Buglosse Hops Syrupes and Violets doe macerate this humor in very good sorte You may prepare an apozeme with the same hearbes which I haue mentioned here aboue The vse also of Whay and Goats or Asses milke will serue well to water and moisten this humour withall Outward remedies The outward remedies are either vniuersall or particular the vniuersall are bathes Galen boasteth himselfe to haue cured many melancholike persons with the onely vse of baths of warme water Bathes or else you may if the whole body bee very drie and the skinne very rugged make an artificiall one with the rootes of Holibocks leaues of Mallowes Violets Lettuses Succorie with the seedes of Melons and Gourds Barley and the flowers of Violets you must bathe oft and stay long in at a time but not so long as to cause any sweate At the time of being in the bath you may haue two bags filled with sweete and bitter Almonds and the seede of Melons grosly pownded and therwith rubbe all the skinne ouer If you wil make your bath well you must put warme water in your bathing tub ouer night and there let it stand and breath till morning Ointments for the whole bodie at which time you shall go into it There be many practicioners in Phisicke which make such baths of milke only as also it is oftentimes done in the case of consumption In comming forth of the bath there are some which inioine the body to be annointed al ouer with the oile of sweete Almonds Violets or new fresh butter Applying of remedies vnto the head There are which applie remedies vnto the head as being the part most affected and they vse such as doe moisten whether they be lotionsor embrocations and these made of warme water and of the same decoctions or else of the oyles of the seede of Gourdes sweete Almonds and Violets or else of milke Comforting medicines The third kinde of remedies good in melancholike cases is of such as doe strengthen and cheere vp the spirits which are as Auicen saith become wilde and duskish It behooueth therefore to strengthen the braine and to cheere vp the heart the which intentions are effected by inward and outward meanes the inward Sytupes Opiates Lozenges and pouders Inward remedies the outward are Epithemes bags and ointments I will giue you an example of each of them An excellent Syrope The fittest syrupe that I haue found both for the cheering and moistening of melancholike persons is this which I am about to set downe being first inuented by Mounsieur Castellane mine vncle and one of the greatest and happiest Phisitions of his time and ordinarily imployed in his calling by Kings and Queenes Take of the iuice of Borage and Buglosse a pound and a halfe of the iuice of apples that are very sweete a pound of the iuice of Balme halfe an ounce of Diers graines infused in the former iuices a long time and after strained out three drammes of Saffron halfe a dramme of fine Sugar two pounds make these in a syrupe boyled to his height and aromatize it with a dramme and a halfe of the powder of the Diamargaritum that is cold and foure scruples of the powder of Diamber there must be taken of it euening and morning two or three spoonefull There are many sorts of Opiates but I will content my selfe to set down this one Take of the Conserue of the rootes of Buglosse Opiates and of the flowers of Borage of each one ounce of preserued Mirabplanes and of the rindes of Citrons condited of each halfe an ounce of the confection of Alkermes three drammes of the powders of Diamargariton and of the Electuarie of precious stones of each one dramme make thereof an Opiate with the syrupe of Apples whereof you must take a little in the morning drinking after it some Claret wine delayed with the water of Buglosse I will set downe some receipts of lozenges and powders in the chapter intreating of that melancholie which is begot amōgst the bowels and called the flatuouse or windie melancholie Outward remedies for the cheering vp of the spirits The outward remedies are applied vnto the braine and heart Vnto the braine there are applied powders and caps But in asmuch as the greatest part of these aromaticall things are hote and drie we must vse them but sparinglie Vnto the heart wee may more boldly applie Epithemes Bags and ointments An Epitheme for the heart Take of the waters of Borage and Buglosse of each halfe a pound of the waters of Balme and Scabiouse of each foure ounces of good white wine two ounces of the powder of colde Diamargaritum one dramme of the confection of Alkermes three drammes of the seede of Balme and Diers graines of each one dramme mixe al together and make Epithemes thereof and applie them to the region of the heart with a piece of scarlet If liquid Epithemes dislike you then you may vse a solide one with the cordiall conserues or else you may weare bags vpon the region of your hart the descriptions whereof I leaue vntill I come to the chapter of windie melancholie where they shall come in more fitly for the purpose in asmuch as those which are troubled with the windie melancholie haue almost continually the panting and beating of the heart And thus much for the three kinds of remedies which are in my mind needful for the curing of that melancholy which is setled in the braine being purgatiues alteratiues and comfortatiues The means to remedie too much watchfulnes There remaineth as yet vnremoued a tedious and trouble some accident which is continuall watching which now and then whippeth melancholike men so cruelly as that therby many haue bene plunged into the pit of despaire Wherefore I will addresse my selfe with all the best wits I haue or deuises I can inuent to set downe the meanes of their comfort Inward means to procure sleepe Sleepe is procured by inward and outward meanes We will haue diuers sortes of the inward because melancholike persons doe loue varietie We shall make for them mundified barlie a Condite an Opiate a Tart a Restauratiue a Potion a bole and masse of pils all giuen to procure sleepe A mundified barley The mundified barley is made with the flowre of barley prepared as is meet with Almonds which haue been infused in Rose water with the foure cold seeds the seeds of Poppie rosed Surgar A Condite The forme of the condite shal be such Take of the conserues of the flowers of Borage and Buglosse of each three drammes of the pulpe of Gourds confected and of the rindes of Citrons of each two drammes of white Poppie and Mellon seedes of each a dramme of rosed Sugar so much as is needfull make thereof a condite whereof you shall take at night two or three spoonefuls An Opiate The Opiate shall be thus made Take of the conserues of the pulpe of
