¶ JOYFUL NEWS out of the new-found world, wherein are declared the rare and singular virtues of divers and sundry Herbs, Trees, Oils, Plants, & Stones, with their applications, aswell to the use of Physic, as Chirurgery: which being well applied, bring such present remedy for all diseases, as may seem altogether incredible: notwithstanding by practise found out, to be true.  
Also the portraiture of the said Herbs, very aptly described: Englished by john Frampton Merchant.  
Newly corrected as by conference with the old copies may appear. Whereunto are added three other books treating of the Bezaar stone, the herb Escuerçomera, the properties of iron and steel, in Medicine and the benefit of snow.  
Imprinted at London, in Paul's Churchyard at the sign of the queens Arms, by William Norton. 1580.   

¶ To the right worshipful Master Edward Dier Esquire, john Frampton wisheth much health, with prosperous and perfit felicity.  
REturning right worshipful, home into England out of Spain, and now not pressed with the former toils of my old trade, to pass the time to some benefit of my country, and to avoid idleness; I took in hand to translate out of Spanish into English, the three books of Doctor Monardes of Sevil, the learned Physician, treating of the singular and rare virtues of certain Herbs, Trees, Oils, Plants, Stoner, & Drugs of the West India's, for that the same book is of high commendation in Spain, and other countries, in such sort, that in deed it might bring in time rare profit, to my Country folks of England, by wonderful cures of sund●● great diseases, that otherwise then by these remedies, were incurable. And having finished ●he same translation, I determined to dedicate my travail therein, to some rare lover of knowledge, for the worthiness of the work: and not finding any Gentleman of mine acquaintance, that was more studious, and more delighted with learned works, or that more cherished travelers, and lovers of all good knowledge, determined to dedicate the same to your worship before all others, requesting your worship to accept the work, and to be a patron of the same, and to take it into your protection, since the matter is of good substance, and of much value, and of me, truly & faithfully translated into English. And since the aforesaid Medicines mentioned in the same work of Doctor Mo●ardes, are now by Merchants & others, brought out of the West India's into Spain●, and from Spain hither into England, by such as do d●ily trafficks thither, and that the excellency of these Herbs, Trees, Oils, Plants, stones, etc. have been known to be so precious a remedy for all manner of diseases, and hurts, that may hap unto Man, Woman, or Child, they have le●t of and forsaken very much the old order and ma●ner of Physic, which was used before that this was known, as things not of so present remedy for all manner of diseases, as these now late found out, are; which by great experience made in Spain, and other Countries, were thoroughly and effectuously proved and experimented, to work the effects which are contained in this Book. And thus I leave your worship to the Almighty, beseeching him to give you long life, and for the commonwealths sake that advancement, that your good nature, and rare virtues do well deserve. From London the first of October. 1577.  
Your worships during life to command: john Frampton.   

THE FIRST PART OF THIS BOOK TREATETH OF THE things that are brought from the Occidental India's, which serve for the use of Medicine, and of the order that must be kept in taking the root called Mechoacan, wherein are discovered great secrets of Nature, and great experiences: made and compiled by Doctor Monardus, Physician of Seville.  
IN the year of our Lord God, a thousand, four hundredth ninety two, our Spaniards were governed by sir Christopher Colon, being naturally born in the country of Genova, to discover the Occidental India's, that are called at this day, the new world, and they discovered the first land thereof, the xi. day of October, of the said year: & from that time unto this, they have discovered many & sundry Islands, and much firm land, as well in that country, which they call the new Spain, as in that which is called the Peru, where there are many Provinces, many Kingdoms, and many Cities, that have contrary and divers customs in them, in which there have been found out, things that never in these parts, nor in any other parts of the world have been seen, nor unto this day known: and other things which now are brought unto us in great abundance, that is to say, Gold, Silver, Pearls, Emeralds, Turkeys, & other fine stones of great value. Yet great is the excess and quantity that hath come, and every day doth come, and inespecially of Gold and Silver, that it is a thing worthy of admiration the great number of Melons, which have come from thence, besides the great quantity of pearls which have stored the whole world: also they do bring f●om those parts, Popingays, Griffons, Apes, Lions, Gerfaucons, & other kinds of Hawks, Tigers wool, Cotton wool, Grain to die colours with all, Hides, Sugars, Coppar, brasil, the wood Ebano anil: and of all these, there is so great quantity, that there cometh every year, one hundred ships laden therewith, that it is a great thing, and an incredible riches.  
And besides these great riches, our Occidental India's do send unto us many Trees, 
Medicines th●t our Occidental India's do send us.  Plants, Herbs, Roots, juices, Gums, Fruits, Licoures & Stones that are of great medicinal virtues, in the which there be found, and have been found in them, very great effects that do exceed much in value and price all the aforesaid things, by so much as the corporal health is more excellent, and necessary than the temporal goods: the which things all the world doth lack, the want whereof is not a little hurtful, according to the great profit which we do see, by the use of them to follow, not only in our Spain, but also in all the world.  
And this is not too be marveled at, that it is so, for the Philosopher doth say, 
Aristotle.  that all Countries do not yield plants and Fruits alike: for one Region yieldeth such Fruits, Trees, and plants as an other doth not: we do see that in Creta only groweth the Diptamo, and the Incense only in the region of Saba, and the Almaciga only in the Island of Chio, and the cinnamon, Cloves, and Pepper, and other spices only in the Islands of the Maluca, and many other things you have in divers parts of the world, which were not known until our time, and the people of old time did lack them, but Time which is the discoverer of all things, hath discovered them unto us greatly to our profit, considering the great need that we h●d of th●m.  
And as there are discovered new regions, new kingdoms, and new Provinces, by our Spaniards, 
The discovery of the India's.  so they have brought unto us new Medicines, and new Remedies, wherewith they do cure many infirmities, which, if we did lack them, would be incurable, and without any remedy: of which things although that some have knowledge, yet they be not common too all people, for which cause I did pretend to treat, and to write, of all things that they bring from our India's, appertaining to the art and use of Medicine, and the remedy of the hurts and diseases that we do suffer and endure, whereof no small profit doth follow to those of our time, and also unto them that shall come after us: in the bewraying whereof I shall be the first, that the rather the followers may add hereunto, with this beginning, that which they shall more know, and by experience hereafter find out.  
And as in this City of Seville, which is the port and scale of all the Occidental India's, we do know of them more, then in any other parts of all Spain, for because that all things come first hither, where by better intelligence and greater experience it is learned: so do I, with practice and use of them this forty years, that which I do cure in this City, where I have informed myself of them, that have brought these things out of those parts with much care, and I have made experience thereof, with many and divers persons, with all diligence and foresight possible, and with much happy success.  

