a large dose of diascordium , either by it self , or mixed with some cordial-water , instead of the anodyne above-described , and it is indeed an excellent medicine , if it be given in a due quantity . and now before i leave off discoursing of vomits , i must acquaint you , that it is by no means safe , at least in this fever , to give vomits of the infusion of crocus metallorum to children , or to any under fourteen , no , not in the least quantity . the fatigue of vomiting being over , i further consider with my self , whether notwithstanding the preceding evacuations , the blood continues yet to rage so much , that it is still necessary to restrain its effervescence , or whether it be so very languid that it wants to be heightened , or lastly whether the fermentation being reduced to a due degree , may be left to it self , without danger to the patient . first therefore if the blood ferments so violently , that we may reasonably suspect that the patient is either obnoxious to a phrensie , or any other troublesome symptom , proceeding from too great an ebullition of the blood ; the day after taking of the vomit , i prescribe a glister . for instance , take of the common decoction for a glister one pint , of syrup of violets and brown sugar , each two ounces ; mingle them , make a glister . and i order it should be repeated upon occasion ; by which it often happens that the blood being somewhat ventilated and cooled , its effervescence is sufficiently bridled : but sometimes it is necessary to repeat bleeding once and again , viz. in those of a very sanguine complexion , and in the flower of their age , or in others who have imprinted on their blood a certain inflammatory disposition , by the too frequent use of wine : but for the most part there is no need of so great a remedy as is repeated bleeding ; and except in the cases above-mention'd , the effervescence may be sufficiently suppressed by the help of glisters ; wherefore , if the blood ferment too much , i order a glister to be injected every day , or every other day , as the case requires , and that it he done to the tenth day of the disease , or thereabouts ; but if much blood has been taken away , or the patient is aged , i order no glisters at that time , though the blood be very hot ; for in these cases as there is no fear that by the omission of glisters , the ebullition begun should proceed so far as that there should be eminent danger from some violent symptom ; so it is most certain , that by the use of them , the strength , and as i may say , the tone of the blood , is so much relaxed , that especially in old men , ( for glisters are not used with so good success in old men as in young ) nature is obstructed in her business . but whether bleeding has been used or omitted , if the effervescence be too languid , and wants to be stirred up ; in this case we must wholly abstain from the use of glisters , even before the tenth day , and much rather if it be past , for to what purpose should we endeavour to suppress the fermentation that is too weak already ? as to cordials , i have found by experience , that the too early use of them has been very injurious , viz. ( bleeding having not been first used ) there is danger lest the crude matter should fall upon the membranes of the brain , or the like , or on the pleura ; and therefore i always take care that cordials be not given , when no blood , or but very little has been taken away , and there has been no other considerable evacuation , or when the patient has not passed the flower of his age. but if the patient be weakned by profuse evacuations , i use to give cordials even at the beginning of the fever ; but on the twelfth day of the disease , things then tending to secretion , i suppose we ought freely to indulge the use of hotter medicines , and indeed a little sooner , if there be no danger of driving the febrile matter upon the principal parts . if the fermentation proceed well , the despumation will be finished about the fourteenth day . but if you use coolers too late , and so by their means suppress the effervescence , it is not strange if the fever continue to the twenty first day , and much longer in feeble bodies ill managed . the cordials i prescribe are such as those , which i will mention by and by ; those that are more moderate , i use at the beginning of the disease , when the heat is very violent , always proceeding gradually to the use of hotter , according to the progress of the disease , and the degrees of ebullition , always remembring that it is lawful if much blood has been taken away , or if the patient be aged , to administer stronger cordials than when bleeding has not preceded , or when the patint was in the flower of his age. those cordials i call moderate , are made of distilled waters . for instance , of borrage , citron , strawberries , treacle , compound scordium-water , mingled with the syrup of baum of fernelius , of gilliflowers , of juice of citron and the like ; but the stronger of gascoin's powder , bezoar , confection of hyacinth , venice treacle and the like . these which follow are frequently used . take of the waters of borrage , citron , compound scordium , black-cherries , each two ounces , cinamon-wawater hordeated one ounce , pearls prepared two drachms , of christaline sugar a sufficient quantity ; mingle them , take four spoonfuls often in a day . take of the waters of the whole citron and of strawberries , each three ounces , of the cold cordial-water of saxony , one ounce , of treacle-water , and of the syrups of baulm of fernelius , of gilliflowers , and of the juice of citron , each half an ounce ; mingle them , and make a julep , of which take often . take of gascoin's powder , of oriental and occidental bezoar-stone , of each one scruple , one leaf of gold ; mix them and make a fine powder . take to the quantity of twelve grains when there is occasion , in the syrup of the juice of citron , and of gilliflowers , each two drachms , drinking upon it a few spoonfuls of the julep prescribed . take of treacle-water four ounces , of the seeds of citron two drachms ; beat them together and make an emulsion ; add to the strained liquor a sufficient quantity of pearl-sugar , to make it grateful to the taste . take two spoonfuls three times in a day . but if the fermentation be neither too high nor too low , i leave it in that state , and use no remedies unless i am forced to do something by the importunity of the sick , or his friends about him , that may please them without obstructing my design . and now i must tell you , that when i was called to a poor body , who was not able to be at the charge of going through a long course of physick , i did nothing else , after bleeding and purging was over , if they were indicated , but order them to keep their beds all the time of their sickness , and to drink oatmeal and barly-broath , and the like , and that they should drink small-beer warm , moderately , to quench their thirst . i took care that they should have a glister of milk and sugar every day , till the tenth or eleventh day , and towards the end of the fever , separation being now begun , if it were slow , i permitted them now and then stronger drink to help it instead of a cordial . and so without any more ado , except that i used to give a gentle purge at the end of the disease , i cured them . if the patient be very weak , or if there be not a perfect despumation , so that i cannot boldly give a purge on the fifteenth day , i defer it to the seventeenth , at which time i give the following , or the like , according to the strength of the patient . take of tamarinds half an ounce , of senna two drachms , of rhubarb one drachm and an half ; boyl them in a sufficient quantity of water ; to three ounces of the strained liquor , add syrup of roses solutive and manna , each one ounce ; mingle them and make a potion . purging being over , i order the patient to rise , who has been hitherto kept in bed by my prescription , and to return gradually to his accustomed diet. it happens often , especially in old men , that the patient , though the fever be cured and the body sufficiently purged , is notwithstanding very weak , and sometimes expectorats by cough , and sometimes also hauks up a great quantity of clammy phlegm , which symptom does not only affrighten the patient , but also imposes upon the physician , especially if he be unwary , and induces him to believe , that this will make way for a consumption , though i have observed that this is not so very dangerous . in this case i order the patient to drink old malago , or muskadine with a toast , which takes off this symptom in the space of a few days , as i have often experienced . if the fermentation proceed well , there will be a perfect despumation of the morbifick matter within the time aforesaid ; but if cooling remedies or glisters have been given too late , the fever will continue much longer , especially in very ancient men , ill manag'd by the physician . i have been sometimes called to such after they have laboured under a fever forty days or more , and have tryed all things to induce despumation of the blood ; but it was so much weakened , partly by old age , and partly by glisters and cooling medicines , that i could not attain my end , either by cordials , or any other corroborating medicines , but either their fever stood its ground , or if otherwise it seemed to cease , the patient's strength was very low , and in a manner gone . but other remedies being unsuccessfully used , i have been often forced to take this course , and indeed with very good success , viz. i have applied the brisk heat of young people to the sick ; neither is there any reason why any one should much wonder , that the patient is so mightily strengthned and weak nature relieved by this method , though it be unusual , as that it can deliver it self from the relicks of the matter to be eliminated ; seeing it is easie to conceive a transfusion of a great quantity of vigorous es●luvia from the sound and strong body into the withered one of the sick. nor have i ever found , that the repeated application of hot cloaths could at all do that which the now mention'd method has perform'd , where both the heat applied is more agreeable to the human body , and gentle , moist , equal and lasting : and though this way of emitting balsamick spirits into the body of the patient may seem absurd , yet it has been used by others with happy success . nor truly am i ashamed to mention this remedy , though perhaps some impertinent men , superstitiously contemning all things vulgar , may ridicule me for it ; for i think the health and good of my neighbour is very much to be preferred before their vain opinions . he that prudently and with due consideration hath observed ●he method hitherto deliver'd , will free the patient , if not from all , yet at least from most of these symptoms , which are either wont to accompany this fever , or to come after it . but forasmuch as such accidents often happen , either because the sick neglected to call the phisician in time , or by reason of the unskilfulness or carelesness of the physician , i think it not amiss to treat briefly of their particular cure , but will confine my self to those symptoms that require a different cure proper to themselves . and to begin with a phrensie ; if the sick either upon the account of taking hot medicines unseasonably , or by being naturally of too hot a constitution , becomes light-headed ; or which is next to it , if he does not sleep at all ; if he looks and talks fiercely ; if he rakes medicines and common drink greedily , and as it were snatches it , and lastly has a suppression of urine ; in this case i say , i bleed more freely than before , and use glisters and cooling medicines oftener , especially in the spring . and though this symptom does not appear in young people , and in those whose blood is brisk , they admit of these remedies without much hazard , and by the use of such remedies i endeavour to keep up the patient till the disease has lasted a while , and then it is not difficult to free him at once of the symptom and the disease too ; and this may be done by giving some narcotick medicine in a large dose ; for though when the fever is at the height , those things that are of a narcotick quality , do no good nor answer the physician 's end ; yet being given seasonably at the declination of the disease , are very beneficial . but if the use of a narcotick be deferred till the th . day , it will do the better . the narcoticks which i am wont to use , are either london laudanum , from one grain , to one grain and an half , or the following . take of cowslip-flowers , one handful , boil them in a sufficient quantity of black cherry-water , mix half an ounce of diacodium and half a spoonful of the juice of lemons , with three ounces of the strained liquor . or , take of black cherry-water , one ounce and an half , epidemick water , two drachms , liquid laudanum , sixteen drops , syrup of gillyflowers , one drachm ; mingle them . i will only add this , which i think worth observation , to wit , that if this symptom will grant a truce so long , and the fever continues a long space , so that the patient may be safely purged before the taking of the anodyne , it will prove more effectual ; wherefore , i used to order two scruples of the pill coch. major dissolved in bettony-water ten or twelve hours before the taking of the narcotick ; nor is there any danger from the tumult which that hot pill would otherwise occasion ; for the vertue of the following narcotick will appease these commotions , and establish most gentle and sweet peace . but if the watchings continue after the fever is gone off , all the other symptoms being likewise ceased , i have observed that a rag dipt in rose-water , and applied cold to the forepart of the head and temples is more beneficial than any narcotick whatever . it often happens that the sick is vexed with a cough through the whole course of the disease ; it is first dry , because the matter being yet thin frustrates the expulsive faculty , but it soon grows thick , and is difficulty expectorated , because by degrees it is baked by the febrile heat ; and hence it comes to pass , that the patient is discouraged by fear of choaking , because he wants strength to cough off this viscid matter . in this case , i rarely use any other medicine than oil of sweet almonds fresh drawn , unless it happens ( and sometimes it is so ) that the patient has wholly an aversion to oil , and then we must use the common pectorals : but i think oil of almonds , if the patient can bear it , is to be preferred before other pectorals for this reason chiefly , for that is necessary , they are given in a larger quantity , if we would do any thing to the purpose , and by this means we overcharge the stomach , which was too weak before and inclined to be nauseous ; and sometimes also , we are hindred upon the same account , so that we cannot mind those things which are to be dispatched at the same time . nor can i understand nor learn by experience , why we should abstain from the use of this oil ( which we have now mentioned ) in fevers , because it is inflammable , and therefore to be feared lest it should increase the fever ; for suppose it naturally hot , yet certainly its heat is not so great , but that the advantage of it on another account may compensate for it ; for it is manifestly more pectoral than other things , and opens and lubricates the passages , and promotes expectoration , by which especially if it happens to be large , the blood is both freed from a troublesome humour now conveniently evacuated , and also somewhat cooled ; and , therefore , i am not much concerned , when i perceive this symptom : but the oil must be given frequently , a little at a time . sometimes the hickops happen , but most commonly to old men , after large evacuations , either by loosness , or especially by vomiting . in this case a large dose of diascordium , viz. two drachms , has done the business , when i could do no good with the seeds of dill , and other things that are cried up as specificks . if in the course of this disease a loosness arise , which uses to happen when a vomit was indicated at the beginning of the disease , and was not taken : in this case a vomit may be given at any time of the disease , if the strength does not contraindicate , tho' the inclination to vomiting be long since past . but if a loosness comes , tho' a vomit has been given , i have found the following glister more beneficial than any other astringent whatever . take of the bark of pomgranats , half an ounce , of red roses , two pugils ; boil them in a sufficient quantity of cows milk , dissolve half an ounce of diascordium in half a pound of the strained liquor ; mingle them , make a glister . i would not advise that a glister should be injected in a greater quantity ; for tho' it may be naturally astringent , yet there is danger lest it should weary the intestines by its b●●● , and so provoke the flux more . chap. cxxi . of the scarlet fever . the scarlet fever , tho' it may happen at any time , yet most commonly it comes at the latter end of summer , and seizes whole families , especially children : they shake and shiver at the beginning as in other fevers , but they are not very sick ; afterwards the skin is covered with smali red spots , but they are more , and much bigger and redder , and not so uniform , as in the measles . these spots continue two or three days ; when they vanish and go off , scales of skin , like bran , cover the whole body . this disease seems to me to be nothing else than a moderate effervescence of the blood occasioned by the foregoing summer , or something else ; and , therefore , i do nothing that the blood may not be hindred in its despumation and injecting the peccant matter through the pores of the skin ; only i order , that the sick should abstain wholly from flesh , and from all spirituous liquors , and that he should not go out , nor contine himself perpetually to his bed : but after all the scales are fallen , and the symptoms cease , i think it is proper to purge the sick with some gentle medicine agreeable to his age and strength ; and by this simple and natural method , this name of a disease , for it is scarce any thing else , is easily removed without trouble or danger ; whereas , on the contrary , if we are over officious , by confining the sick to his bed continually , and by giving cordials and other medicines unnecessarly , the disease is increased , and the patient killed secundum artem . chap. cxxii . of childrens fevers . the first indication in curing childrens fevers , is , to prepare well the acid , that it may be the easier ejected : but this preparation must not be endeavoured by sudorificks , properly so called , that is , such as heat the body , which are by no means to be used for infants or children ; but such things as absorbe the acid , and gently restrain the ebullition , are to be used ; the chief of these are crab's eyes and claws , oister-shells , cuttle-bone , egg-shells , coral , chalk , coralline , pearl , mother of pearl , both the bezoar stones , hartshorn burnt , burnt ivory , the bone of a stag's heart , shavings of hartshorn , bole-armenick , sealed earth , blood-stone , and the like ; and among compounds , compound powder of crab's claws , the goa-stone , and confection of hyacinth . being called to an infant of a year old troubled with a fever or the gripes , as they frequently are , i used to relieve them with the following prescriptions , take of the compound powder of crab's claws , and of pearl prepared , each one drachm ; mingle them , make a powder to be divided into six equal parts . or , take of oriental bezoar , prepared pearl , and crab's eyes prepared , each half a drachm , of the species of the confection of hyacinth , one scruple ; make a powder to be divided as before . or , take of the simple powder of crab's claws , one drachm , of crab's eyes prepared , two scruples , of cochinel , six grains ; mix them , make a fine powder to be divided into six papers ; let one be taken as soon as may be , and another two hours after , and afterwards let one be taken every fourth hour for the first two days , unless the child be asleep : but let the powders be taken in a spoonful of the following julep , and give a spoonful presently after . take of the aqua lactis alexiteria , four ounces , of black cherry-water , two ounces , of compound peony and epidemick water , each two drachms , of pearled sugar , half an ounce ; mingle them , make a julep . or , take of pennyroyal-water and aqua lactis alexiteria , each three ounces , of syrup of gillyflowers , drachms , mingle them or , take of sweet almonds blanched , number ten ; beat them in a marble mortar , and pour upon them gently half a pint of barley-water , or of aqua lactis alexiteria ; strain it , and add six drachms of small cinnamon-water , half an ounce of white sugar ; mingle them , make a julep . sometimes i am wont to use , other things being omitted , a julep that hath much pearl in it , but i order that the glass should be well shook , before it be poured out . take of black cherry-water , four ounces , of all the citron , two ounces , of aqua mirabilis and prepared pearls , each two drachms , of white sugar , half an ounce ; mingle them , make a pearl-julep ; give three spoonfuls at a time . but if the child be troubled with the cough , give half a spoonful of some pectoral mixture or linctus , and let him take less of the powders above-prescribed . take of the powder of coralline and simple crab's-claws , each one drachm and an half , of the syrups of maiden-hair and marshmallows , each one ounce , of balsam of tolu , half an ounce , of red poppy-water , half an ounce ; mingle them , bole armenick is often properly mixed with such things to good purpose , it powerfully stops catarrhs flowing upon the lungs ; the juice of pennyroyal heated and sweetned with sugarcandy , is also better than most other remedies ; oil of sweet almonds is also very good , if children can take it ; so is brimstone , and the flowers of it . the foresaid powders are to be repeated , seldom or often , according to the degree of the symptoms ; but it is here to be noted , that the gripes , restlessness and the watchings of children are as easily appeased by testaceous powders , as pains and watchings by narcoticks in grown people . the third day , unless the small pox , measles or a scarlet fever appear , i order a child of one year old to be purged in the following manner . take of syrup of succory with rhubarb , two drachms , of choice rhubarb powdered , fifteen grains or a scruple , of the aqua lactis alexiteria , one drachm , of small cinnamon-water , thirty drops , mingle them . or , take of syrup of buckthorn , one drachm and an half or two drachms , of the powder called diasenna , eight grains ; mingle them . take of the earl of warwick's powder , which is also called pulvis cornachinus , described in the last edition of the london dispensatory , six grains ; let it be taken in a spoonful of black cherry-water , sweetned with a little sugar . take of sweet almonds blanched , number three ; beat them in a marble mortar , and pour upon them gently an ounce or an ounce and an half of barley-water , or any other simple water ; in the strained liquor , dissolve three drachms , or half an ounce of the best manna ; mingle them , make a purging emulsion . take of lenitive electuary , two or three drachms , and dissolve it in an ounce of the aqua lactis alexiteria . sometimes i order this or the like plaister to be applied to the region of the navel , especially , if they are troubled with worms . take of succotrine aloes , one drachm , of the powder of the leaves of savin , of the tops of the lesser centaury , and of the flowers of camomil , each one scruple , with a sufficient quantity of venice-turpentine ; make a plaister , let the margin of it be spread with the plaister of cummin , to make it stick the better ; and sometimes it may be convenient to add to the other ingredients , a scruple of coloquintida . there is no purging medicine more proper for children and more innocent than rhubarb ; it gently and safely evacuates the matter occasioning their fever , and it gently purges off the humors that burden the stomach and whole body , and it strengthens ; wherefore , it is very proper for infants , children , big-bellied women , old men , and such as have been weakened by diseases . after the purge hath done working , some powder like the former must be given in the evening , and afterwards must be repeated three or four times in a day at fit times , for two days , and on the third day purging must be used , and it must be dosed according to the operation of the former . these things being performed , the worst symptoms most commonly cease , or at least are much abated . it is to be noted , that the first purge we give to children that have fevers , must not be only lenitive , but the dose of it must be less than otherwise it ought to be ; and the night before purging , a gentle glister , made of four ounces of cow's milk , sugar and a little salt , must be injected , if the belly be bound . moreover , to quicken the purge , a scruple or two of cream of tartar may be dissolved in some spoonfuls of water-grewel or the like , and so given . as to bleeding of children , tho' it may be used , when the febrile matter is cast upon the lungs , or in a hooping cough , yet it is plain that it is a remedy not agreeable to their nature . a child about three years and an half old , was seized with a small fever that was continual , and accompanied with exacerbations that were very irregular ; she complained of a great pain in the head especially , and sometimes of the belly , she nauseated all meat , and was very sleepy , so that the standers by thought she would have the small pox ; there was a twitching of the nerves in sleep , and she had sometimes a dry cough ; i prescribed the following things . take of the aqua lactis alexiteria , six ounces , of epidemick water , half an ounce , of prepared pearl , one drachm , of the simple powder of crab's claws , two drachms , of cristaline sugar , half an ounce ; mingle them , make a julep , whereof let her take three spoonfuls every fourth hour , shaking the glass well before using it . take of succotrine aloes , one drachm , of the tops of the lesser centaury , of the leaves of savin dried , each half a drachm , of burgundy-pitch , one drachm , of venice-turpentine , a sufficient quantity , make a plaister to be applied to the navel . the next day she persisted in the use of the julep , and a blistering plaister was applied to the neck ; a glister made of six ounces of milk , with sugar and salt was injected , because the belly was bound . take of aethiops mineralis , and of mercurius dulcis , each six grains , of marmalade of quinces , two scruples ; make a bolus , to be taken at bed-time . the next morning , she took the following cathartick syrup . take of syrup of buckthorn , two drachms , of the earl of warwick's powder , six grains , of choice rhubarb powdered , twelve grains , of tincture of saffron twenty drops , of black cherry-water , one drachm ; mingle them . half a drachm of cream of tartar was given in a draught of posset-drink to quicken the purge ; the same night , at bed-time , four spoonfuls of the foresaid julep were given . on the fourth and fifth days , the following mixture was given by spoonfuls . take of coraline , two drachms , of the leaves of mint dried and powdered , one scruple , of the simple powder of crab's claws , one drachm , of balsamick syrup and of the syrup of marshmallows , each one ounce , of orange-water , half an ounce ; mingle them . the evening preceding the sixth day , the bolus before-prescribed was repeated , and the morning following the purging syrup , by the vertue whereof the child vomited up a worm a span long , and soon ●●●erwards was well . chap. cxxiii . of agues . as to the cure , i have for many years taken notice how dangerous it is to endeavour to cure by sudorificks , in tertians and quotidians , when they are new , and have not yet formed themselves , being at present like continual fevers : for though it is well known , that upon sweating , the restlesness and other symptoms presently vanish ; yet if sweat be forced too much , the fever will be made continual , and the life of the sick will be endangered . having therefore considered how ineffectual this method is , and the inconveniency of other evacuations by bleeding and purging , i suppose the peruvian bark would do best ; and i can truly affirm , notwithstanding the prejudice of the common people , and of a few learned men , i never perceived any injury by the use of it , nor can imagin any ; only they that have used it a long while , sometimes fall into a scorbutick rheumatism ; but this seldom happens upon this occasion , and when it does , it is easily cured by the remedies proposed for it in the chapter of a rheumatism . being called to a patient of a quartan ague , for instance , on a monday , i do nothing if the fit be to come that day , only i give the sick hopes that he may be freed from the next fit ; and therefore on the two well days , namely , tuesday and wednesday , i give the bark in the following manner . take of the peruvian bark finely powdered , one ounce , with a sufficient quantity of syrup of gilliflowers , or of dried roses , make ad electuary to be divided into twelve parts , whereof let him take one every fourth hour , beginning presently after the fit , drinking upon it a draught of some wine . or if he likes pills better , take of the peruvian bark finely powdered , one ounce , with a sufficient quantity of the syrup of gilliflowers , make pills of a moderate bigness , whereof let him take six every fourth hour . but an ounce of the powder may be easier taken , and as successfully , mixed with a quart of claret-wine , eight or nine spoonfuls of it being taken every fourth hour . on friday when the fit is feared , i give nothing , for most commonly no fit comes ; but lest the disease should return , eight days exactly after the last dose , i give the same quantity of powder , viz. one ounce divided into twelve parts , according to the method above-mentioned : but though most commonly by giving the powder after this manner , the disease is commonly cured ; yet to secure the patient from a relapse , it is safe to repeat it three or four times , at the same intervals , especially when the blood has been weakened by foregoing evacuations , or by catching cold. but though this remedy has no purging quality , yet by reason of the peculiar constitution of some bodies , it often happens , that the sick is violently purged by it ; in this case it is necessary to give laudanum with the powder ; wherefore i give ten drops of laudanum in wine , after every other dose , if the loosness continues . i use the same method for tertians and quotidians ; but tertians and quotidians often are almost continual , and there is only a remission of those days they should intermit , especially when the sick has been confined to his bed , and has used too hot a regimen , and medicines : in this case i give the powder , as soon as i perceive any remission . but there are some that cannot bear the bark , neither in the form of a powder , nor of an electuary , nor of pills ; for these i infuse in the cold two ounces of the bark grossly powdered in a quart of rhenish-wine , and four ounces of the infusion standing some days , seem to contain the vertue of one drachm of the powder ; and because it is neither unpleasant , nor oppresses the stomach , it may be taken as often again as any other form of this remedy . sometimes it happens , that before this disease is come to a regular type , the sick cannot retain the bark in any form , by reason of continual vomiting ; in this case the vomiting must be first stopp'd before the bark can be given , to which end i order , that six or eight times in the space of two hours , one spoonful of the fresh juice of limons be taken with a scruple of salt of wormwood ; afterwards i give sixteen drops of liquid laudanum in a spoonful of strong cinamon-water , and soon after , if the vomitting stop , the jesuits powder . for infants , whose tender age would scarce bear the taking of this remedy in another form , at least so much of it as would cure the disease ; i use to prescribe the following julep , take of black-cherry-water , and of rhenish-wine , each two ounces , of the peruvian bark finely powdered , three drachms , of the syrup of gilliflowers one ounce , mingle them , make a julep ; let one or two spoonfuls of it be taken according to the age , every fourth hour , till the ague is cured . if there be a loosness , you must give a drop or two of liquid laudanum with every other dose . as to the diet , the sick may eat any thing that agrees with his stomach , only he must avoid cold liquors and summer fruits , and let him use wine moderately for his ordinary drink , by which alone i have cured some patients that could not be cured with the jesuits powder . the disease being taken off , the sick must carefully avoid all evacuations , for the gentlest purge , yea , only a glister of milk and sugar , will be apt to cause a relapse . chap. cxxiv . of the various forms and shapes of intermitting fevers . these fevers often resemble most other diseases , and such as are most acute , yet they yield to the peruvian bark , and if the bark is not given , they often become deadly . sometimes they come with great shivering and with violent vomiting , a loosness with gripes , the cholera morbus , the colick of the stomach , a periodical hemicrania , apoplexy , fainting rheumatism , general convulsions , phrensie , peripnumonia , and the like . mr. amblar , dwelling at mile-end , a man of fifty years of age , that was lean and sickly , was often before subject upon slight occasions , to an obstinate ague , accompanied with violent symptoms , but in the year , , having taken a great cold , he was suddenly taken with shaking and shivering , which was succeeded by an universal chilness , during which , his pulse could scarce be felt ; he was also violently afflicted with vomiting , a loosness , and with a horrid oppression and sickness : i visited him the next morning , and found his face plainly hippocratick ; his whole body was cold as clay , and a dew upon it , the skin looked black , by reason of the congelation of the blood , his strength was almost spent by the perpetual sickness , and the evacuation of divers coloured choler by vomit , and stinking white excrement by stool , of the consistence of a cream ; all things shewed that death was approaching , for the vital principal , or the animal spirits , was so oppressed by the venom , that there was no hope that they cou'd expand themselves : but to blunt the malignant acrimony of the humours , i ordered that he should drink chicken-broath plentifully , and that it should be injected through a syringe into the anus , i also ordered that the stomach should be well fomented with aromatick bags made hot , and a very cordial bolus , with as much laudanum in it as the strength of the patient would bear , was given with a draught of a cordial , and alexipharmick julep , every fourth hour . after the third or fourth bolus , i perceived the pulse was much stronger , and the blackness of the skin went off , and heat returned to the extream parts , and the evacuations were something suppressed , the colliquative sweat was diminished , and he was more quiet , he slept a little , and was not so sick after he waked . after this remission of the symptoms , i endeavoured to remove the venom , by giving the jesuits powder mixed with laudanum in the form of a draught , every fourth hour , knowing well that the sick could not bear a second fit ; but before the third dose of the powder , the fit returned again unexpectedly , accompanied with the former dreadful symptoms , and the poor man died within the space of twenty four hours . i was called to one mrs. baker , an ancient woman dwelling in fleet-street , i found her oppressed with continual sickness and vomiting , and so she had been for four days : she presently vomited up all she took ; she fainted often , her pulse was quick and weak ; but her temper by reason of faintness and perpetual sickness , was moderate , and in some sort cold , her urine looked in a manner well , she could not rest , and was almost delirious , but she complained only of nauseousness and vomiting . having enquired carefully about every thing , i was told that this woman had been sick six weeks , that she was hot and cold by turns , the periods were uncertain , and that she was troubed with a nauseousness and vomiting frequently . after i had prescribed a cordial , bolus , and julep , and chicken-broath for her ordinary drink , i ordered a julep made of salt of worm-wood and juice of limons , to be taken by spoonfuls , to comfort her stomach ; afterward i ordered the peruvian bark should be given freely in the form of a draught and of a tincture , adding twice or thrice a day ten or twelve drops of liquid laudanum , upon the account of the violence of the vomiting , and in a days time the sickness and vomiting were lessened , and critical white aphtha covered the whole mouth , the urine was very red , and other signs of the expansion of the spirits , and of the feverish heat were present , and soon after a tertian ague appeared in its proper form , the cold , heat and sweat succeeding one another alternately , and after two fits , the sick was cured by the bark . chap. cxxv . of over-purging . as purging medicines are sometimes necessary to loosen the belly , and to evacuate ill humours , so if the evacuation be immoderate , remedies must be used to stop it . to prevent it , consideration must be had of the constitution and strength of the patient , and of the nature and dose of the medicine , and while the medicine is in operation , the bowels and blood and spirits must be kept free from disturbance ; wherefore at this time , gross and viscous meats must be avoided , and much must not be eaten ; cold must be carefully avoided , and the mind must be clear and free ; and after the operation of the medicine , the animal spirits must be quieted , and the effervescence of the blood , by giving an anodyne . take of cowslip flower-water two ounces , of cinnamon-water hordeated , and of diacodium , each half an ounce , of pearls half a scruple ; make a draught to be taken at bed-time . but if over-purging happens , the patient must be presently put into a warm bed , and you must apply to his belly a plaister of venice-treacle , and he must presently take inwardly a bolus of venice-treacle and burnt claret diluted with mint-water , often by spoonfuls , and if he be much grip'd , a glister must be injected , made of milk and venice-treacle . chap cxxvi . of the french-pox . the french-pox came first from the west-indies into europe , in the year , . but a violent gonorrhea shewed it self first about an hundred years since . it is propogated either by generation , as when a child is infected by the parents , or by touching of some soft part , as when a child is infected by sucking a diseased nurse , or a nurse by suckling a diseased child , or by a child's lying in bed with such as are infected ; but it chiefly comes by impure coition : but in sound and firm constitutions impure coition it self is not always sufficient to infect ; for sometimes many lying with an infected woman , some are infected and others not , though they all equally deserve it . when a man has to do with an impure woman , either he has a heat or inflammation of the penis with exc●riation , or else he finds a heat in his urine , and in a day , two or three , a gonorrhea , or virulent matter issuing from the privy parts ; sometimes chancerous ulcers , and when the infection has been very violent , or the inflammation neglected , a gangren , and christaline bladders arise , and the part mortifies . sometimes there is no gonorrhea , but instead of it a bubo arises in the groin , which according to the degree of its malignity , either proves easily curable , or else improves its venom , and terminates in a phagedenous ulcer with jagged lips : there are also many vene●●l ulcers upon the scrotum and perineum . a cancer is commonly attended with breaking out all over the body like a flea-biting , which terminates in various sorts of ulcerous scabs , or tete●rs ; or it may be pustles arise in one or more places of the body , as head , face ▪ arms , thighs , or legs , or ulcers in the throat ; then wandring pains begin towards night to affect the shoulders , arms , legs , head ; and about this time appear in the fundament , warts , and other kind of proturbances ; also about this time tumours arise in the breast , arms , legs , and become ulcers that are difficultly cured . the pains growing more fixed , nodes usually arise , and continually afflict them , but towards night grow more intolerable . co-incident with several of these later degrees , are the noise in the ears , deafness , a polypus , opthalmia , the fis●ula , lacrimalis , fierce catarrhs , colick , loosness and consumption . authors , upon the entrance of the pox into christendom , generally lookt upon it as not only incurable , but also so highly infectious , that they ran away from it as much as the jews did from the leprosie ; but later ages and long experience , have made it less formidable ; yet even to this day , it must needs be acknowledged difficult to cure , in consideration of its malign and contagious quality , and the ungovernable disposition of the patients . if the habit of the body be strong , the cure of all the species of the pox , whether they be chancer , pustles , tetters , or eating ulcers , or ulcers in the throat and nose , are much easier cured , than the same are in many other chronick diseases ; but to root out the malignity is somewhat more difficult . if the patient has been clapt formerly , it will be more difficult to cure him the second time , and worse the third . if he has passed through long courses of mercurial remedies ineffectually , his cure will be difficult ; and if he has been salivated by unction , and relapsed , the cure will be hard , by reason the mercury is become familiar to him , and his body is for the most part wasted . nodes are more difficultly cured than any of the species above mentioned , and those whose bones are corrupted are yet more difficult to cure ; but if the habit of the body be strong , and the bowels sound , all the species of this disease are curable , if the patient keep his chamber , and submit to the rules of physick and diet ; without which submission we can scarce cure the lesser species . if the bowels be unsound , or the patient hectick , the disease is incurable . as to the cure , though bleeding does not take off the disease , yet in the very beginning of it we usually let blood to quiet the fermentation of the humours , and to dispose them for evacuation , and prescribe a glister before or after . if the disease be of long continuance , and they have been let blood some months before , yet if we design salivation , we do again let them blood , if the body be not too much wasted ; for in some of those a fever has happened in the time of raising the salivation , and in bodies of a strong habit i have often seen them to break out in heat all over in the beginning of the flux , so that then i have been necessitated to let them blood when it was not so proper : but when there is a bubo in the groin , bleeding is not proper . but purging is more universally necessary . of purges some are only lenitive , as manna with cream of tartar in whey or posset-drink , tamarinds , cassia , senna , rhubarb , lenitive electuary and the like . stronger purges are these that follow . take of the leavs of sena four ounces , of gummy turbith , hermodactiles , each two ounces , of black helebore , and of the pulp of coloquintida , each six drachms , of the raspings of guiacum , and sassafras , each one ounce , of the bark of guiacum , of the berriei of juniper , of the outward peel of citrons , each half an ounce , of cinnamon four drachms ; infuse them in equal parts of the water of baulm , meadow sweet , and carduus benedictus for forty eight hours ; then boyl them gently , and press them out strongly ; in the strained liquor dissolve too ounces and an half of aloes , one ounoe of diagrydium , evaporat them to the form of an extract for use . the dose is half a drachm or a drachm . take of pil. coch. min. a scruple or half a drachm , mercurius dulcis twenty grains , make six pills . or take of the extract above mentioned , of gum guiacum half a scruple , of mercurius dulcis one scruple , with syrup of buck-thorn make pills . vomiting is of use in great disorders of the stomach , when the foulness of that requires it , or when the ulcers of some particular part require a sudden revulsion ; so likewise when after the use of much mercury outward or inward to salivate , it does not rise kindly ; they generally give strong vomits if the party can bear them , viz. some preparations of mercury , as turbith , mineral , and the like , or crocus metallorum : but in weaker constitutions , such as we may . the next thing which offers it self to our consideration is salivation , without which few great cures are done in this disease . the methods of salivating are diverse , but all by mercury . inwardly are prescribed various preparations of mercury . when we design salivation by mercurius dulcis , we give it from twenty to twenty five grains , and sometimes to thirty , either in a spoonful of white bread and milk , or in conserve of red roses , or the like ; when we suspect it may worke by stool , we prescribe it with diascordium or venice-treacle at bed time . if after taking of it four or five days , their chops do not swell , it may be reasonable to move it upward with a few grains of turbith mineral ; according as their chops swell , they will salivat ; if their mouths be much ulcerated and swelled , the salivation may last eighteen or twenty dayes , during which they are to be kept warm , especially about their head neck and chops , and to drink chicken broath or posset ale. arcanum corallinum , as it is generaly sold in the shops , may be given from three grains to five , one dose of it prescribed to a woman vomited her often , and salivated twenty days . red precipitat . is also vomitive , but being well washed may be taken as safely as the white precipitat . white precipitat may be given proportionably as has been said of mercurius dulcis . turbith mineral made of vigo's precipitat is best , twelve or grains of it may be taken at a time , but that which is sold in the shops is a rough medicine , and must be given in a less quantity . there is also a way of raising a salivation by suffumigation , the prescription whereof is as follows . take of cinnabar two ounces , of crude mercury one ounce , of mastich , frankincense , and sandarach , each half an ounce , of storax , calamit , and benzoin , each three drachms ; make a fine powder of all , and with turpentine make troches , each weighing three drachms for use . but when the pox is grown inveterate and affects the most solid parts with node's , and the like , salivation by unction must be used . take of lard two ounces , of crude mercury one ounce , mix them well . you must begin the unction in the following manner ; the patient must lodge in a close warm chamber ; if the season be cold , the windows must be covered with blankets , and the bed must be placed near the fire , and encompassed with a skreen , if the chamber be large ; you ought also to have a strong healthy nurse , such as has been accustomed to the employment , that she may know how to wash the patients mouth , and direct and encourage him in such rules , as may be necessary in the time of salivating . the most proper place for unction is a stove , if it may be had , and the patient can bear it ; if he be weak , his bed must be used , otherwise for want of a stove , he must sit encompassed with a screen by the fire side , but not too near it . he must anoint himself , begining at the feet , and then the legs , thighs , hips , and so upwards taking in the arms and shoulders ; the belly must not be anointed , and indeed much of the trouble in weak bodys may be spared ; for in such the anointing of the legs and arms may be sufficient , the parts first anointed ought to be covered before you proceed to the next , as the legs with stockings , the thighs with trousses and the like ; at last his neck must be well wrapp'd with a napkin tacked up to his cap round about to his ears and fastened before to keep his chops warm ; after this a warm bed will be convenient and a draught of posset-drink to procure a breathing sweat ; having reposed himself an hour or two he may rise and provide for his dinner , which must consist of meat of easie digestion roast or boyl'd , at his dinner he may drink beer or ale with a toast , the rest of the day he must be confin'd to posset-drink . you must use a third part of the ointment at a time and continue dayly to use it for three days following ; when the patient spits you must keep him to posset-drink or chicken-broath , also a cordial must be at hand to prevent fainting , his mouth must be syringed with barly-water and liquorice and the like . new milk held in his mouth or chicken-broath will ease the pain and digest the sloughs that rise ; a rolled clout ought to be placed between his teeth to keep his chops from closing ; he must be rais'd high in the bed if his weakness constrain him to it , and kept forward that the rheum may run out of his mouth and not down his throat ; but if he can rise he will spit the better and more plentifully . salivation by unction commonly lasts twenty four or twenty five days ; sometimes to the thirtieth day . in the hight of it our work is to keep up the strength , and if through costiveness they spit little , give them a glister , that they may spit better , and attend the washing their mouths ; but as the sloughs begin to separate , which will be towards the declension of the salivation , prescribe them a decoction of sarsa or the like , to drink at least thrice a day ; and before the slough is quite cast off , purge them , and as they are able to eat meat , put them into a drying diet , and sweat them , as shall be shewed in its proper place . it happens sometimes in anointing , that their mouths are much ulcerated , and their breath smells strong , yet their cheeks do not swell , nor do they spit considerably ; in which case , forbear the anointing , and consider the cause of it , and if the body be strong and plethorick , vomit them with turbith , or infusion of crocus metallorum : but if they are weak or costive , administer a glister ; and if afterwards it rise not , dispose them to sweat with draughts of warm posset ale , or bath them ; for that way it will sometimes arise , when with the other it will not . but if they have faintness , palpitation of the heart , shortness of breath , fever and the like , your best way will be to purge it off , with an infusion of sena , and the like with the adition of syrup of roses solutive , or of syrup of buckthorn , and keep up their spirits the while with cordials , and good broaths ; if their lungs be opprest , let them blood , and prescribe lohochs ; but if there be also a suppression of urine , or if they make but little and high coloured , purge them with barnet or epsom water turned into posset , and quicken it with some purging syrup . if by these ways of purging the accidents remit , and the salivation rises , it is well ; but if it does not , yet there being a colliquation made , you may by well purging , strict diet , sweating and the like , obtain your end . while you are removing the abovesaid acciden●s , you must have a special regard to the ulcers within their mouths ; for it is from the fixing of the mercury , that those malign ulcers are made , which the less sensible they are of them the more corrupt they are . sometimes by raising the salivation by unction , it passes downwards by stool , in which case , we prescribe venice-treacle , diascordium , laudanum , opiatum and the like , which being given at night will not only strengthen their bowels . but dispose them to rest , and incourage them to go on in the anointing , a vomit of turbith mineral . after the unction has been some while used , does frequently raise the salivation , and after it is well raised , you may heighten , or continue it by the application of some of the following plasters : but if after all your endeavours to raise the salivation it does discharge it self by a loosness , with great evacuation , you are then to defend the intestins from the acrimony of the humours , by glister of chicken-broath , lest the bloody flux follows . inwardly we prescribe large draughts of chicken-broath , a decoction of burtnt hearts-horn , and milk-water boyled with a stick of cinnamon . after the flux is stopt , you must consider the strength of the patient , and if the sick be very weak , you must not insist upon fluxing , but proceed with sudorificks , and the like , not doubting of success in the cure ; for such a loosness does for the most part contribute as much to the cure , as if they had salivated . there is yet another way of fluxing , and that is by the application of mercurial plasters about the arms legs , and the like ; they were first designed i suppose for the more tender , and delicate sort of people , who would not admit of the unction . take of diachylon with orris one pound , of red-lead plaster eight ounces , of gum carranna , and tacamahaca , each four ounces , of benzoin , storax calamit , and ambar , each two ounces , of liquid-storax , and of peruvian balsam , each a sufficient quantity ; mingle them over the fire , and when it is removed from the fire , add eight ounces of crude mercury extinguished with turpentine ; make a plaster . these being spread upon a cloath thick , and applyed , you must then put them into a warm bed , and with a draught of warm posset-drink , sweat them dayly , and treat them , as has been said , in the salivation by unction . if it arise not by the first plasters , you must apply fresh once in four or five days ; and if there be occasion you may hasten the salivation by a few grains of turbith mineral . i have sometimes salivated persons by these plasters , but for the most part , i use them to raise a salivation , or continue it in such , where i began it with internals , and for that purpose they are of excellent use . the humours being evacuated by salivation and purging , sweating will be necessary ; they may sweat in bed or out of it ; the bed is proper for the weaker sort , and there they may sweat with bottles of hot water , or bricks heated and placed about them ; or they may sweat under a frame ; if they sweat with bottles or bricks , they must have many cloaths , as blankets and the like to cover them close , and the bottles or bricks may be wrapped in napkins , and applyed according as you design to sweat , more particularly any one part ; generally they are placed one each side near the armpits , hips , and at the soles of the feet . if you sweat with bricks , let them be heated rather by boyling water than fire , lest in the bed they burn the patient . the way by a frame is this , you are to fold a well aired sheet four double , and lay it under the patient ; then his shirt being stripped off , the frame must be placed over him , and a sheet over the frame , and blankets over that sheet and both sheet , and blankets must be brought over the end of the frame , and be tucked down close to the neck ; then a pan of well burnt charcoal , or spirit of wine must be put in the lower end of the frame ; this being done shut the door , and take care that the heat be kept in . his head ought also to be covered warm that it may sweat ; if he took not his sudorifick before , he must take it now , the diet-drink must be warmed , and may be commodiously given with a glass pipe ; a couple of servants must attend the patient during his being in the frame , the one of them must attend him with a warm napkin to wipe the sweat off his face , and to give him cloaths to rub his body with , which cloaths ought to be thrust in and taken out at one side of the frame ; this servant ought to have regard his master , that upon the least complaint , he may give warning to his fellow to renew the fire , or to take it out according as there should be occasion . the fire being removed , and the sheet next the frame somewhat cool , one of the servants must hold the cloaths close to the patients neck and shoulders , whilst the other draws the frame away . then shall they both tack the blankets and covering close to him , and give him another draught of his diet-drink , and continue him in his sweat half an hour or more , if he can admit it ; then gradually cool him , and pull away the wet folded sheet from under him ; then rub him with dry cloaths and put on his shirt ; and if he be disposed to slumber an hour he may ; otherwise he may rise and dine at his pleasure . they commonly sweat three quarters of an hour in the frame , and an hour in bed , after the frame is pulled away . the ways of sweating out of bed are by stove , tub , chair , or cradle ; the stove is most eas●y in regard they may sit , stand , or walk up and down ; but when they go out of them to bed , there is danger of taking cold . bathing is of great use in this disease , whether it be new or old ; in dry bodies , where the disease has been long confirmed , bathing is necessary to dispose them to salivation ; it is also proper after the patient has past through the strict course of salivation , purging and sweating ; the body being thereby dryed and wasted is hereby cooled , moistned , and restored to its natural temper . in order to bathing , we generally let blood and purge , if there be a plethoria ; but when the body is wasted and dry , a glister may serve : before the patient enters into the bath he may drink a draught of caudle or broath , and in the bath he may take a spoonful or two of harts-horn-gelly , or the like . the vessel we bath in is a tub wherein the patient may sit up to the neck , for want of such a barrel may serve , the one end being beat out , and a stool placed in it to sit on ; the bath liquor is according to the occasion , and quality of the sick . sometimes it is all milk , other times milk and water , or only water with a bag of wheaten bran , which serves the patient as a cushion and makes the water milky : they are sometimes perfumed with wood of cassia , rhodium , yellow sanders , and the like . the baths of milk are apt to sowre , therefore ought to be renewed daily ; the other will last longer sweet . in the time of bathing , there ought to be plenty of hot and cold water , to continue the bath of a moderate temper , neither too hot nor too cold ; some hoops should be fastened over the head of the tub , whereon a blanket or sheet as a canopy may be cast , in case the air be cold ; a servant or two ought also to be attending in case of fainting , lest he sink into the water ; therefore upon his complaint , raise him up , and casting a sheet about him , put him into a warm bed , where he may refresh himself , and at his pleasure rise and cloath himself , and dine or sup , as his appetite requires . bathing may be used twice a day , but never upon a full stomach . during the cure of this disease , it will be requisite that the patient keep his chamber , and that it be made temperately warm ; the taking of physick and rambling abroad in the cold being extreamly prejudicial to their cure , and is frequently attended with a loosness and noise in the ears and deafness there is also a special care to be taken concerning their diet , that on those days they purge , their dinner be of good nourishment , boiled or roasted . we also allow them good broath , and beer or ale to raise their strength , so as they may be able to bear the evacuation which is required . but in the time of their sweating , we confine them to a very slender and drying diet , only sufficient to support their spirits . a chop of a neck of mutton or two ribs dry roasted , was the old stint . i permit them to make choice of one sort of meat , and keep them to it ; which among the better sort is , partridge , and that without sawce , their suppers may be bisket , raisins of the sun , and a few blanched almonds , and their drink a decoction of sarsa , and the like ; but in weak and extenuated bodies , china broath , or a mixture of milk with their diet-drink may be necessary . exercise is of use in the beginning of this disease , and may serve to rouse the native heat , and to thrust forth the malignity , and waste superfluities ; but after the disease is more confirmed , violent exercise is hurtful . sleep is allowed in the day to refresh them , they being for the most part disturbed in the night by their pains , which are therefore called nocturnal . venery ought to be avoided , and the passions of the mind . as to a gonorrhea , the main of the cure is performed by purging ; but because the disease is accompanied with an inflammation , and cured by purging medicines that are hot , cooling diet must be ordered through the whole course . take of the mass of the pill coch. major , three drachms , of extract of rudius , one drachm , of rosin of julap , and diagridium , each half a drachm , with a sufficient quantity of opobalsamum ; make six pills of every drachm . the sick must take four of them at four or five a clock in the morning , and sleep upon them for twelve or fourteen days or more , till the heat of urine and the yellow colour of the matter be much lessened ; afterwards every other day for a fortnight , and afterwards twice a week , till the humour quite stop , which will not be done till a long time , though it be commonly affirmed , that that ichor that is seen especially in a morning at the top of the yard being pressed , proceeds only from a loosness of the parts , by reason of the long continuance of the running : yet the sick will find it otherwise , if he neglect purging before it is quite gone : for upon any small occasion , as by immoderate drinking , violent exercise , or the like , the gonorrhea will return . but if the gonorrhea does not yield to such kind of purging , it will be proper instead of pills , especially if the sick are difficultly purged , to give betwixt whiles some more powerful medicines , as is the following purge . take of tamarinds half an ounce , of the leaves of sena two drachms , of rhubarb one drachm and an ha●f ; boyl them in a sufficient quantity of water , in three ounces of the strained liquor ; dissolve of manna and syrup of roses solutive , each one ounce , of syrup of buckthorn and of electuary of the juice of roses , each two drachms , mingle them ; make a potion . if the cure proceed slowly , give eight grains of turbith mineral , only twice or thrice , and at due distances , lest a flux arises ; and this medicine is certainly the best for an obstinate running of the re●ns . but sometimes the sick has such an ●ver●●on for purging often repeated , that he cannot so much as see or smell the medicine ; and sometimes by a certain idiosyncrasy , there is such an obstinate opposition to purging , that a due quantity of the peccant humour cannot be evacuated ; and whilst we waste time to no purpose in endeavouring to purge the sick , the pox creeps on ; when the case is so , we must use glisters , and on those days the sick does not use them , we must give catharticks by the mouth : i proceed in the following manner , i give the foresaid pills , or the like for two or three mornings following , and afterwards i order the following , glister to be injected in the morning , and at five in the afternoon daily , till all the symptoms cease ; only once or twice a week i give a purge , omitting on those days the glister . take of the electuary of the juice of roses , six drachms , of venice turpentine dissolved in the yolk of an egg an ounce , mix them with a pint of barly-water ; to the strained liquor , add two ounces of diacatholicon ; mingle them , make a glister . every night at bed-time i give twenty five drops of opobalsamum , mixed with sugar , or for want of it , cyprus turpentine , to the quantity of a hazel-nut . i forbid salt meats and other things of hard digestion , as beef , pork , fish , cheese , roots and herbs , and all summer fruits , and instead of them , i order veal , mutton , chicken , rabbets , and the like , and the sick must eat but sparingly of these . he must forbear wine and all strong and sharp liquors ; but he may drink milk boyled with thrice the quantity of water , and a small quantity of small beer at meals , and betwixt the purging , he may drink of the following emulsion frequently , to qualifie the heat of urine , and the inflammation . take of the seeds of melons and of pompious , each half an ounce , of the seeds of white poppies , two drachms , of blanched almonds number eight , beat them together in a marble mortar , pouring upon them gently , a pint and an half of barly-water ; to the strained liquor add a sufficient quantity of christaline sugar , and make an emulsion . when the sick is of a very sanguine constitution , and when the disease is obstinate , after i have purged him a month or thereabout , i order eight or nine ounces of blood to be taken from the arm. in this disease he that cleanses well , cures well , only mineral waters must not be used . but it is to be noted , if the glans be covered all over with the prepuce , and if by reason of the inflammation it be swelled hard and callous , so that it cannot be drawn back , it is in vain to attempt the cure of the running , unless at the same time the part affected be reduced to its natural state , the hardness and swelling being removed ; therefore the following medicines must be used yake of the roots of marshmallows and of lillies , each one ounce and an half , of the leaves of mallows , mullein , elder and henbane , of the flowers of camomile and melilot , each one handful , of the seeds of flax and fenugreek , each half an ounce , boyl them in a sufficient quantity of fountain-water , make a fomentation , wherewith foment the part half an hour at a time , twice or thrice a day . after the fomentation i order that the part affected be anointed with the oyl of flax-seeds fresh drawn , and that a plaster of the mucilages be apply'd to the swell'd lips of the prepuce ; but if the ulcer in the lips of the prepuce or on the glans under it hinders it from being drawn back easily , besides the fomentation above mention'd i prescribe also the following liniment . take of basilicon six drachms , of the ointment of tobacco two drachms , of red precipitat wash'd in rose-water and well powder'd half a drachm ; mingle them , make a liniment wherewith make pledgets and apply them to the chancres after the use of the fomentation . but when the scrotum is the seat of the disease , after the use of the fomentation , if the pain and swelling be not abated , apply a cataplasm of oxycrate and bean-flower ; also at the same time , i use inwardly catharticks and cooling medicines , and order the diet above-mentioned , and bleed at any time of the disease , if the swelling in the scrotum be great , and if the pain be violent . if a swelling arises in the groin , apply the follow-plaster to suppurate it . take of galbanum and ammoniacum , each two ounces , of opopanax and sagapenum , each one ounce , of mustard-seed and pellitory of spain , each six drachms , of common soap , two ounces , of burgundine pitch , four ounces , of oil of lillies , two ounces , of wax a sufficient quantity ; make a plaister . for ulcers in the pallate and tonsis . take of all the throatwort , three handfuls , of holm , self-heal and male speedwell , each one handful , of red roses , one pugil , of red sanders and the wood of juniper , each one ounce ; make a decoction in two quarts of barly-water ; boil it to the consumption of a third part ; in the strain'd liquor dissolve of syrup of dried roses and diamoron , each three ounces , of hony , two ounces ; make a lotion . with this the ulcer may be washed daily either by syringing or gargling : but if the ulcers be behind or over the palate , the best way to cleanse them will be to pass the injection up into the nostrils ; but the patient must keep his mouth full of water all the while to prevent coughing . if the ulcers are sordid , dress them with the lac sublimate upon an armed probe ; if there be a caries in the bone of the palate , touch it with aqua divina fernelii ; if the bone be corrupted through , 't will be necessary to wear a plate . in ulcers of the nose , the matter usually mixing with the excrementitious humours dryes in the passage , and thereby prohibits the discharge , and increases the ulceration , and also the caries , and therefore you are in the first place to supple and remove that , by casting up mucilaginous decoctions . take of cleans'd barly one ounce , of the roots of marsh-mallows two ounces , of the seeds of quinces three drachms , of liquorish two drachms , boyl them in a quart of fountain-water ; to the strain'd liquor add three ounces of oyl of almonds ; let it be injected often in a day ; the mucus being thus removed , inject the following water . take of sarsaparilla sliced three ounces , infuse them twenty four hours in three pints of plantain-water , then boyl half away , towards the end add of the leaves of agrimony , sage and the tops of brambles each one handful , of red roses and balaustines each half an handful , quench steel often in the strain'd liquor , and add to it two drachms of roch alum , and make an injection . this will cleanse the ulcers , and in the mean while you may by anti-venereals hasten the exfoliation of the bones , and consolidation of the ulcers . for the extirpation of warts and the like excrescencies magisterial water of alum , lac sublimati , spirit of vitriol , and the caustick stone , are proper ; when these will not do the business , the ligature and knife and actual cautery will ; but the growing of them again must be prevented by anti-venereals . to cure the fluttering noise in the ears arising in this disease , take of the bark of guiacum one drachm , of the bark of sassafras two drachms , of castor four scruples , of the flowers of lavender one drachm and an half , of cloves half a drachm , of spirit of wine rectified , eight ounces ; make an infusion in a glass vessel , twenty four hours upon hot ashes ; keep the strain'd liquor for use . put some of this daily into the ears warm with cotton . to ease pains , take of lard four ounces , of oil of scorpions two ounces , of the oils of camomil , rosemary and sage , each half a drachm , of petroleum and spike oil , each one drachm , of london laudanum one scruple more or less ; mingle them and anoint the part. if nodes cause the pain , apply the plaister of frogs , with four times the quantity of quick-silver . chap. cxxvii . of the itch , and spots and pimples in the face . often and constant eating of salt fish or flesh , and dryed in the sun , also drinks that are disagreeable and poysonous , do commonly cause cutaneous eruptions ; also the humour gathered in the cutaneous glands , sometimes by meer stagnation , becomes not only itchy , but oftentimes corruptive ; wherefore , not only they that have been long kept in prison , but also they that have liv'd a sedentary life and are used to filth and stinks , are subject to these diseases . as to the cure of the itch , there are two primary indications ; first , that the glandulous humour be reduced to a due disposition . secondly , that the pores of the skin be freed from ichorus concretions . the preservative indication respects these two things . first that the itchy humour does not regurgitate upon the blood and nervous liquor . secondly , that itchy humour , if it be fallen upon the noble parts , be eradicated . all these intentions of healing , ought to be complicated , or at least provided for by turns , by external and internal remedies . you must begin and end with purging ; and bleeding , if nothing contra-indicates , must be used at the beginning . alteratives must be also used , and liniments and baths , or topicks of other kinds . i will set down some choice forms of medicines of every kind , and first as to purges ; a purge or a vomit must be given at the beginning , and after bleeding , ( if it be used ) a purging apozem , or diet-drink , must be taken for seven or eight days . take of the electuary , called diacarthamum , three drachms , of the species called diaturbith with rhubarb , one drachm , of cream of tartar and salt of wormwood , each half a scruple , of the purging syrup of apples a sufficient quantity ; make a bolus . take of sulphur of antimony grains seven , of scammony sulphurated , grains eight , of cream of tartar , half a scruple ; make a powder . take of the roots of polipody of the oak , of sharp-pointed dock prepared , each one ounce , of the leaves of sena ten drachms , of turbith , agarick , and dodder of thyme , each one ounce , of the seeds of carthamus half an ounce , of yellow sanders two drachms , of the seeds of anise and caraways , each two drachms , cut them and beat them , and digest them hot in two quarts of white-wine in a vessel close stopped for twenty four hours ; pour off the clear liquor without pressing . the dose is six ounces , either by themselves , or with a spoonful of the syrup of dodder of thyme . or , take the fore-said ingredients and boyl them in three quarts of fountain-water till half is consumed , then add a pint of white-wine , strain it presently to be taken as before . or , take of the roots of polypody of the oak , of sharp-pointed dock , each three ounces , of the best sena four ounces , of dodder of thyme , turbith , and mechoacan , each two ounces , of yellow sanders one ounce , of coriander-seeds six drachms , prepare them according to art , make a bag for four gallons of ale , after five or six days tap it , and take three quarters of a pint , more or less every morning for eight or ten days . for the ordinary drink provide four gallons of small ale , and hang in a bag in it the following ingredients . take of the tops of tamarisk and fumitory dryed , each four handfuls , of the roots of sharp-pointed dock dryed six ounces , of the bark of woody night-shade two ounces , cut and beat them . as to altering remedies , there is little need of others besides the altering drink above prescribed ; only the patient must observe a good course of diet , he must forbear salt and peppered meats , shell-fish , and such as are pickled ; also wine , strong-waters and strong beer . as to ointments , the following is commonly used . take of the powder or flower of brimstone , half an ounce , of butter that is not salted , four ounces , of ginger powdered half a drachm , make a liniment . the following is neater , though not much more effectual . take of ointment of roses four ounces , of brimstone half an ounce , of the oil of tartar per deliquium , a sufficient quantity , make a liniment ; you may perfume it with a scruple of oil of rhodium . but after all , i have found by much experience , that quick-silver girdles ( though they are generally much disliked ) are most effectual for curing the itch , and as safe as any other medicine , if they are prepared in the following manner . take of quick-silver three quarters of an ounce , the white of one new laid egg , beat them together in a woodden dish with a stick two hours , then spread it on a girdle of new flannel the breadth of three fingers ; you must spread it all by degrees and dry it in the sun , or by a moderate fire , and it must be worn a month or six weeks , being sewed strait round the waste ; the side whereon the mercury is being turned to the body . the patient must be purged once before the use of the girdle , and once after the itch is cured . and by this short and easie method , i have cured whole families infected with the itch , and never perceived the least injury , though i have used it frequently and several years . the following water is excellent for taking off spots and pimples from the face , and the redness of it , and that blackness which looks like gunpowder in the face , especially about the nose and fore-head , which is sometimes the black heads of worms . take of sublimate one ounce , put it into a tin pot with three pints of fountain-water , let them stand together twenty four hours , stir them now and then with a stick , till all the liquor looks black ; filter it through paper , and with a feather or the like dipt in it , touch the face gently once in a day or two . forms of medicines frequently used by the london physicians . medicines for a consumption . take of the pill of hound's tongue , half a scruple , of balsam of tolu , one scruple ; mix them , make six pills : let two be taken at bed-time every other night . take of liquid pitch , of balsam of tolu , each grains , of chios-turpentine , scruple ; make a mass , whereof make middling pills : let three he taken in the morning and at bed-time , drinking upon them four spoonfuls of the following julep . take of the waters of hyssop , one pint , of ground-ivy , six ounces , of the tincture of the balsam of tolu , one drachm and an half , of white-sugar-candy , a sufficient quantity ; mingle them . take of the pectoral decoction clarified , one quart ; boil it in an handful of ground-ivy leaves , and of the syrup of raspberries and of the balsamick syrup , each six drachms ; mingle them : let a small draught be taken in the morning , and at four in the afternoon . take of conserve of red roses , two ounces , of flowers of sulphur , two drachms , of the species of diatraga●●nth frigid , one drachm and an half , of lucatellus's balsam , two drachms , of opobalsam , half a drachm , with a sufficient quantity of balsamick syrup ; make an electuary , whereof let him take the quantity of a nutmeg in the morning and at four a clock in the afternoon , drinking upon it a draught of the following apozem . take of the roots of china , one ounce , of sarsaparilla , two ounces , of lentisk wood , one ounce , of ivory and hartshorn rasped , each one drachm and an half , of the leaves of hyssop and coltsfoot , each one handful , of figs two pair , of dates number three , of raisins of the sun an ounce and an half , of liquorice three drachms ; boil them in a sufficient quantity of fountain-water to three pints of the strained liquor , add one ounce of the tincture of saffron , with syrup of violets and maiden-hair , each one ounce and an half ▪ make an apozem . take of lemnian-earth , half a scruple , of bole-armenick , twelve grains , of the pill of storax , one drachm and an half , of jesuit's powder , half an ounce , with a sufficient quantity of syrup of clove gillyflowers ; make fourscore pills : let him take five every sixth hour during the loosness , drinking upon them seven spoonfuls of the following julep . take of the aqua lactis alexiteria , twelve ounces , of cinnamon-water hordeated , three ounces , of dr. stephans and epidemick-water , each two ounces , of diacodium , three ounces ; mingle them , make a julep . apozems . take of burnt hart's horn , of the roots of scorzonera and bread , each one ounce ; boil them in two pints and an half of barly-water , till half is consumed ; to the strained liquor , add of christaline sugar and of cinnamon-water hordeated , each one ounce ; mingle them , make an apozem : give four ounces every third or fourth hour . take of citron-bark candid , one ounce and an half , of candid angelica , half an ounce , of hart's horn rasped , one ounce and an half , of currans , six ounces , a crust of white bread ; boil them in a sufficient quantity of thin barly-water to a pint and an half ; to the strained liquor , add of the syrup of the juice of oranges , one ounce ; mingle them , make an apozem : drink of it at pleasure when thirsty . take of the roots of scorzonera and angelica , each six drachms , of the leaves and roots of wood-sorrel , two handfuls , of hart's horn and ivory rasped , each half an ounce , of the opening roots , each half an ounce , of liquorice , two drachms ; boil them in a sufficient quantity of barly-water to a pint and an half ; to the strained liquor , add of compound scordium-water , and of the cold cordial-water of saxony , each three ounces , of the syrup of raspberries , three ounces ; mingle them , make an apozem : let him take three or four ounces at pleasure . take of the peruvian bark , one ounce , of balsam of tolu , three drachms , of cochinel , one scruple ; boil them in a pint of carduus-water ; to the strained liquor , add of the syrup of raspberries and epidemick water , each two ounces . take of the roots of spanish scorzonera , one ounce and an half , of the raspings of hart's horn , drachms , of ivory rasped , three drachms , of marigold flowers , two pugils , of fat figs cut two pair ; boil them in barly-water : to a quart of the strained liquor clarified , add of epidemick-water , one ounce and an half ; sweeten it with white sugar and make an apozem , whereof let him take a draught at any time when he is thirsty . take of calcined hart's horn powder'd , two ounces , of fountain-water , two quarts ; boil it till half is consumed , strain it gently through a linnen rag , and add two it three ounces of syrup of oranges : this is the white decoction , and is an excellent drink for worms in children , for a loosness , and for fevers . cordials . take of the waters of wood-sorrel , all the citron and strawberries , each four ounces , of syrup of the juice of citron , one ounce , of pearls powdered , one drachm ; mingle them . take of the