Gourds and of the rootes of Lettuse of each an ounce of the conserue of Roses and Water-lillie of each halfe an ounce of the powder of the colde Diamargaritum a dram of Poppie seede two scruples make thereof an Opiate with the syrupe of Violets Of this you must take at night the quātitie of a chestnut For varietie sake you may make a Marchpane A Marchpane Take of sweete Almonds blanched and washed in hot water and afterward infused in Rosewater a pound and a halfe of white Poppie seede very new and well mundified three ounces of fine Sugar two pound worke them into a paste and with the water of Roses make a Marchpane of this you shall take when you go to sleepe There are in like maner resumptiues Restauratiues or restauratiues of a liquide forme Take the white of a good Capon of water of Roses and Water-lillies of each a quart of Buglosse Purcelane and Sorrell waters of each foure ounces of the powder of colde Diamargaritum two drammes distill all these together in Maries bath The potion may be prescribed after this maner A Potion Take of the syrupe of Violets Apples and Poppie of each halfe an ounce of the powder of Diamargaritum a scruple make hereof a potion with the decoction of Lettuses and Endiue And for such as may delight in a bole this which followeth may serue A Bole. Take of the conserue of Roses three drams of Requies Nicolai one dram and with a little Sugar make a bole Orelse Take of the conserue of the flowers of red Poppie two drammes Pilles of new Treacle one dram and with a little Sugar make a bole If pilles be in request then let there be made as followeth Take of the pilles of Hounds-tongue or of Styrax one scruple let them bee moystned with the syrupe of Apples The Chymists make a Laudanum But in the vse of all these stupefactiue medicines taken inwardly wee must take heed to deale with very good aduise for feare that in stead of desiring to procure rest vnto the sillie melancholike wretch wee cast him into an endlesse sleepe Outwarde meanes to procure sleepe The outward remedies are not altogether so dangerous and wee may frame tenne or twelue sorts of them as head powders frontlets bags emplasters oyntments epithemes nosegaies pomanders and lotions for the legs Take of the flowers of red Poppie and red Roses of each three drams of Lettuse A powder Purcelane and white Poppie seede of each two drams of red Saunders and the seede of Coriander prepared of each a dramme and a halfe make them all into powder and cast it vpon the head the haire being shaued A Frontlet Of the them same powder may a Frontlet bee made putting thereto of the flowers of Water-lillies and a little Margerome You may make great bagges after the fashion of pillowes Bags which shall be filled with the flowers of Roses and the leaues and seedes of white Henbane An Epitheme You may applie this Epitheme vnto the head Take of the distilled waters of Lettuse Sorrell and Roses of each three ounces of the powder of cold Diamargaritum one dram of red Roses and red Saunders two scruples make thereof an Epitheme Let the oyntment bee like vnto this An oyntment Take of populeon halfe an ounce and as much of Galens colling oyntment of oyle of Roses an ounce mixe all together with a little vineger and therwith annoynt the head browes and nostrils You may also make this plaister An Emplaister Take of Castoreum a dram and a halfe of Opium half a scruple mixe both together with a little water of life and make two small plaisters thereof and applie them to the temples You may make Nosegaies of flowers of Violets Nosegaies Roses of Willowe and a little Margerome they must be dipped in rosed vineger and in the juyce of Lettuse and Poppie wherein a little Opium and Camphire hath been dissolued Or else Take two heads of Poppie beat together Nodules tye them vp in three nodules or knots then hauing in readines of Styrax three drams of Rose water sixe ounces and a little Opium dip these nodules in the licour and smell vnto them oftentimes A pomander There may also an Apple be made to smell vnto Take of the seede of Henbane of the rinde of the rootes of Mandrags of the seede of Hemlocke of each one dram of Opium a Scruple of the oyle of Mandrags a little mixe all these with the iuyce of Fumitorie and Houseleeke and make an apple thereof which if you smell vnto it will cause you now and then to sleepe put vnto these to correct them a little Amber and Muske There are some which with good successe doe applie Horseleaches behinde the eares Blood suckers or horseleaches and hauing taken away the Horseleaches they put by little and little a graine of Opium vpon the hole Lotions for the legs Lotions for the legges doe much auaile to cause one to sleepe Take of the leaues of the Orange tree and of Margerome of each a good handfull two heads of white Poppie of Roses and Waterlillie flowers and Camomill of each a pugill boyle them all together in two parts of water and one of white wine and herewith you must wash the thighes and legges