Of the Anime and copal.  
THey do bring from the new Spain 2. kinds of Rosine, that be both much alike one to the other, 
Of the Copal.  the one is called copal, and the other Anime. The copal is a Rosine very white, and of much brightness, it is brought in certain great pieces, which are like too pieces of Diacitron very clear, it hath an indifferent smell, but not so good as the Anime: with this copal, the Indians did make perfumes in their sacrifices, & so the use thereof was frequented in the Temples, by their Priests.  
And when the first Spaniards went too those parts, the Priests went out to receive them, 
History.  with little firepots, burning in them this copal, and giving to them the smoke of it at their noses: we do use here to perfume with it in diseases rising upon coldness of the head, in the place of Incense, or Anime: it is hot in the second degree, and moist in the first, it is resolvative, and softeneth by some waterish parts, that it hath.  
The Anime is a gum or Rosine of a great Tree, it is white, 
What Anime is.  it draweth near to the colour of Incense, it is more oily than the copal is, it cometh in grains, as the Incense doth, although somewhat greater, and being broken, it hath a yellow colour, as Rosine hath: it is of a very acceptable and pleasant smell, and put upon burning coals, it doth consume very quickly.  
It differeth from our Anime, that is brought from Levant, 

H●w it differeth from ours.  
Of the congealed amber.   which is not so white, nor so bright, insomuch that some do say, that it is spice of Charabe or Succino, which is called Amber congealed, wherewith they do make Beads, but it is not so, for that the Charabe is a kind of Pitch, that is found in the German Sea, and it is taken out of the Sea in great pieces, with a drag of Iron, so that it seemeth to come forth of some Fountains, into the Sea, after the manner of pitch, and being come forth unto the cold air, it congealeth, for because there is s●ene in the same, pieces of sticks, & other superfluities of the Sea, cleaning unto it, and in this they shall see the error of them, that say that it is Gum of Alamo; and of others, that it is of the pine-tree.  

He●m●●au●.  Of our Anime Hermolaus Barbarus, a man most excellently learned doth say, that it is gathered about the place where Incense is found, and that land or soil, 

A ●arba●ian author. A place that is call●d Animitin, where our A●ime is gathered.  
The virtue thereof.   is called Amintin and therefore the thing is called Anime.  
That which is brought from the new Spain, is gathered from certain Trees, of a reasonable greatness, by way of incision, as the Incense, and Almasiga are gathered: we do use thereof for many infirmities, and principally for the grief of the head, and pains thereof, caused of humours, or of cold causes, and for sluffing in the head, that thereof doth proceed, after evacuation, perfuming therewith the chambers in the Winter season: and where as are general infirmities, it doth purify and correct the Air, and they do perfume therewith their head kerchers, when that they do go to sleep: for them that do suffer pains in the head, and occasions thereof, it doth profit to perfume the head of him that is so diseased, it doth comfort the head unto such as have it debilited, or weakened, and do suffer pains by occasion thereof: they do put it also in plasters, and in sere clothes, where as is need of comfort, and to dissolve, especially cold humours, or windiness: they do use it also in place of Incense, as well in the perfumes, as in the aforesaid.  
It doth comfort the brain, 
The complexion that it hath.  applied in the form of a plaster, and even so likewise the stomach, and all parts being full of Sinews, made after the fashion of a Sere cloth with the third part of Wax: it taketh out the cold of any member, whatsoever, being applied thereunto for a long time, with refreshing it. It is hot in the second degree, and moist in the first.   

Of the gum called Tacamahaca.  
AND also they do bring out of the new Spain an other kind of Gum or Rosine, 
Of the Tacamahaca.  which the Indians do call Tacamahaca, and the same name did our Spaniards give it, it is Rosine taken out by incision of a tree, being as great, as a Willow tree, and is of a very sweet smell, it bringeth forth a red fruit, as the seed of Pionia.  

How the Indians use it.  This Rosine or Gum, the Indians do much use in their infirmities, chief in swellings in any part of the body, wheresoever they be engendered, for that it dissolveth, ripeneth, and marvelously desolveth them. And even so, it taketh away any manner of grief, that is come of a cold cause: as humours, and windiness: this the Indians do use very commonly, and familiarly. And for this effect the Spaniards hath brought it.  

