liquid extract of Granorum Actes You shall find another extract taken out of Quercetan in the third Section and 26 Chapter II. WINES Take the Elder Berries cleaned of their stalks beat them in a stone mortar or earthen vessel with a wooden pestle till all the Kernels be well bruised with this succulent matter fill the 8 10 or 12 part of a little barrel as you will have it of more or less efficacy fill up the rest with Must or new Wine that they may work together Some boyle equal parts of this succulent matter and Must together till the consumption of a third part of the whole on a slow fire then straining it through a thin linnen cloth they put it as is said in a greater quantity into a Barrel put Must thereon and so suffer them to work Quercetans receipt thereof is set down in seat 3. cap. 24. This is an excellent way R. Of Elder Berries well dried in an Oven lib. 1. Cinnamon the strongest and sharpest unc 3. Caryophill Aromatic ounc 1. and an half Being all grosly pulverised sow them loosly in a knot put them in a vessel that holds twelve English quarts or thereabouts fill up the rest with the best and most fragrant white Wine and place it a fortnight or above in a Wine Cellar which is to be used in time of repast for t is an excellent stomachical drink most delicious in colour taste and smell III. The Spirit and Water Take the ripe berries express the juice at least break them together and let them stand in a wood vessel till they begin to ferment and that they may work the sooner some add a little of the yiest of beer or wine some add none but keep the same process D. Finck keeps in the extracting of the Spirit of black sweet Cherries Enchiridii c. 6. After the fermentation let them be distilled in a Vesica and rectified acording to Art The rectification is best accomplished first in a Vesica and then in Balneo where in place of a Concurbit use a long-necked Viol then the most spiritous part will de abstracted the phlegm beating again the sides of the Viol will again fall down Others prepare it thus Take the ripe berries of the Elder dryed in the weak heat of an oven being pulverised grosly with a third part of Barley meal with them being well mixed put them in an Oken Barrel and put boyling water on them in which some hops have been before macerated stop the Vessel close and suffer them to ferment some four or five days To hasten the fermentation and digestion add some dreggs of Wine or Beer as we have said before distill and rectifie it But the first way is preferred deservedly by most as more simple and pure The Purging water as it is extracted by Quercetan and others out of the berries is set down sect 3. c. 24. IV. The Syrup and Tragea The Syrup is thus prepared Take of the juice extracted from the new gathered ripe berries and clarified lib. 1. Sugar clarified lib. 1. boyl it a little on a soft fire in a double Vessel or in Bal. Mar. to the consistency of a liquid Syrup You shall find the Tragea Granorum Actes or the Tragea of the Bore-tree-berries set down in the 22 cap. of the third sect V. Oyle drawn out of the Stones or Kernels Take the grains or stones of these berries left in the cloth after the juice is strained from them wash them well and dry them in the aire bedew them with odoriferous white-Wine and then in a press strongly squeeze out the oyle of them as you do out of the seeds of the flaxes or line rocked Poppy or Henbane and such like that being purified by residency keep it for your use in a glass for 't is an excellent Vomitive and a good Balsam in externals The Dose to take it inwardly is a drachme or a drachme and a half in hot ale or some other convenient liquor This Oyl may be more Hematick and Cathartick if instead of the Wine the Kernels be bedewed with Malago wherein Crocus metallorum hath been infused and then Oyl expressed out of them which in the same dose will be much more effectual CAP. II. Of the Medicines made of the Flowers of the Elder 1. CONSERVES TAke the fresh flowers pull them in little pieces and to each ounce of them add two ounces of the whitest Sugar incorporate them well together in a Marble Morter with a woodden pestle Expose it afterward in a Glass or earthen Vessel to the Sun for some dayes it being thus prepared reserve it for your use II. The SYRUP and HONEY Take of the recent Flowers lib. 1. let them macerate 12 hours in lib. 6. of warm fountain water having exprest and strained the liquor put in again recent flowers yea do it the third time Add four ounces of the whitest Sugar to each five ounces of the liquor that is last strained boyle them up to a Syrup according to art But if in place of the Sugar you add the same quantity of Honey and boyle it to a fitting consistence you have Mel Sambucinum which is commended by some III. The WATER and SPIRITS There is sundry wayes of distilling Waters from Herbs and Flowers set downe by Wecker Euonimus Quercetan and others this is the easiest Takes as many of the Flowers of the Elder as you list put a sufficient quantity of warm water thereon let them marcerate a night and then distill them per Vesicam That which distilleth first is excellent the next is worse beware then thou urge them not too much poure the water on fresh flowers distil them the second time yea reiterate it the third time so you shall have water fit for the uses set down afterward in the practice for that which is extant in the Apothecaries shops is nothing but meer phlegm not worthy the name of distilled water No wonder then the sick so seldom find the wished and expected fruits therof If from a part of this water in a long necked Viol in a soft Balnean heat you extract the more spirituous part in quantity about the twelfth part thereof you will have a most fragrant and penetrating Spirit Or prepare the Spirit as Quercetan hath set down in lib. 1. Pharm Dogm restitut cap. 7. and D. Sennertus way Inst. Med. lib. 5. part 3. sect 3. cap. 5. is it not much different The Cake which remains in the Vesica after the distillation of the water called of the Chymists Caput Mortuum is not to be thrown away but to be reserved for the uses set down in the Practice IV. The VINEGAR and OXIMEL Pour upon the fresh or half withered flowers of the Elder the Vinegar of white Wine let them stand in a close stopped glass Vessel in the Sun or some other hot place that the Vinegar more exactly may draw out the vertue of the flowers let the flowers remain in the Vinegar till it have drawn out fully
all the vertue from them which you may easily know by its fragrant smell and golden colour After strain the Vinegar and reserve it for your use An excellent and red Vinegar may be prepared of the flowers and juice of the branches which is frequent in France as Lobell and Pena witness in their Advers stirpium nov p. 434. Take instead of the juice of the branches the berries of the Elder dryed in the slow heat of an Oven or Furnace and upon them put the Vinegar of the flowers well purified by straining and subsidency which being impregnant with the shining transparent purple I pour it off and put on new still so long as they are able to give it a purple tincture The sowre Syrup of the Elder is described sect 3. c. 19. The Oximel of the Elder which Quercetan in Pharm Dogm restit lib. 1. c. 10. mentioneth is thus prepared Take of Honey scummed well lib. 1. Of Elder Vinegar lib. 5. Of Simple water or water of Elder Flowers lib. 1. Being mixt put them in a Cucurbit and let them be boyled in Balneo to a fit consistence You may use here the simple Vinegar either of the flowers or that which is by the infusion of the berries of a purple die as it shall please the phancy of the Physician or his Patient V. WINF Take of the Umbels of the Elder dryed in the shadow as much as you will which being pulled in little pieces put them in a knot of fine thin linnen with some little clean white stones to make the knot sink throw it into a vessel full of Must let the wine work Some bid take a pound of the flowers rightly dried and picked off their stalks to 60 Congions or 70 Gallons of Wine and promise after the working of the Wine it shall be of an excellent Muscadel taste and smell Mark that whatsoever Apples or fruits are covered and wrapped in the flowres of the Elder Tree shall acquire a taste and smell much like Muscadel Pears VI. The OYLE 1. Take as much as you will of the fresh flowers beaten put them in a Vessel of glass pour on them a sufficient quantity of clear Sallet Oyle macerate them in the Sun or some other hot place for 15 dayes then decoct it in a double vessel strain the flowers cast them away put in fresh ones proceed as you did before reiterate your practice the third time and having strained it keep it in a convenient vessel Mark that those gross dregs of the flowers and of all other things that are macerate in Oyle and strained from it is called of the Physicians Stymma which take notice of now that you may remember it when 't is mentioned hereafter 2. The following Oyl of the flowers is commended of many Take a Cucurbite or Glass of middle