of the sicke partie at night letting it be good and hot I thinke that by this meanes you may procure sleepe vnto the most melancholike man in the world It is true that to preuent that these cooling things may not altogether quench that small store of naturall heate that is in them you must cause them to take now and then some cordiall Syrupes or comfortable Opiates And thus much for the cure of that melancholie which chiefly affecteth the braine That melancholie which commeth of a drie distemperature of the whole bodie is cured almost by the same helpes I come therefore vnto the windie melancholie but because there is one kinde of this essentiall melancholy which happeneth through raging and fond loue and that it requireth a speciall maner of curing I will first speake of the same CHAP. X. Of another kinde of melancholie which commeth by the extremitie of loue THere is another kinde of melancholie verie ordinarie and common which the Greeke Phisitions call Erotike The names of amourous melancholie because it commeth of a furie and raging loue the Arabians call it Iliscus and the common sort the diuine Passion imputing the cause thereof to the pettie god which the Poets haue made so great reports of Cadmus Milesius if we may credit Suydas hath written foureteene great volumes of this subiect which are not at this day to be found I will onely make two chapters of it the one describing the maladie the other the remedies I will not here curiously search out the crimologie of loue and why this name Eros was giuen vnto it neither will I vndertake to define it seeing very
ransackt euery part therof brake forth with so great violence at the mouth as that all those that stoode by were afraide and then the fit ceasing the sicke partie felt himselfe relieued And yet this is not all for two or three moneths before he died he had euery day two or three little and light soundes his heart fainted and fayled him by reason of an extreame great desire that he had to pisse and when he had pissed became to himselfe againe but the fiercenes of the sickenesse was so great that the Soule in the ende was constrained to forgoe her lodging I was called to the opening of the bodie because that ordinarilie I had counselled him in his sickenes together with one of my fellow Phisitions Mounser Hucher Chancellour of our Vniuersitie whom I am willing for honour sake to name and as knowing him to be one of the most learned and best practised Phisitions of our times I found his breast halfe full of blacke and stinking water therewith the left ventricle of the heart was all filled and in the trunke of the great arterie a man might see the same colour At which time I calling to minde a notable place in Galen in his sixth booke of diseased parts I shewed vnto the companie that the cause of these faintings and of his earnest desire to pisse came of this cursed humour which hauing pained the heart passed from thence by the arteries vnto the reynes A worthie obseruation for the defence of Galen and from thence vnto the bladder It was my intent to stand vpon this by the waie that so I may take occasion to defend Galen against the false accusations of young Phisitions which thinke that putrified and purulent matter gathered in the breasts of those which are troubled with the disease Empyema and Pleurisies cannot purge and conuay it selfe away by the heart or arteries I haue handled this matter more largelie in the third booke of my Anatomicall workes The second historie The other historie is also very strange I obserued it this winter at Towers and was called to counsaile about the same with Mounser Anselmeau Valeseau and Vertunian very learned Phisitions and of great experience A young Lord euer since he was eight or nine yeares olde was troubled with this Hypochondriake disease he heard euery day about nine of the clocke in the morning a little noyse on his spleene side afterward he perceiued avapour to rise which made all his breast and face red and seazed the top of his head the veines of his temples did beate very forciblie the veines of his face were puffed vp and at the corners of his browes where the veines doe end he felt an extreame paine which passed not the breadth of a shilling the rednes ran all along his left arme euen vnto the fingers ends and was like a Saint Anthonies fire or cholerike tumour called Erisipelas the right side went altogether scorfree All the time of the fit he was so cast downe as that he was not able to speake a word teares trickeled downe his cheekes aboundantlie and out of his mouth ran an incredible quantitie of water without he burned and within he was colde asyce his left legge was all full of swolne veines and that which I finde most strange on the left side of the head where the hard and rockie bone groweth there was a peece of a bone carried and sunke somewhat inward and that without any apparant cause as blow or fall going before neither could he suller one to touch him in that place the disease hath hitherto been so rebellious as that all the remedies which the best learned Phisitions haue appointed for him could neuer finde the way to asswage and cure it It was agreed vpon by all our consents Or new remedies deuised of our owne braines that it should be impugned by extraordinarie remedies and by inward cordials whereof wee haue not as yet heard what is the successe See how these grosse burnt and melancholike humours continuing in the veines of the liuer spleene and Mesenterium may cause an infiuite number of strange accidents and are the occasion of a very great iarre and strife to the disturbing of all that good order and gouernement which should be in the whole bodie CHAP. XV. The cure of the Hypochondriake disease THere are necessarie for the curing of the Hypochondriake disease two sorts of