say it vvill keep good ten years The inward use Sene purgeth chiefly and primarily melancholy afterward thick flegme and other humours from the spleen Mesenterie and entrals also from the brain lungs liver and heart It is very profitable in obstructions of the spleen and Hypochonders and against hard swellings thereof as also in chronicall Agues whether quartaine or quotidian It is a singular remedy against melancholy the Falling-Sicknesse and foul diseases of the skin as in scab itch leprosie elephansie c. It quickens the senses both of seeing and hearing takes away the cause of sadnesse and melancholy and is usefull in madnesse in the frensie c. It causeth a fresh quick and lively habit of the body and cleanseth and purifieth the blood It is given also in all head-aches and palsies Sene is a very safe medicine and may be given to old men women with childe delicate bodies and children The manner of administring it It is given in substance in decoction or by infusion which last is the best way In substance Take of Sene of Alexandria a dram or a dram and a half make it in powder and give it in posset-drink or mace-drink In Decoction Take of Sene one ounce Anise-seed Carraway-seed Ginger of each a dram Licoris two drams Currents and Raisons of the Sun of each an ounce make a gentle decoction hereof in a sufficient quantity of water and strain it The Dose is from two ounces to foure ounces In infusion Take of Sene an ounce Raisons of the Sun half an ounce Anise-seed Citron-seed of each a dram make an infusion on hot embers in Fennel water for the space of five or six hours then strain it and give the clearest Or Take of the fore-mentioned infusion four ounces Confectio Hamech two drams and a halfe syrupe of Roses one ounce make a Potion and give it against melancholy Or thus for the poorer sort Take of Sene half an ounce Borrage-flowers and Rose-leaves of each half a dram Ginger half a dram let them be macerated or steeped in Whey or Posset-drink for the space of six or seven houres then strain it and being sweetned with Sugar give it to drink If you add three or four grains of Diagredium to the same it will be the more effectuall Weichard de Med. nunnul praepar f. 92. Note that â—ene doth better purge the body when it is infused then when it is decocted or boiled for this is certain that Sene being boiled doth much binde the body after the taking of it and Sene will not endure any long boiling The outward use The Lie wherein Sene and Cammomile-flowers are boiled is commended for weak brains to comfort and strengthen them as also for the sight and hearing if the head be washed therewith the same Lie is very profitable for the sinews that are stiffe with cold or shrunk with Cramps it helpeth also the Itch in the body and hands if they be washed therewith The hurtfull quality with the corrective means Because Sene is judged by many to be windy and to offend the stomach therefore it is corrected with Ginger Cloves Galingall Anise-seed or Cynamon It is excellent to infuse it in Whey or Posset-drink Also it may be given with fat broth of a Cock with the decoction of Prunes Jujubes Raisons Marsh-mallows or with Manna and Cassia or Polypodium Violet-flowers Borrage c. In hot Diseases inâ—use it in Whey or Posset-drink in cold diseases infuse it in Water of Fumitory or Wine for being steept in Wine it doth not offend the stomach Schyronius saith that Sene â—s hurtful to the bladder and Wombe especially if there be any Ulcer there Schyron Meth â—ed f. 107 116. The Dose The Dose in powder is from a dram to two drams in decoction from three drams to six drams in infusion from half an ounce to an ounce The compound Medicines made of Sene. Pulvis Senae Montagnan Syrup of the leaves of Sene. Syrupus de Pomis Reg. Saboris Electuarium Diabalsemer seu Elect. Senatum R. nâ—d Passulae laxativa Extract of Sene. Elect. de Sena Nicolas Confectio Hamech Whether Sene offend the stomach and be a griping and windy â—edicine Although some hold that Sene doth offend the stomach especially being weak yet in regard that it is somewhat bitter and partaking of heat and drynesse it doth rather strengthen and profit the stomuch then weaken and offend it Now that after the taking of Sene in some bodies especially in Women and flegmatick persons gripings do follow is not denied but this comes not from the flatulency or windinesse of the Sene but by accident in drawing grosse and flegmatick humours to the bowels and there causeth these gripings especially where the passages are much stopt Fernel Meth. l. 5. f. 115. â—reitag Aur. Med. f. 264. Sennert Instit f. 959. Matthiol Comment in lib. 3. Diascor f. 521. CHAP. 61. De Soldanella of Seabinde-weed SEabinde-weed is an herbe grovving neer the Sea having many small branches somewhat red trailing or lying upon the ground beset with small and round leaves not much unlike Asarabacca but smaller the flowers come forth like a bell of a bright red incarnate colour the seed is black and groweth in round cods the root is small