capacity fill a third part thereof with Elder flowers gathered in a clear pure day put so much Malvatick Wine thereon that the third part at least of the glass may remain empty having stopped the mouth well expose it to the Sun a fortnight then putting the whole matter in a glaspot on a slow fire of Charcole heat it a little then strain it with great force into another clean vessel above which within a little while you shall see a yellowish Oyl to swim which by a funnel or separatory you are to separate from the rest of the liquor according to art The liquor that remaineth will serve for the maceration of fresh flowers which you are to reiterate sometimes and in divers vessels seeing at one time you will get but little Oyl 3. The Oyl is prepared by distillation after the manner Sennerte and others prepare the Oyl of Roman Cammomile flowers and of other sweet smelling flowers thus Take the flowers of the Elder dryed betwixt two linen cloaths in the aire being pulled in little pieces put them in an earthen vessel or large Cncurbite to every pound of flowers add an ounce and half of common salt and having a span high covered them with warm water leave them in digestion ten dais or more after distill them in Vesica and according to art separate the Oyl from the water CAP. III. Of the Medicines of the Buds or Breakin gs of the Elder I. The POWDER TAke as much as you will of the buds or first breakin gs forth of the leaf of the Elder being dryed in the shadow pulverise them either keep this Powder by it self or mix it with equal parts of Sugar The many Medicinal Powder of the Buds is described sect 3. cap. 3. II. The CONSERVE Take the fresh tender buds smally cut lib. 5. of the purest Sugar lib. 1. upon a slow Charcole fire mix them well together with a stone pestle and expose them in an earthen pan eight days to the Suns rayes III. The SYRUP Take of the Juice prest out of these first buds and breaking of the Bore-tree out of the tree and ground and by subsidency purified from the dregs lib. 11. of fine white Sugar lib. 1. s or q. s let them be concocted with a slow balneal fire to the consistency of a Syrup which being aromatised with half an ounce of choice Cinnamon and two drachmes of Cloves is to be reserved in a glass vessel CAP. IV. Of the Medicines taken from the Leaves middle Bark Roots Pith and Spunge I. The WATER Take the fresh leaves of the Elder and they being grosly beat or cut fill the half of a Vesica with them and put a sufficient quantity of warm water on them macerate them therein for a night and distill them put the distill'd water on fresh leaves distill them again After the same manner of the green and succulent bark water is prepared There are some that of the succulent roots pith and spunges by themselves or mixed together doe distill waters which they much commend in Hydropsies which first are to be well shred and macerated a night inconvenient liquor that their vertues may be more easily drawn out of them II. The SYRUP As of the Juice of the Buds so from the Juice of the middle bark or roots a Syrup may be prepared for the nicer sort if a sufficient quantity of Suger be put to the juice well clarified and on a soft fire boyled to a syrup and after the same manner aromatised These syrups indeed are esteemed less efficacious then the crude juices seeing in their boyling they lose something of their Cathartick faculty which Fernele observed Nevertheless they are more safe and less noysom to the stomach and the rest of the intrals Therefore their dose is according to their strength to be augmented III. OYLES and LINIMENTS 1. An useful Oyl is prepared of the middle bark macerated in old clear let Oyl and expressed as was spoken in the Flowers 2. Of the Bark and Leaves prepare them thus Take of the middle Bark and Leaves equal parts fry them in May Butter and Linsed Oyl or in any one of these with a soft
fire when they are a while fryed press out the leaves and bark put in fresh leaves and bark again fry them and express do so the third time 3. The Liniment or unguent which is set down in Matthiol super Diosc l. 4. c. 168. Take of the green bark of the Elder which is next the outward ash coloured rine being of an hearb colour lib. 1. of Oyl washed off in the water of Elder flowers lib. 2. let them warm a while together then strain and press them to this add of new well smelling wax of the juice of the twigs of the Elder ounce 4. then suffer them again to boil till the juice be consumed Take it then from the fire stirr and mix all together and at last add of liquid Varnish ounc 2. of white Frankincence beat to dust ounc 4. likewise add two whites of eggs first well beat mix all diligently and keep it in a clean vessel 4. Another Liniment wich the most happy Plater used to prepare Take of the middle bark of the Elder one ounce and half of the juice of its more tender leaves one drachme Linsed Oyl washed in the water of Elder flowers two ounces of Barrowgrease so washed onu 1. of good yellow wax one ounce and half of Frankincence one ounce boyl them in the water of the flowers of the Elder in a closed pot and when they are cold gather and keep the Oyntment that swims above Of all these we will speak in burning and other external affects The rest of the Medicines that are prepared of the parts of the Elder are copiously set down in the places that handle the diseases to which they are appropriate and there they are to be found CAP. V. Of the Salt and its Spirit I. The SALT SAlt is prepared not only of the flowers and leaves after the distillation of waters and expression of juice but of the bark and whole tree For all are to be dryed burned in a clear and open fire reduced to ashes of these ashes make a Lie with pure and clean water still pouring on firesh water till all the saltishnes be extracted boyle the Lie being filtrate in an earthen vessel on a soft fire till the water exhale and the salt be left which by a reiterate solution filtration and coagulaion is to be purified The most gallantway of purifying such like Salts by the means of the spirit or Oyl of common Salt is set down in the 19 Chapter of Finckius Enchirid. Hermet Some praise this process R. of the burned ashes of Elder and Sulphure equal parts being mixt calcine them with a reverberatory fire or in a Potters Furnace after extract a Lie with the water of the flowers of the Elder which being filtrate and boyled to a half on a slow fire is to be placed in a Celler that the salt may run in Christals II. The Spirit of the Salt of the Elder R. Of the Salt of the Elder lib. 1. of common Bole lib. 3. being well powdered and mixt together put them in well Luted Retort fit to it an ample Recipient and having closed the commissures add fier by degrees First there shall still a waterish liquor then the spirits shall follow augment the fire and keep it in the same degree lest the spirits remit so long till no more spirits flow and the recipient become clear the vessel being cold and the clay that luted them together being with a wet cloth for an hour together softened that the recipient may be separate without breaking the glasses you shall find the spirit of the Elders salt which is separate from its phlegme by distilling in Balneo The Lute for arming your glasses and luting them to their recipients is set down by Begwine l. c. 6. Tyrocin Chym. By Libavius l. 1. Epist 24. Epist Chymicarum and others Others use other ways of distilling the spirits of vegetable salts which the famous Senart mentions by the by Instit Medic. pag. 1215. but we may use all things we use in distilling the spirit of common salt of which see Sennert and Begwine l. 2. c. 6. Tyros Chymio and others SECT III. Shewing the practice of the ELDER and Medicines belonging thereto VVE have considered already the nature and qualities of the Elder and in a most short and clear way set down its Medicines It remains we briefly shew the practice thereof and how 't is a safe Medicine for most Diseases that follow our frailty and of other preparations specifick to each part We begin with the affections of the head CAP. I. Of Cephalalgia IN mitigating the pain of the head and removing the distempers thereof in women we use happily the Cake of the flowers of the Elder left in the Vesica after the distillation of the water it must not be burned which being dedewed with the vinegar of the flowers we apply it to the head and with the besprinkling of frech vineger renew it It rarifieth the skin and by digesting the vapors dispels them Some use rose cakes bedewed with the vinegar of the Elder which where the heat is more vehement the brain more sensible and more offended with the piercing smell is far better Or R. Take of recent Elder leaves two handfuls Of Rose and water Lillie flowers of each one handfull Being shorne and pounded poure on them a like quantity of Elder vinegar and the water distilled out of the flowers press out strongly the juice mix with it expressed two whites of eggs well beat in which dip a double linen cloth and apply it to the head oft in the day The water of the flowers mixt with the white of an egg and a littile vinegar is most comfortable in any Cephalalgia chiefly in a Feaverish being applyed to the brows temples and crown of the head The vinegar by it self is fitly used in the pain that proceeds or follows drunkenness Or draw out with the vinegar and distilled water of the flowers from the kernels of the Peach and bitter Almond amilky Emulsion wherein dip a linnen cloth and apply it oft to the brows and crown of the patient Pliny saith That the juice of the Elder helps the collections of the brain and especailly mitigateth the tunicle wherein it is next inwrapt This decoction is excellent to dispel the vapours of the brain and make one sleep soundly if the legs and arms be soundly rubbed therewith when you go to sleep Take six umbels of the Elder flowers when they are full of Anise umbles of Roman Camomile flowers one handful six Poppy-heads with their seed being put together beat them in rain water If the evil hath its fewel from the stomach matrix or other parts they are first to be remedied after that manner as is declared particularly in each part 'T is enough here to have touched this Topick CAP. II. Of Raving and Wakings THe same things are profitable here that are set down in the remedy of the Cephalalgie seeing it oft these riseth to forerun or