waters of black cherries and aqua lactis alexiteria , each five ounces , of elder-flowers , cinnamon hordeated , and epidemick water , each two ounces , syrup of raspberries , two ounces and an half ; mingle them . take of confection of hyacinth , one scruple , conserve of wood sorrel , one drachm , of species liberans , half a scruple , with a sufficient quantity of the syrup of the juice of citron ; make a cordial bolus . take of the compound powder of crab's claws , half a scruple , of volatile salt of hart's horn , three grains , of confection of hyacinth , a sufficient quantity . take of the cordial magisterial powder , of compound powder of crab's claws , each twelve grains , of the temperate cordial species , eight grains ; mingle them , make a cordial-powder for two doses . take of the compound powder of crab's claws and of the goa-stone , each half a drachm ; mingle them ▪ make a powder , to be divided into three doses . catharticks . take of quercetan's pill of tartar , one drachm and an half , of the pil. coch. major , two scruples , of chimical oil of marjoram , three drops ; mingle them , make twelve pills , and let three be taken at bed-time , once in two or three days . take of the fetid pill and of troches of myrrh , each one drachm , of volatile salt , of sal armoniack , one scruple , of peruvian balsam , a sufficient quantity ; make midling pills . take of the fetid pill and of rudius's extract , each half a drachm , of salt of vvormwood , ten grains , of oil of cloves , two drops , with a sufficient quantity of elixir proprietatis ; make twelve pills : let him take four every third day with regimen . take of the pills of storax , ten grains , of aloes rosat . two scruples ; make eight pills : let him take them every other night , and the next morning an ounce of manna , and a drachm of cream of tartar. take of pil. ex duobus and of pil. coch. minor , each one scruple , of salt of tartar , half a drachm , with a sufficient quantity of syrup of backthorn and four drops of juniper berries ; make twelve pills : let him take six , with regimen . take of the pill of hound's-tongue , one scruple , of aloes rosat . and of the pil. coch. minor , each one drachm , of salt of tartar , half a drachm , with a sufficient quantity of syrup of violets ; make eighteen pills : give six when the cholick pain is violent , and let the sick keep his bed six hours , and repeat them upon occasion . take of manna , one ounce and an half ; dissolve it in two ounces and an half of black cherry-water ; add one ounce of the purging syrup of apples , of spirit of sulphur , three drops : let the child take half of this every other day . take of gerion's decoction of sena , four ounces , of syrup of buckthorn , six drachms , of spirit of sulphur , six drops , of aqua mirabilis , one drachm ; mingle them , make a potion to be taken in the morning . take of the powder of rhubarb , twenty five grains , of salt of wormwood , eight grains , of syrup of succory with rhubarb , a sufficient quantity ; mingle them , make a bolus ; to which add two drops of chimical oil of aniseeds . take of mercurius dulcis and diagridium , each fifteen grains ; mingle them , make a powder to be taken in the morning . diaphoreticks . take of venice-treacle , half a drachm , of bezoartick powder , one scruple , of syrup of the juice of citron , a sufficient quantity : make a bolus . take of the powders of the roots of contrayerva , virginian snakeweed and butterbur , each one drachm , of cochinele and saffron , each half a drachm ; mingle them , make a powder : the dose is half a drachm . take of the compound powder of crab's claws , half a drachm , of conserve of vvoodsorrel , one drachm , of mithridate , two scruples and an half ; mingle them . presently after taking it , drink a draught of posset-drink , wherein camomil or marigold-flowers have been boil'd . take of venice-treacle , one drachm , of laudanum opiatum , one grain and an half , of the pulp of conserve of roses , half a drachm ; mingle them , make a bolus , to be taken at bed-time , drinking upon it the following draught . take of treacle-water , one ounce , of carduus-water , two ounces , of syrup of cowslips , three drachme ; mingle them , make a draught . take of venice-treacle , two scruples , of volatile salt of amber and bezoartic mineral , each half a drachm , of laudanum opiatum , three grains ; mingle them , make a bolus . take of salt of hartshorn , two grains , of the magisterial cordial-powder , six grains , of camphor and cochinele each four grains , of venice-treacle , one scruple , of the aqua coelestis , a sufficient quantity ; mingle them , make a bolus . let it be taken at a convenient time , and let nine ounces of the following apozem be taken every third hour . take of the roots of scorzonera , two ounces , of butturbur , angelica and fennel , each one ounce , of rasped hartshorn , six drachms , of ivory rasped , three drachms , of marigold-flowers , one pugil , of vetches , half a handful ; boil them in a sufficient quantity of barly-water ; to a quart of the liquor strain'd , add half an ounce of tincture of saffron , of christalline sugar , one ounce ; mingle them , make an apozem . diureticks . take of sal prunellae , two drachms , of sugar candy , one drachm ; make a powder to be divided into six parts : let one be taken thrice a day . take of sal prunella , three drachms , of salt of amber , half a drachm ; make a powder : the dose is half a drachm thrice a day . take of compound-water of horse-radish , two ounces , of pellitory-water , four ounces , of spirit of salt , one scruple fifteen grains , of salt of tartar , fifteen grains , of syrup of violets , half an ounce ; mingle them , make a potion . take of the powder of bees , one scruple , of the seeds of lovage , half a scruple ; mingle them , make a powder . take of the powder of egg-shells , half a drachm , or one drachm , give it in a draught of whitewine . take of the waters of arsmart and wake-robin , each six ounces , of compound briony-water and compound radish-water , each two ounces , of the syrup of the five opening roots , one ounce and an half , of spirit of salt , forty drops ; mingle them , make a julep : let four or five ounces of it be taken twice a day . eye-waters . take of the water of spawn of frogs , of plantain and of roses , each one ounce , of tutty-stone prepared , two scruples , of the white troches of rhasis , half a scruple ; mingle them , make an eye-water to be used twice or thrice a day cold . take of red rose water , two ounces , of salt of vitriol , finely powder'd , five grains ; mingle them , make a collyrium . take of crocus metallorum , one drachm , of plantain-water , three ounces ; digest them hot for six hours , and then filter them : make a collyrium , to be dropt into the eyes often in a day . emulsions . take of blanched almonds , number three , of the seeds of melons , lettice and white poppies , each one drachm , of the pulp of barly , three drachms ; beat them , and pour on them a sufficient quantity of barly-water ; to eight ounces of the strained liquor , add five drachms of diacodium ; mingle them , make an emulsion . take of blanched almonds , twelve , of the four greater cold seeds , each one drachm and an half , of the seeds of lettice and white poppies , each half a drachm ; beat them in a marble mortar , and pour on them gently a sufficient quantity of poppy-water ; make an emulsion for doses , to which add an ounce of syrup of violets , and half a drachm of sal prunella . take of blanched almonds infused in rose-water , two ounces , of the four greater cold seeds , and of plantain and purslain , each one drachm , of seeds of marsh-mallows and white poppies , each one scruple ; beat them according to art , and pour on them a sufficient quantity of the decoction of barly and liquorice ; make an emulsion for two doses : to each add , of syrup of water-lillies , one ounce , of sal prunella , half a drachm . gargarisms . take of the waters of plantain and spawn of frogs , each four ounces , of syrup of mulberries and dried roses , each one ounce , of spirit of vitriol , a sufficient quantity to make it pleasantly acid ; make a gargarism . take of the middle bark of the elm , two ounces , of barly-water , one pint and an half ; boil it to a pint : add to the strain'd liquor when 't is clear , of epidemic-water and syrup of rasberries , each two ounces , of spirit of sulphur , half a scruple ; mingle them , make a gargarism . take of the mucilage of the seeds of quinces made in rose-water , two ounces , of syrup of rasberries , one ounce ; mingle them : let him take one spoonful often and hold it a little upon his tongue , and swallow it by degrees . take of plantain-water , one pint , the whites of two eggs , of sugar , a sufficient quantity ; mingle them , make a gargarism . take of the roots of marshmallows , one ounce , of liquorish rasped , three drachms , of the middle bark of the elm and of common bramble-bush , each three drachms , of the leaves of sage and columbine , each half a handful , of fat figs , number five , of red roses , half a handful , of balaustines , half a drachm , of jew's ears , two drachms , of cochinel , one scruple ; boil them in a sufficient quantity of fountain-water to one pint ; strain the liquor , and sweeten it with hony of roses strain'd ; make a gargarism . take of the waters of red roses and plantain , each two ounces , of hony of roses strain'd and of syrup of mulberries , each three drachms , of crude alom pouder'd , ten grains ; mingle them , make a gargarism . glisters . take of the carminative decoction , ten ounces , of mercurial hony , one ounce , of brown sugar , two ounces and a half , of the electuary of laurel-berries , half an ounce ; mingle them , make a glister . take of the common decoction for a glister , one pint , of lenitive electuary , one ounce and a half , of diacatholicon , one ounce , of oil of camomil , half an ounce ; mingle them , make a glister . take of cow's milk , one pint , of yolks of eggs , number two , of venice-treacle , half an ounce ; mingle them , make a glister . take of the carminative decoction with lawrel and juniper-berries , ten ounces , of the electuary of lawrel-berries , one ounce , of vinum benedictum , two ounces , of brown sugar , three ounces , of chimical oil of juniper , ten drops ; mingle them , make a glister . take of the common decoction for a glister , six ounces , of the species of hiera pi●ra , one drachm , of cassia , six drachms , of mercurial hony , one ounce and a half ; mingle them , make a glister . take of cow's milk , with a pugil of red roses boil'd in it , six ounces , of diascordium , one drachm ; mingle them , make a glister . take of the roots of tormentil , of yellow myrobalans , of the seeds of coriander , each three drachms , of the flowers of camomil , half a handful , of balaustines , one scruple ; boil them in a quart of fountain-water ; to half a pint of the strain'd liquor , ade one drachm of mithridate ; make a glister . liniments . take of the red ophthalmic ointment , of the last edition save one of the london dispensatory , two drachms , of oil of bitter almonds , twenty drops ; mingle them , make a liniment , wherewith anoint the eye-lids with a hot finger . take of pure sperma ceti , two drachms , dissolve it in half an ounce of oil of almonds fresh drawn , add six drachms of pomatum ; mingle them , make a liniment for the face . take of oils of scorpions and of sweet almonds , each one drachm , of saffron pouder'd , half a scruple ; mingle them , make a liniment , wherewith anoint the region of the heart with a hot hand , and apply over a pidgeon cut in the middle , and renew it every third hour . take of the alabastrine ointment , one drachm and a half , of oil of nutmegs , by expression , two scruples , mingle them ; anoint the forehead and temples , and apply over a rose-cake sprinkled with vinegar . take of populneum ointment , half an ounce , of opium , one scruple ; mingle them . take of ointment of tobacco , one ounce and a half , of flowers of sulphur , half an ounce , of oil of nutmegs , by expression , two drachms , of sal armoniac , one drachm ; mingle them . take of the pectoral ointment and of the flowers of oranges , each one ounce and a half , of the chimical oil of camomil-flowers , one scruple ; mingle them , make a liniment , wherewith anoint the breast with a hot hand . pectorals . take of olibanum , spema , ceti and of the powder of liquorice , each one scruple , of syrup of marshmallows , a sufficient quantity ; mingle them , make a bolus . repeat it twice or thrice in a day . take of storax , strain'd myrrh , balsam of tolu , juice of liquorice and hony , each a sufficient quantity , make pills : take a scruple thrice a day upon an empty stomach , drinking upon it two spoonfuls of the following julep . take of compound gentian-water and of strong cinnamon-water , and of oxymel of squills , each three ounces ; mingle them . take of syrup of maiden-hair and of jujubes , each three ounces , of oil of flax fresh drawn , two ounces ; mingle them , make a lohoch : let him take half a spoonful every other hour , and when the cough is violent . take of aniseeds finely pouder'd and of liquorice pouder'd , each three drachms , of flowers of sulphur , one drachm and a half , of the best hony two ounces and a half dissolved in three spoonfuls of cinnamon-water hordeated ; make an electuary , to which add fifteen drops of balsam of sulphur , of oil of aniseeds , ten drops : let him take two drachms in the morning , and at bed time . take of the lohoch sanans , half an ounce , of syrup of maiden-hair , two ounces , of oil of sweet almonds , half an ounce , of syrup of jujubes , half an ounce ; mingle them , make a linctus , to be taken when the cough is violent . take of the lohoch sanans , three ounces , of syrup of rasberries , one ounce ; mingle them : make a linctus . plasters . the head being shaved and washed with equal parts of canary and compound spirit of lavender , apply a plaster made of the cephalic plaster , and a fourth part of gum tacama-haca . to the breast and region of the stomach , apply the stomach-plaster , with eight drops of oil of wormwood . take of the plaster ad herniam and of red lead , each a sufficient quantity ; mingle them , make a plaster to be apply'd to the vertebrae of the loins and the os sacrum . take of the plasters of hemlock with ammoniacum , of compound melilote and cummin , each equal parts , of sal armoniac , half a drachm ; mingle them , make a plaster for the region of the spleen . take of the best aloes and of the ointment de arthanita , each one ounce , of turpentine , a sufficient quantity ; mingle them , make a plaster to be apply'd to the navel . take of the cephalic plaster with euphorbium , three parts , of burgundy-pitch , one part ; make a plaster for the soles of the feet . pultisses . take of white bread baked the day before , two ounces , of red sanders pouder'd , one drachm and a half , of camphor pouder'd , half a drachm ; mingle them , and with a sufficient quantity of cold fountain-water , beat them ; make a pultiss to be apply'd to the eye shut , the quantity of a small wallnut being used at a time twice a day . take of the seeds of mustard bruised , two drachms , of garlic , one ounce , of black soap , two ounces ; mingle them , make a cataplasm to be apply'd to the soles of the feet . take of an onion and the tops of savine , each half an ounce , of currants and sea salt , each half a handful ; beat them , and make a cataplasm to be apply'd to the wrists . stomach medicines . take of the stomach pill with gums of aloes rosat . each fifteen grains , of london laudanum , one grain ; mingle them , make four pills to be taken at bed-time , the next morning let him take two quarts of epsom-waters or the like : let the pills and the waters be repeated every third day for four times . take of the tinctura sacra , one pint and a half , let him take four spoonfuls every third night at bed-time , and the next morning let two quarts of epsom-water be boiled and turned with milk , and let him drink it then . take of the bitter decoction , a quart ; in making it put in but half the quantity of sena , and add a drachm of salt of wormwood . to the strain'd liquor , add four ounces of compound gentian water made with white wine : let four ounces be taken in the morning fasting , three hours before dinner . take of the bitter tincture without sena , two ounces , of steel-wine , one ounce , of spirit of saffron , eight drops ; take it morning and evening for thirteen days . take of crab's eyes , prepared pearl , red coral prepared , each two scruples , of the best chalk , one scruple ; mingle them , make a pouder to be divided into eight parts ; let one be taken in a spoonful of syrup of mint , thrice a day . take of the waters of black cherries and baulm , each three ounces , of dr. stephans's water , one ounce and a half , of spirit of mint , three drachms , of confection of alkermes , two drachms , of syrup of mint , a sufficient quantity ; mingle them , make a julep : let five spoonfuls be taken at a time . take of the tops of the lesser centaury , of the flowers of camomil and agrimony , each half a handful , of common wormwood , half a pugil , of the roots of gentian sliced , half a drachm , of zedaary , one drachm , of the seeds of carduus benedictus and of citrons , each one drachm and a half , of filings of steel , two ounces ; digest them all over a gentle fire in two pints and a half of whitewine , for four days ; filter the liquor , and let nine ounces of it be taken every morning , and at four in the afternoon . take of salt of wormwood , one scruple , of syrup of lemons , a sufficient quantity to take off the ebullition : let it be used upon occasion . suppositories . take of hiera piera , two drachms , of coloquintida and agarick , each half a drachm , of diagridium , one scruple , of sal gemma , two drachms , of hony boil'd to a due consistence , a sufficient quantity ; make suppositories . vomits . take of salt of vitriol , half a drachm , of compound water of wallnuts , two ounces , of compound syrup of scabious , half an ounce ; mingle them , make a vomit . take of vinum benedictum , six drachms , of the water of carduus benedictus , one ounce , of oxymel of squills , half an ounce ; mingle them , make a vomit . take of oxymel of squills , three ounces , of compound syrup of scabious , one ounce ; let it be taken in an evening , in a draught of clear posset-drink , and let him drink posset-drink frequently with a spoonful of oil of almonds in each draught . take of mercurius vitae , four grains ; give it in the pulp of a roasted apple . take of turbith mineral , nine grains , of conserve of red roses , a sufficient quantity ; mingle them , make a vomit . advertisement . excellent purging pills , prepar'd by the author , are to be sold by mr. henry bonwicke , at the red lyon in st. paul's church-yard . they cure the scurvy , the most reigning disease of this kingdom . they purge the head , breast , stomach and reins , and cleanse the blood ; and are a very proper purge for those that cannot confine themselves when they want purging , but are forc'd to go abroad about their business . the price of each box is s. d. with directions for use . books printed for henry bonwicke at the red lyon in st. paul's church-yard . collections of acute diseases , in five parts . i. of the small pox , and measles . ii. of the plague , and pestilential fevers . iii. of continual fevers . iv. of agues , a pleurisie , peripneumonia , quinsie and the cholera morbus . v. and last , of the bloody-flux , miscariage , of acute diseases of women with child , a rheumatism , bleeding at nose , apoplexy , lethargy , and several other diseases . collection of chronical diseases , viz. the cholick , the bilious cholick , histerick diseases , the gout , and the bloody urine from the stone in the kidnies . promptuarium praxeos medicae ; seu methodus medendi , praescriptis celeberrimorum medicorum londinensium concinnata , & in ordinem alphabeticum digesta . the compleat herbal of physical plants : containing all such english and foreign herbs , shrubs and trees , as are used in physick and surgery ; and to the virtues of those that are now in use , is added one receipt or more , of some learned physitian . the doses or quantities of such as are prescribed by the london physitians , and others , are proportion'd . also directions for making compound-waters , syrups , simple medicines . moreover the gums , balsams , oyls , juices , and the like , which are sold by apothecaries and druggists , are added to this herbal ; and their virtues and uses are fully described . these four by the author of this practice of physick . the general history of the reformation of the church written in latin by john sleidan , faithfully englished . to which is added , a continuation to the end of the council of trent , by e. bohun , esq in folio . pains afflicting human bodies : their various differences , causes , parts affected , signals of danger or safety ; shewing the tendency of chronick and acute diseases , for a seasonable prevention of fatal events . with a tract of issues , and setons ; by e. maynwaring . m. d. octavo . a new description of paris ; containing a particular account of all the churches , palaces , monasteries , colledges , hospitals , libraries , cabinets of rarities , academies of the virtuosi , paintings , medals , statues , and other sculptures , monuments , and publick inscriptions . with all other remarkable matters in that great and famous city . translated out of french. the second edition , to which is added a map of paris . letters of religion and virtue to several gentlemen and ladies ; with some short reflections on divers subjects . pia desideria : or , divine addresses , in three parts ; . sighs of the penitent soul. . desires of the religious soul. . extasies of the enamour'd soul. illustrated with cuts . written in latin , by herm. hugo ; englished by edmund arwaker , octavo . the art of catechising , or the compleat catechist , in four parts . . the church catechism resolv'd into easy questions . . an exposition of it , in a continued , full and plain discourse . . the church catechism resolv'd into scripture-proofs . . the whole duty of man , reduced into questions . fitted for the meanest capacities , the weakest memories , the plainest teachers and the most uninstructed learners . country conversations : being an account of some discourses that happen'd in a visit to the country last summer , on divers subjects ; chiefly of the modern comedies , of drinking , of translated verse , of painting and painters , of poets and poetry . golden remains of sir george freeman , knight of the honourable order of the bath : being choice discourses on select subjects . the present state of persia ; with a faithful account of the manners , religion and government of that people . by monsieur sanson , a missionary from the french king. adorn'd with figures . done into english . finis . some observations made upon the maldiva nut shewing its admirable virtue in giving an easie, safe, and speedy delivery to women in child-bed / written by a physitian in the countrey to dr. hinton at london, . physitian in the countrey. approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing p estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) some observations made upon the maldiva nut shewing its admirable virtue in giving an easie, safe, and speedy delivery to women in child-bed / written by a physitian in the countrey to dr. hinton at london, . physitian in the countrey. peachi, john, fl. . pechey, john, - . p. [s.n.], london : . attributed (probably erroneously) by wing to john peachi, since he was not admitted an extra-licentiate of the college of physicians until . also attributed to john pechey--nuc pre- imprints. reproduction of original in the british library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng parturition -- early works to . childbirth -- early works to . - tcp assigned for keying and markup - apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images - andrew kuster sampled and proofread - andrew kuster text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion some observations made upon the maldiva nut : shewing its admirable virtue in giving an easie , safe and speedy delivery to women in child-bed . written by a physitian in the countrey to dr. hinton at london . . london , printed in the year . some observations made upon the maldiva nut ; shewing its admirable virtue in giving an easie , safe and speedy delivery to women in child-bed . sir , i received your last , with your request , to know what specifick i have observed in the indies to be most effectual against difficult labour in women , which amongst us in europe sweeps away so many people . i must tell you , that i have been very curious in taking notice of this particular case and have observed them to make great use of the maldiva nut , with very good success . dr. grew tells us , that one of these nuts was presented as a great rarity to the royal society at gresham-colledge , generally esteemed in the indies worth twenty five pounds . it 's death for any common people to meddle with them , as being the kings profit . augerius clusius hath written a book in commendation of this rare nut , and given many examples of the wonderful cures wrought by it , and particularly of a patient of his , a citizen of amsterdam , whose life was in great danger by an acute disease , when all other means failed , very much importuned him to prescribe him the maldiva nut , which the patient had seen do great cures in india , and particularly in womens difficult labour , and therefore told clusius it could do him no injury if it did him no good ; upon which he gave it him , and the man speedily recovered ; upon which he gave dr. clusius a piece of the nut , with which he gave relief to many women in difficult labour . dr. groll tells us of the wife of one bernardus , who had been tormented for three days with most violent pains of child bearing , and filled all the neighbourhood with her outcries ; when all things had been given as are usual in that case , and to no purpose , he then gave her the powder of this nut in a little sirrup and water that 's usual in that case , upon the use of which she was speedily and safely delivered of a child , to the great joy and comfort of the mother . he also tells of a shoomakers wife who endured great misery , and was in great danger , her long and acute pains having caused a feavor ; at length the maldiva panacea being administr'd , she was deliver'd of a dead child . dr. clusius tells of the son of a duke , who was strangely recovered from a languishing distemper , only by drinking all his liquid aliment out of this shell , it did mightily corroborate all the power of nature . the famous dr. tulpias used frequently to prescribe this nut with very good success . and mr. parkinson in his herbal tells us , that persons of the best quality in india carry a piece of it always about them , fasten'd to a chain , which they steep in wine or other liquor , as an antidote against any poyson or infections ; and drinking out of the cup made of the shell they look upon as a preservative against all diseases , and a means to keep themselves in a sound and healthful state : he also commends it as very available in womens hard and difficult labour . when i travelled in spain , they used to call it the egyptian midwife , i suppose only by way of allusion to the speedy delivery of the hebrew women by their means . for my own particular , i can truly say , that i have often experienced it to be admirable in that case , if i may beleive the good women in our countrey , and particularly one famous midwife , who hath gotten great reputation by the use of it . i knew a country gentlewoman who by very strait lacing her self , and eating green fruit , and drinking red wines , used to have hard labour , but after she had found out this indian remedy , never met with difficulty in her travels . i could name others but i forbear , because they are needless . finis . some observations made upon the russia seed shewing its admirable virtues in curing the rickets in children / written by a doctor of physick in the countrey to esq. boyle at london, . skinner, dr. approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing p a estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) some observations made upon the russia seed shewing its admirable virtues in curing the rickets in children / written by a doctor of physick in the countrey to esq. boyle at london, . skinner, dr. boyle, robert, - . peachi, john, fl. . pechey, john, - . p. [s.n.], london : . wrongly attributed to john pechey by surgeon general's catalogue (ser. ) and british museum catalgue, and to john peachi by wing. attributed to dr. skinner by halkelt and laing--nuc pre- imprint. reproduction of original in the british library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng manna plants. rickets -- early works to . medicinal plants -- early works to . - tcp assigned for keying and markup - aptara keyed and coded from proquest page images - mona logarbo sampled and proofread - mona logarbo text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion some observations made upon the russia seed , shewing its admirable virtues in curing the rickets in children . written by a doctor of physick in the countrey to esq boyle at london , . london , printed in the year . some observations made upon the russia seed ; shewing its admirable virtues in curing the rickets in children . in a letter , &c. sir , you may remember that when i was last at london , we had a close discourse concerning that deplorable distemper called the rickets , which cripples so many poor children , and you told me of a doctor of physick , and one of the famousest in europe , had not been able to cure it in several of his own children ; indeed it may be called a new disease , for it 's wonderfully encreased amongst us of late , as we find by the bills of mortality . i am very much of your mind , that the knowledge of physitians would be much encreased , and their success would be much greater , were they more curious in making experiments and observations of the success of simple medicines , for they cannot so easily do it upon compositions . i 'le now tell you what great cures i have done in my countrey practice , amongst children who have been over-grown with the rickets : the specifick that i make use of , is a small white seed that comes from russia , by some called seed manna , i draw a tincture , a spirit and an extract out of it , and give twenty drops at a time in all the childrens meat and drink , they take it with pleasure , because it 's not ungrateful to the pallat ; morning , noon and night , is often enough . it opens obstructions of the liver and spleen , strengthens the brain and spinal marrow , and causeth a free distribution of the nourishments into all the nervous parts of the body , whereby nature becomes strong and vigorous , and the spirits chearful and lively . you are pleased to tell the world , in your excellent discourse of the use of simple medicines , that you hope to enlarge the minds of physitians , and invite them to make use of several remedies which they never thought on , or against which they were prejudiced . you also tell us , that specificks , where they may be had , are wont to be free from any immoderate manifest quality , and for the most part work more benignly as well as more effectually than other medicines ; and therefore you endeavour to bring them into request , that so thereby cures may be performed more speedily , safely and pleasantly . your tenderness and caution is highly to be commended , in desiring your reader not to be too credulous , or rely too much upon any medicines that you commend , until they have been frequently tried upon persons of different sexes , complections and ages . i am sure that this seed , and other specificks which i have written on , have been tried sufficiently , in a multitude of examples , and with great success , which gives great encouragement to depend upon it in difficult cases , with god almighty's blessing . i am much of your mind , that one reason why so many distempers prove incurable , is , because physitians do all they can to discourage the use of specifick medicines ; so that if they do not always work wonders , they presently tell people that they do nothing at all . in compliance with your request , i have found out a specifick remedy in almost every distemper , which in time may prove as efficacious as the cortex in an ague , for ought i know . i must say , if at any time i have found specifick remedies prove ineffectual , it was when they were compounded with some insignificant remedies , or given too late , or administred in too small a dose , or left off too soon . this small seed may be given boiled in all the childrens broth or spoon-meat , or in a liquid form , as the other specificks use to be . i have cured several children in one gentlemans family , after gentle evacuations , when the ribbs have been knotted , the head very large , the leggs crooked , the joynts much extended , only with this remedy . this distemper hath spoiled as many children as ever herod did , its high time if we would prevent the destruction of our innocents , to find out some more effectual remedies . the method that dr. glisson and &c. found out , was very good , but this simple specifick added to it may make it more effectual . you are pleased in your discourse of specifick medicines , to mention the prickly indian pear that i told you of , that communicates its tincture so speedily to the bladder , that it makes the eaters think they piss blood , which gives a clear example of the penetrating qualities of some simple specificks , which have no sensible operation by vomiting , purging or sweating . one of our judges in his reports , tells us of a learned doctor who travelled a hundred miles , to learn a specifick of an old woman to cure an ague . i am sure i have travelled many thousand miles to learn all these remedies , and my design is publick good : for although i am particularly known to you , i desire to be known to the world by no other name , but medicus indicus . finis . some observations made upon the root called serapias or salep, imported from turkey shewing its admirable virtues in preventing womens miscarriages / written by a doctor of physick in the countrey to his friend in london. peachi, john, fl. . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing p estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) some observations made upon the root called serapias or salep, imported from turkey shewing its admirable virtues in preventing womens miscarriages / written by a doctor of physick in the countrey to his friend in london. peachi, john, fl. . pechey, john, - . p. s.n.], [london : . attributed also to john pechey--nuc pre- imprints. reproduction of original in the british library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng miscarriage -- early works to . therapeutics -- early works to . - tcp assigned for keying and markup - aptara keyed and coded from proquest page images - jonathan blaney sampled and proofread - jonathan blaney text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion some observations made upon the root called serapias , or salep , imported from turkey . shewing its admirable virtues in preventing womens miscarriages . written by a doctor of physick in the countrey to his friend in london . printed in the year . some observations made upon the root called serapias , or salep , imported from turkey . in a letter , &c. sir , i perceive by your letter , that your lady is subject to frequent miscarriages , and finds her health very much impaired thereby . i greatly compassionate your condition , because it occasions melancholly thoughts , to consider that you are not like to survive in your posterity , virtuous children being the best monuments to preserve our names to future ages . i 'll therefore give you the best advice i can : and i think i am obliged to communicate what i know , for the good of mankind : therefore , i pray take notice , that the root above named hath done great service in preventing womens miscarriages , whereof i could give many examples . i observe , that our yearly bills of mortality give an account of many hundreds of children that are lost in a year by abortion ; besides the great danger that many women are exposed unto upon that account . i know there are many causes of abortion , but let it proceed from wind , or weakness , or sharp humours , or any of those usual causes , which are well known to women , yet this root affords help in them all ; but it neither purges , vomits , nor sweats , but performs its operation only by corroborating nature , and mending the soyl , that it may be rendred fit to bear fruit , and to preserve it untill it 's ripe . there are very few gentlewomen who have had children , but to their sorrow understand , that one miscarriage doth impair nature , and injures their health , more than several natural compleat births . this root not only prevents the womans coming before her time , but also gives a safe , speedy and easie delivery when natures time is accomplisht . i have told this remedy unto divers midwives , and they familiarly recommend it to their women , and by this means we have very few miscarriages , or very rarely need the help of mans hands to bring the child into the world : our wives are like the hebrew women we read of , speedily delivered . i could tell you of a citizens wife , who had miscarried of five children , and almost brought to deaths door with every one . we gave her broaths and caudles made with this root beaten to powder , and she went out her time , and is now bravely brought to bed of a lusty lad , like to live to do his king and countrey good service . another gentlewoman , a justice of the peace his wife , who had miscarried eleven times , and spent many pounds upon advice in order to prevention , but all in vain , at length she was recommended to the drops drawn out of this root , which she drank three times a day in tent , or what liquor she pleased ; and although she had many frights , yet they made no impression upon her , she went out her time , and had a good delivery , and enjoys an heir to the family . an eminent midwife told me , she had recommended this root to a gentlewoman who had been married nine years , and had never been with child ; she made caudles with it , which she drank every morning one month , and proved with child , to the great joy of her hushand . some authors say , 't was the flowers that grew upon this root , were the mandrakes of leah we read of , because they had the resemblance of a man. finis . a collection of chronical diseases viz. the colick, the bilious colick, hysterick diseases, the gout, and the bloody urine from the stone in the kidnies / by j. pechey ... pechey, john, - . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing p estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) a collection of chronical diseases viz. the colick, the bilious colick, hysterick diseases, the gout, and the bloody urine from the stone in the kidnies / by j. pechey ... pechey, john, - . rivière, lazare, - . sydenham, thomas, - . [ ], p. printed by j.r., and are to be sold by henry bonwicke ..., london : . "the first chapter is taken from riverius, the other from the worthy dr. sydenham's works" cf. advertisement. advertisement: p. . reproduction of original in british library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng diseases -- early works to . - tcp assigned for keying and markup - apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images - judith siefring sampled and proofread - judith siefring text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion a collection of chronical diseases , viz. the colick : the bilious colick : hysterick diseases : the gout : and the bloody urine from the stone in the kidnies . by j. pechey , m. a. of the college of physicians in london . london : printed by j. r. and are to be sold by henry bonwicke , at the red lion in st. paul's church yard , . advertisement . my collections of acute diseases , being well approved of , i was encouraged to publish these of chronical diseases ; the first chapter is taken from riverius , the other from the worthy dr. sydenham's works ; and 't is probable i may go through the whole history of chronical diseases , if god grant life and opportunity . the table . chap. i. of the colick . the colick takes its name from the part affected , viz. the colon , pag. . the causes of it , p. , , , . external causes of it , p. . the signs of the causes , p. , , . the difference betwixt nephritick pains , and the colick , p. , . an obstinate colick from acrid matter often degenerates into other diseases , p. . the cure , ibid. the cure of the colick when it degenerates into a palsie , p. . chap. ii. of the bilious colick of the years , , . a description of the disease , p. , . the cure , p. . the pain is apt to return , p. . riding good in this disease , p. . a thin diet must be observ'd , p. . the hysterick colick , p. . the cure of it , p. . the cure of the jaundice , coming upon this disease , p. , . chap. iii. of hysterick diseases . this disease is the most frequent of all chronical diseases . p. . the great variety of this disease , p. , , , , , , . the procatartick , or external causes of this disease , p. . the origine and antecedent cause of the ataxy , p. . mother fits , p. . clavus histericus , p. . hypochondriack colick , p. . spitting common in hysterical women , p. . of the cold in hysterical diseases , ibid ▪ fits of weeping , p. . the disturbance and varying intemperies of the body and mind , is occasion'd by the inordination of the spirits , p. . this disease is not occasioned by seed and menstruous blood , p. . the chief indications in this disease , p. . bleeding in the arm is order'd , p. . chalybeat remedies are order'd , ibid. steel is best given in substance , p. . purging is not to be us'd in a chalybeat course , p. . a prescription for swelling of the belly , p. . the rickets , p. . filings of steel , p. . hysterick medicines are to be us'd in a steel course , ibid. medicines to answer all the indications , p. , , . chalybeats sometimes cause great disorders in women , p. . what is to be done when the disease is but small , ibid. some women abhor hysterical medicines , by a certain ideosyncracy , ibid. of drinking tunbridge-waters in this case , p. . what is to be observ'd in drinking them , p. . of hot sulphureous waters to be us'd in this case , p. . venice treacle is a great remedy in this disease , ibid. spanish wine medicated with gentian is good , p. , . a milk diet is to be us'd , p. . riding on horse-back best , p. . riding on horse-back not proper for delicate women , p. . riding is good for people in consumptions , p. . in the fits we must use hysterical medicines , p. . laudanum must not be us'd to quiet the pains occasion'd by vomiting , 'till evacuations have been us'd , p. . the likeness betwixt this disease and nephritick pains , p. . the errors which hurt child-bed women , p. . medicines to cause the locha to flow , p. . the immoderate flux of the courses , p. , , . a cooling and thickening diet must be order'd , p. . falling of the womb , p. . chap. iv. of the gout . the gout chiefly seizes old men , and people of a gross habit of body , p. . sometimes it seizes thin people , and those that are in the flower of their age , p. . the regular gout , p. . rich men and wise men are more troubled with the gout than poor men and fools , p. . women are seldom troubled with the gout , ibid. boys and youth have not the genuine gout , ibid ▪ the disease rises from the weaken'd concoctions , p. . of the cure , p. , , , , , , , , , , , . digestive remedies must be us'd constantly , p. . a mediocrity is to be observ'd in meat and drink , p. . a milk diet , p. . liquors , p. . dietetick drink , p. . those that have been us'd to wine must not leave it off suddenly , p. . the sick must go to bed early , p. . tranquillity of mind must by all means be obtain'd , p. . exercise of the body most profitable , p. . riding on horse-back is the best exercise , p. . exercise must be us'd in a good air , p. . venery , ibid. of keeping in bed the first days , p. . we must apply our selves to those symptoms whereby the life of the patient is indanger'd , p. . the translation of the morbisick matter upon the lungs , p. . the stone in the kidnies , ibid. external remedies for the gout , p. . the pultis for the gout , p. . the moxa , ibid. chap. v. of the bloody vrine from the stone in the kidnies . manna good in this case , p. . a paregorick was given every night at bed-time after purging , p. . the regimen and manner of diet , p. . if the stone is large , manna must not be taken in purging mineral waters , p. . chalybeat waters must not be us'd when the stone is too large to pass through the vreters , p. . a treatise of chronical diseases . chap. i. of the colick . the colick takes its name from the part affected , which is the colon , a long and winding gut , appointed to receive the excrements of almost the whole body ; and if those excrements are retained too long , they are wont to occasion pains of this kind , the excrementitious matter occasioning a dissolution of the continuity either by distending , or pricking , or corroding ; and this matter is either wind or humour . wind proceeding from crudities , or from a cold intemperies of the stomach or guts , if it be stop'd by reason the excrements are grown hard , or because something else obstructs the intestines ( a great quantity of it remaining in the great guts , especially in the colon ) occasions violent pain . gross cold and phlegmatick humours driven into the tunicles of the intestines , may occasion such pain , either by gnawing , if they are acrimonious or briney , or by chilling the part which is consequently bound up thereby , and much disordered , ( as galen says , when he was grievously afflicted with the colick , he evacuated a glassy sort of phlegm actually cold , ) or by emitting wind , which is easily elevated by a small heat from the gross viscid and clammy humour . lastly , cholerick and acrid humours , and also melancholy and acid by pricking and twiching the intestines , cause such pains . but it may be ask'd how it comes to pass , that in the action of these causes , the colick should have its exacerbations and remissions , the same matter remaining in the intestines , which as 't is present , should continually gnaw and distend . to which i answer , that sometimes that matter remains quiet , and so at that time occasions little or no pain ; but that at other times 't is moved and excited by various fermentations , which happen in the humours , as is usual in an epilepsie , hysterick fits , and the accession of fevers . but we must take notice that the wind or humours don't only reside in the cavity of the intestines , for then they would be easily excluded , by evacuating deterging and carminative medicines ; but for the most part insinuate themselves into the coats of the intestines , and for that reason they are difficultly removed ; and so the disease lasts longer , and can't be easily eradicated by the foresaid remedies . the gross and phlegmatick and melancholy humours flow by little and little through the veins of the intestines , into their substance , and so don 't presently cause pain , 'till there is a quantity sufficient to irritate nature for their expulsion ; and then being mov'd and exagitated , cause pain . or wind , occasion'd by them , and included in the coats of the intestines , distends and twitches them , and not easily getting out , occasions a lasting pain . also choler after the same manner pour'd through the veins of the intestines upon their coats , and imbib'd by them , causes violent pains , which are wont to be long and obstinate , because 't is difficultly removed from their substance . there is another species of a bilious colick which degenerates into a palsie , scarce known to the ancients , which proceeds from a bilious humour , not pour'd as the former upon the colon , but of a sudden upon the membranes of the abdomen , which is transferr'd thither , either from the gaul-bladder , or from the mesentery in the crisis of long fevers , or by reason of violent anger , or some other external cause , when because of obstructions , it can't be carried to the common passages , but by a preposterous motion is put off suddenly upon the foresaid membranes of the abdomen . and hence great pain arises like the colick , which yields neither to clysters nor to any other remedy , but continues for many months , by which the body wasts , and the sick is vex'd with a sort of intermittent fever , and often with a slow continual fever ; at length the pain remitting , a palsie succeeds , that humour leasurely creeping through the membranes of the abdomen , to the spine of the back . but this palsie chiefly possesses the upper parts ; yet there is most commonly a pain in the thighs and legs , and in some few the use of them is wholly taken away ; the choler by reason of its levity moving chiefly upwards ; and sometimes it breaks in upon the brain , and causes epileptick fits , from whence death generally follows . there are other causes of the colick , but less frequent , viz. stones growing in the guts , worms wound up in a bottom , and obstructing the intestines , a compression of the guts , by a tumour of the neighbouring parts , and the narrowness of them by reason of an inflamation , and other tumours of the guts , or a twisting of them , occasion'd by wind , which is next to an iliac passion ; and sometimes the matter which causes a colick is venomous and malignant , and so 't is a pestilential colick . as paulus aegineta relates , that a pestilential colick arising in italy , was very troublesom to many of the roman provinces . lastly , all hard bodies by obstructing the guts , or distending them , may occasion a colick , as stones generated in the guts , a great quantity of cherry stones , hard cheese , and the like . as platerus relates of a certain governour a long while troubl'd with the colick and convulsions , who after the use of clysters , evacuated a great quantity of hard cheese by stool , which had remain'd a long time in his guts ; for before he was sick , he eat of it immoderately . the external causes , are a cold constitution of the air pressing and hardening the belly , or a hot constitution which does likewise harden the excrements , for all their moisture is dry'd up by heat : the use of meat and drink unfit for the mans constitution , of crude and harsh fruits , and of gross meats of hard digestion , too much rest , immoderate sleep , unseasonable exercise , immoderate venery , and other external causes which may injure the concoction of the stomach . the diagnosticks in this disease are plain , for first the pain is violent ; for if it be small , it ought not to be called the colick ; and then the pain is wandering , sometimes it grievously afficts this part , sometimes that , so that sometimes it possesseth the region of the spleen , sometimes of the stomach or liver , or of the reins , sometimes 't is above , sometimes below the navel , and oftentimes 't is most violent in the left side , because in that part there is a narrowness first observ'd by bauhinus . for when the excrements in the upper and capacious part of the colon being hardened into great clods , agreeable to the capacity of it , are violently driven by the wind towards that narrow part , they can't pass through without great pain ; by reason of which symptom the colick is often taken for splenetick or nephritick pains ; neither are they easily distinguish'd when the signs of each are compared one with another . but sometimes the pain is more fixed and setled in one place , and like the boring of an auger . the patient often vomits , the stomach being affected by consent of parts , and phlegm is sometimes cast up , and sometimes choler , green as a leek , and like verdegrease : the pain is increas'd after eating , because the stomach being full , presses the guts . the belly is most commonly so bound , that the sick can evacuate nothing that way , not so much as wind ; but if any thing be evacuated naturally or by art , 't is chiefly windy , and like cow-dung , and swims upon the water , being for the most part phlegmatick ; for phlegm voided by stool , is wont to swim upon water and serous excrements : but sometimes the belly is so much bound when the pain is violent , that strong purging medicines will not work at all . the signs of the causes are distinguish'd after this manner . if the pain proceed from phlegm , 't is not so violent , unless it be accompained with wind , which can't break out of the places 't is contain'd in , for then the pain is violent , and sometimes remains in one part , and seems to bore as with an auger , and sometimes 't is in many parts , when the wind wanders about . the sick is eased by hot things , but is injur'd by cold things . a course of diet went before , apt to increase phlegm . the urine is crude and sometimes whitish , but not always which is wont to impose upon young and unskilful physicians , for sometimes in a phlegmatic and windy colick , the urine is yellow and red dish , by reason of the pain which inslames the humours contain'd in the veins and arteries . which avicen has wisely observ'd , he says , no one should deceive himself , by judging the disease is hot , from drouth , inflamation , and redness of the water , for ' that 's common to all . if the colick is occasion'd by wind , there is a stretching pain , and certain inflation of the belly : the sick perceive a great deal of wind , and a rumbling of the belly , they are much eased by breaking wind. a course of diet fit to breed wind went before , as unseasonable drinking of cold water , the frequent use of pulse , turneps , chesnuts , herbs and fruits , and the like . and if the wind be contain'd in the cavity of the intestines , the pain is wandering , and not fix'd to one place , and is renew'd by intervals ; but if it be kept in within the coats of the guts , the pain is fix'd , because the wind can't change its place , and is continual and obstinate , because it can't find vent . if the colick proceeds from an acrid and cholerick humour , 't is most sharp ; there 's a twiching and pricking heat , drouth , and for the most part a fever , and the urine is very cholerick , and the disease is increas'd by hot medicines and diet , and is mitigated by cold , and likewise by the excretion of cholerick matter , and a course of diet fit to breed choler went before . the pains of the other parts contain'd in the lower belly , are easily distinguish'd from the colick by their proper signs , except the nephritick pain , whose signs are so like those of the colick , that oftentimes the most skilful physician can't distinguish them , as galen confesses of himself , being afflicted with the colick pain , he thought 't was nephritick , by reason of a stone driven into one of the ureters , 'till the humour being evacuated by stool , and so the pain ceasing , he found 't was the colick . but by the following signs , these two diseases may be plainly distinguish'd , if they are accurately examin'd . first , the nephritick pain is fix'd in the kidny , and stretches it self from that to the testis , according to the length of the ureter ; but the colick is wandering , and painfuly girds the lower belly . secondly , the colick increases after eating , by reason of the pressure upon the gut by a full stomach ; but the nephritick pain is not at all increas'd after eating , but rather lessen'd , because some of the nutricious juice is carried to the reins , which somewhat asswages the pain . thirdly , in the colick , vomiting is more severe , and the belly is more bound , because the colon lies near the bottom of the stomach , and the intestines being full or violently provok'd , contract themselves , that they may expel the enemy ; but either of the symptoms is common to either of the diseases : so that the intension or remission of them , has a difficult diagnostick ; for the nephritick pain being intense , may occasion greater vomiting , and bind the belly more than a remiss colick . fourthly , in the colick , the patient is more eas'd by vomiting and going to stool , than in nephritick pains . fifthly , in the nephritick pain , the urine is first clear and thin , afterwards something settles to the bottom , and at length sand or gravel is evacuated : but in the colick the urine is thicker , from the beginning . as to the prognosticks , the colick most commonly , if it be gentle and remiss , and not very lasting , and not fix'd in one part , and intermits , and does not wholly stop the belly , is curable and without danger . but if the pain be violent and fix'd to one part , and does not intermit , and if nothing be evacuated by stool , and if the patient can't sleep ; and lastly , if vomiting , hickocks , delirium , coldness of the extream parts , and cold sweats follow , the disease is deadly . an obstinate colick from acrid matter , especially occasion'd by choleric matter , often degenerates into other most dreadful diseases , as to the gout or epilepsie , but oftner to the palsie . a contagious pestilential and epidemick colick is most commonly deadly . the cure of this disease must be varied according to the variety of the causes . and first , there is the same way of cure for a windy and phlegmatick colick : you must begin with an emollient clyster , and afterwards you must give a carminative and discutient clyster , which must be repeated twice , thrice , or four times in a day , till the pain be gone . but if after the use of one or two clysters , the sick does not go to stool , as sometimes it happens , the belly must be irritated by a sharp suppository ; but 't is convenient to add to one of the clysters ℥ iiij of the aq. benedicta , or ʒij , or ʒiij of coloquintida may be boil'd in an emollient and carminative clyster . if clysters don't give ease , you must not obstinately persist in the use of them ; but 't is better to use some gentle medicine . it has been observ'd , that when a sick person has taken without any success thirty clysters , another physician having given only ℥ iss of manna , with ℥ ij of oyl of almonds in fat hen broth , has cur'd the patient : but in that pain which proceeds from thick flegm , stronger medicines must be given . afterwards fomentations , ointments , baths , plasters , and other remedies , are useful ; to which must be added some specificks very proper in this disease . wash the guts of a wolf in white-wine , and afterwards dry them in a furnace , in an earthen vessel , till they may be powder'd , let the sick take ʒi of this powder in white-wine , it presently eases pain . boil simple water , and when 't is boiling hot , add a fourth part of common oyl , and some grains of pepper grosly beaten ; let the sick take three or four spoonfuls as hot as he can bear it , the pain will be gone as 't were in a moment . take of the best aloes ʒi , of laudanum opiatum , gr . iv , of diagridium , gr . vi , mingle them , make six pills , guild them . let the sick take them at a convenient time , they give ease in an hours time , and afterwards purge off the noxious humours . instead of the pills , a potion may be taken , made of ℥ ss of diaph●enicon , and ℈ ij of philonium romanum , in the water or decoction of chamomil . hypocrates proposes a purge made of wild purslain and meconium . six ℥ of fresh oyl of sweet or bitter almonds taken , asswage the pain , and carry the marter sticking to the guts downwards , and mixt with the following things , it does a great deal of good . take of the oyl of almonds , or of some other oyl for poor people ℥ iiij , of generous wine ℥ i , of syrup of poppies ℥ i , mingle them , make a potion . oyl of sweet almonds also taken with manna in fat broth , asswages the pain , and evacuates the peccant matter . the seed of ammi powder'd , and ʒi of it given in wine , soon takes off the pain , and being given a second time , it most commonly cures the disease ; a cataplasm of ℥ iij of turpentine being apply'd with stupes at the same time , to which must be added of the sinapisatum piperis , and of dragons blood , each ʒi . paracelsus's galbanetum is proper to discuss the humour , if the whole belly be anointed with it : this description of it is propos'd by crato . take of gum eleme , of ivy , of galbanum , of oyl of lawrel , each equal parts , distil them in a retort in sand ; keep what comes over apart , first the water , then the clear oyl , afterwards the thick oyl like hony , which must be used first . take of calamus aromaticus ℥ i , of galangal ʒiij , of the yellow of the outward peel of oranges ℥ iiij , of choice cinamon , of anise and fennel seeds each ʒiij , of cummin seed ʒvi , of fresh juniper berries ℥ ss , of lawrel berries ʒiij , let them be finely powder'd and infus'd in vi th of malago sack , let them stand in a warm place for vi days , afterwards distill them in b. m. the dose is ℥ i evacuations going before . gum caragna and tacamahaca may be conveniently apply'd to the belly , and before they are put on , a cupping-glass may be apply'd t●●he navel . and tho the foresaid plaisters are not apply'd , yet the cupping-glass ought to be apply'd to the navel , which galen says , does like a charm , remove the pain occasion'd by wind. if the disease is lasting , it may be successfully treated with the decoction of guaiacum continued for many days , purging now and then , and injecting clysters frequently ; but if the colick proceed from glassy phlegm , boil the guaiacum with wine , as amatus lucitanus us'd it with good success . the pain being quieted , an apozem evacuating phlegm is to be prescrib'd , by which the reliques of the disease may be carried off , or instead of that , a decoction of an old cock , compounded of such things as purge and attenuate . a bilious colick is cur'd by emollient clysters , and with such things as attemperate the acrimony of the humours . let the belly be fomented with an emollient and anodyne decoction , or which is better , let a semicupium be prepar'd of the same decoction . a cataplasm will also be convenient , prepar'd with barly-meal , and flax-seed boil'd in oyl of camomel , and apply'd to the bottom of the belly . also a cooling epithem compounded after this manner , to be apply'd to the region of the liver , will be proper : take of the juice of endive , of cichory , each thss . of the juice of lettice and rose-vinegar each ℥ ij , mingle them , make an epithem . give juleps of the water of erratic poppy , of lettice and sorrel , with the syrups of violets , of apples , and of lemons . if the pain is very violent we must use narcoticks . the pain being somewhat mitigated , an infusion of rubarb in cichory-water is to be given , with syrup of roses , and to be repeated often , till the stock of matter is evacuated . if gentle purging be not sufficient to eradicate the disease , we must use mercurius dulcis , which being given sometimes with purging medicines , that have diagridium in them , perfects the cure. they that dislike diagridium may give mercurius dulcis alone , made into pills with conserve of roses , drinking upon them an infusion of rubarb and senna , with manna and syrup of roses added to it . afterwards 't will be convenient to use tunbridge , or such like water . when the pain is violent , we must fly to baths and laudanum , with which catharticks may be sometimes given , but in a large dose , because the quality is much blunted by laudanun . paracelsus's galbanetum , tho 't is hot , is proper to discuss the humour , if the whole belly is anointed with it ; the description of it is above . bleeding is sometimes proper in this sort of colick , when there is danger , lest the violence of the heat should occasion a fever ; but if there be a fever already , 't is presently to be us'd . when there 's a great drouth , cold water must be given , according to galen's instruction ; and amalus lusitanus says , he wonderfully cur'd of a sudden , such a pain by the use of it ; and septalius declares in two observations , that he us'd it inwardly and outwardly with great success . for the cure of a colick that degenerates into a palsie , put the patient into a warm bath , made of a decoction of emollient things , the belly being loosen'd with various clysters , and the first passages open'd by catharticks . the patient must be bath'd twice , thrice , or four or five times in a day , that the acrimony of the humours may be attemperated , and that the pores of the membranes may be open'd . the next day let the humour be purg'd with some proper cathartick , and then the bath must be repeated ; and so you must do every other day , if the patient be able to bear it , till the humours being purg'd off , and the pain quieted , he is recover'd . in the mean while , you must continue the use of clysters ; but those made of milk are best to asswage the pain ; to which you may add cassia , oyl of violets , and oyl of lillies . let the belly be frequently anointed with oyl of chamomel , of dill , sweet almonds , lillies , and with butter . lastly , use whey and tunbridge-waters , or the like : and if the disease continue a long while , those things may be used which are proper to cure hypocondrical melancholy . and bleeding is to be us'd at the beginning of the disease , and before purging , and to be often repeated , if the bloud seem to be bad , or if something of a rheumatism seem to be join'd with it . lastly , all those remedies which are propos'd for the cure of the bilious colick , may be used in this case ; and if these things do no good , some physicians prescribe the following potion , which though it be loathsom , and won't go down with the delicate , yet they say it presently mitigates the pain . take of horse-dung ℥ i , crumble it into small pieces , and infuse it in lb i of erratic poppy water , to which add viij or x drops of spirit of wine ; stram it gently , and divide it into three doses , to be taken at the times in which the pain is most violent . but if the disease degenerate into a palsie , you must use to the spine of the back , and the paralitick parts , some resolvent balsom , and such a one as strengthens the nerves if there be a fever . but if there be no fever , you may apply wool dipt in oyl or ointment to the paralitick parts , taking great care that the patient does not catch cold , for by that means the humour will be more fix'd upon the part , and the perspiration of it will be hinder'd . paracelsus's galbanetum is very useful in this case , if it be apply'd to the foresaid parts , and also to the navel . chap. ii. of the bilious colick of the years , , . in all these years the blood was much inclin'd to put off upon the bowels hot and cholerick humours , upon which account this colick was more frequent than is usual : the same febrile symptoms preceeded this disease as us'd to go before the dysentery that reign'd in those times ; and sometimes this disease follow'd the dysentery , when it had a long while afflicted the patient , and was just about to leave him . but when it did not follow a long dysentery , it generally took its rise from a fever , which after some hours was wont to end in this disease . it chiefly siez'd young people of a hot and cholerick constitution , especially in the summer . the pain of the bowels was extreamly violent , and more intollerable than any other that afflicts poor mortals . it sometimes binds as it were the guts , and sometimes being contracted to a point , it bores like an auger . the pain now and then remits , and presently the fit approaches again , which as soon as the patient perceives , he looks sadly , and bemoans himself as if 't were actually upon him . at the beginning of this disease , the pain is not so certainly determin'd to one point , as in the progress of it ; neither is the vomiting so frequent , neither does the belly so obstinately resist catharticks ; but the more the pain is increas'd , the more pertinaciously is it fix'd in a point , the vomiting is more frequent , and the belly more bound , till at length by the dreadful force of these symptoms , a total inversion of the peristaltick motion of the guts , ( if the patient be not soon relieved , ) and by consequence an iliac passion is procur'd ; in which disease all purging medicines become presently emetick , and clysters that are injected , are vomited up with the excrements . the matter that is cast up after this manner , if it be sincere and without mixture , is sometimes green , and sometimes yellow , and sometimes of an unusual colour . now seeing every phaenômenon of this disease shews plainly that it proceeds from some acrid humour , or vapour put off by the blood upon the intestines ; this in my opinion is the chief curative indication , namely , that the said humour should be evacuated , as well that which is antecedently in the veins , as that which is contain'd in the guts ; and the next to this is , that the force of the humours tending thither ▪ should be restrained by the use of anodines ▪ and that the violent pain should be mitigated by them . therefore i order that blood should be freely taken from the arm , if no blood has been taken away before ; and after two or three hours , i give an anodine . the next day i prescribe some gentle purge , and to be repeated the next day save one , and sometimes thrice , according as the relicks of the humour are more or less . but we must take notice , that if this disease proceed from eating too much fruit , or from any meat of hard digestion , upon which account ill and corrupted juices are first transmitted to the blood , and afterwards to the bowels , i say in this case the stomach must be wash'd with large draughts of posset-drink , which must be vomited up again ; which being done , an anodine is to be given , and the next day a vein must be open'd ; and as to other things , you must proceed according to the directions above-mention'd . but when the violence of the pain , and the vomiting ( by reason of which the guts are as it were inverted ) do resist the operation of the catharticks , they must be made stronger ; for 't is in vain to give a gentle cathartick , unless the patient is easily purg'd , which must be carefully enquir'd into ; for such a medicine being not strong enough to make its way through the intestines , the patient is more injur'd thereby ; for by its ineffectual agitation , the vomiting and the pain is increased . a lenitive cathartick potion , of the infusion of tamarinds , of the leaves of senna and rubarb , in which may be dissolved manna , and syrup of roses , is to be preferr'd before other catharticks , for it least exagitates and moves the humours . but if the sick can't retain a liquid medicine , by reason of an aversion , or because of the vomiting , you must necessarily use pills , among which the pill cochia pleases me best , for they pass best through the body in this and in most other cases . but when the weakness of the stomach , or the vomiting is so great , that the pills can't be retain'd , then i first order an anodine , and a few hours after a purge ; but there must be so much space betwixt them , that the cathartick be not quell'd by the narcotick , and so render'd ineffectual ; but that it may continue so long in the stomach , as is necessary for its imparting its purgative ▪ quality to it , that it may operate when the virtue of the narcotick is spent ; though the purge if it could be conveniently done , is best given a long while after the anodine ; for twelve hours after taking it , the patient is difficultly purg'd . but because in this as well as in most other diseases , in which narcoticks are indicated , a purge always increases the pain ( at least when it has done working , for while 't is in operation , the patient is not so ill , ) therefore i usually give an anodine as soon as the purge has done working , which i order to be taken morning and evening daily , viz. in the middle spaces betwixt the purges , that i may the more certainly appease the pain till the patient has been sufficiently purg'd . the purging of the humours being over , i endeavour to bridle the fury of the disease , ( which now only remains to be done , ) by giving an anodine constantly morning and evening , which must be sometimes repeated oftner ; nor cou'd i ever take off violent pains , without a larger dose than is usual , and that repeated too ; for that which is sufficient to vanquish another disease , will be altogether insufficient in this case , the violence of the disease subduing the force of the medicine : and 't is indeed safe to repeat narcoticks , while such a pain as this continues violent , but not when 't is gone off . wherefore i repeat the anodine according to the degree of the pain , till it ceases , or till it be very much lessen'd ; yet there must be such a space of time between them , that i may find what may be hop'd for from the former dose , before i give another : but for the most part , unless the pain be very violent , a paregorick given morning and evening may be sufficient . liquid laudanum is the anodine i chiefly use , of which i give sixteen drops in some cordial water , or the dose may be increas'd according to the violence of the pain . this plain method by which first the peccant matter is evacuated by bleeding and purging , and then ease procur'd by the help of narcoticks , succeeded better in my practice , than any other i ever knew ; whereas carminative clysters , injected in order to exterminate the acrid humours , do only stir the coals , and render the disease more lasting , by the tumult they raise in the humours . but here i must admonish you , that though i have said bleeding and purging must necessarily precede this quieting method , yet sometimes upon occasion both being omitted , you must begin with anodines . for instance , when by reason of some preceding sickness , large evacuations have been us'd not long before the coming of the colick , ( for many times they who have recover'd of another disease , have fell suddenly into this , by reason of a weakness of the bowels , especially if there be a great degree of heat , occasion'd by drinking of wine , or some other spirituous liquor immoderately , ) i say in this case , 't is not only unnecessary , but i think 't is injurious to give catharticks again , for by them new tumults will be rais'd . moreover the guts are most commonly sufficiently cleans'd by clysters , frequently us'd before the physician is advis'd with ; so that partly for this cause , and partly by reason of the long continuance of the disease , narcoticks seem in a manner to be only useful . in august , , the noble baron annesly being afflicted with the bilious colick , with intolerable pain , and frequent vomiting for some days , sent for me to the castle of belvoir ; he had try'd all sorts of clysters and other remedies , by the prescription of learn'd and experienc'd physicians living thereabout . i advis'd without any more adoe , the repeated use of narcoticks , according to the method just deliver'd , by which he recover'd in a few days , and came to town well with me . but because this pain of its own nature is wont to return more than any other , all occasions of its relapse must be prevented , by giving an anodine twice a day for some days : but if as often as the narcotick is intermitted , the pain now and then returns , as it sometimes happens , i don't know any thing that will so certainly perfect the cure , as riding on horse-back , or in a coach , with which the patient must take long journies ▪ and in the mean while an anodine must be given constantly morning and evening ; for by this kind of exercises , the matter causing the disease , is remov'd to the habit of the body , and the blood being broke into small parts by perpetual agitation , is as it were depurated again , and at length the intestines are much strengthen'd and refresh'd by this way of stirring up the natural heat . nor am i asham'd to confess , that by the help of this exercise , i have more than once perfectly cur'd this disease , when i was not able to cure it any other way ; but this must not be us'd before the patient has been well purg'd , and then he must continue the use of it for many days . one of my poor neighbours who is now living , was afflicted in these years with a most violent bilious colick , who a long time endeavour'd , but in vain , to conquer the disease by catharticks , clysters , and leaden bullets swallow'd down ; i order'd him to use narcoticks frequently , which he did with good success , for as often as he us'd them , he found himself very easie ; but seeing the disease was only palliated with these things and not extirpated ( for it return'd assoon as the vertue of the narcotick was spent , ) i took pity upon the man , being grievously afflicted with this disease , and also with poverty , and lent him one of my horses , that he might go a journy as above directed , and having travelled a few days , the bowels grew so strong , as to be able to shake off the relicks of the disease , and so he perfectly recover'd , without the help of anodines . and to speak the truth , i have known this kind of exercise has been always us'd with admirable success in most other chronical diseases , if the patient continued it resolutely . for if we consider with our selves , that the lower belly in which are plac'd the organs of secretion , are much shaken by this exercise , perhaps some thousands of times in a day , we shall easily believe that they are able by the help of the foresaid exercise , to shake off any excrementitious juice that is impacted there ; and ( which is of greater moment yet , ) that they are so corroborated by that powerful excitation of the native heat , that they may duly perform that office of purifying the blood which nature has appointed them . if the patient be young , and of a hot constitution , i order a cooling and thickening diet , suppose pulp of barly , panada , and the like , and every third day if the stomach is craving , a chick , or a whiting boyl'd . i allow no other drink than small-beer , or milk-water : and this is all i order , unless riding necessary to recover the health , requires more nourishing food , and more generous liquor , by which the spirits exhausted by exercise may be repair'd . but when the disease being unskilfully treated has a long while afflicted the patient , so that the bowels become weak and infirm , and he is in a manner quite wasted , i say in this case we find by experience , that the free use of epidemick water , or of aq. mirabilis , or of any other the patient likes best , relieves him at this time beyond expectation ; for by this means the small relicks of the native heat and the spirits will be excited , and the preternatural ferment sticking to the bowels , and now and then occasioning new fits , will be extinguish'd by spirituous liquors . moreover as in the cure of the disease , so when 't is over , the thin diet we have mention'd must be observ'd for some time ; for this disease being more apt to return than any other , and seating it self upon the principle parts for concoction ( i mean the bowels already weaken'd by it ) the least error of this kind will presently occasion much pain . wherefore in this and all other diseases of the bowels , meats of hard digestion are carefully to be avoided , and things of easie digestion must be taken only in such a quantity as will suffice to sustain life . a certain kind of hysterical disease afflicts some women , very like the bilious colick , both as to the sharpness and situation of the pain , and also upon the account of the humours ejected by vomit , of a yellow and green colour : i will treat of it by the by , lest any one should take it for the bilious colick just now mention'd . those women that are of a laxe and crude habit of body , are chiefly afflicted with this disease , and they that have lately labour'd under some other hysterick indisposition , ( or which is very often ) those that have scarce evaded a difficult and hard labour , in bringing forth a large child , whereby the mothers nature and strength has been almost spent . a pain as violent almost as that of the colick or iliack passion , seizes the region of the stomach ; and sometimes it comes a little lower , and then violent vomitings follow , and the matter which is cast up , is sometimes yellow , and sometimes green ; and moreover ( which i have often observ'd , ) there 's a greater dejection of spirit and desperation than in any other disease whatever . after a day or two the pain goes off , and returns again a few weeks after as violent as 't was before . sometimes 't is accompanied with the jaundice , which is very visible , and which goes off of its own accord in a few days . when all the symptoms are gone off , and when the patient seems very well , the smallest disorder of the mind , whether it be occasion'd by anger or sorrow ( to both which in this case women are very prone , ) almost recalls the pain , which may be said of walking or any other exercise us'd too soon ; for by these means vapours are elevated in a laxe and weak habit of body . when according to the vulgar opinion , i say , vapours , whether they be so or no , or whether they are convulsions of particular parts , the phaenomena may be solved either way . these vapours or convulsions when they invade this or that region of the body , produce symptoms agreeable to the part they invade ; and though they are one and the same disease every where , yet they cunningly