remedies The one to be appoynted and vsed when the fit is not and they are called preseruatiues the other are to be vsed in the time of the fit euen then when the partie is haunted of all these accidents but I will begin with the former The preseruing of a man from this disease To preserue a man from the Hypochondriake diseease Euacuating medecines Blood letting is attempted by three kindes of remedies namely Diminutiues Alteratiues and Corroboratiues The Diminutiues are letting of blood and purging vniuersall Phlebotomie may serue to correct the hote distemperature of the liuer and to emptie away some part of melancholike blood it must be done vpon the Basilike veine which the Arabians call the blacke veine The opening of particular veines as the Hamorrhoids is counted amongst the number of the most famous and sure remedies for the cure of the Hypochondriake in as much as they emptie the spleene and all the Meseraicke membrane There are some which praise the opening of that veine which goeth to the little finger of the left hand which is called Saluatella Furging The other diminutiue is performed by purgation which must not be strong least this humour should growe more fierce You must purge therefore very gentlie and at seuerall times The purgations must be such as purge fleagme and melancholie because these are the two humours which doe most offend Sene and Agaricke haue the chiefe and principall place I haue described in the chapter of the first melancholie the receipts of many purgations which may serue heere in this place but for as much as the humour causing the windie melancholie is compound pound we must beforced to set downe some other fort A magistrall Syrupe I like and approue of magistrall syrupes and Opiates greatly and they may be framed after this fashion Take the rootes of Buglosse and Asperagus the rindes of the rootes of Capers-tree and Tamariske of each an ounce the rootes and leaues of Succorie Borage Buglosse Hops Fumitorie Ceterach Maidens haire of each a Handfull of Sea wormewood and Balme a pugill of Licorise and Corans washt in warme water of each an ounce of the seedes of Citrons blessed Thistle and Endiue of each two drammes of the three cordiall flowres of the flowers of Succorie of the crops of Tyme and Epythymum of each a pugill boyle them all in a sufficient quantitie of cleere water and hauing strained it well take two pintes thereof and adde thereto of the infusion of orientall Sene made in the former decoction with a dramme of Cloues an ounce
and a halfe of the infusion of Agaricke made in the water of Minthes with a scruple of Ginger and with a sufficient quantitie of Sugar boyle them all together to the height of a syrupe which you shall keepe for your ordinarie vse Hereof you must take two ounces once euery moneth or twise with the broth of a Chicken wherein are put Borage Buglosse Hops and the Capillar hearbes you may make a syrupe with the iuyces of the same hearbes and put thereto the same laxatiues An Opiate The Opiate that I haue set downe may serue here but it may be made of a far other fashion which purgeth most gentlie Take of the iuyce of Mercurie well purified as much as shall neede infuse therein for the space of foure and twentie howres two ounces of Orientall Sene and causing them to boyle once afterward straine them strongly and after boyle the licour strained out with Sugar till it come to the forme of an Electuarie whereunto you shall adde of Cassia new drawne out of the cane two ounces of Epithymum halfe an ounce of Cloues made in powder two drammes the mixing all well together you shall make an Opiate whereof you may take halfe an ounce or more They which cannot vse decoctions nor Opiates shall take pils The extraction of Sene to be made into pilles made of the extract of Sene Agaricke and Rubarbe for other pilles are not so fit in this disease Take of good Polypodie foure ounces the rootes and leaues of Succorie Buglosse Fumitorie Hops of each a handfull of damaske Raisines a dozen of the three cordiall flowers one handfull make a decoction vnto a pint and boyle therein two ounces and a halfe of Sene of Epithymum sixe drammes of good Agaricke halfe an ounce all these hauing infused together one whole night straine and presse them out very strongly putting thereto of good Rubarbe which shall be infused in the foresayd decoction with a little Cinamome halfe an ounce afterward you shall put all this together vpon hote ashes you shall thereupon drie them til they come to a reasonable thick consistence and then putting thereto of Epithymum three drams you shall make all vp into a masse of pilles which will purge very gently if you giue thereof at one time the quantitie of foure scruples And let these serue for gentle and easie purgations only you may adde hereunto the often vse of Clisters which may serue for the windie melancholie But for as much as this humour is grosse and for the most part lurking in the most inward veines it is not very easie to purge it well if it bee not first prepared wee must come therefore vnto the second kind of remedies which we haue called Alteratiues Inward Alteratiues The alteration to be made must consist in moystning and making thin of this humour this may bee done by inward and outward remedies Apozemes The inward are Apozemes which must be somewhat opening because of obstructions and it must be looked vnto with great care that they be not made with too hot a fire It will bee very fit to make them of such hearbes as properly respect the liuer and the spleene and amongst the rest wee must not forget Wormewood for all good practitioners doe confidently affirme that the onely decoction of Wormewood hath preserued an infinite number of persons from the windie melancholie It will not bee amisse to lay in steepe these