of the Elder it cleanseth and drieth up all pimples and pustles of the face Dispensatories affirm that the oyl of the infusion of the flowers mundifieth and makes clear the skin In Lentiginibus commonly called Freckles by signature a decoction of the flowers in water is commended for the flowers of the Elder are spotted Oswald Croll de signaturis Dioscorides teacheth that the juice anointed makes the hair black This will be a profitable experiment to those that endeavour to make their red hair black albeit the colour be more comely in many than ill favoured What we must allow to those old Ruffins that are ashamed of their white locks Galen hath taught hath taught us l. 1. de Compos Medicament secund Loc. c. 3. and this transcursorily occasioned by Dioscorides his words Take Elder roots cut very small adding a little of the seed of Staphis agriae made in a Lixive wherein wash the head that is full of scales lice The same decoction heals the Tineam or Favum in children if it be over strong and painful dilute it with the decoction of the flowers and leaves The pain is likewise mitigated by the anointing of the oyl of the infusion of the flowers if after washing it be anointed The oyl expressed out of the berries and kernels and mixt by stirring with a third part of Turpentine and anointed doth cure by drying and cleansing all ulcers of the head the whole Elder leaf after being applyed Oleum Saccharo sambucinum is likewise commodious CAP. XII Of the Diseases of the Mouth and Throat THe Common Women so soon as they suspect any Disease in the Throte of their young ones they steep the sponge of the Elder in their drink and when it is sweld they therewith carefully wipe away all the filth of the pallat gums and tongue The expressed juice of the leaves mixt with simple or Elder honey doth absterge and exsiccate egregiously all the ulcers of the gums and throat If therewith they be anointed by a pencil or if it be disolved in the water of the leaves and bark and gargarised therewith You shall add more vertue thereto in deterging in purifying if you mix a little of the salt of the Elder therewith or dissolve the said juice in a weaker Lixive and use it as a Gargarisme If the ulcers be more malignant and the product of the great Pox 't is necessary that twice or thrice a day you rub them with a sponge or pencil dipped in the spirit of Elder berries wherein a little of the flowers of Sulphur hath been dissolv'd and immediatly after wash them with the decoction of the leaves and besprinkling them with the small flower of the Elder pith The Tonsils being tumefied by a thin and saltish defluxion let them be gargarised with water or decoction of Elder flowers wherein a little Elder-hony hath been mixed for licking the Rhob of the Elder inspissated with Sugar is commodious which is our womens common and used Medicine you may use the syrup of the juice of the berries or infusion of the flowers or the hony of either Outwardly anoint them with the oyl of Elder flowers infusion which doth resolve it In the Squinancy having first used universals to the foresaid Gargarism add some leaves of Self-heal with one or two of the sponges of the Elder called by many Jews ear which is a sure experiment Lob. in Advers Novis stirp p. 434. The Linctus must be the former only add some pulverised Jews ears or make this Eclegme Take Jews-ears two or three let them sharpen an hour or two in a sufficient quantity of the water of Elder flowers then let them boyle lightly and them in a Marble Mortar and put them through a Setace add unto this Musilage as much as is needful of the Syrup of the juice of the flowers and sugar as will make a Linctus which you may oft use besides it opens the belly Outwardly apply an Anadyne Cataplasm which doth digest and resolve made of Elder leaves and Reddish stalks pounded and boyled in the oyl of the infusion of Elder flowers to the consistency of a Pulticle The Acetoses Syrup of the Elder dissolved in the decoction of Barley and given as a Julap when 't is necessary tempereth the heat of the blood and whole body See afterward the cure of the continued Fevers In spitting of blood Tragea granorum actes is profitable whereof we have made mention in the tenth Chapter which being taken in some convenient Syrup is to be used for a Linctus CAP. XIII Of Dyspnei and Asthma THat those things may be remov'd in these diseases and expectorat which are gathered through the proper imbecility of the Lungs use the water of the flowers in which a third part of Elder Oximel is dissolved and as Julap twice a day drink two or three ounces thereof it cuts the gross matter and facilitateth the expectoration thereof The same Oximel thickned with Sugar-candy and taken off a liquorice-stick like a Linctus and swallowed leasurely worketh well in expectoration The Syrup of the flowers of the Juice of the Berries and Buds c. are wholsome taken after the same manner The Bark of the Elder entreth that famous Oximel Helleborat of Gesner The spirit of the berries in a great Dispnoea is profitable half a spoonful or a spoonful thereof taken with sugar Use this following Asmalick or Pneumatick Spirit if you please Take of the middle Elder bark Liquorish well shaven six drachms Of the roots of Allacompaine of Florentine Ireos Of each two drachms Of the whole herb Erysimum two handful Of Fennel-seed half an ounce Being cut and shaked together infuse them in a sufficient quantity of the spirit of Granorum actes in which let them stand seven days every day twice stirring all together afterward let them be distilled in Bal. Mar. for the Pneumatick spirit of the Elder which in time of necessity is to be taken either by it self or dulcerat with a little sugar or the syrup of Violets Or with the same with Canary-sugar or of Madara prepare the oyl of the Elder-sugar as followeth Take of this Pneumatick spirit rectified as much as you will mix with it half the quantity of Sugar fire the spirit with a wax-candle or light paper stir it hither and thither with a knife till all turn to a thick and oily liquor and the flame cease of it self Use it as an Eclegme with a stick of Liquorice by it self or mix with an equal part of Elder Oximel it mightily moves expectoration c. 't is profitable to anoint the breast in the greatest difficulty of breathing with the oyl of Elder-flowers of the first description you may mix therewith some drops of the oyl of the flowers of the third description In suffocating Catars besides these abundantly declared it availeth much if in the time of the fit you put a sponge dipped in Elder-vinegar to the nose and therewith wet the crown of the head
