An excellent Treatise teaching how to cure the French-Pockes: with all other diseases arising and growing thereof, and in a manner all other sicknesses.  
Drawn out of the Books of that learned Doctor and Prince of Physicians, Theophrastus Paracelsus.  
Compiled by the learned Phillippus Hermanus, Physician and Chirurgeon. And now put into English by john Hester in the spagirical Art, practitioner.  
AT LONDON, Printed. Anno, Dominj. 1590.   

❧ To the worshipful the Master Wardens, and general Assistants of the fraternity of chirurgeons in London: john Hester wisheth them all the true direction to the perfect way of knowledge in their Science, according to their profession.  
AFter I had translated out of the German tongue into English, this little treatise of the French Pocks (a work of more worth than the smallness of the Bulcke peradventure may seem to import) I advised with myself a while to whom I might best assign the patronage thereof, and meeting with no one degree, from the Prince to the Peasant, that would not highly scorn and disdain a matter of so base and vile a reckoning, as harsh to the hearing of many, as it is in the feeling of others odious, I found none likelier to give countenance thereunto, than you my Masters of chirurgery, who by the profession thereof, maintain no small part of your countenance, Levis est labor cum lucro. And though there be among you at this day some, which to the profit of the rest, by their writings have travailed therein with commendations, others, that by their painful and diligent cares, have endeavoured many hard and perilous cures of this filthy disease: yet bear with me I pray you, if after so many learned and well experienced men, I also (the meanest of many) bring forth with the poor widow my little poor mite: and yet neither so little nor so poor, but that the intelligent Reader shall find as well in the discourse, matter worth the discovery, as in practice, Medicines worthy the knowledge.  
In the preparing of which Medicines, if leaning to mine Author, I seem to leave others of more authentic credit, neither blame me, nor condemn him, but weighing the case in balance of indifferency, allow us so far forth to follow the authority of the ancient, as they have or do follow the truth itself; a liberty which hitherto the best men have ever challenged: and sure in my opinion, these fellows that to fill large volumes, rather set down what other men have said, than what they should have said, as many of our Writers now adays do, thinking him the best Clerk that voucheth most Authors, neither weighing their reasons, nor pondering their proofs, but huddling run on with ipse dixit, I say these fellows, by blotting a great deal of good paper with much superfluous matter, lead a great many good wits a woolgathering, enforcing them to seek for that they never find, or else to find somewhat not worth the seeking. For who I pray you of any judgement, would seek in Galen or Hipocrates, men in every wise man's censure, without doubt, well worthy the credit they are in, who I say would seek in them, or their Appothecaries, Medicines for diseases whereof they never took notice. I deny not but their method may well be followed, even so far as general rules may prescribe in particular actions: but to be tied to a Medicine neither applied nor approved by them, is more than they allowed in others, or (for aught that I see) more than others should allow to them. Now that the diseases of the French Pocks was neither known to them, nor to their successors for many years, (although I know some aver it to be Lepram Arabum) is a matter so far out of question, that it refuseth all show of disputation, and therefore as this latter age of ours sustaineth the scourge thereof, a just whip of our lycentiousnes, so let it, (if there be any to be had) carry the credit of the cure, as some reward to some men's industries: neither let us peevishly distrust our own wits, furnished with so many helpers, and apishly admire other men's, only for their antiquity: this were to tie God to times and seasons, & to play bopeep in a secure shroud of idleness, utterly dis-franchizing ourselves of the free legacy, Dij laboribus dona dant sua. Great courtesy is made who shall carry the name, the Frenchman posting it over to the Spaniard, the Spaniard to the Neapolitan, and either of these returning it back to other, but I would we in England were not as deeply interessed in the thing, as either of them are in the name, which because I fear we are, as knowing more herein then every man knows, I thought good for the benefit of such as are distressed, to deliver to the Chirurgeon, that which many (I am sure) have not yet seen: offering therewithal my pains, labour, and industry, as well in the preparation of Medicines here set down, as in any other, by any of my friends otherwise proved by experience, all yours, and friend to every one of you.  
john Hester.   

To the Reader.  
IN this Book I have taken upon me (gentle Reader) to describe the ground and the original of the disease called the Pocks, and therewithal to correct the abuses which have hitherto been used in the curing thereof, as namely in fumigation, washing, anointing, opening of tumors and such like, and (the abuses being corrected) I mean to show (God willing) how they may be used without any peril to the Patient, and further to teach you a rare way (with Lignum Guaiacum, commonly called Pockwood) how to care your Patients going about their business, after a more better and perfect manner then heretofore hath been taught, whereby you may minister help and comfort to the forsaken and comfortless Patient, and may be able to perform that which both you promise to him, and he expecteth at your hand, that is to say the recovery of his former health, for which he so greatly longeth. But there are many now adays, which take cures in hand, which neither know the disease, nor the manner of curing of it, & yet they dare promise health to the Patient: these men go to work with their Patients as the blind man doth with the Crow, at all adventures, for they minister that to the disease, which appertaineth nothing at all to it, and so in steed of health, they give the Patiented his bane. For redress whereof, and that you may the better take heed of such, I have therefore written this little Book, which doth teach you perfectly to cure the aforesaid disease without any danger, so that the Patient after that he is cured, shall be more healthful in all his body than he was before such time as he first got this disease, but for your better understanding of that which is aforesaid, I wish you with diligence to read that which followeth. And so far ye well.   

❧ A Table containing the principal matters in this Book.  

The first part.  
OF the Pocks, how to know them, & the cause whereof they spring. Folio. 1.  
Of the abuse used in curing of the Pocks, by anointing or salving. fol. 5.  
Of fumigation or smoking, with correction of the abuse used therein. fol. 9  
Of washing with Water. fol. 14.  
The correction of this washing with Mercury. fol. 16  
Of lancing or opening of Tumours. fol. 17.  
An attractive Plaster. fol. 18.  
Of curing the Pocks by sweeting. fol. 19  
The Drinks which are usually given for the Plague. fol. 20.  
The correction of sweeting, whereby the Pocks may be cured. fol. 21.  
The preparing of Mercury to provoke sweat. fol. eodem.  
Of curing the Pocks by Siege, with laxative Medicines. fol. 24   

The second part.  
Of the nature or virtue of the Wood called Lignum vitae, or Guaiacum. folio. 29.  
How to choose this Wood, and which is the best. fol. 32.  
How to prepare the Drink. fol. 34.  
What regiment the Patient is to observe. fol. 37  
Of the great pain in the head, which taketh away the sleep. fol. 40.  
The curing of the pains in the head of those that are Phlegmatic, and Melancholic. fol. 42  
Of madness or idleness of the head called Insania. fol. 43  
How to cure the Phlegmatic & the Mellancholicke of this disease. fol. 44.  
Of the Falling-sickness, called in Latin Epileptia. fol. 45.  
The curing of the falling sickness in Phlegmatic and Melancholic persons. fol. 47.  
Of Polipus an ill disease in the nose, whereof cometh the Cancer. fol. 48.  
How to cure the Phlegmatic and Mellancholicke of this disease. fol. 49.  
Of shortness of wind, coughs, and stuff in the breast. fol. codem  
The drink for the Phlegmatic and the Mellancholicke. fol. 50.  
Of the diseases in the stomach, as pains, quesinesse, vomiting, etc. fol. eodem  
For the Phlegmatic and the Mellancholicke, how he is to be cured. fol. 51.  
Of diseases of the Liver, as obstruction, apostume and the Dropsy. fol. 52.  
To cure the diseases of the Liver in Phlegmatic and Melancholic Patients. fol. 53.  
Of the diseases of the Mother, as the superfluous issue of menstrues, and to stay them, and of barrenness. fo. 55  
To cure the diseses of the Mother in the Phlegmatic and Mellancholicke Women. fol. eodem  
To cure the Cancer in any place of the body, wheresover. fol. 56  
To cure the Cancer in cold complexions. fol. 57  
Of all other ulcerations, whether they come of the Pocks or otherwise. fol. eodem  
For the Phlegmatic and the Melancholic. fol. 59  
How to cure the Rupture. fol. eodem  
To cure the same in Phlegmatic and Mellancholicke persons. fol. 60  
Of Podagra or the Gout. fol. 61.  
To cure the Phlegmatic and Melancholic thereof. fol. 62   
FINIS.   


Capit. 1. Of the Pocks, how to know them, and the cause whereof they spring.  
TO know the original of this filthy sickness, there is further regard to be had, then to the only act of intemperancy, for the chief cause thereof, was the influence of the heavens, which in the very instant when this disease first showed itself, did so strongly infect the secret parts both of man and woman, that thereby the said disease (first in the Parents, and after in the children) hath with a certain secret poison, infected and spoiled the whole body, showing itself commonly (though not always) in the secret parts. For those parts by the influence of the stars are first of all infected, and then the person so infected, giving himself to incontinence, doth cause the said disease to show itself, first in the secret parts, and afterwards throughout the whole body, and being infected themselves, do also engender infected children, as they also do that are infected with the Leprosy. For the Leprosy and this disease are so near of kin, that they are Cozen-germanes to each other, therefore such infected persons, must of necessity beget corrupt children, because that their seed is also infected, and afterward such children are yet more corrupt, by reason of the corrupt milk that they suck from their Mothers: so that it is almost impossible to cure the said children the disease being so rooted in them. First through the infection of the seed, 〈◊〉 and next of the milk: but such children so borne and nourished, are sometimes not so greatly troubled with open sores and botches as their Parents have been, but they have many griefs and pains in their bodies, so that it should seem that they are not troubled with this disease, but with the Gout or some such like, notwithstanding it is nothing else but the Pocks, but that it changeth by means of generation, and the complexion of the child which differeth from the Parents. These two, to wit, the influence or impression of the heavens, and the generation, are the first and principal causes of this disease, and for that the influence is partly past and gone, we may also perceive the fury of this disease to be partly assuaged, and therefore not so terrible as it hath been, and the older it is, the feebler it becometh, but though the Pocks do vanish away, yet there spring other diseases enough, different from those that heretofore have reigned, so that we are enforced to seek for new remedies to heal the said new diseases. For every disease hath his proper remedy wherewith to be cured, and until the same remedy be used, the Patient cannot be helped, but is the longer the more spoiled, until in the end there cometh one, who by chance useth the right remedy, and so ignorantly by good fortune healeth the Patient. Whatsoever shall be needful to the curing of the Pocks or any other disease springing thereof, shall by Gods help be perfectly taught in this Book, so that nothing shall be wanting therein.  
To proceed now with other causes of diseases, you shall understand that there are many other causes besides those afore mentioned: for though those are the principal, yet it chanceth notwithstanding, that some do fall into this foul disease, which through the impression or influence were not so much inclined thereto, and that chanceth through companying with women, where through the secret parts are first infected, then the blood throughout the whole body, & lastly the news, the flesh and the bone. It happeneth also a man to be infected by sweat, and that cometh by lying with another, for when one man lieth with another that is infected, and the ●●me do sweat sore, he must needs be infected with the venom of his sweat. But this infection doth not always chance, for if the person infected have had it a long time, and that it doth not appear outwardly, but lieth hidden inwardly, he doth not infect so sore, nor so soon as those that are but newly infected with it. Therefore let every man take heed, that he do not lie with them whom he knoweth not, for that it is very dangerous, therefore I counsel every man to have great regard hereof, to eschew such a danger.  
Now we will show the signs whereby one may know when any man is infected with this disease, for a thousand are taken in hand to be cured with the receipts for the Pocks, which are not infected therewith, but with some other disease, as the Gout, the Dropsy, and such like, these and other more as are all old Ulcers, and other infections of the skin, are altogether, or for the most part, taken in hand to be cured with such remedies, as pertain properly to the Pocks, which happeneth oftentimes, to the great hurt of the Patient, yea to his utter ruin. Therefore you ought to take great heed that you use not the remedies pertaining to the Pocks, till such time as you know perfectly, that the disease springeth from no other cause but the Pocks. Therefore you shall learn to know it thus.  
When this disease doth first attach any man, he doth always feel great pricking and shooting between the skin and the flesh, and when he beginneth to were warm, it troubleth him so that he cannot abide it, and whosoever hath not (for a certain space) felt or been greatly troubled with such pricking or shooting, although their disease seem ugly or loathsome, yet it is not so ill as they suppose, but is sprung of some other cause. And if a man chance to get any infirmity in his secret part, as botches, running, or such like, and have not felt the said sign of pricking or shooting, you shall then know, that as yet no certain judgement can be given, for such infirmities come sometime before the sign can show itself, but when the wound is healed up, and that nature is not sufficiently purged, then cometh the aforesaid sign, and the other evil diseases sometimes many years after. But to instruct you perfectly in all things, you shall understand, that this disease taketh place first of all in the sinews, upon the bones, and in all the joints of the body, so that it is very hard to be known from the Gout, because it also doth show itself always in those places: but the pain of the Pocks is always greater in the evenings then in the mornings, and doth incline to an Ague. And always (this excepted) thou shalt have regard to the aforesaid signs of pricking or shooting, for if those signs want, it is not the Pocks, but the Gout or some other cold disease. And if the Patient have many open holes very red and inwardly white, which do not greatly spread abroad, but continue at one stay without much matter, and will by no means heal outwardly, understand also the same to be a great sign, yet not so great as the first: for if the first sign of pricking have not appeared, it is no sufficient token of the Pocks, but some other disease proceeding of Melancholy.  
There are yet many other signs of the Pocks, as great Biles, with great pain in the head, and many red bushes on the forehead, under the hair, and in the neck, but although these do resemble the Pocks, and that very nearly, yet you may not judge them to be the Pocks, unless the aforesaid sign have gone before, because that is the most certain token of all other, and if so be that that have showed itself, then doubt not, for it is without all doubt that they are the Pocks, and so much the stronger as there hath been greater Biles, or holes as aforesaid where Biles have been, and also if there be great pain in the members, and the more in the evening then at other times of the day, and that the aforesaid sign have appeared, than you need not doubt it to be the Pocks.  
Thus much of the Pocks, with the signs thereof, now shall be showed the means to cure them.   