grosse humours and for the opening of the vessels to commaund to bee vsed the decoction of the roote China with a little Sassafras for the space of twelue or fifteene daies The vse of the roote China Broths Broths that doe alter and moysten the humour the maner of liuing and vse of milke will serue marueilously well for the preparing and moystning of this drie humour Outward alteratiues As concerning outward remedies bathes for the whole bodie deserue to be most chiefly accounted of there may fomentations also bee applied to the spleene and all ouer Mesenterium as also oyntments and liniments The fomentations must be mollifying somewhat opening and making thinne or apt to attenuate hauing mixt therewithall some carminatiues or things to breake winde the manner of making them is common enough The oyles of Capers bitter Almonds Broome Elder Lillies Of the berries Camomil Danewort berries are most fit proper The last kind of remedies is of such as are corroboratiues Comiortable medicines for there are in this disease of the windie melancholie many parts that are much weakned hauing bin branded with this humor as the hart the stomack and the braine The weakenes of the heart is caused through the beating and light faintings of the same the weake stomacke filleth all full of cruditie the weakened braine causeth that the imagination and reason are oftentimes troubled in this disease Wee must therefore haue regard vnto these parts Meanes to comfort the heart An Opiate The heart is strengthened by inward and outward meanes the inward are Opiates Condites and Lozenges Take the conserue of the rootes of Buglosse and of the flowers of Borage of each an ounce of the flesh of Mirobalanes and of the rindes of Citrons confected of each halfe an ounce of the confection of Alkermes two drammes Confectionis laetificantis of Pearle and of the powder of Mirth of each one dramme make thereof an Opiate with the syrupe of Apples whereof you must take twice or thrice euery weeke with a little of the water of Buglosse Take of the powder of the electuarie of precious stones and of Mirth of each a dram Lozenges of the confection of Alkermes halfe a dram of Pearle Emerald made in powder of each one scruple of Sugar dissolued in the water of Buglosse or Balme so much as needeth make vp Lozenges of the waight of 3. drams you must take hereof euening and morning twice or thrice euery weeke For such as are more delicate and daintie there are some that make confections of Muske Musk-cordials Take the third part of a Nutmeg confected of the rindes of Citrons three drammes and as much of Mirobalanes confected of Ambergrise halfe a dramme and as much of Muske of Sugar the double quantitie of all the rest and with the muscilage of Gumme Tragacanth drawne in the water of Buglosse make Muscardins You must not often vse these hote medicines in the Hypochondriake disease for feare of mouing and enraging of the humour Outward remedies Liquide Epithemes The outward remedies to fortifie the heart withall are liquide and solide Epithemes oyles oyntments and bags Take the waters of Buglosse Balme and Roses of each foure ounces of white wine an ounce and a halfe of Dyers graines of cordiall flowers of each a dram of the powder of Diamargaritum and Diamber of each halfe a dram of Saffron halfe a scruple mixe all together and make thereof Epithemes which you shall applie vnto the heart Solide Epithemes Take
of the conserue of the flowers of Borage of Roses and a Balme of each two ounces of the confection of Alkermes and of the Iacinth of each two drammes of the powder of precious stones and of Mirth of each halfe a dramme make thereof a solide Epitheme in forme of a cataplasme with the water of Balme or of the flowers of Oranges and this you shall spread vpon a peece of scarlet Oyles and apply it to the heart Take the oyle of lesamin and of Costus one ounce of Amber grise three graines chafe therewith the region of the heart or else prouide you some naturall Balme An oyntment Take of the flowers of Camomile Rosemarie and Orange tree of each two drams of Ziloaloe of sweete Saunders of each one dram of the oyle of lesamin and naturall Balme of each one ounce of Amber and Muske sixe or seuen graines make hereof an oyntment with a little white waxe and annoynt therewith the region of the heart Bags Take of the leaues of Balme of the flowers of Borage and Buglosse of each halfe a handfull of the rindes and seede of Citrons two drams of the seede of Balme Basill and Cloues of each a dram of the powder of Pearle Emerauld and lacynth of each halfe a dram of the bone of a Harts heart one dram of red and yellow Saunders one dram of good Amber foure or fiue graines pound them all and make a stomacher of red taffata well quilted and weare it ordinarily vpon the hart Thus much concerning the proper remedies as well inward as outward for the strengthening of the heart and taking away of such weaknes as commonly happeneth to them that haue the windie melancholie Meanes for the strengthening of the stomack The other part to bee strengthened is the stomacke and to preuent that it may not beget such great store of crudities you shall vse powders helping disgestion and certaine oyles properly vsed in such cases for the annoynting thereof The digestiue powder must not be too hot A digestiue powder Take of Anise and Fennell confected of each three drams of the rindes of Citrons confected one dram of prepared Pearle and red Corall of each one halfe a dram of fine Cinamome two scruples of rosed Sugar foure ounces make them in powder and take thereof a spooneful alwaies after your meate Outwardly you may strengthen the stomacke Meanes to be applied outwardly to the stomacke by annoynting it with the oyle of Nutmeg Spikenard Wormewood or with some bag made of Wormewood Balme