and long The names In Latine Soldana Soldanella Convolvulus marinus in English Seabinde-vveed Seacavvl Seacoale Sea-vvith-vvinde because the branches winde themselves and the flowers are so like the small kinde of Binde-weed that it growes naturally neer the Sea-coasts It is called also Sea-beâ—ls for the likenesse of the flowers and some call it Sea-fole-foot for the resemblance of the leaves and Scottish scurvy-grasse The temperament It is hot and dry in the second degree The duration It will keep good a yeare The inward use Binde-weed purgeth chiefly water and flegme also therefore it is very usefull and profitable in the Dropsie and openeth the obstructions or stoppings of the liver and killeth wormes It hath two excellent properties the one is that it wonderfully draweth away watery humours the other that it corroborates or strengtheneth the liver The manner of administring it It is given in Powder Decoction Pils c. A Powder against the Dropsy Take of Sea-bindeweed a scruple Hermodactyles halfe a scruple Turbith and Diagredium of each seven graines Ginger and Cynamon of each four graines make a powder hereof and adde oile of Fennell and oile of Anise-seed of each two drops mix them together and give it in Posset-drink A Potion against the Dropsie Take of Sea-bindeweed a handfull Raisons of the Sun stoned an ounce Anise-seed a dram make a decoction in the broth of a cock straine it and adde syrupe of Pumitarie an ounce of the electuary Diaturbith two drams make a potion and give it The outward use The powder of the dried herbe is used to bring or raise up flesh in deep and hollow Ulcers helping also to heal them The juice also not pressed but issuing forth of its own
and Oile of Roses it is good for the infirmities of the eares and mixed only with Honey it cleers the dim sight It is a present remedy against burning or scalding if it be boiled with Linseed-oile and the parts anointed with the same or wet clouts therein and lay them on It is commended against the clifts or chaps of the hands if the powder be strewed thereon for it closeth them up and dryeth The Chymicall Oile of Amber is good for cold and moist diseases of the brain if the temples or nape of the neck be anointed with a few drops thereof it discusseth or expelleth winde in the eares and head and strengtheneth the memory It is commended in the curing of Wounds Ulcers and Fistulous tumours being applyed with other ingredients It helps the Cramp being anointed therewith and deafnesse if a few drops be put into the eares with Cotton-Wooll It helpeth the stinking of the breath if it be mixed with Plantain-water or Rose-water and the mouth washed therewith and easeth also the pain of the teeth comming from a cold cause it cleanseth black teeth and maketh them white and helpeth the putrefaction of the gums and teeth It is useful in the relaxation or swelling of the Uvula or palate of the mouth It stayeth the bleeding of the nose if the nostrils be anointed therewith especially if a cloth wet in Plantain-water be applyed to the temples A Plaister against the heat of Vlcers Take of white Amber in powder an ounce of Honey a pound of common Salt in powder two ounces mix them together and apply it This draweth out the heat easeth the paine and healeth it Doring de Ol. Succin virib f. 183. The hurtfull qualâ—ty It is not to be given in very hot and dry bodies The Dose Amber in powder is given from a scruple to a dram or four scruples The Chymicall Oile from three drops to ten Of such things as are made of Amber Oile of Amber Magister of Amber Tincture of Amber Pils of Amber Balsam of Amber CHAP. 63. De Tamarindis of Tamarinds TAmarinds are the fruit of a tree growing in India Gart. ab Horto aromat histor cum annotatione car clus f. 119. Others say they are strangers in India and grow in Arabia being brought from thence into the Indies Renodaeus de Mat. Med l. 1. sect 1. f. 349. The names They are called in Latine Tamarindi from the Hebrew word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Tamar i. e. Palma and Indus In Greek they are called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Palmulae acidae in English Tamarinds The temperament They are cold and dry in the second degree or in the beginning of the third The best kinde The best are of a blackish or reddish colour fresh and moist of a sharp taste with many threds as it were among them They are adulterated with Prunes but that is easily known by the colour and taste The duratisn They will keep good being kept close two or three yeers The inward use They purge choler and adust humours therefore are used in acute Feavers in the Frensie madnesse they stay vomiting cool inflammations both of the Liver and stomach as also of the reins and back and help the running of the Reins they also stay Rheumes and Distillations They open obstructions or stoppings both of the Liver and Spleen and are profitable against all eruptions or breakings forth of the skin which arise from the heat of the bloud or from sharp or salt