resemble most of the diseases mankind is expos'd to , which is manifest from this symptom , which when it seizes upon the parts near the colon , imitates exactly the bilious colick , which is also as apparent in many other parts of the body afflicted with this disease . for instance , sometimes it seizes one of the kidneys with a violent pain , from whence arises violent vomiting , and being oftentimes convey'd by the passage of the ureter , it resembles the stone ; and being exasperated by clysters and other lithontriptick medicines design'd to force away the stone , it afflicts the patient in the same manner a long while , and sometimes ( contrary to its nature , for left to it self , 't is no way dangerous ) kills the patient . i have seen moreover symptoms occasion'd by it , exactly resembling the stone in the bladder . not long agoe i was call'd up in the night to visit a countess , my neighbour , seiz'd suddenly with a violent pain in the region of the bladder , and with a suppression of urine ; and having known that she was subject to various hysterick indispositions , i suppos'd the disease was not that they imagin'd , and therefore i would not suffer a clyster that her maid had prepared to be injected , lest the disease should be increas'd thereby ; and instead of this and emollients , namely syrup of marsh mallows and the like , which the apothecary had brought , i order'd a narcotick , which soon took off that symptom . and indeed there is not one part of the body wholly secur'd from the assaults of this disease , whether they are internal or external , as the jaws , hips and legs ; in all which it excites violent pain , and when it goes off , leaves a tenderness behind , which will not bear touching , just as if the flesh was bruis'd with violent strokes . but now seeing i have deliver'd some things by the by , appertaining to the history of the hysterick colick , lest it should be mistaken for the bilious colick , i will transiently ▪ touch upon some things relating to the cure of the symptom of pain which accompanies it . for the perfect cure which takes off the disease , by removing the cause , comes under another speculation , and belongs to another place . bleeding and purging repeated , which are plainly indicated at the beginning of a bilious colick , are not to be used here , unless in the case to be mention'd by and by ; for experience teaches , that the pain is exasperated , and that all the symptoms increase by reason of the tumult which those things occasion ; and i have more than once observ'd , that the repetition of the gentlest clysters have brought on a long series of symptoms . and reason as well as experience dictates , that this disease is rather produced by an inordinate motion of the spirits , than by vicious humours , if we consider what things most commonly occasion it ; and they are such as these , large and unnecessary profusions of blood , violent motions of the mind and body , and such like : all which forbid those remedies by which a greater disturbance of the spirits may be occasion'd ; and instead of them anodines are to be us'd , though the green and ill colour of the matter vomited up may seem to indicate the contrary ; for the speculation of colours is too nice to authorize those evacuations , which we find ipso facto injurious . and i don 't at all doubt that this disease ( which though it occasion violent pain , is no way mortal , ) has prov'd deadly by reason of errors committed upon the belief of such speculations . moreover if any one should give the strongest vomit to day , to eject that which he supposes to be the occasion of the disease , yet the next day the patient would vomit up matter quite as green or of some other ill colour , as was the former . but we must take notice , that there is sometimes so great a quantity of blood and humours which so resists the operation of the narcotick , that though it be often repeated , it can't quell the tumult , till the patient is blooded and purg'd , which i have observ'd in women of a very sanguine constitution , and in virago's . if the case is so , bleeding or purging , or perchance both , must make way for the anodine ; for either of these being us'd , a moderate dose of the narcotick will perform the business , which otherwise would signifie nothing , though the largest dose was given : but this seldom happens , and then these remedies must not be repeated ; and when they are us'd when there is need of them , you must proceed in giving anodines in that method which i have propos'd in the bilious colick , and they must be taken often or seldom , according to the degrees of pain . which method indeed respects only the symptom of violent pain ; for i don 't now undertake to treat of that method which takes off the cause . but for as much as this disease in hypocondriacal as well as hysterical people , ( for the reason is the same in both , as is said in another place , ) often ends in the jaundice , and as this comes on , so that goes off ; we must take notice , that in curing this kind of jaundice , all catharticks are either wholly to be omitted , or if they are given , you must use only ▪ rubarb or some other gentle purge ▪ for there 's danger lest by purging , new tumults should arise , and so all the symptoms return . and therefore in this case , nothing must be done presently , seeing the jaundice taking its rise on this account , generally lessens of its own accord , and wholly vanishes in a short time ; but if it continues a long while , and seems to go off difficulty , remedies must be taken for it : i use the following . take of the roots of madder , of curcuma , each ℥ i , of all the greater celandine , and of the tops of the lesser centauris , each m i ; boil them in equal parts of rhenish wine , and of fountain water , to lb ij , in the straining dissolve ℥ ij of the syrup de quinq . radicibus , mingle them , make an apozem ; let the patient take lb ss morning and evening , till he 's well . but if the jaundice comes of it self , the colick not going before , 't is necessary besides the alteratives just mentioned , to give cholagoges , that is , such things as purge choler by stool , namely once or twice before the patient enters upon the apozem prescrib'd , and afterwards once a week as long as he takes it . as take of the electuary of the juice of roses ʒij , of rubarb finely powder'd ʒss , of cream of tartar ℈ i , make a bolus with a sufficient quantity of syrup of rubarb , with cichory ; give it early in the morning , and let the patient drink upon it a small draught of rhenish wine . but if notwithstanding the constant taking of these things a long while , the disease continues obstinate , the patient must drink tunbridge water or such like , from the fountain every morning 'till he recovers . chap. iii. of the hysterick disease . this disease if i calculate right , is the most frequent of all chronical diseases , and as fevers with those diseases that appertain to them , if they are compar'd with chronical taken all together make two thirds , so hysterical diseases ( at least those that go under that name , ) are half the remaining third ; that is , chronical diseases are half hysterick , for very few women ( which sex contains the half of grown people ) are wholly free from all kinds of hysterick diseases , if you except those who being accustomed to labour , live hardly . yea , many of those men that live sedentary lives , and are wont to study hard , are afflicted with the same disease . and though heretofore hysterical symptoms were always reckon'd to proceed from a vitious womb , yet if we compare hypocondriacal symptoms which we are supposed to proceed from obstructions of the spleen or bowels , or from some other i know not what obstructions , with womens hysterick symptoms , an egg is scarce more like an egg , than these symptoms are one another in all respects . but it must be confess'd that women , are much more subject to this kind of disease than men , not for that the womb is more faulty than any other region of the body , but for causes to be shewn by and by . nor is this disease only frequent , but so wonderfully various , that it resembles almost all the diseases poor mortals are subject to , for whatever part it seats it self in , it presently produces such symptoms as appertain to it ; and unless the physician is very sagacious and very skilful , he will be mistaken , and suppose that those symptoms proceed from some essential disease of this or that part , and not from an hysterical distemper . sometimes for instance , it possesses the head , and occasions an apoplexy , which also ends in an hemiplegy , and is exactly like that apoplexy by which corpulent and antient people are destroy'd , and which happens by reason the passages of the animal spirits are stopt , the cortex of the brain being stuffed by a great deal of phlegm , from which cause the apoplexy that happens to hysterical women , does no way seem to arise , for it seizes such very often presently after delivery , a great quantity of blood being at the same time evacuated , or it 's occasion'd by hard labour , or some violent commotion of the mind . sometimes it produces violent convulsions , very like an epilepsie , the belly and bowels swelling towards the throat , the patient strugling so violently , that though at other times her strength is but ordinary , she now can scarce be held by all the strength of the by standers , uttering some odd and inarticulate sounds , and striking her breast . women who are accustom'd to this disease , commonly call'd mother fits , are generally extraordinary sanguine , and have an habit of body almost like that of a virago . sometimes it possesses the outward part of the head betwixt the pericranium and skull , causing violent pain continually fix'd in one part , which may be cover'd with the top of your thumb ; and violent vomiting accompanies this pain . i call this species , clavus hystericus , chiefly afflicting those that have a chlorosis . sometimes falling upon the vital parts , it occasions so great a palpitation of the heart , that the women who are afflicted with it may verily believe that the by standers may hear the sound of the heart thumping upon the ribs ; this kind chiefly afflicts those that are of a thin habit of body , and of a weak constitution , and who look almost tabid ; and also young maids that have the green sickness . sometimes it seizes the lungs , and the patient coughs almost without intermission , but expectorates nothing ; and though this sort of cough don't shake the breast so violently as that which is convulsive , yet the explosions are much more frequent : but this kind of hysterick cough is very rare , and chiefly invades women that abound with phlegm . sometimes rushing violently upon the colon , and the region under the scrobiculum cordis , it occasions violent pain , much like the iliac passion , and the woman vomits exceedingly , ejecting a certain green matter , somewhat like that they call porraceous bile , and sometimes of an unusual colour . and often after the sick has been almost destroy'd by the said pain , ( which would tire a stoical apathy , ) and reachings to vomit for many days , at length the fit is carried off by the jaundice , tincturing the superficies of the body like saffron . moreover the sick is oppressed by an anguish of mind , and wholly despairs of recovery , with dejection of mind , and as it were a certain desparation which as certainly accompanies ( as i have observ'd ) this kind of hysterick diseases , as the pain and vomiting above mention'd . this kind chiefly invades those that are of a laxe and crude habit of body , and those that have suffer'd much in bringing forth great children . when this disease falls upon one of the kidneys , it plainly represents by the pain it causes there , a nephritick paroxism , and not only by that sort of pain , and by the place it rages in , but also by violent vomitings , which accompany it , and also for that sometimes the pain extends it self through the passage of the ureter ; so that 't is very difficult to know whether these symptoms proceed from the stone , or from some hysterick disease , unless perchance some unlucky accident disturbing the womans mind a little before she was taken ill , or the vomiting of green matter , shews that the symptoms rather proceed from an hysterick disease , than from the stone . neither is the bladder free from this false symptom , for it does not only cause pain there , but it also stops the urine , just as if there were a stone , whereas there is none . but this last kind seizing the bladder , happens very seldom ; but that which resembles the stone in the kidnies is not so rare : both us'd to invade those women who are much weaken'd by hysterick fits coming frequently ▪ and whose health of body is much impair'd . sometimes falling upon the stomach , it causes continual vomiting , and sometimes a diarrhaea , when 't is setled upon the guts ; but no pain accompanies either of those symptoms , tho oftentimes in both , that green humour appears : both these kinds are familiar with those that are much weaken'd by hysterick fits coming frequently . and as this disease afflicts almost all the inwards parts , so sometimes it also seizes the outward parts , and the musculous flesh , occasioning pain , and sometimes a tumour in the jaws , shoulders , hands , thighs and legs , in which kind that tumour which swells the legs is more conspicuous than the rest ; but whereas in hydropical tumours these two things may be always taken notice of , namely , that the swelling is most in the evening , and that the finger press'd upon it , leaves a pit. in this tumour the swelling is most in the morning , neither does it yield to the finger , or leave any mark behind it ; and for the most part it only swells one of the legs . as to other things , if you mind the largeness of it , or its superficies , 't is so very like hydropical swellings , that the patient can scarce be brought to believe 't is any other disease . neither can the teeth free themselves from the assaults of this disease , though they are not hollow , and though there 's no apparent defluxion that may occasion the pain , yet is it no whit gentler , nor shorter , nor easier cured . but those pains and tumours which afflict the outward parts , chiefly seize those women that are in a manner quite destroy'd by a long series of hysterick paroxisms , and by the force of them . but among all the torments of this disease , there 's none so common as a pain in the back , which most certainly all feel , how little soever they are afflicted with this disease . moreover this is common to the foresaid pains , that the place on which they were , will not bear touching after they are gone , but is tender , and akes , just as if 't were soundly beaten ; but this tenderness goes off by degrees . and this is worth observing , that often a notable cold of the external parts , makes way for these symptoms , which for the most part does not go off till the fit ends ; which cold i have observ'd is almost like that by which a carkas grows stiff , yet the pulse are good . and moreover , almost all hysterick women which i have hitherto taken care of , complain of a dejection and sinking of the spirits ; and when they wou'd shew the place where this contraction or sinking of the spirits is , they point to the region of the lungs . lastly , every one knows that hysterick women sometimes laugh excessively , and sometimes cry as much , without any real cause for either . but among all the symptoms that accompany this disease , this is the most proper , and almost inseparable , namely a urine as clear as rock water ; and this hysterick women evacuate plentifully , which i find by diligent inquiry , is in almost all the pathognomonic sign of this disease which we call hysterick in women , and hypocondriack in men ; and i have sometimes observ'd in men , that presently after making water of a citron colour , ( yea almost the next moment ) being suddenly seized with some violent commotion of the mind , they presently make water as clear as crystal , and in a great quantity , with a continued violent stream , and continue ill 'till the urine comes to its wonted colour , and then the fit goes off . and it happens to all hysterical and hypocondriacal people , that sometimes they belch up ill fumes as often as they eat , though they eat only moderately , and according as they have an appetite ; and sometimes the wind that comes from the stomach is sour , just like vinegar when it comes into the mouth , the concoction being much impair'd , and the juices quite differing from their natural state . neither are they unhappy upon this account only , viz. that their bodies are so ill affected , and as it were tottering like ruinated houses just about to fall ; for their minds are more diseased than their bodies , for an incurable desparation is mix'd with the very nature of the disease ; they are in a great rage when any one speaks never so little of the hopes he has conceived of their recovery , easily believing that they suffer all the miseries that can befal a man , foreboding the most dreadful things to themselves , entertaining in their restless and anxious breasts upon a slight occasion , or perhaps for none at all , fear , anger , jealousie , suspicions , and worse passions of the mind if any can be worse , abhoring all joy , hope and mirth , and if any one of these do chance to occur , 't is rara avis , and soon flies away , and does no less exagitate the mind , than the sorrowful passions ; so that they never observe a mean , constant only to inconstancy : sometimes they love beyond measure , and presently hate the same without any cause ; sometimes they design to do this or that , then presently alter their intentions , and begin the quite contrary , and yet they don't perform that neither ; so wavering are they , that their minds can't be at all at rest ; and that which the roman orator said of the superstitious , exactly agrees with these melancholy ▪ people ▪ sleep ( says he ) seems to be a refuge for the laborious and careful , but from thence cares and fears arise . whilst only funerals and apparitions of their deceas'd friends are represented in dreams , and they are so tormented in body and mind , that one would think their lives were a purgatory , in which they were to purifie themselves , and to expiate crimes committed in some other state . nor does this happen only to mad people , but also to those who if you except these impetuosities of mind , are very prudent and judicious ▪ and who much excel for deep thought and wisdom in speech , others whose minds were never excited by these provokements to thinking , so that aristotle was much in the right , when he said melancholy people are most ingenious . but this dreadful condition of the mind which we have above describ'd , seizes on those only that have much and a long while conflicted with this disease , and have been at length wholly vanquish'd by it , especially if adversity , care or trouble of mind , or hard study or the like , joyn'd with an ill habit of body , have added oyl to the flame . a day would scarce be sufficient to reckon up all the symptoms belonging to hysterick diseases , so various are they , and so contrary one to the other , that proteus had not more shapes , nor the chamelion greater variety of colours : and i think democritus reckon'd pretty right ( though he mistook the cause of the disease , ) when he said in an epistle to hippocrates , that the womb was the cause of six hundred miseries , and of innumerable calamities . nor are they only very various , but also so irregular , that they can't be contain'd under any uniform type , which is usual in other diseases , for they are as it were a disorderly heap of phaenomena , so that 't is very difficult to write the history of this disease . the procatartick or external causes of this disease , are either violent motions of the body , or which is much oftner , vehement commotions of the mind from some sudden assault , either of anger or grief or the like passions ; therefore as often as women advise with me about this or that disorder of body , the reason of which can't be deduc'd from the common axioms , for finding out diseases , i always diligently inquire of them whether they are not chiefly afflicted with that indisposition which they complain of when they have been disturb'd in their minds and afflicted with grief , which if they confess , i am sufficiently satisfied that the disease must come under this tribe we are now speaking of , especially if urine as clear as chrystal evacuated copiously at some certain times , makes the diagnostick more manifest . but to these disorders of the mind which are usually the occasions of this disease , is to be added emptiness of the stomach by reason of long fasting , immoderate bleeding , and a vomit or a purge that work'd too much . now having drawn the picture of this disease according to its most vulgar phaenomena , in the next place its internal efficient causes are to be consider'd , as well as we can gather them from all the circumstances join'd together , which we have describ'd : and in my opinion those diseases which we call hysterical in women , and hypochondriacal in men ▪ proceed from a confusion of the spirits , upon which account , too many of them in a croud contrary to proportion , are hurry'd violently upon this or that part , occasioning convulsions and pain , when they rush upon parts endued with exquisite sense , perverting the functions of the organs , both of that , into which they thrust themselves , and also of that from whence they departed ; both being much injur'd by this unequal distribution , which is quite contrary to the oeconomy of nature . the origine and antecedent cause of this ataxy , is a weak constitution of the said spirits , whether it 's natural or adventitious ; for which reason , they are easily dissipated upon any occasion , and their system soon broke . for as the outward man is fram'd with parts obvious to sense , so without doubt the inward man consists of a due series , and as it were a fabric of the spirits , to be view'd only by the eye of reason ; and as this is nearly join'd , and as it were , united with the constitution of the body , so much the more easily or more difficultly is its frame disordered , by how much the constitutive principles that are allotted us by nature , are more or less firm : wherefore this disease seizes many more women than men , because kind nature has given them a more delicate and fine habit of body ▪ having design'd them only for an easie life , and to perform the tender offices of love : but she gave men robust bodies that they might be able to delve and manure the earth , to kill wild beasts for food , and the like . but that the said confusion of the spirits is the cause of this disease , the phaenomena now describ'd , will sufficiently prove ; the chief of which i will only mention . and i begin with mother-fits , here the spirits are crouded in the lower belly , and rushing together violently towards the jaws , occasion convulsions in every region through which they pass , blowing up the belly like a great ball ; which yet is nothing but the rowling together , or conglobation of the parts seiz'd with the convulsion , which can't be suppress'd without great violence . the external parts in the mean while , and the flesh being in a manner destitute of spirits , by reason they are carried another way , are often so very cold , not only in this kind , but in all other kinds of hysteric diseases ( as was noted above ) that dead bodies are not colder . but the pulse are as good as those of people that are well ; nor is the womans life in danger by this cold , unless 't is occasion'd by some very large evacuation going before . the same may be said of that violent hysteric disease , which to outward appearance is like the bilious colick or the iliack passion , in which the woman is seized with a violent pain in the region , about the scrobiculum cordis , together with violent vomiting , by which a matter is cast up , in colour like herbs , which symptom i suppose , proceeds only from a vehement impulse of the spirits crouded together in the said parts , which occasions the convulsion and pain , and the total subversion of all the faculties . nor is it to be presently concluded that this disease resides in the humours , because those things that are evacuated upward or downward , are sometimes of a green colour , or that the violent pain is occasion'd by the acrimony of some humour tearing the part it adheres to , which for that cause , we account the occasion of the disease , and therefore suppose it ought to be eradicated by vomits and purges ; for 't is manifest that the sickness which seizes people that go to sea , ( arising from the agitation of the animal spirits in the boisterous sea ) occasions the vomiting up of matter as green as an herb , from the stomacks of those that are in perfect health ▪ when they first go to sea , and are a good way from land ; in whom , half an hour before , there was none of that choler which is call'd porraceous . and don't infants in convulsive fits in which the animal spirits are chiefly concern'd , evacuate upward or downward , matter of the same colour , to which must be added that which almost daily experience teaches , viz. that tho' such women and children shou'd be quite exhausted by repeated purges , yet the said colour wou'd still appear in that which they evacuate by vomit or stool ; yea , the green matter increases by the frequent use of cathartick and emetick medicines , because by both , the confusion of the spirits is heightned , which i know not how either destroys or perverts the ferment of those parts , or throws into the stomach or guts , by the force of the convulsions , some juice of a strange nature , which is dispos'd to give the humours such a tincture . and tho' chymists are not so happy as to prepare better medicines in their fruitful glass , than are made in a mortar or a pipkin , yet they know how to please the vain humour of the curious , by shewing two liquors equally limpid and clear , which being mixt together , presently change into some deep colour , as if there was conjuring in the case . and truly the speculation of colours is so uncertain and vain , that we can learn nothing certainly from them , concerning the nature of the bodies they appear in ; nor does it more necessarily follow , that those things which are of a green colour shou'd be acrid , than that all acrid things shou'd be green . the thing therefore being throughly consider'd , it will plainly appear , that the violent pain which almost destroys those that are afflicted with the hysterick colick , and the evacuation of green matter , are wholly occasion'd by the spirits rushing impetuously upon the parts about the scrobiculum cordis , and contracting the same by convulsions . that symptom which i term'd above clavus hystericus , is to be attributed to this enormity of the spirits , in which the spirits in all the compass of the body , are as it were concentrated in a cercain point of the pericranium , occasioning a pain , boring as it were through ; just as if a nail was driven in to the head , together with violent vomiting and casting up of green matter , which contraction indeed , of all the spirits of the body as i were to a point , is somewhat like that collection of the raies of the sun , which is made by a burning glass : and as the force of these united , burns , so they for the same reason occasion pain , by tearing the membranes with their forces joind . and then from that inordinate agitation of the spirits disturbing the blood , arises that symptom , which as we have mention'd above , is frequent in hysterical and hypochondriacal people , viz. clear , limpid and copious urine : for when the oeconomy of the blood is interrupted , the sick can't long enough contain the serum that is imported , but lets it go before it 's impregnated with saline particles , by which the citron colour is to be imparted to it ; whereof we have a daily experiment in those that drink much , especially of thin and attenuating liquors , for then their urine is very clear , in which case the blood being overpower'd by that quantity of serum , and being wholly unable to retain it , puts it off quite clear , not yet dy'd by the juices of the body , by reason of its too short stay . three years ago a nobleman sent for me , he seem'd to labour under an hypochondriack colick , that was almost come to an iliack passion , with pain and violent vomiting , with which he was much and a long while afflicted and almost worn out : i observ'd through the whole course of the disease , that when he was worst his urine was always clear , but when he was a little better it was somewhat of a citron colour . visiting him one day , i view'd his urine made at three times , kept apart in three chamber-pots , of a citron colour ; he was then merry and chearful , and thinking of eating some meat of easie digestion , and he said he had a craving appetite ; but one coming in at that very moment , who vext him so much , that suddenly growing ill , he call'd for a chamber-pot , which he almost fill'd with urine as clear as chrystal . and perhaps that spitting which is common in hysterical women , proceeds from the spirits so disturbing the blood ; they spit thin for many weeks , just as if they were salivated by unction ; for during this disturb'd condition of the blood , in which 't is unable to perform evacuations according to natures method , the serum by chance taking this contrary course , is not evacuated according to the rules of nature by the reins , but is put off by the extremities of the arteries upon the glands , and so comes forth by the salivary passages in the form of spittle . the same may be said of those violent nocturnal sweats which afflict hysterical women , which proceed from no other cause than the ill disposition of the serum of the blood , by which 't is inclin'd to be put off upon the habit of the body . as to the cold by which the external parts are so often chill'd in hysterical diseases , 't is very manifest that that happens because the spirits forsaking their stations , too officiously intrude themselves into this or that part ; nor is it to be doubted that weeping and laughing fits , which often seize hysterical women withou any occasion , are procured by the animal spirits forcing themselves violently upon the organs , that perform these animal functions . and by the by , men are also subject ( tho' rarely ) to fits of weeping . i was sent for sometime ago to an ingenious gentleman , who but a few days before , recover'd of a fever ; he made use of another physician , who blooded him and purg'd him thrice , and forbid him to eat flesh : when i came and saw him with his cloaths on , and heard him discourse judiciously , i ask'd to what purpose i was sent for ? one of his friends answer'd , if i wou'd have a little patience i should see ; sitting down therefore , and discoursing with him , i presently observ'd that his lower lip was thrust out , and mov'd frequently ( as froward children us'd to do to prepare for crying ) and then wept so violently , that i scarce ever saw the like ; with such deep sighs as were almost convulsive : which suddain torrent in a little time quite asswag'd . i supposed that this disorder proceeded from a confusion of the spirits , which was occasion'd partly by the long continuance of the disease , and partly by evacuations which the method of cure necessarily requir'd ; and partly also from emptiness and abstinence from flesh ; which the physician order'd for some days after he was well , to secure him from a relaps . but i affirm'd he was clear from all danger of a fever , and that the foresaid symptom was wholly occasion'd by emptiness , and therefore i advis'd , that a roasted chick shou'd be provided for his dinner , and that he shou'd drink wine moderately ▪ which being done , and he returning again to the eating of flesh moderately , was never afterwards troubl'd with this convulsive weeping . and now at length to come to a conclusion , ( for i omit other phaenomena which belong to this disease ) that disturbance and varying intemperies both of body and mind , which prevails over hysterical and hypochondriacal people , is occasion'd by this inordination of the spirits ; for in both , that firmness of spirits being wanting , which is always found in the robust , and in those who are continually invigorated by the assistance of brisk spirits , they can't bear the impressions of cross accidents , but are soon mov'd by anger or pain , and are as apt to be angry , as those to whom either nature has given a soft and weak government of mind , or when it has been render'd so by a long series or continuance of diseases . for the strength and constancy of mind as long as 't is confin'd in the body , much depends on the firmness of the spirits that are subservient to it ; which indeed , are made of the finest matter , and are plac'd in the confines of immaterial entities ; and as the frame of the mind , if it 's lawful to call it so , is much more curious and delicate , than the structure of the body , for it consists in the harmony of the most excellent and almost divine faculties ; so if its constitution is any way spoil'd , by so much the greater is the ruin , by how much 't was more excellent and more exquisitely compos'd when 't was whole . and this indeed is the condition of these miserable and dejected people we have describ'd , for which disease , some obstinate decree of the most insolent stoick wou'd give no greater ease , than he that wou'd prevent the tooth-ach , by firmly resolving that he wou'd not by any means suffer his teeth to ake . and now i suppose that 't is manifest that this whole disease is occasion'd by the animal spirits being not rightly dispos'd , and not by seed and menstruous blood corrupted , ( as some authors assert ) and sending up malignant vapours to the parts affected ; nor from i know not what depravation of the juices or congestion of acrid humours as others think , but from those causes we have assign'd . for that the fomes of the disease don't lurk in matter , will plainly appear by this one instance , viz. a woman that us'd to enjoy perfect health being delicate , and of a thin habit of body , if she chance to be weaken'd and exhausted by some error , or by a strong vomit or purge , will certainly be afflicted with some one of those symptoms that accompany this disease ; which wou'd rather be remov'd than occasion'd by such vomiting or purging , if the fomes of the diseases was contain'd in a humour . the same may be said of a great loss of blood , whether it 's taken away by opening a vein , or flows immoderately in labour , or of emptiness , or too long abstinence from flesh ; all which would rather prevent hysteric diseases than occasion them , if the fomes of them was involv'd in some matter : whereas on the contrary , nothing does so constantly occasion this disease as these evacuations . but tho' 't is apparent enough that the original fomes of this disease , is not lodg'd in the humours , yet it must be confess'd that the confusion of the spirits produces putrid humours in the body , by reason the function as well of these parts which are distended by the violent impulse of the spirits , as of those which are depriv'd of them , are wholly perverted . and most of these being as it were separatory organs designed for the reception of the impurities of the blood , if their functions are any way hurt , it can't be but a great many feculencies will be heap'd up , which had been eliminated , and so the mass of blood purified , if the organs had perform'd their office ; which they had certainly done , if a due oeconomy of the spirits had invigorated them all . to this cause i attribute great cachexies , loss of appetite , a clorosis , and the white fever in young women , ( which i don 't at all doubt , is a species of hysteric diseases ) and the source of all the miseries that overwhelm poor women , that have languish'd a long while under this disease ; all which proceed from putrifying juices heapt up in the blood , and flowing from thence upon the various organs . of this kind is a dropsie of the womb in women , which have been long afflicted with this disease , occasion'd by deprav'd juices cast from the blood upon the organs , by which , their faculties being perverted , they first become barren , the oeconomy of the parts being wholly destroy'd , and then serum and sanies are generated , which don 't only stuff the eggs of the testes , but also insinuating themselves into the interstices of the coats , cause them to grow very big , which is perceiv'd by the dissection of those that dye of this disease : and the hysterical disposition , is the prime cause of these and other humours , though they are not of the same kind with it . as in a quartan ague , with which any one that 's perfectly well may be seized , if he continues two or three days in moorish and fenny places ; first some spirituous venom of the disease being imprinted upon the blood , which continuing a long while , and at length the oeconomy of nature being hurt , it infects all the juices of the body , and quite changes their dispositions ; so that the sick ( especially if he begins to grow old , ) is render'd obnoxious to cachexies and other distempers which come upon long agues ; yet these agues are not to be cured by those remedies that are proper to purge off such humours , but by such things as cure agues by a specifick quality . from all that has been treated of , it 's very manifest to me , that that 's the chief indication in this disease , which directs the corroboration of the blood that is the fountain and origine of the spirits ; which being done , the invigorated spirits can preserve that tenor that 's agreeable to the oeconomy of the whole body , and the particular parts . and therefore when the ataxy of the spirits ( which we have allow'd above may be ) has vitiated the humours by long continuance , 't will be proper first to lessen those humours so corrupted , by bleeding and purging , if the patient has sufficient strength , before we endeavour to corroborate the blood , and which indeed we can scarce do , whilst a feculent heap of humours lies in the way . but forasmuch as pains , vomiting and looseness are sometimes so very severe that they will not bear a truce so long until we have satisfied the first intention of fortifying the blood , therefore sometimes we must begin the cure , by quieting the effects , ( the cause being let alone a little while , ) with some anodine medicine , and then we must endeavour to rectifie the spirits , whose infirm constitution is the cause of this disease , by which we may again endeavour to cure such kind of symptoms ; and because experience teaches , that there are many stinking things that will repel the inordination of the spirits , and contain them in their places , ( which are therefore call'd hystericks , ) we must make use of them when we would answer such intentions . according to what has been said , i order the patient to be blooded in the arm , and that after she be purg'd three or four mornings following , the patient thinks her self worse of those days she is blooded and purg'd , for these evacuations promote the ataxy , which i take care to forewarn her of , that she may not despond , the disease of it self being apt to incline her to do so ; but however those vicious humours we suppose are heap'd up by the long continuance of the disease , are in some sort to be evacuated before we can conveniently answer the prime intention . after these evacuations , i prescribe some chalybeat remedy to be taken thirty days to comfort the blood , and so by consequence the spirits that proceed from it ; and nothing will more certainly answer your intention in this case , for it raises a volatile ferment in the vapid and languid blood , by which the weak spirits are rous'd that before were press'd down by their own weight : and this is very manifest , for as often as steel is given in a chlorosis , the pulse are presently greater and quicker , and the outward parts grow warm , and the pale and dead countenance is chang'd , and becomes fresh and lively . but here we must take notice , that bleeding and purging must not always be us'd before chalybeats ; for when the patient is weak , and almost worn out by the long continuance of the disease , they may and ought to be omitted ; and you must begin with steel , which must be well minded . but in my opinion 't is most conveniently given in substance , and as i have never observ'd nor heard , that so taken , it ever injur'd any body , so i have been fully satisfied by frequent experience , that the bare substance performs the cure sooner and better than any of the common preparations of it , for busie chymists make this as well as other excellent medicines , worse rather than better by their perverse and over officious diligence . i have also heard , ( and if it be true , it much strengthens our assertion , ) that the crude mine as 't is digged out of the earth , is more effectual in curing diseases , than iron that has pass'd the fire , and been purified by fusion , so the author affirms , but i have not yet try'd whether it is so or not . this i certainly known , that no excellent and powerful remedy has been any where made , which has not received its chief virtues from nature ; upon which account grateful antiquity call'd excellent medicines , god's handicraft , not mans. and that some excellent thing does produce wonderful effects by its native goodness and efficacy , may be prov'd by opium , or the peruvian bark . nor is a physicians skill so much perceiv'd by preparing medicines , as by choosing such as are fit , which nature has prepar'd with her own fire , and freely bestow'd upon us ; so that all that we have to do , is to reduce medicines into that form , whereby either their substance , or their vertue and efficacy may be better imparted to our bodies , for the performance whereof we are sufficiently instructed . next to the substance of the steel , i choose the syrup of it , prepar'd with the filings of steel or iron infus'd in the cold , in rhenish wine , 'till the wine is sufficiently impregnated , and afterwards strain'd , and boyl'd up to the consistence of a syrup , with a sufficient quantity of sugar . nor do i use any cathartick medicine at set times during the whole chalybeat course ; for i am of the opinion , that the vertue of steel is destroy'd by a purge , both in hysterical and hypocondriacal diseases ; and when my chief dedesign is to reduce the spirits to order , and to renew and confirm their system , if i should use the gentlest purge but once , i should undo all that i had done in a week before , and by pulling down what i have built , and by building what i have pull'd down , i should trifle with my self and patient too ; and i believe mineral waters which participate of an iron mine , are render'd less effectual by this means ; though i know that some have been cur'd when purges have not been given only now and then ; but daily with the steel ; which does not so much prove to me the prudence of the physician , as the extraordinary virtue of the steel ; for if they had been omitted , the cure would have been performed in a less time . nor indeed do i see what advantage , or rather not what disadvantage purges often repeated may produce in many other diseases besides that just mention'd ▪ for though it can't be denied that they clear the intestines of impurities , and likewise that they somewhat discharge ill humours that are lodg'd in the mass of blood , yet on the contrary , 't is no less certain , that when they are frequently repeated in weak bodies , especially in the tender age , they do much hurt , because upon this account a great many humours are drawn to the intestines , and being put off upon these parts , occasion praeternatural ferments , whereby tumours arise in the belly , increasing daily so much the more , by how much the oftener the sick is purg'd ; and at length it happens that those parts by reason of weakness ( being as it were overwhelm'd with a burden of humours , ) and by a defect of natural heat soon become tabid and putrifie . and sometimes also the oeconomy of the bowels being quite destroy'd by reason of the causes mentioned , preternatural kernels , a-kin to the kings-evil , and the like , grow to the mesentery , and make way for death . for these reasons i judge 't is safest in children after general evacuations , and those but very few , to direct the curative indication , so as to comfort the blood and bowels , which may be done with spanish wine alone , or with corroborating herbs in it , if morning and evening some spoonfuls of it , ( according to the age of the sick ) be given long enough . and because things outwardly apply'd can easily penetrate the tender bodies of infants , and so can throughly affect the blood with their virtue whatever it is , 't will be convenient in swellings of their bellies , whether occasion'd by the king's-evil , or by the true rickets , to use liniments that are proper to corroborate the blood and bowels , and likewise to cure any morbifick indisposition of them . take of the leaves of common-wormwood , of the lesser centaury , of white whorehound , of germander , of ground-pine , of meadow saxifrage st. john's-wort , golden rod , wild thime , mint , sage , rue , carduus benedict . penny-royal , sothernwood , chamomel , tansie , lilly of the vallies , ( of all fresh gather'd and cut ) each mi , of lard lb iiij , of sheep-suet , and claret-wine , each lb ij ; let them be steep'd in an earthen pot upon hot embers twelve hours , and then let them boil till all the moisture is consumed ; afterwards strain them , and so make an ointment , with which let the belly be anointed morning and evening for thirty or forty days following , and also both the arm-pits . but as to the rickets , this must be noted , that in those tumours that afflicted the bellies of infants heretofore after long agues , not much unlike the true rickets , purges repeated seem'd to be indicated ; for before the use of the peruvian bark , agues continued a long while , and put off a sediment , which was the cause of tumours of this kind , which could be carried off only by purges repeated . but in the true rickets , catharticks are not to be us'd above once or twice at the most , before the patient enters upon the use of alteratives ; and all the time the parts are anointed , let him take inwardly of the wine above mention'd ; or if it may be , let him use for his ordinary drink beer , with the foresaid herbs , or at least many of them put up with it in the vessel . lastly , this i have hinted ought to be carefully minded , for i am fully satisfied , that many infants and children have been destroy'd by purges often repeated , which perhaps were given to asswage the belly : but this by the by . if any one object that the filings of steel may hurt those that take them by sticking in their bowels , unless they are purg'd now and then , i answer first , that i never found any such thing in any one , and then 't is much more probable that being involv'd in the slime , and with the excrementitious humours of the parts , they should all at length pass away with them , than when they are exagitated by purging medicines , which occasion unusual compressions , twisting and contraction of the guts , whereby the particles of steel thrust upon the coats of the bowels may penetrate deeper into them . when the patient is in a steel course , remedies commonly call'd hystericks are to be us'd as 't were by the by , ( to comfort the blood and animal spirits , ) in that manner and form which is most agreeable to the patient ; but if she can take them in a solid form , they will more powerfully retain the spirits in their office and place , than things that are liquid , that is , either decoctions or infusions , for the very substance affects the stomach longer with its savour , and works more forceably upon the body . upon the whole , being about to answer all the indications which i have touch'd upon above , i us'd to prescribe these few and common things , which though they are not at all pompous , yet they most commonly do what i desire . let. ℥ viij of blood be taken from the right arm. take of galbanum dissolv'd in tincture of castor , and strain'd ʒiij , tacamahac ʒ ij , make an emplaister to be apply'd to the navel . the next morning let her enter upon the use of the following pills . take of pill cocb . maj. ℈ ij , of castor powder'd , gr . ij , of peruvian balsam gutt . iv , make four pills , let her take them at five in the morning , and sleep after them ; repeat them twice or thrice every morning , or every other morning , according to their operation , and the strength of the patient . take of black-cherry-water , of rue water , and compound briony water , each ℥ iij , of castor tied up in a rag , and hang'd in the glass ʒss , of fine sugar , a sufficient quantity , make a julap , of which let her take four or five spoonfuls when she is faint , dropping into the first dose if the fit is violent gutt . xx of spirit of harts-horn . after the purging pills just describ'd are taken , let her use the following . take of the filings of steel , gr . viij , with a sufficient quantity of extract of wormwood , make two pills , let her take them early in the morning , and at five in the afternoon for thirty days , drinking upon them a draught of wormwood wine . or for daily use , take of the filings of steel , and of extract of wormwood , each ℥ iiij , mingle them , and keep them for use , let her take gr . xv , or ℈ i , made into three pills . or if she likes a bolus better , take of conserve of roman wormwood , and of the conserve of the yellow rind of oranges each ℥ i , of candied angelica , and nutmegs candied , and venice treacle , each ℥ ss , of candied ginger ʒij , make an electuary with a sufficient quantity of syrup of oranges . take of this electuary ʒiss , of the filings of steel well rubb'd , gr . viij , make a bolus , with a sufficient quantity of syrup of oranges , to be taken in the morning , and at five in the evening , drinking upon it a draught of wormwood wine . take of choice mirrh , and galbanum each ʒiss , of castor , gr ▪ xv , with a sufficient quantity of balsam of peru ; make twelve pills of every dram , let her take three every night , and drink upon them three or four spoonfuls of compound briony water , through the whole course of this process . but if the pills last prescrib'd move the belly , which sometimes happens in bodies that are very easily purg'd , by reason of the gum that 's in them , the following are to be substituted . ta kt of castor ʒi , of volatile salt of amber ʒss with a sufficient quantity of extract of rue , make xxiv small pills , let her take three every night . but here we must take notice , that chaly beats in whatsoever form or dose they are taken , occasion sometimes in women great disorders both of body and mind , and that not only on the first days ( which is usual almost in every body , ) but also all the time they are taken . in this case the use of steel must not be interrupted at those times , but laudanum must be given every night for some time in some hysterick water , that they may better bear it . but when the symptoms are mild , and it seems that the business may be done without taking steel , ( namely when the disease is small , ) i think it sufficient to bleed , and to purge three or four times , and then to give the altering hysterick pills above mention'd morning and evening for ten days , which method seldom fails when the disease is not violent ; yea , the pills alone , bleeding and purging being omitted , oftentimes do a great deal of good . yet we must take great notice , that some women by a certain ideosyncrasy do so abhor hysterical medicines , ( which give ease in most of the symptoms of this disease , ) that they don't only not receive benefit , but are much injured thereby ; therefore they must not be given to such , for hipocrates says , 't is in vain to do any thing contrary to natures inclination . which ideosyncrasy indeed is so great and so frequent , that if we have not regard to it , the lives of the sick may be hazarded , and not only by hysterical medicines , but by many other , whereof i will at present mention but one thing , viz. that some women that have the small-pox can't bear the use of diacodium , for thereby giddiness , vomiting , and such symptoms belonging to hysterical diseases are occasioned , and yet liquid laudanum agrees with them very well . which i observ'd whilst i was writing this , in a young woman a person of quality , to whom i had given the said syrup on the sixth and seventh night ; the symptoms above mention'd invaded both nights ; nor did the inflamation of the pustules duly proceed , but when afterwards she us'd laudanum , she was quite freed from the said symptoms ▪ the swelling of the face and pustules daily increasing , the anxiety and restlessness of body and mind ( which us'd to be as it were a fit of the small-pox , ) was wholly removed as often as this paregorick was given , the patient being strengthen'd and reviv'd by it : but this by the by . and so hysterical diseases are most commonly cur'd , and most obstructions of women , but especially a clorosis , or virgins pale colour , and also all suppressions of the courses . but if the blood is so very feeble , and the confusion of the spirits so great , that steel order'd to be us'd according to the method prescrib'd is not sufficient to cure the disease , the patient must drink some mineral waters , impregnated with the iron mine , such as are tunbridge , and some others lately found out , for the chalybeat virtue of these is better mingled with the blood , by reason of the great quantity that 's taken of them , and also because they are more agreeable to nature , and they cure diseases more effectually than iron , how much soever exalted by art , as imprudent chymists talk . but this is more especially to be observ'd in drinking of them , that if any sickness happens that is to be referr'd to hysterical symptoms , in this case the patient must forbear drinking them a day or two , 'till that symptom that hinder'd their passage is quite gone . for though these waters are less apt to stir the humours , and so to cause a confusion of the spirits , than the gentlest catharticks of the shops , yet they do somewhat exagitate them as they are diuretick , though they often also purge by stool too . but if the waters themselves hinder their own passage by disturbing the humours and spirits , let those consider how impertinently they act , who order purging medicines to be given once or twice a week , whilst the patient is drinking these waters ; or which is yet more foolish , to be mix'd with the waters , by which means these and other mineral waters pass more difficulty . and here i must acquaint you , that though some think the iron is in these waters in principiis solutis , ( which is plainly the same as if we should suppose liquid iron , ) yet i don 't at all doubt but that they are simple waters , impregnated with the mine through which they pass , which will be manifest to any one , if he pour some gallons of water upon a sufficient quantity of rusty nails , for then he will perceive that this water , when the powder of gauls , or the leaves of tea , or the like are put into it , will plainly appear of the same colour with the waters of a mineral fountain , when such things are put into them . nor truly have these artificial or inartificial waters ( which you please to call them , ) when they are taken , different effects , if they are us'd in summer-time , and in a good air. but however it is , if the disease by reason of its obstinacy does not yield to steel waters , the patient must go to some hot sulphureous waters , such as is our bath , and when he has us'd them inwardly three mornings following , the next day let him go into the bath , and the day following let him drink them again , and so let him do by turns for two whole months . for in these and in others of what kind soever they are , this must be carefully noted , that the patient must persist in the use of them , not only till he receives some benefit , but till he is quite well , that the symptoms may not return again in a short time . venice treacle alone , if it is used often , and a long while , is a great remedy in this disease , and not only in this , but in very many other diseases that proceed from want of heat and concoction or digestion ; 't is perhaps the most powerful that has been hitherto known , how contemptible soever it may seem to most people , because 't is common , and has been known a long while . spanish wine medicated with gentian , angelica , wormwood , centaury , the yellow rind of oranges , and other corroboratives infus'd in it , does a great deal of good , some spoonfuls of it being taken thrice a day , if the woman be not of a thin and cholerick habit of body . and truly a large draught of spanish wine by it self taken at bed-time for some nights , by my advice has been very beneficial to some hysterical women , for by it the habit of the whole body was render'd stronger , and they who before were cachectical , became fresh colour'd and brisk . moreover sometimes we find that the peruvian bark wonderfully comforts and invigorates the blood and spirits , whereof a scruple taken morning and evening for some weeks , has as i have observ'd restored ( both to hypocondriacal men , and hysterical women that have been very sick a long while , and when the oeconomy of their bodies has been much weaken'd , ) a firm and healthy constitution . but it succeeds best in that kind of hysterick diseases , in which women are affected with convulsions , wherein they struggle violently and beyond the strength of women , and at the same time beat their breasts . yet it must be confess'd that this medicine does not so certainly , and so often cure this disease as agues . but though ( to mention this by the by , ) the peruvian bark does wonders in the cure of agues , and though we use it freely our selves , and give it to our wives and children , as often as there 's occasion , yet there are some now as much displeas'd with it , because it cures so certainly and suddenly as they were heretofore , because it was but lately known among us ; to which fate the best men , and most excellent remedies have been almost always expos'd . but by this we may try as by a touch-stone our dispositions , and from thence judge whether we are good or ill men , namely , according to the degree of our joy or grief , as often as the welfare of mankind is promoted by some common benefit , or the blessing of god. but if any of the remedies above mention'd don 't well agree , which often happens in cholerick and thin constitutions , then a milk diet may be us'd ; for some women ( which one would wonder at at first ) that have conflicted a long while with hysterick diseases , and even such as have frustrated all the endeavours of physicians , yet have recover'd by dieting themselves for some time only with milk , and especially those that labour with that disease i call an hysterick colick , which can't be appeas'd by any thing but narcoticks , to which repeated by intervals , these women are much accustom'd , the pain returning as soon as the vertue of the anodine fades ; but this is chiefly to be admir'd in this method of cure , that milk which yields only a cold and crude nourishment , should notwithstanding by use strengthen and invigorate the spirits ; and yet this will not seem disagreeable to reason , if you consider that milk affording only a simple nourishment , does not busie nature much in concocting it , otherwise than meats and liquors more compounded use to do , and that an equal temper of the blood and spirits necessarily follows that perfect concoction . for this must be also consider'd , that a bare debility of the spirits consider'd by it self , is not the cause of those confusions they are under , but the weakness of them compair'd with the state of the blood. for it may be an infant has spirits strong and firm enough with respect to it's blood , but yet not proportionable to the blood of a grown person . now when by the continual use of a milk diet , ( tho' 't is crude and weak ) the blood is render'd more soft and tender , if the spirits that are made by it , are only equal to it , all 's well . yet all can't undergo those inconveniencies which most commonly accompany it the first days , namely , because it curdles in the stomach , and is insufficient to maintain the usual strength of the body ; but if they cou'd , they might receive benefit by it . but nothing of all i have hitherto known , does so much comfort and strengthen the blood and spirits , as riding much a horse back every day for a long while ; for seeing by this kind of exercise the lower belly is most forceably mov'd , in which the vessels for excretion ( as many as are appointed by nature to drain the impurities of the blood ) are plac'd : what disorder of the functions or other natural impotence of the organs , can be imagin'd so great as not to be helpt by the frequent jolting of the horse , and that too in the open air ? whose innate heat is so extinguish'd that it can't be stir'd up by this motion and ferment afresh ? or what preter-natural substance or deprav'd juice can there be in any creek of these parts , which can't by this exercise of the body , be either reduced to such a condition as is agreeable to nature , or scatter'd every way and ejected ? moreover , the blood being perpetually exagitated by this motion , and throughly mix'd , is as it were renew'd , and grows vigorous again . and indeed , this method , tho 't is inconvenient for women that are accustom'd to a slothful and delicate way of living , for they may be injured by motion , especially at the beginning ; yet is it very proper for men , and soonest recovers their health . one of our reverend bishops , famous for prudence and learning , having studyed too hard a long while , fell at length into an hypochondriacal disease , which afflicting him a long time , vitiated all the ferments of the body , and wholly subverted the concoctions . he had pass'd through long courses of steel more than once , and had try'd almost all mineral waters , with purging often repeated , and antiscorbuticks of all kinds , and very many testaceous powders , which are reckon'd proper to sweeten the blood : and so being in a manner worn out , partly by the disease , and partly by physick us'd continually for so many years , he was at length seiz'd with a colliquative loosness , which is wont to be the forerunner of death , in consumptions and other cronical diseases ▪ when the digestions are wholly destroy'd . at length he consulted me . i presently consider'd that there was no more room for medicine , he having taken so many already , without any relief ; for which reason i perswaded him to ride a horse-back , and that first he shou'd take such a small journy as was agreeable to his weak condition : had he not been a very judicious man , and one that weighed things well , he wou'd not have been perswaded so much as to try such a kind of exercise . i intreated him to persist in it daily , till in his own opinion he was well , going daily further and further , till at length he went so many miles , as prudent and moderate travellers , that go a large journy upon business , use to do , without any regard to meat or drink , or the weather ; but that he shou'd take every thing like a traveller as it happens . to be short , he continued this method , increasing his journies by degrees , till at length he rode twenty or thirty miles daily ; and when he found himself much better in a few days , being incourag'd by such wonderful success , he continued this course a pretty many months , in which time , as he told me , he rode many thousand miles , till at length , he did not only recover , but also gain'd a strong and brisk habit of body . nor is this kind of exercise more beneficial to hypochondriacal people , than 't is to those that are in a consumption ; whereof some of my relations have been cur'd by riding long journies by my advice ; for i knew i cou'd not cure them better by medicines of what value soever , or by any other method . nor is this remedy proper only in small indispositions , accompanied with a frequent cough and leanness , but in consumptions that are almost deplorable ; when the diarrhaea above mention'd , accompanies the night sweats , which is wont to be the forerunner of death , in those that dye of a consumption . in a word , how deadly soever a consumption is , and is said to be , two thirds dying of it , which are spoil'd by chronical diseases : yet i sincerely affirm , that mercury in the french pox , and the peruvian bark in agues , are not more effectual than the exercise above mention'd , in curing a consumption , if the sick takes care that his sheets are well air'd , and that his journies are long enough . but this must be noted , that those that have pass'd the flower of their age , must use this exercise much longer than those that have not yet arriv'd to it . and this i have learn'd by much experience , which scarce ever fails me . and tho' riding on horse-back is chiefly beneficial to consumptive people , yet riding journies in a coach , does sometimes a great deal of good . but to return to the business in hand , this is the general way of cure in this disease , which is apply'd to the original cause , viz. the weak crasis of the blood , and so is to be us'd only when the fit is off ; therefore as often as the fit invades , join'd with any one of the foresaid symptoms , if the disease be such , or so great a one , that 't will not bear a truce , 'till it may be cured by medicines that corroborate the blood and spirits , we must presently make use of hysterick remedies , which by their strong and offensive smell , recall the exorbitant and deserting spirits to their proper stations , whether they are taken inwardly , or smelt to , or outwardly apply'd ; such are assafaetida , galbanum , castor , spirit of sal armonicack : and lastly , whatever has a very ungrateful and offensive smell . and in truth , whatever stinks is proper for this intention , whether 't is naturally ill sented , or made so by art ; and unless i am deceiv'd , spirits of harts-horn ▪ of human blood , of urine , and of bones , and the like ; take their chief vertues from the force of the fire , in their preparation contracting an ill sented empyreuma , which is intimately join'd with their essence , which is likewise in the fumes arising from feathers , and such kind of parts of animals , when they are burnt . for this is common to the substances of all animals , viz. to emit a stinking fume while they are burning ; and if 't is forc'd by fire , and receiv'd in glasses , when 't is condens'd , it becomes those liquors call'd volatile spirits , which assume faculties that were not primitively in their subjects ; and are indeed , only creatures of fire , and their vertues are really all the same , from whatsoever substance ( so it is animal ) they are extracted . in the next place we must take notice , that if some intolerable pain accompanies the paroxysm , in whatever part it is , or violent vomiting , or a diarrhaea ; then besides the hystericks above mention'd , laudanum must be us'd , which only is able to restrain these symptoms . but in quieting these pains which vomiting occasions , we must take great care that they are not mitigated either by laudanum or any other paregorick , before due evacuations have been made , unless they almost exceed all human patience . first , because sometimes there is so great a quantity of blood and humours heapt up , ( especially in sanguine women and men of a proper habit ) that 't is able to withstand the operation of the most effectual narcotic , tho' it be often repeated : and therefore in such , blood must necessarily be evacuated from the veins of the arm , and a purge must be given before we come to use laudanum . for when these things are duly perform'd , that which before given in a large dose wou'd do no good , will now perform the business in a moderate dose . and then because i have found by frequent experience , that when the sick has been accustom'd by little and little to laudanum , and has not been duly evacuated before , she was forc'd by reason of the return of the pain , presently after the vertue of the medicine vanish'd , to take a paregorick again ; and so daily for some years , the dose being sometimes by degrees increas'd , so that at last they can by no means abstain from laudanum , tho' thereby all the digestions are vitiated , and the natural functions weakned . tho' i don't think that the use of laudanum does immediately hurt the brain or nerves , or the animal faculties . therefore i judge , and i speak what i have found , that evacuation ought to go before anodynes , viz. in virago's , and in women that abound with blood , a vein must be open'd , and the body purg'd ; especially if they have been lately seized with the fit. but if the weak women and those of a quite contrary constitution , labour with such a fit and pain , and have been not long ago afflicted with it , 't will be sufficient to cleanse their stomachs with a gallon of posset-drink , more or less , taken in and ejected by vomit ; and then to give a large dose of venice treacle , or of the orvietan electuary , and a few spoonfuls of some spirituous liquor , that is pleasing to the taste ; with a few drops of liquid laudanum ▪ to be taken presently after it . but if the sick has vomited a great while before the physician was call'd , and there is danger , lest by a further provocation by emeticks , the spirits shou'd be put in a rage , and the sick too much weaken'd ; in this case you must give laudanum without delay , and such a dose as is not only equal to the violence and duration of the symptom , but such a one as is sufficient to vanquish it . but here two things are to be chiefly noted . first , that when you have once begun to use laudanum after due and necessary evacuations , it must be taken in that dose , and often repeated , till the symptom is quite conquer'd ; only such a space must be betwixt each dose , that we may know what the former has done , before we give another . and then when we treat the disease with laudanum , we must do nothing else , and nothing must be evacuated ; for the gentlest glyster of milk and sugar , is sufficient to spoyl whatever has been repair'd by the paregoric , and to occasion the return of the vomiting and pain . but tho' the pains above mention'd , as we have said , are apt to overcome the vertue of the anodyne , yet violent vomiting indicates the largest dose of it , and that it shou'd be very often repeated ; for by the inverted peristaltick motion of the stomach , ( by which that which is contain'd in it , ought to be carried downwards ) the paregorick is ejected through the oesophagus , before it can do any good , unless after every time the sick vomits , the narcotick be given afresh , and chiefly in a solid form ; or if it be given in a liquor , the vehicle must be so small , as that it may but just wet the stomach , so that by reason of the small quantity of the matter , it can't be cast up ; for instance , some drops in one spoonful of strong cinamon water , or the like ; and the sick must be admonish'd to keep her self quiet , presently after taking the laudanum ; and that she keep her head as much as is possible immoveable , for the smallest motion of the head , provokes vomiting more than any thing else , and then the medicine just taken , is ejected . yet when the vomiting ceases , and is as 't were tam'd , 't is expedient to give an anodyne morning and evening for a few days , to prevent a relaps ; which also ought to be observ'd after a diarrhaea , or an hysterick pain taken off by a narcotick . and so at length by this method , we may readily cure the symptomatick pain and vomiting , whereby , because they are very often , like other diseases , physicians are easier impos'd upon , than by any other symptoms whatever , that require their help ; concerning which , i will add a few things , for instance : in that kind of hysterick disease now describ'd , which resembles a nephritick pain , is not the great parity and similitude of both diseases , apparent to any one , both because the pain in both is in the same part , and also for that the woman vomits in both diseases ? and yet they proceed from causes differing from one another ; and the methods for the cure of them so unlike , that that which does good in this , is injurious in the other , and so on the contrary . for whether a stone or gravel , fretting upon the substance of the reins , occasions pain , and by consent of parts , vomiting , nothing is so beneficial , as very large and frequent revulsion of the antecedent cause by phlebotomy , and dilatation and laxation of the passages , by which the stone is to be excluded , by emollient clysters very often repeated , and inward remedies of the same kind , to which are to be added linthontriptick and diuretic medicines . now if the said symptoms do no way arise from the stone , but from the animal spirits rushing impetuously in a great quantity upon the reins , ( in which case , paregoricks are only indicated ; nor is the gentlest clyster injected after the first evacuations , without danger ) in what great danger the unhappy woman is put into , whose life is so triffl'd with , i need not say . the same may be affirm'd of that hysteric disease , which resembles the bilious colick , or the iliack passion , when 't is taken for granted , that that disease , ( tho' of a quite different , yea contrary nature ) is the bilious colick , and proceeds from a sharp humour cast upon the bowels , through the mouths of the mesenterick arteries ; ( into which error the intollerable pain and the green colour of the matter expell'd by vomit and stool , easily seduces the unwary and unthinking physician ) what method is so proper , as that whereby we endeavour to attemperate the acrimony of the humours , by the help of cooling and incrassating medicines ? and what is fitter than catharticks frequently given , besides clysters daily injected to exterminate the humous from the guts , especially mercurius dulcis mixt with diagrydiate medicines , to eradicate perfectly the morbific matter ? but 't is plain to every one , how ill the patient wou'd be treated , and in what great danger he wou'd be , whilst we shou'd insist upon this method , if the disease which is supps'd to be a bilious colick , shou'd really prove an hysterick or hypocondriacal symptom , when experience openly proclaims , that after the first general evacuations ( which are appointed to remove the rubbish of the putrifying humours , which the ataxy has occasion'd , whereby the vertue of the anodyne may be obstructed ) nothing remains to be done , besides the quieting the tumultuous spirits , till the symptom goes off , and afterwards 't will be seasonable to give chalybeats , or any other remedy , if there be any that by kindling and invigorating the blood , may eradicate the disease . 