Cloues Macis Cinamome red Roses and such like powders it is meete that diligent care be had that they bee not applied vpon the place of the liuer because the hote distemperature of this part is commonly the originall of all Hypochondriake diseases And for this cause you may annoint the liuer with the oyntment of Roses and Saunders well washed in Succorie water or else you shall apply thereupon Epithemes of the waters of Succorie Endiue Sorrell the seedes of Endiue cordiall flowers and red Saunders As concerning the braine which is weake to the end it may not be subiect to so great quantitie of vapours you may strengthen it with powders appropriate for the head and sleight parfumes And thus much as concerning preseruatiues which are to be vsed when the fit is not and which without all doubt will keepe the fit from comming for taking a way the cause of accidents it must needes fall out that the effects cease Remedies to be vsed in the accesse of the disease But when the fit of the windie melancholie shall put the sicke partie in paines you must vse other meanes which the Phisition shall alter and varie according to the accident which is most strong and vrgent As if it be feeblenes Remedies and helpes against feeblenes you shall leaue to doe all other things and only strengthen the heart and that by vsing the remedies before described As you may take of the confection of Alkermes of bread dipped in wine of Lozenges cordiall Opiates and the rindes of Citrons You shall also apply vnto the heart liquide and drie Epithemes oyles baulmes oyntments and bagges Remedies against oppression through windines If heauines which is the most common accident in the windie melancholic as that which is caused of the grosse vapours or of the winde which waigheth downe the midriffe and membranes doe lye grieuously vpon the partie it will be good to chafe and rub the thighes and legs lightly to minister a Clister to breake windines to apply great cupping glasses vpon the region of the spleene vpon the nauell and all ouer the bellie and if the griefe of these windes be very great you may take a spoonefull of Ros Solis or Cinamome water distilled or Aquacoelestis or else two or three drops of the essence of Anise seede in a little broth very hote or a little Treacle and Mithridate if the winde doe continue vnremoued and will not stirre out of the breast you shall remoue them with some bags applied very hote and these shal be made of the flowers of Camomile and Melilot of the crops of Dill of Millet and fried Oates You may in like manner apply vpon the region of the spleene fomentations which will resolue and waste some part of these grosse vapours These are the three sortes of melancholie which ancient writers haue deliuered vnto vs that is to say that which hath his seat in the braine that which commeth of the sympathie of the whole bodie and that which ariseth ordinarily from the places about the short ribbes which is more common then either of the other and which is so often happening in these miserable times as that there are not many people which feele not some smatch thereof I come to the third disease of Madame Dutchesse of Vzez which is the Rheume THE THIRD DISCOVRSE WHEREIN IS HANDLED THE breeding of Rheumes and how they are to be cured CHAP. I. That the braine is the seate to cold and moysture and by consequent the fountaine of rheumes and distillations IT is not without cause that Hippocrates that great oracle of Greece that written in diuers places That the brain is the mansion of colde and moysture that the braine is the principall seate of cold and moysture for if we looke vnto his marrowie substance his cold temperature his round forme hollow and somewhat long like to the fashion of a cupping glasse and his high situation receiuing al the vapours of the inferiour parts we shall finde that all these dispose it and make it apt to beget and containe great quantitie of water The substance of the braine was of necessitie to be soft and marrowie that so it might the more easily take the stampe of formes and to the end that sinewes which must spring and rise from thence might with least annoyance and paine bend or bow themselues But indeed this marrowie substance is not so called for any resemblance
little of the wood of Aloes They must not bee made cleane with a knife pinne or with any thing of gold or siluer as many doe because that it doth loosen the ligaments It must also be auoyded to lie digging at them any long time especially of such as are subiect to distillations After that the teeth are thus picked and cleansed they may bee washed with wine delayed The continuall and common vse of Sublimatum Sublimate hurteth them doth blacke and spoyle the teeth very mightily but and if you would preuent that it should doe no harme To vse sublimate so as that it may not hurt the teeth it must first bee well prepared and afterward neuer to vse it but when it hath been steept in water three or foure moneths chaunging the water the first moneth euery day and once or twice a weeke in the rest it must also neuer bee vsed about the face but the mouth must first be washed and the teeth cleansed and water kept in the mouth And thus much for the things which may hurt the teeth Let vs now see what things are good and profitable for them There are some that haue their teeth very white but they are not fast because that either the ligaments are loosened or for that the gummes haue lost part of their fleshie substance other some haue their teeth fast but they be blacke Wherefore there are two sorts of remedies to bee prouided the one to blanch and make white the teeth the other to fasten them and incarnate There are an infinite number of those which doe make white the teeth but I will chuse the most fit and conuenient The Greeke