Capit. 2. Of the abuse used in the curing of the Pocks, by anointing or salving.  
THe first abuse of those that with anointing or salving think to cure this foul disease, springeth of this, that they do not know the disease, and therefore they can give no good counsel thereto. For how is it possible to heal a disease which a man neither knoweth, nor the nature of it? For a man shall as soon spoil it as heal it, with that which blindly and without understanding he doth minister unto it. The second error is, in the composition of their receipts, which they do so wonderfully rumble together through their blind ignorance in the disease, that it is a great wonder that they bring not more men to the grave than they do, although they kill enough, and too many toe. Therefore to shun these inconveniences, we will teach thee to cure thy Patients by a better manner of anointing, whereof shall not only ensue no peril, but also the health of the Patient, according to thy will & his own desire. But first, to make their error more manifest, I will set before thine eyes the simples whereof they compound their receipts, whereby thou mayst perceive what abuse is in them: the simples are these. Euforbium, Staphisagria, Scamonea, Sal gemmea, Lapis Calaminaris, Pepper, Ginger, Camphier, Vermelion, Axungia, Saunders, Bolus armenus, Terra sigillata, Common gum, Ceruse, Litargirium, Minium, Crued quicksilver, Mercurius sublimatus, Mercurius precipitatus. These with other things more, which they ought not to do, they use in their anointing, which are hurtful in divers respects. And first because they do use laxative Medicines which are very hurtful to be used in such manner without the body. For Mercury being a thing that doth pierce so sore, doth also draw the other laxatives with him into the body, and they both being so venomous and so extreme hot, do infect the blood in the veins, and inflame the whole body in such sort, that nature (after she is lightened of her burden, and discharged of that which oppressed her, must alone heal the disease) cannot by any means recover herself, but by reason that she is so sore pined, is not able to make any resistance but remaineth vanquished, so that the Patient is brought to a consumption, or to the Dropsy, or else to death, therefore you shall in no wise use any laxatives thereto, how light so ever they be, because they are always hurtful, and not profitable,  of all that is used in curing the Pocks, there is nothing that doth any way profit being outwardly ministered, but only Quick silver, therefore they are greatly deceived, which with strong Purgations do purge the Patient, thinking thereby to expel the matter of the Pocks by stools, which is unpossible, other wise then by purging with Mercury, and being purged therewith, he doth expel it by stools, but there are not many that have the knowledge to bring Mercury to that strength of purging, for it is a noble secret: and it is also neglected of the most part, because of the great labour and cunning that is to be used in preparing of it. But I will sufficiently instruct them in the Chapter that followeth.  
Now for the correction of those things that are needful to be corrected in the anointing. First and foremost you shall eschew all laxatives, and all other things before mentioned, only Mercury excepted, for it is that which in the anointing performeth the action, and without Mercury there is nothing profitable in this disease ministered outwardly, but inwardly there are many noble remedies beside Quicksilver, which both in this, and also in all other diseases, are of great force, so that the like hath not oft times been seen. But because in this Book we have taken in hand to write only of the Pocks, we will therefore meddle with nothing but Mercury. In these two we will use such diligence, that nothing shall be unpossible for you to help in this disease, if so be that you follow our counsel.  
Now to prepare your Mercury that it may outwardly be ministered without peril to the Patient: you shall take in God's name of the earth wherein Mercury groweth, which is found in Dutch-land in the gold & silver Mines, this earth is called in Dutch Berch civober, of this earth you shall take the softest which is not yet hardened, take twenty pounds thereof, this you shall beat and put it into a Kettle, & pour fair rain water thereto, and let it seethe an hour long, and the earth and the other filthiness will separate itself, which you shall scum off very clean, then that which remaineth in the Kettle, you shall rub small, and put it into a Cucurbit, and set it to distill upon the fire with great heat, (according as I have taught you in my Book of Mineral distillations) and you shall see a white juice arise like Milk. And when you perceive that it will drop no more, then take that white juice, and set it alone to distill in Balneo marry, and the moisture that is thereby, will come alone, and in the bottom of the Cucurbit there will remain an Oil, as heavy in a manner as Quick silver, (the manner to distill by Balneo marry, I have showed you sufficiently in my Book of the distillation of Herbs, to which Book I refer you for brevities sake.)  
The Oil remaining in the bottom of the Cucurbit, as afore said, you shall take and use to anoint withal as followeth. Take two ounces of the aforesaid Oil, and six ounces of Spike Oil, these you shall mingle together and warm them a little upon the fire, and therewith anoint the diseased parts of the Patient, but those parts which are not diseased you shall not anoint therewith, because it would do more hurt then good, for that there is no matter whereupon they may work, and not finding other matter to work upon, it would dry up the natural moisture from those parts, but the diseased parts you shall anoint as aforesaid in every part or joint, and if there be any holes or blains, you shall anoint those also in the evening when he goeth to bed, and you shall cover him very warm that he may sweat, and let him lie and sweat two hours long, and he must not in any wise stir himself, because he may sweat the better, the said time being expired, you shall abate the clothes from of him, and give him warm clean clothes, that he may dry up the sweat clean in every place, and being well dried, take off his wet shirt, and put him on a clean shirt well warmed, then set him by a good fire of Oaken wood, and dry his head with warm clothes, in the mean while make his bed, and lay on a pair of clean sheets well warmed, then let him go to bed again before it be cold, but cover him not too warm, but that he may sleep quietly. In the morning when he awaketh, you shall use as you did in the evening, to wit, with fire and drying, and being well dried of his sweat, you shall apparel him, and let him wash his hands and his face in warm water, and then let him eat his meat, which shall be such as here followeth.  
First he shall eat no Swine's flesh, nor no salted flesh, no Hares, Coneys, Hearts, nor other venison, nor no cows flesh, nor no pottage, but broth made of good Mutton, sodden with Borage and a few Beets and with a good deal of Bor●age, other Pottage he shall eat none, he shall eat good Mutton, Hens, Partridges, and all manner of wild foul, excepting all water fowls, and all that seek their living or swim in the water, for that their flesh is ill to digest for a sick man, engendering naughty and melancholy blood, he may also eat good young Beef, being newly killed, and not long salted, but he must not eat much of it, because it is hard of digestion for a weak stomach: but of all other there is nothing better for such a Patient, then good young kids flesh that yet sucketh his dam, with good Partridges and good young Hens, he shall not refuse to eat, for that of all other meats they are best: he shall abstain from Pepper, and Ginger, but in his meat he may use Cinnamon, Cloves, and such like, also Nutmegs and Saffron: he shall also abstain from Onions, Garlic, Skallions and such like, either raw or sodden, because they vex the blood and inflame and dry up the Liver. His drink shall be good Rhenish wine, tempered with water sodden with Annis seeds, Barley, and Mastic, of each as much as a Chestnut, of this water he shall take one part, and of Wine two parts, and he shall drink thereof until he be cured: he shall keep himself very warm, and out of the air within the house, he shall keep the windows and the doors shut: this order he shall in all respects keep with anointing, sweeting, and diet, until he be perfectly cured, for if he do as is aforesaid, he shall undoubtedly, by Gods help be cured, although he had it twenty years, if so be he have not been spoiled with other Medicines before.   

