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
Chapter CAP. VII Of the Toothach SEing this disease oft flowes from defluxions those things are to be first used that are set down in the former Chapter Topicks We will onely prescribe here Topicks made of the Elder Raymund Minder in his Military Medicine cap. 10. commends much the decoction of the roots in Wine and Vinegar used to gargarise with and protests that no one Medicine sooner easeth this great pain For Example Take of the roots of Elder cut in slices two ounces and an half Of Elder or simple Vinegar of white Wine of each six ounces Boyl them for a water to wash the mouth which is oft to be spit out and renewed Or Take of the middle Elder bark Of Elder flowers of each an handfull Of Jews ears one Boyl them likewise in a sufficient quantity of Vinegar and Wine and use it Where there is a suspicion of worms in the hollow tooth the hollowness is to be filled with the spongiola of the Elder at last it is to be held hard betwixt the teeth Likewise the vapor of the former decoction may be received through a funnel at the mouth They make Tooth-pickers and Spoons of Elder to which they attribute much in preserving from this pain The common people take these tooth-pickers being bloudy with pricking and picking the tooth and glew them to the Trunk of an Elder which is irradiated with the morning Sun beams they pull away the bark and cover the place with rosin of the Pine and thus they cure all tooth-aches 'T is not apparent by what vertue this is done when may be that is attributed to the incision which ought to be attributed to the blooding or time of continuance wherein most diseases are eased But we leave every man to his judgement Scal. Exerc. 183. sect 11. If from a defluction the gums and cheeks do swel anoynt them with the oyl of the infusion of the flowers of the Elder and put the dregs or crassament of them to it for they will digest and resolve it CAP. VIII Of the Affects of the eyes PLaterus Tom. 2. praxeos hath observed that Chirurgeons used to apply to sore eyes a Pill of the Elder macerated in common or Rose water or other convenient to mitigate the pain The water of the flowers of the Elder mixt with a like proportion of Rose water wounderfully mitigateth ophthalmike pains and strengtheneth the sight into which sometimes prepared tutty in a knot is to be put to ease the itch and a spunge of the Elder macerated in Pennyroyal water to be applyed to the nuke or hollow of the neck This following liquor anointed on the eyelids with a feather is profitable R. Elder flowers gathered in the month of June before the rising of the Sun and picked from their stalks as much as you will beat them in a Marble Morter and in a glass well stopped expose them for a month to the rayes of the Sun them let then be involv'd in a leavened Rie loaf and baked with other bread in an oven which being taken out and opened you shall find an oleaginous liquor which you must carefully preserve in another glass for your use The tender and recent leaves with polent or barly meal applyed to inflammations doth mitigate them by dissolving and digesting as was taught before by Dioscorides which may be used externally in Ophthalmies general Medicines being premised Or rather use this Cataplasme which did much help in a more vehement tumor of the eyelids whereby the whole eye was hid Make of the Mucilage of the seed of Psyllium and Linseed extracted by the best water of Elder flowers of each six drachmes add of Elder oyl half an ounce and as much meal of the flowers as will suffice Make thereof a Cataplasm The little spunge of the Elder macerate well in the best water of the flowers til they swell great do wipe away gallantly the dirt and matter in those blemishes and in all other wounds and ulcers of the eyes immediately laying thereon a tender and recent Elder leaf They say that the ashes thereof blown in the eye hath consumed a beginning Panincle CAP. IX Of the Diseases of the Ears and Hearing FOments of the decoction of Elder and Camomile flowers mitigates the pain of the ears The oyl of the infusion of the flowers may be with profit anointed or adding the meal of the flowers make thereof a Cataplasm which is to be applied hot to the whole region of the ears The difficulty of hearing through gross humors and vapors that possess the auditory organs is greatly helped after you have used universals and the polychrestick buds of the Elder by the vapor of the decoction of the roots and leaves of the Elder made in a fit Lixive in the which Lixive if you add Origanum the ears are to be oft washed and still well dried The same vapor takes away the tingling whistling and other sounds of the ear which are also remedied by a drop or two of the oyl of the flowers of the second or third description being put on a bombaceous tent thrust in the ears for it consumes and dissipates the flatuosities from which these arise Some who suspect the unctuosity of the oyl use after the same manner the spirit of the flowers and berries chiefly the apoplectick which by its penetrating force doth discuss them egregiously The juice prest out of the recent leaves with a little Wine and instilled in the ears doth cleanse the filth of the exulcerate ears and kill the worms It doth likewise cleanse and consolidate wounds and ulcers of which in his proper Chapter CAP. X. Of the Defects of the Nose and Smelling THe best Water of the Flowers of the Elder oft drawn up in the nose doth help the smelling that is diminished by some great sickness In the exulceration of the nose by a salt defluxion the water of the flowers and bark are profitable seeing they deterge dry and conglut inate In a greater exulceration where the flesh is too proud the spirit of the salt is needful which being mixt with the rest it consumes the proud flesh and hindreth further putresaction See the Chapter of curing ulcers Gabel Rover doth commend the Spunges that grow on the stock of the Elder being dryed pulverised and given in a fit liquor for staying the Hemorage of the nose Tragea Granorum actes which is described in the cure of the Dyscentery is good in this case The dose half a drachme or two scruples in a spoonful or two of Quercetans Corralline Syrup or in the Styptick red Wine or in the distilled water of the Sperm of Frogs Shepherds purse or Purslain c. or make a Powder of the equal parts of Tragea and the little sponges which is both to be taken in the mentioned liquors and lightly and easily to blown into the nostrils CAP. XI Of the blemishes of Face and Head IF you wash the face oft with the distilled water of the leaves and flowers
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-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
much as you will put it in the straining bag called Hippocrates sleeve making one row upon another so oft as you please so that the first be of the Snails the next of the Salt and the last of the berries continning so till the bag be full hang it up in a Cellar and gather diligently the glutinous liquor that distils out of it by little and little even to the Mucilage and being put in a stopt Glass expose it four days to the Sun and therewith anoynt gently the grieved part CAP. XXVIII Of the Scab Psora Itch Herpes and other Cutaneous Diseases T Is a Golden saying of our Divine Master Aphorism 21. Sect. 1. That we carefully observe the motion of Nature and its course and with our Medicines assist it as much as we are able Seeing in most of these out-breakings in the skin Nature doth thrust the hurtful matter from the principal parts to the more ignoble and less principal viz. the Cutaneous it seemeth best here to use Sudorificks and those that expel to the circumference of the body Because many times a great heap of putrid humors are seated about the stomach Mesentery Liver and Melt that sink as far as is possible is to be emptied by Emetick and Cathartick Medicines lest omitting and neglecting this evacuation the putrid and salt humors by the unseasonable use of Sudorificks being drawn out of the Jacks of the first region be thrust into the greater and nobler veins and so raise more dangerous damages Purges and Vomits In delicate bodies and children the water distilled from the succulent bark by two cohobies and sweetned with a little syrup of the juice of the berries doth work this effect being given in a few spoonfuls Also the syrup of the berries juice being given alone from an ounce to an ounce and half In those of riper age give the purging water made according to Quercetans descripton from two ounces to three with an ounce of the syrup of the buds or bark Or use twice or thrice the Polychrestick Powder of the Buds in Whey Or incorporate it with the Conserve of the flowers for a bole or reduce it into the form of a pill with the syrup of them or such like for it is a good Medicine to purge the body from salt and feculent humors Or take a cupful of Whey macerate in that half or a whole ounce of the middle bark of the Elder the Colature being strained in the morning let it be drank warm The wine of the infusion of the bark and root of the Elder subtilly grated is good to provoke vomit and empty the belly of evil humors it doth this when they have infused together for a night These are the words of Vigo in his Chirurg part 1. lib. 7. Or take a drachm of the oyle pressed out of the berries kernels more or less according to the strength of the patient give it in a cup of luke-warm Ale It were likewise profitable for the Scabby if they made a Sallet of