't is not my business to reckon up those great calamities which i have known befal women , when this hysterick colick has been suppos'd to proceed from choler , notwithstanding i affirm , that evacuations often repeated , which are indeed indicated in the bilious colick , have been so far from lessening the pain and vomiting , that they have irritated them more , by promoting the disturbance of the spirits , which is the true cause of these symptoms . and at length the disease being prolong'd for some months , ends in convulsions , there being a suddain translation to the brain , whereby the sick is soon destroy'd ; and especially when after other evacuations repeated a long time , by reason of the green colour of those things that are vomited up , a vomit is given . in a word , if i have learnt any thing by observation , i judge we must chiefly take care , that those symptoms familiar to hysterick women , be not suppos'd by a mistake in the diagnostick , to proceed from other diseases , which they often resemble . and here i must acquaint you , that besides the errors before mention'd , whereby women obnoxious to hysterick diseases , are put in danger of their lives ; very many moreover , suffer by these diseases , by an error no less fatal , at a time wherein , tho' this disease is not of its own nature deadly , yet by reason of the disasters that come upon it ▪ and follow'd it , 't is destructive to many : for instance , a woman of a tender and infirm habit of body , brings forth a child , and all succeeds well , and according to nature . the midwife , whether rude and unskilful , or vain-glorious , to shew how well she has perform'd her business , advises that her woman shou'd rise a few days after she has been brought to bed , and that she shou'd keep up a while ; the woman does so , and is presently seiz'd upon the first motion of her body , with an hysterick indisposition , and according as the disease increases , the lochia are first lessen'd , then they quite stop , whose suppression , a long series of untimely symptoms follow ; which soon destroys the sick , unless great diligence and skilfulness interceed . and sometimes they are seiz'd with a phrensie on this account , which growing daily worse and worse , occasions convulsions first , and then death . but if they escape death , they are maddish , and sometimes continue so as long as they live . sometimes after the suppression of the lochia , they fall into a fever , which either turns to that which is then epidemical , or depends only on that beginning . moreover , the same hysterick symptoms which were first occasion'd by the suppression of the lochia , rage more now , as if afterwards they proceeded from it . i thought long ago , that of those women that dye in child-bed , scarce one in ten , to speak within bounds , dies , because she has not strength necessary for delivery , or from the pains that accompany difficult labour , but chiefly by reason they rise too soon , hysterical fits being occasioned by that motion , whereby when the lochia are stopt , a numerous train of dreadful symptoms follows ▪ wherefore they that are advised by me , keep in bed at least till the tenth day , if they are of a ▪ weakly constitution , especially if they have been long since troubled with vapours . for besides that , the rest which they have in bed , frees them from those dangers we have so often mentioned ; the warmth of the bed not interrupted , likewise refreshes the spirits weakned and exhausted by the pains in labour , and by the evacuations usual in this case , and recruits nature , and digests and removes all those crudities which are heapt up during the time of child-bearing . but if by reason of this error committed , any one of the said symptoms supervenes , the curative indications are to be directed so , that the spirits disquieted by this motion should be appeas'd , and that the lochia should flow again , for as much as the suppression of them is the next and immediate cause of these symptoms . but we must not obstinately insist upon this method , but having given a while those remedies that are wont to be used with success in this case , if they don't answer according to our desires , we must leave them off ; for as strong things must not be us'd , so neither ought we to persevere in the use of gentler , by reason women in child-bed so affected , are much weaken'd , and their strength almost worn out . for instance , when it first appears that the lochia are stopt , 't is convenient to put the woman presently to bed , and then to apply an hysterick plaister to the navel , and to order this electuary following to be taken forthwith . take of the conserve of roman wormwood , and of rue each ℥ i , of the trochisc . of mirrh ʒij , of castor , english saffron , of volatile salt of sal armoniac , and of assa faetida , each ʒss , make an electuary with a sufficient quantity of the syrup of the five opening roots ; let her take the quantity of a large nutmeg every third hour , drinking upon it four or five spoonfuls of the following julap . take of rue water , compound briony water , each ℥ iij , of sugar candy , s . q. mingle them , make a julap . and if these things are given as soon as the suppression begins , the disease is most commonly conquer'd , but if having continued the use of the said remedies , till the whole quantity is taken , in this case we must try laudanum once . here laudanum though of its own nature 't is astringent , yet by quieting the disturbance of the spirits whereby the usual evacuation of the lochia is interrupted , does sometimes much good , and when emmenagogs do no good , it may recall the flux of the lochia ; but narcoticks are most conveniently given with hystericks and emmenagogs . for instance , fourteen drops of liquid laudanum in compound briony water , or one grain and a half of solid laudanum made into two pills , with half ae scruple of assa faetida ▪ but we must be sure to take notice , that if we don't hit the mark at once , if the lochia don't follow , we must by no means repeat the opium , as is usual in other cases , and ought to be : for if here the paregorick is repeated , 't will so powerfully stop the lochia , that afterwards they can by no means be provok'd ; for truly if this dont succeed ( some time being pass'd that we may know what it has perform'd , ) we must return to the use of emmenagogs , mixt with hystericks , and then inject a clyster of milk and sugar ; and what was said above of opium ▪ holds good likewise here of clysters , for unless the first injected bring the lochia , nothing is to be expected from more , one being sufficient , by turning the humour gently , to cause the lochia to flow , but more may divert them another way . these things being perform'd ( which are to be touch'd upon lightly , ) 't is most safe and the duty of a prudent physician , to wait and see what time will do , for every day the business of the cure is more and more removed from danger , and if the sick live beyond the twentieth day , she 's in a manner out of danger . for when the woman has been recruited a little , and gain'd some strength , in a long disease whatever 't is , she will be able to bear that remedy which is fittest for the cure of that disease , which was occasion'd by a suppression of the lochia ; whereas medicines cram'd in obstinately , the first doing no good , may increase the disease , and also the disturbance of the spirits from whence the disease arises , which must be carefully noted . lately a vertuous matron of good parentage sent for me , she upon the foremention'd occasion , presently after she was brought to bed , was seiz'd with hysterick fits , and the lochia stop'd . i endeavour'd by the medicines aforesaid to provoke them , but in vain , the violence of the hysterick disease being too powerful for the medicines ; and at length when i perceiv'd she would be well if i did nothing , i committed all to time , by much the best and most successful physician ; and according to my opinion things went well with her to the fourteenth day : visiting her daily , i found she was no day worse than she was the day before . after this the women that had attended upon her , whom i had hitherto kept from doing mischief by their over-officiousness , enforc'd the husband to have a vein opened instantly in his wives foot , which being done , the hysterick fits so far prevailed , that within a few hours she was seiz'd with convulsions , and soon after by death , that ends all our miseries . and if it be lawful to speak what i think , i have been a long time of the opinion , that i have well perform'd the duty of an honest man and good physician , ( not only in the said diseases of women in child-bed , but also in all other acute diseases , when i can't certainly promise that a cure will follow this or that method i please to use ) , as often as i do nothing , when visiting the patient , i find he is not worse this day , than he was the day before , and when i can conjecture he will not be worse to morrow than he is to day ; whereas if i proceed in curing the sick with a method , the efficacy whereof i don 't yet know , he will be in danger both upon the account of the experiment i am about to make upon him , and also by the disease , nor will he as easily evade two dangers as one . for though at present there is no manifest sign of his beginning to be well , yet 't is most certain that according to the nature of acute diseases , no one can always labour with them . and besides every day will more and more secure the patient , or yield an occasion to the physician , whereby he may more opportunely and certainly vanquish the disease , than he could before . which as it may be truly affirm'd of most disease , so especially of the diseases of child-bed women , wherein the least error may prove fatal , and in which we are so little able to govern that natural evacuation , the suppression whereof occasions the diseases we have been treating of . but forasmuch as hysterical diseases dont always owe their original to the prime cause , namely the native debility of the spirits , but sometimes to an adventitious weakness ; therefore i design before i make an end , to discourse of this sort of cause , which most commonly is the occasion of vapours as they are call'd ; and 't is an immoderate flux of the courses either in child-bed , or at other times as to the first kind , that comes and is very troublesom the first days after hard labour , accompanied with a numerous train of hysterical symptoms ; and as it only comes , and is troublesom on these first days , so it soon goes away , for a diet that is somewhat thickening , easily drives it away , for which also the following drink may be used . take of plantain water and red wine , each thi , boil them together , till a third part is consumed ; then sweeten it with a s . q. of white sugar , whereof when 't is cold , give half a pint twice or thrice a day ; in the mean while some very gentle hysterick julap may be taken now and then , and the following nodulus may be held to the nose . take of galbanum , and assa faetida , each ʒij , castor ʒiss , of volatile salt of amber ʒss , mingle them and make a nodulus . or , take ʒij of spirit of sal armoniac , to which let her smell often . but as to the flux , when women are not in child-bed , though that is wont to happen at any time , yet most commonly it comes a little before the time the courses are about to leave them , namely about the age of forty five if they flow early , but about fifty , if they come somewhat later ; from these as is said a little before they quite go away , ( like a candle burnt to the socket , which gives the greatest light just as 't is about to go out , ) they flow impetuously , and cast the poor women into almost continual hysterick fits , by reason of the great quantity of blood which is continually evacuated . now though in this case , hystericks both inward and outward must be us'd by the by ( avoiding those that are strong , lest they should promote the flux ) yet the chief intention must be to stop the courses , which may be soon done after this manner . let ℥ viij of blood be drawn from the arm , the next morning give the common purgative potion , which must be repeated every third day for twice , and every night at bed time through the whole course , let her take a paregorick made with one ounce of diacodium . take of conserve of dry'd roses ℥ ij , of trochisc , of terra lemnia ʒiss , of pomegranate peel , and red coral , each ℈ ij , of lapis haematitis and dragons blood , and bole armenic , each ℈ i , make an electuary with a sufficient quantity of simple syrup of coral , whereof let her take the quantity of a large nutmeg in the morning , and at five in the afternoon , drinking upon it six spoonfuls of the following julap . take of the water of oak buds and plantain , each ℥ iij , of cinamon water hor deated , and of syrup of dry'd roses , each ℥ i , of spirit of vitriol a sufficient quantity to make a pleasant acid . take of the leaves of plantain , and nettles , each a sufficient quantity , beat them together in a marble mortar , and press out the juice ; then clarifie it ; let her take six spoonfuls cold three or four times a day . after the first purge , apply the following plaister to the region of the loins . take of diapalma , and of the plaister ad herniam , each equal parts , mingle them , and spread upon leather . a cooling and thickening diet must be order'd , only 't will be proper to indulge the sick a small draught of claret wine , once or twice a day , whch though 't is somewhat inconvenient , because its apt to raise the ebullition , yet it may be allow'd to repair the strength . and as indeed this method is very beneficial to women thus affected , so is it also as useful for those that are in danger of abortion , only the purges and juices must be omitted . there is another cause , though 't is not so frequent of hysterical diseases , viz. a falling of the womb by reason of a hard labour , it s accompanied with a large train of this kind of diseases , yet is it soon and easily cur'd this way . take of oak bark ℥ ii , boyl it in lb iiij of fountain water to lb ij , add at latter end ℥ i of pomegranate peel bruis'd , red roses , granate flowers , each mij ; and then add lb ss of red wine , strain it , bath the parts affected with flannel cloaths dipt in it , in the morning two hours before the woman rises ▪ and at night when she 's in bed ; continue the use of it till the symptom is quite gone . but enough of these things . and now worthy sir , i have mention'd the chief of what has been hitherto observ'd in the history and cure of this disease , and have nothing else to do but to beg your pardon , if i have err'd in describing these things not so accurately as i ought to have done , and also to desire you to accept favourably of this small treatise , which was designedly written to return you thanks for your approbation of my other works : and indeed i have so seldom receiv'd any thing of this nature , that either ▪ i have deserv'd no such thing , or else those candid and ingenious men which nature has fram'd with such excellency of mind , as to know how to be grateful , are very few , scarce so many as the gates of thebes , or entries of wealthy nile . yet notwithstanding i endeavour all i can , and will do so , to learn and promote the method of curing diseases , and to instruct those that are less conversant in practice than my self , let other people have what opinion of me they please . for having nicely weigh'd whether 't is better to be beneficial to men , or to be praised by them , i find the first preponderates , and much conduces to the tranquillity of mind . but as for fame and popular applause , they are lighter than a feather or a bubble , and more vain than the shadow of a dream . but if any one thinks that riches got by such a reputation have something more of weight in them , let them injoy what they have scrap'd together with all my heart , but let them remember that some mechanicks of the most fordid trades , get and leave more to their children , yet do they not exceed the beasts in this , who take as much care as they can of themselves and theirs ▪ and if we except things honest , proceeding from the judgment of the mind and vertue ( whereof the nature of beasts is not capable , ) the ▪ beasts are plainly as good as these and all others who don 't endeavour to do all the good they can in their generation . chap. iv. of the gout . without doubt men will think , that either the nature of the disease we now treat of is almost incomprehensible , or that i who have been vex'd with it thirty four years , am a very dull fellow , seeing my observations about the disease , and the cure of it ▪ do little answer their expectation . but however it be , i will faithfully deliver those things i have hitherto learnt , the difficulties and intricacy , respecting either the account of the disease , or the method of cure , leaving them to be clear'd and made plain by time the guide of truth . the gout chiefly seizes those old men , who after they have lived the best part of their lives tenderly and delicately , indulging themselves freely with splendid banquets , wine , and other spirituous liquors ; and at length having by reason of the sloath that always accompanies old age , wholly omitted those exercises of body which young men are accustom'd to . moreover they who are obnoxious to this disease , have large skulls , and are most commonly of a gross habit of body , moist and laxe , and of a lusty and luxuriant constitution , the best and richest foundation for life . not that the gout only seizes those that are corpulent , for sometimes also though seldomer , it invades thin people ; nor does it wait always till they are old , for sometimes it seizes those that are in the flower of their age , when they have receiv'd the unhappy seeds of the disease from their parents , as it were ex traduce ; or if this be not the cause , they have too early us'd venery , or have quite forsook violent exercises that they us'd formerly ; moreover they have great stomachs , and have drank spirituous liquors immoderately , and afterwards they have suddenly betook themselves to thin and cooling liquors . when it first seizes any one when he is very old , it never afterwards has such exact periods , nor rages so violently , as when it falls upon a younger man , both because he dies most commonly before the disease accompanied with its natural symptoms can come to its heighth , and also because the native heat and vigour of the body being lessen'd , it can't be so constantly and violently shot off upon the joints . but if it seizes any one earlier , though it does not yet fix upon one part , nor handle him so roughly , but comes with uncertain periods upon occasion given , paining him lightly for a few days , coming and going without any method , yet by degrees it formally besieges the man , and proceeds regularly , both as to the time 't will come at , and as to the continuance of the fit , and moreover assaults him more violently than at first . i will first discourse of this disease as it proceeds regularly , and afterwards of its anomalous and uncertain phaenomena , when being put out of its course , either by a praeposterous use of ▪ improper medicines , or by the weakness of the subject , it can't attain to its proper and genuine symptoms . therefore when the gout is regular , it seizes the patient most commonly after this manner , about the latter end of january , or the beginning of february , it comes suddenly , and for the most part without giving any notice , except that the patient has been troubled with indigestion and crudities of the stomach some weeks before ; moreover the body is oppress'd and puff'd up with wind , which daily increases till the fit thunders upon him ; but a few days before it comes , the thighs are benumm'd , and there is as it were a discent of wind through the flesh of them , with convulsive motions , and the day before the fit the appetite is sharp , but not natural . he goes to bed and to sleep well , but about two a clock in the morning is wak'd by the pain , seizing either his great toe , the heel , the calf of the leg , or the ancle ; this pain is like that of dislocated bones , with the sense as it were of water almost cold , pour'd upon the membranes of the parts affected , presently shivering or shaking follow , with a feverish disposition ; the pain is first gentle , but increases by degrees , ( and in like manner the shivering and shaking go off , ) and that hourly till towards night it comes to its heighth , accomodating it self neatly according to the variety of the bones of the tarsus and metatarsus , whose ligaments it seizes , sometimes resembling a violent stretching or tearing of those ligaments , sometimes the gnawing of a dog , and sometimes a pressure ; moreover the part affected has such a quick and exquisite pain , that 't is not able to bear the weight of cloaths upon it , nor hard walking in the chamber ; and the night is not pass'd over in pain upon this account only , but also by reason of the restless turning of the part hither and thither ▪ and the continual change of its place . nor is the tossing of the whole body , which always accompanies the fit , but especially at its coming , less than the continual agitation and pain of the tormented member . there are a thousand fruitless endeavours us'd to ease the pain by a continual change of the place whereon the body and the affected members lye , yet there is no ease to be had , 'till two or three a clock in the morning ( viz. a night and a day being spent from the first approach of the fit , ) at which time the sick has suddenly ease , by reason there 's a little digestion of the peccant matter , and some discussion of it , though he undeservedly attributes it to that position of the affected part he us'd last . and now being in a breathing sweat , he falls asleep ; when he wakes , he finds the pain much abated , and the part affected swell'd afresh ; for before there was only ( which is usual in the fits of those that have the gout , ) visible , a swelling of the veins intermix'd with the affected member . the next day , and perhaps two or three days after , if the matter apt to genetrate , the gout is copious , the part affected will be in pain , which will be violent too towards evening , but 't will be eased about the time of the cock's crowing ; within a few days the other foot will be in pain , as the former was , and if the former has left off aking , the weakness which render'd it infirm will presently vanish , strength and perfect health being so presently restor'd , as if it had never been out of order , if the pain is violent in the foot lately seiz'd . and yet it acts the same tragedy in the other foot as it did in the former , both as to the violence of the pain , and the duration of it ▪ and sometimes on the first days of the disease , when the peccant matter is so exuberant , that one foot is unable to contain it , it afflicts both at the same time with the like violence ; but most commonly it seizes them successively as we said : after it has vex'd the feet , the fits that follow are irregular , both as to the time of invasion and duration , yet the pain always returns in the evening , and is less in the morning , and of a series of these small fits , consists that which is call'd a fit of the gout , longer or shorter , according to the age of the sick ; for 't is not to be supposed , that when any one is afflicted with this disease two or three months , that that 's one fit , but rather a series and chain of small fits , whereof every latter is gentler and shorter than the former , till at length the peccant matter being wholly consum'd , the patient recovers his former health , which in those that are brisk , and in others whom the gout has rarely visited , comes to pass often in fourteen days , and in those it has often afflicted in two months ; but in those who are more debilitated , either by the long continuance of the disease , or by age ; it does not go off till summer coming pretty well on , drives it away . the first fourteen days the urine is high colour'd , which after separatión puts off a red sediment , and as it were full of small sand ; nor does the patient render by urine more than the third part of what he drinks , and the belly is most commonly bound the said first days , want of appetite , shaking of the whole body about evening , heaviness and a troublesom uneasiness of the parts that are not affected , accompanies the whole fit , a violent itching of the foot affected , follows the departing fit , especially betwixt the toes , and the feet scale as if the sick had been poison'd . the disease being discuss'd , a good habit of body and appetite return , according to the degree of pain with which the fit last past rag'd ; and so proportionably the following fit will be hasten'd or deferr'd , for if the last fit was very severe , the following fit will not come , till the same time of the year return again . and in this manner , the regular gout shews it self with its genuine and proper phaenomena , but when 't is disturb'd by improper methods of cure , or by the obstinate continuance of the disease , the very substance of the body being as it were , perverted to the nourishment of the disease ; and nature unable to eliminate the same by its wonted method , then the phaenomena are much different from those describ'd . for whereas the pain was hitherto only troublesome to the feet , ( which are the genuine seat of the peccant matter , and if it possesses any other parts , 't is most certain , that either the method of the disease has been alter'd , or that the vigor of the body , is by little and little diminish'd ) now it possesses the hands , wrists , the arms , the knees , and other regions , tormenting these , as much as it us'd to do the feet : for sometimes distorting one or more of the fingers , it makes them like a bunch of parsnips , taking away the motion by degrees , and at length it generates stony concretions about the ligaments of the joints , which destroying the cuticle , and the very skin of the joints , renders visible , naked stones , like chalk or crabs eyes ▪ which may be pick'd out with a needle . sometimes the matter occasioning the disease thrust upon the arms , causes a whitish swelling , almost as big as an egg ; which is by degrees inflam'd with redness , sometimes falling upon the thigh , it feels as if there were a great weight hanging upon it ; yet without any considerable pain , but passing to the knee , it handles that more severely , so hindering all motions , that 't is as 't were , nail'd to the bed : so that it can't move a hairs-bredth from the place wherein it is . and when by reason of the restlessness of the body , or to ease nature , the patient must be mov'd by the help of others , there 's need of great care , lest by chance , the least contrariety of motion ▪ shou'd occasion pain , which for this reason only , is tollerable , viz. because it presently vanishes : and indeed , this carrying of the body , that must be perform'd so carefully and tenderly , is not a small part of the troubles , wherewith the gout is burden'd ; for the pain is not violent through all the fit , if the part affected , be kept quiet . whereas the gout before , did not use to invade before the latter end of winter , and was wont to go off , after two or three months , now it continues upon the sick a whole year , excepting only two or three of the hot summer months : and what is moreover to be observ'd , as the great and general fit is longer than heretofore it was , so those particular fits , whereof the general is compounded , rage longer ; for whereas before those particular fits did not torment the patient above a day or two , now wherever it fixes , especially if it possesses the feet or knees , it does not cease , till the tenth or fourteenth day , moreover the first or second day after its coming , the patient feels some sickness , besides the pain , together with a total prostration of the appetite . lastly , before the disease was grown to such a heigth , the sick did not only enjoy longer intervals of the fits , but also during that intermission , he was well in his limbs , and in the other parts of body , all the natural faculties performing their offices duly ; but now his limbs are contracted and cumbred , so that tho' he can stand , and perhaps go a little , yet he creeps along so very lamely and troublesomely , that when he walks , he seems to stand still ; and if he endeavours to walk beyond his strength , that he may the better recover his feet , the more he confirms them by walking , and renders them less apt to receive the pain , so much the more the fomes of the disease not perfectly dissipated by all this interval , hovers more dangerously about the bowels , when it can't be so freely discharg'd upon the feet , which at this time of the disease , are scarce ever free from pain , but are always uneasie more or less . the sick is also afflicted with many other symptoms , as with a pain of the haemorrhoidal veins , with unsavoury belchings , resembling the taste of the meat last eat , putrifying in the stomach , when something of hard digestion is eaten , or only so much as is requisite for people in health , the appetite languishes , and also the whole body , by reason of a penury of spirits . lastly ▪ he lives only to be wretched and miserable , and not at all to taste of the happiness of life . the urine that us'd to be formerly high colour'd , especially in the fits , and render'd in a small quantity , now is like that , both for colour and quantity which is evacuated in a diabetes : the back and other parts , itch troublesomely about bed-time . and this incovenience also happens in this disease , when 't is confirm'd , viz. that upon yawning , especially in the morning , the ligaments of the bones of the metatarsus , are violently pull'd , and seem to be hardly press'd with a strong hand ; and sometimes when yawning does not go before , the sick just dropping asleep , suddenly feels a blow as it were of a club , breaking in pieces the metatarsus ; so that he wakes crying out : the tendons of the muscles that sustain the legs , are sometimes taken with such a sharp and violent convulsion , that the pain which it occasions , if it should last but a little while , would overcome all humane patience . after many and dreadful torments , and long execution , the following fits as to pain are more gentle , as a pledge of the discharge which approaching death is about to give , ( nature being partly oppress'd by the burden of the peccant matter , and partly by old age , is no more able to expel it constantly and forceably to the extremities of the body , ) but instead of the accustom'd pain , a certain sickness with a pain of the belly , spontaneous weariness , and sometime a propension to a diarrhaea supervene . these symptoms ease the pain of the limbs when they are violent , and likewise vanish when the pain is in the joints ; and sometimes the pain ▪ and sometimes the sickness afflicting alternatively , prolong the fits much . for 't is to be noted , that when any one has had the gout many years , the pain is by degrees lessen'd every fit ▪ and at length he dies more of the sickness than the pain : for the pain which is in these fits ▪ though 't is longer , yet is it not the tenth of that which he us'd to suffer when his strength was more intire . but this severity of the disease is compensated most commonly by the longer space betwixt the fits , and by the good health he in the mean while enjoys . for in this disease , pain is nature's most bitter medicine ; and the more violent it is , the sooner will the fit pass over , and the longer will be the intermission and more perfect , and so on the contrary . nor does the pain , the lameness , and the obstructed motion of the affected parts , the sickness and other symptoms describ'd , compleat the tragedy of this disease : for it breeds the stone of the kidnies in very many , either because the sick lies long upon his back , or because the organs of secretion have ceas'd to perform their due functions , or for that the stone is made of a part of the same kind of matter , but which is the cause i shall not determine ; whatever is the origine of this disease , the sick has sometimes many sad contemplations , to know whether the stone or the gout is most severe ; and sometimes the stone hindering the passage of the water into the bladder through the urinary passages kills him , not waiting any longer upon the slow gouty execution . nor is it enough that the sick is tormented in such a miserable manner , as that he can't help himself , but wants the help of others , but this is also added to the heap of his sorrows ▪ viz. that during the fit , his mind is as it were affected with the contagion , and so far suffers with the body , that 't is difficult to say which of them is most afflicted , for every fit may as properly be call'd a fit of anger , as of the gout , for the mind and reason are so extreamly enervated by the infirm body , that they are disorder'd by the least motion of the affections , so that he 's as troublesom to others , as to himself : moreover he is as obnoxious to the rest of the passions , viz. to fear , care , and others of the same kind , by which he 's also vex'd , till the disease going off , the mind also has recover'd its former tranquillity . at length the sick ( that i may dispatch the catastrophe of this dreadful disease , ) his bowels being so hurt by hatching and embracing the peccant matter , that the organs of secretion can no longer perform their office , upon which account the blood stuff'd with faeculencies stagnates , and the peccant matter is not as heretofore cast upon the extream parts of the body ; at length i say the thrice miserable wretch is so happy as to dye . but ( which may be a comfort to me and others that are afflicted with this disease , though we are but moderately furnish'd with mony and the graces of the mind , ) so liv'd and so died great kings and potentates , generals of armies , and admirals of fleets , philosophers , and many such as these . in a word , this disease of the joints ( which can scarce be said of any other , ) kills more rich than poor , more wise men than fools , nature shewing as it were with the finger how just the parent and disposer of all things is , and how little he sides with parties ; for those that want something , are wont to be abundantly replenish'd with an other kind of good , and he allayes profuse munificence , by mixing an equal share of miseries with it ; so that 't is every where inviolably decreed , that no man shall be perfectly happy , or compleatly miserable , but that all shall partake of both lots , which mixture of good and ill , so proper to our frailty and mortality , is perhaps very fit for us . women are very seldom troubl'd with the gout , and if they are , not till they are old or of a masculine habit of body : thin women who in their youth or middle age are troubled with symptoms resembling the gout , receive them from hysterical diseases , or a rheumatism which they were afflicted with heretofore , the fomes whereof was not well carried off . nor have i hitherto observ'd that boys or youths are vext with the true and genuine gout , yet some that i have known , have perceived some small touches of it , before they have arriv'd to that age , viz. when their fathers had this disease when they begat them . and here ends the history of the disease . having very much contemplated the various phaenomena of this disease , i suppose it arises from the concoction weaken'd , both in the parts , and in all the juices of the body ; for in those who are subject to this disease , they being either worn out by age , or having by intemperance hastened old age , the animal spirits are decay'd throughout the whole body , being consum'd by the immoderate exercise of the brisk functions in the heat of youth , for instance , by too early , or too much use of venery , by mad and extravagant labours , whereby they unweariedly serve their pleasures ; to which is to be added a sudden intermission or cessation from the exercises of the body , to which they have been heretofore accustomed , either by reason of years or laziness , ( by the use whereof the blood was wont to be render'd more vigorous , and the tone of the parts more firm , ) upon which account the body becomes now wither'd , and the concoctions are no more rightly perform'd ; but on the contrary the dross of the juices of the body which were discharg'd before by the help of such exercises , are from henceforth laid up in the vessels , as a stock for the disease . and sometimes hard study or meditation concerning some serious and lasting matter , has increas'd the disease , whereby the fine and volatile spirits are too much diverted from their business of concoction , which they ought to perform . moreover they that are subject to this disease , are not only most commonly greedy of meats in general , but chiefly of those that are hardest to digest , whereof when they eat as much as they were wont to do when they exercised themselves , they are unable to digest them . nor does the said voracity or full feeding , so frequently ( though it does often ) occasion the gout , as the immoderate and mad drinking of wine , whereby the ferments appointed for various concoctions are wholly destroy'd , and the concoctions themselves , and the natural spirits are vanquish'd and dispers'd by the great quantity of adventitious vapours . but when at one and the same time , the vigour of the spirits that are the instruments of concoction are lessen'd , and moreover a great haep of humours oppresses the blood , 't is impossible that all the concoctions should be duly perform'd , when all the viscera are so overwhelm'd , upon which account the spirits long ago weaken'd , are now suffocated . for if this were occasion'd only by a weakness of the spirits , women and children , and those which long sickness has wasted , would likewise be invaded by it ; whereas for the most part it seizes the strongest , and those that have the most robust principles of nature : yet it does not seize them , 'till humours are heapt up , by reason of the defect and declination of the natural spirits , by which join'd together the vitiated concoctions are perverted . moreover as every one of the causes we have mention'd , promote indigestion , so most of them occasion a looseness of the habit and muscules of the body , by which means a passage is open'd for the receiving crude and indigested humours , as often as they are protruded to the outward parts , and when lying long in the blood , they increase in bulk and contract an ill disposition , and at length acquire a putrifying heat , and can no longer be govern'd by nature , they break forth into a species , and fall upon the joints , and by heat and sharpness occasion most exquisite pains in the ligaments and membranes covering the bones , which being either weaken'd and loosen'd by age , or by luxury , or intemperance , make room for them , when they make an attempt ; but this falling of the humours that generate the gout , which constitutes the fit , happens sooner or later , as occasion is offer'd for putting these humours into motion . as to the cure , ( i will first mention those things that are to be omitted , ) though if we respect the humours and the indigestion whereby they are occasion'd , it may seem at first , that the curative indications are chiefly to be directed for the evacution of the humours already made , and for corroborating the concoctions ; so that the heaping up of other humours may be prevented ▪ forasmuch as these are the more general indications , whereby we should do the business in most other humoral diseases ; but in the gout there 's a kind of prerogative in nature , for exterminating the peccant matter after its own way , by putting it off upon the joints , and by discussing it by insensible transpiration . about three ways are propos'd , whereby we may eject the containing cause of the gout , viz ▪ bleeding , purging and sweating , and yet neither of these methods will ever perform the business . first , though bleeding may seem both to evacuate those humours that are just ready for a descent , and also those that have already besieged the joints , yet it plainly opposes that indication , which the antecedent cause , that is , indigestion , arising from a depravation and defect of the spirits , ( which bleeding lessens and oppresses more ) requires , and therefore bleeding is not to be us'd , either to prevent the fit which is fear'd , or to mitigate that which is now present , namely , in ▪ those that are old ; for though that blood that is drawn out , is most commonly like that of pleuriticks , and of those that have a rheumatism , yet bleeding does as much hurt to the sick in this disease , as it does good in the two just mention'd ▪ for if blood is extracted in the intermission , though a good while after the fit , there 's danger lest by the agitation of the blood and humours , a new fit should be occasion'd more lasting than the former , and accompanied with more violent symptoms , the strength and vigour of the blood being blunted thereby , by the help of which the nourishment of the disease should have been diligently and constantly expell'd . and this inconvenience happens as often as bleeding is us'd at the beginning of the fit , and if it be us'd presently after the fit , there 's great danger , lest nature , the blood having not yet recover'd its former strength , weaken'd by the disease , should be so much dejected by this unseasonably us'd , that a dropsie should be occasion'd thereby . but if the sick is yet young , and has been over-heated by hard drinking , blood may be drawn at the beginning of the fit ; but if in the following fits it is continually us'd , the gout is soon confirm'd even in youth , and will more propagate its tyranny in a few years , than otherwise in a great many . and then as to purging , whether upward or downward , this must be noted , that whereas by the inviolable law of nature annex'd to the very essence of this disease , the fomes of it ought to be expell'd always to the joints ; emetick or cathartick remedies will do nothing else , but recal into the blood the peccant matter , which was put off by nature upon the extremities of the body ; upon which account that which ought to be cast upon the joints , rushes perhaps upon some of the viscera , and so the patient's life is in danger , when before 't was not in danger at all . which is often observ'd to be fatal to those who have been accustom'd to purging medicines , that they might prevent the gout , ( or which is worse , ) to lessen the fit : for when nature is put by her usual method , whereby as being best and more secure , she drives the morbifick matter upon the joints , the humours are turn'd inward upon the intestines , and instead of pain in the joints , where there is none at all , or certainly but very little , the poor wretches are almost destroy'd by stomach sickness , gripes and faintings , with a great troop of irregular symptoms . therefore i am fully perswaded , having learnt by continual and repeated experience , that all purging whether by gentle or strong medicines , such as are usually design'd to purge the joints , do much hurt , whether it 's us'd in the fit to lessen the peccant matter , or at the end to dissipate the relicks of the disease , or in a perfect intermission or good health , to hinder the approaching fit. for i have found at my own peril , as well as of others , that catharticks administred at any of these times , have been so far from doing good , that they have hasten'd the mischief they should have prevented . first therefore purging when the fit rages , disturbing nature when she is busied in separating the morbifick matter , and in putting it off upon the joints , sometimes occasions a great confusion of the spirits , so that the fit is not only increas'd thereby , but the patient's life also is not a little hazarded ; and then catharticks us'd at the end of the fit , instead of removing the relicks of the disease , bring on another fit afresh , as bad as the former , and thus the sick being vainly deceiv'd , contrives misery for himself , which he had not felt , if the humours had not been inrag'd again : which inconvenience i have found often , having preposterously crav'd for medical help , to expel as i thought the relicks of the disease . lastly , as to purging to be repeated at certain intervals , and in perfect health , to prevent the fit , though which must be confess'd , there is not so much danger of a new fit , as in the case just mention'd , when the patient was not wholly freed , yet at this time it produces a fit ; and if by chance the patient is not presently seiz'd , yet it does not at all free him from the disease , though he take this or that purge constantly at due distances , for i have known some obnoxious to this disease , who have not purg'd only at spring and autumn , but also monthly and weekly , that they might recover their health , and yet none of these have escaped the gout , for most commonly it handl'd them more cruelly afterwards , and with worse symptoms than if they had taken no physick at all . for though the said purging might take away some part of the containing cause , yet no way conducing to the corroboration of concoction ( so far from that is it , that it debilitates the same , and wounds nature afresh , ) it opposes only one cause , and so is wholly unable to cure the disease . but this must be noted moreover , that from the same defect of the spirits , whereby the concoctions are vitiated , in those who are wont to have the gout , the frame of the same animal spirits is render'd less firm and vigorous , so that 't is presently disturb'd by any cause , whereby the mind or body is somewhat violently mov'd , and so very fleeting and shatter'd is it , as it happens to those that are subject to hysterick and hypochondriacal diseases . from which inclination of the spirits to be disturb'd , it comes to pass that the gout most commonly follows the least evacuation . the tone of the body being dissolv'd , which the firmness of the spirits whilst they continue vigorous , keeps compact and brisk , the peccant matter moves without resistance ; and by this injury to the body a fit is presently occasion'd . but how pernicious soever this method is , yet some empericks are much esteem'd for it , by cunningly concealing the purging medicine they use ; for it must be observ'd , that during the purging , the patient has little or no pain at all ; and if purging could be continu'd many days , and no new fit supervene , the sick would presently recover of that he has now upon him ; but truly he will be dreadfully punish'd afterwards by the confusion into which the said agitation of the humours has precipitated nature . lastly , the evacuation of the peccant matter by sweat , though it does less hurt than the foresaid evacuations , yet it plainly appears to be injurious , for though it don't draw back the fomes of the disease into the bowels , but on the contrary , drives it to the habit of the body ; yet for these reasons it does hurt . first indeed because when the fit is off , it forces the humours as yet crude and not prepar'd for separation , upon the limbs , by which means it brings the fit before its time , and contrary to nature's consent ; and then because the forcing of sweat in the fit , does cast the morbifick matter too violently upon the affected member , and occasions at the same time an intollerable pain ; and if the quantity of the peccant matter is greater than can be contained in the affected part , it forces it presently upon other members , and upon which account there is a great ebullition and fury of the blood and other humours ; and if the body abounds very much with serous matter , fit to generate the gout , there 's danger lest an apoplexy should be occasion'd . wherefore in this disease as well as in all other , wherein sweat is provok'd by art , to cast forth the morbifick matter , and does not come naturally , 't is very dangerous to force them out too violently , and beyond that degree of concoction whereunto the humours to be evacuated have come of their own accord . and that excellent aphorism of hippocrates , that things concocted , not crude , are to be medicated , is of as much use in provoking sweat , as in purging the belly , which is very apparent in that sweat that uses to come at the latter end of agues , which if it is moderate and agreeable to the concocted quantity of febrile matter of the preceding fit , much relieves the sick ; but if it 's forc'd beyond nature's bounds , by keeping the sick continually a-bed , a continual fever is occasion'd , and instead of extinguishing the former fire , a new one is kindled . in like manner in the gout , that gentle breathing sweat which most commonly comes in the morning of its own accord after each of the small fits , whereof as i have said the great fit consists , mitigates both the pain and restlessness , wherewith the sick has conflicted all the night . but on the contrary , when at any time this gentle breathing sweat that naturally soon goes off , is provoked longer and more violently than the proportion of peccant matter requires , the disease is encreas'd thereby . therefore in this disease and in all other i have ever seen , except the plague only , 't is not so much the physicians , as nature's business to force sweat , because we can't know by any means what part of matter is already prepar'd for such a separation , and by consequence what measures we are to take in provoking it . now seeing it plainly appears from what has been said , that 't is not only in vain to endeavour the cure of the gout by evacuating medicines , but that they are also injurious to gouty people , it remains , that we inquire to what other end the curative indications are to be directed . i indeed having accurately weigh'd , and diligently examin'd the foresaid phaenomena , gather from thence that we must have respect to two causes chiefly in the cure of this disease ; the first is the antecedent cause , or the indigestion of the humours arising from a defect of heat and natural spirits ; the other is the containing cause , or the heat and boiling of the humours , when they are putrified and grown sharp by remaining too long in the body , which their delay is occasion'd by the indigestion above mention'd : these causes are so absolutely contrary one to the other , that those remedies that do good for this , are injurious for the other ; upon which account this disease is so very difficultly cur'd . for when we endeavour to remove indigestion by hot medicines , there 's danger lest on the other hand we increase the heat of the humours ; and when on the contrary we would mitigate the hot and acrid humours , either by cooling remedies or diet , we occasion indigestion , the natural heat being weaken'd . but here by the containing cause , i don't only mean that which actually besieging the joints , forms the fit , but that moreover which lurking in the blood , is yet unfit for separation ; for all the morbifick matter is very seldom so clearly ejected , how long and severe soever the fit has been , as that there are no relicks of it in the body , after the paroxism is gone off , and therefore regard must be had to this cause , as well when the fit is off , as when it rages . but forasmuch as the ejection of the containing matter is wholly nature's business , it must be done by her method alone , for nothing can be in the mean time attempted to asswage the hot and acrid humours , without injury to the digestions , only the sick must forbear hot medicines and diet whereby the humours are inflam'd ; so that certainly the greatest and chiefest intention of curing , consists in helping concoction , by removing indigestions , of which i will now treat , yet so as that in the series of my discourse , i may touch upon those remedies occasionally , which conduce to the asswaging of the heat , and sharpness of the humours . therefore whatever helps nature in duly performing her offices , either by strengthening the stomach , that it may concoct the nourishment well , or the blood , that it may duly assimilate the chyle brought into it , or by strengthening the solid parts that they may the better convert the juices design'd for their nourishment and increase , into their proper substance . lastly , whatever preserves the organs of excretion , and the emunctories of the body , in that state whereby the faeculencies of each part may in due time and order be carried off , these and all things of this kind conduce to the fulfilling this intention , and are properly call'd digestives , whether they are medicines , or a rule for diet or exercise , or any other of those things which are call'd the six non-naturals . these kind of medicines in general , are those which moderately heat , and are either bitter , or gently bite the tongue , for they are very agreeble to the stomach , they purifie the blood , and comfort the other parts . for instance , they are such as these roots of angelica , elecampane , the leaves of wormwood , the lesser centaury , germander , groundpine , &c. also those that are vulgarly call'd anti-scorbuticks may be added , as the roots of horse-radish , the leaves of garden scurvy-grass , water-cresses , and the like . but yet these acrid and pungent herbs , how pleasing soever they are to the stomach , and how much soever they help concoction , are to be us'd more sparingly than others that corroborate the stomach by their gentle heat and bitterness , and render the mass of blood more brisk and lively , for they stir up the fomes of the disease that has been long form'd , and increase the heat . some species of them neatly mix'd , are better in my opinion to concoct the humours , than any one simple of their tribe . for though when we have need of the specifick vertue of any medicine , that rule holds good , the simpler 't is , the better 't is ; but when we design to cure the sick by satisfying this or that indication , every ingredient contributes somewhat for the cure of the disease ; and in this case the greater the number of simples is , the more powerfully does the medicine work ; therefore various forms of medicines tending to this end , may be neatly fram'd of the foresaid , and of the rest of the materia medica of this sort . i prefer an electuary before the rest made like venice-treacle , as the most excellent , for that a mutual fermentation of the simples , increases the vertue of them all , as if it produc'd some third thing , which in the things so join'd , has greater vertue than any one of them in the same quantity . but i willingly leave the choice of such ingredients , and the forms wherein they are to be given , to the prudent physician ; for i never thought it my business to write receipts as they call them , but rather to note the indications , according to which the methods of cure are to be directed ; and this being not well minded , is the cause why empericks boast that they are the chief of the medical art . but for the benefit of beginners , i will set down the remedy i am wont to use , which is compounded after this manner . take of the roots of angelica , of the sweet smelling flag , of masterwort , elecampane , of the leaves of common wormwood , of the lesser centaury , of white whore-hound , of germander , of ground-pine , of scordium , of common calaminth , of feverfew , of field saxifrage , st. john's-wort , golden-rod , thime , mint , sage , rue , carduus b. penny-royal , sothernwood , of the flower of chamomel , tansie , lilly of the vallies , english saffron , of the seeds of treacle mustard , garden scurvy-grass , carraway , juniper-berries , each a sufficient quantity ; let the herbs and flowers and roots be gather'd when they have most vertue in them ; let them be dry'd , and kept in paper bags till they may be finely powder'd ; to six ounces of each well mixt , add a sufficient quantity of purified hony and canary wine , to make an electuary ; take ʒij morning and evening . or for want of this , use the following . take of the conserve of garden scurvy-grass ℥ iss , of roman wormwood , and of the yellow rind of oranges , each ℥ i , of candied angelica , of nutmegs candied , each ℥ ss , of venice treacle , ʒiij , of compound powder of wake robin ʒij , make an electuary , with a sufficient quantity of syrup of oranges ; let him take ʒij twice a day , drinking upon it five or six spoonfuls of the following water . take of the roots of horse-radish slic'd ℥ iij , of garden scurvy-grass , m. xij , of water cresses and brook-lime , of sage and mint , each m. iiij , the peel of six oranges , two nutmegs bruis'd , of brunswick mum lb xij , distil them in a common still , and draw only six pints of water for use . among the medicines commonly known , venice treacle is the best to corroborate the concoctions ; but because it contains a great many species that heat too much , and besides , a great deal of opium , the electuary above-mention'd may be more commodiously prepar'd of the chief heating vegetables ; but we must take care to choose such simples as are pleasant to the taste , for the sick must take it a long while , viz. almost as long as he lives , and therefore 't is very requisite that they should be palatable ; among the simples ; the peruvian bark is the best , for it strengthens the blood , and renders it vigorous , if some grains of it are taken morning and evening . and truly as in this disease we now treat of , so in most other chronical diseases , these and such like remedies that strengthen the blood , and render it brisk ( if their heat don't consist of vinous spirits , for reasons to be shewn hereafter , ) do most good , forasmuch as every disease of this kind , if i conjecture right , ought to be referr'd to one and the same cause , viz. the indigestion of the humours . but it can no way be made more apparent and better prov'd , than by setting in view the difference that is betwixt acute and chronical diseases ; wherefore i hope the reader will not take it amiss , if i do a little digress from the business in hand . as therefore those for the most part are accounted acute diseases , which either soon kill , or are brought to concoction , so those are chronical diseases which either are not concocted at all , or require a long time for their concoction ; and indeed the very nature of the thing , as well as the words by which 't is express'd , plainly signifie as much ; but the cause of this difference which is perceiv'd betwixt these two kinds of diseases , is more obscure , and not easily to be clear'd . i suppose 't will be worth our labour , to spend a little time in the search after it , for the clear and distinct knowledge of these things , contributes much towards the finding out true and agreeable indications for the cure of these diseases . whether the innermost bowels of the earth , if it 's proper to say so , undergo various changes , upon which account the air is infected by vapours exhaling from thence , which seems very probable to me , or whether the whole atmosphaere is infected by an alteration occasion'd by a certain conjunction of heavenly bodies : 't is most certain , that for this space of time , the air is stuff'd with particles which are injurious to the oeconomy of the human body ; and that at another time 't is impregnated with such particles , as are enemies to the bodies of some species of beasts . when at these times we breath into the naked blood , the noxious venom that 's an enemy to nature , and fall into those epidemical diseases which that is apt to produce , nature produces a fever , its usual engine to free the blood from any disagreeable matter that lodges within ; and such diseases are commonly reckon'd epidemical , and are therefore acute and short , because they have so quick and violent a motion . but besides these diseases occasion'd by an external cause , there are others as acute , proceeding from this or that peculiar inflammation of the blood , which don't depend on any general cause from the air , but on a particular irregularity or intemperies of particular bodies , which kind of fevers i call intercurrent and sporadick , which happen almost in all years . but chronical diseases have quite another genius , for though an unhealthy air of this or that kind may conduce much to the generating these diseases , yet they don 't so immediately take their rise from the air , but most commonly to the indigestion of the humours , the common parent of them all . for when any one has the principles of his nature weaken'd and worn out , either by old age , or by great and continual errors in the six non-naturals , especially in meat and drink ; or if the secretory organs have been so debilitated , that they are wholly unable to purifie the blood , and to carry off its superfluities : in these cases a greater stock of humours being heap'd up than a man's strength is able to digest , the said humours by long continuance undergo various fermentations and putrefactions , and at length break out in specie , and occasion various kinds of diseases , according to the variety of depravation ; and as these deprav'd juices have a various disposition , so they variously fall upon this or that part which is fittest to receive them , and at length by degrees they shew their long train of symptoms , which are wont to arise partly from the nature of such juices , and partly from the confusion brought upon those parts , which two join'd together , constitute the irregularity of nature , which is mark'd with the name of some disease . now 't will plainly appear , that such an impotency of nature for the concocting the humours , is the chief cause of chronical diseases , if we consider that old men whose concoctions are weaken'd , and the spirits the instruments of them wasted by the repeated functions of a long life , are more subject to these diseases than younger people , whose flame of life being more kindled , scatters those feculencies heap'd up , and whose secretory organs are constantly assisted by the natural heat , that they may not be deficient in purifying the mass of blood , unless they are oppressed , and as it were suffocated by too great a quantity of humours . moreover that such an indigestion of the humours , is the cause of most chronical diseases , is manifest from hence , viz. because winter is much more apt to breed such diseases than summer ; though some of them don't actually break out till the latter end of winter , yet the stock of humours on which they depend , increasing all the winter , is inlarg'd by that cold and raw season , weakening nature , so that she is not so able to preserve the oeconomy of the body . upon which account it happens , that they who are very well in summer , seldom escape those diseases in winter whereunto they are most inclin'd . for instance , the gout or asthma , and a cough , and the like . and from hence we may learn the reason why travelling into more southerly regions does so effectually vanquish those diseases , the cure whereof is vainly attempted in colder climates . the truth of what i have said already concerning the general cause of chronical diseases , will moreover manifest it self by that great and incredible relief which those that are afflicted with most chronical diseases , especially with a phthisis , receive by riding on horse-back , which kind of exercise invigorates and strengthens all the digestions , the natural heat being reviv'd by the continual shaking of the body , and the organs destin'd for secretion , assisted in duly performing their office of purifying the blood , so that a renovation of the ruin'd digestions must necessarily follow , and by consequence , the best constitution of body . wherefore 't is manifest enough by the reasons already alledg'd , that not only in the gout , but also in other chronical diseases , where no manifest symptom contraindicates ; such kind of hot herbs are sometimes very beneficial , for they procure the heat of summer , in the middle of winter ; tho' if we accustom our selves to the use of them in summer-time , they will the better prevent those diseases , which the contrary season is wont to occasion : and truly if they are deferr'd till winter approaches , at which time a great deal of matter is heapt up , 't is to be fear'd , we may fly too late to this refuge . but tho' ( as i have discours'd largely above ) the gout by a peculiar disposition , is made worse by catharticks ; yet in most other chronical diseases , bleeding repeated as often as there is occasion , and purging is to be order'd , before these digestive and corroborating medicines are to be us'd ; but when the patient has once enter'd upon the use of these , he must persevere , without purging betwixt whiles ; for this must be constantly maintain'd , that as often as the cure of any disease is assay'd by corroborating remedies , all evacuations are wholly injurious . lastly , i don't affirm that these digestive medicines now mention'd , are better than all others ; but this i say , that he that can find out the best remedy to answer this intention , will do much more in curing chronical diseases , than he wou'd imagine he was able to do . but this must be first taken notice of , and chiefly observ'd above all the things i am about to mention concerning the cure of the gout , namely , that all digestive remedies whatsoever , whether courses of physick , or diet , or exercise , are not to be taken up by the by , but must be us'd constantly and daily with the greatest diligence ; for whereas in this disease , as also in most other chronical diseases , the cause of it has pass'd into an habit , and is become as it were a new nature : no man in his right senses , can think that some small and short alteration , superinduc'd upon the blood and humours , by any sort of remedy or diet , can perfect the cure ; for the whole habit of the body must be chang'd , and the whole man must be as it were new fram'd ; for 't is not so here , as in some accute disease , where he that even now was strong , and perfectly well , is suddenly seiz'd with a fever , and precipitated from the best state of health , into the most dangerous disease . no , the case of the gout is quite different , where he that for many years together , by immoderately indulging himself in surfeiting and drunkenness , and neglecting his wonted exercises , is worn out by sloth and negligence , or by hard study , or continual and intense thinking , or by some other errors of life ; as if he had designedly perverted the various ferments of the body , and oppress'd the animal spirits , ( which are the chief instruments of digestion ) by which means the preternatural humours that were heapt up , break out at length , when they are arriv'd to the highest degree , and confound all , the flesh being soften'd , and the joynts weaken'd , so that they readily receive the humours falling upon them . and so at length another nature is as it were , superinduc'd by degrees , the pristine and natural oeconomy of the body being wholly subverted , and destroy'd : and those fits about which unwary and unthinking men are so busied , are indeed nothing else but the series and order of symptoms , depending on that method which nature is wont to use in driving out the matter that occasions the disease ; wherefore he labours in vain , that endeavours to drive away this disease , by this or that medicine or regimen now and then us'd . for this habit being chiefly founded , and consisting both in the weakness of all the digestions , and in the want of the natural strength of the particular parts , we must provide against both these ills , and the strength of concoction , as well as the soundness of the parts , must be reduc ▪ d and restor'd by degrees to the former state and accustom'd oeconomy of the body , tho' to do this fully and perfectly , may not seem possible , not only because any habit is difficultly chang'd into the quite contrary , but also because old age which most commonly accompanies this disease ▪ violently opposes ; yet the cure is to be endeavour'd as much as the strength and years will permit : and the nearer or farther from this mark the patient is , he will more or less avoid the tyranny of the gout . and 't is moreover to be noted , that digestive remedies , either medicinal or dietetic , are chiefly to be us'd in the intervals of the fits , and as long as may be before the next fit ; for by reason of old age , much time is requir'd , and a constant use of remedies , before the corroboration of all the concoctions and the restauration of the enfeebl'd ferments of the body , and such a soundness as is requisite for the blood and viscera can be obtain'd . but tho these remedies and other things of the same kind , may do good , yet this intention of corroborating , can't be answer'd by these things alone , but respect must be also had to those things which don 't properly belong to physick . and he will be most certainly deceiv'd that thinks he can perform the cure of this , or some other chronical disease , by medicines alone . first therefore , a mediocrity is to be observ'd in meat and drink , so that neither more nourishment be taken in , than the stomach can concoct , lest the disease shou'd be heigthen'd by it ; nor on the contrary must the parts , by too much abstinence , be defrauded of that proportion , whereby their strength and vigor ought to be sustain'd , for by so doing , they will be more weaken'd , for either is alike injurious , as i have often found in my self and others ▪ : moreover , as to the quality of the meat , tho' things of easie digestion consider'd by themselves , are to be prefer'd before things of hard digestion ; yet regard must be had to the patients palate : for we must take notice , that that which the stomach earnestly craves for , tho' of difficult digestion , is sooner conquer'd by nature , than that which is accounted to be of easier digestion , if it be offensive to the stomach ; but those things that are reckon'd of hard digestion , are therefore to be eaten more sparingly ; and i suppose the patient ought to feed upon one sort of meat at a meal ▪ for various sorts of flesh eaten at once , disturb the stomach , more than one sort eaten in the same quantity . as to other things beside flesh , let him eat at pleasure , if they are not sharp , nor salted , nor spic'd ; which tho' they don't hurt concoction , yet are they injurious , for that they exagitate the fomes of the disease . as to the times of eating , a dinner is only necessary ; for the bed being most proper to digest the humours , that time ought not to be wasted about concocting the meat ; therefore they that are subject to the gout , shou'd not eat suppers , yet they may allow themselves a large draught of small beer , for such are also most commonly inclinable to breed the stone in the kidnies , the concretion whereof , is much hinder'd by such a kind of liquor , drank at this time ▪ the reins being cool'd and cleans'd thereby . the drinking of milk , or a milk diet , either crude or boyl'd , without any thing else , except perhaps a piece of bread with it once a day , has been much us'd these twenty years , and it has done more good to many , than any other sort of remedy for this disease , as long as they kept to it : but as soon as they return'd to common diet , tho' of easie digestion , the gout return'd more violently than before , and held them longer ; for the principles of nature being weaken'd by this method , the sick was render'd less capable to repell the disease , upon which account 't was more dangerous and lasted longer . therefore he that intends to betake himself to this method , ought first to consider seriously whether he can persist in the use of it all his life long , which perhaps is not in his power , how resolv'd so ever he may be . for i knew a noble man , who after he had been dieted with milk only , a whole year with pleasure , ( all which time , he went to stool daily once or oftner ) was forc'd to leave it off , by reason he was suddenly bound in body , and the temper of his body alter'd , and because his stomach at length nauseated milk , tho' the inclination of his mind still continued . but some hypochondriacal people of a gross habit of body , or who otherwise have accustom'd themselves much and a long while to spirituous liquor , can by no means bear a milk diet. moreover , that very short and fading benefit that they receive by this diet , to whom milk is agreeable , proceeds hence , viz. not only for that this diet is most simple , ( for i don't doubt but that barly-broath , if the stomach will bear it , may do as well ) but also because it renders the blood more mild and sweet by quelling the acrid particles in it ; and moreover , which i suppose is most considerable , milk being a sort of aliment very unfit for grown people , suppresses that turgescency of the humours , which occasions the gout ; and for that reason those few with whom a milk diet agrees , are so long free from the gout as they feed upon it , and no longer ; for by being wholly contrary to the original cause of the gout , viz. the weakness of the ferments and concoctions , 't is much more injurious than beneficial . and because this has not been sufficiently regarded , some unwary people have fell into great and fatal errors ; for by endeavouring to oppose the containing cause , viz. the heat and sharpness of the humours , they have destroy'd the concoctions and all the natural functions . as to liquors , those in my opinion are best , that are neither as strong as wine , nor as weak as water , of which sort is our london small-beer , with or without hops ; for extreames on either hand are hurtful . first as to wine , tho' the proverb says , drink wine and have the gout , and drink no wine and have the gout : yet 't is without controvesie , and confirm'd by various experiments of gouty people , that wine de facto is injurious . for tho' it may be suppos'd to do good by helping the concoctions , the disorders whereof , i have long accounted the antecedent cause of the gout ; yet with respect to the containing cause , it mst be reckon'd wholly injurious , for that it fires and exagitates the humours , the fomes of the disease , already prepar'd to give battel : yet i don't grant that wine us'd for ordinary drink , does promote concoction , but rather spoyls it , unless in those that have been accustom'd to wine a long while ; for tho' as it passes by it imparts some heat , yet it certainly injures the ferments of the body , and destroys the natural spirits ; and for this reason i suppose , great drinkers dye of the gout , dropsie , palsie and other cold diseases . moreover , a continual and immoderate swilling of wine , renders the body soft like womens bodies , whereas temperate liquors strengthen and confirm the tone of all the parts ; for which reason , they that have always us'd small liquors , seldom know what the gout means . 't is moreover to be noted , that those men are most inclinable to this disease , who tho' their natural concoction is lessen'd , are nourish'd more than enough by reason of a certain luxury of the blood , and they grow bulky by some indigested matter , instead of good substance and well compacted . and drinking of wine does more increase this luxury of the blood ; and moreover , heaps up a new stock of matter , and actually occasions the disease , by firing as it were the fomes of it , which has been laid up a long while . and besides , the blood of gouty people , being very like that which is taken from those that have a pleurisie , or some other inflamatory disease ; 't would be a mad thing to inrage it more with spirituous liquors . nor on the contrary , are liquors too much cooling to be us'd ; for these by quite spoyling the concoctions , and by extinguishing the natural heat , occasion the greater mischief ; not pain as wine does , but death it self : as experience teaches in those who freely indulging themselves in drinking wine , till they are old , and betaking themselves suddenly to drink water or small liquors , have soon destroy'd themselves . therefore those that are subject to the gout , must take care that they use those liquors , that can neither cause drunkenness when they are taken in a large quantity , nor yet injure the stomach by chilling it ; of this kind as i said , is our small-beer , and a proper liquor may be made in other countries , by mixing a little water with a great deal of wine . i count water by it self , crude and injurious , and i have found it so to my hurt . but water may be safely drunk by young people , wherewith at this day , the greatest part of mankind quenches thirst , being more happy with their poverty , than we with plenty and luxury . to confirm which , i produce that great train of diseases , whereby our bodies on this accout are tortur'd , viz. the gout , stone , apoplexy , palsie and the like ; and that violence upon the mind , whereby 't is driven contrary to its native rectitude , while the adventitious spirits of such liquors , complicated with the animal spirits , serving for the forming thoughts , disturb the mind , by volatilising it too much , suggesting vain and frivolous fancies , instead of things that are solid and of some moment ; and so makes us jesters and merry fellows , instead of wise men , between which , the difference is almost the same , as betwixt a substance and a shadow : but enough of this . but now , tho' it may be sufficient for him that has the gout but a little , and at some times only , to use small-beer and diluted wine , the degree of his disease not requiring a more sever usage ; yet when the whole substance of the body is as it were , degenerated into the gout , he will be less able to conquer the disease , who does not wholly abstain from any sort of fermented liquors , tho' small and mild ; for all these contain a pungent spirit , and some degree of sharpness , and what is worse , as they have a ferment in them , ( even as yeast put into liquors , imparts a fermentative vertue to the whole mass ) so they incline the humours to a perpetual fermentation . therefore a dietetick drink must be prescrib'd of the ingredients commonly known and appointed for this use , for ordinary drink , if it be not too strong , for if so , the humours will be almost as much inrag'd as by wine : and on the contrary , it must not be so small , as to injure the natural functions , by over-cooling them . this sort of drink if it be made of such ingredients as are least displeasing to the sick , tho' the constant taking them , may cause some loathing for a week or too , will afterwards be as pleasing and as acceptable , as any other liquors to which he has been most accustom'd . and by this kind of liquor , the appetite will be increas'd , and become more natural than it us'd to be with fermented liquors . and moreover , there will be this advantage , that he that uses this dietetick liquor for his ordinary drink , may the freer indulge himself in other diet , than when he drank beer or wine , for the errors in diet ( all which 't is almost impossible for a man to avoid ) will by this means , be somewhat corrected and amended . but which is the chiefest of all , the sick may prevent the stone by this means , which is usually the constant companion of the gout ; for all sharp and attenuating liquors , occasion a fit of the stone , as well as generate it . the following liquor being of a pleasant taste and colour , pleases me best . take of sarsaparilla ℥ vi , of sassaphras , china , and the shavings of harts-horn , each ℥ ij , of liquorish ℥ i ; boyl them in two gallons of fountain water for half an hour , afterwards let them stand cover'd upon hot ashes hours , afterterwards boyl it to the consumption of a third part ; as soon as 't is taken from the fire , infuse half an ounce of anniseeds , after hours strain it , and let it stand till it 's clear ; keep the clear liquor in glass bottles well stopt for use . this liquor is most conveniently us'd at first , when the patient recovers of the fit , and he must persevere in the use of it all the rest of his life as well when he has the fits , as at other times . at the same time the foresaid electuary must be us'd daily , as well in the fits , as when they are off ; the heat of this will somewhat allay the waterishness of the dietetick drink , affording a due degree of heat to the blood and bowels , without that agitation which us'd to be occasion'd by the heat of fermented liquors . if any one shou'd object that that life is scarce vital , wherein a total abstinence from wine and other fermented liquors is observ'd : i answer , it must be consider'd whether it be not much more miserable and less tolerable , to be rack'd and dreadfully tortur'd by the gout , grown strong by continuance , ( for when the disease is gentle , this is not requisite ) than to be confin'd to this liquor ; the use of which being continued , he may indulge himself in almost all sorts of food : not to repeat now that this drink ( as all other things ) grows pleasant by custom . certainly he that has felt this disease , if he be a man , will not long dispute which is best . yet notwithstanding , if the sick by reason of a long and too great use of intoxicating liquors , or by reason of old age or weakness , can't concoct his meat without wine or some other fermented liquor , he can't leave it off suddenly without great danger , the doing whereof has been fatal to many . therefore in my opinion , he shou'd not use the dietetick apozem above describ'd ; but if he be resolv'd to use it , let him be accustom'd to it leisurely , ( drinking a draught of wine at meals for some time ) more like a remedy than a diet , till the decoction becomes more familiar : but spanish wine is to be preferr'd in this case before french or rhe●●sh wine , the two last being apt to inrage the humours , and to increase the fomes of the disease , tho' they are very grateful to the stomach . moreover , they are almost as crude , and scarce more concocted than our syder , and besides they are not so cordial and hot , as the case requires . and so much may suffice for the meat and drink of gouty people . there 's another thing which tho' it may seem small , yet is it of great moment , as well for digesting the fomes of the disease , when the fit is violent , as for hindering the generation of the matter , when the fit is off ; namely , that the sick , especially in winter , go to bed early ; for besides , bleeding and purging , nothing does so much destroy the strength of nature , as watching a nights , which every sickly person can affirm by experience , if he considers how much brisker and more chearful he rises ▪ when he goes to bed early , and how languid and faint he is when has sat up late ; and tho' it may seem as well , if he lyes a bed so many hours , whether he goes to bed sooner or later : for instance , whether he goes to bed at nine , and rises at five , or goes to bed at eleven , and rises at seven ; yet 't is not so , and i suppose chiefly for this reason , viz. in the day-time the spirits are dissipated , either by the exercise of the body or mind , which in people that are sickly , are so infirm and weak , that they have need of rest earlier in the evening ; for the approach of night occasioning as it were , a kind of relaxation of the economy of the body , which was kept up in the day-time , by the influence of the sun ; 't is necessary that the heat of the bed shou'd supply the want of the sun , especially in winter . but in the morning , the spirits being refresh'd and invigorated by the rest of the foregoing night , and the warmth of the bed , ( besides , for that the supervening day adds firmness and strength to the tone of the body ) rising early at this time , tho' an hour or two is taken from the morning sleep , nature is not so much injur'd as by evening watchings protracted an hour or two . wherefore i wou'd perswade those that are subject to the gout , to go to bed early ; especially in the winter , and to rise early , tho' sleep somewhat shorter , may intice them to lye longer ; for sleeping in a morning , prevents so much sleep the next night , and so at length , a force being brought upon nature , and its wise institutions despis'd , night is turn'd into day , and day into night . moreover , tranquility of mind , must by all means be obtain'd ; for all perturbations , when they break the bounds , mightly dissolve the frame of the spirits , that are the instruments of digestions ; and so by consequence , much promote the gout . therefore the sick shou'd prudently consider his own mortal condition , and not foolishly imagine that he is freed from those troubles , that necessarily follow it ; for whether he suffers this affliction of mind , either by his own fault , or fault of others , he can never prescribe laws to the world , who has not been always obedient to any one , how potent and wise soever he has been ; nor does ever all things fall out so exactly , according to any ones mind , as he fondly imagines , but suddenly as he is busied in mind about the ordering of things , he becomes the specimen of humane frailty , having unreasonably depriv'd himself of the enjoyment , of the fading fruits of life . the same inconvenience , follows too great an application of mind to study and serious things ▪ for melancholy always accompanying this disease more than any other , those that are subject to it , are wont to tire and overwhelm the animal spirits , by thinking much and long , without the artificial help of books ; and they do so mightly overthink , that the oeconomy of the body , can't any longer preserve it self whole : for which reason in my opinion , this disease seizes ( except my self if you please ) very few fools . but the exercise of the body is more profitable , than all other things that are us'd to hinder the indigestion of the humours , ( which i reckon the chief cause of the gout ) and to corroborate the blood , and to restore strength to the parts : but it must be noted , which i have mention'd above , that as in this disease , more than in any other chronical disease , the habit of the whole body ought to be chang'd , ; the exercise of the body , unless 't is daily , will do no good ; for this kind of exercise intermitted by turns , as it does scarce conduce any thing ▪ to the change of the habit of the body grown languid and esseminate , by sloth and indulgence , so perhaps it may prove injurious , by occasioning the fit when the patient has disus'd it a long while . but this exercise ought not to be violent , but such as is agreeable to old men , which are most usually the subjects of the gout . for too violent a motion of the body does too much dissipate the spirits , and by consequence hurts the concotions , whereas constant and moderate exercise strengthens them . though this may seem hard to a man , who besides old age and sloth , and the unfitness of the body for motion , which is as it were natural in this disease , is moreover punish'd with pain ; and yet if this be omitted , nothing which has been already found out will do any good . and as the intervals of the fits without constant exercise of the body can't be long , so such a one will be more prone to breed the stone , which is more dangerous and more tormenting than the gout . moreover ( which is of great moment ) the stony matter is much increas'd by long rest in the joints of the body , especially of the fingers , so that at length they are wholly deprived of all motion . for how confidently soever some people affirm , that the matter ▪ of these stones is nothing else but the tartar of the blood put off upon the joints , yet 't will easily appear to any one that does a little weigh the thing more seriously , that when a great deal of unconcocted matter causing the gout , flows upon some of the joints , and renders the neighbouring parts tumid a long while , at last it happens that partly by reason the assimulative vertue of these is choak'd , and partly by reason of a suffocating obstruction which this dull humour breeds in them , the said matter is generated , which is turn'd into this kind of substance by the heat and pain of the joints , and is daily increas'd , changing the flesh and skin into its own nature , which now lies naked , and may be pick'd out with a needle , and is like chalk , or crabs eyes , or some such thing . but now this ill may be prevented by daily exercise , by which the humours causing the gout , which are apt to seize on one part , are duly scatter'd through the whole body . so that it come to pass as i have observ'd in my self , that long and daily exercise does not only hinder the generation of this stony matter , but also dissolves the stones when they are hard and old , if they have not prevail'd so far , as to change the outward skin into their own substance . as to the kind of exercise , riding on horseback , when old age or the stone does not hinder , is much to be preferr'd before the rest : and truly i have many times thought with my self ▪ that if any one knew a medicine which he cou'd also conceal , as effectual in this and most other chronical diseases , as constant and daily riding on horse-back , he might easily get a vast estate . if this can't be us'd , riding in a coach does almost as well ; and on this account at least 't is well with gouty people , for their riches which enticed them to luxury ▪ whereby the disease was bred , can provide them a coach , which kind of exercise they may use , when they can't the other . but 't is to be observ'd , that 't is best to use exercise in a good air , viz. in the country , and not in a city , where the air is fill'd with vapours exhaling from the shops of various artificers , and thicken'd by the closeness of the buildings , as 't is here in london , which is generally suppos'd to be the most spacious city in the whole world. but how great the difference is betwixt exercising in the country , and exercise in town , any one that has the gout will soon find . as to venery , he that is old and gouty ( being now destitute of a stock of spirits , whereby the concoctions ought to be promoted , and by consequence his joints and the neighbouring parts to them are but too much weaken'd and loosen'd without this adventitious destruction , ) is equally as improvident in my opinion , if he indulge himself in these allurements , as he that having undertaken a long journey , should consume all his provisions before he sets out ; for besides the mischief he brings upon himself by not restraining the impotent desires of feeble age , he deprives himself of the great priviledge of injoying that jubile which is reserv'd as the great and special favour of nature for old men only , whereby in the last scene of their lives , they are at length emancipated from the impetuosities of lust , which like a ravenous beast worried them all the time of their youth night and day : for the full satisfaction of these appetites , can no way compensate for that long train of miseries that either accompany or follow it . and so much for the regimen . but though rules of this kind respecting diet and the other regimen , if they are carefully observ'd by those that are subject to the gout , may preserve them from violent fits of it , and may restore that strength to the blood and solid parts ▪ whereby they may be freed from the many miseries , on which account this disease exceeds humane patience , and at length becomes mortal ; yet after some intervals , especially at the latter end of winter , they will be sometimes seiz'd with the gout ▪ for though in the summer-time , when the tone and vigour of the blood is excited and preserv'd in its state by the heat of the sun , and there is likewise a due elimination of the humours through the pores , 't is reasonable to suppose , that the concoctions should proceed much better than in the winter ; yet when winter approaches , the strength of the blood being lessen'd , and the perspiration through the pores hinder'd , there must needs be a great heap of indigested matter , which by its long continuance causes a fit , as soon as occasion is offer'd , either by the humours put into motion by the patients so near approach to the sun , or by drinking of wine , or by violent exercise , or any other evident cause . 