water running between the flesh and the Skin or Scab Itch Leprosie and such like They quench thirst wonderfully and are good against the Jaundise as also most excellent in Erysipelas or Wild-fire bleeding of the nose arising from choler and Womens fluxes The manner of administring them They are given in Boles in Potions and Decoctions A Bole. Take of the pulp of Tamarinds an ounce and a half species Diarrhodon Abbatis two scruples mix them together and make a Bole. A Powder Take of the pulp of Tamarinds half an ounce Manna two ounces Succory-water four ounces dissolve them in water and make a Potion Or Take of Prunes Sebestens of each ten in number Tamarinds an ounce of the foure greater cold-seeds viz. Gourds Cutruls Cucumers and Melons of each a dram of Borrage Buglosse Rosemary and Violet-flowers a dram make a gentle decoction in about a pinte of Endive or Violet-water then strain it and add thereto syrupe of Roses one ounce and a half syrup of Violets half an ounce Oile of Vitriol five drops mix them together and give it This is excellent in burning Feavers arising of choler They may be given in Posset-drink or Whey also in Succory-water or Goats-Whey Against the small Pox boil them with Dates Figs and Jujubes and give them in broth made with Lentiles But note that they must not be much boiled for they will not endure any long boyling They are most convenient in hot and acute Feavers in hot seasons and in hot bodies The externall use They are applied outwardly against all inflammations of the skin as Wheals Pimples and such like The hurtfull quality with the corrective meanes There are two inconveniences in Tamarinds First they offend and hurt a cold stomach therefore to help it give them with Mastich Cynamon Anise-seed Mace or such like Secondly they are very astringent and binding therefore in the beginning of putrid Feavers abstain from them and be very cautious in giving them except it be in a small quantity and with Manna Cassia or the like The Dose The Dose of the pulp is from one ounce to two ounces In decoction or infusion it is given from two ounces to three or four ounces The compound Medicines made of Tamarinds Pulp of Tamarinds Electuary lenitive Electuary Diacatholicon c. CHAP. 64. De Tormentilla of Tormentill TOrmentill is an hearb so like Cinquefoile that many mistake it CoÌ„mon Tormentil hath many slender weak branches rising froÌ„ the root leaning as it were upon the ground with many short leaves that stand closer to the stalks then the other Cinquefoiles do with the foot-stalks encompassing the branches at severall places the leaves be small five or most commonly seven growing upon a stem much like the leaves of Cinquefoile or five-leafed grasse but somewhat longer and lesser dented about the edges many of them the flowers be yellow much like Cinquefoile but smaller the root is black without but reddish within and sometimes a little crooked The names It is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ex 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 septem et 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 folium that is seven leaves In Latine Tormentilla quia valet adversus tormenta intestinorum In English Tormentill and Set-foile The temperament It is dry in the third degree without any manifest heat binding and of subtile or thin parts The duration The herbe will keep a year and the root two yeares The inward use Tormentill is Diaphoreticall and Alexipharmacall and vulnerary that is it provokes sweat expels
were cured with the Gods meâ—t yea rather with the Devils said the Portugall but softly and in his owne language for fear of being over-heard The outward use If it be mingled with Rue Salniter and Honey it breaketh Carbuncles and Pestilentiall sores being thereto applied and in the same manner used it helpeth Cornes and draweth them forth Being applied with Garlicke and the white of an egge it helps Felons and white flaes of the fingers It clears the fight and helpeth suffusions or spots in the eyes being mixed with Honey and dropped in It cures the stinging of venomous Beasts being applied and the swelling of the Spleen being laid on as a Plaister A perfume thereof is good for the rising of the Mother also a fume thereof and of Goats horne prevents or much mitigates the fit of the Falling-Sicknesse if the party hold his head over it when he feels the fit come upon him It helpeth the Tooth-ach being put into a hollow tooth Plinie lib. 22. cap. 23. forbiddeth it thus to be used and saith he knew one that tried it in the same manner threw himselfe headlong from an high loft and brake his neck but surely this was by accident the party having a cachecticall or plethorick body and so it stirred up the humours The hurtfull quality Give it not to women with Child nor to such as have very hot and dry bodies These things following are made of Assa Fetida 1. Pills of Assa Fetida 2. Extract of Assa Fetida The Dose The Dose is from halfe a scruple to a dram CHAP. VIII De Asaro Of Asarabacca