those young buds who in the beginning of the Spring together with those out-breakings and pustles of the skin by the singular favour of Nature as contemperanious doe bud forth being first macerated a little in hot water with oyle salt and vinegar and sometimes eaten it purgeth the belly and freeth the bloud from salt and serous humors Sudorificks These things being premised that which remains yet in the skin or mass of blood is to be emptied by Sudorificks The water of Elder-flowers and the clearer spirit of them may be given even to children For to make it of a more pleasant taste sweeten them with a little syrup of the infusion of the flowers These Medicines following agree to those that come to years Take of the Rob of the Elder two drachms Of Harts-horn burn'd and prepared one scruple Of the Water of Elder-flowers three ounces Of Oximel of the Elder half an ounce Mix them make a draught of them Or take of the extract of Elder-berries two scruples Of Elder-salt half a scruple Of the water distilled from its flowers two ounces Of the Vinegar of the flowers half an ounce Mix them for a draught After taking of these sweat is to be provoked in Bath or Bed The Conserve of Elder-flowers with the Conserve of Cicory-flowers is commodious to change alter and strengthen the intrals or inward parts Or make this Julap which you must use every day an hour or two before supper or after you come from Bath or sweating drink four ounces thereof Take of the Conserve of Elder-flowers Of Burrage Of Cicory of each half an ounce Dissolve them on a soft fire in a quart of Elder-flowers water to the strained Colature add of the sharp Elder-syrup two ounces mix them Topicks In a more universal filthy and continuing Scab Tetter or Psora c. prepare this sort of Bath Take of recent Elder-leaves ten handfuls Six whole Umbels of the flowers Of quick-sulphure two ounces Of crude-Allum one ounce Boyle it in a sufficient quantity of rainwater unto which afterward add a sixth part of the Lixive Let the diseased every day sit once in a Bath to provoke sweat not neglecting in the mean time the former internals Or where only the hands or feet are scabby the same decoction but in less quantity is to be prepared wherein daily the feet and hands are to be washed yet nevertheless you may add other things as the roots of Sorrel and Alacampain After the Bath the exulcerate and clift places are to be anoynted to mitigate their pain with the oyle of the infufed flowers to which you may give a more drying and healing vertue to the leaves of the Elder subtilly pulverised till it come to the consistence of a Liniament Or use the Liniament of Matthiolus or Plater Or this Take of the oyle of the infused flowers and bark of the Elder of each 3 drachms Of washed Ceruse one drachm or four scruples Of Wax enough Make thereof a Liniament Those black round and about very red pustles which break forth frequently in the feet chiefly of women are oft to be washed with the water of the leaves and mitigated with the foresaid unctions Mark There was a Bakers wife in Heyna which could not go out of dores by reason of the abundance of those Pustles and was greatly disquieted by their heat having premised what was fitting she used for a Topick milk wherein the flowers were macerated in which clothes being dipped were applyed warm with great ease Where the heat and redness is more intense instead of simple milk take sowre or Butter-milk Only sweating by taking the rob of the Elder sometimes doth cure the simple Herpes by the abstersive and siccative quality In this the oyl pressed out of the kernels of the berries reduced in form of a Liniament with Sugar of Saturn is much praised by some If it be anointed on the pustles after they are opened with a needle and cleansed from the matter
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
half of Linden flower-flower-water half an ounce Make an Emulsion according to art which being edulcerate Rotalis manus Christi perlatis give it by spoonfuls Let the Nurse sometimes take the Conserves Syrup or water of Elder flowers or having taken the spirit juice or extract of the berries let her provoke smell that thereby her milk being clear of the sharper and more malignant serosities may be the more wholsom I knew an infant which being taken sometime with Epileptick fits each day with a great deal of crying and pain of belly did dung a yellowish greenish matter whom neither Clysters nor cleansing Linctussies did any good I counselled his mother seeing I saw her milk more serous and thin that she should twice or thrice a week take the rhob or juice of the Elder-berries mixt with burn'd Harts-horns and drink a draught of the water of the flowers above it and provoke her self to sweat in her bed or couch Which being done not only the Epileptick fits but also those painfull wringings of the childs belly did cease and by little and little the excrements came to their natural form The cure of those that are come to age In those that are come to age 't is first necessary above all things to purge the body well In the Spring time macerate the bark of the roots of Elder in the whey of Cows milk which being dulcerat with Sugar let him each morning take a hearty draught thereof Or Take the Polichrestick powder of the buds two scruples or one drachme Of recent Rob of the Elder well thickned with good Sugar as much as will make a bole Or take the prescribed bole dissolve it in the whey of Milk add thereto the Syrup made of Juice of the buds and berries ounce I. mix it prepare a draught But if the Patient be prone to vomit give him the oyl expressed out of the kernels The spirit of the flowers and berries of the Elder in and out of the Paroxysm is of great power but it may be made more efficacious thus R. Take of the middle bark of the Elder Of the roots of Poeonie of each six drachms Of dried Elder leaves and buds Of Lynden-tree flowers of each one handful Of Rew-seed two drach Of the Berries of herb Paris numb 20. Of Jews-ears numb 6. This being cut and pounded put as much of the spirit of the Elder thereon as will be a hand broad high above them and in a hot place and well stopped vessel macerate them eight daies distil them in glass vessels in B. M. till they be dry mix with them the distilled spirits the salt drawn out of its dregs and keep it for the Anti-Epileptick Spirit of the Elder Whereof give a whole or half spoonful to the Epileptick in the time of his Paroxisme afterwards using it every quarter of the Moon to dissipate the Epileptick corruption by sweating or insensible transpiration and to guard the brain With this same in the time of the fit rub the nostrils gums and pallat adding thereto a Grain or two of Castor Herein likewise excels the tincture and extract of Granorum Actes the preparation and using of which is set down in the 31 Chapter out of Quercetan Or Take of Granorum actes scrup 1. Of the berries of Herb Paris pulverised half a scrup Mix them and form pils thereof numb 15. or being dissolved in the Anti epileptick Spirit of the Eldergive them in the Paroxisme Mark by the way That the berries of herb Paris called by some Bear or Wolf grapes is held by some Matrons as a great secret against the Epilepsie and they give them ever in an unequal number as 3 5 7 or 9 in the water of Linden Tree flowers or of the roots of Squamaria which I my self have found effectual in some children Seeing these berries are mixt with some Antidotes especially with the Saxonian and half a drachm of the seeds of these berries as Matthiolus relates being given avail much against long sickness and Witchcraft it should not seem strange to any man that they much help in the Epilepsie if they consider seriously the maligne nature of the Epileptick vapor and its enmity with the brain Some affirm that the water of the flowers drawn up into the nose prevails much against the Epilepsie and Vertigo In the same affects the eyes and face are to be washed oft with this water Anoint gently in the fit it self the contracted members with the oyl of the flowers of the first description that thereby the Acrimony of the humors and vapors may be mitigate that the matter may be dissipate and the nerves comforted The oyl of the second and third description or the distilled oyl is much commended if the palmes of the hands and soles of the feet if the temples of the head and nape of the neck be anointed therewith Amulets There is likewise set down a singular Amulet made of the Elder growing on a Sallow If in the month of October a little before the full Moon you pluck a twig of the Elder and cut the cane that is betwixt two of its knees or knots in nine pieces and these pieces being bound in a piece of linnen be in a thred so hung about the neck that they touch the spoon of the heart or the sword-form'd Cartilage and that they may stay more firmly in that place they are to be bound thereon with a linnen or silken roller wrapt about the body till the thred break of it self The thred being broken and the roller removed the Amulet is not at all to be touched with bare hands but it ought to be taken hold on by some instrument and buried in a place that no body may touch it Petraeus Nosilog Harmon l. 1. dissert 6. Finkius Ench. Harm c. 5. The cause of which is not absolutely hid seeing the Elder and its grains help this disease These are the words of Petraeus in the mentioned place There are some that ascribe the same effect to the Bore tree growing on the Tylia or Linden tree seeing both by a peculiar property are anti-epileptick some hang a cross made of the Elder and Sallow mutually in wrapping one another about the childrens neck Petr. Loco Allegat Albeit there be some that deny all specifick operation to Amulets of the Elder growing on the Sallow and Linden tree and to all other Amulets Nevertheless their reasons are not of such weight that they satisfie the mind of a desirous learner 't is not impossible that so little a piece of the Elder bound to the skin should break the force of so stubborn a disease for though it do not draw out sensibly the vitious humors yet it may act against the morbifick cause and rout it some other way by alluring and some other way expugning those vitious humors and that malignant Miamse most noisom to the brain it having in little bulk great force which being or removed 't is likely the Epilepsie will cease though the