't is manifest from what has been said , that he that endeavours to cure this disease , ought to make it his business to change the habit of his whole body , and to restore its old constitution , as much as age and other circumstances will permit , which must be endeavour'd in the spaces betwixt the fits ; not when the fits are on , for when the fomes is not only generated , but now is cast upon the joint , 't is too late to strive to change it , or to cast it out any other way , for 't is to be ejected by no other method than nature shews , wherein alone we must acquiesce ; which is observ'd in the fits of agues , and for which-reason we do nothing till the heat is over : nor is he more absurd , that is anxiously busied about taking off the heat , drouth and restlefness , and other symptoms of these fevers , than he that thinks he has cur'd the gout , when he has only labour'd to restrain the symptoms ; for by this means he has only made the cure of it more difficult ; for the more he eases the pain , the more he obstructs the concoction of the humours , and the more he takes off the lameness , the more he hinders the expulsion of the morbifick matter . moreover the more the fury and the sharpness of the fit is suppress'd , 't will not only last longer , but the space betwixt the fits will also be shorter , and less free from every degree of the symptoms which accompany this disease ; which no one will deny that has well consider'd what i have treated of above concerning the history of this disease . but now though no great matter must be attempted during the fit , only the removing those symptoms , which a false method of cure sometimes occasions , yet seeing all allow that this disease proceeds from an abundance and an exuberancy of humours , it may perhaps be convenient for the patient to abstain from flesh for some days when he 's first seiz'd , and instead of it , to use simple barly broth , or some such kind of food , which sort of thin diet conduces much towards the lessening the morbifick matter , and will give nature an opportunity to digest it sooner . but forasmuch as there 's a vast difference betwixt the body of one person and another , some not bearing abstinence from flesh , but by reason of it are seiz'd with a confusion of the animal spirits , with fainting , and other symptoms which are wont to befal women that are subject to hysterical fits , these people are injur'd if they forbear flesh any longer than their stomachs loath it , which seldom lasts beyond the first or second day of the particular fits , all which join'd together as i mention'd above , make a whole fit ; but whether any one eat flesh sooner or later , great care must be taken , that they eat no more during the fit than is necessary to sustain nature . nor is less care to be taken about the quality of the diet ; for as in the intervals of the fits , so more especially when the fit is present , the sick ought to take the greatest care , that he don't at all err in the quality or quantity of his meat or drink . and moreover , more than ordinary care must be taken in observing every other regimen , as well as this in the intervals ; and though the pain as well as the unfitness for motion , may seem to contraindicate exercise which i have commended above all others things , yet this labour must be undertaken . for though at the beginning of the fit it may seem impossible that the sick should bear to be carried into a coach , and to be sure he 's much less able to bear the motion of it , and yet if he try it , he will soon perceive that he 's less pain'd by such a motion , than when he keeps at home in his chair . and moreover he has this advantage , if he ride some hours in his coach , in the morning , and after dinner , that whereas when he sat at home all day , he lay awak'd the greatest part of the night , now he can sleep away the pain a great part of the night ; for very moderate exercise does so weary a gouty man , that he falls asleep : and besides the same exercise does somewhat prevent the stone , which an easie life most commonly occasions . but what is most considerable , the total impotence of the limbs for motion , is help'd by constant exercise , which happens to many after the first or second fit , the tendons of the hams and heels being contracted ; for when by reason of the tormenting pain they have allow'd themselves to lye still a long time ( being unwilling to extend their legs when the pain has seiz'd their knees , ) at length they are depriv'd of the motion of their legs and feet all the rest of their lives , as well when the fits are off , as when they are on , for they are not freed from them . furthermore in old men , whose concoctions are much vitiated , and who by reason the disease has afflicted them many years , have as it were the very substance of their bodies turn'd to the gout , 't is not to be hop'd that the disease without exercise , can ever be brought to digestion ; for when the disease is too strong for nature , they often dye by fainting and sickness , which the abundance of the furniture for the disease that can't be concocted produces , and they are destroy'd by this matter , that can't be concocted as by poyson . but notwithstanding what has been said of the utility of exercise in the fits of the gout , yet if the sick by reason of the violence of the fit , is as it were overwhelm'd presently by the first assault of it , ( which happens to those for the most part in whom the gout has now come to its height , nor is yet grown gentle by a course of many years , ) in this case if the sick is confin'd to his chamber , 't will also be convenient that he keep his bed for some of the first days , 'till the violence of the pain is abated , for the bed does somewhat supply the want of exercise , for the continual use of it does more powerfully digest the morbifick matter in a few days , than keeping up in many , especially at the beginning of the disease , if the sick can abstain from flesh without fainting or other ill symptoms , and can be contented only with barly broth , small beer , and the like . but we must take notice that if the gout is inveterate , and inclines the sick to fainting , gripes , a looseness , and such kind of symptoms , he will scarce avoid being destroy'd by one of the fits , if he don't use exercise in a free and open air : for a great many gouty people have perish'd by these symptoms , to whom they have been obnoxious by being confin'd to their chambers , and especially to their beds ; whereas had they bore the fategue of riding in a coach the greatest part of the day , they had not died so soon . for though he that is troubled with pain only in one of his limbs , may confine himself to his chamber , yet another that instead of violent pain is afflicted ▪ with sickness , and the other foresaid symptoms , should he do the same , wou'd endanger his life ; and indeed 't is well for the sick when the pain is so violent , that he can't bear motion , for then there 's no great need of it , the very pain which is the bitterest remedy in nature , securing his life . but as to the symptoms of the gout , we must apply our selves to those whereby the life of the patient is indanger'd ; the debility and faintness of the stomach , with gripes of the belly as from wine , is the most frequent of these which befalls those who either have been subject to the gout many years , or those who though they have not been long afflicted with it , have notwithstanding invited this mischief too early , by suddenly changing spirituous liquors for those that are thin and much cooling , or by applying repelling plasters , and other cooling medicines to the parts affected , to asswage the pain ; upon which account the material cause of the disease which ought to have been put off upon the joints , is cast upon the bowels . i have tried many things for the fits of the last years to lessen this symptom ; but nothing did so much good as a small draught of canary wine taken now and then , when the sickness and faintness afflicts the sick : nor is red french wine , nor venice treacle , nor any other cordial thing which i have yet known , so effectual . but we must imagine that neither this wine , nor any other cordial if exercise be not us'd , can wholly preserve the patient . but if any great symptom scarce bearing a truce comes suddenly by reason of the striking in of the gouty matter , and threatens death , we must neither trust to the wine , nor to the exercise above commended ; but in this case , if it does not fall upon the head , but upon the natural or vital parts , we must presently fly to laudanum , namely , give twenty drops of liquid laudanum , mix'd with a small draught of epidemick water , and let the patient compose himself to rest in his bed. but if the matter occasioning the gout produces a diarrhaea , because 't is not yet cast upon the limbs , if it be not the crisis of a particular fit , and if notwithstanding laudanum above commended , and exercise of all sorts , ( for this must be first used for the cure of the diarrhaea , ) the looseness continues , accompanied with sickness and gripes , there 's only one remedy that i know of , viz. to provoke sweat , by a method and medicines design'd for this use , which if it be done two or three days , morning and evening , for two or three hours at a time , it most commonly stops the looseness , and forces the fomes of the disease upon the limbs . i cur'd my self by this method some years ago , after i had imprudently cast my self into this disease by drinking water for my ordinary drink , when i had us'd cardiack and astringent medicines of various sorts in vain . there is another symptom not so frequent , though i have seen it divers times , viz. a translation of the ●eccant matter upon the lobes of the lungs , when a winter cough by reason of cold taken in the time of the fit , has by degrees drawn the matter upon the lungs , the limbs in the mean while being wholly or almost freed from the pain and swelling , by reason of the translation of the morbifick matter upon another region ; in this one case the curative indication is not to be directed to the gout , but this symptom is to be treated as a true peripneumonia , viz. by bleeding repeated , and cooling and thickening remedies and diet ; for the blood drawn in this symptom especially , is exactly like the blood of pleuriticks . moreover the sick must be purged betwixt the bleedings , whereby the filth that 's fallen upon the lungs may be carried off . but sweating how powerful soever 't is in forcing the fomes of the disease upon the limbs , does hurt in this case , by hardening the matter that 's thrust upon the lungs ; upon which account small abscesses are generated , and at length the sick certainly dies . moreover 't is to be noted , that almost all gouty people , when they have conflicted a long while with this disease , are subject to the stone of the kidnies ; and that they are wont to be troubled with nephretick pains , either in the state , but most commonly at the declination of a general fit , which don 't only torture him much , but also weakens him much , whereas he was but too much weaken'd and worn out before . in this case , setting aside all other medicines , let him presently take a gallon of posset-drink , wherein ℥ ij of the roots of marsh mallows has been boyl'd , and let the following clyster be injected . take of the roots of marsh-mallows , and lillies , each ℥ i , of the leaves of mallows , pellitory of the wall , bears breach , and of the flowers of chamomel , each m i , of flax and fennugreek seeds , each ℥ ss , boil them in a s. q. of water to lb iss , dissolve in the straining of brown sugar and syrup of marsh-mallows , each ℥ ij , mingle them , and make a clyster . as soon as he has render'd all the posset-drink by vomiting , and has rejected the clyster , let him take a large dose of liquid laudanum , viz. to xxv drops , or xv grains of mathew's pill . if any one inquires for external remedies to ease the pain of the gout , i have hitherto known none , ( though i have tried many in my self and others , ) excepting things meerly cooling and repelling , the use whereof i have shew'd above is dangerous . and i considently affirm , that the greatest part of those who have perished in the gout , have not so properly been kill'd by the disease , as by an improper use of medicines . but if any one will try the vertue of external remedies , which are certainly accounted anodines , don't let him impose upon himself , by applying them at the declination of a particular fit , at which time the pain is about to cease of it self ; but rather let him use them at the beginning of a fit , and then he will soon perceive how fruitless they are , and how vain his hopes . for indeed these epithems may do hurt sometimes , but they can never do any good . for which reason i have us'd no external remedies many years . the pultis made with white bread and saffron boil'd in milk , adding oyl of roses in small quantity , did heretofore do me more good than other things , and yet this signified nothing at the beginning of the fit. therefore if the pain be very violent , 't will be better for the sick to keep himself a bed , 'till the pain is a little abated , than to use external anodines . but 't will not be amiss to take a little laudanum in the evening , if the pain is intollerable , otherwise 't will be better to omit it . but seeing i am now speaking of external remedies , i must say something of the indian moss , call'd moxa , greatly esteem'd of late for the cure of the gout , if it be burnt a little upon the part affected . though this kind of remedy is said to be receiv'd from the oriental indians , being wholly unknown by the europeans ▪ yet 't will appear to be known among us many ages , to him that shall consult the writings of hippocrates , published above two thousand years ago . he says in his excellent treatise of diseases , that if the pain continues obstiuate in any one part , and can't be expell'd by medicines , in what ever part it is , you must burn it with crude flax. and afterwards speaking of the gout , he says , the same things are good , which are proper in the diseases of the joints ; and indeed this disease is long and grievous , but not deadly . but if the pain remains in the fingers , burn the veins in the fingers , above the joints , with crude flax. now i suppose no one will think that there 's any specifick difference betwixt the flame rais'd by flax , or by this indian moss , no more than he can suppose that a fire kindled with pieces of oak , can do any thing more than the wood of the ash-tree . this burning of the part affected may be useful for mitigating the pain , the most spirituous part of the morbifick matter cast off upon the joints , being drawn out by it ; but the benefit obtain'd by this means , forasmuch as it does not any way cure indigestion , the antecedent cause of the gout must needs be very short and fading , and to be used only when the gout is beginning . for when the gout , as it sometimes happens , is turn'd inward , either by its long continuance , or by an unseasonable and undue use of medicines , and so afflicts the patient rather with sickness , gripes , and a great many other symptoms of this kind than with pain , i suppose no one will think that fire is to be used . chap. v. of the bloody urine from the stone in the kidnies . though it may seem imprudent to publish an observation , whereof i have had only experience in my self , yet i suppose no unprejudic'd person will be angry with me , who have been so much and so long troubled with a bloody urine , occasion'd by the stone in the kidnies , for commiserating those that are afflicted with the same disease , and for discovering those remedies that have eas'd me ; though they are vulgar perhaps , and lightly accounted of . in the year , the gout seiz'd me more violently , and continued longer than ever ; and when on this account i lay'd continually for two months in the summer-time , either in or upon a soft bed ; towards the latter end of the fit i began to feel a dull and heavy pain , especially in my left kidney , and sometimes , though rarely , in my right . and when i recover'd from the gout , yet notwithstanding the pain of the kidnies remain'd , which made me fear the stone , though the pain was not at all acute , but tollerable enough ; for i had not yet had a nephretick fit , which is accompanied with violent pain , stretching it self through the passage of the ureters , and with violent vomiting . but though these signs of the stone in the kidnies did not appear , yet i had good reason to believe , that i had a large stone in the pelvis of the kidnies , which because 't was too large to pass into the passage of the ureters , did not occasion the foresaid symptoms . and many years after i found i was not mistaken ; for when in the winter , , presently after the breaking of a violent frost , i had walk'd much and a long time , i immediately render'd urine mix'd with blood , and so i did as often as i walk'd much , or rode in a coach in pav'd streets , though the horses went gently ; but this did not happen to me , how far so ever i travell'd in the great roads that are not pav'd the urine that i voided then , though it look'd terrible as i render'd it , almost like pure blood , yet soon after 't was limpid and like it self at the top , the blood clodding by it self at the bottom . for the cure of this disease , i bled largely in the arm , and after general purges , i us'd cooling and incrassating medicines of various kinds , and a diet agreeable to these things , and carefully avoided acid and acrid and attenuating liquors . but these and many other things which it would be tedious to mention , doing no good , and fearing to provoke the stone forward , which i suspected was too big to be expell'd by chalybeat waters , at length i left off all hopes of doing any good by them , and chiefly because i had observ'd , that some old men of my acquaintance had hasten'd their end , while they were attempting in vain to cure this disease by such remedies . wherefore i resolv'd to try no more , only by avoiding as much as i cou'd the motion of the body , to prevent this disease . but at length considering how wonderfully some praise the lithontriptick vertue of the seed of the ash-tree , i imagin'd that if the seed of it had so much vertue , 't was very probable that the manna of the ash , shou'd have more ; that as the excellent botanist mr. ray , and many other writers say , not being airy hony or coelestial dew , but rather a liquor sweating out of the leaves , the trunk and branches of ash-trees in calabria ; the truth whereof , was confirm'd to mr. ray , ( when he travel'd italy , ) by a learned physician , who oft-ten gather'd manna from the branches and leaves , when they were exactly cover'd with linen cloaths ▪ see ray's catalogue of english plants . therefore being about to make the experiment , i drank ℥ ijss of manna dissolv'd in lb ij of whey , swallowing now and then a little of the juice of lemons , while i was purging , to quicken this cathartick , which us'd to work slowly , and to render it more pleasing to the stomach . it can scarce be said how much ease i receiv'd about the region of the reins , by the use of this remedy ; for tho' before they did not alwas ake , yet they were affected with a heavy and troublesome pain . and because it succeeded so well with me , i took the same cathartick on a set day once a week , for some months ; and after every purge , i plainly found my self better and could bear the shaking of a coach when it went fast , and was indeed wholly freed from this symptom till the last spring , at the approach whereof , having been miserably afflicted with the gout all the foregoing winter , and by reason of my unfitness for motion , having liv'd without exercise more than i us'd to do , the bloody urine return'd again ; and now i doubted whether i shou'd betake my self again to purging , because of late years , the whole substance of my body being as it were , turn'd into the fomes of the gout , the gentlest purge did most certainly occasion a fit of the gout ; at length i consider'd , that if i gave a paregorick every night after purging , to quiet the tumult the purge had rais'd , i might safely resume my old method of taking manna once a week . therefore in the morning i took ℥ ijss of manna in lb ij of whey , and in the evening xvi of liquid laudanum in small-beer , repeating the manna and laudanum in the said manner , twice a week for three weeks ; afterwards i us'd the manna only once a week , the filth of the humours being so copiously discharg'd by the cathartick , that the gout was not greatly to be fear'd , and my reason telling me , that if the manna was endow'd with any faculty that is dissolving , or any other way lithontriptic , to be sure the vertue and efficacy of the remedy i trusted in , wou'd be somewhat lessen'd by such an astringent medicine as laudanum is ; and therefore i thought it better to omit the hypnotic , seeing i purg'd only once a week . i continued this method some months , always purging of the same day of the week ; nor wou'd i break this custom , upon any account whatever . tho' the pain of the back remitted after the first dose of this remedy as formerly , yet soon after purging repeated , made the gout appear , threatning war sometimes in the limbs , and sometimes in the bowels ; but laudanum strongly repress'd these motions of the disease : and this method succeeding well hitherto , i thought i ought to continue it , both to prevent the return of the bloody urine , and to lessen somewhat the matter that generates the stone , which answer'd according to my desire , this hemorrhage wholly vanishing from the time i first publish'd this treatise , and therefore i quite left off the manna . therefore as to purging , ( if there is a bloody urine , and if manna be only us'd according to the method above deliver'd ) i must retract my opinion which i publish'd concerning the gout , viz. that 't is no way fit that people subject to the gout , shou'd be purg'd either at the beginning , or at the declination , or in the intervals of the fit. for then it did not come into my mind , that the fit occasion'd by the purge , cou'd be restrain'd , by giving an hypnotic at night . yet with respect only to the gout , all evacuations do much hurt , and therefore are not to be admitted , unless the foresaid symptom requires the use of them . i will add these things concerning the regimen and manner of diet , which seems to me , proper for those that are troubl'd with either of these diseases ; for i wou'd by no means pass by any thing that may be of use to those that are afflicted with the same diseases i am . in the morning when i rise , i drink a dish or two of tea , and then ride in my coach till noon ; when i return home , i moderately refresh my self with any sort of meat of easie digestion that i like ; ( for moderation is necessary above all things ) presently after dinner every day , i drink somewhat more than a quarter of a pint of canary wine , to promote the concoction of the meat in my stomach , and to drive the gout from my bowels : when i have dined , i betake my self to my coach again , and when i have leisure , i ride into the country two or three miles for good air. a draught of small-beer , is to me instead of a supper , and i take another draught when i am in bed and about to compose my self to sleep , that by this julap i may cool and dilute the hot and acrid juices lodg'd in the kidnies , whereof the stone is generated . and i prefer at this time , and at dinner-time , small-beer that has hops in it , before that which has none . for tho' that which is not hopt , is smoother and softer , and so fitter to carry off the stone from the kidnies , yet that which is hopt , by reason of the stiptic quality which the hops impart to it , is not so apt to generate sandy and stony matter , as that which is not hopt ; the substance whereof , is more viscous and slimy . i take care to go to bed early , especially in winter , than which nothing is better to render the concoctions perfect , and likewise to preserve that form and order which of right , belongs to nature . whereas on the contrary , night-works lessen all the concoctions of old men that labour with any chronical disease , and dangerously wound their vital principle . and to prevent a bloody urine by reason of the stone , i take great care that as often as i am to ride a long way upon the stones , ( for if i travel never so far in a coach in the common roads , i receive no damage ) to drink a large draught of small-beer before i go into the coach , and also before my return , if i have been abroad a pretty while , whereby i secure my self very well from the bloody urine . but as to the gout , i will add this one thing , of late years by reason of some errors about the six non-naturals , the gouty matter sometimes strikes in , the signs whereof are violent sickness with vomiting , and some pain of the belly , the limbs in the mean while are suddenly free from pain , and more fit for motion than is usual . in this case i drink a gallon of posset-drink , or small beer , and as soon as 't is all rejected by vomiting , i drink a small draught of canary wine , with eighteen drops of liquid laudanum in it to compose me to rest ; and by this means i have divers times rescued my self from imminent death . though perhaps it may seem ridiculous , ( especially for one who 's being well or dead , is scarce of any consequence , ) to make such frequent mention of one's self , yet these things are said , to the intent others may be benefited thereby , whose lives or health are of greater value or moment . lastly , 't is to be noted into what great danger some that are afflicted with the gout and stone cast themselves , by taking unadvisedly manna dissolv'd in purging mineral waters ; for though when 't is taken this way , it works quicker , and is not so nauseous , yet these little conveniencies can't equal an injury occasion'd by the waters on another account . for if the stone in the kidnies is so large , that it can't pass through the passage of the ureters into the bladder , these waters most commonly occasion a fit , which indures to the great hazard of the patient's life , till the stone returns into the pelvis . nor can the sick safely venture upon chalybeat waters , unless he can can certainly know first that the stone is not so large , but that it may either find or make a way through the ureters , which so far as i understand , can be known only certainly this way ; viz. if before he has been seiz'd with a nephritick fit , ( with violent pain in either of the reins , stretching it self through the passages of the ureters with violent vomiting , ) he has found that there is not so properly a large stone in the pelvis , as a heap of small stones , whereof one will now and then fall into the ureter , and so cause a fit , which does not go off 'till the stone is thrust down into the bladder . when the case is so , there 's no more effectual remedy , either to prevent the increase of small stones , or to drive them from the reins , than the drinking freely of chalybeat waters a long while every summer . but because it often happens , that one is seiz'd with a nephritick fit , when these mineral waters are not to be got , or when the season of the year is not favourable for drinking of them . in this case you must proceed in that short method for the stone in the kidnies , mention'd at the latter end of the foregoing chapter . but if the sick is of a sanguine constitution , and not antient , ℥ x of blood must be first taken from the arm of the same side with the affected kidney . but old men worn out by some chronical disease , and old women subject to vapours , ( especially if at the beginning they void a black and sandy urine , ) must not bleed ; but as to other things , they must proceed wholly according to the method now deliver'd . but to return to the stone when 't is large , the business in hand , if the nephritick person was never seiz'd with a fit of the stone , that being too large to fall out of the pelvis , iron waters can't be us'd for reasons above-mention'd , without present danger . nor does the use of mineral waters prove better in gouty people , if they are old , as they are most commonly , and of a weak and phlegmatick habit of body , for in these the strengh of nature is so much lessen'd , that 't is greatly to be fear'd that such a quantity of water may wholly overwhelm it . but whether this is the cause of the injury that falls upon men of such a habit of body or constitution or not , i am sure many whose bodies have been much broken by this disease , have been kill'd by these waters . finis . publish'd by the same author , and sold by henry bonwicke at the red lion in st. paul's church-yard , collections of acute diseases , in five parts : . of the small pox and measles . . of the plague and pestilential fevers . . of continual fevers . . of agues , a pleurify , peripneumonia , quinsey , and the cholera morbus . . and last , of the bloody-flux , miscarriage , of acute diseases of women with child , a rheumatism , bleeding at nose , apoplexy , lethargy , and of several other diseases . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a -e the cure. the hysterick colick . a general treatise of the diseases of maids, bigbellied women, child-bed-women, and widows together with the best methods of preventing or curing the same / by j. pechey ... pechey, john, - . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; 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(eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) a general treatise of the diseases of maids, bigbellied women, child-bed-women, and widows together with the best methods of preventing or curing the same / by j. pechey ... pechey, john, - . [ ], , [ ] p. printed for henry bonwick ..., london : . advertisements: p. 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ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng women -- diseases -- early works to . - tcp assigned for keying and markup - aptara keyed and coded from proquest page images - derek lee sampled and proofread - derek lee text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion a general treatise of the diseases of maids , bigbellied women , child-bed-women , and widows , together with the best methods of preventing or curing the same . by j. pechey of the college of physicians in london . london , printed for henry bonwick , at the red-lyon in st. paul 's church-yard , . the preface woman of all the creatures is the fairest and most beautiful , kind nature having bestow'd on her a delicate and fine habit of body , and design'd her only for an easie life , and to perform the tender offices of love ; whereas , she compos'd man of more robust principles , that he might be able to protect the woman , to delve and manure the earth , and to undergo the other toils of life . but by reason of this curious frame , the fair sex ( as other fine things are ) is subject to many injuries , for besides the common calamities , there are many great and dangerous diseases peculiar to women arising from their constitutions , monthly purgations , pregnancy , labours and lying in . their constitution disposes them to hysteric diseases , which resemble almost all the diseases mankind is subject to , viz. an apoplexy , epilepsie , palpitation of the heart , coughs , violent vomiting , colick , stone in the kidnies , and many other . pains and sometimes swellings in the jaws , shoulder hands , thighs and legs accompany these diseases . nor can the teeth free themselves from this disease : but the most cmomon pain , is the pain of the back . a dejection of mind also accompanies this disease continually . a suppression or immoderate flux of the courses , causes many disorders in the body , so also does their flowing before their due time , or their staying longer than they should , and their complication with other diseases renders the cure difficult . all the time their being with child , which is a nine months sickness , they are inclined to nauseousness , vomiting , to pains of the back , reins , and hips , violent coughs , swellings of the legs and thighs , piles , and many other diseases , and upon some indispositions of the body to miscarriage , which is the worst and most dangerous of all . when they are in labour , and when they lie in , they are encompassed with many difficulties and dangers , viz. an ill position of the child , suppression of the lochia , floodings , fevers , after pains , apostemations of the breasts , and many other diseases . so that if nature had not wisely tacked an appetite to things necessary , we must conclude , the preservation of individuals and of species too would not have been near so well provided for as now it is . the following treatise is a collection from rodericus a castro and others , that have wrote well of womens diseases , and i judge it may be serviceable to ladies and gentlewomen , who charitably dispence physick , and give advice to their poor neighbours in the country , where there is no physician near ; and it may be also of use to physicians , chyrugeons and midwives , it being a general treatise of womens diseases and the methods and medicines contained in it , being approved and frequently practised by the most renowned authors of each physical province . from the angel and crown in basing-lane , london june the th . . john pechey . the index . page . abscesses acrocordo acute diseases of women in child-bed after-pains allantois amnios back pains barrenness bath-waters belly-bound bloody-flux breasts cancerated caesarian delivery chaps in the nipples child-bed purgations child dead choice of a nurse clefts of the privities clitoris conception condyloma corion cough courses , , , , , , , , decoction delirium dropsie of the womb eggs emulsion epilepsie fallopian tubes ficus flooding , green-sickness hermophrodites hill of venus hip-pains hymen hysteric diseases infant nourished inflation of the womb labour hard labour contrary to nature legs swell'd liquid laudanum loosness lozenges madness melancholy ibid milk , miscarriage mole myrtle berry caruncles navel-string nymphs piles privities , , reins pain'd scabs of the privities secundine retain'd sphincter stone of the womb suckling of a child superfaetation testicles thymus tumours from milk vlcers corrosive vomiting vrachus vrine difficult warts water breaking whites womb closed womb womb-cake woman with child managed womb bearing down womb falling womb cancerated womb worms wrinkles in the belly a general treatise of womens diseases . chap. i. of the hysteric disease . this disease proceeds from a weakness and confusion of the spirits , and is not only very frequent , but also so wonderfully various , that it resembles almost all diseases mankind is subject to : for after hard labour , or some great disturbance of the mind , it occasions an apoplexy , which ends in a palsie of half the body . sometimes it produces violent convulsions very like the falling-sickness , and these are commonly call'd mother-fits . sometimes it possesses the outward part of the head , causing violent pain continually fixt in one part , which may be cover'd with the top of the thumb , and violent vomiting accompanies this pain . it also occasions sometimes a great palpitation of the heart , and sometimes the woman coughs without intermission , but spits up nothing . sometimes rushing violently upon the region under the heart , it causes violent pain much like the twisting of the guts , and the woman vomits exceedingly , and casts up a green matter , and sometimes matter of an unusual colour ; and often after the sick have been almost destroy'd by the said pain , and the reachings to vomit , it is at length carried off by the jaundice tincturing the surface of the body like saffron . the sick is much dejected , and despair as certainly accompanies this kind of hysteric disease , as the pain and vomiting above mention'd . when this disease falls upon one of the kidnies , it plainly represents by the pain it causes there a fit of the stone ; and it is difficult to distinguish it from the stone , unless perchance some unlucky accident disturbing the womans mind a little before she was taken ill , shews that it was an hysteric disease . nor is the bladder free from this false symptom ; for it does not only cause pain there , but it also stops the urin. sometimes falling upon the stomach it causes continual vomiting , and sometimes a loosness when it is settled upon the guts , but no pain accompanies either of these symptoms . and as this disease afflicts almost all the inward parts , so sometimes it seizes all the outward parts , occasioning pain , and sometimes a swelling in the jaws , shoulders , hands , thighs , legs ; but the swelling of the legs is plainer seen than the rest , and contrary to swellings in the dropsie , is most in the morning ; nor being pressed does it leave a pit , and most commonly it swells only one of the legs . nor can the teeth free themselves from the assaults of this disease , tho they are not hollow ; and tho there is no apparent defluction , that may occasion the pain , yet it is no whit gentler nor shorter nor easier cured . but the pain of the back is most common , which most certainly all feel , how little soever they are afflicted with this disease . moreover this is common to the foresaid pains , that the place whereon they were , is tender and akes as if it were soundly beaten , but this tenderness goes off by degrees . and this is worth observing , that often a notable coldness of the outward parts makes way for these symptoms , which for the most part does not go off till the fit ends ; which coldness is almost like that wherewith a carcass grows stiff , yet the pulse is good . moreover all hysteric women complain of a dejection and sinking of the spirits , and sometimes laugh excessively , and at other times cry as much , without any real cause for either . but the most proper and almost inseparable symptom , is a urin as clear as rock-water . sometimes ill fumes are belched up , and sometimes the wind that comes from the stomach is sower just like vinegar : but their minds are more affected than their bodies ; for an incurable desperation is mixt with the very nature of the disease . a day would scarce be sufficient to reckon up all the symptoms belonging to this disease , and i think demetrius reckn'd pretty right , tho he mistook the cause of the disease , when he said , in an epistle to hippocrates , that the womb was the cause of six hundred miseries and of innumerable calamities . the external causes of this disease are either violent motions of the body , or which is much oftner , vehement disturbances of the mind ; to these disorders of the mind which are usually the occasion of this disease , is to be added emptiness of the stomach by reason of long fasting , inmmoderate bleeding , a vomit or purge that works too much . in order to the cure , i order that eight ounces of blood be taken from the right arm , and that the following plaister be apply'd to the navel . take of galbanum dissolved in tincture of castor and strain'd three drachms , of tacamahaca two drams , mix them , make a plaister . the next morning let her use the following pills . take of the pill coch-major two scruples , of castor powder'd two grains , of peruvian balsam four drops , make four pills ; let her take them at five in the morning , and sleep after ; repeat them twice or thrice , every morning , or every other morning , according to the womans strength , and as they work . take of the waters of black-cherries , rhue , and compound briony , each three ounces ; of castor ty'd up in a rag , and hanged in the viol half a dram ; of fine sugar a sufficient quantity , make a julep , whereof let her take four or five spoonfulls when she is faint , dropping into the first dose , if the fit is violent , twenty drops of the spirit of harts-horn . after the purging pills just described are taken , let her use the following . take of the filings of steel eight grains , with a sufficient quantity of extract of wormwood , make two pills , let her take them early in the morning , and at five in the afternoon , for thirty days , drinking upon them a draught of wormwood wine . or if she like a bolus better ; take of the conserves of roman wormwood , and of the yellow peel of oranges each one ounce , of angelica and nutmegs candied and of venice treacle each half an ounce , of candied ginger two drachms , make an electuary with a sufficient quantity of syrup of oranges . take of this electuary one drachm and an half , of the filings of steel well rub'd eight grains , make a bolus with a sufficient quantity of syrup of oranges , to be taken in the morning , and at five in the evening , drinking upon it a glass of wormwood-wine . take of choice myrrh and galbanum each one drachm and an half , of castor fifteen grains , with a sufficient quantity of balsam peru , make twelve pills of every drachm ; let her take three every night , and drink upon them three or four spoonfuls of compound briony water through the whole course of this process . but if these pills move the body , which sometimes they do in bodies that are very easily purged , the following may be used instead of them . take of castor one drachm , of volatile salt of amber half a drachm , with a sufficient quantity of extract of rue , make twenty-four small pills , let her take three every night . but steel medicines , which must be noted , occasion sometimes in women great disorders both of body and mind , and not only on the first days , which is usual almost in every body , but also all the time they are taken : in this case the use of steel must not presently be interrupted , but laudanum must be given every night for some time in some hysteric water that they may the better bear it . but when the symptoms are mild , and it seems the business may be done without steel , i think it sufficient to bleed and to purge three or four times , and then to give the altering hysteric pills above-mentioned morning and evening for ten days , which method seldom fails , when the disease is not violent , yea the pills alone bleeding and purging being omitted , do often a great deal of good . but some women can't bear hysteric medicines , and are much injured thereby , therefore they must not be given to such . if the blood is so very feeble , and the confusion of the spirits so great , that steel ordered to be used according to the method prescribed is not sufficient to cure the disease , the sick must drink tunbridge-waters or the like , for they cure diseases more efectually than any preparation of iron ; but if in drinking of them any sickness happen that belongs to hysteric symptoms , the sick must forbear drinking them a day or two , till that symptom that hindred their passage is quite gon . and it is to be noted , that purging must be avoided all the time the woman drinks these waters . but if this disease does not yeild to steel-waters , the sick must go to the bath , and when she has used the waters of it three mornings following , the next day let her go into the bath , and the day following let her drink them again , and so let her do by turns for two months , for in these and others of what kind soever they are , the patient must persist in the use of them till she is quite well : venice-treacle used often and a long time is a great remedy in this disease . spanish-wine , with gentian , angelica , worm-wood , centory , and other strengthening things infus'd in it , does a great deal of good , some spoonfuls of it being taken thrice a day , if the woman be not thin and of a cholerick habit of body . and truly a large draught of spanish-wine taken by it self at bed-time for some nights has been very beneficial to some women . jesuits-powder also wonderfully comforts and invigorates the blood and spirits , a scruple of it being taken morning and evening for some weeks . but if the remedies above-mentioned don't well agree , which often happens in thin and choleric constitutions , then a milk-dyet may be used , for some women ( which one would wonder at at first ) that have been a long while afflicted with hysteric diseases , and could be relieved no other way , have been recovered by dieting themselves for some time only with milk ; and especially those that labour with an hysteric cholick , which can't be appeased by any thing but opiates , to which repeated women are much accustom'd , the pains returning as soon as the vertue of the opiate fades . but riding on horse back or in a coach every day for a long while is the best remedy . this is the general way of curing this disease , which is apply'd to the original cause , namely , the weak constitution of the blood , and so is to be used only when the fit is off , therefore as often as the fit comes join'd with any one of the fore-said symptoms , if the disease be such or so great an one that it will not bear a truce till it may be cured by medicines that strengthen the blood and spirits , we must presently make use of hysteric medicines , which by their strong and offensive smell , recall the disorderly and deserting spirits to their proper stations ; whether they are taken inwardly or smelt to , or outwardly apply'd , such are assa-faetida , galbanum , spirit of sal armoniac , and lastly whatever has a very ungrateful and offensive smell . in the next place you must take notice , that if some intollerable pain accompanied the fit , or violent vomiting , or a loosness , then besides the hysterics above-mentioned , laudanum is to be used , which is only able to restrain these symptomes . but in quieting the pains which vomiting occasion we must take great care that they are not mitigated either by laudanum or any other opiat before due evacuations have been made , unless they exceed almost all humane patience . therefore in lusty women and such as abound with blood a vein must be opened , and the body purged , especially if they have been lately seized with the fit . but if weak women and those of a quite contrary constitution labour with such a fit and pain , and have been afflicted with it not long ago , it will be sufficient to cleanse their stomachs with a gallon of posset drink taken in and ejected by vomiting , and then to give a large dose of venice-treacle , and a few spoonfuls of some spirituous liquor , that is pleasing to the taste , with a few drops of liquid laudanum , to be taken presently after . but if the sick has vomited a great while , and there is danger lest by a further provocation by vomits the spirits should be put into a rage , and the sick too much weakened , in this case you must give laudanum without delay , and such a dose that is sufficient to vanquish it . but here two things are to be chiefly noted , first that when you have once begun to use laudanum after due and necessary evacuations , it must be taken in the same dose , and must be often repeated till the symptom is quite conquered : only such a space must be betwixt each dose , that we may know what the former has done , before we give another : and then when we treat the disease with laudanum , we must do nothing else , and nothing must be evacuated , for the gentlest glister of milk and sugar is sufficient to spoil whatever has been repaired by the laudanum , and to occasion a return of the vomiting and pain . but though the pains above mentioned are apt to overcome the vertue of the laudanum , yet violent vomiting indicats the largest dose of it , and that it should be very often repeated , for by reason of the vomiting , the laudanum is cast up before it can do any good , unless it be given afresh after every time the sick vomits , and chiefly in a solid form , and if it be given in a liquor the quantity must be so small that it must but just wet the stomach , so that by reason of the small quantity of the matter it cannot be cast up , for instance , some drops of liquid laudanum in one spoonful of strong cinnamon-water , or the like ; and the sick must be admonished to keep her self quiet presently after taking the laudanum , and that she keep her head as much as is possible immoveable , for the smallest motion of the head provokes vomiting more than any thing else ; and when the vomiting ceases , and is as it were tam'd , it is expedient to give a dose of laudanum morning and evening to prevent a relapse , which also ought to be observed after a loosness , or hysteric pains . and because frequent mention has been made of liquid laudanum in this chapter , and it is much used in other diseases women are subject to , i will here set down the best way of making it . take of spanish-wine one pint , of opium two ounces , of saffron one ounce , of the powders of cinnamon and cloves each one drachm ; let them be infused together in a bath for two or three days , till the liquor comes to the consistence of a thin syrup ; strain it and keep it for use . the dose is sixteen or twenty drops , to be taken in a small draught of beer , or in some distilled-water . chap. ii. of the green-sickness . the green-sickness is an ill habit of the body proceeding from obstructions , it is accompanied most commonly with a beating of the heart , difficulty of breathing , and a longing for absurd things , and an unfitness for motion , and other symtoms ; the face and whole body are pale , and sometimes of a leaden and green colour , there is an inflation , and as it were a swelling upon the eye-lids ; the legs also swell , especially about the ankles ; there is a heavy and often a lasting pain of the head , the pulse is quick , the sick are drowsie , and have an aversion for wholsome food ; lastly , the disease increasing and the obstructions being multiplied , a suppression of the courses at length follows , which shews the disease is confirmed . this disease most commonly is not dangerous , but if it be neglected too much , it occasions great diseases , as hard swellings , a dropsie , and other grievous diseases , which at length kill the patient . when the disease is small and chiefly arises from obstructions of the veins of the womb , it is easily cured by marriage in young virgins . those that have had this disease a long while are either barren , or bring forth children that are sickly and short lived . the cure is to be perform'd by the same method and medicines proposed in the foregoing chapter for the cure of the hysteric diseases . chap. iii. of women that never had their courses . the flux of the courses is an undoubted sign that a woman is mature , yet there are some women that never had them , tho' they have had conversation with their husbands , and some of them have had children , and others not ; some of them have enjoyed good health , and others have been sickly : the cause of this defect is in general two-fold , the first is common to the whole body , namely , because a woman is fleshy , laborious , and her parts are so disposed that every member takes up and expels what is convenient for it , so that there is no room for a menstruous purgation , these are of a hot constitution and such as are termed virago's , they are of a brown colour , of a compact body , and their loins and buttocks are large , so are the breasts and shoulders , they have a great voice , are strong and hairy , and this constitution tho' it be the reason that women are in health , yet it is contrary to their sex , and the course of nature ; and therefore to be accounted vitious . but other women are sickly upon this account . if this disease proceed from an hot intemperies of the womb , it may be known by a great pain in the part , and by the heat of the whole belly : a dry imtemperies may be known by long fevers going before , and a thin habit of body , but in time they grow gross and cachectical by reason of the want of this evacuation . if it proceed from an ill formation , there are swellings of the belly , pain and a weight . if it arise from a hot intemperies , as it doth most commonly , it must be cured by four kinds of remedies , first by cooling diet , they must eat chicken , veal , or the broth wherein hath been boiled cooling herbs , as endive , sorrel , lettice , spinage , and the like ; oranges are also good , and roasted apples , and stewed prunes ; their drink must be small beer ; their sleep and exercise must be moderate ; for violent exercise and frequent walking are plainly injurious , and so are disturbances of the mind . secondly they must bleed twice or thrice a year in the foot , and for some days they must take such things as are proper to qualifie the hot and bilious humours , as the waters and syrups of purslain , succory endive , violets , and the like , and let them be purged with the following medicines . take of the best rhubarb two scruples , infuse it a whole night in four ounces of endive water , strain it in the morning , and add to it an ounce of manna , or of the pulp of cassia , and an ounce of syrup of roses solutive . thirdly , let them use such things as leisurely attemperate the heat of the humours and part ; as conserve of roses , or of violets , with endive-water , or a ptisan before meals , or goats-milk in the morning with the flowers of violets and borrage : but the use of cooling apozems is much praised in this case . take of cleansed barly three pugils , of the roots of borrage and succory , each ounce , of the leaves of burrage , succory , endive , fumitory and sorrel , each one handfull , of the cordial flowers , and of the cold seeds , each one pugil , of anniseeds one dram , of prunes twelve , of raisons one ounce ; boyl them in a sufficient quantity of water to one pint and an half ; to the strained liquor add a sufficient quantity of sugar , make a clear apozem , aromatize it with a drachm of the species of the three sanders . but if you intend to have it purge a little , add towards the latter end the leaves of senna , and of the pulp of tamarinds , each one ounce , and after it is boyled , three ounces of syrup of roses solutive , or of succory with rhubarb ▪ fourthly , topicks must be applied to the lower part of the belly . take of oyl of sweet almonds ( washed with the waters of barly , gourds , and roses , each a like quantity ) one drachm of hens-fat , butter , and goats-milk , each half an ounce , of the juice of gourds , endive or violets , each six drachms , with wax make a liniment , oyntment or plaister , as the woman likes best . but it will do most good , if the part be fomented before with a decoction of lettice , violets , marsh-mallows , fumitory , mallows , and the like ; and to open the passages , add the leaves of maiden-hair , mercury and mugwort ▪ a bath may be also made of these . night glisters also wonderfully cool the womb and the whole body . take of chicken-broath altered with the foresaid herbs six ounces , of the oyl of sweet-almonds and violets , each two ounces , of suggar one ounce , yolks of eggs two , mingle them , let it be retained , if she can all the night ; and when the heat is very much , stuff the chicken for this decoction with conserve of roses . if the disease proceed from dryness , it must be cured with moistning meats of good nourishment , and with drinks ; and the woman must walk often , but not so much as to tire her self , and frictions must be used above the region of the womb , that the parts may be dilated so that the menstruous blood may be allured to the womb. baths are also proper , and oyntments made of mucilages of the seeds of psyllium and quinces and the like ; and glysters also do good . take of the decoction of marsh-mallows , mallows , and violets six ounces , of fresh butter three ounces , mingle them , make a glyster . but all evacuations must be avoided , for they increase the dryness . if the disease proceeds from an ill formation , medicines are most commonly unprofitable ; and therefore you must endeavour to lessen the blood , if it abound , or to divert it another way ; therefore you must bleed three or four times a year in the arm , or in the foot , if blood seem to abound in the womb. but if the strength of the woman cannot bear bleeding , then she must use a thin diet , and frequent exercise , and frictions all over the body , especially early in the morning , for so the blood may be turned from the inner parts to the outward , and part of it discussed . baths moderately hot are also good , and these things may be sufficient for married women , which by conversation with their husbands are somewhat discharged ; but they will not be sufficient for maids and widows ; and therefore it will be necessary to provoke the hemorrhoids or to open issues . but if the disease proceed from obstinate obstructions , it must be treated as is proposed in the chapter of the suppression of the courses . chap. iv. of the courses breaking out by places not natural . the menstruous flux happens to break out by contrary wayes , upon two accounts ; for either nature providing for the safety of the womans body , when she knows there is any impediment in the womb , and the veins of it , that hinder the blood from passing , seeks another passage , whereby she may be unburthened , and the health of the woman preserved ; or forgetting the natural passages , she either accustoms her self to another , or wandring about , she sometimes uses this passage , sometimes that ; for in some the menstruous blood is discharged by the mouth , in others through the nostrils , by the eyes and bloody tears , by the dugs and piles , also by the fingers and urine , and sometimes by a redness in one of the cheeks , and if there be an impediment in the womb , that hinders the passage of the blood that way , it is better it should flow these ways than not at all , for so says hippocrates , menstruis deficientibus sanguinem e naribus erumpere bonum est . the cause of this disease is most commonly some violent passion of the mind , or some great disturbance happening when the courses are near flowing ; it comes also from obstructions of the womb , or by reason of violent pains , and great diseases of the upper parts , also from the weakness of them , when the vvomb and lower parts are strong ; for the weak parts always receive what the stronger put upon them . it also comes from some external cause , as by drinking cold water unseasonably , or by washing the feet and legs unseasonably , or by the use of vinegar , when the courses are near . the scope of the cure is two-fold , the first is the evacuation of the blood abounding , the other is the recalling of it to the lower parts , which is chiefly done by cooling the upper parts , and by heating , moistning , and opening , the lower parts ; but both may be well answered by bleeding in the foot three or four days before the blood flows , and by applying cupping-glasses to the thighs legs and hips , sometimes dry , but most commonly with scarification , and also by provoking the hemorrhoids , by frictions , by walking , by hot baths natural or artificial ; by fomentations made of opening herbs , by unctions , pessaries , and uterine glisters . but see more of this in the chapter of suppression of the courses . the two following remedies are peculiarly proper for this disease , viz. bleeding in the foot for several months at the times we have mentioned , and the bath-waters wherein the woman must be bathed early in the morning , and must continue a while in them ; but this must be noted , that the waters must not reach above the region of the liver , and in the mean while the upper parts must be ●anned . chap. v. of the courses coming before their due time , and of staying longer than they should . in many women the courses flow before their accustomed time , and sometimes they stay longer than they should ; and this anticipation and delay are sometimes orderly and sometimes disorderly . the causes are either the vice of the womb , as the ill figure of it , or a solution of the continuum , and sometimes a hurt on some other account ; as a vitious humour that irritates before the time , by reason of plenty of blood , or the thinness or sharpness of it ; the quantity of humours occasioning it may be known by the dulness of the body , by the sanguine habit of the woman , by a sedentary and idle life , by excess in eating and drinking , or by some other evacuation stopped or lessened . the acrimony of the blood may be known by the heat , erosion , and pain in the excretion , or by the vitious habit of the womans body , and the course of her life foregoing , or by the diet she was wont to use , and the like . but if it come leasurely , and without pain , the retentive faculty is weak ; it may also be occasioned by a blow or fall . if it proceed by reason of the loosness , and fault of the retentive faculty , it must be strengthened by proper remedies ; if it come from a plenitude , it must be remedied by a sparing diet and moderate exercise , and by taking away so much blood as is agreeable to the strength in the middle of the month , or a little before the courses flow . frictions also in the arms , and in all the upper parts of the body are proper ; the woman must abstain from wine , and all strong-waters , and instead of them chalybeats must be used ; and if these things do not do the business , she must be blooded in the arm ; but if it proceed from the acrimony of the humours , she must eat freely meat of good nourishment , and must exercise a little , and such medicines must be used as attemperate the humours , and she must be purg'd , and uterine glisters must be injected made of two ounces of oyl of violets , and four ounces of the decoction of mallows ; but care must be taken that the courses be not quite stopped , because it is dangerous . lastly , if a blow , a fall , or difficult labour occasion this disease , the following cataplasm must be applied to the womb and neighbouring parts . take of the powders of dragons-blood , frankincense , mastich , and of the greater comfry , each two drams , with a sufficient quantity of turpentine make a cataplasm . if the woman be of a hot constitution , apply the following plaister . take of the powders of roses , myrtles , and balaustins , and mastich , each one drahom , of fine flour one ounce , with the whites of eggs make a plaister . the courses stay beyond their time by reason of age , when they are about to go away , or by a vice of the whole body or of the womb : if it proceed on the account of age , you must only endeavour to prevent those inconveniences which are wont to follow , especially the gout , and a pain in the hip , which may be done by a spare diet , much exercise , and by bleeding yearly , till nature has been accustomed to the want of the menstruous purgation : but if it proceed from a vice of the whole body , it must be treated as a suppression of the courses . if it proceed from a peculiar disorder of the womb , it requires a peculiar cure , and is a symptom of the kind of the vitiated action of excretion , either because it is hindred by the ill formation , or a gross humour that obstructs . the causes therefore are these three , which are contrary to the anticipation of the courses , viz. the weakness of the faculty , the fault of the humours , and the dulness of the sense . the impotence of the faculty is occasioned by the frigidity , or moisture of the temperament , or by the depraved figure of the instrument ; the humour is faulty upon the account of its thickness , siccity and clamminess : the sense is rendred dull most commonly by moisture abounding . the weak faculty by reason of frigidity , is known by the womans perceiving a weight and disturbance after the time of the coming of her courses is past . the fault of the instrument may be known by what went before , as by hard labour , a tumour , cicatrix , leaping or a fall , whereby the womb , or a part subservient to it is displaced , or the figure of it deformed . the fault of the humour may be known by those things that are evacuated by the blood , as if it be whitish it may be seen , if it be gross and clammy , a sedentary life , and a gross and flegmatic diet went before ; the woman is of a soft , pale and leaden habit of body , and is fat ; and by the bloods flowing slowly , and by the long continuance of the courses sometimes , and by their ending in a slime . if when they stay a long time before they come , the woman does not perceive any disturbance in the womb and neighbouring parts , the sense is dull . if the disease arise from a thick and clammy humour , as it does most commonly , it must be cured according to galen , with three sorts of remedies ; first , by a thin and heating diet , by moderate exercise , and frictions of the legs : secondly , by attenuating and heating potions made of opening roots of calaminth , fennel , saxifrage , burnet , hysop , and the like , saffron and cinnamon being added to them , and the cure must be begun presently after the purgation of the courses . let the woman take every morning five or six ounces of the following apozem . take of the roots of smallage , fennel , and parsley , each two ounces , of the leaves of feverfew , cat-mint , penny-royal , maiden-hair , each one handful and an half , of the seeds of anise and fennel , each one drachm and an half ; boyl them in a sufficient quantity of water to a quart ; in the strained liquor dissolve of the syrups of mugwort and maiden-hair , each three ounces ; the syrup of hysop , or of the five opening roots made without vinegar is also very good , being mixed with the waters of fennel , cat-mint , penny-royal , and parsley , and other things may be used which are mentioned in the chapter of the suppression of the courses . dly , she must be purged with agarick trochiscated , or with the pill of mastick , or , take of the pills of agarick , and aloephargin , each two scruples , with the syrup of mugwort ; make four pills . fourthly , those things which draw the the blood downwards must be used , as bleeding in the foot three or four days before the accustomed time of the courses ; these things being done , the legs and lower belly must be fomented with a decoction of fenugreek , camomile , dill , melilot , fennel , parsly , daucus . and while she is bathing let her take one of the tablets called diacalaminth ; afterwards let the parts be fumed with spices , and use frictions and ligatures to the legs , and let cupping-glasses be applyed to the claves of the legs without scarification ; and if the courses do not yet flow , let the woman be purged every third day with four or five of the pills mentioned before . let the lower belly be anointed with the oyls of capers , white lillies , dill , cinnamon , and saffron , and let uterine glisters be injected made of four ounces of the decoction of penny-royal , horse-mint , thym , and cresses , with two ounces of oyl of rue , or of dill , which wonderfully rouze the dull sense of the womb. chap. vi. of the courses corrupted , or suppurated . the courses may be corrupted four several ways ; first from drawing a putrid quality from the whole body : secondly , from the mixture of some putrid humour in the passages : thirdly , by a long suppression : fourthly , from an intemperies in the womb , or from an abundance of putrid humours contained in and about it , and are coloured and disordered according to the nature of the humours ; they are white , pale , livid , green , black , skinny , fibrous , membranous , windy , fetid , and they have sand and worms in them . the cure is in a manner the same which is proposed for the cure of the whites ; for an exact course of diet being ordered , the woman must be purged with agarick trochiscated , or with the pill of mastich , if a phlegmatic humour abounds ; if a bilious humour be the cause , let her be purged with rhubarb , as take of the best rhubarb , four scruples , of yellow myrobalans one drachm and an half , infuse them a night in three ounces of succory water ; to the strained liquor add of syrup of roses solutive , and of manna , each one ounce . if melancholy humours abound , take of senna one ounce , of the seeds of annise one drachm , infuse them in four ounces of fumitory-water ; to the strained liquor add of pulp of cassia , and of syrup of roses solutive , each one ounce . if the courses are suppurated , such things must be used now and then , as evacute a dust and cholerick humours , which may be easily prepared with agarick , rhubarb , and senna ; and sometimes glisters must be used , and moderate exercise , which purge the body and womb ; and if the stomach abounding with flegm be the cause , a vomit used by intervals is proper , that what is daily heapt up there may be purged off before it enters the veins . thirdly , such things must be used as are able to eradicate the disease , and if the humours are cold and gross , sudorifics must be used , as a decoction of sarsaparilla , guiac , china , and the like . but if choler or melancholy be the cause , bathing is most proper ; but gentle frictions and pessaries are proper for both , and anoint the belly with the oyl of sweet almonds , or with the oyl of violets , which are also to be put up the womb. but if these things do no good , an issue must be made in one or both the arms , which is of excellent use . chap. vii . of the complication of the courses with other diseases . there is scarce any thing that does disturb physicians more , and which makes them err so much , as the complication of the courses with diseases ; and this happens chiefly six ways . first , when a disease happens just when the courses are about to come . secondly , if by reason of the invasion of a disease , the courses come before their due time . thirdly , if the time of the courses and of the disease are complicated , so that they come together . fourthly , if the courses being suppressed , delayed or lessened , a disease comes upon them upon an other account . fifthly , if by reason of a disease pre-existing , a suppression or delay of the courses is the cause of the increase of the disease and its symptoms . sixthly , if when there is a disease , the courses flow . if therefore the courses are just about to flow , when the disease is beginning , or in the process of it , we must consider whether the disease be one of those , which is occasioned by the womb , in which case if the disease requires bleeding without any delay , we must draw it from the foot , that it may be let out by a convenient way , that the womb may be evacuated , and the cause expelled . but if the disease arises from the whole body , or from some principal member of it ; that vein of the arm ( most affirm ) must be opened , which chiefly respects the part affected : but this opinion , if it be generally received , seems to me injurious , and we ought rather to distinguish concerning the number of the days , the acuteness of the disease , and the plenitude of the body ; for if the disease be not acute , blood ought to be drawn from the foot , and especially , if the woman be within three or four days of her courses , and in this case she ought to be blooded in the foot , although the disease be acute , and this both reason and experience confirms ; for nature is to be evacuated that way she tends , if it be a convenient place ; for if the woman be blooded in the upper parts , we often see that she becomes delirious , and that watchings , sleepy diseases , difficulty of breathing , and at length death it self follow . but if there be eight days , or thereabouts , before the time of the courses , and there is a great plenitude , and the woman cannot be so sufficiently evacuated by the foot , as the disease requires , then all agree that she must be blooded in the arm , especially if the disease be acute ; but purging medicines , vomits , and sudorisicks must be deferred till the courses are over , or you must use those that are very gentle , lest nature should be hindred , or diverted ; for if so , the blood may be unseasonably detained , or may rush upon some principal part , or increase the disease . but if it happen that the womans courses are procrastinated , it is lawful to purge ; for sometimes we see that purging brings the courses . if the disease be chronical , it is best to purge eight days after the courses are gon off . but if the courses come before their due time in diseases , which is the second way of complication , nothing in curing womens diseases is so difficult and dangerous , especially at the beginning of the disease , before universal remedies have been given ; for at other times if we do nothing , there is the less perplexity ; but if at the beginning you bleed or purge , you hinder the menstruous purgation , and if you do neither , the disease increases . those things that are proper for the disease , stop the courses ; and if they flow , they do not relieve the disease , because they are then symptomatical ; for such an evacuation , is almost always pernicious at the beginning of the disease , for nature at that time seldom promotes any useful evacuation ; wherefore we must diligently consider what good or hurt comes from it , and from what cause the anticipation of the courses in diseases proceeds ; for in the beginning and in the increase , as we said , it is full of danger , but in the state and declination , the cruption of the courses , if they flow easily , is wont to be advantageous , by reason of the fitness of the season for evacuation , if it be not complicated with some other evacuations of nature . the anticipation of the courses proceeds from many causes : but from whatever cause it come , if there be a plenitude , the cure must be begun by bleeding in the foot. but if the courses flow at their accustomed time , and happen to come at the beginning of the disease , you must first wait on nature , and if after twelve hours the flux is not , or is not like to be sufficient , you must bleed in the foot , to compleat the natural evacuation of the woman ; and moreover , you must take away so much blood , as the disease requires , for we must respect custom and the disease too , and this may be understood of violent diseases ; yet it is chiefly to be used in small ones ; and therefore that they should not grow to be violent , you must incourage the courses by all means , by ligatures , frictions , suppositories , glisters , and other things , which are sufficient to provoke the parts near the womb ; and if the disease arise from a cold cause , you must give such medicines as promote the courses , and also respect the disease : but if a purge be necessary , you must defer it till the courses are over , lest the blood being moved and disturbed thereby , greater mischief should be occasioned . but if the disease be one of the greatest , as a quinsey , frensy , plurisie , or an acute fever , you must first bleed in the foot , afterwards the same day , you must bleed in the arm ; but in the mean while you must apply ligatures to the legs whilst the blood flows , and this is good practice ; for the indication of the most violent disease is always to be respected before that indication which is taken from the courses , and in the same manner you must proceed in the other seasons of the disease , wherein you ought to defer purging , vomiting and sweat , if the disease requires them , till the courses are gone off ; for the indication of the courses is greater than the indications of these helps , unless a sanies flow beyond the appointed time , which is not to be accounted at that time to proceed from fulness , and in this case , an indication for purging being urgent , you may purge . the fourth case was , when upon the courses stopt a disease came . in this case we must first consider whether the courses are but now stopt , or whether they have been stopt a long while ; and moreover , whether the disease proceeds from this suppression ; for if it arise from hence , you must without doubt bleed in the foot first , nor must we purge , vomit , or sweat before ; and afterwards in the arm , if the disease require it , especially if it be four days past the accustomed time of the courses . but if the suppression be new , and the disease not urgent , before you use other means , you must expect a while the flowing of the courses , especially if you do not understand rightly the nature of the disease ; for it is more secure , the courses being stopt to bleed in the foot than to purge , vomit , or sweat. but if notwithstanding bleeding in the foot , the courses flow but slowly , you ought to give such medicines as move them ; and it will be proper to give them before they begin , if you suspect that nature will not do the business throughly her self . but if the courses delay , and the disease grows worse thereby , most affirm that the cure must be begun by those helps , which the disease and its cause require , without respect to bleeding in the foot. but i am not of the same opinion ; for in slight diseases , and in such as will bear a truce , experience has taught me that it is best to bleed in the foot ; for the indication from the courses stopt is more to be minded than a small disease , and therefore they ought to be provoked , first by ligatures , cupping-glasses , frictions , and medicines , and afterwards you must provide for the disease : but if the disease be violent , as a quinsie , pleurisie , or the like ; then certainly those remedies must be given which the disease requires , without consideration of the veins of the foot. but when the courses should come at the time of the disease , and are stopt , by reason of the disease and its cause , without doubt we ought to bleed in the foot , and to take away so much blood , as the plenitude of the womb requires , or till the courses flow , and if there be occasion we may purge gently , and not divert the course of nature . lastly , if