ASarum or Asarabacca is an hearb that hath a round leafe like Ivy but more round and tenderer the roots are many small and slender of a sweet and pleasing smell and a little biting the tongue It growes in many Gardens The Names It is called in Latine Asarum in English Asarabacca Asarobacca and Folefoot The temperament Asarum is hot and dry in the second degree or as some in the third degree The roots are hotter then the leaves The duration The roots will keep a year or two The leaves are best green which may be had almost all the year The inward use Asarum purgeth strongly by vomit and sometimes by stoole It draweth away thick Flegme and Choller both yellow and cruginous or green It is profitable for them that have the Dropsie Jaundise and that have Tertian and Quartaine Agues as also the Green-sicknesse Paine of the head arising of vapours from the Stomach It provokes sweat the Courses in Women and Urine therefore it is good in the Strangury and stopping of the Urine and also in the Hip-Gout and in Asthmatick persons or such as are short-winded It helpeth stoppings of the Liver Gall and Spleen The roots are effectuall against the biting of Serpents and therefore is put with other simples both into Mithridate and Treacle of Andromachus saith Mr Parkinson in his Herball but I find it only put into Mithridate It helpeth Chronicall or long continued Agues upon a double ground First Because it purgeth away thick Flegme and Choller of all sorts from the Stomach and parts adjacent as also whatsoever is of long continuance in the viscerous parts which is the cause of these Diuturnall or long-continued Agues now by vomit the humours aforesaid are taken away Secondly Because it provoketh sweat and so expelleth obnoxious humous from those parts by the ports of the skin The manner of administring it The leaves and roots are given by infusion decoction and in substance The green leaves are most effectuall to provoke one to vomit the roots more effectuall to purge by siege by Urine and to provoke sweat Neither the leaves nor roots will abide any long boyling for thereby the chiefest strength thereof vanisheth and is lost If you give it in fine powder it doth provoke vomit and Urine If you give it in course powder it purgeth downwards Before the fit of an Ague Take of the roots of Asarum or Asarabacca in powder a dram of white-wine four ounces mingle them together and give it before the fit commeth This taketh away the shaking fit and causeth the hot fit to be more remisse or gentle Or thus Take of Asarabacca-root a dram of Radish-root one ounce of Orach-seed halfe an ounce boyle them in Hydromel or water and honey straine it and give six ounces thereof as before Or Take of root of Asarabacca in powder Broome-flowers Broome-seeds of each halfe a dram in powder give it in Barly-water Against the Green-sicknesse Dropsie Jaundise c. Take of the green leaves of Asarabacca five six or seaven bruise them and steep them in Hydromel or Posset-drink all night in the morning straine it and give the clearest when it works take Posset-drink and keep your selfe warm To provoke the termes or courses in Women Take Myrrhe Cinamon of each a dram Savin halfe a dram Smalladge-seed and Parsly-seed Spiknard Asarum Squinanth or sweet Rush of each a scruple make all into powder and give hereof a dram in the juice of Sea-Holly or in the juice of Rue Freitag â—ur med fol. 325. Against the Quartaine Ague and Agues of long continuance Take of the distilled water of Asarabacca three or four ounces give it in a morning fasting or before the fit commeth This may be given divers times if need be The externall use The leaves bruised and applied outwardly cure creeping and cancerous Vlcers as also the swelling thereof and hinder their growth and increase They cleanse Wounds and sores If the head be washed with a lie made thereof it strengthneth the braine being molested with cold and quickneth the memory The juice and the water thereof with Pompholigos helpeth the dimnesse of the sight The leaves bruised and applied to the forehead and temples doe ease the pain thereof comming of cold There is an Oyle made thereof with which if the ridge of the back be nointed it provoketh sweat and taketh away the shaking fits of Agues The leaves also bruised and applied to Womens Breasts are good to dry up the milk and is good to be laid to the Disease called the Wilde fire especially at the beginning The hurtfull Quality It is not safe to give it to weak and tender bodies nor to Women with Child for though Fernelius saith in his Method medend l. 5. 117. it be free from any malignant quality and therfore may safely be given to women with Child especially if it be not given in fine powder yet Theodor. Dorstenius Botanic fol. 14. saith that both the decoction and water thereof driveth forth the Child living or dead and therefore may not safely be given to Women great with Child Of such things as are made of Asarabacca These following are made of Asarum 1. Diasarum Fernelij 2. Extract of Asarum or Coagulum Asari 3. Distilled Water of Asarum both of the leaves and roots 4. Oyle of Asarum The Dose The Dose in substance is from halfe a dram to two scruples or