Phisitions commend the pummice stone burnt and made in powder Things to make the teeth white more then any other thing and their ordinarie remedie is this Take of pummice stone and burned salt of each three drammes of Iuncus Odoratus two drams of Pepper a dram and a halfe make them all in powder and therewith rub the teeth We shall make a powder which in my opinion will be very fit Take of pure Christall a dram and a halfe A powder of white and red Corall of each one dram of pummice stone and cuttle bone of each two scruples of very white Marble of the toote of Florentine Ireos of Cinamome and Dyers graine of each halfe a dram of common salt one dram of Pearle well prepared a scruple of Alablaster and Roch Alome of each halfe a dram of good Muske tenne graines make them all into very fine powder and rub the teeth therwith euery morning wasning them afterward with white wine With the very same powder there may be made Opiates putting thereunto some honie The spirit of Vitrioll mixt with a little common water doth white the teeth marueilously and is one of the rarest and most singular medicines that is There are some which do much esteeme Aquafortis well delayed with common water There may also a water be distilled which wil make them white Take of liue Brimstone Alome A distilled water Sal Gemma of each a pound of Vineger foure ounces others vse the spirit of Vitrioll in stead of Vineger distil hereof a water with a retort vsing a gentle fire that so it may not smel of the Brimstone This water doth make the teeth very white and cleanseth rotten gummes If the teeth be very blacke and filthie Take of Barlie meale and common Salt two ounces A powder mixe them with Honey and make a paste which shall be wrapped in paper and dried in an ouen you shal take of this powder three drams of Crab-shels burned pummice stone egge shels in powder and Alome of each two drams of the rinde of drie Citrons one dram they shall all bee mixed together and the teeth rubd therewithall The rootes of Holihocks well prepared The prepared rootes of Holihocks doe mightily cleanse and whiten the teeth The way to prepare them is in this sort Take the rootes of Holihocke being made cleane and cut them in many long peeces boyle them in water with Salt Alome and a little of Florentine Ireos afterwards drie them well in an ouen or in the Sunne and rubbe the teeth therewith If the teeth be not fast but shake to and fro Take of the rootes of Bistort and Cinquefoyle To fasten the teeth that shake and are loose of each one ounce of the rootes of Cypers two drams of red Roses the rootes of white Thistle and of the leaues or bark of Mastick tree of each halfe an ounce of Sumach two drams and of Cloues a dram boyle al these in Smithes water and red wine wash therewith your gummes putting thereto a little Alome Or else Take red Corall Harts horne and Alome of each a dram and a halfe of Sumach and of the rootes of white Thistle of each a dram make them in powder which you shall mixe with the iuyce or wine of Quinces and apply them vpon the gummes and to the rootes of the teeth in the forme of an oyntment To beget flesh about the teeth If the teeth be bare and without flesh they must bee couered by causing flesh to grow againe with such remedies as followe There shall be made a powder with Alome red Corall gumme and rinde of the Frankincense tree with a little Ireos and Aristolochie Or else take plume Alome Pomegranat flowers and Sumach of each two drammes of Aloes wood of Cyperus of Mirrhe and Masticke of each a dram make thereof a powder An Opiate Opiates also are very fit to beget flesh and doe abide better vpon the place Take of Roch Alome halfe an ounce of Dragons blood three drammes of Mirrhe two drams and a halfe of Cinamome and Masticke of each a dram make them all into very fine powder and with a sufficient quantitie of Honey make an Opiate which you shall apply at euening vpon your gummes and there let it remaine all night the next day morning you shal wash them with some astringent decoction or red wine There bee some that take a corne of Salt euery morning in their mouth and letting it melt doe rubbe the teeth with their very tongue holding that this doth white and make fast the teeth hindring and keeping corruption and putrefaction from the teeth And thus much for the preseruation of the teeth THE FOVRTH DISCOVRSE WHEREIN IS INTREATED OF old age and how we must succour and relieue it CHAP. I. That a man cannot alwaies continue in one state and that it is necessarie that he should grow old THis is a generall and solemne decree published throughout the world How euery thing that is must haue an end and pronounced by Nature her selfe that whatsoeuer hath a beginning so that it consist of matter must also haue an end There is nothing vnder the cope of heauen except the soule of man which is not subiect to change and corruption All the great and famous Philosophers and Phisitions that