when the disease is present , the courses flow by drops before their time , you must proceed as in the second case concerning the anticipation of the courses in diseases : or , if it happen at their due time , you must treat them as in the third case when the courses happen with the seasons of the disease ; only the dropping of the courses signifies a greater oppression of nature , and therefore requires larger bleeding . chap. viii . of the courses coming difficulty , and with violent symptoms . this disease is like a dysury or adifficulty of urine , for it is accompanied with pain and a great disturbance , the symptoms often come before the courses , and sometimes with the courses ; the blood comes by drops and is attended with violent pain . this symptom comes upon an obstruction of the courses , sometimes upon solution of the continuum , an ulcer , erosion , and painful disorders in the neighbouring parts , the courses , as was said before , come sometimes drop by drop , and sometimes plentifully ; sometimes by intervals , and sometimes continually ; sometimes orderly , and sometimes disorderly . it is most commonly occasioned by the same causes from whence a suppression of the courses proceeds , but gentler ; for there is not a total suppression , but an unequal obstruction of the vessels of the womb , by reason of thick clotted , and feculent blood , which stretches the vessels , and nature violently endeavouing to evacuate it , a gross wind arises , which distending the vessels , and the neighbouring parts , occasions the violent pain , which continues untill the clods are ejected . sometimes the blood flows plentifully , yet the courses are counted difficult and lessened ; because tho a great quantity is evacuated , yet it is not answerable to the plenitude . the second cause is an ulcer , or some preternatural tumour in the womb or neighbouring parts , which are provoked and hurt by the commotion of the blood. the third is the acrimony of the humours . this disease is known by a pain in the head , a pain in the stomach , restlesness , pains in the loins , and of the lower belly , just like the pains of child-bearing , coming with the courses , or eight days before . there is often also fainting and convulsions , and a palpitation of the heart ; and by these you may know , that the blood is clotted or thick , and a small swelling is sometimes perceived in one or both of the groins , by reason of clotted blood contained in it ; and just before the evacuation of the clotted blood , the pain is most violent , and at the same time if wind be joined with it , it breaks from the womb or backwards with a noise , and there are wandring pains about the loins and hips . if an ulcer be the cause , sanies or pus is mixed with the blood , and the courses flow always with a fixed pain . this disease afflicts virgins and those that are barren . the cure is two-fold , the first respects the cause , the second the mitigating the pain . if it proceed from feculent gross and clotted blood , a thin diet and moderate exercise must be ordered , and medicines that cause revulsion and evacuation , must be used . blood therefore must be drawn from the arm if there be a great quantity of it , but if the quantity be small , from the foot ; and the clotted blood that cannot be evacuated , must be drawn out by cupping-glasses applied to the thighs and legs with scarification , and by ligatures upon the legs , and the humour may be turned by applying leeches to the fundament if the pain continue after the courses are stopp'd , but they must not be used before . secondly , evacuation must be used with this distinction , when feculent and grumous blood is the cause , you must bleed ; when an ulcer , wind , or an acrid matter , you must purge most . thirdly , the passages must be relaxed and opened , and the pain mitigated ; wherefore , if the matter be thick , slatulent , feculent , or clammy ; a dram of venice treacle , or of mithridate must be taken at bed-time in three ounces of balm-water ; and baths must be provided , and lotions for the legs made of a decoction of marsh-mallows , of the seeds of flax , fenugreek , dill , rhue , and mugwort , and the feet must be bathed in it hot a while , and the vapours must be received , and a spunge dipt in it must be applyed to the privities , and the lower belly must be fomented afterwards with flannel dipt in wine and oyl of roses , or with a bladder half full of warm oyl ; but it will be better to anoint the navel , and the region below it with oyl of saffron , of white-lillies , the seeds of flax , of capers , of yolks of eggs , or of sweet almonds , among which or with one of them must be dissolved a drachm of treacle , a pessary dipt in the same is also is of great use ; or the foresaid parts may be annointed with hens-fat and butter ; or with butter and some of the foresaid oyls . the following oyntment is also very proper . take of the juice of angelica one drachm , of oyls of capers and of white-lilies , each one ounce and an half , of white-wine half an ounce , with wax make an oyntment . the following cataplasm is also very good . take of common oyl , of sweet wine , and fresh butter , each two ounces , of bran three ounces ; boyl them gently , apply them hot and repeat them frequently . but if acrid and eroding matter be the cause you must use gentle oyntments , and fomentation of warm water , or purslain and lettice water with emulsions of the cold seeds ; and the parts must be anointed with the oils of sweet almonds , of violets and of roses . if the disease proceeds from an ulcer , you must endeavour the cure of it , and you must mitigate the pain by injecting uterine glisters made of four ounces of warm water ; and if the heat be very much , the water must be sweetned with sugar , and you must add one drachm of the white troches of rhasis . or , the glister may be made with three ounces of allum-water , which is of excellent use ; or with so much barly-water with an ounce of syrup of roses ; or with milk-water with sugar ; or with an ounce and an half of milk it self , with the like quantity of a decoction of the leaves and seeds of plaintain , to which may be added half an ounce of the emulsion of the cold seeds ; and if the pain and heat is very violent , inject two ounces of the decoction of henbane , or white poppies . but if these things will not do the business , some opium must be mixed with the decoction before mentioned . lastly , if other remedies will not do the business , an issue must be opened in the leg. chap. ix . of the closure of the womb. virgins labouring under this disease are said to be imperforate . this closure is wont to be in three places , viz. in the mouth of the womb , in the neck of it , and in the privities . it is occasioned either in the first formation when a membrance covers the orifice of the womb , or its neck , or by a wound , or ulcer preceding , which growing together stops the neck of the womb , or joins the lips , or it is occasioned by humours , or a compression . if the closure be in the privities , it may be easily known , but if it be in the neck , or orifice of the womb , it is not found out till the courses begin to flow , or till women are married ; for at the time of the menstruous purgation , pains and gripes are perceived in the region of the womb at certain times , with a sense of weight , yet no flux follows . moreover , you may guess at it , if the maid be of good habit of body not cachetical , and without obstruction , the disease continuing the womb swells , so that virgins seem to be with child , and sometimes the whole body , which looks livid : but if the neck of the womb be closed , it may be known in the first copualtion , because it cannot admit the virile member . lastly , if the orifice of the womb be shut , it is difficultly known , but it may be found out by the hand of a skilful midwife . as to the prognostick , if the closure be in the orifice of the privities , it is easily cured by a small section : but if it be in the inner parts , the cure is much more difficult . when a membrane shuts the passage , it is easily cured , but when the closure is from fleshy matter , as it happens after ulcers , then the cure is much more difficult . the closure of the inner orifice of the womb is incurable , for chirurgcial instruments cannot work upon it . if the closure of the womb be contracted from the birth , it must be opened by simple section ; but if it takes its rise from an ulcer , as it often happens in the french-pox ; we must consider , whether it be an excrescence of flesh that does not wholly stop the passage ; and whether it quite stops for if it be only an excrescence , we must endeavour ( convenient evacuations going before ) first to hinder the increase of the flesh by drying and discussing medicines , and afterwards we must lessen the flesh by medicines made of frankincense , birthwort , the bark of frankincense , roses , balaustins , mastick , myrrh , aloes , and the like ; and if these things are not sufficient , we must use burnt allom , unguentum , aegyptiacum , and the like ; or the flesh may be cut off by that instrument that is used for extirpating a polipus . but if the neck of the womb be wholly shut , we must endeavour to renew the ulcer , and to take off the superfluous flesh by the foresaid medicines , or it must be cut . if a tumour shut the passage of the womb , it must be removed by proper remedies . if it be occasioned by a compression of the neck of the womb , that which causes the compression must be removed , namely , a stone in the bladder , a tumour of the right gut , or the like . when the passage is too narrow , it most commonly proceeds from hardness and dryness ; and therefore you must use moistning , emollient , and relaxing things ; as half baths , fomentations , liniments , and pessaries ; and so the part being relaxed , you must put a leaden pipe , or white wax fitted for the purpose , moistened with butter , or some emollient oyl , and she must always wear it , or at least a-nights ; and a-days ; let a pessary made of cotten be used anointed with oyntment marsh-mallows , or the like . chap. x. of suppression of the courses there is said to be a suppression of the courses , when in women of a mature age , that neither give suck nor are with child , the evacuation of blood by the womb , which is naturally wont to be monthly , flows seldom , or sparingly , or is wholly stopt . because this suppression proceeds from natural and preternatural causes , the signs of both shall be distinctly proposed , lest the practitioner should be deceived by women being with child by illegitimate coition , and so rashly prescribe medicines to provoke the courses . first therefore , women with child most commonly retain their natural colour , and others do not . secondly , the symptoms which do happen to women with child at the beginning , abate daily , but on the contrary in suppression of the courses , the longer they are stop'd , so much the more the symptoms are increased . thirdly , in women with child after the third month , the motion and situation of the child may be sensibly perceived by laying the hand on the belly . but in others the swelling is not at all hard , nor is it always contained within the limits of the womb. fourthly , if the inward mouth of the womb be touched by a skilful midwife , she will find it not exactly closed , as it is in women with child ; but rather hard , contracted , and somewhat painful . fifthly , women with child are most commonly cheerful ; but on the contrary in a suppression , they are most commonly sorrowful and sad . a suppression of the courses is very dangerous , and many desperate diseases arise from it . the cure of this disease must be varied according to the variety of the causes , and first , if it proceed from too great a quantity of blood , bleeding must be ordered in the arm , and a large quantity of blood must be taken away ; afterwards it must be drawn downwards by opening the lower veins about the time the woman used to have her courses before she was ill . if by reason of want of blood the courses stop , as after long fevers , after great evacuations , and when the body is much wasted , you must not endeavour to provoke the courses till the body is replenish'd , and a sufficient quantity of blood is bred , which being done they generally flow of their own accord ; but if it happens that nature forforgets her office , she must be rous'd up by opening the lower veins , and by medicines proposed in the chapter of hysterick diseases : but the quantity of blood must be moderate , lest the strength should be dejected , and the sick should fall into a consumption . yet it must be carefully noted , that every wasting of the body does not shew a want of blood , but only that which succeeds great evacuations , and the like . for sometimes it happens that the courses being suppressed and detained in the veins , occasion an ill quality , whereby the blood is rendred unfit to nourish the parts , upon which account the body wasts , tho the veins are full of blood , in which case large bleeding is required . as to the suppression of the courses which happens by a preposterous motion of the blood , when it is evacuated by bleeding at nose , by vomiting , spitting , or hemorrhoids , and other parts , the cure of it is perform'd by repelling the blood from the parts through which it flows contrary to nature , and by drawing it back to the passage of the womb. the first is performed when the blood rushes out of the upper parts , by washing the arms , head , and face , with cold water , and by forbearing the exercise of those parts , especially singing and speaking aloud . the second is perform'd by opening the lower veins , three or four days before the blood breaks out , and by cuping-glasses applied to the thighs and legs sometimes with , sometimes without scarification , by provoking the hemorrhoids , by running , by walking , fomentations , and baths made of opening herbs ; but the bath water is especially commended , and the sick must bath in them often a good while after meals , but the water must not rise above the navel , and at the same time the upper parts be cool'd by fanning them . if the blood flow by the hemorrhoids , the cure is very difficult ; for if you use things to draw downwards , they bring them also to the fundament , and if you use astringent things to it , they by nearness of the parts , repell what should be brought to the womb ; so that the only way of cure is to apply such things to the womb as may allure the blood thither , after you have used such things as draw the blood downwards . chap. xi . of an immoderate flux of the courses . an immoderate flux of the courses comes either in child-bed , or at other times , as to the first that afflicts women most on the first day after a difficult labour , and is accompanied with a long train of hysteric symptoms ; and as it happens only on the first days so usually does not last long , for if a thickning diet be order'd , it soon abates : the following drink may be also used . take of plantain water and red wine , each one pint , boil them till a third part be consumed , sweeten it with a sufficient quantity of white sugar , and let her take half a pint twice or thrice a day , and in the mean while the following medicine tyed up in a rag , may be often held to her nose . take of galbanum and assa foetida each two drams , of castor one dram and half , of volatile salt of amber half a dram , mingle them : or instead of it , spirit of sal armoniac may be used . but as to the flux which happens out of child-bed , you must bleed in the arm , and eight ounces of blood must be taken away , the next morning the following purge must be given . take of tamarinds half an ounce , of sena two drams , of rubarb one dram and an half , infuse them in a sufficient quantity of fountain water , in three ounces of the strain'd liquor , disolve of manna , and syrup of roses solutive each , an ounce , make a purging potion , which is to be repeated every third day for twice . every night at bedtime through the whole course of the disease give an ounce of diacodium mixt with two ounces of black cherry water . take of the conserve of dried roses two ounces , of the troches of lemnian earth a dram and an half , of pomgranate peel and of red coral prepared each two scruples , of blood stone , dragons blood , and bole-armenic each two scruples , with a sufficient quantity of simple syrup of coral , make an electuary , whereof let her take the quantity of a large nutmeg in the morning , and at five in the afternoon , drinking upon it six spoonfuls of the following julip . take of the waters of oakbuds and of plantain each three ounces , of cinnamon water hordeated and of syrup of dried roses each one ounce , of spirit of vitriol a sufficient quantity to make it pleasantly acid . take of the leaves of plantain and nettles each a sufficient quantity , beat them together in a marble mortar , and press out the juice , clarifie it , and give six spoonfuls of it cold three or four times in a day ; after the first purge apply the following plaister to the region of the loins . take of the plasters of diapalma and ad herniam each equal parts , mix them and spread them on leather . a cooling and thickening diet must be order'd , only it may be proper to allow once or twice a day a small glass of claret to recover the strength . chap. xii . of the whites . this obstinate and lasting disease may be cured by bleeding once , and by purging with two scruples of pill coch-major four times , and by the following strengthening medicines . take of venice treacle one ounce and an half , of the conserve of the yellow peel of oranges one ounce , of diascordium half an ounce , of ginger candied , and nutmegs candied each three drams , of compound powder of crabs eyes one dram and an half , of the outward peel of pomgranats , of the roots of spanish angelica , and of the troches of lemnian earth each one dram , of bole-armenic two scruples , of gun-arabic half a dram , with a sufficient quantity of syrup of dried roses make an electuary , whereof let her take the quantity of a large nutmeg in the morning , and at five in the afternoon , and at night , drinking upon it six spoonfuls of the following infusion . take of the roots of elecampane , masterwort , angelica , and gentian , each half an ounce , of the leaves of roman wormwood , white horehound , the lesser centory and calaminth each one handful , of juniper-berries one ounce , cut them small , and infuse them in five pints of canary wine , let them stand in infusion , and strain them only as you use them . chap. xiii . of barrenness . barrenness proceeds from many causes , but they may be reduced to four heads , according to the four natural operations which are required to perfect conception . the first is that the woman in copulation receive the mans seed : secondly , that it 's retain'd a due time : thirdly , that it is nourished in the womb : fourthly , that the woman afford due matter for the forming and necessary increase of the embroy ; and hence four impediments of conception arise . first , the reception of the seed is hindered by many causes , as immature age , when by reason of the narrowness of the genital passages the woman cannot admit the mans yard , or at least not without great pain , which makes her dislike copulation ; and old age has the same effect ; for in elderly virgins the genital parts for want of use , are rendr'd so strait , that they can't easily receive the virile member , and such as are lame , or have their limbs distorted , or their hips depressed , can scarce lye in such a posture as is necessary for a fit reception of the seed ; too much fat also stops the passages , and makes the copulation incommodious : and lastly , a cold intemperies of the womb makes the woman dull , so that she scarce injoys any pleasure in copulation , or is so flowly moved , that the inward orifice of the womb does not open seasonably to receive the mans seed . the passions of the mind also are a great hinderance , especially hatred between man and wife , whereby the woman having an aversion for such pleasure does not supply spirits sufficient to make the genital parts turgent at the time of copulation ; nor does the womb kindly meet the seed , and draw it into its cavity , from whence and from mixture of both the seeds , conception arises . the reception of the seed may be also hinder'd by swellings , ulcers , obstructions , narrowness or distorsions of the genital parts , or of the neighbouring parts , or by a stone in the bladder or the like . conception may be also hindred by reason the seed is not retained upon the account of too great moisture of the womb , namely when it s fill'd with many excrementitious humours , whereby being render'd too laxe it cannot be contracted , as it ought to retain the seed received , but this chiefly happens by reason of miscarriage or hard labour , whereby the fibres of the womb and its inner orifice are torn , but the whites are the most common cause of barrenness . conception is also hindred when the seed is not sufficiently nourished in the womb , as when the intemperies of the womb is so very cold , that it extinguishes the seed , or so hot as that it dissipates it , or over-moist or dry . the age fit for conception is from fourteen to fifty , and therefore those women that are younger or older do not conceive , by reason of a defect of seed and menstruous blood , yet it must be confessed , that some women have conceived who never had their courses . a disproportion betwixt the mans and womans seed is also the occasion of barrenness , tho there is no sensible defect in either , and it happens sometimes that the same man has children by another woman , and the same woman children by another man , when together they were childless . it comes to pass sometimes that after a woman has conversed ten or more years with her husband , and has not conceived , afterwards she has had children , the cause whereof is the change of her constitution by time . having made frequent mention of womens seed , i must here acquaint you that many learned physicians and anatomists deny that women have any seed , for some women send forth no humour as is called seed , and yet they are fruitful enough , yea some after they have begun to emit such an humour , tho indeed they took great pleasure in copulation , yet grew less fruitful than before . 't is also said by some that a seminal air or vapour arising from the mans seed , and not the seed it self causes conception ; but passing by controversies and nice speculations , i according to my way of writing , set down such methods and medicines as are approved of for the cure of this disease . and first , the narrowness of the genital parts by reason of youth , in progress of time will grow large enough , and therefore there is no need of any other cure , but in the mean while copulation must be forbid , for by the too early use of it , the natural constitution of the parts is disordered , but if it proceed from small stature or age , it is incurable . over-fatness may be corrected by a spare and proper diet , and by convenient evacuations . if barrenness proceeds from a disorderly diet , as from excessive eating or drinking , the woman must be reduced to a regular course of life . such as are robust and of a manly constitution must by all means be reduced to a womanly state ; that they may become fit for generation , they must forbear strong meats and labour , and the courses must be forced , and by bleeding and purging and the like , the habit of the body must be rendred cold and moist . but the most frequent cause of barrenness is a cold and moist disposition of the whole body and of the womb , which the whites often accompany , and for the cure in this case , the whites must be cured by the method prescribed in the chapter of the whites , and the following things must be ordered , which are peculiarly proper . and first the flegmatick humours must be evacuated by medicines that purge sweat and force urine , and revulsion must be made by issues in the arms , neck and legs , and the principal parts must be strengthened by treacle , mithridate , confection of alkermes and the like . afterwards such things must be used as are proper by a specific quality to strengthen the womb and to help conception . take of the roots of eringo and satyrion candied each one ounce , of green ginger candied half an ounce , of hazel nuts , pine nuts , and pistachies each six drams , one nutmeg candied , of the seed of rocket and cresses each two drams , of the ashes of a bulls pisle , of the reins of scinks and of the raspings of ivory each one dram , of confection of alkermes three drams , of diambra and sweet diamoch each one ounce and an half , of ambergriese half a dram , with the syrup of candied citrons , make an electuary , let her take the quantity of a nutmeg at bedtime , drinking upon it a glass of good wine . some count the secundine of a woman dried and powderd very effectual , one drachm of it being taken . the seeds of bishops weed are also much commended . many good authors affirm , that if a woman drink six ounces of the juice of garden sage with a little salt , the fourth day of her menstruous purgation , and a quarter of an hour after has conversation with her husband , she will infallibly conceive . and by the use of this remedy aetius says , the egyptian women became fruitful after a great plague . it 's said many have conceived when their having children has bin despair'd of , by thrusting up far in the privities garlic heated with oyl of spike , and wrapt in a fine rag , for it powerfully forces the courses , and cleanses and delights the womb. chap. xiv . of the parts of women that serve for generation . the parts serving for generation in women may be divided into the privities , the womb , the testicles , and the vessels that prepare and carry . that part is called the privities which appears at first sight without dissection , it reaches from the lower part of the os pubis , within an inch of the fundament ; it is less and closer in maids , than in those that have born children . it hath two lips , which toward the pubes grows thicker , and meeting upon the middle of the os pubis makes that rising that is called the hill of venus ; its outward substance is skin covered with hair , as the lips are , which begin to grow in this place about the age of fourteen ; the inner substance of the hill of venus chiefly consists of fat , which makes it bunch up , which in copulation hinders the bones of the pubes of the man and woman to hit one against another , which would by causing pain abate the venereal pleasure . a muscle springing from the sphincter of the fundament lies under this fat. its office is to straighten the orifice of the sheath . the nymphs and the clitoris appear when the lips are drawn a little aside : the nymphs stand next the urine , as it spouts out from the bladder , and keeps the lips from being wet ; they are placed on each side , just within the lips , they are two fleshy and soft productions beginning at the upper part of the privities , where they make that wrinkled membranous production , which cloaths the clitoris like a fore-skin : they are in shape and colour like the thrils that hang under a cocks throat , they have a red substance partly fleshy , partly membranous ; within soft and spongy , composed loosly of small membranes and vessels , so that they are very easily distended by the influx of the animal spirits and arterial blood. they are larger in grown maids than in young , and grow larger upon the use of venery , and after the bearing of children ; their use is to defend the inner parts , and to cover the passage of the urine , and a good part of the orifice of the sheath in the upper part of the privity . betwixt the nymphs is placed the clitoris ; it answers to a man's yard , in shape , situation , substance , erection , and differs from it only in length and bigness . those that are called hermophrodites have it so long and big , as to be able to converse with women in the manner of men. they are not of two sexs as is commonly reported , only their stones are placed in the lips of the privities , and their clitoris is preternaturally extended : but in most it does not appear unless the lips are drawn aside : it is a little , long and round body , it lies under the fat of the hill of venus , and puffs up in venery , and straightening the orifice of the sheath makes it embrace the virile member the more closely : it s outward end is like the glans of a men's yard , and as the glans in men is the seat of the greatest pleasure in copulation ; so is this in women : there is as it were a hole in it , tho indeed there is really no such thing , most of it is covered with a thin membrane from the conjunction of the nymphs : it has two pair of muscles , the upper are round and spring from the bones of the hip ; these by straitening the roots of the nervous bodies , that arise on each side from the bunching of the os ischium detain the blood and spirits in them , and so erect the clitoris , even as those in men do the virile member ; the other rise from the sphincter of the fundament , and these serve to straiten and narrow the orifice of the sheath : it has veins , and arteries , and nerves , which are somewhat large . in some eastern countries the clitoris is wont to be so large , that for its deformity , and the hindrance it causes in copulation , they used to cut it quite out , or to sear it , to hinder its growth . the sheath is so call'd because it receives the virile member like a sheath , it is soft and loose , uneven and wrinkly , of a nervous but somewhat spongy substance , which is puft up in copulation to embrace the yard the better : it s about seven fingers breadth long , and as wide as the strait gut ; but the length and width differ in respect of age , and as the woman is more or less provoked to copulation : the wrinkles are much more numerous and close in virgins , than in those that have born many children , and in whores that use frequent copulation , and in women that have had the whites a long while . it has very many arteries and veins , some whereof inosculate one with another , and others not . by the arteries that open into it , the courses sometimes flow in women with child , that are full of blood. these vessels bring plenty of blood to it in copulation , which by heating and puffing up the sheath increases the pleasure , and hinders the man's seed from cooling , before it is conveyed to the womb. all along the sheath there are abundance of pores , from whence a thin humour always flows , especially in copulation , and increases the pleasure of the woman , and is that which is supposed to be her seed . near its outer end , under the nymphs , in its upper part , it receives the neck of the bladder . in virgins its passage is so narrow , that at their first conversation with a man , they have commonly more pain than pleasure , by reason of the extension of it by the virile member , which breaks some small vessels , from whence blood issues . the hymen is a thin nervous membrane , interwoven with fleshy fibres , and endowed with many little arteries , and veins , behind the insertion of the neck of the bladder , with a hole in the midst , that will admit the top of ones little finger , whereby the courses flow , it is also called the girdle of chastity . but it is broken and bleeds at the first copulation , and never closes again . but tho' a man when he finds these signs of virginity , may certainly conclude he has married a maid ; yet if they are wanting , it does not necessarily follow that virginity is wanting ; for the hymen may be corroded by sharp humours flowing through it with the courses , and from other causes ; or , if a maid be so indiscreet as to become a bride while her courses flow , or within a day after , then the hymen and the wrinkled membrane of the sheath are so relaxed , that the virile member may enter without any obstruction , and so give suspition of unchastity , when there is really no occasion for it . sometimes in old maids the hymen is so strong that it cannot be penetrated without difficulty ; and in some it is naturally quite closed up , and so their courses are stopt , which much endangers their life ; if it be not opened with a chirurgical instrument . the myrtle-berry caruncles lie close to the hymen , the largest of 'em is uppermost , standing just at the mouth of the passage of the urine , which it shuts after making water ; opposite to this at the bottom of the sheath there is another , and in each side one . but of these , there is only the first in maids , the other three being made by the broken hymen . these three when the sheath is extended disappear in labour , and cannot be seen till the sheath is contracted to its natural straitness . the sheath near its outer orifice , has a sphincter muscle about three fingers broad that contracts it as the case requires ; and therefore men and women need not doubt but that their genitals will be proportionable , for the sheath is so artificially made , that it can suit with every penis . the womb is seated in the lowest part of the belly , betwixt the bladder and straight gut , its hindmost part is loose , that it may be extended as the child increases , but its sides are tied fast by two pair of ligaments . it s substance is whitish , nervous , and compact in virgins , but a little spongy and soft in women with child . it has two membranes , the outer is strong and double arising from the peritoneum , the inner being proper is fibrous and more porous . betwixt these membranes , there is a certain fleshy and fibrous contexture , which in women with child , together with the said membranes , imbibes so much of the nutritious humours , that then flow thither , that the more the child increases , the more fleshy , fibrous , and thick does the womb grow , so that in the last months it is an inch thick , and some times two fingers breadth , tho' it be extended to so much greater compass , than it has when a woman is not with child , and yet within three weeks after delivery it is as thin as before , and contracts so wonderfully , that it may be held in ones hand . in virgins it is about two fingers breadth broad , and three long ; in those that have copulated , it is a little bigger , it is like a pear , only a little flattish above and below , but in women with child it becomes more round . in maids its cavity is so small , that it will hardly contain a large hazel-nut ; it is divided be a line that goes length-ways , much like that in a man's cod. its arteries spring partly from the spermatick and hypogastrick ; they run along the womb , bending and winding , that they may be extended without danger of breaking , when the womb is stretched with the child . the monthly courses flow by these arteries in greatest quantity into the womb it self : but in less quantity by the branches that open into the neck of the womb , and a small quantity of the courses come out of the sheath . it is much disputed what is the reason of the courses , whether they flow by reason of too great quantity of blood , or whether at set times ; there is also a fermentation of the blood , which opens the orifices of the arteries : but it is most probable that it proceeds from a fermentation at appointed times , for if a woman feeds high and so breeds much blood , the courses flow never the sooner , tho' perhaps they may be in a greater quantity ; and if she use the greatest abstinence and spareness of diet , they will not be the longer before they come , so that when through such effervency the blood flows plentifully into the vessels of the womb , and the veins of the womb are not able to carry it all back again by circulation , it flows out of the extremities of the arteries so long , till the too great quantity of the blood is lessened , and the fermentation ceases , which it does usually after three or four days . the courses seldom flow in women with child , and the wanting of them is their first item of having conceived . the veins spring from the preparantes , and from the epigastrick , the nerves from the greatest plexus of the mesentery of the intercostal pair , and from the lowest plexus of the same , and also from the nerves of the os sacrum , and the same run also to the testes or ovaria . these plexus of nerves are chiefly affected in hysterick fits , and are convulsive , and often happen when the womb is not at all in fault ; and the ball that seems to rise from the bottom of the belly in these fits , and to beat strongly about the navel , which is usually supposed to be the rising of the womb , is nothing but a convulsion of these nerves ; for some men are troubled with the same symptom . the use of the womb is to receive into its capacity the principals of the formation of the fetus , to afford it nourishment , and to preserve it from injuries , and at length to expel it . the neck of the womb seems to be a part of the fundus , only it is much more narrower , for its cavity is no wider in virgins than a small quill , and in women with child its inner orifice does either quite close its sides together , or is daubed up with a slimy yellowish humour , so that nothing then can enter into the womb. it has the same membranes , and the same vessels with the womb. womens testicles differ much from mens , their situation is within the body , on each side two fingers breadth from the bottom of the womb , to the sides whereof they are knit by a strong ligament ; they are flat on the sides , in their lower part oval ; their superficies is more rugged and unequal , than in those of men , they differ in bigness , according to age ; in those newly come to maturity , they are about half as big as those of men , but in such as are in years , they are less and harder , tho' they sometimes grow preternaturally to a vast bigness , for several quarts of liquor has been found contained in them , in a dropsie of the womb ; they have but one membrane that encompasses them round ; but on their upper side where the preparing vessels enter them , they are about half way involved in another membrane that accompanies those vessels , and springs from the peritoneum ; when this cover is removed , their substance appears whitish , but is wholly different from mens testicles ; for mens are composed of seminary vessels , which being continued to one another are twenty or thirty ells long , if they could be drawn out at length without breaking ; but womens do principally consist of a great many membranes and small fibres , loosly united to one another ; among which there are several little bladders full of clear water ; the liquor contained in those bladders has been always supposed by the followers of hippocrates and galen , to be seed stored up in them ; but dr. harvey and many learned physicians and anatomists suppose these little bladders to contain nothing of seed , but that they are truly eggs , analogous to those of fowl and other creatures , and that the testicles so called are not truly so , nor have any such office as those of men , but are indeed an ovarium , wherein those eggs are nourished by the sanguinary vessels dispersed through them , and from whence one or more , as they are fecundated by the man's seed , separate , and are conveyed into the womb by the tubae falopianae : if you boyl these eggs their liquor will have the same colour , tast , and consistency with the white of birds eggs , and they do not want shells , because they are sufficiently defended by the womb. these eggs in women are commonly about the number of twenty in each testicle , whereof some are far less than others . the spermatick vessels are of two sorts ; arteries and veins ; the arteries are two as in men. they spring from the great artery a little below the emulgents ( very rarely either of them from the emulgent it self ) and pass down towards the testes , not by such a direct course as in men , but with much twirling and winding among the veins , with which they have no inosculation , as has been generally said . but for all their winding , when they are stretched out to their full length , they are not so long as those of men. the veins are two , arising as in men , the right from the trunk of the cava , a little below the emulgent , and the left from the emulgent it self , but they are much shorter than in men ; both the arteries and veins as they pass down are covered with one common coat from the peritoneum , and near the testes they are divided into two branches , the upper whereof is implanted into the testicle by a triple-root , and the other is subdivided below the testes into three twigs , one of which goes to the bottom of the womb , another to the tuba and round ligament , the third creeping by the side of the womb , under its common membrane ends in its neck , where it is woven with the hypogastrick vessels like a net . by this way it is that the courses sometimes flow in women with child , for the first months , and not out of the inner cavity of the womb. the use of these spermatick vessels is not to minister to the generation of seed , according to the ancient doctrine , but to the nutrition of the eggs in the ovaria or testes , according to the new , and to the nourishment of the fetus , and of the solid parts , and the expurgation of the courses . the carrying vessels that go straight from the testes to the bottom of the womb , and were supposed to emit the seed from the stones into the bottom of the womb , are accounted by de graef only ligaments of the testicles to keep them in their place ; for they come not to the inner cavity of the vvomb . the fallopian tubes are very slender and narrow ducts , nervous and white , arising from the horns or sides of the vvomb , and at a little distance from it they become larger , and twist like the tendrel of a vine , till nearer their end , where ceasing their winding they turn very large , and seem membranous and fleshy , which end is very much torn and jagged like rent cloths , and has a large foramen , which lies closed , because those jaggs fall together , but it being opened , they are like the utmost orifice of a brass trumpet . these tubes , according to dr. harvey , are the same in vvomen , that the horns of the vvomb are in other creatures , for they answer to those both in situation , connexion , amplitude , perforation , likeness , and also office. the capacity of these ducts varies very much ; for in the beginning , as it goes out of the vvomb , it only admits a bristle , but in its progress , where it is largest , it will receive ones little finger ; but in the outmost extremity , where it is divided into jaggs , it is but about a quarter so wide . they are very uncertain also in their length , for from four or five they sometimes increase to eight or nine fingers breadth long . their use is in a fruitful copulation to grant a passage to a more subtile part of the masculine seed , or to a seminal air towards the testes to bedew the eggs contained in them , which eggs , one or more being by that means fecundated , and dropping off from the testes , are received by the extremity of the tubes , and carried along the inner cavity to the womb. but it may be objected that the narrowness of the tubes are not fit for such a use ; yet ●e that considers the straitness of the inner orifice of the womb , both in maids and in women with child , and yet observes it to dilate so much upon occasion , as to make way for the birth of a child , cannot wonder that to serve a necessary end of nature , the small duct of the tubes , should be so far widened , as to allow passage to an egg , seeing its proportion to their duct is many times less , than of the child to the usual largness of the said orifice . chap. xv. of conception . conception is nothing else but an action of the womb , whereby the prolifie seeds of the man and woman are there received and retained , that an infant may be engendered , and formed out of it . there are two sorts of conception , the one true , according to nature , to which succeeds the generation of the infant in the womb ; the other false , as a false conception , mole , or any other strange matter . it is not absolutely necessary , that the mans seed should be received , and retained entire ; for a small quantity of it may be sufficient , nay a meer steam of it , to impregnat . conception may be known by the more than ordinary delight in the act , and some few months after , the woman perceives a small pain about her navel , and some little commotions in the bottom of her belly . the inward orifice of the womb is exactly closed , she longs for strange things , she is often troubled with nauseating and vomiting , her courses are stopt , the navel starts , her nipples are very obscure or dark coloured , with a yellowish circle round about , her eyes are dejected and hollow , the whites of them dull and troubled , her blood , when she has conceived some time , is always bad ; the belly is flat : yet it must be acknowledged that some of these signs are also to be found upon an obstruction of the courses in virgins ; wherefore judgment upon conception must not be too positive , especially , when the woman is upon tryal for her life , for some upon having their courses have been judged not with child , and yet after execution have been found to be so . the infant moves it self manifestly about the forth month , sooner or later as the woman is strong or weak . some women feel it from the second , others about the third month , and some before that time . at the beginning , the first motions are very small , but grow greater proportionably , as the infant grows bigger and stronger . chap. xvi . of a mole . a mole is deformed and useless flesh contained in the womb , and is occasioned by the corrupted seed of the man and woman , for it is never generated without the use of copulation ; it is covered with a membrane and sticks to the womb , the longer it is retained in the womb the harder it grows , and is more difficultly expelled : most commonly there is but one , yet sometimes more ; when it is ejected in the second month it 's called a false conception . it 's difficult to distinguish a mole , from being with child , for the courses are stopt , the belly grows big by degrees , and the breasts are increased . but the first sign of it is a leaden colour in the face , the belly is harder and sorer than when a woman is with child , and it is very troublesome and painful to go with , and it falls on whatsoever side she turns ; there is a great weariness in her legs and thighs , she finds a great heaviness at the bottom of her belly , and her urin is obstructed ; but it may be certainly known , if no motion be felt after four or five months , or when her reckoning is out . some have a mole two or three years , and sometimes much longer . as to the cure , i shall speak only of that part of it which may be performed by medicines , for if it stick much to the bottom of the womb , or is very large , it will scarce be expelled unless a chyrurgeon extract it . give the woman a spoonful of syrup of mugwort morning and evening for three days following , either by it self or mixt with an ounce of penny-royal-water ; afterwards purge her every other day , or every third day with the fetid pill , two scruples or a dram may be taken at a time early in the morning , and let her sleep if she can till they begin to work ; let her be purged in this manner five times . things that loosen must be also applied frequently to the womb to open the passages likewise to the belly , groins , loins , and hips , with spunges and flannels ; the following fomentation is of excellent use . take of the leaves of marsh-mallows and mallows each one handful , of the roots of round and long birthwort each one handful , of the leaves of mugwort , mercury , feverfew , sage , hysop and calaminth each half an handful , of the seeds of flax , marshmallows , fenugreek , anise , lovage , each half an ounce , of the flowers of camomile , melilote , rosemary , broom , mugwort , each one pugil , of bran one pugil ; hoyl them in a sufficient quantity of water to five quarts ; add of oyl of olives half a pint , of the oyls of camomile and sweet almonds each four ounces , of the oyl of lillies two ounces ; foment the parts as above directed , and afterwards anoint them with ointment of marshmallows . chap. xvii . of superfoetation . there is a great dispute whether a woman , who hath two or more children at once , conceived of them at one or several coitions : some will have this to be superfoetation ; but there are signs whereby we may know the difference , whether both children were begotten at once , or successively one after another . supefoetation , according to hippocrates , is a reiterated conception , when a woman being already with child conceives again the second time . that which makes many believe , that there can be no superfoetation is , because as soon as a woman has conceived , her womb closes , and is exactly firm , so that the seed of the man , absolutely necessary to conception , finding no place nor entry , cannot , as they say , be received , nor contained in it : but it may be answered , that tho' the womb be usually exactly shut and close , when a woman has conceived , yet it may be sometimes opened to let pass some ferous slimy excrements , or especially when a woman is much delighted in the act of copulation . but this second conception is very rare ; for we must not imagine , that when a woman brings forth two or more children at once , there is a superfoetation ; because they are almost always begot in the same act , by the reception of abundance of seed into the womb. when a woman brings forth one or more children at a birth , begotten at once , which are usually called twins , it is known by their being both almost of an equal bigness and thickness , and by having but one common after-birth , not separated one from the other , but by their membranes : but if there are several children , and a superfoetation , they will not have a common burthen , nor will they be of an equal bigness . to conclude , of a hundred women that have twins , ninety of them have but one burthen common to them both , which is a certain sign they had no superfoetation . chap. xviii . of the womb-cake , of the membranes involving the child , and of the humours contain'd in them , of the umbilical vessels , of the parts of a child that differ from those of the adult . the womb-cake , otherwise called the womb-liver , for the likeness of substance , is soft , and has innumerable fibres and small vessels ; it is two fingers breadth , thick in its middle , but thinner near the edges , and a quarter of a yard over from one side to the other , when the infant is near the birth ; on that side next the foetus , it is smooth and something hollowish , like navelwort , and is knit to the chorion ; but on that next the womb , it is very unequal , having a great many bunchings , whereby it sticks fast to the womb. vvhen there is but one child in the womb , it is but one ; but if there be twins there are two womb-cakes , and a particular rope of umbilical vessels is inserted into each from each child ; it grows not out of the womb originally , but its first rudiments appear like a woolly substance on the outside of the outer membrane that invests the embrio called chorion , about the eighth or ninth week , upon which in a short while a red fleshly and soft substance grows , but unequally and a little in knobs , and then it presently thereby sticks to the womb , and is very conspicuous about the twelfth or thirteenth week , till now the infant is increased and nourished wholly by the apposition of the cristalline or albugineous liquor , wherein it swims loose in the inner membrane , called amnios , having no umbilical vessels , whereby to receive any thing from the womb-cake . but when it grows bigger , and begins to want nourishment , the extremities of the umbilical vessels begin to grow out of the navel by little and little , and are extended towards the womb-cake , that they may draw out of it a more nourishing juice , and carry it to the infant , as plants do from the earth by their roots . it has vessels from the womb and from the chorion ; the former are of four kinds , arteries , veins , nerves , and lympheducts ; all which tho' they be very large , and visible in the womb , and also where the womb-cake is joyned to it , yet they send the smallest capilaries to the womb it self . those that come from the chorion are arteries and veins . the arteries and veins that come from the womb , spring from the hypogastricks , and also that branch of the supermaticks that is incerted into the bottom of the womb ; those that come from the chorion are the umbilical vessels of the infant . the womb-cake after it is joyned to the womb , sticks most firmly to it for the first months , as unripe fruit does to the tree , but as the infant becomes bigger and riper , and nearer to the birth , by so much the more easily will it part from the womb , and at length it falls out of the womb , and makes part of the after-birth . next to the womb-cake follow the two membranes , viz. chorion the outer , and amnios the inner , wherein the child is wrapt : betwixt these two after the child is perfectly formed , there is a third , viz. allantois . the chorion is pretty thick , smooth on the inside , but without somewhat unequal and rough , and in that part of it which sticks to the womb-cake , and by it to the womb , it has very many vessels which spring from the womb it self and the umbilical vessels . twins are both inclosed in one chorion , but have each a particular amnios ; it invests the egg orriginally , which egg being brought to the womb , and becoming a conception , this membrane imbibes the moisture that bedews the womb plentifully at that time . this liquor that it imbibes , is thought to be the nutritious juice that ouzes out of the capilary orifices of the hypogastrick and spermatick arteries , and is of the same nature with that which afterward is separated in the womb-cake , and carried to the infant by the umbilical vein ; and with that also which abounds in the amnios even till the birth . the amnios is the inmost membrane that immediately contains the child ; it is not knit to the chorion in any place save where the umbilical vessels pass through them both into the womb-cake ; it is very thin , soft , smooth , and pellucid , and encompasses the infant very loosly , it has vessels from the same origins as the chorion . from a limpid liquor contained in this membrane , the first lineaments of the embrio are drawn . but because this liquor is so very little , there sweats through this membrane presently part of that nutritious albugineous humour that is contained in the chorion , which it had imbibed out of the womb , and by the addition of this humour to the undiscernible rudiments of the embrio , it receives its increase . but tho' the amnios have its additional nutricious liquor at first only by transudation , yet when the umbilical vessels , and the womb-cakes are formed , it receives it after another manner , for then being separated from the mothers arteries by the placenta , and imbibed by the umbilical veins of the infant passes directly to its heart , from whence being driven a great part of it down the aorta , it is sent forth again by the umbilical arteries , out of whose capillaries dispersed plentifully through the amnios , it issues into its cavity . a third membrane which invests the whole infant is the allantoides ; it has the same figure as the chorion and amnios , betwixt which it is placed in their whole circumference . now , tho' it must be supposed that this as well as the other two is originally in the egg , yet there is no appearance of it , till after the umbilical vessels and the womb-cake are formed , and the albugineous liquor ceases to be imbibed by the chorion out of the uterus ; but as soon as the infant begins to be nourished by the umbilical vessels , and the urachus is permeable , then presently this membrane begins to shew it self , containing a very thin liquor , which is the urine of the infant brought into it by the urachus , and wherewith it is filled daily more and more till the birth : it may be known from the chorion and amnios by this , that they have numerous vessels dispersed through them ; but this has not the least visible vein or artery ; it is very hard to separate the chorion from it , but towards the birth it becomes so turgid with urine , that the amnios which immediately contains the infant , swims 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 liquor that it contains is the urine 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 brought hither by the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 soon as the infant is perfect 〈…〉 , its kidneys must needs perform 〈…〉 office of separating the serum from the blood , for otherwise it would be affected with an ansarca ; i say , the serum is separated in the kidneys , and glides down from thence into the bladder , wherein there is a pretty large quantity when the infant is five or six months old : now it flows not out of the bladder by its orifice , because at that time the sphincter is too contracted and narrow , and if it should pass that way , it would mix with the nourishing juice wherein the infant swims in the amnios , and wherewith by taking it in by its mouth , it is partly nourished , and so would defile and corrupt it . nature therefore has provided it another passage by the urachus inserted into the bottom of the bladder , which tho it grows solid like a ligament after the child is born , as the umbilical vein does , yet while the infant is in the womb , it is open and conveighs the urine into the allantoides , that is placed betwixt the chorion and amnios , where it is collected and preserved till the birth . the naval-string is membraneous , wreathed , and unequal , and arises from the navel ; it reaches to the womb-cake ; it is about half an ell long , and a finger thick , the vessels contained in this string , and covered with the common coat called funiculus are four , one vein , two arteries , and the urachus ; the vein is larger than the aretries , and arises from the liver of the infant at the trunk of the vena porta , and from thence passing out of the navel it runs along the funiculus to the womb-cake , into which it is implanted by innumerable roots ; but before it reaches it , it sends some little twigs into the amnios . the umbilical vein serves for conveying to the infant the nutricious juice separated in the womb-cake from the mothers arteries ; but together with this juice returns so much of the arterial blood , that comes from the infant , as is not spent upon the nourishment of the womb-cake , or of the chorion and amnios . in the funiculus are included also two arteries , which are not both of them together so big as the vein ; they spring out of the inner iliacal branches of the great artery , and passing by the sides of the bladder , they rise up to the navel , out of which they are conducted to the womb-cake , in the same common cover with the vein and urachus wherewith they are twined and wreathed like a rope . spirituous blood is driven from the infant by the beating of its heart to the womb-cake , and the membranes , for nourishment , from which , what blood remains circulates back again to the umbilical vein together with nutricious juice , imbibed afresh by its capillaries dispersed in the womb-cake . but besides arterial blood , there flows out of the navel by them part of the nutricious juice , that was imported by the umbilical vein , i say flows out by these arteries , which by their branches , that are dispersed through the amnios , discharge it by their little mouths into it . the fourth umbilical vessel is the urachus , or urinary vessel , it is a small , membranous , round pipe indued with a straight cavity arising from the bottom of the bladder up to the navel ; out of which it passes along within the common cover and opens into the allantoides . these four vessels , as has been said above , have one common cover , which also keeps each of them from touching the other ; it is called funiculus ; it is membranous , round and hollow , indifferent thick , consisting of a double coat , the inner from the peritoneum , and the outer from the paniculus carnosus . it has several knots , which dr. wharton thinks are little glands , through which the nutricious juice distills out of the capacity of the funiculus into the cavity of the amnios . midwives guess by their number how many more children the mother shall have , but without reason . when the infant is born , its navel-rope is wont to be tyed about one or two fingers breadth from the navel , with a strong thread cast about it several times , and then about two or three fingers breadth beyond the ligature to be cut off ; what is not cut off is suffered to remain till it drop off of its own accord . as to the way how the infant is nourished there has been great disputes , some affirm by blood only , and that received by the umbilical vein , others by chile only received in by the mouth ; but indeed according to the different degrees of perfection , that an egg passes from conception to an infant ready for the birth , it is nourished variously . for , first , as soon as an egg impregnated descends into the womb , it presently imbibes through its outer membrane some of that albugineous liquor , that at this time plentifully bedews the internal superfices of the womb , so that as soon as the first lineaments of an embryo begin to be drawn , out of that humour contained in the amnios , they presently receive increase by the apposition of the said liquor filtrated out of the chorion through the amnios into its cavity ; and this same liquor , that thus increases the first rudiments of the embryo , dr. harvey calls coliquamentum . but when the parts of the embryo begin to be a little more perfect , and the chorion becomes so dense , that not any more of the said liquor is imbibed by it , the umbilical vessels begin to be formed , and to extend to the side of the amnios which they penetrate , and both the vein and arteries pass also through the allantois and chorion , and are implanted into the womb-cake , that at this time , first gathering upon the chorion joins it to the womb ; and now the hypogastrick and spermatick arteries , that before cast the nutricious juice into the cavity of the womb , open by the orifices into the womb-cake , where they deposite the said juice , which is absorded by the umbilical vein , and by it conveyed , first to the liver , then to the heart of the infant , where the thinner and the more spirituous part of it is turn'd into blood ; but the more gross and earthy part of it descending by the aorta enters the umbilical arteries , and by those branches of them , that run through the amnios , is discharged into its cavity . the grosser nutricious juice being deposited by the umbilical arteries in the amnios , as soon as the mouth , gullet , and stomach , and the like are formed so perfectly , that the foetus can swallow , it sucks in some of the said juice , which descending into the stomach and intestines , is received by the lacteal veins , as in grown persons . the infant therefore is nourished three several ways , but only by one humour : first , by apposition of it , while it is yet an imperfect embrio , and has not the umbilical vessels formed : but after these are perfected , it then receives the same nutricious juice by the umbilical vein , the more spirituous and thin part whereof it changes into blood , and sends forth the grosser part by the umbilical artery into the amnios , which the infant sucks in at its mouth , and undergoing a new concoction in its stomach , is received out of the intestines by the lacteal veins , as is done after the birth . a child in the womb differs from an adult person in many parts , the parts are less , the colour of the whole reddish , the bones soft , and many of them gristly and flexible in the head : there are several differences : first , the head , in respect to the proportion of the rest of the body , is bigger , the crown is not covered with bone , but only with a membrane ; the bone of the forehead is divided , as also of the under jaw , and the os cuneiforme is divided into four . the bone of the hinder part of the head is distinguished into three , four or five bones . the brain is softer , and more fluid , and the nerves very soft . the bones that serve the sense of hearing are wonderfully hard and big ; the teeth lie hid in the little holes of the jaw-bone ; the dugs swell , and out of them in infants new born , whether male or female , a serous milk issues forth sometimes of its own accord , and sometimes with a gentle pressure : the vertebrae of the back want their spinous processes , and each of them made of three distinct bones : the heart is remarkably big , and its auriculae large : there are two unions of the greater vessels , that are not conspicuous in grown persons : first , the foramen ovale , by which there is a passage open , out of the cava into the vein of the lungs , just as each of them are opening , the first into the right ventricle , and the latter into the left ventricle of the heart , and this foramen , just as it opens into the vein of the lungs has a valve that hinders any thing from returning out of the said vein into the foramen : secondly , the arterial channel , which two fingers breadth from the basis of the heart joyns the artery of the lungs to the aorta ; it has a pretty lage cavity , and ascends a little obliquely from the said artery to the aorta , into which it conveys the blood , that was driven into the artery of the lungs , out of the right ventricle of the heart , so that it never comes into the left ventricle , as the blood that is sent out of the left venticle into the aorta never came in the right , except a little that is returned from the nutrition of the lungs , but past immediately into it out of the vena cava by the foramen ovale , so that the blood passes not through both the ventricles , as it does after the child is born . you may know whether infants killed by whores , and which they commonly affirm were still-born , were really so or no , by putting the lungs of the infant in water ; for if they were still-born the lungs will sink , if alive , so as to breath never so little while , they will swim . the gland thymus is very large , and consists as it were of three glands ; the umbilical vessels go out of the abdomen ; the stomach is narrower , but pretty full of a whitish liquor : the caul is scarce visible , the guts are seventimes longer than the body ; the excrements in the small guts are flegmatick and yellow , but in the thick somewhat hard and blackish , sometimes greenish ; the caecum is larger than usual , and often fill'd with faeces : the liver is very large , and extends it self into the left side , and covers all the upper part of the stomach , it has a passage , which is not in grown persons , called the veiny channel , which arising out of the sinus of the porta , carries the greatest part of what is brought by the umbilical vein directly , and in a full stream into the cava above the liver : but this passage presently closes , as soon as the infant is born , and turns to a ligament , as doth the urachus and the two umbilical arteries . the spleen is small ; the gall-bladder is full of yellow or green choler ; the sweet-bread is very large and white ; the kidneys are bigger and unequal in their superficies ; the renes succenturiati are exceeding large ; the ureters are wide , and the bladder stretched with urine ; in females the vvomb is depressed , the tubes long , and the testes very large ; the little bones of the vvrists and instep are gristly , and not firmly joyned together . its knees are drawn up to the belly , its legs bending backwards , its feet across , and its hands lifted up to its head , one of which it holds to the temple or ear , the other to the cheek , where there are white spots on the skin , as if it had been rubbed upon ; the back-bone turns round , the head hanging down towards its knees , its face commonly towards the mothers back ; but near the birth , sometimes a vveek or two before , it alters its situation , and tumbles down with its head to the neck of the vvomb , and its feet upwards ; then the vvomb also settles downwards , and its orifice relaxes , and opens ; and the infant moving up and down tears the membrans wherein it is included , and the waters flowing into the sheath ; but sometimes the membranes come forth whole ; at the same time the neighbouring parts are loosened and become fit for distension , and the bones near are so much relaxed in their joynts , that they make way for the infant , and the motion of it so much disturbs the vvomb , that the fibres of it and the muscles of the belly contract altogether to expel it . chap. xix . of the management of a woman with child . the woman ought to be kept in a good moderate and clear air , and she must eat what she likes best , and be sure not to fast too long ; only she must observe not to eat too much at a time ; and to comfort the stomach , which is always weak in this condition , she may drink a little wine , or for want of it strong beer at meals . as to sleep , a woman with child requires more sleep than she does at other times . as to exercise and rest , she must order her self according to the different times ; for at the beginning she ought to keep her self quiet , and not to use copulation : riding on horse-back , or in a waggon , or indeed in a coach is not safe at any time of her being with child , especially when she is near her time , for such exercises often cause miscarriage . but she may walk gently , or be carried in a chair . she must not carry or lift heavy burdens , or lift up her arms too high , and therefore ought not to dress her own head. let her exercise be gentle walking in low-heel'd shoes ; but she had better rest too much than exercise too much , for more hard labours are occasioned by violent exercise than by any other thing . moreover , it is convenient that the woman should abstain from copulation the last two months , for the body is very much moved , and the belly compressed in the action , which causes the child to take a wrong posture . if the belly be bound , as it is often at this time , prunes stewed , or veal broath may be often used , or the following glister may be used . boyl an handful of mallow leaves , in three quarters of a pint of milk , let the milk just boyl up , add to it two ounces of brown sugar , and a little fresh butter , strain it for use . she must moderate her passions , and great care must be taken that she be not frighted , and that melancholy news be not suddenly told her , but you must endeavour to keep her as chearful as possibly you can , the sudden surprizes of joy must be also avoided , for excesses on either hand are prejudicial . the cloaths of a woman with child should sit easie , for any immoderate pressure is apt to make the child deformed , and hurts the breasts , and very often causes miscarriage . unnecessary bleeding must be avoided , so must all strong purges but if purging is requisite , only such things as purge gently must be used , as cassia , rubarb , and manna . the cassia is best sucked out of the canes , the rubarb may be chewed , and an ounce and a half or two ounces of manna may be dissolved in posset-drink , and used upon occasion in the morning . vomiting often afflicts women with child , but if it be moderate and at the beginning and without great straining it is beneficial ; if it continues longer than the third or fourth month it ought to be remedied ; in order to which let the woman use good food , and a little at a time , and let her use with her meat the juice of oranges , she may eat now and then broth mixed with the yolk of an egg , for it 's very nourishing and of easie digestion , and after meals let her eat a little marmalade of quinces , and she may drink a glass of claret ; she must forbear fat meat and sauces , and sweet and sugar'd sauces . but if the vomiting continues notwithstanding this regular diet till the woman is above half gon , she must take the following purge . take of tamarinds half an ounce , of sena one dram , of rubarb one dram and an half , boyl them in a sufficient quantity of water , in three ounces of the strained liquor dissolve an ounce of manna , and an ounce of syrup of succory with rubarb ; make a purging potion to be taken in the morning . it may be repeated once or oftener upon occasion . and it may be proper for the woman in the winter time to were a lambskin or the like upon her stomach and belly . if pains of the back , reins and hips are violent , the woman must be blooded , and take at bed-time sixteen drops of the liquid laudanum mentioned at the latter end of the chapter of hysteric diseases in a glass of canary wine , or in any thing else she likes , and she must keep her bed till the pain abates ; if the pain is continual , the belly must be supported with a swaith fitted for the purpose . if after the third or fourth month the breasts are very painful , 't is convenient the woman shou'd bleed in the arm , if she be full of blood , and use a diet that is moderately cooling and nourishing ; but if the pain comes at the beginning , we ought to leave the whole business to nature , only the woman must have a care that she receives no blows on those parts , nor must she be strait laced , for fear the breasts shou'd impostumate . if incontinence or difficulty of urin be occasion'd by the weight and bigness of the belly , the woman may remedy it , and ease her self , if when she wou'd make water , she lift up with both her hands the bottom of her belly , or she may wear a large swaith fitted for this use , to bear up the belly , but the best way is to keep her in bed. if a sharpness of urin causes an inflammation on the neck of the bladder , it may be appeased by a regular cooling diet , and emulsions of the cold seeds used morning and evening . take of blanched almonds number twelve , of the four greater cold seeds each one dram and an half , of the seeds of lettice and white poppies each half a dram , beat them in a marble mortar , and pour on them gently three quarters of a pint of poppy water , make an emulsion for two doses , add one ounce of syrup of violets and half a dram of sal prunella . if the inflammation and sharpness of urine be not removed by the things above-mention'd , a little blood may be taken from the arm , and the neck of the bladder may be bathed with the following decoction , with flannels dipt in it and pressed out . take of the roots of marsh-mallows one ounce , of the leaves of mallows , marsh-mallows , pellitory , and violets , each one handful , of the flowers of melilote one handful , of the seeds of flax and fenugreek each two drams , boyl them in a sufficient quantity of water to a pint and half . but if the woman notwithstanding she observes these directions cannot make water , it must be drawn out with a catheter by an artist . if the woman be troubled with a violent cough she must be blooded in the arm at any time of her being with child , for this is apt to occasion miscarriage , and all salted and spiced meat and sharp things must be forborn . she may now and then use juice of liquorish , sugar candy , and syrup of violets , and if the body be bound a glister of milk and sugar may be injected . the following syrup is very proper in this case . take half a pint of claret wine , one dram of cinnamon , half a dozen cloves , and four ounces of sugar , burn the wine , and boyl it to the consistence of a syrup , whereof let the woman take three spoonfuls at bedtime . the woman must go loose in her clothes , and if the rheum be very thin , and the cough tickles much , sixteen drops of the liquid laudanum mentioned in the chapter of hysteric diseases must be now and then taken at bedtime in some liquor she uses to drink . if the legs and thighs swell and are painful , they must be swaithed with a swaith three or four fingers broad , beginning to swaith from the bottom ; but in this case 't is best for the woman to be kept in bed ; if there be signs of fulness of blood , she must be blooded in the arm. if the big bellied woman be troubled with the piles , and abound with blood , she must be blooded in the arm , and if her body is costive , the emollient glyster mentioned above must be used , and afterwards to ease the pain they must be anointed often with populean ointment mixt with a few grains of opium : for instance , take of populean ointment one dram , of opium five grains , beat them well together in a mortar , and anoint the piles with it twice or thrice a day . but if the inflammation and the swelling are much , you must apply leeches to the part affected , and let her keep her bed. if the piles bleed of themselves immoderately ( for if the flux be moderate at this time the woman being full of blood she may be relieved thereby ) a cooling and thickening course of diet must be order'd , as three parts of fountain water , and one of milk boyl'd together and drank cold , roasted apples , barly-broths , and the like , also thickning and cooling juleps and emulsions . take of the waters of plantain and cinnamon hordeated each four ounces , of distilled vinegar half an ounce , of true-bole and dragons-blood each half a dram , of the liquid laudanum mentioned in the chapter of hysteric fits thirty drops , of syrup of myrtles one ounce and an half , mix them and make a julep , let her take four or five spoonfuls every night at bed-time . take of the four greater cold seeds , each one dram and an half , of sweet almonds number four , of the seeds of white poppies two drams , plantain water eight ounces , of red poppy water four ounces , of cinnamon water hordeated one ounce and an half , make an emulsion , to which add three drams of pearled sugar , and half an ounce of the juice of cevil orange , mingle them , let her take four ounces thrice a day . bleeding in the arm is also proper in this case to turn the flux . if a loosness comes upon a woman with child , and continues above five days , she must use food of easie digestion and little at a time , and let her drink be claret wine mixt with water , wherein iron has been quenched , and now and then milk boyl'd with thrice the quantity of water , or the white decoction made in the following manner . take of calcined harts-horn powder'd two ounces , of fountain water two quarts , boyl it till half is consumed , strain it gently through a linnen rag , and add to it three ounces of syrup of quinces . and before meals she may eat a little marmalade of quinces . but note , that before she uses these astringents , it will be convenient to purge off the ill humours with the following potion . take of rubarb one dram and a half , of sena two drams , boyl them in a sufficient quantity of water , to three ounces of strain'd liquor , add one ounce of syrup of succory with rubarb , and two drams of cinnamon-water . let it be taken in the morning . but if the loosness turn to the bloody-flux , the case is very dangerous , and therefore after the use of the purging potion above mention'd , if the woman has strength enough to bear it , you must immediately give sixteen drops of the liquid laudanum so often mentioned in this treatise , in two or three spoonfuls of cinnamon-water hordeated or the like , which must be repeated every night at bedtime , and in the morning too , if the flux continue violent , and to keep up the strength four or five spoonfuls of the following julep may be taken often . take of the waters of black-cherries and strawberries each four ounces , of epidemic water and compound scordium-water , and of cinnamon-water hordeated each one ounce , of pearls prepared one dram and an half , of chrystaline sugar a sufficient quantity , make a julep . the vvomans drink in this case must be the milk water , or the white decoction above described , and when she is very weak , she may take for her ordinary drink , a quart of fountain water boyl'd with half a pint of sack ; and she may eat sometimes panada , and sometimes broth made of lean mutton , and she must be kept in bed : moreover a glister made of half a pint of cows milk , and an ounce and an half of venice-treacle must be injected daily . if the vvoman has her courses after the fourth or fifth month of her being with child ( for some vvomen have them till the fifth month , without any manner of prejudice to themselves or their children ) you must endeavour to stop them then , and before too if you suppose they slow by reason of the heat and acrimony of the blood , or the weakness of the vessels , and not from an abundance of blood , which may be known by her having her courses much when she was not with child . to stop this flux , the vvoman must be kept in bed , and forbear all things that may heat the blood , especially anger ; she must use a strengthening and cooling diet , feeding on meat that breeds good blood and thickens it , as broths made of poultry , necks of mutton , knuckles of veal , wherein may be boyl'd cooling herbs ; she may eat new lay'd eggs , gellies , rice-milk , barly-broth , and the like , and iron must be quenched in her beer , and she must forbear copulation , and the belly must be bathed about the region of the vvomb with tent , wherein pomegranate-peel , provence roses and cinnamon has been boyl'd . but if the vvoman be taken with flooding , the case is extreamly hazardous , and if it continues violent , she must be deliver'd without delay , for otherwise death will necessarily follow : yet it is to be noted , that it must not be done presently as soon as the flux is perceived , because some small floodings have been sometimes suppressed by keeping