mention in the fourth chapter which oft being taken with the Rose in her paps who having taken the Rob of the Elder and provoked sweat moderately in her bed useth to apply no other Medicine to the diseased part but a knot of red fine linnen wherein Elder-flowers are sewed so ingeniously to avoid all the exulceration which would have ensued CAP. XVII Of Swouning and Faintness THe Vinegar of Elder-flowers imbib'd in a sponge recovers those as it were from death that are subject to swounings and faintings upon every the lightest cause or occasion for it excellently refresheth the spirits for which Physicians highly prize it being mixt with other cordial Epithemes In this alone dip linnen cloths and apply them to the pulses of the temples of the wrists near the ankles Or make this Epitheme where-with the face and the palms of the hands are to be washed Take of the water of the flowers of the Elder 3 ounces Of Incarnation Roses 2 ounces Of the Vinegar of Elder-flowers half an ounce The Vinegar of red Berries two dra mix them Tragea Granorrum actes made after this manner is much commended Take of the Tragea of the grains of the Elder Of choice Cinnamon of each one drach Of Cloves Galangale of the flowers of the Elder without the stalks of of each one scruple Of Sugar Rosat of Anthosat tablets of each two drachms and an half Make all into a fine powder of which give to the diseased half a drachm in Wine or some other convenient Liquor How Women that faint by reason of the matrical diseases are to be helped by the Medicines of Elder I have set down in the 26 chap. CAP. XVIII Of Fevers in general And 1. Of intermitting Fevers THe common people as soon as they find the first touch of a Fever they take the Rob of the Elder in the Vinegar spirit or water of the flowers thereof and so in their beds being well covered with cloths dispose themselves for sweating which the Physicians do not disapprove seeing experience proves that Fevers by these are many times prevented and dissipated This seems to be the most probable reason thereof That that putrid filthiness is by this means discussed without delay and the body rarified which if it had been left longer in the body without doubt would have daily encreased the corruption given vigor to the Fever as is learnedly discoursed by the famous Sennert in his Treatise of fevers But have a care that this be only done in the beginnings of fevers and in such bodies as are not full of the rubbish of corrupt humors otherwise 't is more safe and sound to open the parts and passages of the whole body by Emetick and Cathartick Medicines Emeticks and Catharticks The purified Oyl expressed out of the kernels of the berries is commended in strong and lusty bodies 1 dra or a drac and half thereof being taken in the broth of flesh for it gently moveth vomit and loosneth the belly not without a singular good temper of the body For the same use the juice expressed out of the bark of the roots are commended being taken in the same or a greater quantity Bernhard Gordon in his Treatise of preserving mans life biddeth us take so much as the half of an egg shell will contain Concerning the Wine made of the infusion of the bark of Elder roots which provoketh vomit and emptieth the belly of corrupt humors read the 28 Chapter The Oyl made of the infus'd flowers and bark of the Elder being drank from one ounce to three provoketh vomit and purgeth the belly the same alone or in a decoction may be given in a Clyster The Polychâ—est powder of Elder buds doth not only purge both the biles but also phlegm and serous humors whereof drink in hot and tertian feavers in whey but in cold and quartanes in Wine a scruple or a drachm or 4 scrules as the strength of the diseased will admit Or let pils of Tragachanth be fomented with this or some syrup or musilage so that above them the mentioned liquor be drank In young ones the syrup of the juice of the berries of the buds or bark c. suffice The commons praise this Take a cup full of Goats milk whey which holds about four ounces macerate therein half an ounce of the middle bark of the Elder dried in the shadow being strongly prest out drink it warm in the morning In which a few things are to be observed That the commons are fully perswaded and call experience to witness that if those middle barks be pulled downward from the Tree it emptieth the body of evil humors by purge if they be pulled upward it worketh by vomit The truth of which as I dare not call in question seeing I know the same thing is asserted of Assarum by some Physicians if notwithstanding it be free for me to give my opinion without prejudice to others and the truth I believe we ought rather to ascribe the effect to the constitution and peculiar property of the receivers or to the nature of present humor I will say nothing now of the imagination whereby the receivers perswade themselves the Medicine will work downward or upward which they endevour to help by sundry waies by motion compression of the belly suppositors thrusting their fingers in their throats and so forth Nevertheless I will not deny that the bark and whole Elder also hath divers vertues in purging the noxious matter by divers places nevertheless I doubt that these are rather to be ascribed to the divers pulling it off the Tree then to these causes mentioned and other more weighty which I leave to the serious consideration of the learned and proceed That the stalks and leaves of the hearbs being boyled doth purge phlegm is manifest out of Dioscorides to which nevertheless the sprigs or sprouts are preferred if in the Spring time in which they are to be found they be macerated a little in hot water and prepared with oyl and vinegar and be eaten sparingly before supper in place of a sallet for they gently loose the belly unlock the obstructions of the Mesentery and being frequently eaten deliver and preserve from contumacious feavers Instead of these the Conserve of buds mixed with the Conserve of the flowers is profitable of which take daily an ounce half an hour before supper in the water of the bark Cutting Medicines In such feavers which are lengthened from the cramming of the Meseraick veins and from the grosness and toughness of the humor Oxymel Sambucinum dissolved in the distilled water of the flowers or barly water and daily on the intermitting daies drank an hour or two before supper is commended The Crystallized salt of the Elder taken from half a scruple to a whole is profitable also six drops of the spirit of the same taken in the broth or flesh for all these do powerfully open obstructions and cut asunder the grosness and toughness of the humor they cleanse the
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-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
ounce for a dose dissolved in two or three ounces of Barley-water Or make this powder Take of Tragea Granorum Actes ounces 2. Oculi Cancrorum prepared dr 1. Sugar rosat intablets Sugar perlat half an ounce mix them Of which give a drachm in two spoonfuls of the syrup which we now commended CAP. XXII Of the diseases of the Intestines 1. Of the Colick BEcause besides a bare distemper a pituitous humor a vitrious or flatulent useth oft to be the cause of the Colick therefore their encrease are to be cut off Wine prepared of the berries or flowers work this effect leasurely Likewise the water of the bark and roots mixt with a third part of the syrup of the juice of the buds and infusion of the flowers which wonderfully mitigate pain whereof take oft an hour before meat for preserving you four ounces Or where nature is more strong give a half or whole drachm of the Polychrestick powder of the buds in the syrup of the flowers made thin with Wine To dissipate wind mitigate pain and loosen the bound belly use this Clyster Take of Elder-leaves two handfuls Of Elder-flowers and Cammomile-Roman-flowers of each an handful Of the stones of Elder-berries dryed drach 2. Being cut and pounded boil them in pure wine or wine of the Elder till the Colature come into eight ounces add The oyl of the infused flowers three ounces Of Elder-hony two ounces The Yeolk of one Egg mix them and make a Clyster apply it hot The spirit of the berries is of great vertue here because it dissipateth not only in the stomach but in the intestines also all mescusness of pituite and other viscid humors By its great diaphoretick vertue it dissipateth all thin and serous humors in the intestines it warmeth by its penetrating heat the intrails made cold by drink air c. and so taken both inwardly and anointed it stilleth the huge pains that arise thence I know a Church-man who by this spirit in a short time dissipateth the Collick which is