of Solomons-seal to come much behinde it 5. Make a Pessary or Goats-dung and the juice of Shepheards purse or Ribwort or Plantane and Yarrow and Pomgranate-flowers it helps mightily in this case 6. Make a bathe of Plantane Ribwort Teazle Shepheards-purse Pomegranate flowers the rinde of an Oak put it in a Close-stool and let the diseased Woman sit over it 7 As many Grains as a Woman doth drink of Corriander-seed so many dayes shall the tearms be stopped saith my author I set it down rather for the oddness of the conceit rather then to perswade any one of the truth of it 8. Red Corral being drunk stops the tearms 9. The ashes of burnt A corns cast up the 〈◊〉 trix stops the tearms and rids the Womb of all filthy noysom humors 10. The Decoction of Ribwort drunk is a most excellent remedy to stop the tearms 11. The water that is found in a hollow Oak is very good being drunk to stop the tearms 12. Dried Acorns beaten into powder and Acorn Cups and Comfry Roots and the Roots of Solomons-seal of Bistort Tormentil and Cinkfoyl are very good to take inwardly 13. The herb St. Johns-wort being beaten into powder and drunk doth stop both White and Red Flux 14. Also Dragons blood is much commended for it 15. The Flowers of Red Archangel or dead Nettles stop the Red Flux the Flowers of White the Whites 16. Many times this Flux comes upon women in Labour especially such as fall in Labour before their time and then it is exceeding dangerous in such a case the speediest cure for there must be no dallying is to force away the conception 17. If you can save them and dry them and give them her down back again it may do wonders CHAP. 14. For the fits of the Mother THe cause is cleerly windy vapors ascending from the Womb upwards 2. Stamp nettles and apply them to the matrix is very good 3. Apply a plaister of Galbanum to the Navel it is a most admirable remedy to restrain those noysom vapours I never yet knâ—w it fail 4. It is a strange thing that many that lie sick of this infirmity though their speech be even taken away yet their pulse gives no indication of any sickness at all 5. Therefore if you finde any Woman in that case especially if they fetch their breath short do not say they counterfeit but judge the disease to be the fits of the Mother 6. Let her receive stinking Vapors at her Nose and sweet vapors at her Privities for the Womb draws to all sweet things and flies from all stinking 7. Nettle-feed beaten into powder and drunk in Wine doth asswage all pains of the Womb and takes away the windiness thereof 8. Take of extract of Arrach half an ounce Assa-foetida two drachms make them up into Pills with powder of Arrach and let the diseased Woman take a scruple morning and evening 9. The Leaves of Burs draw the Womb which way you please therefore in this disease apply them to the soles of the feet but in falling out of the Womb apply them to the crown of the head 10. Bur-seeds do the like CHAP. 15. Of swellings of the Breasts and Nipples THe cause may be either cold taken at the Breasts which causeth inflamations there such as women call the Ague in the breast 2. Or else the curdling of the Milk there when it is turned into a substance like Cheese 3. Sometimes the nipples are so swelled through superfluity of Milk that the childe cannot draw them 4. In such a case take Bean flowers and mix it with the white of an Egg and apply unto them 5. Nettles boiled in Vinegar and applied to them instantly helps them 6. Crumbs of Bread mixed with the juyce of Smallage and applied unto the Breasts helps them when the Milk is curdled in them 7. If there be any hollow Ulcer in the Breast Goats-dung mixed with Honey soon easily and gently cleanseth out all the filth and healeth it 8. A Poltiss made of Mallows Chickweed Malt-flour and Sheeps-suet takes away the Ague in the Breast without breaking 9. Goats-dung mixed with Vinegar and applied plaister-wise dissolves the curdled Milk 10. The ashes made of a Dogs Head helps cankrous Ulcers of the Breast 11. Pigeons-dung mixed with Honey is of great efficacy in knotted Breasts 12. Knot-grass being carried about the person takes away the swelling of the Nipples incontinently 13. The Breasts anointed with the grease of a Hedge-hog helps the curdling of Milk and opens the Pores exceedingly also if the Nipples be swelled anoint them with it it instantly helps them 14. The shells of Partridges Eggs stamped and mingled with Tar helps the Nipples when they are so chapped that they are ready to fall off Crab-claws taken inwardly are very good in all diseases of the Breast yet my opinion at present is that the whole Crab converted into Mummy and taken a drachm at a time is better CHAP. 16. Of Childe-birth DAte stones beaten into powder and given in Wine doth give most wonderful ease to women in labour 2. Dip a linen cloth in the juyce of Parsley and put it up the Privities it causeth the deliverance of the dead childe 3. The same being drunk brings away the After-birth 4. It is also it very good thing being taken inwardly to cleanse the Womb of ill humors and therefore a syrup of it ought to be kept alwayes in the House it furthers conception much 5. Polipodium stamped well and applied to the feet of a woman in travel bringeth away the childe whether it be alive or dead 6. Castorium or the spirit of it taken inwardly is held to be very good 7. The ashes of an Asses-hoof mixed with Oyl and the Privitives anointed with it is a very good and easie remedy 8. Also give unto a Woman in this case another Womans Milk to drink it causeth speedy delivery 9. The decoction or rather the juyce of Vervine given to drink to a woman in travel causeth speedy deliverance also 10. A dram of Myrrh given in powder to drink in any convenient liquor bringeth the childe away whether it be alive or dead 11. Boil Mugwort in water till it be a Poltis and apply it hot to the Thighs of a woman labouring with childe it causeth both birth to come away and if you let it tarry long there it will bring the Womb away also 12. Dittony in powder given a dram at a time to a woman labouring with a dead childe bringeth it away 13. Take Peony-seed in powder mix it with so much Oyl that you may make it into a Plaister and apply to the small of the back of a woman in labour according to the opinion of my Authour it causeth delivery without pain 14. A suffumigation made of the Horns and Hooss of a Goat being put in a Close-stool the woman sitting over it wonderfully moveth the Womb to deliverance 15. Betony is held to be a precious herb to be taken
Sea Sand. IF a man that hath the Dropsie stand up to the neck in Sea-sand by the Sea-side in a hot day it will drink up all the water and cure the Disease Wicker 20. Whetstone of Cypress A Whetstone of Cypress that which comes off from it by whetting stayes the falling off of Hair and causeth it to grow in bald places it keeps the breasts of Virgins from growing being drunk with Vinegar it consumes the Milt and cures the Falling sickness Wicker 21. Aetites THere are four sorts of these but the best comes from Affrick and are found in an Eagles nest which is very little and soft having another little one within it and is thought to be the female The Male come from Arabia and is hard like a Gaul having another hard Stone within it and is of a reddish colour The third comes from Cypress and is like that which comes from Affrick but is bigger and hath sand and little stones within it The fourth is called Taphiusius from the place whence it comes and is found in Rivers it is white and round in form this is the worst of all These all joyntly are called Lapis pregnans or a Stone with Childe because it carries another Stone within it If this Stone be given to a thief in bread he cannot swallow it down or if you boil it in any thing and give the Decoction to any that hath stollen any thing from you he cannor drink it though the Stone be out Being bound to the Neck or Arm of a Woman it strengthens conception and stayes miscarriage in the time of her Labour if it be bound to the inner part of her Thigh near the place of conception it causeth her to have an easie labour almost without any pain but be sure you take it away so soon as she is delivered for fear of further mischief Pliny Disocorides Lemnius 22. Chelidonius IF you take young Swallows out of their nest before the full Moon you shall finde two little Stones in their Ventricles the one reddish the other black these ought never to touch the earth but be kept close wrapped up in Bullocks or Stags leather the former being bound under the Armeholes helps the Falling-sickness the other Feavers Thus Albertus Magnus Some say if you prick out their eyes the Old one will bring a Stone which will recover their sight and some say she doth it by Celandine the Stone will remain in their Ventricle I have tried this I pricked out the eyes of some in a nest and not of others and I found the Reddish-stone in the Ventricle of one whose eyes I pricked out and she could see again but in those whose eyes were not pricked out there was none but I never observed the Lunation Also they say if you break their Legs she will bring a Stone which will instantly cure them which Stone will be