Essence of Saffron 2. Extract of Saffron 3. Chymicall Oyle 4. Trosses of Saffron 5. Crocomagma 6. Species Diacrocuma 7. Elect. de Ovo 8. Oleum crocinum 9. Emplastrum Oxycroceum CHAP. XXII De Curcuma Of Turmericke TVrmerick is a root like Ginger but yellow like Saffron within and without and not so flat as Ginger but rounder hot in the tast and bitterish but nothing so bitter being fresh by reason of the moysture in it as when it is dry The Names It is called in Latine Cyperus Indicus Crocus Indicus and Curcuma in English Turmerick The temperament Turmericke is hot and dry in the second degree or as some say in the third degree The best sort The best roots are those that are yellowest and soundest not worm-eaten The duration It will keep good many years The inward Vse It is very effectuall to open the stoppings of the Stomach Liver Gall Bladder and Womb it is much used against the yellow Jaundise and is very good in the Dropsie and Green-sicknesse for it openeth obstructions very much and helpeth to bring down the menses or womens courses The manner of administring it It is given in Powder Pills Decoction c. The outward use It is outwardly used to take away the hair and is put into those Medicines that are made for the eyes and for the Itch and Scab if some juice of Oranges and the Oyle of the Cocar or Indian Nut be mixed with it as Gartias saith Gart. ab horto Aromat hist l. 1. cap 39. It is much used to colour wooden dishes cups and such like in stead of Saffron The Indians use it much both to colour and season their meats and broths because it is cheaper then Saffron The hurtfull quality It must not be given to hot and dry bodies The Dose In powder the Dose is from a scruple to a dram in decoction from a dram to two drams or more Cuscutha see Epithymum CHAP. XXIII De Cyclamine Of Sow-Bread CYclamen or common Sow-bread is an hearb that hath leaves like Ivy or Asarabacco only the upper part of the leaves have here and there white spots and that side of the leafe which is next the ground is of a purple colour the root is round like Turnep black without and white within with many small threads or strings The Names It is called in Latine Cyclaminus Cyclamen Arthanita and Panis porcinus in English Sow-bread The temperament Sow-bread is hot and dry in the third degree The duration It will keep good a yeare The inward use Sow-bread purgeth tough flegme and water and is effectuall to take away obstructions or stoppings of all the inward parts helps the Collicke comming of thick flegme It is usefull in any Head-ach and in cold Diseases of the Brain and Nerves 't is profitable in shortnesse of breath in the Jaundise and expells choller by sweat openeth stopping of the Liver Spleen Reins Bladder and Womb also cleanseth the impurity thereof brings downe the courses violently provokes Urine openeth the mouths of the vessells and provokes the Hemroids helpeth the Dropsie and any hard swelling of the Spleen or Liver Being drunk with wine it expelleth poyson and venome The wine wherein Cyclamen hath been boyled doth help the stopping of the Spleen The root saith Plinie if it be put into a cup of wine it makes as many drunk as drink thereof Plin. Nat. Hist lib. 25. cap. 9. fol. 229. The manner of administring it It is given in decoction in powder and in juice The outward use The root boyled in Oyle of bitter Almonds or Oyle of Camomill and dropped into the ears cures Deafnesse and Noyse in the ears or the root bruised with Peach-kernells bitter Almonds and infused two or three dayes in a little Aqua vitae then presse out the juice or creamy substance and drop some of it into the ears It cures foul Vlcers and Fistulaes and takes away the hardnesse thereof consumes proud flesh dissolveth all cold swellings and scrophulous tumours The juice put up with wooll openeth the Hemroids and moveth to the stool strongly The same helpeth the Pin and Web in the eye being infused with Honey and put in the juice snuffed up purgeth the brain from offensive humours but be not too busie with it because it is a sharp Medicine If the belly be bath'd with the juice it will provoke to stool and that strongly and also killeth Worms The root being applied provokes the courses it cleanseth all deformities of the skin as freckles and spots and the marks of the Small Pox and Measles The juice or the decoction thereof with Vineger taketh away the falling of the haire if the place be bath'd therewith Applied to the region of the Spleen it easeth the hardnesse thereof the juice mixed with Honey or Plantaine-water helpeth all manner of fores in the Mouth or Throat or the Tooth-ach being washed therewith A decoction thereof healeth Wounds the running sores in the head bones or members out of joynt Kibes or Chilblaines and the Gout the root bruised and applied with Honey draweth forth splinters thorns and pieces of