The property that it hath.  The colour is as the colour of Galuano, and some do say that it is the same, it hath white parts like to Amoniaco, it is of a good smell, and the taste is like, insomuch that being cast upon hot burning coals, and giving the smoke thereof at the nose of a woman that doth swoon, or else hath lost her feeling by suffocation of the Mother, it doth cause her to come quickly, and easily to herself. And the Rosine put to her n●uell, 
Good for the diseases of the Mother.  after the manner of a plaster, causeth the Mother to keep in her place: and the use thereof is so much amongst women, that the most part which is spent thereof, is for this effect, for that they do find themselves very much eased by it, taking away from them all manner of chokinges of the Mother, and comforting the stomach. Some that be curious do add thereunto Amber and Musk, and so it is better than alone. It is always fixed, without melting of itself, until that it be all wholly wasted.  
And where it doth most profit, is for to take away any manner of grief, caused of cold humours and windy, and being applied unto them in manner of a plaster, 
In any manner of grief.  it taketh them away, and dissolveth them with great admiration: it doth clean in such sort, that until it hath done, and wrought his effect, it can not be taken away, and the self same it doth, being laid upon swellings, for that it consumeth and desolveth them, and if there be any desire to ripen them, it doth it, and that very quickly.  
It is also a remedy verified, and experimented, 
The virtue thereof.  that it doth profit much in rheums, and runings, wheresoever they go, for it taketh them away, putting a small piece of linen cloth with this Rosine, behind both the ears, or the ear on the part which runneth, for that it doth restrain the running of them: and applied unto the temples of the head, in manner of a plaster, it doth withhold the runings and the flux, that runneth to the eyes, and to the parts of the face: 
In the toothache.  it takethaway the tooth ache, although that the tooth be hollow, by putting a little of this Rosine into the hollow, and if therewith the rotten tooth be burned, it maketh that the corruption goeth no further: and being laid after the manner of a plaster in the hollowness of the neck, or grief of the shoulders, it taketh away the pains: mingled with the third part of storax, and a little Amber made in a plaster, for the stomach, it doth comfort it, and causeth appetite to meat, 
It comforteth the stomach.  it helpeth digestion, and dissolveth windiness: after the same sort put upon the mould of the head, it comforteth, and taketh away the pains thereof. In the Sciatica, or pains of the hips put thereunto, the effect thereof is great: 
In the grief of the h●ad. In the Sciatica.  and likewise it is so in all pains of the joints: and in any pain of the body wheresoever it be, chief if it come of cold humours, or mixed: For because with his resolution, it hath parts of binding, which do give a marvelous comforting in joints, or in hurts of Sinews, 
In the grief of the joints.  putting that alone, it doth heal and cure them, for great is the experience, that we have of it, engendering forth with matter: it taketh away an extreme cold: 
In the hurts of Sinews.  ordinarily it is applied to all griefs: I do mingle therewith the third part of yellow Wax, for that will be applied the better, and the use thereof is so celebrated, that the people know no other remedy for any grief, but only the use of this Rosine, 
In all griefs.  so that it be not inflammations very hot, and also in them after the first fury is past, 
The complexion thereof.  and the fierceness thereof, it doth profit much for to dissolve the rest: it is hot in the beginning of the third degree, and dry in the second.   

Of the Gum Caranna.  
THey do bring from the firm Land, by the way of Cartagena, 
Caranna.  and number de Dios, A Rosin of the colour of Tacamahaca, somewhat clear, and thin, called in the Indians language, Caranna, and this word and name our Spaniards have given it, and it hath in manner the smell of the Tacamahaca, although it be somewhat more strong of smell, it is very oily, and it cleaveth fast without melting, for the clamminess that it hath. It is a new Medicine, and brought hither about a ten years past, and the Indians do use it in their infirmities against swellings, and in all manner of griefs, and now in our parts it is much esteemed, for the great effects that it doth work.  
It doth profit and heal the same infirmities, that the Tacamahaca doth, 
The virtues.  but it worketh more speedily, so that many infirmities, wherein the Tacamahaca doth not so much effect, the Caranna doth easily heal. There was one that did suffer pains in his shoulders, the which pains he had suffered a long time, 
It healeth an old grief of the shoulder.  in such sort, that he could not stir his Arms, & having used a great time the Tacamahaca, yet he was not healed, until he had put thereunto the Caranna, and thereby in three days he was made whole. In the griefs of the joints, 
In the griefs of the joints.  and the Go●t Arthetica, it hath a marvelous effect, being applied unto the grief, so that it be not an inflammation, of very hot humour, for it taketh it away, with much easiness. In old swellings, as well in humours as in winds, 
In swellings.  it dissolveth, in griefs caused by defluxe or running of cold humours or mixed, it worketh a marvelous ●ffect: in all pains of the Sinews, and griefs of the head, and griefs that thereof do proceed, it profiteth much. 
In griefs of Sinews.  Surely, it is a medicine to dissolve and to take away griefs of great efficacy, and doth make his work with great certainty in new green wounds, especially of the Sinews: it doth much profit, and greatly in joints, 
In new wounds.  in the which I have seen done only therewith very great works: it is an intercepting to state the flux and running of the eyes, and other parts applied behind the ears, 

It stayeth the running of the eyes  
Note.   and in the temples of the head. It is very fatty and oily, and hot more than in the second degree.  
And it is to be noted, that all these Rosines the Indians do gather by way of Incision, by giving cuts in the Trees, of which forthwith the liquor doth drop out, and from thence they gather it.   