Cap. 3. Of fumegation or smoking, with correction of the abuse used therein.  
THere is yet another way of curing the Pocks, found out by practitioners, for when they perceived that of force they must use Quick silver, they took and killed it with Brimstone, making Cinober thereof, because it should not be known to be Quick silver: for the common people, perceiving so many to be spoiled and killed with Quick silver, would not willingly be cured therewith: therefore because they might the better use it without gainsaying of the Patient, therefore they brought it into another form, using it also after another manner without any anointing, because anointing was become odious to the Patient, therefore they found out a device to perfume or smoke the Patient, with the smoke of Cinober or Vermelion and so to cure him, for they knew Quick silver to be so subtle or piercing, that they would enforce it into the body at any place, through the pores or sweat holes. And therefore they set the Patient under a Tent or Canopy naked, with a chafing-dish of coals between his legs, wherein they strewed the Cinober, stopping him close round about, the Patient then beginning to sweat, the Mercury with his whole substance creepeth into him in such sort, that it causeth all the slime in his body to ascend into his mouth, infecting and corrupting all parts of the Patient in such sort, that it is pitiful to behold, so that the one after long Martyrdom at length creeps into his grave, the other becometh cripple and deformed, the third toothless, and such like miserable accidents which are befallen them, that it would grieve a man to see, how they have handled a number of their Patients.  
For Mercury being used corporally, hath this nature, that it doth draw all the corrupt matter of the Pocks into the mouth, and because they have dealt so disorderly therewith, taking more of it then they ought, they have therewithal drawn the corruption into the mouth in such abundance, that it could not have sufficient egress, but for want thereof is returned, and hath sought him a place in the entrails, as in the Liver, the Lungs, the milt, and the stomach, etc. So that some are fallen into the diseases of the Lungs, as Pleurisies, shortness of breath, Coughs, consumptions, and such other, almost altogether incurable diseases. Others are fallen into diseases of the stomach, as vomitings, quesinesse, great and intolerable pains, and Apostoms' of the stomach, not being able to digest any good nourishment. Others are fallen into diseases of the Liver, as the yellow jaundice, or Ictteritia, the Dropsy, the Bloody flux, hot fiery Agues, and such like. And some into the diseases of the milt, as the Fever quartain, the canker, the Wolf, the Leprosy, to all which diseases they were not any way subject or inclined, until such time, as they were brought thereto by the unskilfulness of foolish chirurgeons, and all these aforesaid diseases, are altogether in manner uncurable, and in the end deadly. Wherefore I would wish every man to take heed, not to deal with Mercury in any such sort as is before expressed. But if thou wilt use it in any such order as hereafter shallbe showed thee, it shall not only not be hurtful, but thou shalt also therewith perform that which thou promisest to thy Patient, that is to say the curing of his disease.  
Now we will show wherewith they are wont, and do yet perfume or smoke their Patients: the simples are these that follow: Cinober natural, Mercury calcined, Artificial Mercury sublimed, Alipta, Muscata, Cloves, Cinnamon, Ireos, Musk, frankincense, Mastic, Mirha, with other such sweet things. These sweet things they have therefore taken, because the Patient should not smell the stink of the Brimstone & the Cinober: but though at the first they have not known him by the smell, yet in the end he hath made himself known unto them by the feeling, for that he performeth his work with great force, as those Patients know very well which have had experience of him, for as a sharp poison, so goeth he to work in all his operation. Their first and greatest error therefore is, that they do fume the whole body of the Patient, where as they should not fume any more than the place where they know that the place desireth to have issue. For in all diseases, nature hath her certain emunctories or purging places, where through she coveteth to purge herself. As sometimes by stools, sometimes by vemits, and sometime sweeting: but in this disease, she hath more places to purge by, as the groin, the armholes, and such like, and sometimes other open holes in other places of the body, where a man must smoke, and not in any other place. But for your further knowledge you shall understand, that Mercury may be prepared in divers manners, as laxative, opilative, corrosive, and attractive, and also diaphoretic, so that it may be prepared according to the desire of him that will use it.  
But in this fumigation or smoking, the intent is only to make him attractive, that is, to draw out of the body, that which is hurtful or hindersome to nature, but herein our cunning chirurgeons have both been deceived themselves, and thereby have also spoiled their Patients, first in that they perfumed or smoked the whole body of the Patient, for by that means the venomous matter, which before occupied but one or two places of the body, they have now drawn throughout all the whole body, secondly in using the Mercury so grossly with his whole substance, and that in such great quantity, they have also by that means brought their Patients to utter ruin, and thirdly, in that they have mingled other things with the Mercury, where as it is the Mercury alone that must perform the action without help of any other thing, being outwardly used by fumigation.  
Now we will show thee the manner or order to prepare it to be attractive, with the correction of the abuse heretofore used in the ministering thereof. Although it hath chanced sometimes, that there hath a Patient or two been cured by means of this aforesaid fumigation, and also by anointing, yet you shall understand, that the came to pass alone through the goodness of nature, which is willing to help herself, and strong to resist and overcome the violence of the Medicine, but yet for one so cured, there hath been ten thereby spoiled, besides those that have been sent ad Patres, to rob Moles, but to eschew all these inconveniences, you shall prepare your Mercury in this order.  
Take Cinober made by art (not natural Cinober, and beat it as small as is possible, whereof you shall take one pound, and one pound of Salt Peter, mingle them very well together, and set them to sublime (as shall be taught you in another Book, which shall entreat of the preparing of Minerals) the Mercury being sublimed, you shall grind it small upon a stone, than you shall take an instrument or Earthen pot of two spans in length, very well glazed within, it shall be one span wide in the bottom, and the mouth shall be as wide as a big Apple, in this instrument you shall put of the aforesaid Mercury, one dram at a time, and you shall set the Patient and the said instrument in such sort, that the mouth of the instrument may be placed upon the emunctory or place, where the disease desireth his issue, and the other end upon a chafing-dish with coals, making it hot in such order, that it may warm the emunctory, but hereof you must take great heed, that you make it not so hot, that you cause it bodily to ascend, for this is the thing that hath killed so many, that the Mercury with his venomous hot body, hath been enforced into the body of the Patient.  
Therefore you must have great regard, that you make your fire in such reasonable manner, that you do not cause him to ascend, but that his spirit or damp alone may perform the action, than you shall see the matter issue forth in such abundance, that the Patient shall thereby be delivered from his disease. You shall hold the said instrument with the Mercury so made, hot upon the emunctory, the space of half an hour at a time, and you shall use this manner of fumigation every night when the Patient goeth to bed, and let him sweat every time in such order as is afore showed in the Chapter of anointing, using him in all points as is there specified, to wit, in sweeting, in drying, etc. In this order you may fumigate or smoke without any danger, if you take heed that the Mercury do not ascend, so that you shall not only avoid all peril in your curing, but shall also purchase to yourselves, praise and thanks whensoever you shall use it. Thus much of fumigation, with the correction of the abuses therein used, now concerning washing.   

Capit. 4. Of washing with water.  
THere is yet another piece of cunning devised by the subtle Pock-maisters, which perceived that they could not longer use their Mercury without hurt or shame, and also without thank of the Patient, for the Patients perceiving the great perils that ensued by the anointing, & how many were thereby spoiled, would not any longer trust their anointing, and so fared it also with their fumigation, for when they saw the numbers that thereby were killed, they feared, and would not any longer be smoked: whereupon the Pock-Maisters, were enforced to prepare their Mercury after another order, that he might be more secret and unknown, that they might yet use him, for they witted well, that without him there was no cure to be wrought, for as yet Guaicum was unknown, therefore they took sublimated Mercury, and sodde it in Aqua vitae, and with the said Aqua vitae, they washed the Patient: which is a very subtle and forcible manner of curing, and very perilous, which manner of curing, I do counsel all men to leave undone. But in this manner following, you shall not only avoid all danger, but shall also have good success in your works, which if (for the great labour and charge which is required in the preparing of your Mercury) you will not follow, I would wish you to leave washing: for of all manners of curing, there is none the like for force and danger, therefore if you will not otherwise correct your Mercury, it is not lawful for you to cure any man by washing, for that they which are this way cured, are in greater danger than one man which doth fight against two other for life and death. But if you will prepare your Mercury as hereafter shall be showed, you shall not only eschew all danger which otherwise may happen, but shall also perform as much as shall be requisite to the curing of this disease, & as much as hath been hitherto performed by any man, wherefore fly sloth, and use diligence in preparing your Mercury, whereby you shall not only obtain your desire in curing the disease without fear and danger, but also with great credit to yourself, and profit to the Patients.  
In this washing, besides this afore written, there is yet another abuse, that is, that they have washed all the parts of the body, as well those that were sound, as those that were diseased, than the which they could not have committed a greater oversight, for by that means they have brought the sound parts into a worse case than the diseased, for Mercury used in such sort, is in the operation as hot as fire, so that in those parts wherein there is no corrupt matter to be dried out, there he goeth to work, and drieth out all the good and natural moisture, and thereby spoileth the whole member.  
Therefore above all things you must take heed that you do not wash the whole parts, but only those that are diseased, for the diseased parts have matter, wherein the Mercury may work, and which is needful to be dried out. Now I will show you how to prepare and to use your Mercury, but first I will show you those simples wherewith these Master's use to wash, which are these. Mercurius sublimatus, Auri pigmentum, Arsenicun, Cerusa, Camphier, Aqua vitae. These things if I should minister in this sort crudlie without other correction, I think I should kill all the Patients that I should take in hand. For by reason of the strength of the Aqua vitae, the Mercury becometh so subtle and so fiery, that it is a great wonder that they die not all that are taken in hand to be cured in this order. For of all other, this manner of curing is most dangerous, for the Mercury by his subtlety, and by means of the heat of the Aqua vitae, doth perform his operation in the inward parts of the Patient with such force, as many sick Patients have better felt than I can describe, and though this be most true, yet there are some the use it daily, as though it were good, but I say that it is a secret kind of poison, which though it be but outwardly applied, doth yet not withstanding (with great force) perform his work inwardly in the body, for it inflameth and stirreth up the blood in such sort, that the Patient oftentimes falleth a bleeding, bleeding themselves to death, others are like to be choked, so forcibly draweth this venom to the heart, but peradventure some will defend his doings herein, and say, I have helped many therewith, but I would feign hear the Patient himself report it, yet nevertheless, I do think well, that some one amongst a hundred, may be cured by this means, but I con them no thank therefore, but rather nature, which herself healed the disease, and resisted the storm, but how many have they spoiled and helped under the ground before they have cured one, verily a great number I am certain, but to avoid such a danger, and to attain credit in this art, do as is aforesaid, leave off your washing, or else prepare your Mercury as followeth.  

The correction of this washing with Mercury.  
Take Mercury which is sublimed, by himself without any addition, as I will teach you in the fore alleged Book, the same you shall sublime yet four times with common prepared Salt, than you shall pour upon the said Mercury, good rectified Aqua vitae, as I have taught you to rectefie it in my book of Distillations. This Aqua vitae you shall set on fire with a little Paper, and let it burn till it be consumed, then pouré on more, and do likewise, doing it so often until the Mercury do cease to bite or eat upon the tongue, then seethe the Mercury in Persic●●ie water, or in Celendine water, half an hour long, then let it be cold, and pour of the water, that the Mercury be not used with his body, but that his spirit & his strength may come forth, and be coupled to the disease, for in the spirit of the Mercury is the virtue to cure the disease, and in the body of it, is the force to kill and spoil the Patient. Therefore it is the greatest oversight that may be, to take Mercury and to seethe it in Aqua vitae, and therewith to wash the Patient, for by that means, it entereth corporally into the body of the Patient, and spoileth and killeth him, as all other poisons naturally do, therefore take heed that in no wise you use it corporally, but only the spirit as is aforesaid, and so nothing can ensue to the Patient, but good.  
With the aforesaid water ye shall wash or make wet, the diseased parts of the Patient, every night when he goeth to bed, than you shall lay him to sweat, using him in all points as is showed in the other Chapter, and you shall continue this manner of washing, every day once, until such time as he be perfectly cured, and that he feel no more pain. You need not fear to use this manner of curing in this disease, for if you do as I have here taught you in this Chapter, there can happen nothing but good to the Patient, and credit to yourself, so that you shall wonder to see what shall come to pass in this order of curing, so that you may with credit and a good conscience, ask your reward. Thus much concerning washing.    

Capit. 5. Of lancing or opening of Tumours.  
THere have been some that have held opinion, that because of the great pains that men have had on their shins, and the pipes of their arms, that therefore the root of the disease must needs lie there, (but they are deceived, for the root lieth in the blood) these going forwards in their opinions, have made holes upon the shins, and divers other places of the body, thinking that the disease would have run out at those holes, and so have been gone, but their expectation was deceived, for although they had made the skin full of holes, yet the matter they looked for, ran not out at them, but there issued a certain yellow water, which proceeded of the pain which the corrosive had made, and not any matter of the disease, neither did it concern the Pocks any thing at all. But I find no great fault in this, for as it holp not, so it hindered not, yet it was a great foolishness of them to think the disease to be so cowardly to give over his hold before any assault were laid to it. But because there may chance sometimes, much matter to lie about the shins, or such like places, which causeth intolerable pains, to remedy the same you may use the aforesaid means, to draw away the said matter, yet not as they did, for they did nothing but set open the door, forgetting that which was most needful, that is, when they had opened the place, they should have applied a Plaster, to have drawn out the matter, which otherwise of itself would never have come forth.  
But for your further help when any such manes do happen. I will set down certain things whereof you may make Plasters, and apply to such open places, whereby the matter may be drawn forth, and the pain diminished.  

An attractive Plaster.  
Take Serapini, Galbani, Amoniaci, of each two drams, Oppoponaces, four drams, Bdellij, six drams, dissolve it in Vinegar, then strain it through a cloth, then seeth it so long till it begin to wax thick, then put thereto of rheubarb two drams, Radicis affodeli half a dram, Yellow Amber, two drams, this you shall beat very small, and then use it. This draweth so forcibly, that it leaveth nothing untouched. But because this is no certain rule for the curing of the Pocks, but only to diminish part of the matter, we will not stay any longer about it, but proceed to the perfect curing of the same, and first of another manner of cure used by sweeting.    

Capit. vj. Of curing the Pocks by sweeting.  
THere is yet another opinion sprung up, and that is this, to cure the Pocks by sweeting. This came first out of Italy into Dutchlande or Germany, and at length it became common here in this Country: and indeed for some it was good, but for others hurtful, for phlegmatic & moist bodies, are thereby dried and made curable, but the Choleric and Melancholic bodies, are thereby spoiled, not with the sweeting, but with the hot Medicines that they used to provoke sweat, which Medicines so inflamed and dried up the blood in the veins, the Liver, the Lungs, the milt, and the Kidneys, that thereby many Patients fell first into the Fever quartain, secondly into the Dropsy, and lastly into the grave. Well the Pocks are not to be cured in this sort. For though it be good for one, yet is it hurtful for another, but if ye will cure, you must provide such remedies as may be good for all complexions, and hurtful to none, especially here in sweeting.  
But for your better instruction, it shall be necessary first to show you wherewith they use to provoke sweat. They have taken good strong Wine, and mingled the same with Treacle, and with other things which you shall hear anon, and given the same to the Patient to drink, and then covered him to make him sweat, and this they have so long continued, until either the Patient was cured, or that they were hindered by hot Agues which they brought upon the Patient, for by this means they had so spoiled the Liver and other parts with heat, that they could not any longer use their natural strength, but went backward, engendering evil black inflamed blood, which must needs bring forth Agues and the Fever quartain, therefore now I will show you the simples whereof they make their Medicine to provoke sweat, that you may the better eschew them, and these they are.  