accompany maladies adding ever to these some grainsof Opium or a little of the seed of white Poppy to mitigate and allay the furious and fiery spirits For example Take of the best water of Elder flowers 4 dr of water Lillie and Rosewater of each 2 drach of Thebaick Opium half a scrup of Elder Vinegar to dissolve the Opium 6 scrup mix them for an Epithenie wherein a double or treble linnen cloth being wet is to be applyed warm to the brows and crown of the head Or in place of the Opium an ounce of the seeds of white Poppy and by baking according to art make an Emulsion unto which you may fitly add the white of an egg well beaten If the belly be bound dissolve of the Syrup or juice of the berries and also of the infusion of the flowers of the Elder ounc 3 or 4. in the water of the flowers and give it when the Patient is dry like a Julip for it will not only open the belly but sweetly quiet the spirits When in Anno 1626. the Plague was raging in Haina and many of the infected were troubled with head aches ravings and wakings a worthy man told me he found no readier help to dissipate those venomous vapours and bring sleep in his own and others bodies then after the giving of several medicines to bind their heads about with the flowers of the Elder CAP. III. Of Melancholy and chiefly Hypocondriack and flatulent IN Hypocondriack Melancholy 't is profitable first of all if the diseased be prone to vomit to provoke it by the Oyl of the infusion of the flowers and bark of the Elder lest by preparing and purging Medicines those crude and excrementitious humors which oft are gathered in the stomach be carried to the more principal parts of the body and augment the obstructions Or give of the syrup made of the sap of the buds and berries an ounce br 1. s. with some grains of the extract of Scammonie and 3 guts of the Oyl of Elder flowers distilled in the distilled water of the flowers thereof Or use the Clyster that is described in the 22 cap. following After this the Wine which is drawn out of the berries and flowers is not of meanest worth for it opens obstructions cuts gross humors and by little and little thrusts them to the dore Moreover it refresheth the vital and animal spirits Drink a cup full thereof each morning for a month taking before a spoonful or two of fresh broth or a saft egg That it may work more safely you may each week mix with the use of these once or twice the manyfold working powder of the buds of the Elder wich is thus prepared Take of Elder buds dried in the shade half an ounce Of Elder Kernels Trochiscated Of Sennie leaves Of Christallised Elder salt of each three drachmes Of the extract of Scammonie two drachmes Of Galengale of Macer of each half a drachme Being all subtilly pulverised distill upon them Of the Oyl of Cloves Of Fennicle of each six drops Of Cinnomon Of Carvi of each three drops Let them be mixt exactly in a Marble Morter for a Powder whose dose is from a scruple to a drachme The Trochiscation or preparation of the seeds or kernels of Elder is thus Take one ounce of the lesser Esula prepared as is known in infusion in Vinegar and grosly pulverised Infund it in the Spanish Wine of Peter Simons lib. 5. let them macerate 8 days in the Sun or in winter in the chimny corner the mouth of the glass being well stopped after strain them through gray paper and purifie them Take the clean Arillas of the Elder berries dry them pulverise them and with a sufficient quantity of the infusion of Esula make them in paste dry it being dryed bedew them with the same infusion and again work it into paste of which from your Trochisces dry them and keep them for your use And because those excrementitious humours lurking about the stomach and vicine places and much troubling both the Physician and Patient in all Hypocondriack Diseases are more easily evacuate by vomit then purge you may use commodiously the oyl of the kernels of the Elder prepar'd by bedewing them with the infusion of Antimony as as hath been shewn in the second Section a little after drinking warm water vomit is pvovoked and that obstructions may be sooner dissolv'd and the matter drawn out of the Meseraick veins into the intestines besides these internal things use this fotus Take of the bar of Elder Roots ounce 1. s Of well dried Elder flowers M. 3. Make a decoction in equal parts of Wine and Water and that it may penetrate the more add as much as you think fit of the Vinegar of the Elder in which fomentation dip a sponge and therewith foment the whole belly but chiefly the left Hypochondre See the other hereafter in the 23 Chapter of the Misenteries obstruction For the altering of the bloud and spirrits in the true and in the Hypocondriac Melancholy after generals the syrup of the juice of the berres and infusion of the flowers of Elder is praised of each of which in the morning fasting every day let the Patient take oun 1. in the water of the flowers of Burrage You are likewise to take a care that the belly be kept open which is to be done by the Syrup and the Clyster mentioned in the 2 cap. In the Paroxisme of your Hypocondriac Melancholy give a spoonful of the spirit of the flowers of Elder in a draught of Malmsey for it dissipateth the ascending vapours and strengtheneth the spirits CAP. IV. Of the Epilepsie AS this is a grievous and a disease much to be lamented so I may say it expects its most specifick cure almost from the Elder The Cure of Children To Infants new-born before you give them any thing to swallow you may give them with great profit a spoonful of the syrup of the infusion of the flowers or juice of the Elder-berries to evacuate that putrid yellowish and sometime blackish water gathered in the stomach and parts about while the infant is in the mothers belly For these Syrups do not only change and evacuate but they also preserve from and resist malignity Macerate a handful of Elder flowers well dried in the wine which the best sort use to wash their new-born babes in for it consumes the humors gathered about the joynts and comforts the members This is also commended Take of the powder of the simple buds 1 drach of the whitest Sugarcandie 1 drach of the berries of herb Paris Number 6. pulverise them most subtilly of which give half a scruple for 9 days together in the water of Elder flowers or any other convenient liquor you please In the Paroxisme the least spoonfull of the spirit of the flowers given with three or five of the seeds of Peony excorticat is praised Or of Peony excorticat 2 drach of the best water of Elder-flowers one ounce and a
CAP. XIV Of Hoasting and Hoarsness VVOmen with great success give to their coughing unquiet children the recent Rob of the Elder which is more liquid In older the Linctus of the Oyl of Elder-sugar is profitable In that wild Cough where corrupt matter is exercat and more corruption feared this is much praised Take of the Elder-leaves recent or dried in the shadow M. I. boil them in a quart of Fountain or clear River water to the consumption of a third part the strained drink is to be sweetned with Sugar-Candy or scummed hony of which every day morning and evening drink a warm draught The same is commended in hoarsness proceeding from a Catar that fils the inequalities of the wind-pipe or Arteriae Asperae Or where more detersion in necessary for the same effect there is a fit Lixive prepared of the ashes of the leaves with the water of the flowers which being sweetned with sugar or hony is to be oft taken by spoonfuls in the day This if any thing will take away hoarsness is a great secret amongst women as the giving their own proper urine to the diseased to drink which is loathsom to many To make a clear voice this is a secret of Alexis Take of Elder-flowers dried in the Sun and pulverised of which drink a little every morning in white Wine fasting The Cough and hoarsness proceeding from heat in feavers is excellently remedied by a Linctus of the Syrup made of the juice of Elder-berries with equal parts of the Syrup of Violets If you list and have leasure you may make Elder-sugar in imitation of Violet-sugar-candy Cinnamon or Rose-sugar of which in these pectoral diseases hold some still to be dissolved in your mouth that by little and little it may descend into Asperae Arteriae or wind-pipe 'T is thus made Take of the best Canary-sugar lib. 6. let it melt and boil in the fragrant water of the flowers till it acquire a fit thickness for making up tablets Then infuse the fresh juice pressed from the berries well purified or the frequent infusion of the flowers as vou please to have the colour lib. 2. on a soft fire boil them to the consistency of a syrup then in a glass or earthen pot put sticks in order two fingers broad asunder and pour the liquor hot thereon and in a warmed shop the vessel being bound up in a thick Cotton cloth leave it there to congeal See more of this in the famous Botanicks Pena and Lobel p. 20. advers Nov. Stirpium Cas Bauhine lib. I. c. 19. de comp Medicam CAP. XV. Of the Pleurisie and Phthisis IN a bastard Pleurisie 't is a very safe and us'd Medicine if there be no fever to provoke sweat by taking the Rhobob Granorum actes in the water of Elder-flowers or Cardui benedicti seeing it ariseth from the serous and flatulent humors that fall betwixt the Pleura and intercost all muscles c. In a true Pleurisie where there is a continual fever adjoyn'd proceed more warily For after the use of universals the rob water and spirit of Elder-flowers are not to be much feared here seeing with success we use hotter sudorificks of the blessed and milky thistles of the simple and composed spirit of Vitriol c. for many expert men acknowledge a malignity in these humors which Paracelsus likeneth to Auripigmentel Poyson which doth corrode the life like a fire Diosc lib. 5. c. 121. Pectorals For the expectoration of the matter in the Lungs use them that are weak as the syrup of the flowers and berries inspissat with sugar or Elder candied-sugar likewise the water of the flowers inspissat supped down you may mix with these some of the Tragea Gran. Actes for the