Of the Oil of the Fig tree of Hell.  
FRom Gelisco, a Province in the new Spain, they bring an Oil or liquor, 
Oil of the Fig tree.  that the Spaniards have called, oil of the Fig tree of Hell, for that it is taken from a tree that is no more nor less than our Fig tree of Hell, aswell in the Leaf, as in the Fruit: it is the same that we do commonly call Chatapucia, or Cherua, it is also milkish as ours is, for that it is more burning in the India's for the grossness of the earth.  
The Indians do make this oil, as Dioscorides doth show, in the first book, the thirty. Chapter, that is, 
How this oil is made.  do pound the seed, & seethe it in water, and after it is sodden, than they gather the Oil that swimmeth upon it, with a Spoon, and this is the manner to make Oil of fruit and Seeds, and Bows of trees: It is very much frequented and used of the Indians. As for expression or wring out the juice, they do not know how to do it, for lack of knowledge, this kind of oil principally is better drawn out this way, than by expression. 
The virtues and effects.  This Oil hath great virtues, as by the use thereof hath been seen, as well in the India's, as in our parts, and all that I will say, is of very great experience, and much use thereof in many persons: it doth heal and cure all infirmities caused of cold humours, 
Cures in general.  and windiness, it doth dissolve all hardness with mollification, and all inflammations being windy: it taketh away all manner of pain in what part soever it be, chief if it come of any cold cause, 
It taketh away pain.  or windiness, for that in this, it maketh a marvelous work, dissolving great windiness, wheresoever it be, and especially in the belly: and with this they do heal a windy Dropsy, 
It healeth a windy dropsy.  & likewise all kinds thereof, annoyuting there withal the Belly, and Stomach, taking some drops thereof with wine, or other liquor appropriated, that it may avoid the citrine water, and make the wind to be expelled: and if they do put it in any manner Glister, or Medicine, given so it doth avoid out the citrine water, and doth expel Winds with more assurance than any other Medicine. 
In griefs of the stomach and Colike.  In the griefs of the Stomach of cold humours, and winds, and Colic, it worketh great effect, anointing therewith, and taking some drops thereof, and principally they do this in that mortal disease called the Ileon, which is a cetrayne filthiness that purgeth at the mouth. It doth avoid phlegm principally, 
In griefs of the joints.  in griefs of the joints certain drops of this oil taken with the broth of some fat foul, it doth empt away the humour that causeth the pain, it doth heal the old sores of the head, 
It healeth sores. History.  that doth yield much matter.  
A Gentleman that did vomit his meat the space of many years, did anoint his stomach with this oil, and therewith did recover & never v●mitted again: 
It undoth oppilations.  It doth undo Oppilations of the inner parts of the body, & of the stomach, & of the Mother, anointing it therewith. And unto young children and Boys, that cannot go to the Stool, 
It maketh them go to the stool.  anointing the lower part of the Navel with this oil, it doth provoke them to the stool: and if they have worms, it doth expel and kill them, chief if they give them a drop or two with milk, or with some fat gross thing. And for those that have lost their hearing, 

For them that have lost their hearing.  
In griefs of the joints. For the members drawn together.  
It taketh away the morphew, marks or signs of the face.  
The complexion thereof.   it causeth it to be restored to them, with a marvelous work, as it hath been seen by many experiences. In griefs of joints, and in griefs of swellings, so that they come not of a very hot cause, it taketh them away and doth dissolve them: any of the members being drawn together, and anointed with this Oil, they do extend and the Sinews are mollified with it, taking away the grief if that there be any: it taketh away any marks or signs, wheresoever they be in the face, principally, and the morphew which women many times be troubled withal, the anointing with this Oil, doth take it away, and consumeth it, not with little content to them that use it. It is hot in the first part of the third degree, and moist in the second.   

Of the Bitumen which is a kind of pitch.  
THere is in the Island of Cuba, 
Bitumen.  certain Fountains at the Sea side, that do cast from them a kind of black Pitch of a strong smell, which the Indians do use in their cold infirmities. Our people do use it there to pitch their Ships withal, for it is well near like unto Tar, and they do mingle therewith Tallow, to make it Pitch the better. I do believe that this is Napta, 
Napta.  which the ancient writers do speak of. Possidonio sayeth, that there are two Fountains thereof in Babylon, one white and the other black.  
That which is brought from the India's, 
The virtues.  we do use against griefs of the Mother, for that it doth reduce the Mother to her place. And if it rise on high, then put it to the Nostrils, and if it come down to the lower parts, putting thereto a wet tent with this Pitch, it causeth it to go upward, to her place: and likewise it doth profit, being applied to cold Infirmities, as the other Medicines do which we have spoken of. It is hot in the second degree, & moist in the first.   

Of liquid Amber, & the Oil thereof.  
FRom the new Spain they do bring a Rosine that we call Liquid Amber, and one like Oil that we call Oil of Liquid Amber, that is to say, a thing that we do most set by, and as precious as Amber, or Oil thereof, both of them being of sweet smell & of good savour, and especially the Oil of Liquid Amber, which is of savour more delicate and sweet than Amber. 
What liquid Amber is.  A Rosine taken out by incision from certain trees very great and fair, and full of leaves, which are like to ivy, and the Indians do call them Ococol. They carry a thick rind, of the colour of Ashes, this rind being cut, doth cast out the Liquid Amber thick, and so they do gather it, and because the rind hath a smell very sweet, they do break and mingle it with the Rosine, and when it is burned, it hath a better smell, in so much, wheresoever the trees are, there is a most sweet smell through all the fields.  

History.  When the Spaniards came the first time, to that place where it groweth, and did feel such a sweet smell, they thought that there had been spices, and trees thereof.  
There is brought much quantity of Liquid Amber into Spain, 
The use of it.  insomuch that they do bring many Pipes, and barrels full thereof to sell for merchandise, for here they raise profit thereof, to perfume in things of sweet smells, wasting it in place of Storax, for that the smoke and smell doth seem to be the same: and also they do put it into other confections of sweet smells to burn, and such like things. It casteth from it so much smell without burning of it, that wheresoever it be, it cannot be hidden, but doth penetrate many houses and streets with the sweet smell, when there i● quantity of it.  
It serveth much in medicine, & doth therein great effect, for that it healeth, comforteth, dissolveth, 
The works and effects of it.  and mitigateth pain applied unto the Mould of the heads by itself, or mingled with other things Aromatical, it doth comfort the brains, and taketh away the pains of any manner of grief, proceeding of a could cause laid after the manner of a Plaster thereunto, it doth also mitigate, and take away the pains, & griefs of the stomach, wherein it doth a marvelous ●ffect, applied after the manner of a Stomacher. For that it doth comfort the Stomach, 
A marvelous plaster.  and doth dissolve winds, and help digestion, and take away rawness it causeth the meat to be well digested, it giveth lust to eat: it is made of Liquid Amber, spread abroad upon a sheep's skin, in the form of a breastplate, mingled with a little Storax, Amber and Musk, it is a Plaster which doth profit much in all that I have said. There is known of this plaster very great experience, in this City, for the good effect that it worketh: it is hot in the end of the second degree, and moist in the first.  
Out of this Liquid Amber, is taken the Oil that is called the oil of Liquid Amber, 
Of the Oil of Liquid Amber, and how it is taken.  the which in his smell is more sweet, it is taken out of the Liquid Amber when it is newly gathered, putting it in part where it may distill of itself, (the more subtle) is the perfectest and best of all.  
Others there be that do press it, because the more quantity thereof may be taken out, & they bring it for merchandise, for that they use to dress Gloves therewith for the common people, and in this trade there is much spent.  
It is used in Medicine for many diseases, and it is of great virtue to heal cold diseases, 
The use of it in medicine.  for it healeth excellently well all parts wheresoever it be applied, it dissolveth and mollifieth any manner of hardness, taking away the pains: it dissolveth the hardness of the Mother, and openeth the oppilations thereof. It provoketh the Monthly course in women, and it maketh soft any manner of hard thing. It is hot well-near in the third degree.  
And it is to be noted, that many do bring this Storax very thin from the India's, 
Note.  which is not so good, for because that they make it of the bows of the trees, cut in pieces, and sodden, and they gather the fatness that swimmeth upon: and the Indians do sell the buds of the trees whereout the Liquid Amber is taken, made in handfuls, & do sell it in their market places, for to put amongst their clothes, which causeth them to smell, as of the water of Angels, & for this purpose the Spaniards do use it.   