familiar to him and upon the least occasion bred In place of this use the spirit of the flowers well purified from its phlegm c. The distilled oyl of Elder-flowers imbibed in silk and applied to the navel with a ventose is a most gentle paregorick Whereof also give four drops in a spoonful of the spirit of flowers or berries The spirit of Elder-salt given in the water of the flowers or in broth in the quantity of six or seven or eight drops by his cleansing and dissipating vertue preserving from the Collick But if you perceive by the thirst intense heat and constitution of the patient that these pains arise from the abundance of hot and sharp boylous humors or some other hot cause you are to use these things which I have set down in the former Chapter in the heat of the stomach unto which add the syrup of Elder-flowers which is either to be taken alone or made thin with the best stilled water of Elder-flowers II. Of Worms THe Chrystaline Salt of the Elder preserveth and freeth from worms It robs them of their nourishment kills them and purgeth them out The dose is from half a scruple to half a drach or two scrup For those of riper years which are troubled with worms you are to prepare in the Spring-time a dish made of Elder-buds delivered from their bitter naucious taste by the effusion of boyling water with oyl salt and vinegar which is to be used as a sallet before supper For the oyl closeth the breathing places of the worms and maketh the belly slippery Salt and vinegar cleanse cut and kill the worms The Elder-buds do loosen the belly purge the worms and thrust forth their fuel That this sallet may be more pleasant you may add some tender leaves of sorrel which likewise resist worms At other times the powder of the buds taken in the morning for a few days a scruple at once in broth is commendable Give to more delicate persons frequently a spoonful of the syrup of the juice of the buds with which mix half a scruple of prepared Hearts-horn Some press out the juice of the recent leaves and mix it with honey or honey-roset and give it sometimes before other meat and by this means kill and purge out worms Where the stomach and intestines are furred and filled with a greater quantity of tenacious putrid pituit mucilage give twice or thrice the Polichrestick powder of the buds in their syrup 3. Of Lienterick and Celiaick Fluxes ALbeit at the first sight the Elder seem not fit for fluxes notwithstanding in Lienteries Celiaick fluxes where the meat and drink are either in that form in which they were received or else half concocted and not much altered voided out of the body sooner than was fitting by reason of the weakness of the retentive faculty of the stomach and intestines proceeding for the most part from a cold and humid distemper the spirit of Granorum Actes both simple and stomatical is used with a great deal of profit Therefore a spoonful or two of it is oft to be given with Rie or Wheat-bread or being imbibed in a double linnen cloth applyed to the stomach or abdomen Moreover Tragea granorum actes the cordial powder prepared of it is profitable whereof give twice a day viz. morning and evening before meat a drachm in three or four spoonfuls of generous wine For drink in time of meat you may use wine prepared of Elder-berries dried Cinnamon and Cloves 4. Of the Dissentery IN the Dissentery which is a bloudy and painful emptying of the belly Oswald Crollius from their signiture commends the Elder-berries of which the Chymists but chiefly Quercetan in lib. 1. cap. 2. of his Dogmatick Pharmacy describes this Tageam communicated to him by D. VVolfius Professor in the University of Marpurg so often mentioned and commended by me in this Treatise Press the juice out of the Elder-berries when they are ripe which is in Autumn of which Juice and Rye-flower make paste work it well and thereof make little Cakes which in a Oven are to be baked to the hardness of Bisket that they may be reduced to a subtile powder which powder is again to be imbibed in the juice and made in paste baked and pulverised as before And this is to be done the third time At last all being done reduce it again to a subtile powder it will keep long and is a hid specifick against a Dissentery Take a drachm of this and as much of the powder of a Nutmeg incorporate them well with a soft rosted egg and sup it up This is called Tragea granorum Actes that is a powder of the grains of Elder And thus far Quercetan Others prepare it thus Take Rie-bread hot out of the Oven moisten it with the juice of Elder-berries and bake it again in the Oven being dry again moysten it with the juice of Elder-berries and do so four or five times then reduce this
bread into powder whereof take a drachm alone or a half with as much nutmeg-powder Of which see the famous Sennert 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
have great vertue to open all obstructions Six drops of the spirit of Elder-salt taken in broth is commended In the Scurvy having premised these purging and cutting Medicines the greatest hope of health and helps is placed in evacuating the serosities by sweating whence Plater affirms the rob of Elder-berries or Walwort to be very convenient adding to three ounces of these one ounce of the syrup of Popie The dose drachms 2. The extracts of these are more convenient and penetrating of which give one scruple or one drachm in a spoonful of the spirit of Elder-flowers or of Carduus Benedictus or of Scurvigrass and then let him provoke sweat in his bed or in a dry Bath Topicks EXternally anoint frequently the Hypocondriacks where those bowels are placed with the oyl of the infused flowers which the ordinary and us'd Dispensatories affirm to cure the Jaundies and help the stopt Liver In a hard and Scyrous Milt boyl the leaves of Elder in Wine and Oyl to the consistence of a Poultice which are to be put through a Searse or Setace then mix therewith as much of the meal made of the flowers of Elder and Cammomile as will suffice then apply it hot like a Cataplasm This Cere-cloth or Serat is commended for mollifying and digesting scyrous tumors First boil twice or thrice recent Elder-leaves in the oyl of the infusion of Elder-flowers still pressing the leaves well before you put in new ones Then Take of the oyl so prepared ounc 3. Of the powder of tender Elder-leaves one ounce and half Of Turpentine and yellow Wax enough Of which apply every day to the place affected some of this spread on a piece of Leather cut like a Cowes tongue and covered with a fine linnen cloth The Scorbutick persons amongst other symptoms which I have neither time nor place to mention are troubled with a pain in the soals of their feet and tops of their fingers which the famous Sennert affirms to be cured by this Take of Elder-flowers two handfuls boil them in Wine adding two drachms of sope spread on a cloth and applied to the diseased part CAP. XXIV Of the Hydropsie and its kinds 1. Of Ascites SEeing this depends of serous humors fallen into the Abdomen and seeing the vertue of the Elder is to exsiccate and draw water from the belly by the consent of Dioscorides and all Physicians there is no man that doth not perceive that the Elder is of great vertue in this disease Purging Medicines First then boil in Wine in a close vessel those middle barks of the Elder with one or two Jews-ears sweeten the decoction and for some days give it to the diseased party morning and evening to drink Some praise this Take of the middle bark subtilly grated as much as you will boiled in a sufficient quantity of Goats-milk that being put through a Searse it may acquire the consistence of a syrup or honey of which give an ounce or an ounce and a half for certain days in white wine The water of the succulent middle-bark distilled in the Spring-time and given with a third part of the syrup made of the juice of the buds or roots is used in two or three ounces weight Quercetan in the first book and seventh chapter of his Dogmatick Pharmacy commends this purging water of the berries Take the seeds or berries of the Elder and Ebulus perfectly ripe which is in Autumn out of these with a press draw out the wine or juice shaking out the inmost kernels and mixing them with the rest distil them This water which is Cohobat thus upon the dregs hath a notable efficacy in purging chiefly of serous humors let it be aromatized with Cinnamon Coriander prepared with the juice of Lemmons and such like it may be given to Hydropick persons from one ounce to two Thus far Quercetan For example R. Of the water preserved ounces two Syrup or juice of the berries and buds of each one ounce and half mixed Of this composed water you may see more in the cited place of Quercetan Of the Wines we have often made mention before chiefly in the second Section nevertheless we will set down this of Quercetans in his first Book and ninth Chapter because it differs little from others The seeds are to be prest and the juice drawn out which being mixed with a double quantity of the Must of the best white wine is to be put in a Hogshead of convenient bigness till it be fully digested and fermented Note That it is better if it be done in a close Hogshead that is if the Hogshead be not altogether full but at least the third part be left empty and be well closed that nothing do exhale Which being done and the fermentation being in a moneths time finished the hogshead is to be opened and to be filled up to the brim with wine wrought after that manner with the juice of berries in another hogshead This wine