The Drinks which are usual given for the Plague.  
Aqua vitae mingled with Treacle, Aqua vitae mingled with Camphier cardamomum, Grana paradisi, Pepper, Euforbium, Radix ungulae caballine, Radix flammule. Beside these aforenamed, they have yet used many other things, and moreover devised a mean to cause the Patient to sweat of himself, without help of any Medicine, and to perform the same, they used Crocks or great Earthen pots, filling them with hot water, and stopping them so close, that no moisture could issue forth, these they laid in bed by the Patient, and covered him with clothes in such sort, the by means thereof, and the warmth of the Pots together, they caused him to sweat. This way, though it be very good to provoke sweat, yet in this disease it is not good, because this disease doth not suffer itself to be expelled so easily, without other greater helps, but in the Plague. This is a very good way and profitable, yet in this disease, sweeting is also very needful. Now followeth the correction of this manner of sweeting.   

The correction of sweeting, whereby the Pocks may be cured.  
The pores or sweat holes in the skin, are also emunctorium, (that is to say a place wherethrough nature doth purge herself) yea one of the most principal emunctories, therefore through the said pores or sweat holes, a man may very well purge nature, and also expel the matter of the Pocks, but not through the heat of clothes, neither of the aforesaid simples, as Aqua vitae and such like, for the aforesaid remedies they are not good for this purpose: but the strength is in the Mercury alone, and it is he the must work the feat, that is, he can through sweeting, expel the matter of the Pocks, and knoweth also where to find it, for which cause he must be made to be diaphoretic, that is, to expel sweat by the pores, for being brought thereto, he is so subtle in his operation against the Pocks, that it is almost incredible, for he leaveth no corner in the whole body unsearched, expelling all the corrupt matter that he findeth. But the preparing of him (I fear me) will be too troublesome for lazy Practisioners, and therefore I think I may spare my labour, yet notwithstanding, I will reveal it for their sakes that are diligent, knowing that he that desireth the health of his Patient, will spare no labour, nor refuse any travail to obtain the same, and therefore I will now show you the preparing of it.   

The preparing of Mercury to provoke sweat.  
Take of Aqua fortis, a fourth part, Tin, and Quicksilver, of each half an ounce, put this together in a Glass, and set it in a chafing-dish with warm ashes, (you must remember to put it into a Glass, because the Aqua fortis doth pierce through all things but only glass, you must therefore take a Glass with a flat or round bottom without a foot, and put it therein, setting it in the ashes as aforesaid) in the end, when you perceive the Quick silver to be dissolved, take it out of the ashes, and let it stand till one may say the Pater noster three or four times, and there will be a little sand in the bottom, them pour off the clear, putting it into another clean Glass, and set it again in the ashes as aforesaid, and make under the chafing-dish a small fire, until you see the water be all dried or sodden out, then let it be cold and break the Glass, for otherwise you cannot get it out it will be so hard, when you have taken it out, you must grind it small upon a stone, and put it in a small vessel of Silver and guilt, or of gold, for that is best for this purpose, the said Vessel must be about the bigness of a Spoon, and so deep, that it may contain the said matter, and that you may cover the said matter with Aqua vitae the breadth of a finger. This vessel you shall set in geod strong wine Vinegar, a little deeper than the said matter that is in the Vessel, and then set the Aqua vitae on fire that it may burn (note this, that your Aqua vitae must be rectified, that it do not contain any phlegm, according as I have taught you to rectify it in my Book of Distillations.) The Aqua vitae being consumed, you shall immediately pour on more, and let if likewise burn away, doing this so often, until the Mercury, with the tin, do convert to a certain kind of Oil that is thick and fat. Of this Oil you shall take one grain & mingle it with good Wine, and give it to the Patient to drink in the morning fasting, and then cover him reasonably (not too warm) and you shall see that which will make you to wonder, that is, you shall see such abundance of sweat issue from the Patient (though he be not very warm covered) that will cause you greatly to marvel: and of this you may be bold, that he shall sweat so much as may be good and profitable for his nature and no more. This you shall give him every day once, and when he sweateth, let him be well dried with warm and clean clothes, and he must take diligent heed to keep himself from cold, and out of the air, and that principally when he sweateth, his diet and his drink shall be in all respects as is afore specified in the Chapter of sweeting, and you shall not regard what hath been written heretofore by divers, concerning the not eating of salt, for that they have therein greatly erred, therefore you shall use so much salt as shallbe needful for the seasoning of your meat to give it a good taste.  
But always provided you must use measure in all things, and that principally in salt and sour things, because that they two being two much used, are very hurtful to the sinews, and for that cause you must take them measurably, but in any wise not to use your meat without salt, for that salt is the only thing requisite in the body, to preserve the humours from corrupting, for in what part of the body soever the salt beginneth to lose his virtue, in the same part immediately beginneth a filthy rotting, not much unlike to the Leprosy, wherefore in any wise you shall not forbid your Patient the eating of salt, for by that outward salt, the inward salt (which is in the blood, and in all the other parts of man) must be nourished and maintained.  
But that you may the better believe, that there is salt in all the parts of man's body, you shall understand, that the body of man (by all Philosophers, and by me also) is accounted for a little world, which was called (by them) Microcosmos, which little world doth contain in it, all such things as the great world doth naturally contain in her. By which reason it must also contain salt, yet not bodily but spiritually, and that this is true, a man may perceive by this, that all whatsoever issueth from man, is altogether salt, as the tears, the sweat, the urine and such like, wherefore it is necessary for the Patient to use salt to maintain the same as is aforesaid.  
But concerning Vinegar, you shall use as little as is possible, because it is not only unprofitable, but also hurtful to nature, for which cause you may not use it much: the Patient must also refrain from drinking too much strong Wine, and principally from sour Wine, so that his drink shall be of the best and sweetest Rhenish wine that can be gotten, and he must also drink it measurably, thus much concerning diet and drink. And here you shall understand, that by this manner of sweeting, all kinds of the Pocks may be cured, although they were never so ill, yea though one had had it thirty. years long, so that to him that followeth this prescribed manner of curing, there shall be nothing impossible (pertaining to this disease) but only that which God will not suffer to be cured, wherefore I would wish you to use it, assuring you that you shall not find any other means that shall be much better than this is. Thus much concerning sweeting.    

Capit. 7. Of curing the Pocks by Siege, with laxative Medicines.  
THe Doctors of Physic have also herein tried all their cunning, & used divers means with laxative Medicines, that (as though it were very agreeable to nature) they might by Siege expel the matter of the Pocks, but because that nature divers times chooseth other emunctories to purge herself by, therefore their devices have had no good success, for though there be many remedies whereby to purge the body from his uncleanness, yet not one of them is able to deliver the body from this disease, wherefore I would not wish any man to purge with any such laxatives, because it is not only in vain, but also very hurtful, for they do not so much as once meddle or touch the matter of this disease, as being altogether unable to expel the same, & yet because they must work being once received in, they go to work upon that which they ought not to meddle withal, expelling that which is profitable to nature: yea and being too often used, or in too great a quantity, they do expel the blood, the flesh, and at last they do melt the marrow in the very bones, expelling it also, according as we have seen the experience thereof in those which thus have been purged, for their flesh falleth away, their cheeks wax hollow, they become lean and pale of colour, which paleness of colour so long continueth, as nature continueth unable to cleanse the blood, and to overcome the disease. What availeth it then to purge with sharp laxatives, when it is the nature alone that must heal the disease.  
But I know there be many that will say, and I grant it to be true, that by purging they have cured divers Agues, and such like diseases, but though it be granted that the disease healeth after such time as the Patient is purged, yet notwithstanding it is nature herself which healeth the disease, after that her enemies are put to flight: but as for those laxatives, they do not so forsake the body of the Patient, but that they leave many relics behind them, which afterward are the causes of many great evils, & also the body is brought thereby to such a custom, that it doth look daily to be purged, and therefore will not perform the accustomed digestion as it ought to do, and notwithstanding all the evils that do ensure these purgations, there is no help nor comfort to be expected of them toward the curing of this disease, because they do not so much as once touch it.  
Now I will show you wherewith they have used to purge, to the end you may take heed of it, because it cannot any thing profit you. First they have given the Patient of these juleps or Sirops, and after have purged them with the laxatives following. These are the juleps and Sirops, Sirupus de fumo terre, Sirupus acetosus, Simplex et compositus, Sirupus de Pomis compositus, Sirupus de menta, Sirupus de bisantijs, de Absinthis, et Epitimo, de Cicorea, et de Eupatoria. julep violatum, et julep rosatum. In very hot diseases these aforesaid Sirops they mingled with these distilled waters following, because they might the better be received. The waters are these, Aqua boraginis, Aqua bugloss, Fumus terrę, Aqua cuscutę, Aqua melissę, Aqua scholopendrię, Aqua maioranę, Aqua finiculi, Aqua cicoreę, Aqua endinię, Aqua lupuli, Aqua capillorum veneris, Aqua eupatorij, Aqua lactucę, Aqua scabiosę, Aqua cardo benedicti. These aforesaid waters with other more, they used to mingle with their syrops, and then gave them to the Patient to drink, to prepare the matter, and afterward purged them with these laxatives following. Diasene, Diacitoniton, Diacarthami, Agaricus, Coloquintida, Turbith, Elleborus, Confectio, Hamech, Electuarium, judum, Diagridium, Ezula, Hermodactilus. And also with these Pills following. Pillule cochię, Pillule indę, Pillule lucis, Pillule artecite, Pillule feditę, Pillule areę, Pillule de hermodactilis, Pillule de lapide armeno. Upon all these aforesaid, I will God willing show you the correction, but principally upon the laxatives, for that the other need not greatly to be corrected.  
First you shall understand, that it is not evil or hurtful that the matter in the Liver and the stomach, be first prepared, and then afterward purged with these Medicines following, which are very easy and not burtfull to be used. These are they, Diacatholicon, Cassia fistula, Manna rhabarbarum, Aloes, Polipodium, Sena, Epitimum, Mirobolanorum five sorts or kinds. For these help to lighten nature, & to cleanse the blood of all uncleanness proceeding of meat and drink, they deliver also from Agues if they be often used, & are hurtful neither to old nor young, every man may use them with out danger. But as for the matter of the Pocks, they do not so much as once meddle with it, but let it lie still untouched. For that requireth another manner of force wherewith to be roused and driven forth, which pertaineth to the Mercury alone, for being brought to be laxative, he can find out that which the other could not find, and doth expel that which he knoweth to be offensive to nature, not only in this matter of the Pocks, but also in all other diseases, therefore I counsel all men to use diligence in learning to make the Mercury laxative, as hereafter shall be taught.  
The correction of this that hath been said, is nothing but this, that you purge with no other laxative but only with Mercury, and to make him laxative, you must prepare him thus.  
First you must have a kind of water, that with extreme heat of fire is distilled of eggshells, of this water you must take four ounces, of Quick silver one ounce, and put them together in a Glass, which Glass you must set in a chafing-dish or some other thing with sand, and set the chafingdish in or upon the fire, & the Mercury shall dissolve through the force of the water, and being dissolved, you shall distill of the water, and pour other upon it, this you must do so often, until the Mercury become as red as blood, when the water is drawn from it: this Mercury is the right Purgation to expel the matter of the Pocks by stools. The Mercury then being as red as blood, you shall grind it to fine powder, and of the said powder you shall give the Patient to drink (with good sweet Wine, or other Wine that is not sour) every morning fasting three grains: or you may also mingle it with Theriacle or Metridatum, and give it him to eat every morning fasting, and let him fast after it at the least four hours, and then shall he purge that, that is needful to be purged, and is the right matter of the Pocks, and it shall not any way be hurtful unto him, but shall cleanse him from all unhealthful things, restoring him to a healthful state, cleansing all superfluity, and leaving all the other humours of the body untouched.  
This is that, that purgeth the matter of the Pocks by the stool, and there is no other laxative that is any thing available, but only Mercury being thus prepared. The Patient must be kept with meat and drink, according as is said of the other in the Chapters going before, he must also be kept from cold, & out of the air, but principally from the company of Women, because that is the root of this disease, which being frequented by the Patient, it reneweth the disease, making it worse and more venomous than before, therefore above all things that must be eschewed. And thus much concerning the curing of the Pocks by Mercury.  
Hear endeth the first part.    