loose bones the root in powder mingled with Honey helpeth the fleshinesse that groweth in the Nose if it be therewith anoynted but 't is best to mix other things with it because of its sharpnesse Bruised and applied to the biting of any venomous Beast it helpeth the same Being burnt and the ashes mixed with Vineger and applied to the Hip it helpeth the Hip-Gout The leaves laid to the Navill and secret parts doth much help Women in Travell or the root hanged about them in their Travell The distilled water from the root saith Matthiolus snuffed up into the Nostrills stayeth the bleeding thereof wonderfully and if you give six ounces of the water to drink with an ounce of Suger it will stop the blood that cometh from the breast stomack or liver or if any veine be broken in them Matthiol in lib. 2. Diascor 159. fol. 407. The juice mingled with Vineger helpeth the falling downe of the fundament if it be anointed therewith The juice of Sow-bread and the juice of Plantaine of each a like quantity mixed together and Aloes Myrrhe and Olibanum added thereto stoppeth the bleeding of the nose if it be applyed to the nostrils and forehead An Errhine to purge the Head Take of the root of Sow-bread a dram of Elaterium a Scruple macerate or steep them in four ounces of Water and Honey one night Put up Tents dipped in the same into the Nose but beware of too frequent use thereof The dry powder is not safe to snuffe up without it be mingled with some other things The hurtfull quality and correction Sow-bread by reasons of its acrimony and biting faculty hurts the Liver and brings gnawing pains to the stomach neither must it be used inwardly without much caution It is dangerous for pregnant women or women with child to meddle with this herbe least they miscarry for it destroyeth the birth but
in lie and the head washed therewith it killeth Lice and helpeth the running scabs and sores thereof Boiled in vineger and the mouth washed therewith easeth the toothach the same decoction helpeth also itch and scab in the hands and cleanseth foul sores and ulcers in the legs and other parts put into Fistulaes it taketh away the hardnesse of them A Pessary made thereof and put up brings down the Courses and dead childe The hurtfull quality White Hellebore is a vehement and strangulatory medicine and induceth most terrible symptomes and causeth strong vomiting bringeth Convulsion Cramp Hicop and fainting of the spirits and ofttimes suddenly suffocateth the party therefore I advise the vulgar not to meddle with it but to leave it as a dangerous and deadly medicine But if any will venture to give it let it be with good advise and in very strong bodies Give it with Mead or honied water and sal-niter The safest way is to give it by infusion or decoction and not in substance let it be infused in juice of Quinces or given with the syrup of Quinces or give the decoction with Anise-seed and Cynamon adding a little Sugar thereto Pliny adviseth not to give it in close weather or upon a dark and cloudy day It must not be given to such as have long necks or are crooked and short-breath'd or to women with childe old persons or such as have any vein broken in their breast or lungs or spit bloud or to such as have any ulcer in their lungs If any desire to read more of white Hellebore let them consult with these following Authors Hippocrat Epist lib. de veratri usu f. 532. Oribas lib. 8. c. 2. c. 4 c. 5 6. c. Matthiolus Com. in lib. Diascor 146. fol. 754 755. Paul Aeginet lib. 7. c. 10. f. 433. Plin. Nat. Hist lib. 25 cap. 5. fol. 217 218 219. Pet. Salius divers de affect partic de Rabie c. 19. f. 370 371 372 373. Heurn Prax. med l. 2. f. 240 241 242. Valleriol Observat Med. lib. 3. Observat 9. f. 107 108 109. Marold Pract. Med. f. 378. Forst de Venenis l. XXX Observat 9. Antonius Benivenius de abditis morb causis cap. 51 52. relates of two that died after the taking of white Hellebore the one had a quartane Ague and took it who died within six houres after he was called to the party the other who was troubled with a pain of his stomack two yeers and could not be cured thereof by any Medicines at length white Hellebore was given him which cured him of all diseases for he died within a short time after the taking of it The Dose It is given in substance from ten grains to a scruple or more in decoction or infusion from a dram to two drams Of such things as are made of white Hellebore There are made thereof Oxymel Helleboratum Vomitorium Heurnii CHAP. 37. De Helleboro nigro of black Hellebore TRue black Hellebore hath sundry fair green leaves rising from the root each of them standing on a thick round stiff green stalk about an hand-breadth high from the ground divided into seven eight or nine parts or leaves and each of them dented from the middle of the leaf to the pointward on both sides abiding green all the Winter c. The roots are a number of brownish black strings which run down deep into the ground and are fastened to a thick head of the bignesse of ones finger There are