Of the Balsamo.  
THey do bring from the new Spain that liquor most excellent, which for his excellency and marvelous effects, is called Balsamo, an imitation of the true Balsamo, that was in the land of Egypt, and for that it doth such great works, and remedy so many infirmities, there was given to it such a name. It is made of a tree greater than a Powngarnet Tree, it carrieth leaves like to Nettles: the Indians do call it Xilo, and we do call the same Balsamo. It is made two manner of ways, the one is by the way of incision, cutting the rind of the Tree, which is thin, giving many small cutings, out of the which there cometh a clammish liquor, of colour white, but it is little and most excellent, and very perfect. The other fashion is, whereby the Indians do use too take out liquor of the trees, which is a common use amongst them is this: th●y take the bows and the great pieces of the trees, and make them as small, as they can, and then cast them into a great kettle, with a good quantity of water, & so boil them until they see it sufficiently done, and afterward they let it cool, and gather up the oil that doth swim thereupon with certain shells, and that is the Balsamo that cometh too these parts, and that commonly is used: the colour thereof is Alborne, which is likened to black, it is of most sweet smell, and very excellent. It is not convenient, nor it ought to be kept in any other vessel then in silver, (Glass or Tin, or any other thing glassed, it doth penetrate and doth pass through:) the use thereof is only in things appertaining to Medicine, and it hath been used of long time, well near since the new Spain was discovered, for that incontinent the Spaniards had knowledge of it, because they did heal therewith the wounds that they did receive of the Indians, being advised of the virtue thereof by the same Indians, and they did see the said Indians heal and cure themselves therewith.  
When it first came into Spain, it was esteemed as much as it was reason it should be, 
The estimation that it i● had in.  for that they did see it make marvelous works, one ounce was worth ten ducats and upwards, and now it is better cheap: the first time that they carried it to Rome, it came to be worth one ounce, one hundredth Ducats: & after that they brought so much and such great quantity, that it is now of small value: this cometh of the abundance of things. And when it was very dear all men took profit of the profit of it, and since it came to be of so low a Price, 
Note.  it is not so much esteemed being the s●lfe same Balsamo, that it was then when it was worth one hundredth ducats the ounce. Surely if the India's had not been discovered, but only for the effect, to send us this marvelous liquor, 
Note.  the labour had been well employed which our Spaniards until the wounds be whole, and for this cause the use thereof is a common medicine in all surgery for poor folks, seeing that as with one medicine all effects are wrought therewith, that are necessary: & it is a common thing to say, that when one is hurt, let Balsamo be put thereunto, and so they do, & it doth heal them. In the wounds of Sinews it worketh a marvelous effect, for that it doth both cure & heal. It healeth better than any other medicine doth, it resisteth cold, the wounds of the head it healeth very well, not having the Skull broken, nor perished.  
Any manner of wounds being fresh it doth heal in any part of the body wheresoever they be, so that there be no more in it but a simple wound. In joints what manner of wound soever it be, it doth make a marvelous work: The use thereof is very common in this City, in wounds. For that you have few houses, but you have Balsamo in them for this effect, so that in wounding of any person forthwith they go to the Balsamo, for with little quantity thereof they do cure and heal, and many times with putting of it once every third day, they find the wound whole. In old sores applied by itself, or with any other ointment, it doth mundify, and fill them up with flesh.  
In large fevers Paroxismales being laid half an hour before the cold doth come, upon the mould of the head● very hot, the patiented being very well covered with clothes, and taking forthwith 〈◊〉 or six drops thereof in wine, it taketh away the cold, in three or four times doing it. It is of a sharp savour and somewhat bitter, whereby are seen the d●y parts and comfortative that it hath: it is hot and dry in the second degree.  

Of the berbe john I●fante for wounds.  I will not let to write of a certain Herb, which the Conquerors of the new Spain do use for the remedy of their wounds, and shots of arrows, which unto them was a great remedy in th●ir troubles, and it was discou●red by an Indian, which was Servant too a spaniard called john Infant. He was the first that used it, they did call it, and do call it at this present day, the Herb of john Infant: this herb is little, they gather it green, and beat it, and so they lay it simply upon the wound: it doth restrain and stop the blood, and if it be a wound in the fl●she, it doth cause it to grow together, and healeth it by glueing the parts. The wounds of the Sinews, and other parts it doth comfort, mundify, and engendereth flesh in them until they be whole, and because they do not find this herb in all places, they bring it made into powder, for that it worketh the same effect as well as being green, and the powder, as some say, doth it better than the herb.  
As this herb, so likewise have you many other in all the other parts of the India's, that have the same and other properties & do work marvelous effects: and to write of every one of them particularly, it were needful to make a greater volume, than we do pretend of this that we shall entreat of.  
Three things they bring from our Occidental India's, which at this day be celebrated in all the world, and with them they have made & do make the greatest works that ever were made in medicine, & there were never the like made, by any other medicine that unto this day hath been known, for that the nature of all three is to cure infirmities which without this remedy be incurable, and to work the effects that do seem to be things of wonder, and these are notorious, not only in these parts, but in all the world: the which things are the wood that is called Guaiacan, the China and the Sarcaparillia. And for that it seemeth that the China doth come from Portugal, and that the Portugese's do bring it from their Oriental India's, and not from ours, I will say what is to be said hereafter when we do speak thereof. And therefore let us begin with Guaiacan, as of ● remedy that first came from the India's, and as first of the best of all, as experience hath showed, and the use thereof in so many years.   