doth purge all serous humors and much helpeth Hydropick persons the dose is a cup less or smaller as the strength of the person is Dioscorides writeth that the root being boiled in wine and given to Hydropick persons in their meat doth help them Whose juice being pressed out doth purge upward and downward like Antimony as Mindererus witnesseth in his Military Medicine cap. 6. So that we are to use it warily and only so much in quantity as the half of a Walnut-shell will hold as he honestly informs He commends there likewise a Sallet made of the buds oyl salt and vinegar which we have set down in the cure of the intestine diseases Forestus lib. 19. Observat 44. affirms That by long experience he had learned that the leaves of Elder being put in Hydrogogick decoctions do excellently purge water chiefly in the Hydropsie The same Forestus in the same book and 87 Observ hath this The bark of the root of the Elder reduced in a Succus the dose is two ounces in fragrant Wine Benedic Veronensis writes that some give four drachms of the juice of the bark of Elder-roots Others give for 9 days together the juice of Elder-bark-roots in a pretty quantity or an ounce in the waning of the Moon and so cure Hydropick persons for it bravely purgeth water as the middle bark of the Elder doth likewise Nicholas at one time gives six ounces of the decoction of middle Elder-bark The same man giveth two or three drachms of the juice of the Elder and of the juice of Ebulus four drachms to an ounce Some give the juice of the middle-bark of the Elder with Oximel Thus far Forestus And this I have set down that all may know there was great difference of the dose amongst the Ancients Nevertheless let him observe faithfully Mindererus his dose till he know the vertues exactly of each Muller in his Medicinal Mysteries saith This is the perfect cure of the Hydropsie R. Of the juice of the recent roots of the white Lilly and of the
having prescribed lighter purges you are immediately to proceed to Sudorificks and cutting Medicines which we have set down made of the juice extract and spirit of the berries and so forth For by these the serosity that resides in the musculous flesh and swels the members are discussed and the desired heat is restored to the cold and weak members and the intrals appointed for nutrition are opened and strengthened The wine of the flowers of the Elder is excellent for ordinary drink By which alone'tis manifest that some after long fevers and other chronical diseases becoming Leucophlegmatick did in an instant untumifie wherefore may be that experiment of Emylio the Countess were more fit to be used in this than in the Ascites Note there was a certain Citizen of Haina who for two years being vexed with a continual falling again into fevers and after that became Leucophlegmatick through his whole body by my advice he was cured by these following First I desired him to use wine wherein the Elder-bark and flowers and the tops of wormwood in equal parts were infused thereby to open the obstructions of the Meseraick vessels to purge the serous pituitous inundations of the first region Of which every morning after he had taken a little broth he was to take a good draught From which time after the belly had for a few days answered the Medicine I desir'd him to swallow a pretty spoonful of Elder-rob mixt with Hearts-horn and having drank Vinegar of the Elder mixed with Wine go to sweat in bed which being done twice or thrice his whole body did detumifie a more lively colour and laudable appetite did return neither to this day hath appeared any residity of Fevers While I was writing these things a grave Matron told me this history she was almost threescore years old being troubled for some weeks with a white Flux of the belly she fell into an Hydropsy so that her belly flesh wonderfully swelling her strength marvellously decayed her daughters being amazed and doubtful of their mothers health they went to a Physician their kinsman then famous in this Country they earnestly desired his counsel help who albeit he was terrifi'd by her weakness proceding from her age sickness to use any cure yet nevertheless through their intreaty he appointed some comfortablethings amongst which he chiefly commended the conserve of Elder-flowers and commanded each morning half an ounce should be given her thereof by which alone through divine assistance she was in a short time recovered and lived till she was fourscore years old to the great wonder of all those that saw and heard it 3. Of a Timpany SEeing of this disease the belly is so swelled of flatuosities that it sounds like a drum if it be beat on and that these flatuosities do proceed from no other cause than from a weak stomach the stomach is to be strengthened and the flatuosities discussed These indications a Purge being premised if needful are well satisfied by the spirit of Granorum Actes simple and stomatical commended much before for a weak stomach seeing it not only strengtheneth but likewise by his subtile faculty penetrateth the most subtile passages of the body and discusseth all flatuosities chiefly if the dose of the Carminant-seeds of Anise and Fennel-seeds be augmented Give every day a spoonful and anoynt the belly with the same Or Take of the Spirit of the Stomatical Granorum Actes two ounces Of the Elder-flowers one ounce and an half Of white Sugar Candy pulverised one ounce mix them The dose one or two spoonfuls Benedict Victor Favorin in 25 cap. of his Empyricks hath these I saw a wonderful effect in curing the flatulent Hydropsie every morning in the dawning this drink was given to the patient Take of the water of the roots of Danewort two ounces Of the Elder four ounces mix them Continue without interruption this drink for thirty days and a wonderful effect will follow But I would ever add some of the syrup of the berries or flowers seeing the distilled water given alone much troubleth the fasting stomach CAP. XXV Of the Stone IN the Stone of the Bladder a Laxative of the Elder Locusts which is most useful in this and other diseases because it only helps nature naturally to go to stool Petraeus Nosolog harm diss 40. Thes 53. The wine made of the flowers and berries help greatly here for first they disburden the stomach and intestines of that serous and mucid humor whereby pure Chyle and less impregnant with those tartarous tinctures is brought to the liver Whence it is that the serous comes not so impure muddy to the urinal passages And besides if any slip be committed here and the tartarous humor be gathered together in these vessels this wine changeth them and with the urine thrusts them out of the body Drink it fasting in the morning the dose a cup full having supt a little broth before it An Anodyne and Emollient Clyster may be made of the decoction of the flowers and leaves of the Elder unto every eight ounces of the strained decoction add three or four ounces of the oil of infused Elder-flowers if we will change more pour this decoction through the ashes of Elder-leaves a little and mix with it besides the oyl two ounces of Elder-hony The pith being cut and swallowed is commonly much praised for moving urine and purging those dregs And I know a man who being troubled with the Ascites and Stone by the perswasion of a Country-woman used only this pith having avoided these dregs and much serousness daily by his urine was cured of his Nephritick pains and Hydropsie There are some that cutting it in thin shaves infused it in the spirit of the berries and after a fortnight press the pith strongly and strain the spirits and give a spoonful of the Colature which they commend much The Lithonthryptick Elder-spirit Take two ounces of the Elder-pith cut as is said put thereon as much of the spirit of the berries well rectified as will cover it Let them stand seven days in a hot place in vessels well closed that nothing evaporate After pressing the pith strain hard the spirit a few times Put into the Colature some bruised Juniper-berries viz. two ounces Leave it likewise for two days in infusion in a hot place in a close vessel Afterward press it again strain it Again infuse as much Juniper-berries into the colature and leave it for three days in the infusion and again press it and strain it and purifie it from all the feculent grounds as much as you are able And so you have the stone-break spirit of the Elder indued with the essence of Elder-pith and Juniper-berries which you are to keep in a stopt close glass whose use is excellent in breaking and expelling the stone especially if it be used as followeth First the nefritick person is to purge his belly with Polychrestick powder of the buds or with the Clyster prescribed a