spitting of blood Topicks Externally anoint with the oyl of the infusion of the flowers with the fat of a Capon or saltless May-butter or foment oft the side with linnen dipt in the water or decoction of the flowers and leaves of the Elder for by ratifying the skin and parts they digest resolve those sharp vapors and humors Or take Elder-leaves and flowers Camomile of each an handful make a decoction in milde beer which put in a Cows-bladder and after the opening of a vein being oft in the day applyed warm it did wonderfully ease a Smith in my Country whose wife I counselled to do so Of the Phthisis In preserving and curing the Phthisis besides other things the decoction for the wild cough being taken by spoonfuls and by little little swallowed is used with success seeing it proceeds from the ulcer of the Lungs which requires detersion exsiccation and consolidation and the leaves and flowers of the Elder mixed with a little sugar or honey work these effects they think to satisfy all the indications by this decoction But I had rather in this case instead of simple sugar hony use tabled sugar-roset or honyroset strained and mix a scruple or half a drachm of this following powder chiefly were much arterious blood with the spittle is cast up Take of Tragea Gran. actes drach 1. of Jews ears dryed in a Furnace Oculorum Cancri praep an drach and half Saffron Oriental scrup 1. sugari rosat tabled drach 2. being all pulverised well mix them together exactly in the mean time you are to have an eye to the prime cause of this ulcer whose knowledge is to be found elsewhere George Amwald in his Panacea p. 29. commends the unction of the oyl of Elder-flowers in a Phthisis CAP. XVI Of the affections of the Duggs SEeing the Duggs of women oft-times by reason of the sudden and abundant affluxion of blood for the generating of milk chiefly after their delivery use to be inflamed or as the blood is of thinner consistence and hotter use to have an Erysipelas or Rose the following receipts may safely and securely be applyed In Inflammations the Caput mortuum or the cake of the flowers of the Elder with the red Vinegar thereof in one Erysipelas let it be bedewed with the distilled water of the leaves and flowers of the Elder and so applied warm For it digests and resolves that which hath flowed in and is compacted and doth moderately by reason of the Vinegar repel the inflammation extinguish the heat of the blood Anoint he hardened kernels of the dugs with the oyl of the infusion of Elder-flowers and put the leaves of the Elder thereupon For the exulcerat the lac aureum or Golden-milk is most fitting being made of the common or elder Lixive and the oyl of the infused flowers and bark mixed by hard shaking and stirring together in which linnen being dipt and wrung afterward is to be applied warm to the ulcers 'T is also profitable for the more hasty and happy perfecting of the cure to blow on it the powder of Elder-leaves So the ulcer whatever it be shall be cleansed dryed and dighted view these in their proper places I knew a woman whereof I made
bowels and vessels and both by urine and sweat dissipate the feverish matter See more in the 23 Chapter Before the Fit Internal Medicaments Those which are used before the Fit are of two sorts for some of them move vomit and the belly others provoke sweat When in time of the fit the matter tendeth upward which is known by the sudden straitness of the brest by the stretching of the Hypocondriac by nauciousness and propensity to vomit give him a spoonful or drachm and a half of the oyl pressed out of the berries kernels in warm Ale and by putting your finger in his throat hasten the vomit Joseph Quercetan in his 1 Book and 8 chapter of Dogmatick Pharmacy asserteth that this following decoction is excellent in intermitting fevers quotidan and quartan Take Elder-roots and bark of each ounce 1. of Asarium drachms 3. of good Cinnamon drachm 1 and an half boyl them in milk This decoction at one and the same time moves vomit and sedge Let it be taken at the beginning of the fit and reiterate if it be needful If the body be evacuate and nature encline to sweating before the fit use these following The Rob of Elder in greatness of a Walnut being mixed with half a drachm of the powder of the blessed Thistle and swallowed and drinking vinegar above it and afterwards two hours before the fit provoking sweat in bed is an usual Medicine Or make this mixture Take half a drachm of the extract of the rob of the Elder and half a scruple of the salt of the Elder mix them and form of them with the powder of Hearts-horn Pills which are to be taken in a spoonful of the syrup of the berries two hours before the fit give the half thereof to the younger and weaker complexions In Fevers less hot especially quartans two or three spoonfuls of the spirit of the Elder-berries given before the fit is commended There are some which dissolve this following powder in it before and they cannot praise enough this Medicine in more obstinate quartans especially if the day before the fit the stomach and other vessels nutritive be well purged by the oyl pressed out of the stones of the Elder-berries Take of Hearts-horn prepared without burning of the finest Antimony diaphoretick of each half a scruple let them be exactly powdered Neither is the heat of this spirit here to be feared seeing in the same fevers Galen and other famous Physicians prescribe Theriack Methridate Myrrh the spirit of Wine the water of Zedoary for a hard knot must have a hard wedg And experience proves that these Medicines being administred before the fit do not only stop the fierceness of the fit but likewise quite overthrow the fever which before would neither yield to preparing nor purging Medicines the reason is because the feverish matter at that time is more moveable and being prepared by nature it self more easily followeth the course of the Medicine Externals or Topicks This Topick is commended to be applied to the pulses Of Elder Lavender leaves of each half an handful of salt half as much They being pounded well incorporate them with the oyl of Elder that they may become a paste whereof apply one half to the wrist of the right hand and the other to the wrist of the left and bind them with a rowler wet in Elder-vinegar Foelix Plater in the second part of his Practice hath this Take of Elder Rue Marigolds and Nettle-leaves ana m. 1. let them be pounded with salt and vinegar and let them be applyed A double linnen cloth dipt in the spirit of Granorum actes is applyed with a great deal of comfort to the belly chiefly to the stomach before the fit in a quartan for seeing the fuel of the evil is setled in these places if it be not altogether routed by the application of this Epitheme yet it will be much weakned To take away the shaking and mitigate the chilness the back-bone is to be rubb'd with the same spirit being hot 2. Of continual and burning Fevers In continual and hot Tertian and burning Fevers where the heat is more intense and great drought tormenteth the Patient make this Julap R. Of Fountain or river-River-water lib. 3. of Elder-vinegar ounces 3. of the finest Sugar ounces 2. let them boyl together a little in a fit vessel unto which being warm add one drachm of Cinnamon in powder let them cool of themselves in a close vessel and strain them through Hyppocrates sleeve for a Julap Of which give the patient oft in the day it extinguisheth the feverish heat cuts the gross and tough matter cleanseth the thin and bilous unlocks obstructions it purgeth humors that offend through their convenient places and by its acceptable acidity it sharpneth the appetite and refresheth the strength This same is performed by the acetory syrup of the Elder described in the next Chapter which is to be dissolved in Barley-water till it come to the consistency of a Julap For example Take the sharp Elder-syrup ounc 3. simple Barley-water lib. 1. mixed or Oximel of the Elder ounc 2. clear Fountain-water lib. mix them give four ounces or more of this and such like at each time otherwise if you give less and only once or twice a day they rather encrease than diminish heat P. Egineta lib. 2. cap. 36. for as Charcole in a Smiths Forge being besprinkled with water burneth more ardently so the feverish heat is rather kindled than quenched by drinking sparingly That you may extinguish the intemperate heat and refresh the vanquisht strength instead of an Epithem apply to the pulses the Vinegar of Elder-flowers mixed with Rose-water and imbibed by double or treble linnen cloths To loose without danger in these fevers the bound belly the syrup of the juice of the berries is convenient of which dissolve two or three ounces in the water of Elder-flowers use it instead of a Julap and drink it for it gently looseth the belly and evacuateth the feverish matter CAP. XIX Of the Pest and Pestilential Fevers IN curing and preserving from the Plague great is the use of the Elder A little sponge being wet in Vinegar of the Elder and carried in a hollow globe made of Juniper-wood and smell it it mightily strengtheneth the spirits against the impression of the infectious contagion Red hot bricks being besprinkled with this Vinegar and a vapor raised it doth dissipate the contagious virulency so that it cannot insinuate it self in mens houses and cloths By what means it may be indued with an Antilemick force more efficacious shall appear by what I will now say Rob of the Elder and the extract prepared of it here are excellent The first whereof is named by many The Country-mans Theriack of which each week to swallow the bigness of a Walnut and drink above it its proper Vinegar and so to sweat in bed is a commonly received preservative This may be fitly used by those who are infected with the Plague