Of the Guaiacan and of the holy Wood  

The wood of the India's.  THe Guaiacan, that is called the wood of the India's was discovered forthwith, when the first India's were found, which was the Island of Sancto Domingo, where is great quantity thereof. There was an Indian that gave knowledge thereof to his Master, in this manner. There was a Spaniard that did suffer great pains of the Pox, which he had taken by the company of an Indian woman, b●t his servant being out of the Physicians of that country 〈◊〉 unto him the water of Guaiacan, wherewith not only his grievous pains were taken away that he did suffer, but he was healed very well of the evil: with the which many other Spaniards, that were infected with the same evil were healed also, the which was communicated immediately, with them that came from thence, hither to Seville, and from thence it was divulged throughout all Spain, and from thence through all the world, for that the infection was sown abroad throughout all parts thereof: and surely for this evil it is the best, & the most chief remedy of as many as hitherto have been found, and with most assurance, and most certainty, it healeth and cureth the said disease, if they be well handled: and this water gi●en as it ought to be, it is certain that it healeth it most perfectly, without turning to fall again, except the sick man do return to tumble in the same bosom, where he took the first infection.  
Our Lord God would from whence the evil of the Pox came, from thence should come the remedy for them. Since it is known that they came into these parts from the India's, and first of all from Sancto Domingo. The Pox be as common amongst the Indians, and as familiar, as the Measelles be unto us, and well near the most part of the Indians, both men and women have them, without making thereof any scruple, and they came first in this sort.  
In the year of our Lord God 1493. in the wars that the Catholic King made in Naples, with King Charles of France, that was called Greathead, in this time sir Christofer Colon, returned from the discovery that he had made of the India's, which was Sancto Domingo, and other islands, & he brought with him from Sancto Domingo, a great number of Indians, both men and women, which he carried with him to Naples, where the Catholic king was at that time, who had then concluded the wars, for that there was peace between the two Kings, and the hosts did communicate together, the one with the other. And Colon being come thither with his Indians, the most part of them brought with them the fruit of their country, which was the Pox. And the Spaniards began to have conversation with the Indian women, in such sort, that the men and women of the India's, did infect the Camp of the Spaniards, Italians, and Almains, for the Catholic king had then of all these Nations, and there were many that were infected with the evil. And after the hosts commoned together, the fire did kindle in the camp of the king of France, of which it followed, that in short time the one and the other were infected with this evil seed: and from thence it hath spread abroad into all the world.  
At the beginning it had diverse names: 
The names that they gave to th● evil tre●.  the Spaniards did think that it had been given them by the Frenchmen, and they called it the French evil. The frenchmen thought that in Naples, and by them of the Country, the evil had been given them, and they called it the evil of Naples. And they of Almain seeing that by conversation with the Spaniards, they came by it, they called it the Spanish Scab, and other called it the Measelles of the India's, and that very truly, seeing that from thence came the evil in the beginning.  

Opinions of this evil.  Amongst the great Physicians of that time, there were sundry great opinions of the cause, and original of the infirmity. The one sort said that it came of the evil melancholy meats, that the hosts of necessity had eaten, as wild herbs, and many garden herbs, and roots of herbs, Asses, and Horses, and other like things, that engender such like infirmities, corrupting and burning the blood. Others there were, that did attribute it to the conjunctions of Saturn and Mars, and they did apply it to the heavenly influence, and gave thereunto divers and sundry names. Some called it the Leprosy, others Swine Pox, other Mentegra, others the Deathly evil, others Elephansia, without certain assurance what disease it was. For they were ignorant that it was a new disease, and they would reduce it to some already known and written of. 
Guaiacan an Indian name.  And now we come to our Guaiacan, whose name was given by the Indians, and of them very well known, and so they have called it and do call it, in all the world, calling it also the wood of the India's. Of this wood many have written and much, one sort saying that it was Ebano, others that it was a kind of Box, with many other names whereby they have named it. It is a new tree and never seen in our parts, nor in any other of the discoveries, & as the country is new, so is the tree a new thing also.  