together that they may become like a Cataplasm which is to be applyeddaily to the contused part To take away the marks and impressions anoynt them with oyle of infused flowers In intertrigoes when the flesh and not the skin is infected the unction of Plater or Matthiolus his Liniament besprinkling it with the subtile Powder of Elder-leaves is profitable Or make this Magisterial Powder which with great commodity is sprinkled on the emunctories of new-born babes viz. behind their ears in their armpits and groines Take of Elder-leaves half an ounce Of the flowers of the same Of Red-Roses of each two drach Mix them for a Powder which being sprinkled consumeth the moysture and drieth the place CAP. XXXII Of Burning and Congelation Topicks DIoscorides saith That the green and tender leaves being applyed with Pollent helpeth burning These following are commended by Authors first the oyle of infused flowers and bark secondly the oyle of the leaves and bark fryed in butter and oyle thirdly the two liniaments of Matthiolus and Plater the receits of which are set down in the second Section in the second and fourth Chapters The Uses A member being burned with fire gun Powder boyling water c. is to be easily anoynted with these warm and afterwards to be wrapt in soft and warm linnen For each one of them hath the vertue of rarifying the skin of drawing out hot vapors mitigating pain digesting and drying of serosity and of curing the raised blabs in ulcers and in restoring the diseased place as much as is possible to its wonted beauty If the burning pierce more deep so that the blabs being broken and the skar taken a way it degenerateth into an ulcer besides these oyles and oyntments you must sprinkle easily and lightly every day the powder of the leaves and pith which doth excellently dry and by cleansing moderately doth fill ulcers with flesh In this case oyles are more profitable then liniaments as will be easily found by any that use them This following unguent as a singular experiment is commended in all kinds of burning by the famous Donâ—relius for easing pain or quenching the force of the heat and soon and safely curing the ulcers also it is happily applyed to Herpes Miliaris and other out-breakings which come from yellow bile or salt humors Take of the middle-bark of the Lynden-tree Of the Elder of each one handful Of Linseed half an ounce The barks are to be cut in small pieces infused together with the seed in a sufficient quantity of the water of Elder-flowers for the space of three hours warm then add half an ounce of sheeps dung mix them and boyle them in a double vessel in May-butter unsalted washed oft in fountain water and at last in the water of Elder-flowers till the humidity be perfectly consumed Strain them and add of yellow wax as much as sufficeth mix them and according to art make an oyntment They are Donerelius his words If the ulcer become more sordid use the things in the precedent Chapter Lac aureum drank up in Linnen clothes and applyed is profitable of which we have spoken in the cure of Erysipelas Internals When many parts or those situated next the nobler parts are burned and then the unnaturel heat spreadeth it self over the whole body you are to use those things set down in the cure of the hot feaver Or make this Julap Take of the water of Elder-flowers half a pound Of the acetous syrup of the Elder two ounces Of Hearts-Horn burned and preparred two scruples Mix them for two doses for it cooleth the heatned spirits it extinguisheth the thirst dissipateth the Empereum and roborateth the strength The Cure of Congelation or Brosting Apply to the frosted parts the middle bark of the Elder or linnen moystned in their decoction When they clif the powder of Elder-bark pith and flowers reduced to a liniamenth with the oyle of infused flowers in commended the parts therewith being anoynted daily Apply upon it linnen moystned in the Golden Milk of the Elder for it drieth and hindreth a Gangreene See more in the cure of Ulcers CAP. XXXIII Of Poysons Inflicted outwardly or taken into the body IN the stinging of venemous beasts the green leaves of the Elder being applyed are praised because they draw out the poyson and dry the wound Dioscorides especially commends the same pounded leaves applyed to the bite of a mad dog George Amwald in his Panacea bids us dissolve Rob of the Elder in Vinegar and Wine and rub therewith the stung or bitten place and wash it therewith In the stinging of Wasps and Bees anoint the place with the oyle of the infused flowers or with that which is prest out of the kernels of the berries and put a leaf thereon it mitigateth the pain and in a short time causeth the tumor to fall and evanish To stop the poyson of the Vipers bitings besides these Topicks Dioscorides bids us boyle the roots of Elder in Wine and drink the Colature He attributeth the same vertue to the berry drank in Wine 'T is better to use the Wine of the berries to take two drachmes of the Rob or as many scruples of the extract in the water of Elder-flowers and provoke sweat In Philtrums or those Potions wicked Whores use to give for love or in other poysons taken inwardly nothing is better then upon the suspition immediately to cast all up by vomit that is in the stomach Give two ounces or three of the oyle of the infused flowers or bark of the Elder in warm Ale and accelerate vomit Or take an indifferent spoonful of the oyle pressed out of the kernels give it in warme Ale For by this means all venom that is in the stomach is happily excluded and the corrosive acrimony of the poyson is qualified use it again if it be needful Which being done provoke sweat that that which sticketh in the veins for the more maligne the humor is the more it penetrateth and like ferment infecteth the whole bloud must be evacuated by sweat Those things which were brought for the Plague are profitable here Rob simple and Antilemick their extracts c. of which give as much as is convenient to the age and strength of the patient dissolved in the distilled water of Elder-flowers of other convenient liquor And seeing seldom the force of the poyson is daunted by once or twice but rather under the subtile shew of a servant as being overcome and obeying Natures command by secret mines lurketh and worketh to overthrow the strength of Nature and overcome it by little and little Therefore the use of these Alexitericks is not to be intermitted but to be continued till all the poyson and maligne impressions that remain be extirpate out of the body This mixture is profitable Take of the Conserve of Elder-flowers of the flowers of Burrage as much as you will mix them Give half an ounce thereof daily an hour or two before dinner Drink a spoonful of the juice of the berries above it Give two drachmes every week of the Rob of the Elder in the water of Elder-flowers and provoke sweat in bed or bath After the sweat the heat to be tempered with a spoonful or two of the sowre syrup of the Elder This experiment is praised by many Take of the middle Elder-bark subtilly shaven and dry it lightly in the shadow a little more then a handful put on it three quarters of a pound of Goats milk boyle it on a soft fire till the half be consumed of whose Colature drink morning and evening They say that this doth absolutely out-rout all poyson given by whores and knaves though it were given three years before If it do not succeed at first the patient is to use it often and by divine assistance he shall obtain the wished event The Conclusion THese things Courteous and kind Reader I thought fit to set down of the Elder and the use thereof and Medicines Those Dishes which may be prepared of the flowers and berries at that time when they are to be had in great abundance green for the preventing of many diseases seeing they are well known to Cooks by daily experience To what diseases they agree is known by what is said If there occur any thing here which doth not please you it is your part favourably to construct it and to withhold the censure till you try all things more exactly in the infallible ballance of reason and experience I leave for praise nor crave For praise enough I have If not contemned by thee Courteous Reader I be If those things that are omitted obscure or not rightly delivered be by thy more pollisht judgment added illustrated and corrected thou shalt deserve infinite favours from me and all those honorers of Medicine and Nature For nothing can be more happy then to know much and we are to learn that we way know Neither at any time was there any of such qualified reason but things age and use will afford-him some new objects some new observations So that what thou thoughtst thou knewst thou unknowst and despisest that upon thy tryal which thou didst most trust For there was never any thing more unrighteous then an unjust man which holds and believes nothing right but what he fathers Farewel and what ere thou art favour these endeavors and together with me in this wonderful and unexhaustible variety of things devoutly admire and piously worship the unsearchable depths of Divine Wisdom and Goodness FINIS