quiet in bed , by bleeding in the arm , and the use of remedies above mention'd : if therefore the blood flows , but in a small quantity , and continues but a little while , she must not be delivered ; but if it flows in so great abundance that she falls into convulsions and faintings , the operation must not be deferred , whether she has pains and throws or not . and because in floodings , weakness and faintings ever follow , we must endeavour to preserve that little strength the vvoman has left , and to increase it if possible , that so she may be able to bear the operation ; to which purpose there ought to be given her from time to time good strengthening broths , gellies , and a little good vvine , she must always smell to vinegar , and have a warm toast dipt in vvine and cinnamon appli'd to the region of her heart , which do her more good than solid food , and to prevent the blood from flooding in great abundance before she can be delivered , a vein in her arm may be open'd to turn the course of it , and napkins dipt in vvater and vinegar may be apply'd all along her reins . if the woman be troubled with a bearing down of the womb , her best way is to keep in bed ; but if she cannot conveniently do so , she must wear a broad swaith to keep up her belly ; but if the bearing down proceeds from humours that relax the ligaments of the vvomb , she must be kept to a drying diet , her food being rather roasted than boyl'd , and must refrain from copulation and must not be strait laced . if the lips of the privities are much swelled , by reason of watery humours falling upon them , you must scarifie with a lancet all along the lips , that the humours may distil out , and you must foment the parts with the following decoction . take of the leaves of bays , sage , rosemary , and of the flowers of camomile each one handful , boyl them in a sufficient quantity of fountain water ; to a pint and half of the strain'd liquor , add a quarter of a pint of brandy , and bath the parts affected often with a spunge dipt in the hot liquor . chap. xx. of miscarriage . to prevent miscarriage , all indispositions of the body which are wont to occasion it must be removed , as fulness of blood , ill humours , and peculiar diseases of the vvomb , as swellings , ulcers and the like . fulness of blood opens the veins of the vvomb , or strangles the infant , and therefore the vvoman must be blooded , and so much blood must be taken away , as will sufficiently discharge nature . if an ill habit of body and ill humours are the cause of miscarriage , the vvoman must be frequently purged , and a small quantity of blood may be taken away , and betwixt the purges , such things must be used as correct the indisposition of the bowels , and the sharpness of the humours , and the humours must be thickened if they are too thin . and if flegmatick humours abound , they must be carried off by sweats and such things as force urin : issues in the arms and thighs are also very proper to prevent miscarriage , whatever ill humours abound in the body . the peculiar diseases of the vvomb , as over great moisture , swellings , ulcers , and such like , must be cured by their proper remedies : and first , if moisture abound , let the woman be purged with two scruples of the pill coch-major twice a week , and when she does not purge , let her drink morning and evening of the following decoction . take of the roots of sarsaparilla four ounces , of china two ounces , of white and red sanders each half an ounce , of the rasping of harts-horn and ivory each three drams , infuse them , and boyl them in eight pints of fountain water till half is consumed ; add a quarter of pound of raisins of the sun , and if the woman be of a flegmatick constitution , instead of china , add two ounces of guiacum rasped . let her drink half a pint morning and evening . take of franckincense , myrrh , mastich , storax , calamite , gum of juniper , ladanum , each one ounce , with a sufficient quantity of turpentine make troches , and let one or more of them be cast on live coals , and let the fume be received into the privities through a funnel . if a swelling be the cause , you must make application according to the nature of the humour , and the time and other circumstances of the swelling ; if it be hot and made by fluxion , which may be known by the pain and suddenness of the swelling , as also by the tension and pulsation , and by being accompanied with a fever , bleeding must be used in the first place , and the woman must be frequently purged with the purging potion mention'd in the foregoing chapter , made of tamarinds , sena , manna , and the like , and after evacuations you must apply cooling and repelling things to the reins and the lower part of the belly , as oyl of roses washed in vinegar and the like , and the following decoction may be injected into the womb. take of the leaves of plantain , water lillies , night-shade , and endive each one handful , of red roses two pugils , boyl them in three pints of fountain water till a pint is consumed , add to it of oyl of myrtles one ounce , of vinegar half an ounce . but note you must not use cooling and repelling things too long , lest the tumour be hardened thereby and turn to a scirrhus , and therefore soon after the beginning of the swelling , emollient and resolving things must be mixt with repellents , mallows , marshmallows , mugwort , fenugreek , camomile and melilote ; and if the pain be violent , you must inject into the womb goat or sheeps milk , with opium and saffron each three or four grains , to which may be added a little rose water . but if the swelling cannot be resolved and tends to suppuration , it must be furthered by the application of the following pultis . take of the roots of marshmallows , of the flowers of camomile and melilote , of the seeds of flax and fenugreek each one ounce , of fat figs number eight , boyl them to the consistence of a pultis , then add the yolks of four eggs , of saffron half a scruple , of oyl of lillies and fresh butter each one ounce , make a cataplasm . if the swelling be made by congestion , it is slow and without pain , and generally cold , and the matter of it is either thin and serous , or thick and flegmatick and apt to grow hard . in this case steel medicines used as directed in the chapter of hysteric diseases do good , but purging must go before : issues in the legs are also proper , and emollient and resolving medicines must be apply'd outwardly in the following manner . take of the roots of marshmallows and lillies each two ounces , of the leaves of mallows , violets , marshmallows , and bears-breech each one handful , of the seeds of flax and fenugreek each one ounce , of the leaves of mugwort and calamint half a handful , of the flowers of camomile and melilote each one pugil , boyl them in three pints of fountain water till a third be consumed , and foment the region of the pubes and groin with a spunge dipt in it and pressed out : of the same decoction the dose of the simples being increased , a bath may be made , which is very effectual in this case , and more powerful than the fomentation ▪ glisters also and injections may be made of the same decoction , and frequently used , whereunto may be added the oyls of lillies , camomile , and sweet almonds . but these medicines must be used with great caution , lest the swelling shou'd degenerate into a cancer , and indeed 't is to no purpose to use medicines when the swelling is without pain and of a stony nature . but if an ulcer be the cause , the cure of it must be performed by stopping the fluxion of the humours , and by cleansing and conglutinating the ulcer ; and first if the body abound with blood , or if the ulcer be accompanied with an inflammation , a vein must be opened in the arm , and bleeding must be repeated as often as there is danger of a new fluxion , especially at the times of the courses , to lessen them , for they are wont to increase the matter of the ulcer , and to promote the flux of other humours to the womb. purging is also very necessary to cleanse the body from ill humours , but it ought to consist of gentle catharticks , as of sena , rhubarb , tamarinds , myrobolans and the like , or the purging potion of tamarinds may be used but if the woman vomits easily she may take the following vomit or the like . take of vinum benedictum six drams , of the water of carduus benedictus one ounce , of oxymel of squills half an ounce , mingle them , make a vomit , let it be taken about four in the afternoon , and she must drink a large draught of posset drink after every time she vomits . the days the sick does not purge , a vulnerary decoction must be used a long while in the following manner . take of the leaves of agrimony , knot-grass , burnet , and plantine , each one handful , of the roots of china three drams , of coriander one dram , of raisins half an ounce , of red sanders one scruple , boyl them in chicken broth , strain it , let the sick drink it morning and evening . if there be a fever , and if a great quantity of matter be evacuated , whey is very proper , half a pint or more being taken in a morning with a little honey of roses , and if there is an hectick fever and the body begins to wast , asses milk must be taken with sugar of roses for a whole month. turpentine washed in some proper water for the womb , as in mugwort or feverfew water , or in some water proper for the ulcer , as plantain or rose water , and taken with sugar of roses cleanses and heals the ulcer . to cleanse dry and heal the ulcer various injections are proposed , but they must not be used till the inflammation is taken off , and till the pain is quieted , and therefore upon account of the inflammation an emulsion of the cold seeds , or the whey of goats milk , or milk it self may be injected first , and if necessity requires , a decoction of poppy heads and tops of mallows may be injected . some practitioners say , the sick may be much relieved by injecting frequently warm water , and when the heat and pain is quieted , we may use such things as cleanse , beginning with the gentle , and proceeding gradually to the stronger . the gentle are whey with sugar , a decoction of barly with sugar , or honey of roses , but simple hydromel cleanses most . but if the ulcer be very sordid , the following decoction may be used . take of the roots of gentian , rhaponticum , zedoary , and round birthwort each one ounce , of white-wine three pints , boyl them to the consumption of a third part ; in the strain'd liquor dissolve half a pound of sugar , and keep it for use ; a little vnguentum aegyptiacum may be added to it if there be occasion to cleanse more . if the ulcer be deep , the fume mention'd above may be used ; when the ulcer is very obstinate , cinnabar must be added , which is of excellent use . if these diseases happen when a woman is with child , the difficulty is greater , because bigbellied women cannot so easily bear all kind of remedies , yet lest being destitute of all help they shou'd remain in extream danger of miscarriage and death , some kind of remedies are to be used ; therefore if she be too full of blood , she must have a vein opened , tho she be with child , especially in the first month , and so twice or thrice if need be , but much blood must not be taken away at a time . and when there is abundanee of ill humours , gentle purging must be used and repeated , especially in the middle months , and in the mean while those astringent and strengthening ▪ medicines must be used all the time the woman is with child , that are proper to hinder miscarriage . take of kermes berries and tormentil roots each three ounces , of mastich one dram and an half , make a powder , whereof give now and then half a dram , or as much as will lie on the point of a knife , or let her take every morning some grains of mastich : or take of conserve of roses two ounces , of citron peel candied six drams , of myrobolans candied , of the pulp of dates each half an ounce , of coral prepared , pearl prepared , and shavings of harts-horn each one dram , with syrup of quinces make an electuary , of which let the woman take often the quantity of a nutmeg . the following lozenges are very good for they strengthen , and by little and little free the body from excrements , tho they do not sensibly purge sometimes . take of mace , of the three sorts of sanders , rubarb , sena , coral , pearl , each one scruple , of sugar dissolved in rose-water four ounces , make all into lozenges weighing three drams apeece ; let her take one twice a week by it self , or dissolved in a little broth. the following plaster may be apply'd to the reins . take of the plaster ad herniam and de minio each equal parts , spread it on leather , and apply it to the small of the back . but plasters must not be worn long together , lest they should cause an heat of urin , and the stone in the kidnies . in the use of these things , the woman must keep her self as quiet as possibly she can , both in body and mind , and must abstain from copulation . but if notwithstanding the medicines aforesaid , by reason of the vehemence of the cause , whether it be outward or inward , the sick be ready to miscarry , we must do the best we can with the following remedies , and in the first place so soon as pains and throws shall be perceived in the lower part of the belly , and in the loins , we must endeavour to allay them both by medicines taken inwardly and outwardly apply'd according to the variety of the causes , and if crudities and wind are the cause , as they are most usually when the cause is within , a powder must be given made of aromaticum rosatum and coriander seeds , and we may give of the imperial water if flegm and wind abound . at the same time let carminative medicines be apply'd below the navel of the patient , such are bags of anise seeds , fennel seeds , fenugreek seeds , flowers of camomile , elder , rosemary and stechas , mixt together , or a rose cake fryed in a pan with rich canary , and sprinkled with powder of nutmegs and coriander seeds , or the gaul of a wether new kill'd or his lungs lay'd on warm . if by these means the pains cease not , let a glister be injected made of wine and oyl , wherein two drams of philonium romanum may be dissolved , or narcoticks may be given inwardly in a small quantity to allay the violence of the humours and wind , as we are wont to do in pains of the colick . but if blood begins to come away , frictions and painful ligatures of the upper parts must be used to turn the course of the blood , and if the woman be full of blood , it will not be amiss to take some blood from her , especially before it begins to low , but it must be taken away at several times a little at once . and if the flux of blood continues we must proceed to an astringent and thickening diet and medicines , as mentioned above . astringent fomentations may be also used outwardly made of pomgranate-peels , cypress nuts , acorn cups , balaustines , and the like , boyl'd in smiths water and red wine : or a little bag full of red roses and balaustines may be boyl'd in red wine and apply'd hot to the womans belly : and the plaister above mentioned may be used . it is believed , that the two following medicines will certainly retain the child in the womb if they be used before it is torn from the vessels of the womb. take of leaves of gold , number twelve , of spodium one dram , the cocks treading of three eggs not addle , mix all very well till the gold be broken into small peeces , afterwards dissolve them in a draught of white wine , and give it three mornings following . at the same time let the following cataplasm be applied . take of male frankincense powdred two ounces , the whites of five eggs , let them be stirred together over hot coals , add turpentine to make them stick , then spread them upon tow , and lay them upon her navel as hot as she can possibly endure them twice a day morning and evening on the three days afore-said . chap. xxi . the signs that precede a natural and vnnatural delivery . the signs preceding a natural labour a few days before , are sinking down of the belly , which hinders a woman at that time in walking as easie as she used to do , and thence flows from the womb slimy humours , appointed by nature to moisten and smoothen the passage , that its inward orifice may the more easily be dilated , when it is necessary , which beginning to open a little at that time suffers that slime to flow away . the signs accompanying present labour are , great pains about the region of the reins and loins , which coming and redoubling by intervals , answer in the bottom of the belly with reiterated throws , the face is red and inflamed , because the blood is much heated by the continual endeavours of the woman to bring forth the child , as also because that during these strong throws , her respiration is ever intercepted , for which reason much blood hath recourse to the face , her privy parts are swelled , because the infants head often thrusts , and causes the neighbouring parts to distend outwards ; upon which account they appear swell'd in this manner ; she is often subject to vomiting , which makes many believe , who know not the cause of it , that the women are for this reason in danger : but it is generally the sign of a speedy delivery , because the good pains are then excited and redoubled every moment , until the business is finished . when the birth is very near , women are troubled with an universal trembling , and chiefly of the legs and thighs , with the heat of the whole body and humours , which then flow from the womb , and they are often discoloured with blood , which with the signs above mentioned is an infallible sign of the nearness of the birth . this the women usually call shows , and if one then puts up their finger into the neck of the womb , they will find the inner orifice dilated , at the opening whereof , the membranes of the infant containing the waters present themselves , and are strongly forc'd downwards with every pain the woman has , at which time one may perceive them to resist the finger , more or less as the pains are stronger or weaker . these membranes with the waters in them , when gathered ( that is , when they are advanced before the head of the child , which makes the midwives call it the gathering of the waters ) presenting themselves at this inward orifice , do then resemble very well to the touch of the finger , abortive eggs which have yet no shell , but are only covered with a simple membrane . after this the pains redoubling continually , the membranes are broken by the strong impulse of the waters , which incontinently flow away , and then the head of the child is easily felt naked , and presented at the opening of the inward orifice of the womb : now all these or the greatest part of them meeting together , at what time soever of a vvomans going with child it be , whether at the full time or no , one may be assured she will soon be delivered : but great care must be taken not to hasten her labour before the necessity of it be known by these signs ; for that would but torment the vvoman and child in vain , and put them both in danger of their lives : labour contrary to nature is when the child comes in an ill figure and situation , as when it presents any otherwise than the head first ; as also when the waters flow away a long time before it is born ; also when the after-burthen comes first . the labour is also grievous when accompanied with a fever , or any other considerable disease which may destroy the child in the womb ; also when pains are small and come slow with long intervals and little profit , upon which account the woman is extreamly tired ; but the wrong posture of the infant is most commonly the cause of difficult labour . as soon as it is known that the woman is certainly in labour by the signs above mentioned , then must all things necessary to comfort the woman in her labour be got ready , and the better to help her , care must be taken that she be not strait laced ; a pretty strong glister may be given her , or more than one , if there be occasion , which must be done at the beginning , before the child be too forwards , for afterwards it is very difficult for her to receive them ▪ in the mean while all things necessary for her labour should be put in order , as well for the woman as the child ; her midwifes stool , or rather a pallet-bed girted placed close by the fire , if the season require it ; the pallet ought to be so placed , as to be turned round about when there is occasion , the better to help the woman . if the woman be full of blood , it may be convenient to bleed her a little , for by this means her breasts being disingaged , and her respiration free , she will have more strength to bear down her pains , which may be done without danger , because the child being about that time ready to be born , hath no more need of the mothers blood for its nourishment , which has been often practised with good success . besides , this evacuation often hinders her having a fever after delivery , and to preserve her strength , it will be convenient to give her some good gelly broaths , new laid eggs , or some spoonfuls of burnt wine from time to time , or a toast dipt in wine , avoiding solid food . above all she must be perswaded to hold out her pains , bearing them down as much as she can , at the instant when they take her . the midwife must from time to time touch the inward orifice with her finger , to know whether the waters are ready to break , and whether the birth will follow soon after ; she must also anoint all the bearing place with emollient oyls , hogs grease or fresh butter , if she perceive it can hardly be dilated ; and all the while she must be near her woman to observe her gestures diligently , her complaints and pains ; for so she may guess pretty well how the labour advances , without being obliged to touch her body so often . the woman may by intervals rest her self on the bed to refresh her self , but not too long , especially if she be a little short thick woman , for they have always worst labours , if they lie much on their beds in their travail , especially of their first children , than when they are prevailed with to walk about the chamber ; ( but they must be supported under the arms , if it be necessary ) for by this means the weight of the child causes the inward orifice to dilate sooner than in bed. when the waters of the child are ready and gather'd , the midwife ought to let them break of themselves , for the breaking of them before the infant be wholly in the passage prolongs the labour ; for by the too hasty breaking of these waters , which ought to help the child to slide forth with greater ease , he remains dry , which hinders afterwards the pains and throws , so that they cannot be so effectual in excluding the child , as otherwise they would have been : it is therefore better to let them break of themselves , and then the midwife may easily find the child bare by the part which first presents , and so judge certainly whether it comes right , that is with the head , which she will find hard , big , round , and equal ; but if it be any other part , she will perceive something unequal and rugged , and hard or soft , more or less according to the parts ; immediately let her dispatch to deliver her woman , if she be not already , and assist the birth , which ordinarily happens soon after , if natural , in the following manner . after the waters be broke of themselves , as above-said , let the woman be presently placed on the pallate provided for her to this purpose , near the fire , or she may , if she like it better , be delivered in her ordinary bed ; for all women are not accustomed to be delivered in the same posture , some will be delivered on their knees , others standing , leaning with their elbows on a pillow , upon a table , or the side of a bed , and others lying upon a quilt in the midst of the chamber . but the best and surest way of delivery is in bed , to avoid the inconvenience and trouble of being carried thither afterwards , in which case it ought to be furnished rather with a quilt than a feather-bed , having upon it linnen and cloaths in many folds , with other necessaries to be changed upon occasion , that the woman may not be incommoded afterwards with the blood , waters , and other filth , which is voided in labour . the bed must be so made , that the woman being ready to be delivered , should lie on her back upon it , with her head and breast a little raised , so as that she be neither lying nor setting ; for in this manner she breaths best , and will have more strength to help her pains , than if she sunk down into her bed ; being in this posture she must spread her thighs abroad , folding her legs a little towards her buttocks , somewhat raised by a small pillow underneath , and her feet must be staid against some firm thing ; moreover let her hold some by-standers with her hands , that she may the better stay her self during her pains . being thus placed near the side of her bed , with her midwife by to help upon occasion , she must take courage , and further her pains the best she can , bearing them down , when they take her , which she may do by holding her breath , and forcing her self all she can , just as when she goes to stool . in the mean while the midwife must comfort her , and persuade her to endure her labour bravely , and put her in hopes of a speedy delivery . the midwife , with her hand anointed with oyl or fresh butter , may gently dilate the inward orifice of the womb , putting her fingers ends into its entry , and stretching them one from another , and thrusting by little and little the sides of the orifice towards the hinder part of the childs head , anointing these parts also with fresh butter . when the infants head begins to advance to the inward orifice , it is commonly said it is crown'd , and when it is come so far , that the extremity begins to appear manifestly without the privy parts , it is then said that the child is in the passage , and the woman in travail imagins , tho it is no such thing , that her midwife hurts her with her fingers , finding her self as it were scratched , and pricked with pins in those parts , by reason of the violent distension , which the bigness of the childs head causes there . when things are in this posture , the midwife must seat her self conveniently to receive the child , which will soon come , and with her fingers ends , her nails being close paired , endeavour to thrust , as above-said , this crowning of the womb , back off over the head of the child ; and as soon as it is advanced as far as the ears , or thereabouts , she may take hold of the two sides with her two hands , that when a good pain comes , she may quickly draw forth the child , taking care that the navel-string be not then intangled about the neck , or any other part , lest thereby the after-burthen be pulled with violence , and possibly the womb also , whereunto it is fastened , and so cause flooding , or else break the string , whereby the woman may come to be more difficultly delivered . it must also be observed , that the head be not drawn forth straight , but shaking it a little from one side to the other , that the shoulders may sooner and easier take place , immediately after it is past , which must be done without losing any time , lest the head being past , the child be stopt there by the largeness of the shoulders , and be in danger of being suffocated in the passage : but as soon as the head is born , if there be need , the midwife may slide in her finger under the arm-pits , and the rest of the body will follow without any difficulty . as soon as the midwife has in this manner drawn forth the child , she must put it on one side , lest the blood and waters , which follow immediately after should choak it ; afterwards let her be very careful to examin that there be no more children in the womb , which she may know , if putting her hand up the entry , she finds there another water gathering . if it be so , she must have a care not to go about to fetch the after-burthen , till the woman be delivered of all her children ; wherefore the first string must be cut , being first tied with a thred three or four double , and the other end must be fastened with a string to the womans thigh . as soon as the child is born , before the navel-string is tied or cut , the woman must be freed of the after-burthen . to perform this , the midwife having taken the string must wind it once or twice about one or two of her fingers of her left hand joined together , the better to hold it , wherewith she may then draw it moderately , and with the right hand , she may only take a single hold of it above the left near the privities , drawing likewise with that very gently , resting the fore-finger of the same hand extended , and stretched forth along the string towards the entry of the sheath , always observing to draw it from the side , where the burthen cleaves least . above all things care must be taken , that it be not drawn forth with too much violence , lest by breaking the string , you are obliged to put the whole hand into the womb to deliver the woman , or the womb be drawn down forth with it ; also by drawing it out with too much violence , a great flooding may thereby happen . to facilitate the expulsion , the woman may blow strongly into her hands shut , or she may put her finger into her throat , as if she would provoke vomiting , or she may strive as if she were going to stool , bearing always down , and holding her breath . when all these circumstances have been observed , if you meet with difficulty , you may , if need be , after that you know on which side the after-birth is situated , command an experienced nurse-keeper to press the belly lightly with the flat of her hand , directing it gently downwards by way of friction ; above all being careful not to do it too violently ; but if all this be in vain , then must the hand be directed into the vvomb to loosen and separate it . as soon as the vvoman is delivered of both child and burthen , it must then be considered whether there be all , and care had , that not the least part of it remain behind , not so much as the skirts or clods of blood , which ought all to be brought away with the first ; for otherwise , being retained , they cause great pains . when the woman has two children , you must not fetch the burthen , as was said before , till both the children are born , and then it may be done without danger , shaking and drawing it always gently sometimes by one string , sometimes by the other , and sometimes by both together , and so by turns till all is come . when the infant comes right and naturally , the woman is brought to bed , and delivered with little help , for which the meanest midwifes are capable , and oft-times for want of them , a simple nursekeeper may supply the place . but when it is a wrong labour there is a great mystery belongs to it ; for then the skill and prudence of a surgeon is for the most part requisite . immediately after the woman is delivered , and the burthen come away , care must be taken that the loosening of it be not followed with a flooding ; if it be not , a soft closure must be immediately applied to the womb , five or six times double , to prevent the cold air entring in and stopping the vessels , whereby the womb should cleanse by degrees when the vvomb is so closed : if the vvoman was not delivered upon her ordinary bed , let her presently be carried into it by some strong body or more if there be need , rather than to let her walk thither ; which bed must be ready warmed and prepared , as is requisite for the cleansings . but if she were delivered on it , which is best and safest to prevent the danger and trouble of carrying her to it , then all the soul linnen and other things put there for receiving the bloud , vvaters , and other filth , which comes away in labour , must be removed , and she must be placed conveniently in it for her ease and rest , which she much wants to recover her of the pains and labour she endured in travail , she must be placed with her head and body a little raised for to breath the freer , and to cleanse the better , especially of that blood which then comes away , that so it may not clod , which being retained causes very great pains . all this will happen if they have not liberty to come freely by this convenient situation , in which she must put down her legs and thighs close together having a small pillow for her greater ease , if she desire it under her hams , upon which they may rest a little . being so put to bed , let her lie neither on one side nor the other , but just on the middle of her back , that so the vvomb may repossess its natural and proper place . it is an ordinary custom to give the vvoman , as soon as she is delivered , two ounces of oyl of sweet almonds , and as much syrup of maiden-hair , which is good to sweeten and temper the inside of the throat , which was heated , and hoarse by her continual cryes , and holding her breath , to bear down her throws during her labour ; it is also good to prevent the grips ; but this potion goes so much against the stomachs of some vvomen , that being forced to take it with an aversion , it may do them more hurt than good ; therefore let none have it , but those that desire it and have no aversion for it : but good broath taken after she is a little setled may be more beneficial . having thus accommodated her , and provided for her belly , breasts , and lower parts , leave her to rest and sleep if she can , making no noise , the bed-curtains being close drawn , and the doors and vvindows of her chamber shut , that so seeing no light , she may the sooner fall asleep . as soon as the bed is cleansed from the foul linnen and other impurities of the labour , and the woman therein placed , let there be outwardly applied all over the bottom of her belly and privities , the following anodyne pultiss made of two ounces of sweet almonds with two or three new laid eggs yolks and whites , stirring them together in an earthen pipkin over hot embers till it comes to the consistence of a pultiss , which being spread upon cloath , must be applyed to those parts indifferently warm , having first taken away the closures which were put to her , presently after her delivery , and likewise such clods of blood as were there left . this is a very fit remedy to appease the pains which women commonly suffer in those parts , by reason of the violence then endured by the infants birth ; it must lie on five or six hours , and then be renewed a second time , if there be occasion . afterwards make a decoction of barly , linseed , and chervil , or with marsh-mallows and violet leaves , adding to a pint of it an ounce of honey of roses , wherewith , being luke-warm , foment three or four times a-day , for the first five or six days of child-bed , the bearing place , cleansing it very well from the clods of blood and other excrements which are there emptied . some persons only use for this purpose luke-warm milk , and many women only barly-water . great care must be taken at the beginning that no stopping thing be given to hinder the cleansings , but when ten or twelve days are past , and she has cleansed sufficiently , remedies may then be used to fortifie the parts , for which purpose a decoction is very proper made of province roses , leaves and roots of plantain and smiths water , and when she has sufficiently and fully done cleansing , which is usually after the eighteenth or twentieth day , there may be made for those that desire it , a very strong astringent lotion to fortifie and settle those parts which have been much relaxed , as well by the great extension they received , as by the humours , wherewith they have been so long time soak'd ; this remedy may be composed with an ounce and an half of pomgranat peel , an ounce of cypress nuts , half an ounce of accorns , an ounce of seal'd earth , an handful of provence roses , and two drachms of roch-allom , all which being infused in a quart and half a pint of strong red-wine , or that it may not be too sharp , some smiths water may be mixed with the wine , afterwards boil it to a quart , then strain it , squeezing it strongly ; and with this decoction foment the inferior parts night and morning to strengthen and confirm them . but they will never be reduced to the same state they were in , before the woman had children . a small plaister of galbanum , with a little civit in the middle may be also applyed to the womans navel . as for swaiths they need not be used the first day , or at least very loosly , especially if there has been hard labour , because the least compression of the womans belly , which is then very sore , as the womb also is , proves a great inconvenience to her ; wherefore let her not be swaithed until the second day , and that very gently at the beginning . the use of swaiths and of a good large square bolster over the whole belly may be continued the first seven or eight days to keep it a little steady ; but they must be taken off and removed often to anoint the womans belly all over , if it be sore , and if she has after-pains , with oils of sweet almonds and st. johns-wort mixed together , which may be done every day . but after that time they may be degrees begin to swaith her straiter , to contract and gather together the parts which are greatly extended , during her going with child , which may be then safely done , because the womb by these former cleansings is so diminished , that it cannot be too much compressed by the swaiths . proper remedies may be applied to the breasts to drive back the milk , if the woman will not be a nurse ; but if she intends to be a nurse , it will be sufficient to keep her breasts very close , and well covered with gentle and soft cloaths to keep them warm , and to prevent the curdling of the milk ; and if there be danger of too much milk being carried thither , anoint the breasts with oyl of roses and a little vinegar beat together , and put upon them some fine linnen dipt in it , observing that if the woman do suckle the child , she give not the breast the same day she is brought to bed , because then all her humours are extreamly moved with the pains and agitation of the labour ; therefore let her defer it at least till the next day ; and it would be yet better to stay four or five days or longer , to the end the fury of the milk , and the abundance of the humours , which flow to the breast at the beginning , may be spent , in which time another woman may give it suck . although a woman be naturally delivered , yet notwithstanding she must observe a good diet , to prevent many ill accidents which may happen to her during her child-bed , at the beginning whereof she must be directed in her meat and drink almost in the same manner as if she had a fever , that so it may be prevented , in as much as she is then very subject to it ; for this reason she must be regular in her diet , especially the three or four first days , in which time she must be nourished only with good broaths , new-laid eggs , and gellies , without using at the beginning more solid meats : but when the great abundance of her milk is a little past , she may with more safety eat a little broath at dinner , or a small piece of boyl'd chicken , or mutton ; afterwards , if no accident happens , she may be degrees be nourished more plentifully , provided that it be a third part less than she was accustomed to take in her perfect health , and that her food be of good and easie digestion ; as for her drink , let it be a ptisan made of liquorish , figs , and anniseeds , boyled in water : she may also , if she be not feverish , drink a little white wine well mixed with water , but not till after the fifth or sixth day . but it is to be noted that laborious women of a strong constitution require a more plentiful feeding ; yet notwithstanding , if they do not change the quality , they must at least retrench the quantity of their ordinary food . the child-bed woman must likewise keep her self very quiet in her bed lying on her back , with her head raised , and not turning often from side to side ; that so the womb may be the better settled in its first situation : she must free her self at that time from all care of business , let her talk as little as may be , and that with a low voice , and let no ill news be brought to her , which may affect her , because all these things do cause so great a commotion of the humours , that nature not being able to overcome them , cannot make the necessary evacuation of them , which has been the death of many . the woman ought always to keep her body open with glisters , taking one once in two days , which not only evacuate the gross excrements , but also by drawing downwards cause her to cleanse the better . when she has observed this rule a fortnight or three weeks , which is very near the time of having cleansed sufficiently , that those parts may be throughly cleansed before she goes abroad , and begin upon a new score , let her take a gentle purge of senna , cassia , and syrup of cichory , with rubarb , which is good to purge the stomach and bowels of those ill humours nature could not evacuate by the womb : this purge may be repeated upon occasion . women in their first labours have many times bruises and rents of the outward parts of the womb , and they must never be neglected , lest they degenerate into malignant ulcers ; for the heat and moisture of these parts , besides the filth which continually flows thence , easily contributes to it , if convenient remedies be not timely applied ; wherefore as soon as the woman is laid , if there be only simple contusions and excoriations , apply a pultiss made of yolks and whites of new-laid eggs and oil of roses seethed a little over warm embers , continually stirring till it be mixed , and then spread it upon a fine cloath , and apply it very warm for five or six hours , when being taken away , lay some fine rags dipt in oil of st. johns-wort on each side the bearing place , and renew them twice or thrice a day . foment these parts with barly-water and honey of roses to cleanse them from the excrements which pass , and when the vvoman makes water , let them be defended with fine rags to hinder the urine from causing pain and smarting . sometimes the bruises are so great , that the bearing-place is inflamed , and a very considerable abscess follows , in which case it must be opened just below the swelling in the most convenient place ; and after the matter is evacuated , a detersive decoction must be injected into the cavity , made of barly-water and oyl of roses , to which spirit of wine may be added , if there be any danger of corruption , and afterwards the ulcer must be dressed according to art. sometimes it happens that the perineum is so rent , that the privities and the fundament is all in one ; in this case , having cleansed the womb from such excrements as may be there with red-wine , let the rent be strongly stitched together with three or four stiches , or more , according to the length of the separation , taking at each stich good hold of the flesh , that so it may not break out , and then dress it with linimentum arcaei , or the like ; claping a plaister on , and some linnen above to prevent , as much as may be , the falling of the urine , and other excrements upon it , because the acrimony of them would make it smart , and cause pain ; and that these parts may close together with more ease , let the woman keep her thighs close together , without the least spreading until the cure be perfected : but if afterwards she happens to be with child , she will be obliged to prevent the like mischief to anoint those parts with emollient oyls , and oyntments , and when she is in labour , she must forbear helping her . throws too strongly at once , but leave nature to perform it by degrees , together with the help of a midwife well instructed in her art ; for usually when these parts have been once rent , it is very difficult to prevent the like in the following travail , because the scar there made does straighten the parts yet more ; wherefore it were to be wished for greater security against the like accidents , that the woman should have no more children . chap. xxii . of hard labour . many causes may be assigned that occasion hard labour , as the natural weakness of the mothers body , or her age , she being too young or too old ; or it may be occasioned by diseases that she had with her big belly , leanness or too much dryness of the body , or fat compressing the passages of the womb , the ill conformation of the bones encompassing the womb , as in those that are lame , may also occasion it ; wind swelling the bowels , a stone or preternatural tumour in the bladder that presses the womb may be the occasion ; so may the ill constitution of the lungs , or of the parts serving respiration , for the holding of the breath conduceth much to the exclusion of the child . various diseases of the vvomb may also render the delivery difficult , as swellings , ulcers , obstructions , and the like . the hard labour is occasioned by the child , when by reason it is dead , or putrified , or any way diseased it cannot confer any thing to its own exclusion ; also when the body or head is too large , or when there are more than one ; so twins most commonly cause hard labour , or the ill situation of the child is the cause , or when the hands or the feet offer first , or when one hand or one foot comes out first , or when it is doubled , or when the membranes break too soon , so that the vvater flows out and leaves the orifice of the vvomb dry at the time of exclusion , or when the membranes are too thick , so that they cannot be easily broken by the child . cold and dry air and a north-wind are very injurious to vvomen in labour , because they bind the body and drive the blood and spirits to the inner parts , and they are very injurious to the child coming from so warm a place . and hot weather dissipates the spirits , and weakens the child . crude nourishment and such as is difficultly concocted and binds taken in a great quantity before labours renders it difficult , the stomach being weakned , and the common passages contracted , which ought to be open in this case . drowsiness hinders the action of the mother . the unseasonable motion of the vvoman much retards the delivery , as when she refuses upon occasion to stand , walk , lie , or sit , or slings her self about unadvisedly so that the child cannot be born the right way , being turned preposterously by the restlesness of the mother . urine in the bladder , or excrements in the right gut , or the piles when they are much swell'd hinder natures endeavours , by narrowing the neck of the vvomb . fear , sorrow , anger make the labour difficult . a blow , a fall , or a wound , may also much obstruct the labour . want of good assistance to lift the woman up just at the time of delivery , and an ignorant midwife who orders the woman to endeavour an expulsion , and to stop her breath when the ligaments of the fetus stick firmly to the womb , so that the woman is tired before the time of her delivery . in hard labour women commonly give a spoonful or two of cinamon-water , or cinnamon powder'd with a little saffron , or half a dram of confection of alkermes in broth , or half a scruple of saffron alone in some broth , or every hour a lit-vvine . if these things are not sufficient the following may be used which have been frequently found very effectual . take of dittany of creet , and both the birthworts , and of troaches of mirrh each half a scruple , of saffron and cinnamon each twelve grains , of confection of alkermes half a dram , of cinnamon-water half an ounce , of orange-flower-water , and of mugwort-water each one ounce , make a potion . oyl of amber and of cinnamon , and extract of saffron are very effectual in a small quantity , namely five grains of extract of saffron , four or five drops of oyl of cinnamon , twelve or fifteen drops of oyl of amber in wine , broth or some other liquor ; and let the woman take sneesing powder for it hastens delivery . the midwife must frequently anoint the womb with the oyls of lilies or of sweet almonds , and the belly must be fomented with a decoction of the roots of marshmallows and lilies , of the leaves of mallows , violets , mugwort , of the seeds of fenugreek and flax , of the flowers of camomile and melilote . sharp glisters must be also injected to stimulate the womb , and to carry off the excrements . anoint the navel with oyl of amber . if the child begins to come forth preposterously , as with one arm or foot , the midwife must thrust them back , and turn the child right , which may be done by placing the woman on her back upon a bed with her head low and feet high . chap. xxiii . of a dead child . when the child is dead the motion of it ceases , which either the woman felt before in the womb , or the midwife with her hand ; a sense of weight with pain afflicts the belly , and the child falls like a stone from side to side ; the belly feels cold , the eyes are hollow , the face and lips pale , the extream parts cold and livid , the breasts flaccid , and at length the child putrifying , stinking matter flows from the womb , and an ill and strong smell exhales from the womans body , and her breath stinks . if the secundine be excluded first , it is a certain sign that the child is dead . the whole cure consists in the exclusion or extraction of the child . take of the leaves of savine dryed , of the roots of round birthwort , of the troches of myrrh and of castor each one dram , of cinnamon half a dram , of saffron one scruple , mingle them make a powder , whereof let her take one dram in savine water . foment the pubes , privities , and perineum , with an emollient decoction made of the leaves of mallows , and marsh-mallows , and the like and let a pessary be put up the privities . take of the roots of round birthwort , orris , black hellebore , of coloquintida and myrrh each one dram , of galbanum and opopanax each half a dram , with ox gall , make a pessary . if after having tried medicines a long while , the child cannot be ejected , it must be extracted by a surgeon , either with instruments , or with the hand alone . chap. xxiv . of the caesarian delivery . the caesarian delivery is a dextrous extraction of a living or dead child from the mothers womb , which cannot be other ways excluded , and that without endangering the life of both , or of either , and without spoiling the faculty of conceiving ; and by this art the first scipio africanus of the romans was cut out of his mothers womb , and therefore was called caesar . this caesarian section is thought to be necessary , when the mother and the child are so weak , that they cannot be preserved any other way . the use of it is twofold , one , that a living child may be extracted ; the other , that the mother may be preserved alive ; and tho' it is very hazardous , yet in a desperate case it is better to do something than nothing ; especially when a confederacy is like to be broken by the death of a wife ; or when a family is like to be extinguished ; or some kingdom or principality is like to be lost . in this manner we find in the annals of spain , the king of navar was preserved ; for his mother being wounded in the belly by the saracens , as she was hunting , a noble man coming to her help , saw the child put its hand out of the wound , and drew it forth , and educated it privately ; and afterwards , when the nobility was contending about the election of a prince , he brought out the young king , and so the controversie ended . the causes which require this operation are , a too great child , or twins , or more that endeavour to be born together ; or if a fleshy mole join to the child , the ill posture of it , and if it cannot be reduced to a better , either by its own help , or the help of others ; or because it is dead , or so much swell'd by a disease , that the naturall passage is too narrow : but in this case , it is best to take it away peece-meal . the causes on the mothers part are the narrowness of the passages , either naturally , by reason she is too young , or too old ; or because the vvomb is shut , either by a cicatrix or a callous . moreover many tumours in the womb , or the mouth of it may be the cause : in these cases , tho it be very dangerous , yet it is very necessary to use section , and the operation may be happily performed , as may appear by several experiments to him that reads rousel . but before you enter upon this operation , you must consider , whether the child can be extracted any other way that is safer and easier . you must moreover consider whether there are signs of death , and if so , you must not enter upon the operation , lest the womans death be laid upon the section , and your rashness : but when you have througly weighed all things , if the woman be of a strong nature , tho by reason of the labour she is weak , you may venture upon the operation . most authors would have it made on the left side of the belly , because it is more free from the liver ; but i , says mauriceau , think it will be better and more skilfully made just in the middle of the belly between the two right muscles : because in this place there is only the coverings , and the white line to cut . to dispatch then with more ease and speed , the chyrugeon having placed the woman so , that the belly may be a little raised ; let him take a good sharp incision knife , very sharp on one side , with which he must quickly make an incision , just in the middle of the belly between the two right muscles unto the peritoneum , of the length and extent of the womb , or thereabouts ; after that he must only peirce the peritoneum with the point of his knife , to make an orifice for one or two of the fingers of his left hand , into which he must immediately thrust them to cut it , lifting it up with them , and conducting the instrument for fear of pricking the guts , in proportion to the first incision of the coverings , which having done , the womb will soon appear , into which he must make an incision in the same manner , as he did in the peritoneum , being careful not to thrust his instrument at once too far in ; having then so opened the vvomb , he must likewise make an incision in the infants membranes ; taking care not to wound it with the instrument , and then he will soon see it , and must immediatly take it out of the burthen , which he must nimbly separate from the bottom of the vvomb , and finding it to be yet living , let him praise god for having so blessed and prospered his operation . but the children so delivered are usually so weak , if not quite dead , as it often happens , that it is hard to know , whether it is alive or dead ; yet one may be confident the child is living , if by touching the navel-string , the umbilical arteries are perceived to move , as also the heart , by laying the hand on the breast , and if it prove so , means must be used to fetch it to it self , by spouting some vvine into the nose and mouth , and by warming it , until it begins to stir of it self . but it is to be noted , that mauriceau much disapproves this cruel operation , and says it ought not to be performed until the vvoman is dead , for that the vvoman always dies in the operation , or presently after . chap. xxv . of the secundine retained . in a natural birth the secundine is usually excluded presently after the child ; and when it is not , the life of the woman is much indangered . it is retained by the too great thickness of the coats , the swelling of them , and by an afflux of humours occasion'd by hard labour ; also by the strutting of the mouth of the womb after the exclusion of the child . the external causes are , coldness of the air , whereby the secundine is repelled , and the orifice of the womb shut . certain perfumes , whereby the womb is allured upwards , violent passions of the mind , as fear , and sudden frights , the perverseness of the woman , who will not abide in such a posture , or use such endeavours as are requisite , the weight of the child , whereby the navel is broken , the after-birth remaining within , the unskilfulness of the midwife who cuts the vessels of the navel too soon , or does not hold them in her left hand as she ought , for if she let them go , they are drawn back into the womb , and are hid there with the secundine . it is easie to know when the secundine is retained in the vvomb , but sometimes a piece of it is separated and remains in the womb , which is not so easily perceived , yet it may be known , because the womb after delivery endeavours to eject something ; but tho its endeavours are but small , a sense of heat and pain is perceived in the womb , and after a few days a cadaverous smell exhales from the womb. the retention of the secundine is very dangerous , and if it continues some days , an acute fever , nauseousness , faintings , difficulty of breathing , coldness of the extream parts , convulsive fits , and at length death follows . the secundine retained , is expelled by the same remedies , which are proposed for a dead child , to which may be added some specificks deliver'd by authors . rulandus says , he has given with success thirty drops of oyl of juniper . some order the woman to bite an onion three or four times and to swallow the juice , and presently after to drink a small draught of wine . the juice of green lovage drank in rhenish-wine is also commended . sneesing is also good ; but the best way is to have it drawn out by a skilful chyrurgeon , before the inflammation is increased . if the secundine cannot be ejected by any means , but sticks firmly to the womb , and putrifies there , suppuraratives must be injected ; to this purpose basilicon may be dissolved in the following decoction . take of the leaves of mallows with the roots three handfuls , of the roots of both the birthworts each six drams , of flax seeds and fenugreek seeds each half an ounce , of violets one handful , of the flowers of camomile , and the lesser centory each half an handful , make a decoction in water mingled with oyl , if you would have it suppurate much , but to cleanse add a little vngentum aegyptiacum . chap. xxvi . of the flooding of a woman new laid . flooding is a more dangerous accident than any other which may happen to a woman newly laid , and which dispatches her so soon , if it be in a great quantity , that there is not often time to prevent it ; wherefore in this case convenient remedies must be speedily applied to stop it ; to which purpose it is fit to consider what causes the flooding , and if it be a false conception , a piece of the burthen or clodded blood remaining behind , all diligence must be used to fetch them away , or to cause a speedy expulsion of them . but if when nothing remains behind in the womb , the blood notwithstanding continues to flow , you must blood in the arm to make diversion , and let her body be laid flat , and not raised , that so the blood may not be sent down to the lower parts . let her keep her self very quiet , and not turn from side to side ; the upper part of her belly must not be swathed or bolstered , and her chamber must be kept a little cool , and the coverings of the bed must not be many , that so the flooding may not be promoted by the heat . but if notwithstanding all this the blood flows continually , the last remedies must be tryed , which is to lay the woman upon fresh straw , with a single cloath on it , and no quilt , that so her reins may not be heated , applying along her loins cloaths wet in cold vinegar and water , unless it be winter , and then it must be a little warmed ; and to the end her strength may be preserved , which is extreamly wasted , let her take every half hour a little good strong broath with a few spoonfuls of gelly , and between whiles the yolk of a new laid egg ; but too much food must not be given at a time , because her stomach cannot digest it . her drink must be red wine with a little water wherein iron has been quenched ; and if there is the least appearance of excrements contained in the guts , make no scruple to give a glister to evacuate them . but if notwithstanding the blood continues flooding , then the woman will often have fainting fits , and be in great danger of losing her life , because we cannot apply in those places the remedies fit to stop the opening of the vessels as we can in another . chap. xxvii . of a suppression of the child-bed purgations , and after-pains . the suppression of the lochia is one of the worst symptoms that can befall a woman in child-bed , especially if they happen to be totally and suddenly stopt the first three or four days , which is the time they should come down plentifully . to bring the lochia well down , let the woman avoid passion , and all disturbances of the mind , which may stop them ; let her lie in bed with her head and breast a little raised , keeping her self quiet , that so the humours may be carried downwards by their natural tendency . let her observe a good diet , somewhat hot and moist , and apply an hysteric plaster to her navel . take of the conserves of roman wormwood and rue each one ounce , of the troches of myrrh two drams , of castor , english saffron , volatile salt of armoniac , and of assa fetida , each half a dram , with a sufficient quantity of the syrup of the five opening roots , make an electuary . let her take the quantity of a large nutmeg every third hour , drinking upon it three or four spoonfuls of the following mixture . take of the water of penny royal and balm each three ounces , of compound briony water two ounces , of syrup of mugwort three ounces and an half , of saffron two drams , of castor tied up in a rag and hanged in a glass one scruple , mingle them . if these things are used presently upon the suppression , they generally take it off ▪ but if they have been used so long that all the quantity is taken , and the lochia are still stopt , in this case we may use laudanum for once , but it is best to mix it with hesterick things : for instance , take sixteen drops of liquid laudanum in a spoonful of compound briony , or water . but it must be carfully noted , that if after having once taken it , the business is not done , opium must not be repeated again , but having waited a while , to see what it will do , we must return again to emmenagoges mixt with hystericks , and afterwards we must inject a glister ; but what was said before of opium , is to be taken notice of in respect of glisters , for unless the first bring down the lochia , nothing is to be hoped for from more . these things therefore being done , it is safest and the duty of a prudent physician to wait and see what time will do , for if the woman live over the twentieth day , she will be in a manner out of danger , and then she will be able to bear such a method as is proper and effectual enough to force the lochia . if the after-pains are more than usual , you must swath the womans belly gently , that it may subside , and not move hither and thither , as it often happens after delivery , upon so sudden an evacuation , and then give three ounces of oyl of almonds fresh drawn , mixt with one ounce and an half of syrup of violets . and glisters may be injected made of milk and sugar , and yolks of eggs , and the belly must be anointed with the oyl of dill , or of rue , or of jasmine . a fomentation may be also made of a decoction of mugwort , feverfew , baulm , of the leaves of bays , and calaminth , of the seeds of daucus , cummin , and carraways , of the flowers of camomile and wall-flower , made in water and white-wine , or in milk. it is also proper to cover the belly with a sheeps-skin , fresh flead off , and appli'd hot . the following powder taken presently after delivery preserves the woman from pain in a wonderful manner ; and some think if the woman takes it in her first lying in , she will never be troubled with these pains . take of comfry dryed one dram , of the kirnels of peach stones , and of nutmegs , each two scruples , of amber half a dram , of ambergrise half a scruple , make a powder , whereof let her take a dram with white-wine , and if there be a fever with broth. if the woman after delivery be troubled with a pain in the groin , it may be taken off by applying a plaster of galbanum and assafetida to the navel , in the middle whereof some grains of musk must be placed . chap. xxviii . of acute diseases of women in child-bed . a putrid fever seises child-bed women at various seasons , and upon several occasions , sometimes presently after delivery , especially if it has been difficult and hard , sometimes on the first , sometimes on the second , third , or fourth day , but the later it begins , the better it goes off . it begins and proceeds most commonly in the following manner , after a previous indisposition , the fever begins most commonly with a shaking and shivering , which heat presently follows , and after that sweat , the first or second day fits of heat and cold succeed one another , and then all the blood being inflamed , the lochia if they were not suppressed before , flow but little , or quite stop ; if the disease be acute , and of quick motion , it comes to its height the third or fourth day ; the heat is violent , and the thirst very much , the pulse vehement and quick , watchings obstinate , there is a great restlessness , that the sick tumble from one side of the bed to the other continually ; the urin is thick and red , and there are many other grievous symptoms ; when the fever is in its state , no crisis is to be expected , for i never saw this disease go off by a critical sweat. the acute diseases of women in child-bed are sometimes accompanied with a quinsie , plurisie , peripneumonia , bloody-flux , small-pox , and the like ; of these a quinsie , plurisie , and peripneumonia , by reason of the great smilitude of the cause , and analogy of the cure , may be considered together ; presently at their first beginning we must endeavour that the blood fixed any where , and beginning to be extravasated be restor'd to circulation , lest an imposthume should be occasioned ; wherefore internal remedies which free the blood from coagulation must be used , of which sort are diaphoreticks abounding with volatile salt , as spirit of harts-horn , of soot , and urine , also testaceous and bezoartick powders , lapis prunella , decoctions and a julep made of vegetables that force urine and the courses , with all which must be mixt such things as have been found by experience to be proper for uterine diseases . moreover discutient medicines , which disperse the matter impacted , such are liniments , fomentations , and cataplasms , must be carefully applyed to the parts affected ; in the mean while the violent motion and immoderate effervescence must be driven far from thence , and the filth must be driven as much as is possible downwards ; to this end frictions , ligatures , epispasticks , and if there be occasion , cupping glasses , must be applied about the legs and feet . if the disease be very violent bleeding is indicated , and unless there be a plethora in the whole body , and the inflammation be very acute in the part affected , it were be best to open a vein in the foot , or to apply leeches to the hemorrhoidal veins ; but if necessity urge , we may bleed in the arm , and afterwards , if it can be admitted , in the foot ; but you must take notice , that bleeding must be cautiously used in these cases , for unless it does good , which i have seldom found , the sick is in a worse condition , being render'd weaker thereby . the bloody-flux is very often deadly , and so much the rather , because such things as qualifie the blood , and that moderately bind , are indicated ; but the flux of the lochia forbids them , wherefore in this case till she has been well purged by a long flux of the lochia , the fierceness of the symptoms must at present be only appeased . the indications in the small-pox are not only contrary to those above described , but also to one another ; for the flux of the lochia must be moderately restrain'd ; but in the mean while the efflorescence of the blood , and gentle sweating must be continued , wherefore such things as are of an alexipharmic and astringent nature must be boyl'd in their broths , as the roots of tormentil and bistort ; and in this case the woman must not eat flesh , or the broths of it , nor must she rise , but be kept as quiet as is possible , and the whole business must be left in a manner to god and nature ▪ all women in child-bed have an inbred venom , and they ought to be careful of it , and to avoid it as much as the greatest malignity ; wherefore they ought to use an exact course of diet , whereby the impurities of the blood and humours may be purged in child-bed without the danger of a fever , and that the disorders of the womb may be healed , and their strength weakned by delivery may be restored , to which end three things are to be minded , first an exact course of diet must be ordered , viz. that they be fed for a week at least with water-gruel , sometimes made with beer , sometimes made with water mixt with white-wine , or with panada , and other things of easie digestion : secondly , they must take great care that they do not catch cold , whereby the pores and the lochia may be stopt ; wherefore let them continue in bed at least till the tenth day : thirdly , the lochia must be gently provoked ; to this end midwives when after hard labour , there is danger of the stoppage of the lochia , give sperma ceti , irish slates powdered , or white-wine tinctured with saffron , and they make the gruel with water and white-wine , wherein as also in posset-drink they boyl marygold flowers , the leaves of penny-royal , or mugwort . chap. xxix . of the melancholy , madness , delirium , and epilepsie of women in child-bed . these diseases happen in child-bed , for want of a sufficient evacuation , by reason of the fault of the blood , the suppression of it , or too great an evacuation ; or by fevers , an ill vapour rushing upon the brain , whereof lusitanus mentions an observation of a very beautiful lady , that presently after delivery fell melancholy , and was mad for a month , but by the use of a few medicines recovered her senses ; and i , says rodericus a castro , have often cured a dutch merchants wife who was frequently distracted after delivery . these diseases are thus distinguished , melancholy is a delirium without a fever , occasioned by a melancholy humour possessing the seat of the mind . madness is more outragious , and a hot intemperies is the occasion of it ; whereas melancholy proceeds from a cold intemperies : an epilepsie is a convulsion of all the parts of the body , not perpetual , but by intervals , with a depravation of sense and jugdment . lastly , a delirium is an alienation of the mind , and proceeds most commonly from a bilious fever , and therefore is not a disease , but a symptom . these are the general indications ; if these diseases proceed from an immoderat flux , it must be stopt , the strength must be kept up , and the cold and dry intemperies must be corrected . if they proceed from a suppression of the child-bed purgations , they must be forced ; if they are occasioned by a fault in the blood , they must be treated as the melancholy of virgins and widows . the most grievous symptom of these diseases are obstinate watching ; in this case apply often to the temples the following oxyrrhodine . take of the waters of roses and plantain , each four ounces , of oyl of roses , three ounces , of vinegar of roses one ounce , the powder of red sanders , one drachm , mingle them , apply it in a rag , or populeon oyntment mixed with oyntment of roses , three grains of opium , and one scruple of saffron ; or a live pigeon cut in two may be applied hot to the head. and if these things do not do , one dram of philonium may be given in lettice water and a little wine at bed-time . note that in an epilepsie the oxyrrhodine above mentioned is not so proper , because it cools the head too much , and in melancholy such things must be added to it as moisten more . chap. xxx . of driving away the milk , of tumors from milk , of want of milk , and of chaps of the nipples . if the milk flow too freely into the breasts , a thin and spare diet must be ordered , and the breasts must be often sucked to prevent the inflammation of them , and the immoderate effervescence of the blood ; and if it be not thought convenient that the woman should give suck ▪ it is customary on the first or third day of lying in , to apply over the breasts moderately astringent cerecloths , or the populean oyntment , and galens cooling cerate equally mixt , and spread on linnen ; some use linnen dipt in luke-warm verjuice , wherein a little allom has bin dissolved , that so it may be more astringent ; but great care must be taken in the application and change of these things , that the woman catch not the least cold , as also that no inflammation or impostume be caused , instead of driving back the milk : wherefore things are to be applyed according to the variety of the case . but the best way to drive away the milk is the causing an ample evacuation of the lochia , which is much further'd by keeping the belly open with glisters . milk is the occasion of many tumours of divers kinds : the differences may be thus enumerated ; if the ferment of the breast be over active , it separates the milk with too great violence , causing thereby an over fermentation in the part , which usually produces a tumor called a phlegmon , if the serum be hot , or partakes much of blood ; otherwise it raises a tumor called an oedema ; or if the matter be disposed to coagulate , the kings evil : and these are the most frequent species of tumors generally reputed to arise from milk , and either of them may degenerate into a scirrhus , and that scirrhus into a cancer . the signs are visible ; if the first happen , there are all the symptoms of a phlegmon , heat , redness , tension , pulsation , and the like ; if the second , large distension with pain , but no heat ; if the kings evil , then hard kernels are easily felt . swellings made by the over eagerness of the milky ferment go easily off , if no other symptom attend them . sucking and drawing the breast for the most part discharges the milk , as fast as it can be generated , and then all goes off well . but if the fermentation produce any disorder in the blood , there is more or less danger according to the quality of the tumor produced , viz. a phlegmon is apt to occasion a fever , oedematous tumors are apt to grow ulcers , and sometimes scrophulous , and scirrhous , and require a long time for their cure. because it frequently happens to women in child-bed , that their breasts do swell extraordinarly by reason of abundance of milk , which flows into them , and occasions inflammations , impostumations , and the like ; therefore their diet ought to be slender , and of such a quality as may less dispose the humours to ferment , as water-gruel , panado , and the like . but if the inflammation be not violent , or the patient weak , chicken broath may be allowed with wood-sorrel , purslain , lettice boiled in it , or a boiled chicken , a potched egg , and such sort of meats of easie digestion . the medicines proper to diminish the milk , are lettice , purslain , endive , succory , smallage , and the like , the seeds of wild rue , cummin , basil powdered and given to the quantity of one dram daily in broath , will dry up the milk , as authors write . the milk is usually drawn out of the breasts by the infants sucking them : but if the child be so weak , it cannot suck , or does not discharge them enough , some body else must do it , or young whelps may suck them , or the mother may draw her own breasts her self by an instrument sold for that purpose . the swelling made by the milk is restrained by the application of night-shade , lettice , plantain , vine-tops , bramble-buds , horse-tail , and the like , or with the oyl of myrtles and vinegar . it may be discussed by the application of mints , catmints , rue , the seeds of fenugreek , cummin , fennel , and the like , or dried up by applying cloaths dipt in lime water , or a solution of sacharum saturni in the water of frogs spawn ; during which time fine tow may be sprinkled with ceruss , and applied to the arm-pits : but these things must be only used at the beginning of the fluxion . but if the inflammation be gon too far towards suppuration , then it must be promoted with suppuratives , and opened by incision or a caustick . where the swelling has been hard , and not inflamed , use the following cerat . take of the tops of wormwood powdered two drams , of the seeds of fenugreek and fennel , each one ounce and an half , of the juice of henbane and hemlock , each three ounces , of oyntment of marsh-mallows two ounces , of ducks fat , and goose grease , each one ounce , of deers suet two ounces , of liquid storax half an ounce , with a sufficient quantity of wax , make a cerat . hemlock boyled in wine , and beaten up with hogs lard resolves the hardness of the breasts . green mints , or chickweed are common applications , and of good use , either alone or mixed with other medicines , in all the hard swellings of the breast occasioned by milk. all plasters applied to the breasts must have a hole sniped in them for the nipples , lest they be fretted by them , especially that the milk may be drawn forth whilst the medicines lye on . but it is best to prevent such swellings at the beginning by procuring an ample and large evacuation of the lochia . for the chaps and excoriations of the niples , rags dipt in plantain-water may be applied , or the oyntment called diapompholigos may be used : but great care must be taken that nothing be applied to disgust the child ; wherefore some only use honey of roses : but if the excoriation and pain be much , the woman must forbear giving the child suck . if the child has wholly sucked off the nipples , the milk then must be quite dried away , that so the ulcers which remain may be the sooner healed . chap. xxxi . of want of milk. the cause of want of milk is a vice of the blood , the weakness of the body , or of the child , the smallness of the breasts , the narrowness of the vessels , any immoderate evacuation by another part , as by the mouth , by the courses , by the nostrils , or by the hemorrhoids , by immoderate cold , ill diet , fasting , great labour , or sorrow . the whole cure in a manner consists in diet. if therefore it be occasioned for want of blood , or by a dry intemperies , from whence it chiefly proceeds , it must be cured by a hot and moist diet , and the air must be moist and moderately warm . sleep is better than immoderate watching . the bread must be wheaten and well fermented . goats or sheeps milk boil'd with yolks of eggs , and sweetned is good ; so is rice boild with milk and honey , potched eggs , chicken broath , mutton or veal broath , or broath of phesants , or the flesh of them with a sauce made of rocket and honey ; the udders of animals are also good . of fishes , a trout , mullet , a salmon , soles , place , pikes , and the like are good ; and for the second course , sweet almonds , raisins of the sun , pistaches , pine nuts , rocket , parsnips roasted under the embers , or prepared with honey . diascorides and avicenna commend fennel and smalage ; lettice is also good , so are cabbage , wild thime , leeks , rocket , fennel . let her drink be sweet wine , or white-wine , or barley water with the seeds of fennel , or ale ; wherein if you boyl butter , sugar , and bread , you 'll scarce find a better diet for this purpose . the german women use this for their meat and drink almost all the time they give suck . all things that are acid , acrid , bitter and very hot must be avoided . but if this defect proceed from heat or choler , you must use cooling things , and the body must be purged according to the nature of the humour : but if the blood be flegmatick , and the vessels obstructed , you must open the obstructions and attenuate the blood ; therefore you must give hot things , as smallage , dill , penny-royal with wine : but you must be careful not to give things that are too hot ; for they dry up the milk. and as those things which moderately provoke the courses breed milk , so those that violently force them lessen it . blood is never to be drawn , nor are strong purges to be used : but if it be necessary to use purging by reason of the fault of the humours , the nurse must take four days before such things as increase the milk , and such medicines must be given as increase the milk. as take of thee seeds of fennel , of leeks , and rocket , each two drams , of mace one dram , of the leaves of mallows half a handful , boyl them in chicken broath , and let her take six ounces of the broath , and wash ▪ the breasts with the broath . but if the want of milk proceeds from the smallness of the breasts , foment them with a decoction of fenugreek , and camomile made in wine , or with hot beer and butter . but if these things do not good , you must chuse another nurse ; but you must try all things first , for change of milk is very injurious to the child . chap. xxxii . of a woman suckling her own children , and of chusing a nurse . the mothers milk is fittest for the child , because it is most agreeable to it nature : besides the mother will be more vigilant and careful than a hired nurse ; for none can love , the child so well as the own mother , who upon the account of her affection is unwearied in the attending of the child , and thinks she never does enough for it , and is presently awaked by its crying ; whereas mercenary nurses often overlay children and suffocate them . moreover the body , and the disposition of the mind are more framed by the milk and nourishment , than by the nature of the seed ; and as