The description of the Guaiacan.  Whatsoever it be, it is a great tree, of the greatness of an Oak: it casteth out many vows, the rind it doth cast from it being dry, great, and full of Gum, the heart thereof is very great, it is well near like to black, all is very hard as much and more than Ebano is. It casteth forth a little leaf and hard▪ and every year it bringeth forth yellow flowers, out of the which is engendered a round fruit, with little kernels within it, of the greatness of a Meddler: of these Trees there is great abundance in Sancto Domingo.  
And after this they have found an other Tree, of the kind of this Guaiacan, in Saint john de Puerto Rico, which is an other Island near to that of Sancto Domingo, such an other tree as that is, saving that it is less, & the body of the tree and the bows are smaller, & it hath scarcely any heart, or if it have any, it is very little, and that is in the body of the tree, for that the bows have none at all: It is of more sweet smell and more bitter than the Guaiacan, that is now used in our time, I mean that of Sancto Domingo, and for his marvelous effects, they call it the holy Wood, & surely with reason: for that it is of a better working then that of Sancto Domingo, which is seen by experience, but even aswell the one & the other is a marvelous remedy, to cure the disease of the Pox: of the which and of every one of them a water is made, and is taken for this infirmity, and for many others in this form.  
They take twelve ounces of the wood made small, and two ounces of the Rind of the same wood broken, 
How the water of the wood i● made.  and they cast it to steep in three Pottels of Water, in a new pot, that will hold somewhat more, for the space of xxiiii. hours: and the pot being well stepped, they seethe it over a soft fire of kindled Coals, until the two Pottels be sodde away, and one remaining. And this is to be noted at the time the water is put to it, putting therein one Pottle, they dip in a little Rod, and do mark how high the water of one Pottle reacheth, and by that measure and mark they shall see when the two are sodde away, and the one pottle remaineth. After the water is sodden, they set it to cool, & strain it, and keep it in a glassed vessel, and forthwith upon the said sodden wood, they pour four Pottels of water, and seethe it till one be sodden away, and this water must be strained and kept apart, and it must be taken in this form.  
After that the sick man is purged by the counsel of a Physician, 
The manner of taking it.  let him be put into a warm Chamber, and kept from the cold and from air, and being laid in his bed, let him take early in the morning ten ounces of Water, of that which was first made well warmed, and let him be covered so that he may sweat well, & let him keep his sweat at the least two hours, & after he hath sweat, let him be made clean from his sweat, & take a warm Shirt, and the rest of his Linen clothes, & four hours after he hath sweat, let him eat Reasings, Almonds and Biscuit, and that in reasonable quantity. Then let him drink of the water that was made at the second time, the quantity that he hath need of, and of the self same let him drink in the day time, & eight hours after he hath eaten, let him return to take the first water, and let him take other ten ounces well warmed, and then sweat other two● hours, and after his sweat let him be made clean, and then be covered again with warm clothes, and one hour after he hath sweat, let him make his supper of the same Reasings, Almonds, and Biscuit, and drink of the second Water. This order he must observe the first fiftiene days, except he have some notable weakness, and in such case her must be succoured with giving him to eat of a young Chicken, jointly, with the rest of the Diet: and in them that be lean, that cannot bear so precise Diet, it is sufficient that they take it for nine days, and at the end of them they may eat a little Chicken roasted, & if in case the sick person be debilited, and that he cannot suffer the Diet, let him have from the beginning a very small Chicken, going forward increasing in the process of time, and being past the 15. days, let him return to purge himself at the sixteen days end, & let him take the weight of five shillings of the substance of Canafistola, taken out by Strainer or other thing respondent thereunto, and that day let him drink no strong Water, but of the simple, and the next day after the Purgation, let him return to the aforesaid order, taking in the morning and evening the strong water with his sweatings, and eating and drinking the same. Saving that in place of a Chicken he may eat half a roasted Pullet, or somewhat more, and this second time let him take it for other xx. days, in the which time he may rise, and walk about his chamber, being appareled and kept warm. And at the end of them, he shall return to purge himself an other time, and must have a special care to keep good order, and after he hath taken the water for other forty days, must keep himself from women and from wine especially: and in place of wine, he must drink the simple water of the wood, which if he will not do, then let him drink of water sodden with Anise seed or Fenell seed, supping little at night and eating no flesh.  
This is the best way that the water of the wood ought to be taken, which doth heal many infirmities incurable, 
The diseases that this water doth heal.  where other Medicines could not work the same effect, & this water is the best remedy that is in the world, to heal the disease of the Pox, whatsoever or of what kind soever it be, for that it rooteth it out for ever without any more coming again, and in this it hath his principal prerogative and excellency. This water is also good for the Dropsy, for the shortness of breath, for the Falling sickness, for the diseases of the Bladder, and of the reins, for the pains of the joints, for all evils caused of cold humours, for ventosity, and other dangerous and importunate diseases, where the ordinary benefits of Physicians have not profited. Chief it excelleth where the evil dispositions be, that have proceeded at any time from the disease of the Pox. There be many that with this wood have made sundry mixtures, making syrups thereof, and surely with good effect. But my judgement and opinion is, that he which shall take the water of the wood, aught to take it in the manner as is above said, without any mingling thereof, for that by experience it hath been seen so to make the better work. This water is good for the teeth, making them white, and fastening them, by continual washing of them therewith: it is hot and dry in the second degree.   