found in the nest 23. Lincyrius LApis Lincyrius being cast among burning coles quencheth them and if you wrap it up in a Linnen cloth not onely that but the cloth also will remain unburned even in the midst of the hottest fire It wonderfully helps forward the Travail of Women Epiphanius 24. Jet 25. Amber IEt being beaten into a very fine powder and given to a Woman fasting in White Wine will presently make manifest whether she be a Virgin or no for if she presenlty make Water her Virginity is lost if not the contrary The same effect also hath Amber both of them or either of them being hung about ones Neck are profitable against distillation of Phlegm into the Throat and Lungs Baptista Porta Mathiolus 26. Lapis Lazuli IT is a Stone of a Sky colour the best of them have spots in them like stars of gold and are found in Gold Mines being given inwardly they purge Melancholly notably So they do meanly being carried about one they make the bearer of them merry fortunate and rich Dioscorides Cardanus Med. Florentini 27. Blatta Bizantia BEing beaten into powder and snuffed up into the Nose helps the fits of the Mother and such as have the Falling sickness being taken inwardly it looseneth the Belly Dioscorides Medici Coloniensis 28. Pearls PEarls help trembling in Old men Convulsions and Frenzies preserve the body sound and restore lost health both amend and increase milk in Nurses correct the seed and failings in the parts of generation helps eating Ulcers Cankers and the Hemorrhoydes Dardanus Wicker 29. Corral OF Corral there are three sorts Black White Red the first is most rare the second most common the third most excellent Let a Childe newly born take ten grains of Red Corral in powder in a little Breast Milk before it taste any other food and it will never have the Falling-sickness Generally it takes away all inward griefs restores weak and sick bodies by strengthning the heart resisteth all Diseases growing in children by strengthening nature cureth all Fluxes in Men Women and Children it stops blood flowing from any part it stops the Tearms in Women if they be immoderate else not and brings their bodies to good temperature Arnoldus Mathiolus Wicker 30. Turkey Stone THis Stone being worn in a Ring as sickness comes or death draws nigh so it loseth its lustre it looks perfectly blew in sickness pale a little before death perfect white and so it looks if brought neer to any Poyson This Treatise was revised and for want of time left to posterity without addition Nich. Culpeper Sol. 18. Aquar 1652. Doctor Diets DIRECTORY OR THE Physicians Vade Mecum OR Short but safe Rules to preserve Health in a Methodical way passing by the Impertinencies and Niceties of former Physicians treating onely of familiar and the most useful things in Diet such as chiefly nourish and continue Life BY Nich. Culpeper Gent. late Student in Physick and Astrology LONDON Printed for Nath. Brook at the Sign of the Angel in Cornhill 1659. Doctor DIETS Directory OR The Physicians Vade mecum OR Short but safe Rules to preserve Health in a Methodical way passing by the Impertinencies and Niceties of former Physicians treating onely of familiar and the most useful things in Diet such as chiefly nourish and continue Life Courteous Reader HAving to my no small grief observed what a stir and a pudder most Writers have made about Diet and there Common-place Practice I thought fit to reduce their tedious deviations into this Epitome that the diligent Student having recourse to these three Doctors Diet Reason and Experience might with the other assistance of the Doctors Dispensatory be so clearly informed as to rest ingeniously satisfied Nicholas Culpeper Of Diet. BY Diet is to be understood the ministring of Meat and Drink according to the accustomed natural ordering of it for the substance and temperature an exact order of it in labour Meat Drink Sleep and Venery There is none but if they rightly understand themselves but may in some respects be their own Physicians if they will but rightly consider of those things
herein havâ— the Minerals and Metals the chief place To thâ— exulcerate Canker belongeth the Wolf whicâ— is naught else but a Canker exulcerated Thâ— Gangrene and Speacelus are cured by the râ—medies of the Canker and Wolf the one beinâ— a degree of an Ulcer in which the parts begin tâ— be mortified the other when they have noâ— lost life altogether The Leprosie is an universâ— Canker and for outward medicines requireth nâ— other Among the inward Plantine Whaâ— Hedgehogs dryed and drunk help greatly Anâ— thus much for Cankers and Leprosies which 〈◊〉 they be diseases hard to be cured by any medâ—cine so receive they as great help by these oâ— home medicines as by any of strange 〈◊〉 The Falling-sickness if it be in such as are age and have been long diseased therewith is a dâ—ease hardly or not at all to be cured But whâ—â— it is curable these medicines be comparâ—â— with the best The root of the Missleto of 〈◊〉 Oak the runnet of an Hare the Peony-roâ— Enula Campana the scalp of a Man and Aâ—hoof Hyssop the milt of an Horse the Stoâ— which are found in the Mawes of the first 〈◊〉 of Swallows five leaved Grass the juyce of tâ— Cowslip the juyce of Horehound with Hoâ— All suffocations of the Matrix are cured 〈◊〉 Plantine Pennirial Herbgrace and by an infinite number of home medicines Worms and that infection is taken away by Coriander-seed Colewort seed Garlike Wormwood and in a manner with all bitter herbs with the juyce of Purslane with the filings of Stags-horn little inferiour in vertue to that which is commonly taken for the Unicorns horn Peach leaves Hyssop Mints Purslane seed Thus much touching medicines against diseases ingendred of venemous causes within the body Now touching such as happen by outward occasions and first of those that by mouth are taken into the body Against which generally it helpeth greatâ—y to drink store of butter instead of oyl with warm water or the decoction of Flax seed Feâ—igreek or Mallows and thereupon a vomit which done Sothernwood the root of Seahulver the seed of Nep the juyce of Horehound the seed of wilde Rue Walnuts Turnips Herb-grace five leaved Grass with an infinite number of native medicines expel the poison and restore the Patient More properly to the poison of Cantharides belong Penerial to Buprestis all kinde of Pears and Womens Milk to the Salamander Chamepitis 〈◊〉 holy roots to the worms of the Pine-tree suâ—◠〈◊〉 â—he poison of Cantharides against the poison of the Toad the roots of Reeds and Cyperus against the Camelion Radish roots and Wormwood against Ephemerum Asses milk or Cows milk hot against Dorycnium Goatâ— milk Asses milk Cockles and Crayfishes against the poison of Aconitum Organ Herb-grace Horehound the decoction of Wormwood Against Chriander Wormwood salt broth made with a Goose or Hen which expeâ— also the poison of Flewort the Poison oâ— Hemlock is cured with Mints Herbgrace Nettle-seed Bay-leaves which also cure the poison of Ugh and Carpasus The poison of that kinde of Crow-foot called Sardonia is cured with drinking store of Mede and Milk Henbane with Nettle-seed wilde Endive Mustard-seed and Rocket Cerus with Mede hot Milk Peach-stones with the decoction of Barley with the decoction of Mallows Quicksilver with store of Milk drunk Mercury sublimed with Chrystal Lime Orpiment Ratsbane and such like with the decoction of Flax-seed and Milk with Mede And to conclude thâ— point there is no kinde of poison but it findeth cure by our Countrey Medicines without borrowing Thus much for the cure of poison taken into the body by eating or drinking oâ— them Pestilences are cured if with any medicine with Angelica Carduus Benedictus Arâ—nike worn about the body the root of Pimpâ—nel of Tormentil Herbgrace Setwal Walnuts the powder of St. Johns-wort Juniper-berries Verven and the chief of all the noble simplâ— Water Germander and the Duarfgentian Foâ— pestilent sores and Carbunkles Scabious Osbâ—â— Lousestrife and the Marigold to the pestilent may be referred the small Pocks and such like which agree in medicine also with the pestilence And thus much for the cure of poisons Against bitings and stingings of venemous beasts and poisoned weapons there are also both general and particular remedies The general are these the ashes of the cuttings of the Vine and of the Fig-tree with Lee Leeks Onions Garlike the Sea-water Mustard-seed Endive Heath the root of the Sea-Hulver Bay-berries Herbgrace Dill Sowse-bread Fennel Penerial the runnet of an Hare the Weasel and these general Particular are such as follow Against the bitings of Phalangium the seed of Sothernwood Aniseed the seed of Trifoly the fruit of Tamarisk Against the Scolopendra wild Rue Thime Calamint against the Scorpion Basil-seed against the biting of a Viper Adder c. Sothernwood Bays green Organ the Bramble the brains of an Hen Cole-seed Against the bitings of a mad Dog Crowgarlike the river Crab Balm an actual cautery the liver of the mad dog broiled the blood of a â—og drunk And thus much for the bitings and stingings of venemous beasts which also serve against poisoned wounds else to be cured with the medicine which respecteth properly