other bastard kindes that are used in stead thereof The names It is called in Latine Helleborus niger veratrum nigrum also Melampodium and that because it was found by Melampos a Shepherd or Southsayer who was first thought to bring it in use and cured the daughters of Praetus therewith which were mad and foolish but by the use of this were brought to their right senses again In English 't is called Black Hellebore and Christmasse-Flower because it flourisheth about that time especially when the Winter is milde The Temperament It is hot and dry in the third degree The best sort The best is that which is not too new nor too old Heurnius will have it to be laid in leaven twenty dayes before it be used The duration It will keep good two or three yeeres The inward use The roots are most in use especially the barke Black Hellebore purgeth Melancholy and burnt choler as also thick and viscuous flegme from the bloud whereby that is infected and entrails and from remote parts therefore it is very usefuâ—l in pains of the head swimming giddines thereof in the Apoplexie in Melancholy Madnesse Falling Sicknesse Hypochondriack affects hardnesse of the spleen quartane Ague and erratick feavers also against the Dropsie Scab Leprosie Cancer scald Head or scurf Elephancie and such like foul diseases of the skin It is profitable against pain noyse of the eares and against stubborn and contumacious diseases It is counted as an Antidote against the Leprosie Scab Tetter c. hardnesse and swelling of the Spleen old quartane Agues pains of the joynts Aposthumes and the Kings Evil. It quickneth the brain and senses provokes urine and brings down the Courses in women It hath an excellent faculty to draw away whatsoever is mixed with the bloud and causeth it to corrupt and is profitable in a long continued Jaundise Some say it will cause the Devill to be cast out being taken by such as are possessed Thus we may say that although the Devil cannot be cast out by humane art or physicall means yet by taking black Hellebore the melancholy humour is drawn away which is Balneum sedes Diaboli the bath and seat of the Devill and so the Devill is more easily cast out from whence it may rightly say some be called fuga Daemonum But I think the white Hellebore rather deserves this name then the black It is usefull in pains of the belly in the Gowt Sciatica Cramp or Convulsion pains and aches of the joynts or sinews It killeth Wormes especially the leaves of the bastard kinde called Beares-foot Some commend it in Consumptions of the Lungs and of the whole body The extract of black Hellebore is very safe for the Diseases before mentioned The distilled water of the root saith Dorstenius purgeth Melancholy and glutinous humours out of the body if a dram thereof be given with three ounces of white wine and if half an ounce or one ounce of the water of the leaves be taken in a morning fasting it stayeth the flux of the body Dorsten Botanic fol. 111. The manner of administring it It is given in decoction in infusion or in substance In decoction Take of the bark of black Hellebore bruised two drams Anise-seed Fennell-seed of each a dram make a decoction in water straine it of which take four ounces of syrup of Roses an ounce make a Potion In infusion Take of the barke of black Hellebore two drams Anise-seed Fennell-seed of each a dram Cynamon Cloves of each
any other convenient liquour Being boiled in Wine and applied it taketh away the black and blew spots that come by bruises or falls or oile wherein Rubarbe hath been boiled taketh away black and blew spots The hurtfull quality with the corrective means Rubarbe is hurtful to those that have very hot and dry bodies as also to such as are hectical or troubled with the Strangury It is corrected with Spicknard Squinanthum or Cynamon especially where you desire more to strengthen then to purge If you give it to purge and open obstructions or stoppings give it in Whey Posset-drink Endive or Succory-water or in White Wine being first infused therein The Dose The Dose in substance is from a dram to two drams in infusion from two drams to half an ounce The compounds made of Rubarbe Extract of Rubarbe Trosses of Rubarbe Pils of Rubarbe Syrup of Succory with Rubarbe Syrupus Augustanus vel de Rhabarbaro Syrupus Diasereos Rhabarbarum conditum Syrupus Magistralis ad Melancholiam Oile of Rubarbe Whether Rubarbe being dried or burnt may be used in the Dysenterie or Bloudy-Flux Although many learned Physicians give counsel to dry or burne Rubarbe and so to give it in the Bloudy-Flux and the greater the Flux is the more to dry or rather to burn it because hereby it bindes the more yet surely Rubarbe being much torrified or burnt hath a sharp and biting qualiity whereby it doth rather increase the Flux then stop it Massaria f. 478. Rondel Meth. cur Morb. f. 457. Amatus lucit cur Med. Cent. 2. f. 176. Schroderus Pharm Med. Chym. lib. 4. f. 235. If you would use Rubarbe to binde chiefly it is best to cast away the first decoction or infusion