The second part of this Book, which treateth of curing the Pocks with drinks made of Lignum guaiacum, after a good and perfect order.  

Capit. I. Of the nature and virtue of the wood called Lignum vitae, or Guaiacum.  
THis wood is found in the islands of the Indian sea, and is as common there, as our Oak is here with us, the people of that Country do use nothing of it but only the leaves & the smallest twigs, which they stamp small, & wring out the juice of it, and so drink it. But because this Country is so far from us, we cannot have it so fresh, as to take and use the leaves as they do, but are feign in steed thereof to use the boughs or branches, and thereby to seek help for the Patient, and so it is come to this pass, that of the said branches we make a certain decocted drink, by which the said disease is cured. But yet there hath been a great abuse committed by divers, as well in the making or seething of this drink, as also in the diets, with other like things, all which hereafter God willing shall be corrected. But ere we proceed herein any further, I will declare unto you the nature and property of this wood.  
The ancients in times past have had knowledge of this wood, and have given it his name, although some men be of the contrary opinion, supposing that they knew it not, yet I say that they are deceived: for though in all points it do not agree with that which they call Hebena, yet I say that it can not be any other, but a certain kind of the said Hebena. The ancients describing the said Hebena or Hebenum, do say, that it doth not swim, but goeth to the bottom like a stone, and that within it is as black as ink, and therefore some do say that this is not that Hebena. To such wise men I answer, sending them to Dioscorides, willing them to mark his description of herbs and flowers, etc. For there he describeth many herbs and flowers, which if a man should seek for in that order which they are there described, I know they will scarcely be found, because they do not in all points agree with the description: and the reason thereof is, the nature of the Country where the said Herbs do grow, for in one Country they are of one fashion, and in another somewhat different from the same, and sometimes also by removing from place to place, Flowers do alter their colours, and become more double of leaves than they were before, and yet they remain the same Flowers still, even so is it with Hebena, for that which groweth in India, is of another colour then that which groweth in Grecia, and yet notwithstanding it is a kind of Hebena, for it goeth to the bottom, as Hebenum doth, and is also of the same virtue, curing the same diseases.  
Having proved that this Wood with his name have been known in old time, we will now show his virtue and operation, what he worketh in the body of man, being ministered as it ought to be. The virtue of this wood is drying more than any other Medicine, and to drive away the oppilations or stops of the Liver and the milt, being ministered with opening Medicines, according as shall be taught hereafter. It may be used (almost) in all diseases, being used with such Medicines as are appertinent to the disease, and being so used, his virtue is increased, and he becometh of more force. How to apply him with other Medicines, shall be taught in other Chapters that follow.  
But peradventure you will muse why I do now so much praise this wood, considering that I have so much before praised the Mercury, I say therefore that amongst all other remedies, there is none that can be used with less danger than this of Hebenum. Considering the great danger consisting in the Mercury, by reason that he is so venomous, & that there are so few which either can or will prepare him in such order as he ought to be prepared, as well for the labour therein required, as also the cost and cunning that necessarily belongeth thereto. These with other more are the causes why we have written thus in commendation of this Wood, praising it to be the best and most surest in the curing of this filthy disease, excepting only the well prepared Mercury, according as we have mentioned and taught in the Chapters before going: but as I say, Mercury being excepted (amongst all other Medicines) there is none comparable to this Hebenum.  
For being used in such order as it ought to be, it may be ministered without all danger, as well in hot and dry, as also in cold and moist complexions: and doth also work great wonders in many diseases, such as are almost incredible, but it must be used orderly, as in the Chapters following shallbe taught at large, wherein the curing of each disease shall be taught you in such good order, that thereby you shall perceive how greatly they have been deceived, which (after one manner with this aforesaid drink) have taken upon them to cure all manner of diseases. Even like a Shoemaker which would make every man's shoes upon one last, which is impossible. Now we will proceed to the choosing of this wood.   

Capit. 2. How to choose this Wood, and which is the best.  
YOu shall take and use the young and small branches with the bark upon them if they be fresh, and have not been long gathered, if you may so have them, if not, than you shall take of the biggest having the bark upon them, because that as they are greater and thicker, so they are harder, and dry not so soon as the lesser branches do, for if you take the small ones, having been long gathered, they will be too dry, therefore it is best to take the old being gathered both at one time. For if a man might have it being green, it were much better than otherwise, but because that is not possible, therefore a man must help himself with such as he can get, but this is a thing to be wondered at, that there should be such virtue in a dry stick, to expel the matter of the Pocks, yea it is almost incredible, but that we see the experience of it daily in divers persons, of all manner of complexions, so that we are enforced to believe it because we see it.  
Further you shall understand that, that Wood is best which is of middle age, which age must be understood of the growth, because the young Trees are not yet come to their perfection, and the old Trees are decayed, and therefore it is necessary to choose that which is of middle age, and that as green as is possible with the bark upon it, there is yet one thing more to be observed, and that is this, the place where it groweth, this and such like a man must know of them which bring it over. For that which groweth in S. Dominicus Island, is not good for this purpose, for in hot and dry complexions it is very hurtful, because of the heat and dryth of the Country where it groweth, which maketh it much hotter and drier then that which groweth else where, as in S. john's Island, for the Island of S. Dominicus lieth right under the Equinoctial line, by reason whereof, the inhabitants are greatly troubled with heat, and also the fruits of it, are much hotter than in other Countries, but the best Wood is found in the Island of S. john, being not so hot and dry as that of S. Dominicus, and may therefore be used with lesser danger, in hot and dry diseases, as hoarseness of the voice, with shortness of breath called Asthma, and in a consumption called Ptisis, these may well be cured with the wood of S. john's Island, which were not good to be attempted with that of S. Dominicus Island, because the Patient might thereby be brought to a greater dryth, and in the end to death. For though there be some kind of men, so cold and moist of complexion, that they might better be cured with the wood of S. Dominicus Island, then with that of S. john's, yet notwithstanding there are very few of them, and of those that are hot and dry, or at the least wise hot and moist, there are many more, for that those which are most troubled with this disease, are for the most part young women, and young men, and are for the most part not so cold of nature as they should need such hot Medicines; and chiefly such dry Medicines, for by reason of the great heat they dry up the natural moisture, and thereby shorten the life of the Patient, but the wood of S. john's Island a man may use without fear, in hot and dry diseases, being prepared accordingly in the seething, and also in cold and moist diseases being prepared thereafter, for it is not so much drying as the other, and is notwithstanding as excellent in cold diseases as any other can be. For the Island of S. john lieth different from the Equinoctial line, almost eight degrees, being in such sort moistened with springs and Rivers, that the fruits thereof are much more excellent, & more natural than are the fruits of the other Island. In what manner this wood must be prepared, shall hereafter be showed.   

Capit. 3. How to prepare the Drink.  
SEeing we have already showed you what wood is to be used in this Drink, we will now show you the making or seething of it. I have seen the Physicians use this drink almost in all diseases, and towards all men, after one kind of order, but in so doing, whether they did well or not, I leave to your consideration. For how can a Shoemaker make every man's shoes upon one last, even so is it with this drink, which hath caused me greatly to wonder, so see that it hath been so done by almost all Physicians. For how is it possible for a man to find any one thing, which being ministered after one kind of order, should cure all kind of diseases, considering how contrary one disease is to another.  
But in that we have heretofore said of this wood, that it may be used in cold, and hot, moist, and dry complexions, that is thus to be understood. It may be so prepared in the seething, that in hot diseases it may be a cooling Medicine, and it may also be prepared to be a hot Medicine in cold and Melancholic diseases, and to cure them all perfectly. Therefore when it is to be ministered in hot and dry diseases and complexions, it must be sodden with greater quantity of water, then when it is to be used in cold and moist diseases, and the disease by reason of the moisture and coldness of the water, shall be made temperate, and by the wonderful virtue which secretly lieth hidden in the wood, it shall be perfectly cured.  
For in this wood is contained a certain secret or hidden virtue, in curing diseases not alonely the Pocks, but in manner all diseases: expelling by the urine and the sweat, whatsoever is hurtful or contrary to nature, therefore you must diligently consider the nature of the disease, whether it be hot or cold, that you may make your drink accordingly, for in cold diseases, you must use more wood and less water than in hot diseases, and sometimes you must use wine, and sometimes not, and sometimes the drink must be made of the wood alone, and sometimes with other additions, as you shall hear more at large hereafter.  
Now I will teach you how to seeth or prepare your drink, after a better and more perfect order, then of many hath hitherto been used, which is after this manner. You shall take of the wood, being made as small as is possible, and put it into a stone Pot, which must be so big, that it may not be more than half full, when your wood with the other receipts appertinent to the disease, are put into it, your receipts therefore being put into the Pot, you shall set it upon the fire to seethe in a Kettle with water, and (because it shall not in seething lose any of his virtue) you shall therefore stop the Pots mouth so close, that no air do issue out, for if it get vent that the air come forth, it doth lose of his virtue, and is so much the worse.  
Therefore you must use great diligence in the stopping of it, for that is principally herein required, and being close stopped, you shall set it to seethe in a Kettle of water, binding it so in the Kettle that it fall not, and then make it seeth, keeping the Kettle continually so full of water, that it may always be higher than that which is in the Pot. In this order you shall keep it seething at the least ten hours, but peradventure you will think that it cannot seeth, because it is so close stopped and hath no vent, but that is not material, for our desire is, that it should boil or seeth without walloping, for seething in this manner, it retaineth all his virtue, whereby it shall perform his operation in better order than he hath done heretofore, being simply set upon the fire to seeth with a cover of wood or stone. Moreover, it may be you will think, that if it be stopped as aforesaid, it may as well be set upon the fire to seeth, as in a Kettle of water, but herein you should be deceived, for being set upon the fire to seethe in that order, it will rather burst in pieces then seethe, and therefore the best way is to set it in water as is aforesaid. For as the water seetheth in the the Kittle, so shall that also seethe which is in the Pot, although you do not perceive it to move or wallop, which is by reason of the close stopping, and that it can get no vent, yet notwithstanding it doth seethe although it do not wallop, and by this still seething; doth retain or rather increase in virtue, much more than if it had walloped.  
To prove the experience hereof, you may take a Hen or some other piece of meat, and put it into a Pot, and as much liquor as you mean to have broth, and stop the said Pot, setting it to seethe in a Kettle of water, as aforesaid, letting it seeth in that order, as long as you use ordinarily to seethe your meat, and you shall find it will be as tender, as if it had sodden & walloped with great force in an open Pot. This is excellent for all sorts of men in all kinds of diseases, to have their meat dressed in this kind of order, as shall be showed more at large, when we shall come to describe the diet of the Patient.  
Thus we have showed you in what order you shall seethe this drink, hereafter when we shall say, you shall take thus much, or so much of the wood, and shall seethe it as is aforesaid: you shall understand it of this manner of seething, and none other, because that this manner is of all other the best, how good soever they he. The quantity how much of each thing shall be taken, is showed more at large in the Chapters following, where the drink shall be appointed according to the nature of the disease. Thus much concerning the preparing of the Drink. Now followeth the regiment of the Patient in his diet.   