the poison wherewith the weapon hath been infected The â—nfection without wound is the French Pocks whereof sufficient having been said before I will here say nothing This then shall suffice to have written of the cure of all diseases rising of â—enemous causes wherein if nature of her own â—ccord as it were and in this great neglect of â—ur Countrey and native medicines hath shewâ—d her self so liberal how large would she be if with set purpose and careful endeavour greater trial of things were had and proof made by learned and discreet men Now follow the diseases which are by the excess or defect of one or two parts of the temper which are hot cold moist and dry simple or compounded which if they be not procured by evil humours then require they altering onely by contrary qualities If by them as Phegm Choler Melancholy then are these humours first to be avoided and diminished Such as require altering are cured by natures of contrary quality not onely generally but even answerable to all degrees of excess And first to begin with hot diseases of the first degree they are cured with such contraries as follow Barley sower Grapes Roses Violets the Oak Quinces Damsins Pellitory of the wall Docks Pears Apples Harts-horn the flowers and whole herb of Mallows of the second degree the water Lilly Ducks meat Knotgrasse Vine leaves the Bramble Plantane Cherries Lead Cerus Barberies Cowcumbers Mellons Gourds Citrals whites of Eggs Medlers and Services Of the third Purslane Housleek Mandrake Henbane Of the fourth Hemlock Poppy Thus much for hot diseases Medicines for cold diseases are these hoâ— which follow Of the first degree Bugloss Borage Fumitory Sage Horse-hoof Lycorice Maiden-hair Butter Lillies Flax-seed Marrow and Fat Cammomile Fenigreek c. Oâ— the second Dill dry Mugwort Parsley Saffron Honey
Pains of the Spleen trouble a man most after meat 32. Egg-shells dried and beaten into powder and given in white wine break the stone 33. Mizaldus Mice-dung with the ashes of burnt Wasps and burnt Hazel-nuts made into an Ointment with vinegar of Roses do trimly deck a bald-â—ead with hairs being anointed with it 34. Six cloves of Garlike stamped and strained into a draught of Rhenish wine and drunk up is a present râ—medy for the stone strangury and chollick 35. Gather Elder-flowers on a Midsummer-day dry them and beat them into powder and take a spoonful of it in Borage-water every morning and evening it restores Youth and conserves it 36. Burn horsleaches into powder and mix them with vinegar and therewithal rub the place where you would have Hair grow no more and you shall have your desire 37. Drinking much Butter-milk makes one laxâ—â—ive 38. The stone of a Swallow beaten into powder Petrus Hispanus and given in drink to such as have the Falling-sickness cures them 39. Mingle two spoonfuls of water with one spoonful of clarified Honey and give it to a woman when she goeth to sleep if she feel gripings and pains in her belly she is conceived with childe else not 40. Green Nettles steeped in the urine of one that is sick twenty four hours Mizaldus if they remain green and fresh the sick will live else not 41. The berries of white Thorns taken in white Wine are of great force to break and expel the Stone 42. Plantane is given with good success to such as have the Plague 43. Wormwood stamped with the white of an egg and applied to the eyes by way of a Plaister is a notable way to take away the redness and bloodiness of them 44. A Garland made of Ivy-leaves Mizaldus laid to the breasts of women that hang flagging gathers them up together decently and makes them round the like will Ivy-leaves do if they be beaten and applied to them 45. Mizaldus If you wash wounds with Wine wherein Agrimony hath been sodden it cleanseth them of their filth and putrefaction 46. Also stamp Agrimony and apply it to wounds that are ill knit or joyned and it will open them again 47. Mizaldus The juyce of Rue mixed with clarified Honey and a drop dropped into the eye at a time takes away dimness of sight 48 A head of Garlick the skins being pulled off bruised and applied in equal parts to the foles of the feet where they are hollow helps them with speed that are pained with the Tooth-ache especially if it come of a cold cause and lie in the nether jaw 49. Mizaldus If you rub Warts with the leaves of a Fig-tree and bury the leaves in the earth the warts will insensibly consume away 50. Briony-berries dried and beaten into powder and drunk in the decoction of Water-cresses doth wonderfull help the Strangury 51. Benedictus Victorius Faventinus Emp. Take of venice Treacle one scruple of liquorice and Cinnamon in powder of each three grains of White Wine an ounce and an half mix all these together and make of them a Potion If a Woman take such a drink as this is every other morning about a fortnight or three weaks before her delivery it will make her labour very easie My Authour saith she will bring forth her childe without any pain at all 52. Take of Yarrow and Plantane of each a like quantity beat them and strain the juyce of them into red Wine a good draught of which being drunk morning and evening will stop a bloody Flux 53. If a Woman desire to know whether she be with childe or not Mizaldus let her make water in a clean copper or brazen vessel at night when she goes to bed and put a Nettle in it if the Nettle have red spots in it next morning she is with childe else not 54. Oxen Kine Bullocks or Horses Absertus will not be troubled with any disease if you hang a Harts-horn upon them 55. Put two or three of the seeds of Oculus Christi into your eye and within a while after you shall not feel them whereby you will think they are not there at last they will drop 〈◊〉 of themselves compassed about with slimy 〈◊〉 which doth hinder the sight If you 〈◊〉 this now and then it will clear your eyes wonderfully 56. Warts rubbed with a piece of raw Beef and the beef buried in the ground the warts will consume away as the beaf rots in the ground 57. Take the inner rinde of an Oak-tree and boil it well in fair water then bathe any sore with it whether new or old three or four times morning and evening and then anoint it with fresh butter and flour of brimstone well mixed and you shall see a speedy cure 58. Take a Bur-root the bigger the better and scrape it clean then put it in a Pot of new Ale and the Ale will boyl let it stand twenty four hours close stopped and then let one that hath the yellow Jaundies drink a good draught of it and in doing so two or three mornings he will be cured 59. Let him that hath the Strangury drink a draught of small Ale wherein the inner Rind of the young branches of a Hazel-tree hath been boiled first in the morning and last at night and it help him in few dayes 60. Lay a thin piece of raw beaf to the forehead of them that have lost their voices and remove it not all night and in two or three nights it will help them 61. Take the bones of Horses and wash them clean then dry them in the sun then break them and boil them in a Caldron of water a long time and save the fat which cometh from them which is an excellent Oyntment either for Gout or Palsie 62. The ashes of burnt Snails put into the eye take away the spots thereof 63. A piece of raw Beef of an indifferent thickness put in steep all day in good Aqua vitae and laid at night to the temples and let lie there all night stops the waterings of the eyes and all rheums that flow down from the head 64. Draw a coard through the tail of a Water-snake and hang her up Hollerius a vessel of water being under her into which she may gape and after a little time will she vomit up a stone which will drink up all the water this stone being tied to the navil in a piece of fine linnen of one that hath the Dropsie quickly draws out all the water 65. An Egg that is laid on a Thursday the white being emptied out and the empty place filled with salt and gently roasted by the fire without burning till it may be beaten into powder and cankered teeth being rubbed with it kills both canker and worms that eat the teeth 66. White Copperis the quantity of hâ—â—f an ounce dissolved in a pint of water kills all Tetters and ringworms that are washed with