then to boil it gently and to make a strong expression or straining thereof and so to give it CHAP. 54. De Rubia tinctorum of Madder MAdder hath many long four-square reddish stalkes trailing on the ground rough or hairy and full of joynts at every joynt come forth long and somewhat narrow leaves standing like a star or the rowell of a spur about the stalks rough and hairy towards the tops whereof come forth many small pale yellow flowers the root is very long and red The names It is called also Rubia tinctorum and all from the colour because it dieth Wooll or Cloth into a red colour The temperament Madder-roots are hot in the second degree and dry in the third and have an opening quality and also an astringent property The best The best are the reddest and fairest roots not too old The duration The roots will keep good two or three yeers The inward use Madder bringeth down the courses in women and provoketh urine bringeth away the birth and after-birth cureth the Jaundise openeth the stoppings of the Speen Liver and Gall and diminisheth the Melancholy humour Some have reported that it provokes urine so much that it causeth bloud to come forth with it but this is only the colour of the root which being taken into the body doth cause the urine to look like bloud as Rubarbe doth make it look yellow The same taken in decoction or powder dissolveth congealed bloud in the body and is good for such as have falne or are bruised and is much used in vulnerary or wound-drinks It is good for such as have the Dropsie Palsie Sciatica or Hip-gowt The seeds of Madder taken with Vineger and Honey helpeth the swelling and hardness of the Spleen It is used also to amend or help the ill colour of the face and it helpeth Ulcers of the mouth if to the decoction be added a little Alome and Honey of Roses The juice of the root or decoction thereof is given to such as are hurt with venomous beasts and preserveth the body from putrefaction It is very good for such as have the Itch or Scab The manner of administring it It is given in decoction and in powder A decoction to provoke the Courses Take of Madder-roots bruised two ounces of Licoris bruised an ounce of Mugwort two handfuls of Rue half a handful boil these in three pintes of White Wine till a pinte or more be consumed then strain it and sweeten it with Sugar Give a good draught thereof warm morning and evening A powder against falls or bruises Take of Madder-roots two drams Mumme a dram Rubarbe half an ounce make them into powder and give a dram for a Dose in Wine The outward use Madder-roots bruised especially green and applyed to any part that is discoloured with Freckles Morphew the White-scurfe or such like deformities of the skin cleanseth them throughly and taketh them away especially if Vineger be mixed therewith or the powder of the root mixed with a little juice of Garlick Oile and a little Honey cureth any Itch Scab or foulness of the skin being anointed therewith The juice of the root dropped into the eares mitigates the pain thereof The roots applyed as a Pessary or the powder of the root made up with Oile of Savin and applied brings away the birth and after-birth The leaves of Madder have a speciall property to colour the haire of the head Dyers use it much saith Plinie Nat. Hist lib. 24. c. 11. fol. 192. to colour their Wooll and Woollen-cloth so do Curriers about their skins and Leathers The hurtfull qualities It must not be given to Women with childe nor often to such as have hot and dry bodies The Dose The Dose in powder is from a scruple to two scruples or more in decoction from tvvo drams to half an ounce CHAP. 55. De Sagapeno of Gum Sagapenum THe Gum Sagapenum is the juice of a kinde of Ferula growing in Media The names It is called in Latine Sagapenum and Serapinum The temperament It is hot in the third degree and dry in the second The best kinde The best is that which doth smell like Garlick or between Laser and Galbanum bright and cleer of a yellowish colour without but white within and will soon dissolve in water or Vineger also sharp in taste The duration It will keep good four or five yeers The inward use Sagapenum purgeth thick grosse and tough humours as also watery from the stomach belly wombe reins brain nerves joynts and lungs Therefore it is profitable in the Dropsie old cough shortnesse of breath pain of the head as in the Megrim Falling-Sicknesse Palsie Cramp or Convulsion trembling of the joynts in stoppings and tumours of the Spleen in the quartane Ague Collick in the stopping of the Urine and in suppression of the Courses in Women It is useful in suffocation or rising of the Mother and against the stinging of venomous beasts or poyson taken into the body The manner of administring it It is chiefly given in Pils Pils against the Dropsie Take of Sagapenum moistned or dissolved in the juice of Elecampane two scruples Trosses of Alhandal a scruple Diagredium five grains with syrup of Roses make a masse or lump for two Doses The externall use Being dissolved in Wine