the Products of Pesants yet are more safe and effectual for out bodies and diseases then the most renowned Exoticks For Nature with a plentiful Horn hath provided each Climate proper Medicines This being considered by the ingenious it will not only press upon them a thankful remembrance of the Author for gathering but of you also for procuring the Translation of these Experiments This Translation owes you its Life and lies prostrate at your feet to be exposed or cherished If it please you 't is all the Translator desires if not 't is all he could do in these rough and rugged hils where even the common elements are barbarous But he knows you are ready to entertain any foundling of his though full of deformities thereby to encourage him for better births Wherefore he beseecheth you will take this Paper-indeavor as a fragment of the great duty he owes you till he be able in more worthy expressions to declare himself SIR Your sincere Clyent C. de IRYNGIO At the Camp in Athol June 30. 1651 THE INDEX OF THE ANATOMY of the ELDER Sect. I. OF the names kinds form place qualities of the Elder page 1 Sect. II. Of the Medicines made of the Elder 10 Chap. 1. Of the Medicines of the Berries 11 1. The Rhob Tincture Extract ib. 2. The Wines 13 3. Spirits and Waters 14 4. Syrups and Trageas 16 5. The oyle pressed from the stones ib. Chap. 2. Of the Medicines of the flowers 1. Conserves p. 18 2. Syrups and Honey ib. 3. Water and Spirits 19 4. Vinegar and Oxymel 21 5. Wines 22 6. Oyles by Infusion Distillation 23 Chap. 3. Of the Medicine of the buds 26 1. Powders ib. 2. Conserves ib. 3. Syrups 27 Chap. 4. Of the Leaves middle-bark roots Jews-ears c. 28 1. Waters ib. 2. Syrups 29 3. Oyles and Liniaments ib. Chap. 5. Of the Salt and its Spirit 32 Sect. III. Shewing the practice and use of the Elder Medicaments 35 Chap. 1. Of the Cephalalgia page 36 2. Of ravings and wakings 38 3. Hypocondriack Melancholy 40 4. Of the Epilepsie 45 5. Of the Apoplexie and Palsie 56 6. Of Catharres 61 7. Of the Toothach 63 8. The diseases of the eyes 66 9. The dregs of ears and hearing 70 10. Of the nose and smelling ib. 11. Of the face and head 74 12. Of the mouth and throat 76 13. Of Dispnea and Astmate 79 14. Of the host and hoarsnesse 82 15. Of the plurisie and pthisis 85 16. Of the diseases of the dugs 89 17. Of swouning and faintnesse 91 18 Of Feavers and 1. Of intermitting 93 2. Of continued and burning 104 19. Of the pest and pestilential feavers 106 20. Of the small-pox and measles 118 21. Of the diseases of the stomach 120 22. Of the Diseases of the Intestines of the Collick 125 Worms 128 Leienterie and Coeliack Fluxes 130 Dyssentery 131 Constipation of the belly 135 Hemorrhoides 136 23 Of the obstructions of the Mesentery Liver Lien from whence proceed both the Jaundies and Scurvie 138 24. Of the Hydropsie 144 1. Ascites ib. 2. Anasarca 158 3. Tympany 161 25. Of the stone in the Reins of the Dysury and Iscury 163 26. Of the diseases of the Matrix 170 Retention of Flowers ib. Fluxion 173 Suffocation of the Matrix 174 27. Of Arthritical Diseases 183 28. Of the scab and its kinds 192 29. Of the Erysipelas or Rose 201 30. Of Inflammations Oedemas and Schirrous Tumors 208 31. Of Wounds Ulcers and Contusions 211 32. Of burning and congelation 219 33. Of poyson outwardly and inwardly 224 Medicines set down in the Practice 1. An Amulet Epileptick Sect. 3. Cap. 4. For the Rose 29 2. A Balsam vulnerary 31 3. A Bath for the scab 28 4. A Cataplasm for a spreading Herpes ib. 5. A decoction for host and hearsnesse 14 6. A decoction against Philtres and other poyson 33 7. The Experiment of Countess Emylia 24 8. Extract Granor. Actes Quer. 26 Lithontribon 25 Antilemick 19 9. Lac aureum 29 10. A liquor of Snails and Elder-kernels which is Anodine 27 11. Oyle topick in the Plague 19 12. Oyle of Elder-sugar 13 13. Misture uterine 26 14. Powder Traumattick 31 15. Polychrestick of the buds 3 16. Rob Antimelick of the Elder 19 17. A specifick in the Rose The Spirits of the Elder 24 18. Apoplectick 5 19. Bezoartick 19 29. Epileptick 4 21. Hysterick 26 22. Lythonthriptick 25 23. Pneumatick 13 24. Stomachick 21 25. The syrup acetous of the Elder 19 26. Sugar candid of the Elder 14 27. Tragea Granorum Actes 22 28. Trochiscation of Elder-stones 3 29. A water Anodine c. 27 30. A water-purge of the berries 24 31. The Wine of the berries of Quercetan ib. Mundus regitur opinionibus OF THE ANATOMY OF THE Elder or Boor Tree SECT 1. Of the Name Kinds Form Place and Quality of the ELDER TREE SEeing the Elder is a Tree most known even to the rudest of the Commons it seems a matter not worth the pains to describe it in many words Nevertheless lest in this respect our Treatise should seem lame some things are to be prefaced out of the ancient and Modern Botanicks I. The Name 'T is called by Dioscorides and other Greeks 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because it is a lover of brinks and shadowy banks as is thought by Pena and Lobel in their Advers of Plants p. 434. which name Theophrastus Paracelsus hath retain'd in whose and the modern Chymist-writing you will find frequent mention of Granorum Actes and of Medicines prepared of them 'T is called of the Latins Sambucus or by others chiefly of Q. Serenus as witnesseth Hugh Frida Val. l. 2. de tuend san c. 26. Sabucus from the likeness the musical Instrument called Sabuc or Sambuck hath with its hollow and pith-emptied rods Pena and Lob in the place before cited Whence till this day 't is called by the Spaniards Sabuco or Sabugo by the Germans Holunder or by contraction Holder albeit there be some which imagine 't is from the many vertues thereof called Holder as it were deduced from Hulder Or Hulderich but in this we will not contend with any The Italian names it Sambuco the French Susier Suyn and Susau the Bohemians Bez the English the Elder tree the Scots Boor tree or Bore tree the Low Dutch Ulier See Tabernomontanus Herbal part 3. sect 1. c. 62. II. The Kinds Matthiolus and others speak of four kinds thereof The Domestick the Mountain the Water Elder and the Little Elder or Danwort whereof the first and last are most commended in Medicine by Physicians who herein follow Dioscord viz. the Elder tree properly so called and the Ebulus called the less Dwarf or low Elder But because both these kinds as we will hear anon out of Dioscorides differ little or not at all one from the other in vertue I will describe here the Domestik or Elder tree properly so called by which you may easily judge what is to be thought of the Ebulus III. The Form
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
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
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-Elder-vinegar lib. 1. and an half boil them again on the consistence of a syrup You may to procure a more sweet smell in a knot of fine linnen infuse in it an ounce of Cinamon grosly powdered and sometimes wring it The syrup being cold let it be kept in a galli-pot of which give oft some spoonfuls by it self or dissolve it in the distilled water of Burrage sweet Roses Elder Scabious or such like The
Cure of the Buboes and Carbuncles Apply to Buboes pestilential and Carbuncles a Plaster made of the meal of Elder-flowers and Hony which is excellent in ripening these tumors Or take of the oyl more special which just now was set down Of crude Hony of each half an ounce of Salt Ammoniac drach 1. of the Meal of the flowers and leaves of the Elder of each as much as sufficeth let them all be exactly wrought till they become like a plaster Some apply the feces of the flowers macerated in oyl and press it out which they call Stymma Some rost Onions under the ashes and pound them and mix them with the Rob of the Elder and apply them as a Cataplasm to the risings of the skin Amongst other vesiccatories which is applied happily to these contumacious lumps the famous Sennert recites these following Take of Mustard-seed of middle Elder-bark equal parts pound them with Vinegar in form of a Cataplasm which is to be spread on a white linnen cloath Or Take of the leaves of the Elder of Burrage Of Mustard-seed Of Rancide Nut-kernels equal parts Let them be pounded and applied having first anointed the place round about with Theriack The Apostume being open and become an ulcer a linament made of hony and the juice of Elder-leaves is to be applied which every day twice a day being put in with lint tents it dighteth away the quittous and mundifies the ulcer the oyl pressed out of the berries kernels and mixt with the third and fourth part of Turpentine oyl is much praised See the rest in the Cure of Ulcers CAP. XX. Of the Small Pox and Measles SEeing these spots and pushes depend upon that putred and malign humor which nature troubled with it doth expel to the skin and external parts it is commodious to commit the whole business to nature if she work righly and effectually But seeing before they break out a fever doth possess those tender bodies which is unknown whether it be a token of the Pox and Meazles or of pituite putrefying in the stomach or neighbouring parts It is commodious to give to Infants a spoonful or two of the infused flowers For if it be the Pox it causeth them to strike out if it be putred pituit in the stomach it gently purgeth it If it be to one of riper age give him one or more ounces adding according to his strength yea on the first day before nature go about to expel the Pox of the Polichrestick powder of the Elder-buds a scruple or half a drachm whereby nature being disburdened of the sinck of the first region more happily and easily may expel the rest which is mixed with the mass of blood After this the water of the Elder-flowers given in spoonfuls is good for it strengeheneth the heart and thrusteth forth that putred and malign humor both in children and in those that are older it may be sweetned with syrup of the berries Which if they come forth more slowly or sparingly besides internals we must use unctions of whose matter and manner we have spoken in the former Chapter Alpinus testifies that the Egyptians have none more excellent and familiar in all their Pox and malignant spots than these And our women would do well to follow their foot-steps forsaking old wives fables which oft times bring not so much help as hazard Nevertheless we are to have a care that a little after we wipe the whole body with soft and warm linnen cloths in a warm place free of all cold To quench thirst where the feverish heat is more vehement and the strength more vanquisht use those Julaps we have mentioned in the cure of Fevers But if you perceive by the continued host that the Pox hath seized on the lungs abstain from these sharp things and instead of them use the syrup of the flowers or of the juice of Elder-berries