a gray Cat and cut her throat then flea her and roast her and save her grease boil the blood and the grease together and anoint the Piles with it as hot as you can endure it this seems to me pretty rational because a Cat is a Beast of Saturn 55. Swelling of the Wrists For aking and swelling of the Wrists take Plantane-leaves and stamp them well with a little Salt and apply them to the place I know no reason but why this may cure any other swelling in the joynts 56. Ache. For any Ache take Venice Treacle and spread it upon a cloth and lay it to the place like a Plaister 57. Gout Take Bur-roots bruise them aâ—d boil them very well in piss and when you have made a very strong decoction strain it out and adde to the piss that is left as much Sallet Oyl boil it together to an Oyl and if you use it you shall see it do wonders in curing the Gout 58. For the Gout Take the Yolk of Eggs and make them into a Poltiss with a little womans Milk and a little Saffron and apply it to the place grieved with the Gout 59. For the Gout Take Nettles and stamp them with salt and apply it to the place grieved with the Gout and it will dry up the humors in a short time 60. For the Gout Take of black Sope the quantity of a Walnut juyce of Rew and of Celandine of each as much as the Sope comes to mix them altogether spread them upon a piece of Sheeps-leather and apply them plaisterwise to the place grieved with the Gout aâ—d in three dayes it will give help 61. For the Gout Take a pint and a half of good Ale half a pound of black Sope a handful of Bay-salt beaten very small boil them till half be consumed then mix with it four spoonfuls of Aqua vitae stir them well together then dip a cloth in it and apply it to the place grieved with the Gout as hot as you can endure it 62. An excellent remedy for the Gout Take a Badger the fattest you can get kill him and scald him like a Pig then make a hole in on◠〈◊〉 his sides take out his guts garbage and all â—â—d put into his belly Nettles two handfuls two ounces of Brimstone four yolks of Eggs and four ounces of Turpentine incorporated well together then sow up his belly close and roast him and save the dripping for an excellent remedy for the Gout 63. Cramp The fore-going remedy is not available onely against the Gout but also against the Cramp and all infirmities of the Sinnews and Joynts 64. Cramp If you cannot get a Badger take a fat young Puppy-dog and use him in like manner 65. A special remedy for the Gout Take a young Whelp in March kill him and flea him and pull out his guts and fill up his belly with Water-frogs sow up his belly close again then roast him and save the dripping for a special remedy for the Gout 66. For a Burn or Scald Take unslaked Lime and slake it in common Oyl then take it out again as dry as you can and make it into an Oyntment with Oyl of Roses this Oyl will cure any burn or scald without a scar and that in eight or ten dayes time 67. For one that is burned with a Match take the same Match wherewith he was burned and burn it to ashes and strow the ashes upon the place and it will heal it in a very short time to admiration It is a very pretty sympathetical remedy and I quoted it not onely to cure burning by a Match which happens scarce once to a mans knowledge in his life time but for burning with any other thing whatsoever For example If a man be burnt with Iron apply Crocus Martis to the place 68. For a burn with Gunpowder Take Sheeps-dung and Sheeps-suet and fry them both together till they be thick like an Oyntment then anoint the place that is burned with Gunpowder twice a day neither change the Medicine nor yet wash the sore for that part of the Medicine which sticks on will readily fail off so soon as it is well 69. To stop a bleeding wound Take Bur-leaves and bruise them and apply them to the bleeding of a wound and it instantly stops it I fancy the Medicine much because Burs is an herb of Venus and the wound is caused by Mars 70. For the same Another remedy of the same nature is this Put the powder of dried Vervine to the wound 71. To cleanse a Wound If you would cleanse a wound neatly that is filled with congealed blood stamp red Nettles and apply them to the place 72. For bleeding at the Nose If a man bleed at the Nose take a leathern point or lace and tye it hard about his Testicles or Yard and that will make the blood leave Mars and run to look after Venus 73. Morphew If you anoint the face all over with Mustard it is an excellent remedy for the Morphew 74. Palsie Sage eaten or used any way is an excellent remedy for the Palsie in the Limbs 75. The Shaking Palsie is caused no way sooner nor more ordinarily then by leading a tippling life 76. A Preservative against the Palsie A gallant Preservative I have been told against the Palsie whether it be to be found in any of my other writings I know not well is this every night when you go to bed rub your fingers between your toes and smell to them 77. A Felon Take Groundsel and stamp it very well and mix it with a little Oyl of Roses and apply it to a Malady in the fingers which they usually call a Felon and it will speedily cure it 78. For the same Take the yolk of an Egg mix it with a little Bay-salt in powder spread it upon a cloth and apply it to the place and it will speedily cuâ—e a Felon 79. Imposthume or hard swelling in the Belly Take young Walnuts before they have shells stamp them and binde them to the Navel it will presently break any Imposthume or hard swelling in the belly and not onely break it but also draw it out 80. For hard swellings of the Belly Because you cannot get such green Walnuts all the year you may take the pains to pickle them up in vinegar when you can have them yet because I am of opinion that there are other people negligent as well as my self and therefore may neglect the getting of them at that time Take the Kernels of Walnuts and stamp them with Rue and apply them plaisterwise to the Navel this is an admirable remedy also for all hard swellings of the belly 81. Imposthume Take two handfuls of Clot-bur-roots wash them clean and bruise them very well then boil them in a pottle of good Ale till half be consumed strain it and let him that hath an Imposthume in his body drink of it morning and evening and in three dayes so doing it will cure him
through the back with a sharp knife pull out all the bowels and wipe him clean with a cloth break all the bones and put him into an Alimbeck and distil him with a pottle of Sack and as much red Cows Milk so will you have an excellent spirit for a Cough or Consumption of the Lungs if you take three or four spoonfuls of it in the morning fasting 65. For heat in the Reins Let such as are troubled with heat in the Reins lay to the place a fine cloth dipped in Rose-water juyce of Plantane and the Milk of a Woman which brought forth a Girl 66. An excellent remedy for those that are subject to vomiting Take Wormwood Spearmints and red Rose-leaves of each a handful chop them small and boil them to a Poltiss with red Rose-water and Vinegar of each equal quantities thicken it with Rie-bread grated spread it upon a cloth and apply it to the Stomach of him that is subject to vomiting as hot as he can endure it 67. For an Ague of the Breast Let such Women as are troubled with that inflamation commonly called the Ague in the Breast apply to the place a fomentation made with Rosemary-tops boiled in their urine apply it hot for three or four hours and it will help it 68. For the running in the Reins The Marrow of an Oxes back being dried and beaten into powder and a dram of it taken in the morning in a little red Wine is an excellent remedy for the running of the Reins 69. To take away Freckles from the Hands or Face Such as are troubled with Freckles either upon their hands or face or Sun-burning may easily help themselves if they wash the place with a little juyce of Lemmons wherein Bay-salt hath been dissolved wash the place often and let it dry in of it self 70. Against any Swelling Take Cammomile-flowers and Rose-leaves of each a like quantity boil them in white Wine to a Poltiss and apply it as hot as can be suffered to a swelling and it will presently ease the pain and asswage the swelling 71. Against Deafness Stop the ears of one that is deaf with good dried Sewet it many times gives help when nothing else will 72. To stop bleeding Take powder of Earth-worms and put upon a Wound that bleeds and it will instantly stop the bleeding 73. For the same Take the ear of a Hare dry it and beat it to powder and put that powder upon a Wound and it will do the like 74. For him that spits Blood Take the juyce of Betony and temper two spoonfuls of it with four spoonfuls of good Milk and let him that spits blood drink the same quantity four mornings together and by that time he will be whole 75. For a Flux Let him that is troubled with the Flux take the seeds of Trefoyl bruise them well and drink half a dram of them in the morning fasting in white Wine if he be curable it will cure him in three dayes if he be not curable he knows the worst of it it is but dying 76. To stop the bleeding of a Vein being cut If a Vein be cut and you cannot stop the bleeding take Rue and boil it in water then stamp it and apply it to the place and binde some wool over that which was never washed 77. For Veins that are sprung For Veins that are sprung take Beans and husk them then boil them in vinegar and bruise them and apply them Plaister-wise to the place 78. For those that piss Blood Take Garlike bruise it and boil it in water till the third part be consumed a little of this water being drunk presently helps them that piss Blood 79. To cause easie Delivery Let a woman that is with childe and near her time drink a decoction of Betony every morning and she shall be delivered without much pain 80. For the same and to expel the after-birth A decoction of Hyssop made with water and drunk very hot giveth speedy delivery to women in travel yea though the Childe be dead in her womb so soon as she is delivered of a dead childe if you suppose any of the After-birth be left behinde let her keep drinking the same decoction till her body be cleansed 81. For