especially if you mix with it some of the anti-pestilential powders or at least drink above it three or four spoonfuls of Antilemick Vinegar of the Elder The same Rob chiefly it that is most recent being spread more thickly on a shive of bread and eaten an hour or two before your meat loosneth the belly in whose place you may give a spoonful or two of the syrup of the juice of the berries It is enough to swallow sometimes in a morning before you go out the greatness of a pease of the extract Rohob and the Extract Antilemick of the Elder R. Roots of Tormentillae Buterdock Of Pimpanels Of Angelica Leaves of Scordium Berries of Juniper of each half an ounce Macerate the roots 24 hours in Elder vinegar afterwards dry them at leasure and being powdered by themselves add the leaves of Scordium and berries of Juniper likewise in powder mix them all together and with the Vinegar that remained besprinkle them and work them most exactly with a pound of Rob Sambuci in form of an opiat Of which give to the infected person two drachms in a convenient liquor to provoke sweat and thrust out the poyson from his heart Of which also besprinkled with the spirit of Elder you may prepare the extract that is set down in the second Section and first Chapter of this Book The dose given to the infected is one scruple or drachm in convenient liquor The spirit of the Elder by it self is here very powerful both in preserving a few drops thereof being taken with a little white bread in a morning and likewise in the beginning of the disease a spoonful or two being taken thereof before the feverish heat be powerful But that spirit is far more noble which is drawn off by an Alimbeck in the preparation of the Antilemick extract seeing from the volatile essence of those Bezoartick simples it hath carried much with it Or at least infufe those simples in the spirit of the Elder being macerated therein for a few days let it be strained for the Antilimbeck spirit of the Elder whose vertues in curing and preserving cannot be praised enough By the same Alexitaries and chiefly by the roots of Angelica and Juniper-berries if the red Elder-vinegar of my description be impregnat with them it becomes Antilemick Elder-vinegar which is not only a vehicle to other Alexipharmacal Medicaments but moreover it may be taken by it self when the intense heat and fever will not admit of the spirit or other more hot medicines Some drops of the spirit of Elder-salt given in the broth of flesh is a preservative Neither is it unwholsom if once or twice a week in the morning an hour or two before dinner a cup full of the wine prepar'd of the berries be taken but remember to take before it a little broth for it loosneth the belly hindreth putrefaction and by reason of the Bezoartick vertue of the berries it preserveth the body from contagion At supper drink a cup full of the wine prepared of the dried berries which strengtheneth the stomach A special Topick Oyl Some greatly commend in the Pleague this oyl Take the flowers of the Elder fill therewith a Cucurbit or a more ample Glass to the middle strew upon them Marsh Mallows and tops of Hypericon of each so much as only the fourth part of the Glass shall remain empty powre thereon so much sweet clear Oyl-Olive as will cover the flowers close exactly the mouth of the Glass sigillo hermetico or lute it and through all Summer or for three months set it in the Sun that the heat of the Sun may draw the vertues out of the flowers into the oyl then having strongly pressed the flowers strain the oyl and being purified by setling reserve it in a well closed vessel unto each ounce of which before you use it add a scruple of Sal Nitre Some prepare it suddenly thus They take the oyl of infused Elder-flowers as much as is necessary in it they immerge the flowers of the Marsh Mallows and Hypericon and boil them together in Bal. Mar. for some hours afterwards they express strongly the flowers and strain it in the strained oyl they immerge recent flowers boil them press them and strain them and afterward add Nitre The way of using it is this The whole body of the infected person within 24 hours is to be anointed with this oyl warm and being wrapt in warm sheets he is to be laid in a warmed bed to sweat for they affirm that it is proved that by this only remedy many have safely escaped the fierceness of this poison which unction as it is not disapproved seeing it openeth the pores of the skin and by them draws out and dissipates the pestilential infection and malignity and by consequence is used commodiously not only in the plague and pestilential fevers but also in other malignant and chiefly spotted fevers So we are to be very wary lest in this sharp and dangerous disease we neglect to use the internal Bezoarticks Alexiterix already mentioned but rather ought to join them with these that with united forces both ways internally and externally they may vanquish the malignity It seems this hath come from the Egyptians of whom Alpinus in his 4 Book and 15 Chapter relates that they use this medicine in pestilential fevers in which the spots are either begun to appear with great profit at least once a day using this hot linament after which without delay they cover the feverish with many cloths endeavouring to draw the poisonous humor from the bowels to the skin Comforting and Altering Medicines Lest the diseased in sweating altogether faints we ought to hold often to his nose a sponge dipt in the Antilemick Vinegar of the Elder for this Vinegar doth powerfully dissipate these narcotick vapours and recreate the strength It is likewise to be applyed to the temples with linnen cloths To ease the heat and thirst you are oft times to give to the diseased in and after his sweat some spoonfuls of the Julap which is set down in the Cure of burning fevers or prepare this acetous syrup of the Elder which in provoking sweat in resisting putrefaction and contagion in strengthening the heart and other intrails is far more excellent than the common acetous syrup by reason of the Alexiterous vertue of the Elder Take clear fountain-Fountain-water lib. 3. White Sugar lib. 2. and an half Boyl them on a clear fire of Charcole till the half be consumed scumming them well in time of boiling After add sharp Elder-vinegar lib. 1. and an half boil them again on the consistence of a syrup You may to procure a more sweet smell in a knot of fine linnen infuse in it an ounce of Cinamon grosly powdered and sometimes wring it The syrup being cold let it be kept in a galli-pot of which give oft some spoonfuls by it self or dissolve it in the distilled water of Burrage sweet Roses Elder Scabious or such like The
bread into powder whereof take a drachm alone or a half with as much nutmeg-powder Of which see the famous Sennert in the 10 Chapter of the Treatise of the Dissentery But a care must be taken that the belly be not over soon stopped but place must be left for the evacuating of sharp humors lest that befal which hapned to the Maid mentioned by the learned Fernel in lib. 6. cap. 9. Pathol. Therefore to purge the sharp humors and mitigate the cruel pain give two or three days before you use the Astrictive in the morning one ounce or one ounce and half of the syrup of Elder-flowers prepared by three infusions in three ounces of Barley-water or in the water of Elder-flowers You may with profit add to this one scruple or half a drachm of white Mechoacan subtilly pulverised for it gently purgeth and bindeth the belly After three days are past and we have used all necessary evacuations clangings and pain for the most part is ceased then we may more safely use our Tragea for it doth not only restrain the belly but together with this gives a contrary motion to these sharp and salt humors by little and little disposing them for sweat if it be taken twice a day morning and evening mixt after this manner yet with a fasting stomach R. Tragea Gran. Actes drach 1. The Spirit of the flowers of the Elder Gutt 35. They being well wrought together in a Marble Mortar pour on it by little and little The water of Tormentil-roots an ounce and half The Syrup of the juice of Plantain half an ounce Mix them and use them hot they will dissipate the malignity by sweating and evaporation and will bind the belly by stopping