also as the rubbing of the thighes and legs will be of good vse to diuert and turne away the vapours which rise vp to the eyes The particular exercises of the eyes The eyes haue their particular exercise to moue them very suddainely and circularlie doth weaken them as also to keepe them fixed a long time in one place and as it were immoueable doth yet wearie them more for that in this pawsing motion all the fibres of the sixe muscles are equallie stretched as we see in birdes which houer in the ayre not stirring out of their place It is better therefore to keepe them in a moderate motion for that the muscles performing their actions successiuely doe comfort and relieue one another It is not good to reade much especially after meate nor yet to trouble himselfe with too small a letter or any other curious and choise peece of worke because that both the facultie or power and instrument are put to great paines being occupied about these little things It is not good to beholde things that moue swiftlie nor yet such as turne round Of the passions of the minde The bellie must be kept soluble All passions of the minde doe much hurt the sight but aboue the rest melancholike dumpes and much weeping The belly must be soluble alwaies in all the diseases of the eyes which Hippocrates obserued by the example of them which haue blood-shotten eyes as also such as are vapour-eyed But and if it be costiue it must be helped by all meanes that are gentle and easie as laxatiue brothes Prunes and Raisins laxatiue lenitiue clisters and such others Some cause damaske Prunes to be stewed in a syrope with Sene Agaricke and Sugar whereof foure or fiue are to be taken in the morning before breakefast or dinner CHAP. XIIII Select and choise remedies for the preseruation of the fight and the order that is to be kept in the application of them SEeing that the weakenes of sight commeth ordinarilie either of the distemperature of the braine or of the euill disposition of the eye the rationall and methodicall Phisition ought alwaies to haue regard vnto these two poynts The braine if it bee too moist must be dried and the eye if it be weake must be strengthened Plato in a dialogue of his doth counsaile us neuer to attempt the drying or strengthening of the eye by outward remedies without hauing first purged the head The purging of the whole bodie and of the braine We will therefore take our beginning at the purging of the head and for as much as it is hard to purge the same well if the whole bodie which doth ordinarilie send great stoare of excrements thither be not very cleane it will be requisite to chuse a remedie which in purging the braine may gentlie emptie the whole bodie also and therewithall somewhat respect the eye That forme which is proper to pills is most fit for this purpose The Arabians commend the pilles called Elephangine the pilles of Agaricke and pillulae lucis maiores and minores Wee may prepare a masse of this mixture A description of such pils as are to be vsed Take of Aloes well washed in Fennel and Eyebright water three drams of good Agaricke one dram and a halfe of Rubarbe a dramme of the flesh of Citrine mirobalanes chafed in the oyle of sweete Almonds foure scruples of Sene of the East well powdred a dramme of Masticke Ginger and Cinnamome of each halfe a scruple of Trocisks al and hall fiue or sixe graines to acuate it withall infuse all these in the iuyce of Fenel and sirope of Stechados and make vp a masse thereof take a dramme twise euery moneth either at euening or morning Or else Take of the powder of Hiera two drammes of good Agaricke foure scruples of Anise seede Fennel seede and Seseli seede of each halfe a scruple of Maces Cinnamome and Mirrhe of each fiue graines with honie of Roses Rosemarie flowers and the water of Fennel make these vp in a masse and take thereof a dram euery weeke they which cannot swallow pils shall vse this magistrall sirop A magistrall sirope Take of the roote of Fennel Acorus and Elecampane of euery one an ounce of the leaues of Eyebright Betonie Fumitorie Mercurie Succorie Germander and Veruaine of euery one a handfull a dozen of damaske Raisins and as many Prunes of Anise and Fennel seede two drammes of the flowers of Sage Stecados Rosemarie and eyebright of euery one a pugil boyle them all in faire water and when you haue strained it adde thereto the expression of three ounces of Sene which haue bin infused a good while in the foresaid decoction warme as also the expression of an ounce of Agaricke with a dramme of cloues and as much Cinnamome boyle them all together againe with a sufficient quantitie of Sugar vntil it haue the consistence of a sirope that is well boyled aromatize it with halfe a dramme of Nutmegs and as much of the powder of Diarrhodon If in the ende and shutting vp of this sirope there be put thereto the infusion of the weight of halfe an ounce of Rubarbe strongly pressed out it cannot chuse but be a great deale better Hereof one shall take euerie fiue daies the quantitie of two ounces more or lesse according to the working and that in some broth or decoction appropriate vnto the head and eyes Clisters The often vse of Clisters is requisite in all the diseases of the eyes eares and head Decoctions prouoking sweate If the braine should be very moist and that the temperature of the bodie doe not withstand the vse of the roote China or of Zarza Perilla putting thereto of the leaues of Eyebright and of the seede of Fennell would be of very good effect For together with the consuming of the superfluous moisture of the whole body it would strengthen the braine and the eye and yet I beleeue that the vse of Sassafras hauing the smell of the Anise-seede would be a great deale more fit The bodie being purged by these vniuersall remedies the braine may afterward with greater securitie be euacuated by the mouth and nostrels which are the ordinarie draines that nature hath ordayned for the cleansing thereof I should better allow of Masticatories then Irrhines because the nose is seated very neere vnto the eyes and communicateth greatly therewith Masticatories by the hole which goeth through them to the great corner of the eye in such sort as that there being any forcible attracting of any humour through the nose it might be the occasion of drawing the same vnto the eye which is the part that is diseased This is also the appoyntment of that great Phisition Hippocrates in the second section of his sixt booke of Epidemicall diseases It is meete and necessarie saith he that humours falling vpon the eyes should be diuerted vnto the palate and mouth It were better therefore to chawe and masticate something as damaske reasons