the same Savory used in like manner hath the same effects 82. For the same Also another good remedy to give speedy delivery to women in travel is this Take wilde Tansie or Silver-weed and bruise it and apply it to her nostrils 83. For the same Also another remedy is to take the Roots of Polypodium and stamp them and apply them to the soles of the feet Plaister-wise the childe will quickly come away be it alive or dead 84. For a Surfeit Take the bottom of a wheaten-loaf tost it very well till it be dry and hard then dip it in good Spirit of Wine and wrap it up in a single linen cloth and apply it to the Brest of one that hath surfeited and cannot digest his meat apply it warm and let it lie to the place all night and it will speedily help him and cause him either to vomit up or purge out the evil humors which the Surfeit hath contracted in his body 85. To cure hot Rhume in the Eyes Take twelve or sixteen woodlice some call them sows or slugs wash them clean then stamp them and put three or four spoonfuls of Ale to them and mix them well together in a morter then strain it and let him that is troubled with a hot Rhume in his eyes drink it in the morning fasting and as much at night going to bed and in a few times using it will cure him 86. An admirable Poltiss for any swelling Take Violet-leaves Groundsel Mallows and Chickweed of each a handful chop these small and boil them well in water to a Poltiss thicken it with Barley-meal adding a little rough sheeps suet to it to make it moist so have you an admirable Poltiss for any swelling or inflamation in a wound or ulcer 87. For scabby Heads of Children Take white Wine and Butter of each a like weight boil them together till they come to a salve and you shall finde it an excellent Oyntment for Childrens scabby heads 88. For the Falling-sickness or Convulsion Take the dung of a Peacock dry it and beat it into very fine powder and give the party troubled either with the Falling-sickness or Convulsion so much of it at a time in Succory-water as will well lye upon a shilling if it be a child half so much will serve the turn or less if the childe be very young 89. To cure Tetters or Ring-worms An excellent way to cure Tetters and Ring-worms is to wash the place often with Tanners Woofs 90. Against the bloody Flux Take the bone of a Gammon of bacon set it an end in the middle of a Charcole fire and let it burn till it be as white as choak both in the outside and inside then take it and beat it to
as Balsome or Sanicle laid unto it Ditony of Candy or Ditony or Herb of Deliverance stamped and drunk is good to deliver a Woman in Travel with Childe and for want thereof Wood-betony will do the same To heal a scalding or burning quickly Take Sallet Oyl Olive and clear water beaten together and therewith anoint the grieved place till it be whole To heal a Tetter or Ring-worm or Chop or crush in ones Palm of the Hand Take Bay-salt finely beaten to powder and mix it with sweet Sallet Oyl Olive together that the Oyl be very salt and with that Oyl and Salt fret and rub away scurf and so use it till he be whole and purge him with the root Mechoakam To heal a bruised Thumb Finger or cut in the Leg Take the leaves of an Elm and stamp them together it will both binde and heal quickly and knit the bones together that is dispersed To stanch blood in a Wound take Sage and beat it together with Wheat-flour and lay it to it will stanch presently and heal the Wound so will Shepherds-purse Plantane Knot-grass Vnguentum album with Lint laid in a wound or old sore and a Plaister of Gratia Dei thereon will heal it very quickly Pestilent-wort boiled in Milk and made in a Posset with Sack will cause one to sweat extreamly and drive out the Plague and heal them and heal also the Ague Lay the Herb and curd unto the sore Sanicle Sanamonda alias Hedge Avince that beareth a yellow flower but not the red Scurvey-grass Fumitory and Sorrel stampt and strained into Ale or Beer and drunk inwardly doth cure the foresaid Diseases of Tetter Ring-worms Scurfs Scabs proceeing of the heat of the Liver which doth most commonly come or break out at the Spring or fall of the Leaf Beat Bay-salt to powder and put it into Beer or Ale that it be as salt as Brine and drink it three times in three mornings it will put away any Ague the strongest Ague that is The water of Oaken-leaves distilled and drunken will stop the bloody Flux Elder leaves stampt and laid to any sore or wound will draw very fast at first then mix therewith the fresh Fat of a Hog unsalted and it will heal it very quickly The Celestial Governours OR A Discourse in which is plainly declared what Members of the Body are governed by the twelve Signs and of the Diseases to them appropriate ARies Aries is of the East Masculine fiery and chollerick and governeth the Head Face Eyes and Ears c. And of Sicknesses The Apoplexy Mamnia Wounds and Spots in the Face Abortisements and other impitious diseases Ring-worms and Morphews Taurus Taurus is of the South Feminine earthly and melancholly and governeth the Neck Throat and Voice And of Sicknesses Squinancies Scrophulus Cattares and Hoarseness Gemini Gemini is of the West Masculine airy and sanguine and ruleth the Shoulders Arms and Hands And of Sicknesses Phlegmonies Ferruncula and other proceeding of blood in the said places Cancer Cancer is of the North Feminine watry and phlegmatick and ruleth the Breast Ribs Paps of Women Lungs Liver Spleen And of Sickness Alopesia watry Eyes Cotogses and Rheums Scabs and Leprosie Leo Leo. is of the East Masculine fiery and chollerick and ruleth the Heart Stomach Back Sides and the Midrift with Virgo And of Sickness Cardiaca trembling of the Heart and sounding Virgo Virgo is of the South Feminine earthy and melancholly and ruleth the Belly Guts and Midriff with Leo. Of Sicknesses Illiaca cotica passio opilations of the Spleen and black Jaundies Libra Libra is of the West Masculine airy and sanguine and ruleth the Loins Navel Reins Buttocks and Bladder with Scorpio And of Sicknesses all filthy scabs and spots in the Face loss of sight Canker and Hemeroides Leprosie Alopesia and Chollick Scorpius Scorpius is of the North Feminine watry Phlegmatick and ruleth the secret Members the Fundament and Bladder with Libra And of Sicknesses all filthy scabs and spots in the Face loss of sight Canker and Hemerods Leprosie Alopesia and the French Pox. Sagitarius Sagitarius is of the East Masculine fiery and chollerick and ruleth the Thighs and Hips And of Sicknesses hot Feavers Optsaluva and blear Eyes and falls from high places and from Horses Capricornus Capricornus is of the South Feminine earthy and melancholly and ruleth the Knees And of Sicknesses Aches in the Knees Deafness loss of speech and sight Itch Scabs and foulness of the skin Aquarius Aquarius is of the West Masculine airy and sanguine and ruleth the Legs And of Sicknesses Feaver Quartanes black Jaundies Swelling of the Legs and Varices Pisces Pisces is of the North Feminine watry and phlegmatick and ruleth the Feet And of Sicknesses Gowt Scabs Leprosie and Palsie How the Members of the Body are governed by the seven Planets and of the Diseases to them appropriate SAturn Saturn governeth the Bones Teeth the right Ear and Spleen and the Bladder with the Moon And of Sicknesses Leprosie Canker Feaver Quartane Palsie Consumption black Jaundies Illiaca passionis Dropsie Cattare Gowt in the Feet Scrophulus Jupiter Jupiter ruleth the Lungs the Grizzles the Liver and Spearm with Venus the Arteries and Pulse And of Sicknesses Peripneumonia Apoplexy Pleurisie Cramp the Cardaca with the Sun Squinancy numness of the sinnews and stinking of the mouth Mars Mars ruleth the left Ear the Gall Veins Yard and Stones and the Reins with Venus And of Sicknesses the Pestilence hot Feavers yellow Jaundies Shingles Carbuncles Fistula's Chollerick Fluxes Feaver Tertians and Quotidians all Wounds specially on the Face and the Falling-sickness with the Moon and Mercury Sol Sol. ruleth the Heart the right Eye the sight the sinnews and the Brain with the Moon and Mercury Of sicknesses swooning Cramp Opthalima Rheuming Eyes and the Cardiaca with Jupiter Venus Venus ruleth the Genitores Dugs Throat Loins the Liver and Spearm with Jupiter and the Reins with Mars Of sicknesses all Diseases of the Matrix Gomorhea passio Flux of urine Priapismus weakness of the stomach and Liver French Pox Flux of the Bowels and the menstrual sickness with the Moon Mercury Mercury ruleth the Spirits Imagination Memory the Tongue Hands and Fingers and the Brain with the Sun and Moon Of sickness Madness loss of the common sences foolish doting lisping and stammering Cough and Horseness the Falling-sickness with the Moon and Mars The Moon ruleth the left Eye of a Man Luna and the right Eye of a Woman the Belly and Guts the Brain with the Sun and Mercury and the Bladder with Saturn And of sicknesses Collica passio Phlegmatick Aposthumes all manner of Opilations the Falling-sickness with Mars and Mercury the Palsie with Saturn and the Menstrual sickness with Venus Cardiaca Simplicia OR A brief Account of some choice Simples as are chiefly appropriated to the Heart Left unfinished by Nich.