the flux of the humor The same things may be used in a Diarrhoea or white Flux 5. Of Constipation or Boundness THe leaves of the Elder are commended to those that are in health to open their womb by Egineta and Hippocrates in his second Book of Diet. This same is performed by the distilled water of the leaves and bark with which a third part of the syrup made of the infused flowers or of the juice of the berries or buds is to be mixed with it to make them of a more pleasant taste The same syrups being taken alone loosneth the belly or drink a draught of wine at your breakfast or in the morning having taken a little broth or take a drachm of the powder of the buds in Plum-broth or a soft rosted Egg Or use in the place of this the conserve of the buds The recent Rob of the Elder spread thick upon a slice of bread and eaten before other dishes is our Wives domestick Medicine which they use likewise in their Infants and Children whose bellies are stopt longer than ordinary for this Juice is most pleasant and familiar to children chiefly if in time of thickning of it you do add a little Sugar as hath been told VI. Of Hemmorhoides THere is nothing more excellent to ease the pain of the Hemmorhoides than a stove or fomentation made of the flowers of Elder and Verbasie or Hony-suckle in water or milk for in a short time it easeth the greatest pain I experimented this first in a Countrey Miller then in a City Baker which both did wonder at the sudden ease and have great quantity of the flowers in readiness beside them to use when necessity shall require The anointing with the oyl of the infused flowers mixed with a third part of Unguent Populeon is Anodine Or take of the infusion of Elder-flowers half an ounce Of Elder-kernels and Yeolks of Eggs of each two drachms Of white Wax enough making according to art an Unguent To stay the Hemmorhoides in a night a singular Cataplasm is made of Elder-leaves boiled in water to the consistency of a Poultice and mixed with Oyl-olive spread on a scarlet cloath and apply it warm to the Hemmorhoides being oft renewed through the whole night the Patient lying on his face is commended by Alexis in his Secrets By what means their flux is to be stopt is set down in the stopping of the Hemmorhoides in the nose and monthly terms and in stopping the blood in wounds Mark that for the falling of the Anus amongst other things the outmost bark of the Elder is commended by Mindererus cap. 7. M.M. CAP. XXIII Of the Obstructions of the Mesentery Liver Milt from whence proceed both the Jaundies and Scurvy TO hinder and cure the obstructions drink in the morning and the beginning of the repast a cup full of the wine of Elder-berries for some days and weeks for it cutteth the thick tartarous serous and bilous matter it cleanseth evacuateth and by opening obstructions and purifying the blood gives the body a more fresh colour especially if once at least of the week you mix with it a half or whole drachm according to the parties strength of the Polychrestick powder of the buds In these diseases this following powder is commended Take of the Elder-buds dried in the shade drach 2. Of Crystalline Elder-salt scrup 8. Of Wormwood scrup 4. Make of all a subtile powder and give a scruple or half a drachm thereof in broth in the morning for many days commanding him to fast four hours and use moderate exercise Those that are not pleased with the powder may form it into pils with the rob or juice of the berries drink broth above it A Lixive made of Elder-ashes prepared with wine or the water of the flowers powerfully unlocks obstructions and attenuateth and changeth bilous and tartarous humors Whence it is a profitable Medicine in the Jaundies some spoonfuls thereof being taken morning and evening dulcerat with sugar hony or Elder-hony Oximel Sambucinum taken in an ounce and half weight dissolved in the water or flowers of the bark is more meek and pleasant Or where the heat is greater and a Fever joyned an ounce and a half of the acetous syrup of the Elder dissolved and given at one dose Some commend four or six drops of the oyl of the flowers of the second description in a spoonful of the spirit or best water of the flowers give it twice a week and command moderate exercise In this case the spirit alone the rob and its extract are safe medicines For whilst the sink of the belly is emptied by the Polychrestick powder of the buds they provoke sweat by their penetrating vertues they unlock the obstructions and crammings of the Mesentery Liver Milt and Gall and cut and prepare the thickness of humors The yellow middle bark is commended by his signature for the yellow Jaundies by Crollius de Signaturis rerum 'T is therefore to be macerated in wine with two or three Jews ears of which strained drink a sound draught morning evening Or you must use the distilled water thereof or the syrup made of its juice For besides that they open the belly and evacuate hurtful humors the Medicines prepared of this bark
juice of the green middle-bark of the Elder of each one spoonful Take it in common water or thin Oximel ever after three or four days This purgeth the belly strongly For the tumors that are left about the knees feet c. lay to them the leaves of the great Bur-docks for they draw out the water The Polychrestick powder of the buds in a drachm given in white wine sweetned with Oximel of the Elder or syrup of the juice of the berries is commended in this disease Or Take of the Polychrestick powder of the buds four scruples Of Gum of Peru of Galingale of each half a scruple Make an exact mixt powder it is to be given in what liquor you please at two times to a patient that is not yet weak for it powerfully evacuateth serous humors If the form of powder displease you work it with the syrup of hony of Elder in form of Pills or with the Rob of Elder in form of a Bole. Hydroticks or Sudorificks If by these Catharticks the body be emptied well enough then you may safely proceed to Sudorificks Diureticks For if we proceed otherwise the whole stream will be devolved on the reins and ureters whereby the gathering together thereof grievous symptoms will arise The Rob of the Elder and its extract are Sudorificks The first whereof given in two drachms weight is commended by the Augustans for this purpose The second is to be in as many scruples dissolved in the water and vinegar of Elder-flowers for one dose Or where the Liver is more cold and the urine less red give a spoonful or two of the spirit of the berries or tincture of the Elder made thin with the water of the flowers and sweetned with the syrup of the juice of the berries Then in bed or in a dry Bath provoke sweat The spirit of the flowers is more gentle nevertheless it excellently provoketh sweat and dryeth strongly the water of the Hydropick person especially if it be well rectified Diureticks and which move Urine Besides those rehearsed these that follow are Diureticks The salt of the Elder with a third or equal part of the salt of Wormwood The dose from a scruple to half a drachm The spirit distilled from the salt powerfully moveth urine and drieth moisture six drops thereof are to be given in broth some days Where the bowels are more hot and the urine more red which is oft-times a deadly token in Hydropick persons instead of these give three or four ounces of the acetous syrup of the Elder dissolved in the water of the flowers and leaves of each half a pound whereof four or five ounces are to be drank before meat twice a day morning and evening The poor mans Euporist viz. A Lixive prepared of Elder and Juniper-ashes with one part of white wine and three parts of simple water or the distilled water of Elder-flowers whereof give a cup full twice a day to the Patient fasting and command moderate exercise for half an hour or longer if it be possible add to it a sufficient quantity of Sugar and Cinnamon to make it smell and taste more sweetly The Experiment of Emylia Countess of Isinburg And seeing we have made mention here of Diureticks I will not pass by this Receipt of the Countess by which alone she cured many poor people of the Hydropsie in which albeit much is to be attributed to the potion it self nevertheless I ascribe the chief effects of this happy Medicine to the wine prepared of the Elder-flowers and sponges which the Hydropick use in time of their cure therefore I have set down the whole course of the cure as it is faithfully communicated to all the true Sons of this noble Art by the famous Finck in the 26 Chapter of his Enchirid. Take of the old Acorns unshelled Of the old roots of Parsley Of white Oculi Cancrorum of each two scruples and an half Of Sugar Of Cinnamon of each one drachm All are to be subtily pulverised and searced Before the diseased person altogether lye down first let him moisten three shives of wheat-bread in strong wine may be it would not be beside the purpose if before in that wine he had macerated some Elder-flowers then presently let him sprinkle upon these shives 4 scruples down weight of that