Capit. 4. What regiment the Patient is to observe.  
FIrst and foremost you must take diligent heed that you do not pinch your Patient with much hunger, but let him have as much as shall be sufficient to quench hunger with, for hunger doth weaken and pull down a man more than any other thing, drying up the natural moisture, and extinguishing the natural heat, whereby the life of man is shortened. For when a man hath kept a very straight diet, and been greatly pinched with hunger a great time, the said time being expired, and that he cometh to eat his fill, all his nourishment turneth to a certain waterish humour, turning to the Dropsy & such like foul diseases, the cause hereof is, that his nourishment is given him too late. As for example, a flower which hath been long parched with that heat of the Sun, in the end cometh a rain, which rain serveth the flower to no other end but to spoil and rot it the sooner, the reason is, because the rain came too late. Even so is it with a man having been long pined with hunger, therefore you shall cause him to abstain, not from that which is good, but from that which is nought, according as hath been taught in the other Chapters before.  
The best and wholesome meat that you can give your Patient, is Mutton, Veal, and Hens, which shallbe boiled in a Pot stopped close, and set in a Kettle of water to seethe, as is showed before, and he shall not eat his meat fresh, that is to say without salt, as hath heretofore been taught by certain Doctors, but it shall be seasoned in such reasonable sort, that it be neither too fresh nor too salt, but that it may have a pleasant taste. The reason why we allow of salt is showed, as we have set down in another Chapter before, and therefore not to be repeated now for avoiding of tediousness. The quantity of meat and drink to be used by the Patient, cannot well be described, for that men's stomachs are not all alike, the one eating more, and the other less, therefore you shall give the Patient so much as shall be sufficient for him to suffice hunger, taking heed that he do not gorge or glut himself, but that he do always leave off with an appetite, and concerning his drink, that shall be such as is appertinent to the disease, whereof he may drink as much as him listeth, being always made warm ere he drink it, but if he chance to be feeble or faint, you shall not give him of his drink alone at meals, but you shall give him some wine with it, either Rhenish, or small white wine, mingling the same with his drink, half one, half another, but as for Beer (how good so ever it be) he shall not drink any, until he be perfectly cured, because it is hurtful for him.  
In this aforesaid order you shall diet all your Patients, old and young, to wit, with such good meat dressed in this order, until they find themselves reasonably satisfied, always leaving with a little appetite, that the Medicine be not hindered in his operation with over much meat. Concerning the observation of the time, you shall begin with the Patient in the morning at five of the clock, giving him then his Medicine to drink, which being done, you shall cover him so warm that he may sweat very well, he shall lie still and sweat at the least two hours, if he be able to endure so long) and you shall give him warm clean clothes, to dry of the sweat from his body, and you shall take away his wet shirt, giving him a dry one well warmed to put on, than he shall put on his clothes, and sit by a good fire, and make him ready, and when he is ready, let him walk up and down the Chamber till eight of the clock, and then he shall go to dinner, he shall first sup of the broth with a little Bread, and then eat of the flesh as much as shall suffice him, as is aforesaid. After he hath thus dined, he shall walk up and down the Chamber recreating himself with some pastime or other to drive away Melancholy, till about four of the clock in the afternoon, and then he shall go to supper, using himself as at dinner, after which he shall fast till seven of the clock, than he shall go to bed, then give him of his drink as much as in the morning, to wit, at each time eight ounces, whereupon you shall cause him to sweat, drying the sweat from him as you did in the morning, and principally you must dry his head well, and his shirt which he put of in the morning you shall dry it very well, and let him put it on again warm, and then you shall make his bed with a pair of clean warm sheets, and so let him go to bed, and let him rest quietly till five of the clock the next morning. And then you shall give him his drink, using him in all things as is aforesaid.  
In this manner (with sweeting and diet) you shall use all those which may keep their Chamber in the time of their curing: but as for those that must go abroad, their drink must be prepared with wine, as shall be showed hereafter, and as for their sweeting and their diet, it must be in all respects as the other, which being performed, they may go about their business, although it were better and more sure for them to tarry within doors, and that chiefly in foul, rainy, or blustering wether, for although the wine do resist the contagion of the air, yet it cannot resist all, especially, when the wether is so untemperate, notwithstanding, I have in this manner aforesaid cured many that went abroad, but yet I counsel you to cause your Patient to tarry at home in his Chamber by the fire in fouls wether.  
The best time to take in hand to cure the Patient, is the Harvest and the spring time, and next to that is the winter, but the Summer is not good, principally for hot Choleric persons, for in itself it is contrary unto them by reason of the great heat and dryth, which it increaseth so much the more in them: but to cold, moist, and phlegmatic bodies, the Summer is not so hurtful as to the choleric, and therefore in time of need, such Patients may be cured in the Summer.  
Thus much concerning sweeting, with the time, and the ordering of the diet, now followeth the order of curing, and first of the great intolerable pain in the head, which happeneth often in this disease, suffering the Patient not to take any rest.   

Capit. 5. Of the great pain in the head, which taketh away the sleep.  
THis intolerable pain is called Cephalea, or Hemicravea, and is so great and so vehement above the eyes, that oftentimes the Patient is like to run mad therewith, & although many means be used, yet the pain decreaseth not. To cure this and such like pains in the head, you must first consider the complexion of the Patient, whether be be choleric, phlegmatic, melancholic, or sanguine, which you shall know in this sort.  
If the Patient be choleric, his urine is very yellow coloured, and the pain is sharper upon the right side of the head then in other places, he is lean of body and his mouth is commonly bitter. If he be sanguine, he is somewhat fatter of body, but not much, and hath a sweet mouth, his urine is also very much coloured, and thick. The phlegmatic is commonly fat, and gross of body, and slow, his water is white and thick. The mellancholicke are lean and withered, or dry, and beavie spirited, envious, and angry, wishing well to no man, his urine is bleak and thin, in manner like water, and he is always sad.  
Having taught you to know the complexion of the Patient, we will teach you the preparing of each of their Medicines severally. And first of the Choleric and the Sanguine, because in this they do agree, to wit, in heat, although the Choleric man be much drier than the Sanguine, yet because they are both hot, we will conclude them both under one cure, which shall be in this order.  
First you shall take Diacarthami, and Diaphenicon, of each three drams, this you shall break and mingle together with Fewmetorie water, that it may be a drink, which you shall give the Patient to drink at four of the clock in the morning warm, and suffer him not to sleep, to eat, nor to drink, till such time as it have done working, for the shall expel part of the matter (whereof the disease groweth) by siege, the same day you shall cherish him well with good meats, such as are before showed for his diet, being dressed after the aforesaid order. The next day you shall give him of this drink following, eight ounces, the drink is this. You shall take of the best wood that you can get (being broken as small as is possible) half a pound, of clear spring water eight pound, this you must seethe as is taught in the third Chapter, and give the Patient thereof to drink morning and evening, at each time eight ounces, causing him to sweat in such order as before is showed.  
But if so be that the Patient cannot keep within doors but must go abroad about his business, you shall then make his drink of half wine, half water, taking four pounds of vach, but in seething your drink with wine, ye must see that the Pot be very closely stopped, because the wine is of such a subtle and piercing nature, so that if it once get any vent, the virtue of it flieth away. Your drink being thus prepared with Wine, may well be ministered to such Patients as cannot keep at home but must go abroad, but yet in very foul wether they must tarry at home, and in fair wether they may go abroad about their business, after such time as they have sweat and taken their diet as aforesaid. In this sort are all such Patients to be used (for the pain in the head) as are hot of complexion, the space of eight days, until the ninth day early in the morning, at which time you shall give him the aforesaid Purgation, keeping him from sleep, from meat, and drink, till the Purgation have done working, and that the Patient feel no more pain or grief in his belly, and then you shall give him his diet, the same day neither in the morning nor the evening shall he drink any drink, but only the Purgation, except at his meals you may give him of his drink, mingling the same with wine, half one, half another.  
In the morning he shall again drink of his drink, and do in all respects as I have taught you before, until eight days more be expired, and upon the ninth day you shall purge him again, and then he shall drink again as is aforesaid, in this order he shall continue until he be whole, and that the pain have clean forsaken him. This aforesaid drink doth excellently help hot and dry complexions by cooling them, and is contrary to such diseases as are of nature cold & dry, expelling them.  

The curing of the pains in the head of those that are Phlegmatic, and Melancholic.  
THe drink for the Phlegmatic or Melancholic persons, must in operation be warmer and drier than that aforesaid, and must therefore be made in this manner. Take of the wood three quarters of a pound, being broken as small as is possible, with six pound of water, and as much Wine, and put it in a stone Pot, and being very close stopped, set it to seethe ten hours in a Kettle of water as is aforesaid, whereof the Patient shall drink morning and evening eight ounces at a time, and at the end of eight days, you shall purge him with the aforesaid Purgation, using him in all points as is aforesaid, with sweeting, and otherwise, and he shall undoubtedly be cured. But you must have great regard in sweeting, that you dry his head well, for that shall much further his health. And here you shall understand, that the pain doth commonly increase till it be at the strongest, and then it every day decreaseth till at the last he feel it no more, therefore you shall not be dismayed though the pain increase in the cure, for that cometh to pass by the strength of the drink, and it is a very good sign, therefore let not the Patient be discomfited, but let him rejoice, because it is a certain sign of health.    

Capit. vj. Of madness or idleness of the head, called Insania.  
THis idleness or madness in the head, called in Latin Insania, proceedeth of a certain venomous humour or damp, ascending from the stomach and the Liver into the brains, and because the brains through the infection of the Pocks, or some such like cause is become weak and tender, they are not able to repel or drive back the said damp or humour, but remain vanquished and overcome of the same in such sort, that they forget to do their office, going quite out of order, so that the Patient hath no rule of himself, but doth and speaketh he knoweth not what.  
To cure this disease, as well that which proceedeth of the Pocks as otherwise, (excepting only when it cometh of or with a hot sharp Ague, because therein is great danger of death) you may do it with the drink made of this Wood, without any impediment: which must be prepared after this manner, for such as are hot of complexion, as the Choleric and Sanguine are. Take of this Wood, being made very small, one pound, fair water eight pounds, which you must seethe as is aforesaid, and give him thereof every morning and evening eight ounces, at a time & cause him to sweat well, and you must dry the sweat from his head very well, because the disense lieth altogether in the head. His diet and his drink shall be as is mentioned in the former Chapter, notwithstanding as little as may be, for in this disease much meat is very hurtful, and therefore he must be content with a little, he must drink no Wine, for that it is contrary both to his disease and complexion, because it ascendeth up into the head, he must drink of his drink alone as much as he will, & it must always be a little warm. Thus doing, he shall without doubt be cured by God's help.  

The Phlegmatic and the Mellancholicke must be thus cured.  
TAke of this Wood one pound, of Water four pound, of Wine two pound, this you must seethe as is aforesaid, and give him thereof every day to drink morning and evening eight ounces at a time, continuing the same until he be cured. And although in the beginning the Wine do him no good, yet you shall not leave to use the same still in his drink, for that it is a notable Medicine for his complexion, being measurably used, and therefore you shall seethe him his drink as aforesaid, and it shall in the end perfectly help him.  
You may give these Patients less meat than the Choleric or Sanguine, yet you shall not famish them, and that principally the Mellancholicke, and he shall also not sweat so long as those that are moist of complexion, because he is dry, yet he must sweat at the least an hour and a half, because the Phlegmatic to sweat much more if he be able to endure it, because that of his own complexion he is very moist, and yet much more moist by reason of his disease.  
Therefore it is very good for him to sweats, because it drieth up all such overplus moistness, and in the end restoreth him to his health and his understanding, and driveth away all nodes or tumours upon his head, if he have any, and all open sores in any place of the body, shall by virtue of this drink be healed within the forty days, and therefore let him not refuse to use it.  
Here is to be observed, that such Patients as are idle headed, shall not in any wise go abroad, till such time as they are perfectly cured, but shall remain at home in their Chamber, keeping them as quiet as is possible, for rest is very good and profitable for them. If you observe this order before showed, the Patient shall undoubtedly be cured if God will.    