chearful and therefore fortunate Cardanus and Wicker 5. Granate OF this Stone there are two sorts East and West and the West are supposed to be best they are of the quality of the Earth and Fire being worn outwardly or taken inwardly they resist sadness but take away sleep they strengthen the heart but hurt the brain as much they stir the blood and make men angry The Easternly work the same effects but not so violently Cardanus and Wicker 6. Sardine OF Sardine there are three sorts in the Indies to wit red fat and that with silver creases but the best of all come from Babylon being born about one they keep away evil dreams quicken the wit bridle in the blood and choller and make men conquerours in strifes and suits of Law and encrease riches Cardanus Pliny 7. Diamond A Diamond is the hardest of all Stones and most effectual in whatsoever vertue it hath it wonderfully prevails against night-fears therefore must of necessity prevail against melancholly and choller adust or it may do it by strengthning the heart for fear comes through weakness of the vital spirits and is known by the beating or motion of the heart It is reported to make those infortunate that wear them for it is so to the Heart as the Sun is to the Eye though it be light it self yet it dazles the eyes and makes them blinde if you look upon him the best way then to wear them is at a distance from the body they make men undaunted therefore they are best for Cowards to wear they are ill to wear for dishonest people for they make them bold to do mischief Cardanus and Garcias 8. Amethist OF these there are two sorts the one white like Christal and hardly known from it the other of a Violet colour the best are brought out of India they make men staid and watchful being bound to ones Navel they keep him from drunkeness they are profitable in fights and huntings they quicken the wit take away sleep and vapors that flow into the head being laid in Wine all night and the Wine drunk in the morning they make women fruitful and resist poison Cardanus 9. Bezoar THere are two sorts East and West Bezoar the East is best it hath no obnoxious quality with it if you take never so much of it being taken inwardly it is profitable against the bitings of venomous beasts and all melancholly diseases as Leprosie Itch Scabs Quartane Agues Ring-worms c. It hath been known to cure men past hope and left off by Physicians and hath restored them to their former health it resisteth poison a little of it in powder being put upon a Wound made by a venomous Beast sucks out the poison or being made into Lozenges with Rose-water it is a Preservative against all manner of poison Garcias 10. Topaze TOpaze is a Stone of a green colour being rubbed upon a Physical Whetstone to wit a Whetstone of Cypress it produceth an Oyl which will cure diseases in the Eyes also it is helpful for Dropsies and Consumptions If you put it into a vessel of boiling water it cools the water so that you may presently thrust in your hand and take it out without any hurt to your hand Epiphanius Albertus magnus 11. Snakes Stone CAtch a Water-snake and draw a string through his tail and hang him up with his head downwards a vessel of water being under into which he may gape and after certain hours or dayes he will vomit a Stone which falling into the water will drink it all up this Stone being bound to the Belly of one that hath the Dropsie draweth out and drinketh up all the water Hollerius 12. Toad Stone A Todes Stone by gentle touching or stroaking takes away the pain inflamation and swelling from any Wound made by any venomous Creature and instantly draws out the poison therefore if a Rat Bee Wasp Spider Hornet or any other venomous Creature have hurt any part about thee touch the place gently with this Stone and the pain and swelling will cease Take a Toad and tie her up in a purse full of holes and lay it in an Emmet-hill and when the flesh is all eaten away you may finde the Stone if there be any for all Toads have it not If you accidentally get such a one and desire to know whether it be right or no hold it near to a live Toad and if it be good and true she will proffer to take it away Wicker Lemnius 13. Alectorius THis is a Stone found in the ventricle of an old Cock it is of the bigness of a Bean it maketh him that beareth it beloved constant and bold maketh them beloved of Women and strong in the sports of Venus being held under the tongue it quencheth thirst Lemnius Albertus Magnus 14. Jasper IAsper being borne about one stops Bleeding helps Travel in Women stayes Lust cures Agues and Dropsies and chears the heart Garcias Albert. Mag. Mathiolus 15. Nephriticus THis is a stone which being borne about one stayes the pains in the Reins and Stomach expelleth Stone and Gravel A certain man being troubled with the Stone wearing this Stone about him voided so much Gravel that he feared the quantity would do him harme being cast out it was so exceeding great therefore he laid off the Stone and presently he voided no more Gravel but being pained again he wore the Stone and presently the pain ceased and abundance of Gravel and small Stones came from him for it is of that admirable faculty being borne about one next the skin that it preserves from the pain of the Stone and cools the Reins Another of ten years of age was pained with the Stone and wearing a Bracelet of these Stones never was troubled with it afterwards Nich. Monardis Wicker 16. Tiburones IN the Indian sea are caught fish called Tiburones being great strong fighting fish and of a terrible aspect which daily fights with the Sea Wolves in their heads is found three or four Stones and sometimes more very white great and heavy so that sometimes one of them weighs two pound the powder of them cureth the Stone in the Reins and Bladder and difficulty of Urine and is of no taste at all Nich. Monardis 17. Blood-stone THis is a kind of Jasper being worn next the skin it stops bleeding either at the nose or mouth or by wound it stops the Hemorrhoydes or Piles and stayes the Courses in Women this it doth as experience teacheth either by dipping the Stone in cold water and holding it it in the hand or by binding it to the place so it touch the skin N. Monardis 18. Haematites LApis Haematites is binding and a little heating and extenuating it cures Scars and Scurf in the eyes being mingled with Honey and eyes that be Blood-shed being mingled with Womans milk it is given in Wine against difficulty of Urine and overflowing of the Courses in Women and in Juyce of Pomegranates to such as Vomit blood Wicker 19.