you often observe that the child is purged when the nurse is purged ; so the body and humours are in a manner the same with hers , as trees partake of the nature of the soil they are planted in . besides , it is the duty of a mother to nurse her own child ; for those that do not are but half mothers , and to be sure cannot love them so well as those that do . upon this account a roman youth of the family of the gracchi , returning rich and victorious from the wars , being met by his mother and his nurse , gave his mother a silver ring , and his nurse a gold chain ; whereat his mother being offended ; you , said he , nourished me only nine months in the womb , and then rejected me , this woman received me into her arms , and suckled me two years , and taught me to be orderly . the water nourishes what is bred in the water , and the earth nourishes what is bred in the earth : nor is there any beast so cruel , as not to nourish its young ones . tygers , lions , and vipers take care of their young ones , and only man makes foundlings of his : oh! incredible and execrable villany , what can be more cruel , than to expose a tender infant that implores his mothers help , as soon as possibly she can get rid of it ? but god in his providence often punishes their inhumanity ; for their milk often curdles in their breast , and occasions dreadful pains , so that those breasts , which were denied their children are forced to be suckt by puppies ; nor is this all , for their breasts are often inflamed and suppurated , and must be cut with knives , or burnt with red hot irons , or becoming cancerous , the rotten flesh drops from them piece-meal . but some will object in their excuse , that they are either too young or too weak , yet without doubt if they are able to conceive , they may suckle too ; for god never gave them breasts full of milk to no purpose . but if they have not milk enough , which is the only real excuse , a nurse must be chosen , who ought to be of an age betwixt twenty and thirty ; she ought to be of a strong constitution , well coloured , not too fat , nor too lean ; she must not have rotten teeth , nor a stinking breath , nor be affected with scabs , ulcers , the french-pox , gout , consumption , or any other disease . thirdly , her manners are to be considered ; for the child sucks them in with the milk ; whereof the nurse ought to be good tempered ; she must not be subject to violent passions , nor wholly without passion , nor of a weak judgment ; she must not be squint eyed , lest the child should be so ; she must be chast , and not have conversation with her husband , lest her courses should flow , or the blood be disturbed , and consequently the milk ; or be with child , whereby the milk would be lessened , and become vitious : but some think that the courses flowing moderately does not vitiate the milk , but rather cleanses the rest of the blood. fourthly , we must consider the time from delivery ; for she must not give suck too near delivery , nor too long from the time of it . she must not give suck until she be free of the child-bed purgations ; the time most approved of , is from the second month to the sixth , and she should have nursed a child before . fifthly , the breasts are to be considered , which ought to be moderately full , not loose and hanging down ; but solid and firm , of a moderate bigness and hardness , and the veins of them should look blew , and dispersed into many streams , moderately elevated , that they may contain the more milk ; for if they are dense , and the milk is bound up in them , and as it were suffocated , the child can scarce draw it , and so either takes a distaste , or if it suck on , the nose is flattened by the pressure . sixthly , the paps must not be so short as that the child cannot take hold of them with his lips , nor so long and thick , as to fill the infants mouth , so that it cannot readily use its tongue to suck or swallow . seventhly , the nature of the milk must be considered , which , besides the clearness and sweetness of it , which are the first requisits , must be also sweet-sented , not too thick nor too thin , which may be tried by dipping a hair in the milk , hanging it up , if the milk slide off , it is naught , but if it compass the whole hair it is good . eightly , chuse a nurse which was last delivered of a male child . ninethly , such an one as is not wont to miscarry . tenthly , she must not be with child . the nurse so described on the first days she begins to suckle must use a simple diet , lest too much milk should overwhelm the tender infant . afterwards let her have good meats : she must not drink excessively , she must abstain from wine , and from salt , sharp , and a stringent meats , and leeks , onions , garlick , rocket and spices . she must avoid all perturbations of mind , and copulation ; let her moderately exercise her arms and upper parts . lastly , her diet must be such , as the nature and constitution of the infant requires ; if the child be of a hot constitution , she must use a cooling diet ; but if the infant be of a cold constitution , a little wine and spices must be allowed , and stronger exercise , and if the nurse be not well , she must be purged , and diet must be ordered according to the faults of the milk , and the disorders of the child . the nurse must be always chearful , and laughing , and singing with the child . she must keep it clean . she must speak distinctly . she must assist the child in sucking by pressing gently her breasts ; but she must not let the child suck too much at once . chap. xxxiii . of wrinkles in the belly and breasts after delivery . when the child in the womb grows big , it stretches the belly , or maks it chap , so that after delivery wrinkles remain in the belly , and her breasts grow small after the milk goes away for the same reason . the chaps may be prevented , if after the fourth month of being with child , a linnen cloath dipt in the oyl of sweet almonds be applied to the belly . the wrinkles left after delivery may be taken off by two sorts of remedies . first therefore , if the womans month be not out , apply to the belly the following oyntment . take of sperma ceti two drams , of oyl of sweet almonds , and st. johns wort , each one ounce and an half , of goats suet one ounce , of new wax a sufficient quantity , make an oyntment . secondly , after the womans lying in , such things may be used as gently bind , and render the belly solid and firm . take of the distilled water of mallows , and marsh-mallow , each one quart , of rose-water a pint and half , two lemons ▪ peeled and sliced , of unripe sloes one pound ; infuse them together two days , and then distil them in a glass alembick with a gentle fire , and bath the womans belly with it . but the following makes the belly more solid . take of figs one pound , of the meal of barley and beans , each half an ounce , of the meal of rice two ounces , of galls , and cypress nuts , each one dram , of mastich , and myrrh , each one dram and half , of the seeds of fennel one dram ; boyl them all in smiths water till they are a little thick , then apply them to the belly ; or after bathing with a decoction of the foresaid things : apply the following pultiss to the belly . take of the meal of beans , rice , acorns and almonds , each two ounces , of bricks powdered one ounce , of bole-armenick two drams , of dragons blood one dram , of cypress nuts half an ounce , of kermes three drams , of galls half an ounce , of oyl of myrtles six ounces , of the waters of medlars , and sloes , each one pint , of rose-water one pint and an half ; boyl them to the consistence of a pultiss , apply it to the belly . it also makes the breasts solid . but lest the breast and bowels should be offended by its frigidity and binding quality , add of mastick two drams , of nutmegs three drams , of florentine orris half an ounce . myrrh mixed with these , the decoction of it , or used any other way renders the belly smooth and firm , and the breasts hard compact and small , and narrows the privities , and is accounted a great secret in this case . chap. xxxiv . of straitning the privities after delivery . after delivery the privities are lax ; and hence barreness , and a falling of the womb are sometimes occasioned . the cure is performed by two sorts of remedies . first , if the privities are too moist , such things must be used as dry ; the following uterine glister is very proper . take of galls number four , of spodium two spoonfuls , powder them very fine , and add six ounces of stiptic-wine ; afterwards put up the following pessary . take of the bark of the pine two drams , allom one dram , of cyprus one pugil , boyl them in wine to the consistence of a pultiss , apply them often with a rag : or infuse galls in rain-water eight days , and with soft wool sprinkled with sulphur , and dipt in this water and dried without pressing , make a pessary . but secondly , and chiefly you must use astringents , foment the genitals with the water or decoction of acorns , unripe sloes , and of horse-tail ; or foment the parts with allom-water , or with stiptic-wine , that is , red and rough wine boyl'd with galls , leaves of myrtles , red roses , pomgranet-peel balaustines , and cypress nuts : or , take of cypress nuts and galls , each one pound , of roch-allom , and the filings of iron prepared in vinegar , each half a pound , boyl them in a sufficient quantity of the waters of galls , which tanners use , and foment the parts often with it . the following water is counted excellent . take of galls , and of cypress nuts , each half a pound , of allom six drams , bole-armonick half a pound , of the meal of acorns , and of old beans , each half a pound , the whites of twelve eggs , of powder of brick one pound ; let them be all finely powdered , and infuse them three days in smiths water , or in a decoction of sloes , medlars , or horse-tail , with half a pint of rose vinegar ; then distill them in a cold still with a gentle fire ; add to the water that comes off , of the powders of mastick , myrrh , and dragons blood , each two drams . set the water in the sun in the summer for ten days , this straitens the privities , smoothens the belly , and makes the breasts solid . chap. xxxv . of abscesses and corrosive vlcers arising from distempers of the womb in childbed . the womb is sometimes terribly affected in child-bed , and produces fevers of very malignant and venomous natures , which soon cause phlegmons , and worse tumours , in the womb it self , and sometimes in other parts of the body , there being none of them on which the uterine ferment has not an influence . the exhorbitances or degenerations of that , whether from an hurt in labour , from part of the after-birth left behind , from cold taken , or the lochia stopt , soon produce such virulent distempers in the blood as make it cast out a tumor , either upon the part it self , or else outwardly upon the muscles of the body , where when they light , they prove corrosive , sometimes eating out the flesh in which they lodge , which falls off in whole pieces , without that change of colour in the skin , which is in gangreens , so that sometimes the bone it self is laid bare by them . the causes are hard labour , the womb hurt , or part of the secundine left behind ; cold taken in child-bed , and a predisposition in the humours , by reason of their peccancy in quantity or quality . the prognostick may be taken from the largness , or other qualifications of the abscess , and the symptoms that happen to the body thereupon . if the tumor happens only from some little disturbance in the womb of a person otherwise of a good habit of body , the cure is hopeful . if part of the after-birth be retained , there is no hope 's of cure till that be removed , nay if it stay so long , as to induce putrefaction of the part , it will be too late then to remove it . if the body be of an ill habit , the tumours are apt to degenerate into very venomous and malignant abscesses , which if they do not suddenly kill , do at least produce ill conditoned ulcers , hard of cure , and for the most part mortal in the long course of the disease . in the cure of these abscesses , you are to inform your self how the womb is disturbed , and appease that ; and if any part of the after-birth be left behind , to endeavour the bringing that away , and by good sudorificks , cordials and the like , to expel the venom , and fortifie the spirits against the malignity that is thereby contracted , and to attemperate the heat , and the acrimony by julips and emulsions . the swellings arising from these require to be treated in their beginning with moderate repellents and discutients afterward , according as the matter prepredominates , make way for its discharge . a young woman after child-bed was seized with a great pain and swelling in her groin , with a fever . bleeding and lenient purgatives to evacuate the humours were prescribed , also cordial juleps , and the like , to attemperate the heat , and fortifie the spirits ; and moderate repellents mixed with discutients in fomentations , and plasters with bandage were used , which dispersed the humor in the thigh , and restored that part to its former temper : but in the mean time the tumor increased in the groin , and was suppurated after the manner of a bubo ; it was opened , and a detersion was endeavoured ; but the sinus reaching down the twist , the matter could not be discharged without laying it more open , as in sinous ulcers , by which method it was cured . a gentlewoman in child-bed was seized with a fever , and the ninth day complained of a pain in her foot. discutients were prescribed , together with things proper for the fever to breath out the impacted matter in her foot ; but the pain increasing , the upper part of the foot from the instep to the toes were oedematous ; but from the inside of the ancle to the middle of the sole of her foot inflamed , and seeming to apostumate . the ill consequences of an apostumation in that part amongst the tendons and bones , and where the skin is usually so hard and tough , that our strongest causticks could difficultly penetrate , being feared ; it was resolved to endeavour the restraint of the influx , and so to dry up the humour affecting the part ; to which purpose was applied the following plaster . take of barley meal six ounces , of flax seeds powdered six drams , of the flowers of camomile and elder , each three drams , of the flowers of red roses and balaustins , each one ounce ; these with the addition of honey of roses and oyl of myrtles were boyled to the consistence of a plaster in red wine , and at bed-time an anodyne draught was given to cause rest . the next morning the patient was somewhat relieved , and when the dressings were taken off , the tumor and inflammation seemed less . this way of dressing was continued with compress and bandage , and the humour was in few days dried up , and the foot seemed well ; but there appeared again a swelling on the foot , and apostumated in the sole of the foot in three several places , which were opened with a caustick , to prevent the increase of the matter , and the eschars were divided to give a vent , and they were dressed with basilicon and the plaster as before , and the flowing of the matter was indeavoured to be hindred dayly by compress and bandage ; but the position of the foot gave way , and it sunk lower , so that there was a necessity of applying another caustick , which proved effectual to the discharge of it ; so that the upper orifices healed , but this last eschar separated slowly , and left the great tendon bare ; the separation was furthered by the use of oyl of turpentine with basilicon applied warm , and the tendon was incarnated with a sarcotick composed of a mixture of powder of orris , myrrh , sarcocoll , and mercury precipitate , with honey of roses and turpentine , and the ulcer was cicatrized with the epuloticks . after it was cicatrized the sole of her foot was so relaxed and tender , that upon setting it on the ground it became very much subject to a pituitous swelling : but by the use of a fomentation and a laced stocking , the weak parts were strengthned , and she was cured . chap. xxxvi . of the falling of the womb. for the cure of this disease , regard must be had to two things ; the first is to reduce the womb to its natural place ; the second is to strengthen and to keep it there . if the womb be quite out or turned , the woman must first of all render her urine , and a glister must be given to evacuate the gross excrements that are in the right gut , that so the reduction may be the easier performed : then place her on her back with her hips raised a little higher than her head , and then foment all that is fallen out , with a little wine and water luke-warm , and with a soft rag put it into its proper place , thrusting it back not all at once , but wagging it by little and little from side to side . in case this be too painful , because it 's already too big and swell'd , anoint it with oyl of almonds , for the more easie reduction of it ; but wipe oft the oyl , as soon as it is reduced . but if it cannot be put up by reason of the great inflammation and tumor , there is great danger that it will gangrene . as to the second part of the cure , which consists in the retention of the womb in its place , and the strengthening of it , let the woman keep her self in bed upon her back having her hips a little raised , her legs crossed , and her thighs joyned together to prevent the falling of it out again . but the best way is to put up a pessary into the neck of the womb to keep it firm . take of oak bark two ounces , boyl it in two quarts of fountain water , add at the latter end an ounce of pomgranat-peel bruised , red roses , pomgranat flowers , each two handfuls , and then add half a pint of red-wine ; strain it , and bath the part affected with flannels dipt in it in the morning two hours before the woman rises , and at night when she is in bed ; continue it till the symptom is quite gone . chap. xxvii . of a dropsie and inflation of the womb. the inflation and dropsie are confounded by almost all authors ; but they are to be distinguished ; for there is a certain inflation of the womb which ought not to be called a dropsie , viz. when the womb is inflated , and stretched suddenly by wind rushing in ; upon which account a violent pain is occasioned ; this often happens in hysterick diseases . wherefore a dropsie of the womb is two-fold , one from wind , which is like a tympany ; another from a watery humour , which is like a dropsie of the belly . as to the diagnostick of these diseases , many things are to be enquired into . first , how they may be distinguished from an universal dropsie . secondly , how the species of it may be known , viz. whether it proceeds from wind , water , or flegm ▪ thirdly , if it arise primarily from the womb , or be occasioned by the fault of some other part . fourthly , whether the peccant matter be contained in the cavity of the womb , or within the membranes of it , or in bladders . fifthly , how it may be distinguished from other tumours of the womb. sixthly , how it may be distinguished from being with child . seventhly , how it may be distinguished from a mola . first , it is distinguished from an universal dropsie , for that in a dropsie of the womb , the tumour possesses more the bottom of the womb , and there is not so soon a paleness and wasting of the whole body , as in an universal dropsie . besides , in a dropsie of the womb , the thirst and driness of the tongue is not considerable , and wind breaks out by intervals , or a little water flows out , which manifestly shew , that wind or water is contained in the womb. secondly , the species of dropsies in the womb are thus distinguished , if it be occasioned by wind , the bottom of the belly sounds being struck ; there are pricking pains in the belly , which sometimes run through the diaphragm , stomach , loins , navel , and other parts , and sometimes the wind does evidently break through the neck of the womb ; the disease grows worse upon eating and drinking , and they often belch , and are better after it ; they sometimes perceive a pain in the region of the hypogaster , so that they cannot bear an hand laid on it ; these signs are also in an inflation of the womb ; but there is this difference , for an inflation is but for a small space , and a dropsie from wind continues much longer . but if a dropsie of the womb is occasioned by water , that region appears soft and flaccid , for wind causes a tension ; there is a greater weight in the part , and a sound as it were of water floating , and water sometimes drops from the part . and if it proceed from flegm , there is a greater softness and flaccidity of the part , which dayly increases , and afflicts the neighbouring parts with oedematous swellings . thirdly , if there be signs of the whole bodies being ill affected , as by long or acute fevers , by immoderate hemorrhagies , by weakness of the stomach , swelling of the liver or spleen , or by other obstinate diseases of those parts , by which the dropsie of the womb began , and increased with them ; there is good reason to conjecture that the matter of the dropsie is received in those parts ; but if when the whole body is well , such a tumour happens , and succeeds particular diseases of the womb , as hard labour , suppression of the courses , or too large an evacuation of them , or ulcers and tumours , we may guess that the dropsie of the womb proceeds from them . fourthly , the matter which is contained in the cavity of the womb causes a much greater tumour than when it is contained within the membranes . fifthly , a dropsie of the womb may be distinguished from tumours that proceed from a phlegmon , or an erysipelas , because in these there is a fever and pain upon the least touching ; it may be distinguished from the scirrhous , or cancerous tumour by the hardness that resists the finger . sixthly , when a woman is with child , the tumour is not equal and depressed , but thrusts it self out above the navel ; and when a woman is with child , after some months she is most commonly better ; but the longer a dropsie lasts , the worse it grows , and the motion of the child is plainly to be felt after the third or fourth month ; yet in a dropsie that arises from wind , a palpitation may be sometimes perceived in the womb , and when a woman is with child , the breasts swell , but in a dropsie they wax small . seventhly , in a mole there is a weight felt in the body , which is not perceived in a dropsie of the womb , and when the sick lies on either side , a weight is perceived , as if a stone rolled thither . moreover , in a mole there are violent fluxes of the courses by intervals , namely , every third or fourth month , which does not happen in a dropsie of the womb ; and lastly , in a mole the breasts swell , and have milk in them sometimes , but there is no such thing in a dropsie . as to the prognosticks , a simple inflation of the womb is not dangerous , but if it continue long , it may turn to a dropsie . if wind or water is contained in the cavity of the womb it is easier cured than when it is included in the membranes , or in bladders . this disease is cured much the same way as a dropsie or green-sickness is ; but some things peculiar to this disease must be added : if the disease be new , and occasioned by an obstruction of the courses , and if there be a fulness of blood , bleeding may be proper , otherwise it is injurious ; but purging is always necessary , and must be often repeated , and after sufficient purging , aperitives , diureticks , and such things as move the courses must be used , to which may be added the following . take the roots of smallage , and madder , each half an ounce , of the leaves of savin , feverfew , and penny-royal , each one pugil , of the seeds of daucus , one dram , boyl them in the broaths of young pidgeons , and let her take it strained in the morning for many days . but before she takes the broath , let her swallow one of the following pills , take of the best castor , myrrh and madder , each half a dram , of saffron one scruple , with the juice of lemons , make nine pills ; after the use of which medicine , violent exercise must be used , that thereby the excrements bred in the bowels , and in the habit of the body may be dissipated , and also all that which is contained in the womb , the skins being broken by the violence of the exercise , and if the woman vomit easily , it will be proper to vomit her twice a week . the following bolus is very effectual to discuss the humour contained in the womb. take of mineral borax , half a dram , of saffron half a scruple , with the juice of savin , make a bolus , to be taken twice a week . sudorificks are also very proper ; in the mean while the heat of the stomach must be strengthened by things taken inwardly , and outwardly applyed . the womb must also be strengthened by proper topical medicines : first by fomentations and baths made of a decoction of the roots of briony , and wild cucumber , of the leaves of dwarf elder , mercury elder , wild-marjoram , calaminth , wormwood , rue , sage , marjoram , thym , bays , penny-royal , mugwort , of the seeds of broom , daucus , cummin , anise , fennel , of the berries of lawrel and juniper , of the flowers of camomile , melilot , rosemary , of which may be made bags to be boiled in wine . but that the forementioned fomentation may succeed the better , you must apply it before and behind , and the sick ought to sweat , if she can , in the bed or in a bath . in a windy dropsie dry fomentations are more beneficial , with bags made of grommel , salt , cummin and bran , torrified in a frying-pan , and sprinkled with wine . after the fomentation , anoint the lower belly with the oyls of nard , dill , rue , worm-wood , southern-wood , and if they are chimically prepared they will be the more effectual . after the anointing the belly , apply the plaster of lawrel-berries , or a pultiss made of cows-dung , sheeps-dung , of the seeds of smallage , parsley , and cummin boyled in honey . glisters must be frequently injected , made of a decoction of wormwood , wild-marjoram , penny-royal , rue , centaury , and the like ; or of the oyls of rue , nutmeg , dill , and whitewine , or in malago sack , wherein must be dissolved benedictum laxativum , diaphenicon , hiera diacolocinthidos , turpentine , confection of the lawrel-berries , honey of rosemary , and the like . injections for the womb may be prepared in the following manner to evacuate the humours contained in it . take of the roots of asara-bacca , three drams , of the leaves of penny-royal , and calaminth , each half an handful , of savin , one scruple , of mechoacan , one dram , of the seeds of anise and cummin , each half a dram , boyl them and strain them , and in six ounces of the liquor , dissolve of oyls of orris and elder , each one ounce ; make an injection . for the same purpose pessaries may be made thus . take of coloquintida and mechoacan ; each one dram , of nitre , half a scruple , with a sufficient quantity of boyled honey ; make a pessary . or , take of elaterium , half a dram , of figs bruised a sufficient quantity . when the inflation proceeds from wind a fume from nutmegs is very good , and is commended by solinander in these words , a vvoman in child-bed by exposing her self to the air too soon , fell into intolerable pains , nor could be relieved by any means , at length an old and skilful midwife was called , she ordered three nutmegs to be grosly beaten , which she put into a chaffing-dish with live coals , and placed the chaffing-dish so , that the fume of the nutmegs by the help of a funnel inverted , passed into the vvomans privities , and she received the same fume into her mouth and nostrils after the same manner , and as soon as the fumes had penetrated , the woman cryed out presently she must go to stool , and as soon as she had so spoken a great noise was heard like the shooting of a gun , and the woman was cured in the same moment ; and being encouraged by this success , i used it , says he , often in like case , and it succeeded well . a cupping-glass with much flame applyed to the navel wonderfully discusses wind : but when the disease is humoural , issues in the legs evacuate by degrees the filth of the womb. the bath waters used inwardly and outwardly are also very good , if the body be not very hot . amatus lusitanus commends the vvater or decoction of camomile flowers to ease the pain of the vvomb : in this case he orders four or five ounces of it to be given at a time . lastly , if the inflation happens after delivery , there is no need of any other cleansing , than what is done by the womb : but if it does not proceed well , it must be helped with pessaries , and cupping-glasses applyed to the thighs , and with other remedies described for the suppression of the courses : and if there be vvind , the fume of nutmegs above proposed are very proper . chap. xxxviii . of a cancer of the breast and womb. a cancer is the name of a tumour arising as it is thought from an adust , or atrabilious humour . it is round , unequally hard , and if not inflamed , of a livid or brown colour with exquisite pricking pain , the veins appear turgid in the skin upon the surface of the tumour . the remote cause of this tumour is either a fault in the original constitution of the body , or an acquired one , as by a bruise , or the like ; or by an error in dyet . the differences of cancers are many ; some are with ulceration , others not ; some are loose and moveable , and so hard that they have knocked one against another like peebles ; some are fixed to the bones , and some lie superficially ; other differences may be taken from the humour to which they owe their original . if the matter be not very corrosive , their growth is slow , and they are not very painful . these are called the milder sort , and some of them affecting the breast have been palliated a long time with easie remedies . a lady laboured many years of an ulcerated cancer , it eat deep into the left breast , and was fixed to the ribs , but not with much pain ; in progress of time the lips inverted , and united as it were , and lay covered with a crusty scab , the humour in the mean while spent it self upon the nerves and caused a species of the palsie in some parts of her body , and the gout in others . she lived long , and in her latter age tolerably healthful ; this is to be judged a scirrhous cancer , yet by ill management , or by an increase of acrimony , this and such like frequently terminate in raging cancers , and torment the patient with exquisite darting pains ; an instance or two whereof i shall set down , to make the young practitioner more cautious in undertaking the cure of them . a vvoman had a painful hard swelling in one of the glands of her breast ; she was advised to forbear the use of all cataplasms and plasters that might heat her breast , and to dress it with valentia stramonij , but she was otherwise perswaded , and thereby increased her misery . about half a year after she had a stinking sordid ulcer with lips turned out , and the breasts fixed to the ribs , with a hard unequal swelling reaching to the clavicle and side of the neck , apostumated in some parts and ulcerated in others , from the pectoral muscle it crept up to the shoulder , and affected the arm-pits , and by the compression of the vessels the upper part of the arm swelled scirrhous , from the elbow downwards it was oedematous to the fingers ends , she made use of many eminent physicians and chyrurgeons in the city , but dyed miserably . there is also a sort of bleeding cancers , which become such either from the eruption of some vessel , which makes the vent often at the nipple or some other pin-hole , the breast remaining whole , or else from the spreading of infinite capillary vessels in a fungus , which in ulcerated cancers is not rare . these do very much spend the strength of the patient , so that she soon dyes exhausted and tabid . of all the diseases which afflict mankind , the cancer is the most grievous and rebellious , and is generally incureable by reason of its corrosive and malignant venome fermenting in the humours , which so far as we can find , yields neither to purging , bleeding , repellents , discutients , suppuratives , nor any other medicine , inward or outward . those which lie superficially under the skin may be attempted by the chyrurgeon's hand , or if they rise from an external cause , as a bruise , or the like , tho they lie deeper they may be cut off or otherwise extirpated : but those that arise from a corrosive quality in the humours , though they may be cut off , or otherwise extirpated , yet the success is most doubtful . the cure of a cancer in general consists in these intentions , first , in the generation of good blood. secondly , in correcting and evacuaating the atrabilious humours in the body . thirdly , in preventing the growth of the tumour , and disposing it to discussion . we endeavour to perform the first intention by an exact regulation of diet ▪ and way of living , advising to abstain from such sharp , salt , and gross meats ▪ as may dispose the blood to acrimony ▪ and order such as are cooling and moistning , of easie digestion and of good nourishment . the second intention is to prepare and purge all the acrimonious humours ; and if there be a plethora , or a suppression of the hemorrhoids , or courses , a vein may be opened and a glister given , and the humours may be also evacuated by a convenient purge . as take of the three cordial flowers , one handful , of sena three drams , of dodder of thym , two drams , infuse them in whey , and strain it , add an ounce of the purging syrup of apples , and six drams of manna ; mingle them . traumatick decoction are also usually prescribed . take of the roots and leaves of avens , of the greater celandine , of burnet , groundsel , gentian , plantain , each one handful , boyl them in two parts of water and one of wine to the quantity of three pints , sweeten it with sugar , and let a pint be drunk thrice aday ▪ the following electuary is also reckoned very good . take of the powders of frogs and snails prepared , each half an ounce , of the powder of river crabs , one ounce , of the bone of a stags heart , one dram , of citron peel candied , one ounce , of the conserve of borrage and wood-sorrel , each two ounces , of the syrup of the juice of citron and of gilly-flowers , a sufficient quantity , make an electuary . take the quantity of a chesnut , morning and evening . emulsions , distilled milks , and opiates are also very proper to attemperate the acrimony and to ease the pains . the third intention is to restrain the growth of the tumour , and to discuss it moderately . whilst the humours are are evacuating , we apply repellents , and afterwards we add discutients ; the repellents ought to be of the milder sort , lest they render the humours too gross and unfit for resolution , as lettice , purstain , plantain , navel-wort , night-shade and housleek : lentils boyl'd in vinegar , also clay tempered with vinegar . the medicines ready compounded are the white oyntment , nutritum populeon of tutty and of burnt lead , and lead it self . all the oyntments prescribed , must be beaten up in a leaden mortar . thin milled lead is usually worn in this case ; so are plates of gold. oyl of frogs is commended , and is made by baking them with butter in their mouths . frogs spawn water is proper to be used in summer , cloaths being dipt in it and applyed , but they must be shifted as often as they dry . but in the winter the following cerat is better . take of a green frog , three drams , of the powder of river crabs burnt , half an ounce , of lytharge of gold , two ounces , of burnt lead and tutty prepared , each two drams , of cerus , six drams , of the juice of night-shade and plantain , each six ounces , of vinegar , two ounces , of oyl of frogs , and of populeon oyntment , each three ounces , of the suet of a calf , four ounces , of wax a sufficient quantity , make a cerat . or , take of the seeds of white poppy , one ounce , of the seeds of henbane , half an ounce , of opium , one dram , of gum arabick , half an ounce , powder them , and with the oyls of roses and myrtles , each three ounces , of wax a sufficient quantity , make a cerat . this is proper in case of pain , in the extremity whereof you may double the quantity of opium , or in such cases you may foment the tumour with a decoction of poppy heads , flowers of roses , and tops of mellilot , and apply the following oyntment . take of old treacle , one ounce , of the juice of river crabs half an ounce , of the juice of lettice , and of oyl of roses , each one ounce and an half , of the yolks of eggs roasted under the embers number two , of camphor , half a dram , beat them in a leaden mortar ▪ the discutients are ceterach , agrimony , ducksmeat , scabious , thorn-apple , the juice of coriander , frogs , snails , river crabs , raisins of the sun stoned and beaten , with rue and garden night-shade made into a pultits are proper to resolve them . many such medicines are designed to this purpose , cancers requiring variety of applications . if notwithstanding all your endeavours , the tumour increases , and is like to ulcerate , you may do well to forewarn the patient of the danger , and if it be loose , propose the extirpation of it , propose it to them , lest afterwards they desire it when it is too late . but to undergo this operation successfully , the patient ought to be of a strong constitution , and of a pretty good habit of body , and not in declining age , when the courses are ceased . it were also to be wished that the cancer took its original from some accident or bruise , and the like ; and the operation ought to be performed in the spring or autumn of the year . for a cancer of the womb topicks must be applyed , which moderately bind and cool . take of oyl of myrtles and of roses , each two ounces , of the juice of night-shade , and of housleek , each one ounce , beat them all in a leaden mortar with a leaden pestle till they grow black , then add of lytharge and of ceruss washed in scabious water , each three ounces , of tutty prepared two drams , of camphir , ten grains , make a liniment , wherewith anoint the part three or four times a-day . the following is said to be better , and with it the tumours of the paps , which are counted cancerous may be cured . take of the oyl of yolks of eggs , two ounces , of the juice of night-shade and speedwel , or of housleek , each half an ounce , of crude mercury two drams , stir them about in a leaden mortar with a leaden pestle , till they acquire the consistence of a liniment . the foresaid liniments are to be applyed to the womb with a long tent , or with a wax candle wrapt round with a rag : but injections may be much easier used . take of barley water , half a pint , of the waters of night-shade and plantain , each two ounces , of the water of speedwel one ounce , of the white troches of rhasis , two drams , of sacharum saturni one dram , make an injection . if the pain be very violent add to four oounces of the injection , one ounce of syrup of poppies . if the cancer be ulcerated , the dose of the mercury to be added to the foresaid liniment must be increased , and the ashes of river crabs may be conveniently added . but all these things are not sometimes sufficient to appease the violent pain , which sometimes will not suffer the sick to sleep or rest , so that we are forced sometimes to use narcoticks , and indeed , they are not injurious in this disease . i knew a woman , that was affected with a cancer in her breast , who took every night for four months , two or three grains of laudanum , and was much relieved thereby . if much blood flow from a cancer ulcerated , as it often happens ; inject into the womb the juice of plantain with a little frankincense . lastly , seeing a perfect cure cannot be expected , whether the cancer be ulcerated or not , we must endeavour to hinder the breaking of it , and the increase of it , when it is broken , and in both we must qualifie the violence of the pain by such things as evacuate the whole body , and by other remedies which alter and evacuate the melancholy humour , and hinder its growth , as by bleeding in the arm , the hemorrhodial veins , in the foot , by the use of potions , apozems , juleps , broath , milk , whey , mineral waters , and the like , which are commonly prescribed ; but purging must more especially be repeated . chap. xxxix . of worms , and of the stone of the womb. though many are of the opinion that worms are generated only in the intestines , yet it is manifest by experience , and the testimony of learned men , that they are bred in many other parts of the body , as in putrid ulcers in the teeth , in the ears , in the reins , and in the bladder , tho' rarely , by reason of the acrimony and saltness of the urine . in the womb also worms are sometimes generated , tho' it be rare , because the passages of it are so open that they will not suffer the humours , tho' they are gross and crude , to continue there so long as to generate worms . they are most commonly ascarides , and they are most commonly in the privities , or in the neck of the womb , they are very like those that are in the right gut , perhaps they creep thither from the anus . the material cause of worms , is a cold phlegmatick and crude humour , which is apt to putrifie . when there are worms in the womb , the whole body is restless and uneasie , the mouth of the womb is always moist , the women are thin and weak , and sometimes the worms are expelled with the courses , and sometimes they may be seen , the lips of the privities being opened . women so afflicted sleep disturbedly , and often wake in a fright , they have disorderly fevers , and all other symptoms which appear in worms of the intestines . as to the cure , we must endeavour to hinder the generation of them , and to kill them when they are generated ; this may be done by three sorts of remedies . first , by a thin hot and drying dyet , by acid and bitter meats , yet they must consist of good nourishment , and be easily concocted , and that are free from all crudity ; the flesh of chickens , of hens , of small mountain birds , and the broath of them with the juice of a lemon are good : among fruits oranges , cappares , olives with vinegar : among herbs , endive , sow-thistle , and groundsel : let her drink be a decoction of cinnamon , rubarb , the seeds of purslain , the roots of china , scorzonera , or sarsaparilla . all meats of milk , fish , and whatever generates flegmatick humours must be avoided , and full feeding , and a disorderly course of dyet . secondly , those things must be used which concoct , and purge off phlegmatick humours ; as syrup of wormwood , succory , succory with rhubarb , of the acid juice of citron with the waters of the same herbs , or of grass , purslain , and sorrel , and the flegm must be constantly purged off with pills of mastick , of agarick , or the like . thirdly , such things must be used as kill worms , and uterine glisters to that purpose must be injected made of a decoction of wormwood , southernwood , and centaury with allom. or , take of mint , calaminth , penny-royal , each one handful , boyl them till the third part of the water is consumed , mingle honey with it and inject it . or take of the decoction of lupins six ounces , of aloes three drams , of honey one ounce , which may be injected also with the like quantity of decoction of mercury and wormwood ; or the following pessary may be used . take of bulls gall , one dram and an half , of the powder of lupins , two drams , of oyl of wormwood , two ounces , of good white-wine , half an ounce , mingle them , and dip the cotton for the pessary in it . at the same time apply to the region of the womb the following oyntment . take of the leaves of wormwood , costmary , and calaminth , each one handful , of peach leaves half an handful ; boyl them in the sharpest vinegar , or in wine for the womb , to the strained liquor , add of aloes and agarick , each half an ounce , of coloquitida three drams , of oyl of bitter almonds , and of bulls gall , each a sufficient quantity , with a little wax , or without it , make an oyntment . you may also make a cataplasm of the same herbs boyled and bruised with the meal of lupins , oyl of wormwood , and ox gall , and the pill of aloes , or of hiera , must be taken often , a scruple at a time . that the stones grow in every part of the body , galen testifies , as in the bladder , reins , liver , intestines , lungs ; and therefore it is no strange thing if they should be generated also in the womb , as aetius writes : but they are not altogether like the stones of the bladder , nor are they loose , for if so they could not continue in the womb ; but they grow to the tunicks of the neck of the womb. the causes of them are the same , as of the stone in the bladder , namely , gross and viscid humours . the signs of them are a dull pain in the womb , and the courses are inordinate , and a finger being put up the anus , the stone may be selt . but if the stone be in the neck of the womb , the pain is great , and affects the neighbouring parts , and the womb , and the woman can not sit without pain . as to the cure , an emollient and lubricating course of diet must be used , and the gross and viscid humours must be purged off : but the chief part of the cure is to be performed by extracting the stone , but first the parts must be quieted by an emollient glister made of a decoction of mallows , marsh-mallows , fenugreek , of the seeds of flax , and a great deal of oyl of roses and of lillies to make the manual operation the easier , which must be performed in the following manner . the womans thighs being spread , the chirurgeon must thrust up two of the fingers of his left-hand , and with his right he must press the upper part of her belly to force the stone out , and this may be the easier done , if the stone be in the neck of the womb , but if it be in the womb it self , the operation will be more difficultly performed : but if the stone grow to the mouth or neck of the womb , and cannot be extirpated this way , it must be cut out , the woman being rightly placed , and the parts dilated with a speculum matricis , which being done , those things must be injected into the womb which cure ulcers , first , astringents , and such things as stop blood , and afterwards drying things , and an exact course of diet must be ordered , and the woman must be purged twice in a year , lest the stone should grow again . the cure of the stone in the bladder in women is to be managed much in the manner as in men , but it seldomer happens , and is easier cured , because the passage of the urine is larger , and shorter , and straighter in women . but if it happen , and must be extracted , the chirurgeon must put two of the fingers of his left-hand , ( the vvoman being placed as above directed ) into the privities , and with his right he must press the bladder , and force the stone to the neck of it , so as to make it pass the muscle that shuts the neck of the bladder , and then a little above the wings of the privities , at which place the stone occurs he must cut , so that the stone may be extracted with a pair of forceps . lastly , the ulcer must be cured by astringent , and incarnating medicines . chap. xl. of a condyloma , of the hemorrhoids , warts , thymus , acrocordo , and a ficus , and of scabs of the privities , and of chaps , and clefts of the same . a condyloma is a tubercle arising from an inflammation , and resembles the knucles when the hand is shut . it is cured by four kind of remedies , first by diet and purging medicines that respect the antecedent cause ; secondly , by drying and repelling topicks , if the callus be newly bred , as by baths and vapours of a decoction of vervain , of the leaves of brambles , of acacia , ivy-leaves , to which must be added , by reason of the pain , camomile flowers ; and if the condyloma be inflamed such things must be used as mitigate the pain , as the following decoction . take of the leaves of melilot , mallows , and marshmallows , each half an handful , of the seeds of flax and fenugreek , each three drams , of the flowers of camomile two pugils , boyl them , and to a pint of the decoction , add two ounces of roses , inject it by a syringe ; or warm milk may be so injected . if the condyloma being old is grown hard , and does not yeild to the foresaid medicines , aetius commends as a wonderful remedy mineral misy mixed with turpentine ; or instead of it roman vitriol , a dram of the troches of steel reduced to powder , and mixed with the oyls of roses and wax , and made into an oyntment with half an ounce of the juice of mullein is also very good . the following is also much commended . take of tuty thrice burnt and washed , of ceruss washed , of the froth of silver washed , each two drams , of the yolks of two roasted eggs , wax , sope and oyl of roses , each two ounces ; make an oyntment . but if these things do no good , it must be cut off , and if there be many of them , they must be burnt off , and the ulcer must be regularly cured : but cutting or burning in these parts is dangerous and must not therefore be used unless there be an absolute necessity . if there be hemorrhoids , they are either in the mouth or neck of the womb , or in the womb it self , or in the privities ; they are as divers as those in the anus , they are either blind or open ; they are with or without inflammation ; they differ also upon their bigness , number and figure ; they are occasioned by chaps , and by a condyloma , but chiefly by gross and feculent humours falling upon the veins of the womb , or by an inordinate defluxion of menstruous blood into those veins . this disease may be known by a weight in those parts , and women so affected are weak and subject to spontaneous lassitude : but if the hemorrhoids of the womb , or anus flow moderately , they cure and prevent many diseases , and the unseasonable stopage of them occasions the falling sickness , and many other diseases . they are cured as the piles of the anus . there are four sorts of warts of the womb and privities . the first are acrocordones , which hang as by a thred . secondly , thymus which is a rough and oblong tumour , and without pain , if it be gentle and white , or redish ; but if it be malignant it is livid and painful . thirdly , ficus or mariscae , which differ from a thymus only in bigness . the fourth is clavus , which is a hard white and round prominence like the heads of corns . these tumours in general are of a scirrhous nature , and come by immoderate copulation , and are sometimes malignant , by reason of the french-pox . the gentle are known by their white or redish colour , and by the absence of pain , the malignant by their hardness , leaden colour and pain . they are cured by four sorts of remedies . first , by a diet that is not apt to breed gross humours , and by catharticks to purge such humours off , and by sweats , if they are obstinate . secondly , by discussing medicines , which are most proper for the thymus and clavus as by dried sage , with fat figs , or old-shoes burnt and powdered and mixed with wine and applyed : but the soles of shoes and a dried gourd powdered by themselves , and afterwards mixed and applied with wine to warts do very well , or you may take of rue and pennyroyal , each equal parts ; let them be burnt and powdered ; the bark of frankincense , the leaves of basil wine and vinegar , shoomakers ink , boyl them in the vvater that drops out of a vine cut ; moisten the part with this decoction ; this is reckoned an excellent medicine . prick with a needle the eye of a goat newly killed , and anoint daily the part with the liquor that flows from it , and within six days , as aetius writes ; myrmecies will be extirpated , which consist of broad roots , and they itch . thirdly , things that burn and eat are proper for myrmecies and acrocordos , as the juice of wild cucumber with salt , or the like : but corroding things must not continue long upon the part , for when they have been applied an hour or thereabout , the part must be washed twice or thrice with astringent wine ; and the neighbouring parts must be defended by an oyntment made with bolearmenick , sealed earth , rose-water and vinegar . fourthly , if they may be cut off , they ought to be so , but some bind the root of these with a horse-hair ; and straighten it daily till they fall off . in the privities and mouth of the womb , especially in such women , as have the french-pox , pustles arise ; they often itch ; they are occasioned by the abundance , and grossness of a bilious and adust humour , or by the french-pox , they may be easily seen by a speculum matricis . they are to be cured by four sorts of remedies . first , by meats of good juice , and by abstaining from all acrid , acid and salt things . secondly , by universal evacuations , as by bleeding and purging , and such things , as attemperate the humour must be used , as syrup of borrage , violets , fumitory and succory , and the like . decoctions of sarsa , or of guiacum with sweating are also very proper , and purges and sudorificks must be often repeated . thirdly , topicks must be applyed , and if the pustles are gentle bathing is proper , and afterwards wash the part with hot wine and nitre . for pustles and scabs the following oyntment of has bin found very successful . take of the roots elecampane , burnet and sharp pointed dock , each three ounces , of fumitory water six ounces , of the sharpest vinegar , or of the best wine , for diseases of the womb , two ounces ; having bruised the roots well , infuse them a day and a night , then boyl them , and press them strongly ; to the strained liquor add half a pound of turpentine , of oyl of roses three ounces , of wax half an ounce , boyl them again to the consumption of half , and add of sulphur one ounce and an half , of cerus five ounces , of roch-allom half an ounce , of sal gemma two drams , of oyl of eggs , six drams , mix them by beating of them well together , then wash the whole composition in fumitory water . but if the pustles are malignant , and obstinate , you must use stronger desiccatives , which correct the venom of the pustles , and at the same time you must use sudorific decoctions . take of plantain and rose water each four ounces , of sal gemma , nitre , and allom , each two drams , of sublimate one dram and an half , boyl them till a third part is consumed ; to the strained liquor , add of verde-greese one scruple ; after you have used this two or three dayes , you must forbear a while , and use gentler things , and return again to the use of it , till the pustles are quite taken off . this moreover must be added , which is of excellent use , having first bathed with a decoction of fumitory , lupins , beans , and a little salt. take of the roots of elecampane cut small four ounces , boyl them well in a sufficient quantity of water with a little vinegar or wine , then beat them in a mortar and pulp them through a sieve , and add of fresh lard three ounces , of juice of ground elder , and of fumitory , each one ounce and an half , of quick-silver extinguished in fasting spittle , or in the yolk of an egg , half an ounce , of ceruss and lytharge , each one ounce , of brimstone one dram and an half , stir them about for an hour , and mix the powders by degrees . but because pustles continue sometimes a long while , you must make an issue in the leg , before they are quite dryed up . clefts and chaps are sometimes in the mouth of the womb , as in the anus , hands , lips , and nipples , by reason of violent cold , a north wind , and the like ; they are small , long and narrow ulcers , sometimes deep , and sometimes only superficial ; they are also ocasioned by hard labour , by acrid and corroding humours , or by a great dryness in the womb. they are to be cured by five sorts of remedies ; by a moistening and smoothening diet , avoiding such things as are acrid , and stop the belly ; therefore let the woman eat chicken , mutton , veal , and broaths made of succory , bugloss , burrage , spinage , and the like ; let her drink be rather beer than wine , she must avoid cheese and spices , violent exercise , and copulation : and if acrid humours be the cause , she must be blooded , if there be a plenitude ; afterwards she must be purged with cassia , manna , and the like , and the humours must be attemperated with the syrups of succory , roses , violets , borrage , fumitory , and with the waters of the same herbs . if they are occasioned by hard labour , and bleed , the blood must be stop'd by the following uterine glister . take of the leaves of plantain one handfull , of roses four pugils , boyl them in a sufficient quantity of water till half is consumed . to six ounces of the strained liquor add of the powders of dragons blood , bole armenick , myrrh , frankincense , birthwort , each half a dram. if the chaps are dry , hot , and itch , the part must be fomented with things that moisten , as the following decoction . take of the flesh of frogs , snails , and river crabs , each two drams , of barley two pugils , of mallows and ducks meat , each one handful , of flax seeds one ounce , boyl them in a sufficient quantity of water , and let six ounces be injected in the manner of a vterine glister , and anoint the part affected with the oyntment of ceruse with camphor ; and if the pain and heat be much , anoint it with the following oyntment . take of the populeon oyntment one ounce , of camphor two scruples , of ceruss washed in rose water one scruple , and the white of one egg , mingle them . oyl of flax hot is also good for chaps of the anus and womb , so is pomatum ; oyl of the yolks of eggs , or of flax seeds stir'd about in a leaden mortar is also proper , and if they are occasioned by driness , barly boyled in water in linnen baggs , and applyed for nine days are very beneficial . but if the chaps are malignant , apply the following . take of good aqua vitae one point , of sublimate powdered one scruple , of verdegrease half a scruple , the whites of three eggs , stir them well together , and anoint the part every other day , and apply over a plaster of diachylon . chap. xli . of the melancholy of virgins and widows . melancholy befalls virgins , widdows , and barren vvomen , oftner than other vvomen ; there are two causes of it . first , the nature of a woman which is tender , and the mind easily dejected . secondly , gross blood. the signs of it are a pulsation about the back , which is a symptom almost perpetual in vvomen so affected ; the skin is sometime squalid , wrinkley and rough , especially in the arms , knees and joints of the fingers ; much cogitation , suspicion , shame-facedness , dejection of mind , disturbed sleep , frightful dreams , a preposterous judgment ; the breast is often very hot and hath a pulsation in it , and when the vapour rises upwards , there is a palpitation of the heart , or fainting ; there is a rising in the throat , as in mother-fits , the belly is most commonly bound , they are thirsty , and subject to vvatchings , to despair , and to vveeping and sorrow , and sometimes the melancholy is so high , as that they grow almost distracted , and are ready to make away with themselves . there are three degrees of this disease , according to which the danger is more or less , and the cure is to be varied accordingly . the first , is when the signs are small . the second , when the disease has lasted a long while , and has disordered the vvomans mind so , as that she is continually sorrowful and sad. the third , is when the vvoman , is so overcome with it , that she will not speak , nor give any answers , and this is near to madness . the first degree of this may be removed by a sparing diet , by exercise , and by variety of pleasant company , and if she be not married , she must be blooded in the arm every third or fourth month , in the middle of the month : but if she be most melancholy at the time of her courses , she must be blooded in the foot two or three days before or after them . but if the disease be in the second degree , the curative indications are principally four . the first , to hinder the congestion of the blood in the vvomb , by such things as force the courses . the second , is to expel the melancholy that is heapt up . the third , is to discuss the vvind . the fourth , to provide for the head , heart , womb , and the whole body . it is to be cured therefore by five sorts of remedies . first , by a moistning diet , as let the dinner be of a boyl'd chicken , with the roots of fennel , parsley , red vetches , and saffron : and the supper of new-laid eggs , roasted , and stewed prunes , or borrage prepared with almond-milk , by reason of watchings , wherewith they are much troubled ; or a ptisan with a little anniseeds and cinnamon , to expel the wind. let the drink be rhenish or vvhite-wine with borrage flowers in it , midling beer medicated with elecampane or balm , or water boyled with the herb maiden-hair , with the roots of scorzonera , lemon-peel , and citron-seeds . if the belly be bound , use the following glister . take of the roots of fennel and parsley , each one ounce , of the leaves of mallows , one handful , of polypody of the oak , one ounce , of the seeds of bastard saffron , flax , and fenugreek , each one dram , boyl them to a pint , to the strained liquor add of the oyls of dill , camomile , violets , and of brown-sugar , each one ounce , of diacatholicon , half an ounce . secondly , evacuations must be used , and if there be a plenitude , bleeding must be ordered , and purging medicines frequently ; but the humour must be first prepared by the following medicines , or the like . take of syrups of borrage , of apples , and of epithymum , each one ounce , of the waters of borrage and balm , each two ounces , mingle them , and when the woman has used this six or eight days , let her take every other week one dram of the pills of aloes , of mastick , or of agarick ; or rather because the pills dry and heat , let her take three or four times in a year a bolus made with an ounce of the pulp of cassia , and two drams of the powder of sena : the following syrup is much commended . take of the waters of borrage , succory and hops , each ten ounces , of the juice of borrage clarified eight ounces , of the juice of fragrant apples , six ounces , of the leaves of sena three ounces , of the cordial flowers , each one pugil , of the roots of scorzonera cut small , or of angelica , two ounces , boyl them over a gentle fire till the twentieth part is consumed ; to the strained liquor add of choice rubarb , and of agarick trothiscated , each four drams and an half ; after it has boyled gently , strain it out , and add of the powder of the stone called lazulus prepared , and tied up in a rag two drams , of sugar a sufficient quantity , make a syrup of a moderate consistence : the dose is three or four ounces . the following medicine is much commended . take of the leaves of spleen-wort , penny-royal , maiden-hair , thym , fumitory , borrage , mugwort , and agrimony , each half an handful , of the roots of succory , endive , smallage , angelica , fennel , asparagus , and eringo , each one ounce , of the flowers of borrage , stechas , rosemary , violets , each one pugil and an half , of epithymum , and of the leaves of sena , each half an ounce , of doronicum , of the seeds of anise , fenel , basil , and citron , each two drams and an half , of cinnamon half an ounce , of all the sanders , each half a dram , boyl them in a sufficient quantity of water to a quart ; at the end add of the bark of the root of black hellibore , and of choice rubarb , each four scruples , of the stone called lazulus tied up in a rag , one dram , of sweet smelling flag , of zedoary , and of the seeds of peony decortiated , each half a scruple , strain it , and with a sufficient quantity of white sugar make a clear potion ; aromatize it with one dram of diamosh . the dose is five or six ounces . but if these things do no good , four grains of stybium prepared may be safely given ; but it is best to begin with two grains . but some in a desperate melancholy have not feared to give three four or five grains of vigo's precipitate with an ounce of good wine , or in conserve of roses . thirdly things that discuss wind must be used , and the following glister must be frequently injected . take of the roots of fennel , and parsley , each one ounce , of the seeds of bastard saffron , anise , flax , and fenugreek , each one dram , of the leaves of mallows , one handful , of polypody of the oak , half an handful , boyl them in a sufficient quantity of water to a pint ; add of the oyls of camomile , and dill , each one ounce , and an half , of lenitive electuary , and of brown sugar , each one ounce ; make a glister . and it is convenient to anoint the spleen with the following liniment . take of the decoction of tamarisck , capers , and spleen-wort , each two ounces , of oyl of capers , and lillies , each one dram , of treacle and mithridate , each two drams , with a sufficient quantity of wax make an oyntment . fourthly , such things must be used as cause sleep , whereof there is so great want in this disease , that this symptom often takes up the whole cure ; it happens by reason of the siccity of the brain , and therefore things that moisten are to be used . to this purpose , the feet and legs are wont to be washed with a decoction of mallows , roses , camomile , violets , and the flowers of lettice , and sometimes henbane , and the heads of whith poppies are added to it , and the head is to be embrocated in the following manner . take of the foresaid decoction a quart , of the oyls of poppies , and roses , each three ounces , mingle them , and pour them gently being warm upon the head ; but the hair must be first shaved off . afterwards apply to the head a rag dipt in the oyls of roses and camomile , or of poppies , if the watchings be very great , or in womans or goats milk , and if these things are not sufficient , anoint the nostrils with populeon oyntment ; or take of oyntment of roses one ounce , of opium four grains , mingle them , and anoint the nostrils , the temples , and the palms of the hands , and the soles of the feet , and the pulse , and let her take inwardly the following emulsion . take of sweet almonds blanched four ounces , of the seeds of melons , and gouras , each one ounce , of the seeds of lettice , and poppies , each two drams , beat them in a marble mortar , and pour upon them a pint of barley water , and a little rose water , sweeten it with sugar and make an emulsion ; let it be taken just after supper , and at bed-time give the following anodyne . take of cowslip water , two ounces , of diacodium , one ounce . lastly , such things must be used , as strengthen the brain and heart , apply the following epithem to the region of the heart . take of the waters of balm , orange flowers , and borrage , each three ounces , of good white-wine , two ounces , of the juice of fragrant apples , one ounces and an half , of the powders of diamosck , diambra , of the bark of citron , each half a dram , mingle them ; or anoint the region of the heart with the oyntment of flowers of oranges , and let her eat now and then citron ▪ bark candied , or the roots of bugloss , or scorzonera candied . but if the disease be so high , that the woman is plainly delirious , which is the third degree of this disease ; the same remedies in a manner must be used , only the most effectual must be chosen , and care must be taken , that a cold and dry intemperies be not contracted , and therefore less blood must be taken away , and she must be purged strongly with a dram of the pill de lapide lazuli , or with the like quantity of the following . take of epithymum , six ounces , of agarick , four drams , of the bark of black hellebore , one dram and an half , of the species of simple hiera , four drams , with honey of roses make a mass . but the following electuary is better . take of the stone called lazulus , one dram , of the leaves of sena , one dram and an half , of the best agarick two drams , of the syrup of purslain , or of the juice of fumitory or of hops , three ounces , of conserve of roses or of violets , one ounce , mingle them ; let her take an ounce once a week . and the body must be moistned by all means , by baths and the like ; wherewith , and with a moistning diet galen cured melancholy , and such things must be used as provoke the courses ; but if they will not flow , the application of leeches to the hemorrhoids is very proper , because hippocrates and galen say that melancholy blood is drawn by these veins ; they may be opened two ways ; by rubbing the fundament with a course cloth , and by leeehes , which must be of a moderate bigness , and they must be taken from a clear and running water , they must not be green , pale , nor hairy ; but reddish , and after they are taken they must be pressed , that they may vomit up the venom , if they have any ; then they must be kept in a glass full of clear water sweetned with sugar , and the water must be changed once a week . when they are to be applied , you must foment the part with a decoction of camomile , mallows , mullein , and the like ; then rub it , that the mouth of the veins may appear , and to each of them apply a leech ; if they will not stick , anoint the place with chickens blood , or the like ; and whilst they are sucking , let a hot decoction of camomile , dill , roses , and mallows be put under them , that the vapour of it may comfort them . a sufficient quantity of blood being drawn , they generally fall off of themselves ; if they do not , pinch them by the tails , or sprinkle upon their mouths ashes , salt , or aloes . if the blood slow too long , apply rags dipt in stiptick wine , or the white of an egg with some astringent powder . finis . books printed for henry bonwike , at the red lyon in st. paul's church-yard . collections of acute diseases , in five parts : . of the small pox , and measles . . of the plague and pestilential fevers . . of continual fevers . . of agues , a pleuresie , peripneumonia , quinsie , and the cholera morbus . . and lastly , of the bloody flux , miscarriage , of acute diseases of women with child , a rheumatism , bleeding at nose , apoplexy , lethargy , and several other diseases . in o a collection of chronical diseases , viz. the cholick , the bilious cholick , hysterick diseases , the gout , and the bloody urine from the stone in the kidnies . o. promptuarium praxeos medicae ; seu methodus medendi , praescriptis celeberrimorum medicorum londinensium concinnata . et in ordinem alphabeticum digesta . o. the compleat herbal of physical plants . containing all such english and foreign herbs , shrubs and trees , as are used in physick and surgery ; and to the vertues of those that are now in use , is added one receipt , or more of some learned physician . the doses , or quantities of such as are prescribed by the london physicians , and others , are proportioned . also directions for making compound waters , syrups , simple and compound , electuaries , pills , powders , and other sorts of medicines . moreover the gums , balsams , oyls , juices , and the like , which are sold by apothecaries and druggists , are added to this herbal ; and their virtues and uses are fully described . o the storehouse of physical practice : being a general treatise of the causes and signs , of all diseases afflicting human bodies . together with the shortest , plainest and safest way of curing them , by method , medicine and diet : to which is added for the benefit of young practisers , several choice forms of medicines used by the london physicians . o these five by the author of this treatise . pains afflicting human bodies : their various difference , causes , parts affected , signals of danger , or safety ; shewing the tendency , of chronick and acute diseases , for a seasonable prevention of fatal events . with a tract of issues and setons . by e. manwaring , m. d. o the compleat chyrugeon ; or the whole art of chyrurgery explain'd , by way of questions and answers . containing an exact account , of its principles , and several parts ; viz. of the bones , muscles tumours , ulcers , and wounds simple and complicated , or those by gun-shot ; as also of venereal diseases , the scurvey , fractures , luxations , and all sorts of chyrurgical operations ; together with their proper bandages and dressings . whereto is added a chyrurgical dispensatory ; shewing the manner , how to prepare all such medicines as are most necessary for a chyrurgeon ; and particularly the mercurial panacaea . writen in french by m. le clerc , physician in ordinary , and privy counseller to the french king. faithfully translated into english . o pia desideria , or divine addresses . in three parts . . sighs of the penitent soul. . desires of the religious soul. . extasies of the enamour'd soul. illustrated with cuts . written in latin by herm. hugo ; englished by edm. arwaker . o the art of catechizing , or the compleat catechist : in four parts . . the church catechism resolv'd into easie questions . . an exposition of it , in a continued , full , and plain discourse . . the church catechism resolv'd into scripture proofs . . the whole duty of man reduced into questions . fitted for the meanest capacities , the weakest memories , the plainest teachers , and the most uninstructed learners . o country conversations : being an account of some discourses that happened in a visit to the country last summer , on divers subjects , chiefly of the modern comidies , of drinking , of translated verse , of painting and painters , of poets and poetry . o the christians manual . in two parts . . the catechumen : or an account given by the young person of his knowledge in religion , before his admission to the lords supper ; as a ground work for his right understanding the sacrament . . an introduction to the sacrament : or a short , safe and plain way to the communion table ; being an instruction for the worthy receiving the lords supper . to which is added the communicants assistant ; being devotions to that purpose : fitted to be used before , at , and after the receiving the blessed sacrament . collected for , and familiarly addressed to every particular communicant . by l. addison , d. d. dean of litchfield . o letters of religion and virtue to several gentlemen and ladies ; to excite piety and devotion ; with some short reflections on divers subjects . o a practical discourse of the sin against the holy ghost : shewing plainly . . what it is . . how any person may certainly know , whether he has been guilty of it . designed to bring incouragement to the faithful penitent ; tranquility of mind to the obedient ; joys to them that love ; and the returning sinner from desparation . o a discourse proving from scripture and reason that the life of man is not limited by any absolute decree of god. by the author of the duty of man. o the best gnide to devotion ; being short prayers , meditations and thanksgivings taken out of scripture and fitted to all occasions . o advertisement . excellent purging pills , prepar'd by the author , are to be sold , by mr. henry bonwicke , at the red lyon in st. paul's church-yard . they cure the scurvey , the most reigning disease of this kingdom ; they purge the head , breast , stomach and reins , and cleanse the blood ; and are a very proper purge for those that cannot confine themselves when they want purging , but are forced to go abroad about their business . the price of each box is one shilling six pence , with directions for use . finis . some observations made upon the wood called lignum nephriticum imported from hispaniola shewing its admirable virtues in dissolving the stone in the reins and bladder, helping the strangury and stoppings in the water and easing all pains proceeding from thence, &c. / written by a doctor of physick in the countrey to the president of the colledge of physicians in london. peachi, john, fl. . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; 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(eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) some observations made upon the wood called lignum nephriticum imported from hispaniola shewing its admirable virtues in dissolving the stone in the reins and bladder, helping the strangury and stoppings in the water and easing all pains proceeding from thence, &c. / written by a doctor of physick in the countrey to the president of the colledge of physicians in london. peachi, john, fl. . pechey, john, - . p. s.n.], [london : . attributed to john peachi. cf. wing. attributed also to john pechey. cf. nuc pre- . place of publication from wing. reproduction of original in huntington library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng kidneys -- diseases -- early works to . medicinal plants -- early works to . materia medica, vegetable -- early works to . - tcp assigned for keying and markup - spi global keyed and coded from proquest page images - mona logarbo sampled and proofread - mona logarbo text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion some observations made upon the wood called lignum nephriticum , imported from hispaniola : shewing its admirable virtues in dissolving the stone in the reins and bladder , helping the strangury , and stoppings in the water , and easing all pains proceeding from thence , &c. written by a doctor of physick in the countrey to the president of the colledge of physicians in london . printed in the year . some observations made upon the nephritick wood , imported from the indies : in a letter , &c. sir , you may justly wonder that i who am a stranger to you , should communicate a specifick medicine to one whose experience can furnish him with many ; but the reason why i do it , is , because your eminent station in the colledge renders you the more capable of recommending it to the practice of other physicians . i confess the thing hath been known by name a long time , but it hath not been brought into general use ; and this was the fate of the peruvian bark , untill we know who made successfull experiments of it , and brought it into great reputation . i have in my travels through several parts of the world , made many curious observations upon the use of specifick remedies , and i have communicated several , as some at london can tell you . i know no more need of publishing my name , than the author of the whole duty of man had for not-divulging his . i am sure my design is not private advantage , but publick benefit . i hear of very considerable cures that have been wrought at london by the use of some spicificks that i have made made publick , and that encourages me to tell the world of more , in imitation of the example of the great esquire boyle , who was my particular friend . the learned and curious sir john floyer at litchfield , hath been wonderful kind in communicating many specificks , and put us in a way to find out the nature and quality of druggs by their tastes and smells ; and he saith that he doth not question but that the artificial jumbles of many medicines together will in time be rejected , and every ingenious practicer will chiefly make use of simple medicines , by which his patient will be more suddenly , safely and pleasantly cured . when i call to mind the practice of hypocrates and galen , who wrote their books and publisht their receipts in the language of the countrey where they dwelt , i judge i may well be excused from blame . the specifick that i recommend is the tincture drawn from the true nephrittick wood , which comes from hyspaniola ; it may be known from the spurious sort by its communicating a blew sky-coloured tincture unto spring-water , which the other will not do : by its peculiar quality it resists the petrifactive disposition of the reins and bladder , it cleanseth those parts from mucilaginous slimy humours , which are apt to lodge in the urinary passages , and by its abstersive property it prevents the coagulation of sand and gravel , it dilates and lubrifies the uretors , and causeth an easie expulsion of small stones , and cures a suppression of urine and strangury ; it heals the excoriation , caused by the acrimony of the humours , and easeth pain in making water ; it cools the reins , and mitigates the scalding heat of urine , and dissolves the stone as far as any medicine is capable of doing it . i could give you many strange examples of great cures wrought with it : and particularly a woman much afflicted with the strangury , with an acute pain in her hip , and frequent reaching to vomit , she took sixty drops of the tincture , morning , noon , and night , in ale and white-wine dulcified with syrup of marsh-mallows , she voided in a months time nine ounces of gravel , and thirty small stones like great pins-heads , and found great ease . a young gentleman who was so exceedingly wrackt with the stone that he was advised to be cut , but a friend coming in advised him to take the drops of the tincture drawn out of this wood in oyl of walnuts , and it gave him relief , and prevented the return of his pains , he continu'd it two months . i my self frequently take the spirit , and sometimes the extract , in all my drink , fifty or sixty drops at a time , and find great advantage : i draw the spirit and extract with rhenish wine . an old man who had frequent stopping in his water , with twitching smart pains , and sometimes bloody urine and great scalding , was wonderfully eased by the use of this tincture , taken in spaw-waters , and sometimes in milk sweeten'd with honey . it 's endless to give instances , i therefore take leave to subscribe my self your humble servant , &c.