Capit. 7. Of the Falling-sickness, called in Latin Epileptia.  
THis disease springeth of overmuch moisture in the brain, wherethrough at certain times the brains being troubled, there chanceth unto them a certain obstruction; by means whereof, the Patient is bereft of the strength of his sinews, and so falleth to the ground. And according to the situation of the place which the disease occupieth, so the accidents do manifest themselves, as sometimes with contraction, that is, in plucking of the joints, and sometimes in foaming at the mouth, with barking and other such unseemly gestures.  
But peradventure it will cause some to marvel greatly that I should teach the curing of such a hard disease, with a Drink made of this Lignum Guaiacum, yet notwithstanding, because I have learned the same by experience, & have therewith cured more than ten Patients, I will therefore publish the same for the commodity of all, that such as are therewith troubled, may have recourse hereto in time of need and find remedy for the same, which by the help of GOD they shall undoubtedly obtain, (though they had had the said disease ten years together) following the order here set down, which is this. You shall use nothing but only this drink following, purging the Patient in such order as I shall teach you.  
First for the Choleric and Sanguine complexion, you shall take of the said Wood half a pound, fair water eight pounds, this you must seethe in such order as is showed in the third Chapter before: and you shall give the Patient thereof every morning and evening eight ounces at a time, and shall cause him to sweat very well, for it is excellent good for him, & having drunk thereof eight days, you shall purge him with this Purgation: Take of Hiera picra galeni, half an ounce, Diacarthami three drams, and beat amongst it of Epirimi, and Agarici trocistati of each two drams, this you must mingle with Betoni water, and Cuscuta Water, putting thereto so much water, that it may be a Potion, this the Patient must drink at four of the clock in the morning, he must neither sleep, eat, nor drink, until the Medicine have done working, and that he feel no more pain or rumbling in his belly. Then you shall give him his diet, and the same day he shall not drink, but at his meals according as he is wont to do, the next morning he shall begin again with his drink, doing in all respects as he did the eight days before, with sweeting and otherwise.  
This order you shall in all points observe, until forty days be expired, purging the Patiented every eight or ninth day once. But this is always to be noted, as well in this Chapter as in all the other, that when you begin your cure, the first day the Patient must be purged, with the Purgation mentioned in the said Chapter, and then to proceed in such sort as is there specified, continuing the cure as I said before, the space of forty days. For though in this manner aforesaid I once cured a Woman of this grievous disease, within five and twenty days, yet I would wish the cure to be continued forty days, that you may be the more assured that it should not return again.  
In this foresaid order you may cure all kinds of lameness in hot and dry complexions, and also all lameness proceeding of the Palsy, though it proceeded not of the Pocks, but of the influence of the stars, or the constellation of Saturn and the Moon in his birth, as Astronomy teacheth. These and all other lameness whatsoever, may in Choleric persons be cured in the aforesaid manner, without all imperfection, of how long continuance soever they have been. In his diet he must behave himself measurably, lest any Ague or other accident do happen unto him, for them his health would be far to seek, for which cause, sobriety in his diet is very requisite. This is sufficient concerning Choleric and Sanguine complexions.  

The curing of the falling sickness in Phlegmatic and Mellancholie persons.  
FOr these, the Drink must be made more warming and drying then in other complexions, the making of it is thus. Take one pound of this Wood, with five pounds of water, and three pound of good Wine, this must be sodden as is aforesaid, being stopped very close, and you must give the Patient thereof every morning and evening seven or eight ounces at a time, observing the same the space of eight days, upon the ninth day you shall purge him with the aforesaid Purgation, using him in all points as is aforesaid of the choleric persons, excepting only in his drink, which must be made as is above said, to be more warming and drying then the other. Thus much concerning such diseases as spring up in the brains.    

Capit. 8. Of Polipus an ill disease in the nose, whereof cometh the Cancer.  
POlipus is a certain fleshy Apostemation growing in the nose, converting itself at last to a Cancer, the cure thereof is not long to be protracted, for if it be let run to a Cancer, it is so much the harder to be cured. Therefore the Patient must thus be purged, four days together you must give him this julep or Sirop.  
Take of Syrup De fumo terre, one ounce, Syrup De cicorea, two ounces, Borage water, Endive water, Cicore water, Fumiterre water, of each two ounces, this he must drink at four times: upon the fift day you shall give him this Purgation. You shall take Confectionis Hamech, and Electuarij, De suco rosarum, of each three drams, this you shall give him with Borage water, and Fumiterre water, using so much of the said water that it may be a drink, which you shall give him to drink at five of the clock in the morning, suffering him neither to sleep, to eat nor to drink, till the Purgation have done working, and that the Patient do not feel any more rumbling or pain in his belly, and then let him eat measurably. Then for the Choleric persons, you shall make this drink following, giving him thereof every day morning and evening eight ounces at a time, and while he is drinking of it, you shall with an Instrument cut away the superfluous flesh out of his nose, as much as shallbe requisite, causing him once every hour to cleanse his nose with a little stick wet in Honey of Roses, and having drunk of his drink eight days together, you shall purge him again with the aforesaid Purgation. This is the Drink.  
Take of the Wood half a pound, and of water eight pound, this you must seeth as aforesaid, and give it to the Choleric person to drink, as aforesaid.  

For the Phlegmatic and the Mellancholicke, it must be prepared thus.  
TAke of the Wood a pound and a half, Angelica and Gallingale of each one ounce, of water seven pound, of Wine three pound. This must be stopped very close, and sodden as aforesaid, giving thereof to the cold and moist of complexion, every morning and evening eight ounces at a time, purging him every ninth day with the aforesaid Purgation, he shall also wash his nose with the Drink, for it digesteth, cleanseth, and healeth above measure, and therefore he shall often wash and cleanse his nose therewith, and in so doing, he shall undoubtedly in short time be healed.    

Capit. ix. Of shortness of wind, coughs, and stuffing in the breast.  
FOr the Choleric and the Sanguine, you shall make this drink following. Take of the Wood three quarters of a pound, Isope a handful, Dates a quarter of a pound, Lyroris two ounces, this must be sodden in ten pounds of water, as in the third Chapter, and the day before he begin to drink thereof, you shall give him this Purgation. Take Electuarij inde maioris half an ounce, put there to Agarici trociscati, three drams, give it him to drink with bugloss water, the next day give him of the aforesaid drink morning and evening, six ounces at a time, using him with sweeting, diet and drink as is aforesaid, and purging him with the said Purgation every ninth day, and he shall be healed in a short space, and shall be as long wound as ever he was in his life.  

The drink for the Phlegmatic and the Melancholic.  
TAke of the Wood one pound, Isope and Dates, of each a handful, Agarici trociscati two drams, water five pound, sweet Wine five pound, seethe it as is aforesaid, being very close stopped, and give the Patient thereof to drink morning and evening eight ounces at a time, doing as is aforesaid. But for his ordinary drink at his meals, you shall make him this that followeth, (for he may not use other at his meals because of the Agaricke.) Take of the Wood one pound, Isope, Dates, of each a handful, Lycoris two ounces, water six pound, sweet Wine three pound, this shall he drink at meals, in all other respects as in diet, sweeting, purging, and such like, you shall use him as is aforesaid, and he shall by God's help be cured. Although this disease sometimes be somewhat long in curing, yet you need not fear, for in the end it shall undoubtedly by Gods help be cured, though the Patient have had it never so long time.    

Capit. 10. Of the diseases in the stomach, as pains, quesines, vomiting, etc.  
THese diseases do arise of abundance of cold, phlegmatic, and moist humours, and sometimes of black choler or melancholy, to cure these diseases, you must first prepare the matter with this Drink, and after purge the Patient. Take of Mints, Wormwood, Isope, Betonie, bugloss, Cicorey, Lettuce, of each a handful, Senne leaves, and Polipodium, of each two ounces, this must be sodden as aforesaid with a pint of water, giving the Patient thereof to drink every morning six ounces, till it be drunk out, than you shall purge him with Benedicta laxativa, and Stomaticom luxatium, of each three drams, putting thereto three ounces of Wormwood water, and give it the Patiented warm to drink, keeping himself as I have showed in other Chapters before. The same day that he purgeth, he shall neither eat much, nor any gross meat, nor drink much at his meals, and at the end of his meal you shall give him a slice of Diacitron, for that doth comfort the stomach excellently, and the next day you shall give him this drink.  
Take of the Wood half a pound, water six pound, Cicore and Borage of each a handful, this you shall seeth as aforesaid, giving the Patient thereof morning and evening six ounces at a time, purging him every ninth day once with the aforesaid Purgation, and the same day that he purgeth, you shall give him after his dinner one slice of Diacitron, observing this, he shall undoubtedly be cured.  

For the Phlegmatic and the Melancholic, how he is to be cured.  
FIrst you shall make him this drink to prepare the matter withal. Take Sage, Isope, Margerome & Mints, of each a handful, Cardus benedictus, Sorrell and Endive, of each a handful and a half, Polipodij three ounces, rheubarb half an ounce, this you must seeth as aforesaid, with a pint of Wine, and a pint of Water, giving the Patient thereof every morning six ounces until it be drunk up. Then give him this Purgation, Electuarij, Elescoph half an ounce, Agarici trociscati, Rhabarbari of each a dram, and a half, break and mingle them in two ounces of wine, and two ounces of betony water. This you shall give him in the morning at four of the clock, and at noon after his meat you shall give him a slice of Diacitron, and let him not drink upon it, afterward you shall give him this drink following.  
Take of the Wood twelve ounces, Mint and Anis seeds of each a handful, water four pound, wine three pound, let it seethe as aforesaid being close stopped, and give the Patient thereof every morning and evening eight ounces at a time, purging him once every day with the aforesaid Purgation, and he shall be cured of all diseases of the stomach how ill soever they be.    

Capit. 11. Of diseases of the Liver, as obstruction Aposteme and the Dropsy.  
ALl the diseases of the Liver (as stopping, hardness, apostemation and the Dropsy) may all be cured with this excellent Medicine, if so be the disease be not joined with a hot Ague, for than it should not be profitable, but very hurtful to use it, and therefore in such a case you must use cooling Medicines, until the Ague be clean gone, and then you shall give him this drink. Take agrimony, Liverwort, Cicorea, Endive, Acetosa, or Sorrell, of each a handful, Lettuce one ounce, Melon seed, Gowrde seeds, of each half an ounce, Polipodij two ounces, Agarici trociscati, and Rhabarbari, of each three drams, this you shall seeth in a pint of water, the space of six hours in the aforesaid order, then take it out, and strain it through a cloth, putting in so much Sugar that it may be very sweet, then put in a little good Wine Vinegar. Hereof you shall give the Patient to drink every morning six ounces, until it be drunk out. You shall not need to give the Patiented any other Purgation, for this shall give him every day two or three stools, and more than that is not good for him, by reason of the tenderness of the Liver, and upon his Liver you shall lay a cloth made wet in agrimony water, and Cicorey water, taking diligent heed in keeping the said cloth alike warm and moist, lest the cold do increase the disease for cold is very hurtful in Apostemations, and therefore you must keep the cloth always warm, when he hath thus continued fourteen days, he shall then take the drink being made in this order.  
Take of the Wood eight ounces, of water ten pound, Cicorey, Endive, agrimony, Cuscuta, of each a handful, Reupontice, Rhubarb of each an ounce, this must be sodden as aforesaid close stopped, and give the Patient thereof every morning and evening six ounces at a time, continuing the same until he be cured. But if he chance to be so hard bound that he cannot go to the stool, than you shall every ninth day give him this Purgation.  
Take Electuarij de succo rosarum, half an ounce, put thereto Rhabarbari electi two drams, make this in form of a Potion, with agrimony water, and give it him in the morning at four of the clock to drink, using such order therein as I have prescribed in other Purgations. But if his drink do purge him, than you shall not need any other Purgation for it doth purge sufficiently in many Patients. All this aforesaid, is to be understood of the Choleric and the Sanguine complexions.  

To cure the diseases of the Liver in Phlegmatic and Melancholic Patients.  
FIrst you shall lay upon the Liver of the Patient Emplastrum de Melilote, spread upon white Leather, which shall continue upon it the spare of eight days; in the mean while he shall use this drink. Take Maiden hair, Wormwood, Betonie, agrimony, Cypress, Fumiterre, Red Coleworts, of each a handful, Cuscuta, Camomile flowers, of each half a handful, Licoris two ounces, Polipodij three ounces, Senne leaves two ounces, Agarici trociscati, half an ounce, wine one pound; & water one pound, this must be sodden in a pot, stopped very close, as a foresaid, make it sweet with Sugar, and give the Patient thereof to drink every morning six ounces, until it be drunk out. Then give him this drink following, taking away the aforesaid Plaster, in the place whereof you must lay an Oxicrocium plaster, which shall there continue until such time as you perceive the Patient to be cured.  
The drink is this, take of the Wood one pound, of water five pound, and of Wine five pound, put thereto of Fumiterre, agrimony, Cypris, of each one handful, Polipodij, Senne leaves, of each three ounces, Rhabarbari half an ounce, all this put together, must be sodden as aforesaid, giving the Patient thereof to drink every morning and evening eight ounces at a time until he be cured: the Patient shall not need any other Purgation for the drink shall purge him sufficiently, his diet shall be young hens flesh, and such other things as are light of digestion, and do give much nourishment; and he shall also not eat much, but shall be so spare in his diet, that he shall rise from his meals with great hunger, which shall help greatly in the curing of this disease.  
This foresaid cure observed in all points as is here described, shall not fail you, for I have had often experience thereof, and have always had good success: but one thing I must warn you of, that is, if there be great heat in the Dropsy, and that the disease do originally spring of heat, that then you take not in hand to cure it with this drink of Lignum Guaiacum, unless he be before sufficiently cooled, because it will rather increase then diminish the disease.  
observing the aforesaid order, you cannot be deceived, for it is perfect in all the aforenamed diseases of the Liver.    