that may do them good and restrain their Appetites from those which are hurtful For the latter as touching those things that are to be avoided I shall amongst others briefly advise them to beware of Care Grief Pensiveness Anger of Surfeits and of Venery to keep good hours not to break the usual custome of their sleeps in the night not to perplex themselves with with too much worldly business which brings on age and death For refreshments to wash their hands and comb often and every morning to plunge their eyes in cold water keep the feet dry and sometimes wash them that they may not be too hot or cold but in a good temper keep the head and the neck in the same indifferent moderation but more especially to be sure to abstain from too much Venery which shortens life Other particular directions for diet follow in their order I shall only instance some few heads and refer the diligent Student to the other two Doctors of Reason and Experience where this Theam throughout forty three Diseases is briefly but sufficiently discoursed of Diet for Sanguine Persons SAnguine Persons are hot and moist of complexion wherefore they must be circumspect in eating of their meat considering that the purer the complexion is the sooner it may be corrupted and the blood may be the sooner infected Wherefore they must abstain to eat inordinately of Fruits Herbs and Roots as Garlick Onions and Leeks they must refrain from eating of old flesh of the brains of beasts the Udders of Kine They must use moderate sleep and diet or else they will be too fat and gross Fish of muddy water are not good for them and if blood do abound cleanse it with Stuffs or by Phlebotomy Diet for Phlegmatick Persons PHlegmatick Persons are cold and moist therefore they must abstain from Meats which are cold From eating Viscus Meats specially from all meats which do ingender phlegmatick humors as fish fruits and white meat Also the eating of crude Herbs especially to abstain from meat which is hard and slow of digestion as it appeareth in the properties of meats above rehearsed Dwell not near watrish and mourish Grounds take Onions Garlick Pepper Ginger and all meats the which be hot and dry and sawces the which are sowre These things following doth purge Phlegm Polipody Nettle Elder Agarick Ireos Maiden-hair and Sticados Diet for Chollerick Persons CHoller is hot and dry therefore Chollerick Persons must abstain from eating hot Spices from drinking of Wine and eating of Chollerick meat howbeit the Chollerick Persons may eat grosser meats then any other of the Complexions except their education hath been otherwise They should not long fast these things following purge Choller Fumitory Centaury Wormwood wilde Hops Violets Mercury Manna Rheubarb Eupatory Tamarides and the Whay of Butter Diet for Melancholly Persons MElancholly is cold and dry therefore melancholly men must refrain from fried meats and meats which are over salt that are sowre and hard of digestion from all meats which are burnt and dry they must abstain from immoderate thirst and from drinking of hot Wines and gross red Wine and use these things Cows Milk Almond Milk Yolks of rear Eggs. Boiled meat is better for melancholly men then roasted all meats the which will be soon digested and all meats the which do ingender good blood and meats the which are temperately hot are good for melancholly men so are all herbs which be hot and moist These things following do purge melancholly Quick-beme Scene Sticados Harts-tongue Maiden-hair Pulial-mountain Borage Organum Sugar and white Wine Of Exercise FRom Exercise proceeds two great conveniences the evacuation of Excrements and keeping the body in a good habit Exercise being a vehement motion hardens the members augments the heat causeth digestion a quick alteration and better nourishment opens the Pores of the body and cleanses them it is so necessary for health that where Exercise is wanting Sickness will ensue Learned Writers affirm that nothing more dulls the body then sluggishness nothing more strengthens it then labour notwithstanding for the management of Exercise some considerations are to be entertained the time of Exercise that it is not when the body is replenished with Diet not sufficiently digested Gallen sayes that the best time for Exercise is when the first and second digestions are compleated as well in the Stomach as in the Veins otherwise the body is subject to crude humors and yellow choller the knowledge of this time may be perceived by the colour of the Urine for that Urine which resembles clear water signifies that the juyce which comes from the Stomach is crude in the Veins that which is well coloured neither too high nor too low signifies that the second digestion is perfected when the colour is very high or red it betokens that the concoction is more then suffices wherefore when the Urine appears in a temperate colour neither red nor pale but as it were gilt then should Exercise have its beginning Of Sleep THe commodity of moderate Sleep appears that the natural heat which is occupied about the natural heat whereof nourishment proceeds is comforted in the places of digestion and so digestion is helpt and bettered by Sleep the minde rendred more quiet and clear and the humors more temperate the moderation of Sleep must be measured by health or sickness by age or time by emptiness or fulness or by the natural complexion Phlegmatick persons are naturally inclined to Sleep because they ingender many humors Weak stomachs that digest slowly are disquieted of their rest Sleep immediately after meat is not wholesome immoderate Sleep exposes the body to many diseases heaviness in the body and eyes and a savour of the meat before eaten signifies that the Sleep was not sufficient It is most wholesome to sleep on the right side that the meat may approach to the Liver which is to the Stomach as fire is to the pot by it digested it is good for those that have weak stomachs to sleep on their bellies Lying on the back is very unwholesome unquestionably moderate Sleep strengthens all the spirits comforts the body quiets the humors and pulses qualifies the heat of the Liver is good against melancholly On the contrary immoderate Sleep makes the brain giddy ingenders Rhume Aposthumes causeth the Palsie Oblivion and troubles the spirits Seven hours sleep is sufficient for Chollerick and Sanguine men nine hours for Phlegmatick and Melancholly those that sleep longer deserve to be sick of the Lethargy In cases of necessity to procure sleep take a little Camphire mingled with some womans Milk and anoint the Temples Otherwise Take an ounce of the Oyl of Roses and three drams of Vinegar and stir them both together and use them Or else take Gallens Medicine who had got such a habit of watchfulness by his over much study in his youth that he was forced to eat boiled Lettice with a little Butter when he was old after Supper Of Venery THis
soever they are made of do ingender ventosity Wherefore they are not wholesome for the Chollick nor other inflative impediments or sicknesses especially if Honey be in them Of Eggs. IN England Hen Eggs are most eaten I will first write of them the Yolks of them are Cordials for they are temperately hot The White of an Egg is viscus and cold and slow of digestion and doth not ingender good blood wherefore whosoever will eat an Hen Egg let the Egg be new and roast it rear and eat it or else poach it poached Eggs are best at night and new rear roasted Eggs in the morning if they are a little salted they are nutritive In Turkey and other places they use to seethe two or three bushels of Eggs together hard and pull off the shells souse them and keep them to eat at all times Hard Eggs are slow of digestion roasted Eggs are better then sodden fried are naught Duck Eggs and Geese Eggs I do not praise But Pheasant Eggs and Patridges Eggs are excellent Of Butter BUtter is made of Cream and is of a moist operation good to eat in the morning before other meats French men will eat it after meat but eaten with other meats it doth not onely nourish but it is good for the Breast and Lungs also it doth relax and mollifie the Belly Dutch-men do eat it all times in the day the which I do not approve considering that Butter is uncrious and every thing that is uncrious is noisome to the stomach forasmuch as it maketh lubrifaction every thing that is uncrious that is Butter Oyl Grease or Fat do swim above in the brinks of the stomach as the fat doth swim above in a boiling pot the excess of such nautation or superflice will ascend to the orifice of the stomach and cause eructuations Wherefore the eating of much Butter at one refection is not commendable it is not good for them which are in an Ague or Feaver for the unctuosity of it doth augment the heat of the Liver A little portion is good in the morning if it be new made Of Cheese CHeese made of Milk there are four sorts green soft hard or spermice Green Cheese is not called green by the reason of the colour but for the newness of it for the Whay is not half pressed out of it and in operation it is cold and moist Soft Cheese not too new nor too old is best for in operation it is hot and moist Hard Cheese is hot and dry and ill to digest Spermice is a Cheese the which is made with Curds and with the juyce of Herbs to tell the nature of it is doubtful considering that every Milk-wife may put many juyces of Herbs of sundry operation and vertue one not agreeing with another Besides these four natures of Cheese there is a Cheese called a Irweve Cheese the which if it be well ordered is the wholesomest of them all But take the best Cheese of all these rehearsed if a little do good and pleasure the least excess doth ingender gross humors for it is hard of digestion it maketh one costive and is not good for the Stone Cheese that is good ought not to be too hard nor too soft but betwixt both it should not be tough nor brittle sweet nor sowre nor tart too salt nor too fresh it must be of good savour and tallage not not full of eyes mites or maggots Yet in high Almain the Cheese