being thickned with Sugar for a Linctus The distilled water of the flowers of the Elder sweetned with the same syrups is to be used for a Julap to strengthen the intestines and prevent a flux mix with it Tragea granorum actes CAP. XXI Of the Diseases of the Stomach A Weak cold stomach and of hard digestion is helped by the Spirit of Granorum actes which doth greatly strengthen the same consumes corrupt phlegm and helps concoction being taken with a little fine white Bread and Sugar in quantity a spoonful or two The Stomatical spirit of the Elder Is more efficacious and is this Take of our Acorous roots and Ginger of each half an ounce Of Mynt Crisped one handful Of Fennel-seeds and Anise-seeds of each two drachms Being cut and pounded pour upon them the spirit of the grains of the berries of the Elder that it may be four fingers deep above them Let them infuse twelve or fourteen days every day stirring them about Afterward strain or distil from them the stomatical spirit whose uses are many For it is not only to be taken inwardly as we have said but likewise externally to be applied to the cold and weak stomach with linnen for it helps difficulty of concoction stops vomit and mitigateth all pains and sobbings which proceed from a cold temper or windy humor If there be nauceousness or vomit with oppressing of the heart and difficulty of breathing it is suspicious that these effects proceed from tough phlegm or some other putred humor gathered there then give two ounces of the oil of infused flowers or bark of the Elder with black water and by thrusting the finger in the throat provoke vomit or give a drachm of the oil drawn out of the berries and kernels in a draught of warm Ale hasten vomit By which means any thing that 's trouble to the stomach will be cast up which being done give a spoonful of the stomatical Elder-spirit or simple well sweetned with Sugar and imbibed in the heart of the Rie-bread for strengthening the stomach That Wine which is prepared of the dried berries as we appointed is altogether stomatical and greatly helpeth the weak and windy stomach whereof you must drink oft chiefly in time of supper a cup full or two Neither is it to be objected that Dioscorides says That Elder is hurtful to the stomach seeing he speaks there of the crude and unprepared which we acknowledge is hurtful to the stomach as some preparations thereof likewise are but experience it self doth attest that this wine and other medicines thereof have great vertue in corroborating and comforting the stomach The spirit of Elder-salt taken in six grains or more weekly in flesh-broth doth cleanse the stomach and stir up appetite In the burning of the stomach and Cardialgia proceeding from hot bilous humors which hath flowed into it from other parts or hath been ingendred and corrupted there if it be needful you may give a vomit of the oyl pressed out of the kernels The acetous syrup of the Elder described in the 19 Chapter is profitable whereof give an
cold and poysonous vapors evacuate out of the utrenal sink and vindicate the more nobler intrals from their infection and restore freer breathing Gabel Shover taketh a handful of Jews-ears and infuseth them in a quart of the spirit of Wine of the which he giveth the diseased a full draught in time of her fit The Antiepileptick Elder-spirit if it be used instead of the Juniper is good and with it anoynt the belly below the navel toward the secrets Or prepare for this and such diseases this that follows The Histerick Spirit of the Elder Take of the middle bark of the Elder one ounce Of the roots of white Dittany Of round Birthwort of each three drachmes Of the dried leaves of the Elder one handfull Of red Artimesia or Mugwort Of Prrsley of each half an handfull Of the flowres of white Lillies two drachmes Of clean Jews-ears three in number Being cut infuse them in a competent quantity of Elder-sprit that it may be a hand-breadth above them Let them stand in infusion for ten daies every day stirr them twice afterwaad distill them in Balneo foa the Histerick spirit of which give a half or whole spoonfull in time of the fit and with the same anoynt the lower belly by rubbing it in as hath been prescribed Not only in the suffocation of the Matrix which by excellency is called the Histerick passion but also it is excellent for the stopped flowers and other cold and moist diseases of the womb It helpeth likewise to expel the dead child secondines if after universals and topicks a spoonfull thereof be given in white Wine or some distilled water three or four drops of the oyle of the flowers of the second description being mixt therewith Extractum Granorum Actes Hystericum Of the ripe grains of the Elder dried in the shadow Quercetan forms an Extract which is a specifick Histerick and is called of the Chymists Extractum Granorum Actes It is thus prepared Gather a great quantity of the grains of the Elder well dried in the shadow having thrown all the rest of the berry away reserve the grains only with which fill a long-necked great Cucurbit to the middle put upon it the strong spirit of wine made acid with the acid liquor either of Vitriol or Sulphure that it may be three or four fingers broad above the matter the vessel being closed that nothing may breath out Digest it for five or six days in B.M. till the spirit of the wine receive the tincture of a Ruby which you shall separate by inclination having a care that none of the dregs or troubled matter go with it Of which tincture not having separated its menstruum that is the aqua vitae which without any corruption or alteration will be kept long unto which you may add a little Sugar if you will make it have a more pleasant taste you may give a half or whole silver spoonful to women troubled with the suffocation of the Matrix shall be unexpectedly and as it were miraculously weakened and restored to their perfect health Again if you will separate from it the aqua vitae by an Alimbeck in Balneo vaporoso till the extract remain in the bottom of a most excellent red colour whereof give a scruple for a dose in its own proper distilled water or in other convenient waters or in white wine and it will become red Thus far Quercetan The Uterine mixture which I used to prepare is this First I take the berries of the Elder dried in a flow heat of the Bake-house of Mugwort and of Castoreum as much as I please I put upon each of them by themselves in a Viol some of the rectified spirits of the Elder and draw out the essence according to art and I purifie each one of them by themselves and keep them in Glasses Afterwards Take of the essence of Elder-berries six ounces Of Balm-mint three ounces Of Castor Of the spirit of Vitriol well rectified of each one ounce Being mixed I put them in a Glass of a narrow throat and I digest them for ten days in a warm Balneo that they may be well united and if any dregs be in them they may go to the bottom from which I separate that which is clear I strain it and keep it in a well-stopped Glass The dose is a little spoonful alone and dissolved in some appropriate water but if the body be full of ill humors I first purge it with the Polychrestick powder of Elder-buds In place of Appendix I thought fit to joyn hereto the Medicines made of the Elder long ago commended and commanded by our great Chieftain and Master Hippocrates in Uterine Affections In the Hydropsie of the Matrix he commendeth the fruit of the Elder given fasting in wine lib. 1. de morb mulier He saith this purgeth things to be purged in Child-bed boil the leaves of the Elder and give the water thereof to drink ibidem If the womb be inflamed in child-birth let her sup hot the tender leaves of the Elder lightly boiled with the grossest part of recent wheat-meal ibid. In the same place he commands us to put into the secrets a long piece of Elder-pith the tenderer part being shaven In Ulcers of the womb pound Linseed and Elder-berries together mix hony with them and make a Plaster and use it ibid. Or the leaves of the Elder and of the Lentisk being boiled in water and strained are to be injected warm Lib. de natur mulier The same things being likewise pounded with Muss may be outwardly applied ibid. In a filthy ulceration of the Matrix boyl the berries of the Elder and Lawrel in equal potions in wine afterward inject that wine lib. 1. d. m. m. Or take the berries of the Elder Anice Franckincense Myrrh Wines and inject their juices ibid. Whereby the courses are likewise provoked ibid. To expel the Secondine first apply a Foment made of the decoction of Elder-leaves and then that which is made of Cantharides ibid. In very great fluxes of the courses apply a Cataplasm made of Elder and Mirtle-leaves lib. 2. m. m. Or boil in water the leaves of Elder and Lentisk and with the Colature warm wash the Matrix ibid. In the strangulation of the Matrix R. Three half quarts of Oyl and a handful of Elder-leaves boil this and make a fomentation therewith or with hot shels put in it make a Stove placing the woman in a chair and covering her with cloths Or boil the leaves of Elder and Mirtle and in the strained water boil Barley-chaff and make a Stove if she can endure the heat thereof ibid. If the pain be vehement after her purging boil in black wine the Lawrel and Elder-berries and wash it therewith ibid. Or boil the Elder in water and having strained the water put to it sweet wine and wash therewith Of which and many others you may view Hippocrates in those Books and places mentioned CAP. XXVII Of the Arthritick Disease HOw