powder and at night before he go to bed let him eat it and go to bed and sleep above them Secondly on the day next following early in the morning let him eat as many shives of bread so prepared and fast one or two hours after Thirdly on the same day at night let him eat the same preparation eating and drinking nothing above it and so go to sleep In the mean time this diet is to be observed Let the diseased person abstain from fish swines-flesh herbs cheese cold water thin and superfluous drink Let him use wine prepared after this manner which I esteem to be the chief part of the cure Take of the whole dried umbels of Elder-flowers three Of Jews-ears exsiccate in a dry air two Of white wine two quarts or for the use of a middle-child one quart Let them stand all night in infusion and the patient may drink thereof at his pleasure but let him abstain from all other drink till the tumor be evanished Mark if the patient by this cure find not an evident alteration abating of the tumor he may after a fortnight renew the cure and without doubt by divine assistance he shall recover his former health Topicks Apply outwardly to the tumified parts a Cataplasm of the juice of the Elder incorporate with Goates-dung which hath an eminent vertue in digesting those salt waterish humors Or anoint the tumified parts with the oyl of the bark and leaves prescribed before in the second place unto which add this same dung to give it consistence The tincture drawn out of the rob and juice of the berries doth excellently discuss and dry if it be rubb'd on the belly and legs Or take a sufficient quantity of the leaves and bark boil them in a common Lixive wherewith foment the belly and tumified parts twice a day The vapour of which decoction held under the Hydropick legs draweth the serosity from thence and discusseth it by sweat it must be poured on hot bricks in a close vessel that the vapour may come to the heat Others bid the feet and legs only to be bathed in a decoction of the leaves wherein a handful or two of common salt hath been dissolved Note that the pith of the Elder being pressed with the finger doth pit as Hydropick feet do therefore the juice of the Elder and the distilled water of Jews-ears are profitable Crollius de signaturis rerum hither you may transfer the example of the Hydropick and gravelly clown as it is set down in the Chapter concerning the Stone who was cured by the use of the pith of the Elder 2. Of Anasarca or Leucophlegmatia IN Anasarca or Leucophlegmatia
stiff this Disease is and how miserably it tormenteth the patient is known even to children notwithstanding it expects ease if not full cure which sometimes is done by the Medicines of our Elder And seeing nothing is more able to preserve than that great encrease of serous humors being hindred those that are sprung be evacuated Seeing from these if not only yet most commonly Arthritick pains have their beginning as experience can testifie These Medicines therefore that follow are convenient Viz. The wine of the berries of which he is to drink a cup full oft in the week in the morning or in the beginning of dinner But that is of most force which we have set down in the 24 Chapter out of Quercetan The water distilled out of the succulent bark in the Autumn or Spring is oft to be drank Let it be sweetned with the third part of the syrup of the berries or buds the dose is four ounces That it may purge more forcibly mix therewith a half or whole drachm according to the Patients strength of the Polychrestick powder of the Buds Vomits are good to preserve from this disease if it be provoked once a moneth by those that are used to it In cure of the Arthritick chiefly of the Sciatick or Gout seeing vomit doth revel and derive by the upper parts it performs more than any downward purge Therefore you are to reiterate it two days and more if the evil persevere The oyl pressed out of the kernels of the berries and half a drachm thereof taken in the broth of Ale doth excel in this disease The oyl of the infused flowers or bark is good the dose is one or two ounces in warm water You shall repress the Arthritick assaults if you once or twice in the moneth sweat having first purged the body For the serous matter gathered in the body is easily discussed by sweat and as soon as natural or artificial sweat appears there is great hopes of safety See Hildanus Centor 5. observ 3. Give then of the Rob of the Elder two drachms with a scruple of Harts-horn prepared or half a drachm or two scruples of the extract Granorum actes or one spoonful or two of the spirit of the berries or flowers This is uporist of some The Roots of the Elder or Walnut half an ounce Of the pulverised Kernels drachm 1. Let them macerate for a night in white wine whose Colature being a little sweetened with Sugar is to be given in the morning in bed to provoke sweat If it be given a little before the fit it disappoints it In the Spring-time the buds prepared with oyl vinegar and salt and frequently being eaten before supper being mixed with other Sallets is commendable for they gently purge the belly and purifie the blood from serosity The powder of the buds dried in the shadow is good for preventing of Gouts and all Arthritick Diseases whereof take in the Spring-time or Harvest for a whole month together in the morning half a scruple in a soft egg with a little salt Or take the Conserve of the buds alone or mixed with the Conserve of the flowers in equal parts The dose is the bigness of a Walnut or Chesnut morning and evening before meat Drink above it some of the water of the flowers sweetned with a little of the juice of the berries Topicks A linnen cloth dipt in the distilled water of the leaves and flowers of the Elder and applied warm wonderfully asswages the pain unlocks the pores digests the matter and strengthens the nervous parts That it may more penetrate and where the colour and heat is greater you may add in equal quantity Elder-vinegar Where the matter is colder and the pain longer you may dip the same clothes in such a liquor as this and apply them hot Take of the spirit of Elder-berries three ounces The spirit of the flowers drach 2. Of Opium of Thebes scruples two mix them By its Narcotick vertue it mitigateth the pains and discusseth the more stubborn matter and refresheth the members The Goutish Anodine Water Quercetan in the first book and seventh chapter sets down this Podagrick water Take of the green leaves and flowers of Elder of each lib. 1. more or less as you please to make it greater or less quantity pound them and macerate them well in B. M. then distill them in a Glass or Copper vessel till they be dry with this water forment the pained place twice a day yea you may use it constantly in that Gout which proceeds from hot humors So far he The Oyle wherein the roots of the Elder or Ebulus and the leaves or fine extract from them hath been boyled chiefly the oyle of the Dwarf-Elder-seed from which the seeds of the greater differ little is much praised here It is prepared thus beat the ripe and clean seeds in a paste boyle it in water and gather the scum thereof put it in a long Glass in a warm place for three or four daies till the oyle which is greenish go to the bottom the same oyle pressed out of the seeds is most powerfull These are the words of Plater in the second part of his practice Or take oyle of infused Elder-flowers ounces two and of it pressed out of the kernels half an ounce Being mixt apply them warm to the grieved place Dioscorides affirms that the recent leaves applyed with the fat of a Goat or Bull doth help the Goutish I know a man that whensoever he is troubled with the Gout useth only this unction He taketh new Cream of Milk and he mixeth with it the Powder made into fine meal of the and leaves of the Elder till it acquire the consistence of a Poultice or Cataplasme which being spread on a linnen cloth he applyeth it hot to the diseased part and from this easie and simple Medicine he exspects and experiences with happy successe great ease Gabel Shover amongst others hath this Take the water of the Elder and the spirit of Wine of each ounces 2 mix them and apply clothes moystened therein Some take two ounces of Elder-water and one of aqua vite and mix them The same man much commendeth in pains of the joynts and other cold defluctions from which the resolution and Palsie of the joynts do proceed this Take a good quantity of Elder-pith a quarter of a pint of Rhenish-Wine and as much of your own urine being mixed boyle them in a new pot till half be consumed Then anoynt the grieved place with the spirit of Wine and rub it well in Afterward apply a woollen-cloth hot dipt in the former decoction And when it is dry dipt it and apply it again And this is to be done before you go to bed Some praise this that follows in Arthritick Diseases chiefly which are hot A Mucilaginous Andonyne Liquor R. Of quick Snails newly taken whole out of their shelly cottages Of Elder-berries dried in the Oven and pulverized and of common salt of each as