which is full of Maggots is called there the best Cheese and they will eat the great Maggots as fast as we do eat Comfits Of Milk MIlk of a Woman and of a Goat are restorative These Milks are good for them that are in a Consumption Cows and Ewes Milk if the Beasts be young and do go in good Pasture their Milk is nutritive and doth humect and moisten the members mundifie and cleanse the entrails alleviate and mitigate the the pain of the Lungs and the Breast it is not good for them which have gurgulations in the Belly nor for sanguine persons but it is very good for the melancholly for old men and children especially if it be sod with a little Sugar for those that are sick There are few diseases in which Milk is not offensive if taken inwardly except it be in some Consumptions of the flesh or other Consumption of the Lungs or breathing parts Of Asses Milk THe Consumption of the Lungs and breathing parts called Phthisis wherein the flesh accidentally decayeth through the exulceration of the Lungs and of the breathing parts is especially to be cured by Asses Milk Cammels Milk though in other Consumptions excellent is not so good in this cure because it is too thin and moist as the Womans Milk also because it wholly nourisheth and doth not cleanse whereas the Asses Milk is both meat and medicine cleansing and nourishing alike Of Cream CReam the which doth not stand long on the Milk sod with a little Sugar is nourishing Clouted Cream and raw Cream put together are eaten more for the sensual appetite then for any good nourishment Raw Cream undecocted eaten with Strawberries or Hurtles in a rural Banquet I have known such Banquets indanger mens lives Of Almond Butter ALmond Butter is made with fine Sugar and Rose-water eaten with the flowers of Violets it is a commendable Dish most in season in Lent when the Violets are fragrant it rejoyceth the heart comforts the brain and qualifies the heat of the liver Of Bean Butter BEan Butter in other Countreys is most in Lent it ingenders gross humors and is windy Of Fish OF all Nations and Countries England is best stored with Fish not onely with all manner of Sea but also of fresh water Fish and with all sorts of salt fishes Of Sea fish in General FIsh of the Sea the which have scales or sins are more wholesomer then the fresh water fish the which are in standing waters the younger the fish is the bettter it is to digest but this is to be understood that if the fish be never so solidate it must have some age but not overgrown except it be a young Porposs which fish is neither praised in the Old Testament nor comended in Physick Of fresh water fish in General FIsh which are in Rivers and Brooks are more wholsome then those which are in Pools Ponds or Moats or any other standing waters for they do labour and do scoure themselves Fish which feed on the mudde or else do feed in the fen or moorish ground do savour of the mudde which is not so good as the fish that feed and scour themselves on the stones gravel or sand Of salt fish in general SAlt fishes the which are powdred and salted with salt are not so wholesom especially if one do make a meal of them the quality doth not hurt but the quantity especially such salt fish as cleaves to the fingers when one doth eat it the skins of fishes are utterly to be abhorred for they do
dry and binde it ought to be of a slimy substance he must eat sparingly he may drink wine and water mixed together he must shun all exercise he must breath very gently for violent breathing is offensive he must not sleep in the day time his sleep at night must be moderate his belly must be kept loose by art or nature perturbations of his minde must be avoided especially anger The Postscript COurteous Student observing my indisposition of Health to encrease and still seize more powerfully on me I have so ordered through the trust I have imposed in some of my best Friends that these Papers preserserved for the publique good should out-live me in which as the old Saying is I have inclosed Homerâ— Iliads in a Nut-shel in these few Pages epitomized the Mystery of the Skill of Physick in this small Looking-glass representing to thy clear view above forty of the most dangerous and desperate Diseases that chiefly in this Life afflict ouâ— frail Bodies It cannot be expected that having confined my self to such narrow limits that I should have annexed there more particular Cures they having been so seriously and I hope through Gods Blessing successfully treated of in my foregoing Treatises I acknowledge in these my last Endeavors that I have in part made use of an excellent Manuscript amongst others some years since that came happily to my perusual whether it were 〈◊〉 Original a Coppy a Translation or the Authors Name I know not but whosoever he were I so approved of his admirable Reason that I thought it fit to joyn the best Experience of my own continued Practice to it Vis unita fortior It is â—â—t out of any arrogance or prerogative of my own fancy that I have stiled these three Diet Reaâ—on and Experience Doctors those that know 〈◊〉 rightly can determine that I was never so inmoured with that Title but onely to inform my â—istaken Countrey-men that it is not the Cowl â—â—at makes the Munk the shaking of the Vrinal â—e stroaking of the Beard hard Words the Plush â—loak a large House with a Monster in the first â—â—om to amaze the Patient but deep grounded Reaâ—â—â—n and tried Experience that commences a Physiâ—an with Diet Reason and Experience The three â—â—re-mentioned Authentick Doctors I have conâ—lted I commend their Advice to the well affectâ—â— and judicious for others I care not Nicholas Culpeper Chymical INSTITUTIONS DESCRIBING Natures Choicest Secrets in Experienced Chymical Practice shewing the several Degrees of Progression in the Physical Cabinet of that Art BY Nich. Culpeper Gent. late Student in Physick and Astrology LONDON Printed for Nath. Brook at the Sign of the Angel in Cornhill 1659. Chymical Institutions Describing Natures Choicest Secrets in Experienced Chymical Practice shewing the several degrees of Progression in the Physical Cabinet of that Art Chap. 1. Vinegar of Squills TAke of Squills the outward skins and hard root at the bottom being cast away one pound slice them with an Ivory or Bone Knife for Iron spoils them then put them into three quarts of strong Vinegar stop them close and in one moneth they will be ready for use and then if you please with Honey you may make them into a Syrup * According to the quality of the Patient strength of nature of the disease so let the Dose be 3 and therefore no certain Dose can generally be determined The Dose is one spoonful in the morning â—sting and walking an hour after it It preserveth the body in health even till exâ—eam old age as Samius recorded by Gallen â—oved whom he affirmed to live one hundred â—â—d seventeen Years in health using no other â—edicine but onely this It causeth good digestion long winde clear â—â—ce acute sight good hearing it expelleth winde and makes a good colour it suffers no offensive thing to remain in the body Winde Choller Phlegm Dung nor Urine but bringeth them forth brings out filth though it lies in the bones it hath been known to cure such as have been given over by all Doctors it cures hardness of the Liver and Spleen takes away Gouts and all swelling of the Limbs In a word I commend it for a wholesome Medicine for soundness of body conservation of health and vigor of minde The Colledge of Physicians of London laid all their heads together to hammer out the time when this Squill must be gathered or taken out of the earth and the result of all their consultations was this That it must be gathered at the rising of the Dog-star and so they very learnedly quoted it in that stately piece of Wit their Pharmacopeia but which of the two Dog-stars they mean whether Cyrius or Procyon or whaâ— rising whether Comiscal Acronychal or Heliacal I know not I nor I think themselves neither so that a childe in Astrology cannot chuse buâ— admire at their learned ignorance Chap. 2. Elixir Vitae TAke of Cloves Nutmegs Zedoary Giâ—ger Galangal Pepper white and blacâ— Juniper-berries Citron pills Orange pills Sagâ— Basil Rosemary Mints Marjoram Bay-berrieâ— Penniroyal Gentian Calamint Elder leave Roses white and red Spicknard Cubebs Aloe Hapatique the seeds of Mugwort and Marjoram of each two drams Figs Raisins Dates Almonds Pine-nuts of each six ounces white Honey a pound Musk one dram fine Sugar four pound bruise the things that may be bruised and infuse them all together in fifteen pints of Aqua vitae for ten dayes or thereabouts afterwards still it in a bathe till the feces be dry Take this water and stop it close in a glass let it stand in Horse-dung two Moneths then have you the first water good Then take out the feces and distil them in sand with a strong fire and there will come out a water red like blood and thick which will stink admirably place this in Horse-dung as the former this is the second water of the nature of fire The first water if a childe take a dram of it every third day in the morning it keeps its body sound from diseases it cureth wounds at three times washing with it or four at the most it helps all infirmities in the eyes a drop being put into them the face and breast being washed with it it preserveth Youth being taken inâ—ardly it provoketh Lust and makes barren women fruitful The latter water a spoonful will recover and revive a man that is half dead it helps pains in the Matrix and cures Pleurisies being used by â—nction it cures pains of the Chollick helpeth â—ardness of the Spleen pains in the teeth stinkâ—ng breath Feavers of all sorts being taken inwardly and powerfully prevails against humors of all sorts if any one be so sick that he cannot speak give him a drachm of this with a drachm of the former water and so soon as it is in his mouth he will speak This Dr. Floravantus saith he hath proved an hundred times yet if it lack not above half the number it is no matter Chap. 3. Aqua Mirabilis TAke of Turpentine one