Capit. 12. Of the diseases of the Mother, as the superfluous issue of menstrums and to stay them, and of barrenness.  
FIrst for those women that are of Choleric and Sanguine complexion, you shall give them this drink. Take Fennell, Betonie, of each a handful, Polipodij, Senne leaves, of each three ounces, this must be sodden as afore in a pint of water, give the Patient thereof every morning five ounces, until it be drunk out, then give her this drink following.  
Take of the Wood one pound, Wine and Water of each six pounds, this must be sodden very close stopped as aforesaid: giving the Patient thereof every morning and evening six ounces at a time, purging her every ninth day with this Purgation. Diacobicum turbit, half an ounce, Mirabolanorum Citrinorum, et Indorum, of each two dramnes, this give her with Fumiterre water, doing as is aforesaid the issue shall cease, but if it do lack issue, it shall hereby obtain issue in due time, for by this order of curing, the Mother is wholly renewed, by means whereof, all her accidents do cease. And if by means hereof the secret part be infected with any open sore or otherwise, she shall with this said drink wash the place often, and she shall in short space be cured perfectly, both within and without. Let this suffice for the Choleric and the Sanguine.  

To cure the diseases of the Mother in the Phlegmatic and Melancholic women.  
THese Patients must first be purged with this Purgation. Diapheniconis half an ounce, Mirabolanorum Kebulorum and Embelicorum, of each two drams, than you shall seethe her this drink. Take of the Wood a pound and a half, of Water six pound, of Wine five pound, seeth this as afore said, giving the Patient thereof to drink every day morning and evening, at the least six ounces at a time, purging her every ninth day with the aforesaid Purgation, continuing this order the space of forty days, she shall undoubtedly be cured, and shall be more healthful than ever she was before.    

Capit. 13. To cure the Cancer in any place of the body wheresoever.  
THis loathsome and fearful disease being once settled, is not cured with any Medicine, and therefore you must in time have recourse to this excellent remedy, for there have many been cured by means of this, which could not find help by any other. The Patient must first be purged with this drink. Take Hounds tongue called in Latin Cinoglossa, and agrimony, of each two handfuls, Wine half a pound, water one pound, Polipodii & Senne leaves, of each one dram, Agarici trociscati half an ounce, Elebori nigri two drams, this altogether shall be sodden as aforesaid, and then make it sweet with Sugar, & give the Patient thereof to drink every morning six ounces, until it be drunk out, then give him this drink following. Take of the Wood half a pound, water ten pound, Civoglossa, and agrimony of each a handful: seethe this as aforesaid, and give the Patient thereof to drink, every morning and evening eight ounces at a time, purging him every ninth day until he be cured, with Confectio Hamech half an ounce, and if the Patient be strong of body, you shall give him six drams with Fumiterre water, his meat that he shall eat, shall be sodden in such order as is aforesaid, putting thereto Lettuce and bugloss, and he shall be sober in his diet: but if it chance the Patient not to be cured in forty days, yet he shall not leave of the cure until such time as he be whole, for that this is the surest remedy that can be found against this loathsome disease, and therefore I would wish you not to leave it until you be perfectly cured.  

To cure the Cancer in cold complexions.  
FIrst you must purge the Patient with an ounce of Confectio Hamech, mingled with agrimony water, this shall be given him in such order as is used in other Purgations. And then you shall give him this drink following. Take of the wood a pound and a half, Water and Wine, of each five pound, agrimony & Cinoglossa of each a handful, this must be sodden as aforesaid, being very close stopped at the least ten hours, giving the Patient thereof every morning and evening, eight ounces at a time, keeping him very warm that he may sweat, not forgetting to purge him every ninth day, with six drams of Confectio Hamech, so doing, he shall by God's help be cured, although he had had it ten years.    

Capit. 14. Of all other ulcerations, whether they come of the Pocks or otherwise.  
ALl other ulcerations whether they proceed of the Pocks or otherwise, as Fistoles in the Mother, and other open sores in the secret parts both of man and woman, which cannot with any other Medicine be healed, and all open sores wheresoever, also all pain and grief in the arms and legs, and all bushes or biles in any place of the body, may altogether be cured with the drink made of this excellent Wood aforesaid, after this manner. First you shall purge the Patient with Pillulae judae, giving him in the evening three hours after his supper four scruples of the said Pills in the night when he awaketh, feeling great pain and rumbling in his belly, he shall prepare himself to the stool, and having begun to purge, he shall not sleep until he have done purging, and that he feel no more gripping or rumbling in his belly, and then he shall eat some good meat, as Mutton or Veal, which must be sodden as heretofore I have taught you, than you shall give him this drink following. Take of the Wood one pound, water twelve pound, this must be sodden as aforesaid, give the Patient thereof twice every day, eight ounces at a time, causing him to sweat well, for that doth help very much in the curing of his disease, and every ninth day you shall purge him with the said Pills, but in the evening when you give him the Pills, you shall not suffer him to drink but at his supper, this order he must observe forty days.  
But if it come to pass (as oftentimes it doth) that the Patient is sooner cured, as sometimes in twenty or five and twenty days, yet I counsel you not to leave of the cure until the forty days be expired, that you may be the more assured that it shall not return again, for oftentimes it seemeth to be cured when the root remaineth still within, which in the end breaketh out again, and so is worse than at the first, and therefore I counsel you to continue the same forty days, that the root being taken away, you need not fear the return of the disease.  

For the Phlegmatic and the Mellancholicke.  
YOu shall purge the Patient with Pillulae cochiae, and Pillulę Aggregatiuę, of each two scruples, this must be given him in the evening, using him in all respects as is said of the other, than you shall give him this drink.  
Take of the Wood a pound and a half, wine six pound, Water seven pound, this you must seethe as aforesaid, giving the Patient thereof morning and evening eight ounces at a time, purging him every ninth day once with the aforesaid Pills, causing him to sweat very well. The sores he shall wash every day six or seven times with the aforesaid drink, for it is the best salve that can be used herein, for it cleanseth & mollifieth more than any other Ointment that is used, and to conclude, I say, if you do according to the contents of this Chapter, there is no Malady so ill proceeding of the Pocks, nor other open sores how ill soever, but may by this means be cured.    

Capit. 15. How to cure the Rupture.  
SOmetimes it happeneth a man first to be broken, and after to get the Pocks, and sometime it chanceth him to break while he hath them, these cannot any other way be cured, but with the Drink made of this excellent Wood, the order of it is thus. You shall first purge him with Pills De fumiterrę, and being purged you shall give him this drink following. Take of the Wood one pound, of Water twelve pound, this you must seethe as aforesaid, and give the Patient thereof twice every day eight ounces at a time, purging him every ninth day once with the aforesaid Purgation. This he shall observe forty days, and he shall undoubtedly be cured, though he were fifty years old and had had it twenty years and if he have the Pocks, they shall also herewithal be cured, and he shall be made whole and sound in all his members.  

To cure the same in Phlegmatic and Mellancholicke persons.  
THese must first be purged with Pillulis fetidis, whereof you shall give the Patient four scruples, making thereof nine Pills, which he shall take in the evening, as aforesaid, the next day you shall give him of this drink. Take of the wood, one pound, Wine and water, of each four pound, this you must seethe as aforesaid, giving the Patient thereof every morning and evening eight ounces at a time, purging him once every ninth day with the aforesaid Pills. His meat shall be sodden as aforesaid, with Sanikell & Consolida Maior, whereto you shall add Wine and Cinnamon to amend the taste.  
In this sort I cured one in the space of a month, which was seventy years old, making him whole and sound from all such griefs as he had beside. Therefore you shall not use any other means, for those that have the Pocks, and are also troubled with the rapture, but only this aforesaid, for without this, nothing else can help.    

Capit. xuj. Of Podagra or the Gout.  
THis disease is of a wonderful strange nature as experience teacheth us, coming to man first by the influence of the stars in his birth, that is when the Moon is infortuned with Mars and Saturn, which causeth the person then borne, to be more inclined to the said disease than others are, and then withal, leading his life disorderly in lechery, surfeiting, and drunkenness, is by and by attached with this said disease.  
The opinion of many men is, that this disease cannot be cured, but that is not so, for there are very many that are cured of it, which by their disordered living do fall into it again, which if they would lead their lives well and in good order, they should remain whole being once cured, especially those that are healed in this sort: notwithstanding, I grant it will very hardly be cured, if it run so far that it have hardened the knuckles of the hands, and the joints of the foot, for then the matter is become so dry, that it is almost impossible to resolve it, but if it be taken in any reasonable time, it may in this sort be cured.  
First you must purge the Patient with Pillule de hermo dactilis, whereof you shall take one dram, making thereof seven Pills, which you shall give the Patient at midnight, letting him sleep thereon three hours, and then you shall awake him if he awake not of himself, keeping him awake that the Purgation may the better work upon him, not suffering him to sleep until it have done working, and then he shall eat his meat, the next day you shall give him the drink mentioned in the former Chapter for the Choleric, but in the seething of it, you shall put into it a handful of Cypress, which is an Herb so called, purging him every ninth day once with the aforesaid Pills, doing in all respects as is mentioned in the Chapter going before: but you shall cause him to sweat very much, for that is very good and also to dry the sweat very well from him with warm clothes, that it go not in again, for if it go in again, it were as good for him not to sweat at all. Thus much for the Choleric and the Sanguine.  

For the Phlegmatic and the Melancholic.  
YOu shall also purge him with the aforesaid Pills, and then you shall give him of the drink mentioned in the former Chapter, for the Phlegmatic and the Mellancholicke, remembering in the seething, to put in a handful of Cypress, purging him every ninth day with the aforesaid Pills, which you shall continue until he be healed.  
This sufficeth for the Gout, showing the order how it is to be cured. We have also entreated sufficiently of all accidents which chance by means of the Pocks, with divers other diseases, springing not of the Pocks but of other causes, how all such diseases are to be cured by means of this excellent wood, is before sufficiently made manifest. I have also in the first part of this Book (for their sakes that have any understanding) opened many noble secrets of Mercury, but because the most part are not instructed in the Art of preparing the Mercury, I have for their sakes written this second part, for the help of the Patient, because I would not have them remain uncured, wishing the health of all men.  
Yet notwithstanding, Mercury being rightly prepared, doth seem to work miracles, so short and so excellent he is in his operation, whereof hereafter (God willing) we will write more.  
Thus I conclude this treatise, desiring God to spare me until I have performed my purposed intent, in writing to his glory and to the profit of my neighbour. Thus loving Reader I commit thee to GOD almighty, to whom be all praise, honour and glory, both now and for evermore, Amen.  
FINIS.     

Printed by john Charlwood.   

❧ Faults escaped in the Printing.  

PAge 2. line 3. put out the first and Page 7, line 2, read Mercury and Lignum vitae.  
Page 7, line 9, for Civober, read Cinober.  
Page 8, line 25, for Bernagie, read borage.  
Page 18, line 31, for dissolve it, read dissolve them.  
Page 21, line 3, read Emunctorij, line 4. read places.  
Page 21, line 30, for in, read on.  
Page 26, line 4, read feniculi, and for endinie, read endivię  
Page 26, line 13, for judum, read Indum. and for Hermodactilus, read Hermodactiles.  
Page 26, line 15, read Arthriticae, and for are, read aurae.  
Page 26, line 16, for siue, read fine.  
Page 51, line 7, read stomaticum laxatiwm.  
Page 51, line 13, read Dicitonion, and for Diacitron, line 21. read Diacitonion.  
Page 52, line 5, read Diacitonion.  
Page 55, line 18, for Diacobicum turbit, read Diacatholicon.  
Page 58, line 5, read Indae.   
Also I admonish the friendly Reader, to take heed how he do minister any purgative receipt, according as it is here in this Book set forth, without the good advise and counsel of the learned Physician.