Of the China.  
THe Second Medicine that cometh from our India's, is a root called the China. It seemeth that I should slander it, to say that the China groweth in our Occidental India's, since commonly the Portugese's do bring it from the Oriental India's.  
By this you shall understand, that Sir Francis de Mendosa, a worthy Knight, when he came from the new Spain and Peru, showed to me a great Root, and other little roots, who asked me, what roots they were? I answer ●o that they were roots of the China, but that they seemed to me to be very fresh. 
China of our India's.  He said to me, that so they were, and that it was not long since that they had been gathered and brought from the new Spain. I marveled that they had it there, for I did believe that in the China only it had grown: he said unto me, that not only there was in the new Spain the China, but that also we should see brought great quantity of Spicery from the place which that China came from. 
History.  And I believed it when I saw the contract that he made with his majesty, to bring into Spain great quantity of spicery, that he had begun to set and to plant, and I saw green Ginger brought from thence, as also the China.  
This China is a root like to the root of a cane with certain knots within it, white and some with the whiteness hath an alborne colour: it is red without, the best is the freshest, that which hath no holes, if it be weighty, and not worm eaten, and that it have a fatness as if it were congealed, and it hath an unsavoury cast. This Root doth grow in the China, which is the Oriental India's near to Syria and Sirciana. It groweth near to the Sea, only with the root they help themselves, with the which the Indians be healed of grievous diseases. And therefore they have it in great estimation: they do heal all manner of large diseases therewith: and also the sharp diseases: especially Agues, with the Water of it, provoking Sweats, and by this way they heal many. It provoketh sweat marvelously.  
It is well near thirty. years since that the Portugese's brought it to these parts with great estimation, 
History.  for to heal all manner of diseases, and especially the disease of the Pox, in the which it hath wrought great effects, and the Water is given in this form.  
The sick person being purged as is most convenient, 
The manner how to give the water of the China.  must take one of the Roots and cut them small unto the thickness and greatness of a three penny piece, and so being cut, shall way one ounce, and cast it into a new Pot, and thereupon shall pour three Pottels of Water, and so shall lie a sleeping there xxiiii. hours, and the Pot being stopped, let it seethe at a soft fire of kindled Coals, until half be sodden away, & one pottle & half remain, and this is to be known by the order of the Measure as aforesaid, in the water of the Wood And after that it is cold, let it be strained and kept in a glassed vessel. There must be care taken, that it stand in some hot or warm place near to the fire, for that therewith it doth preserve the virtue the better, and dureth longer time, before it be corrupted.  
The sick man being lodged in a close convenient Chamber, 
How it must be taken.  must take in the morning fasting ten ounces of the said water, as hot as he can suffer it, and he shall procure sweat, & keep it two hours at the least. After the sweat he shall be made clean, and shall take a Shirt, and clean clothes, & warm them, and shall lie down again two or three hours in the bed quietly, after he hath sweat. And afterward let him apparel himself, and being well warmed remain in his Chamber, in the which he shall be kept from cold & the open ay●e, with all the pleasure of good company and conversation: he shall eat at xi. of the clock, half a Chicken sodden, or a quarter of a Hen, with a little Salt. At the beginning of dinner he shall drink a dishfull of Broth, and forthwith eat of the Pullet, eating at the beginning a little, and he shall end with marmalade. His drink shall be of the water he took in the morning, for that here is no more than one water, he may at the beginning after the Broth is taken, begin too eat Reasinges, without their little Grains, or Prunes without their stones: their bread must be Crusty, well baked, or Biscuit. If he will drink in the day time, he may do so with taking of a little Conserua, and drink of the same water, and being ●ight hours past his Dinner, let him lie down in his Bed, and take other ten ounces of the same water, the which being hot he may drink, and procure sweat: two hours after he hath sweat, let him be made clean, and take a clean shirt, and clean clothes warm, and after one hour let him sup with Conserua, Reasinges and Almonds, with some Biscuit, and drink of the self same water, and last of all eat marmalade, upon the which he may not drink. Thus he may continue thirty. days continually, without need of any more Purgation than the first, and he may sit up, so that he go well clothed, using in this time all content and mirth, and keeping himself from all that may offend him.  

Note.  After that he hath taken this water in this sort, he must keep good order, and good government for forty days continually. And he must drink no Wine, but water made of the China, that was before sodden, the which he shall keep after it is sodden, setting it to dry in a shadowy place, and that China being dry, must be kept to make water for other 40. days, to drink after the taking of the first water: seething one ounce thereof in three Pottels of water vn●il one half be sodden away, and this water let him drink continually. And above all things let him keep himself from women: and he must always have care, that as well in the water of thirty. days, as in the water of the forty days, that the China be steeped in the water xxiiii. hours before it be sodden.  
There be many diseases healed with this water, 
The disease that be healed by this water.  all kinds of evil of the Pox, all old Sores, it resolveth all swellings and knobs, it taketh away the pains of the joints which they call the Arthetica Gout, and any other kind of Gout that is in any particular member or place, and especially the Sciatica, it taketh away old pains of the head and of the stomach. It healeth all manner of runings of Rheums, it dissolveth Oppilations and healeth the Dropsy. It maketh a good colour in the face, it taketh away the jaundice, and all evil complexion of the Liver & rectifieth it, and in this it hath a great prerogative. And by this means these infirmities are healed. It healeth the Palsy & all infirmities of the Sinews, it healeth all diseases of Urine, it taketh away Melancholy, and all infirmities coming of cold diseases. It doth comfort the stomach, it doth dissolve winds marvelously, and also Agues long and sharp, as quotidians: the taking of this water as it is convenient, so doth it root them out, and take them away. The which thing it doth by provoking of sweat, in this it doth exceed all other Medicines, and some will say that in Pestilent Agues, by provoking sweat it healeth them. It is dry in the second degree with very little heat, 
The complexion thereof.  the which is seen by the other waters of the wood. And as Sarcaparillia which doth heat and dry, so this doth not, nor leaveth any impression of heat.  
Surely it is a notable Medicine, in the which I have found great effects for the Diseases which I have spoken of. 
Note.    

Of the Sarcaparillia.  
THE Sarcaparillia is a thing brought into our parts since the China. 
The time since that the Sarcapillia, came unto us.  It is xx. years since that the use thereof came to this city. It first came from the new Spain, & the Indians did use it for great medicine, with the which they did heal many and divers diseases.  
It is a plant which doth cast many roots under the ground, being of a yard long, & of the colour of a clear Tawny, 
The description, of the Sarcaparillia  & sometimes the roots shoot so deep, that to take them out all, it is needful to dig a Man's length. It casteth forth certain bows full of knots, that quickly do dry, and we know not that they have carried flowers or fruit at all.  
After that the Sarcaparillia of the new Spain was found, 
Sarcaparillia of the Hunduras.  there was also found in the Hunduras, an other sort that was better, and of better effects: it is known to be of the Hunduras, because that it is of colour Tawny, and grosser than that of the new Spain, the which is white, and somewhat like to yellow, and more small, and so the Sarcaparillia that is most like to black is best.  
It ought to be fresh, and in this is all the goodness thereof, 
The choosing of it.  it is known to be fresh by not being Worm eaten. For that at the fresh breaking of it long wise, in the midst it maketh a running out to the end, and casteth out no dust, and the heavier it is, the better it is.  
The Spaniards did call it Sarcaparillia when they saw it, 
Of the name.  for the great likeness that it hath with the Sarcaparillia of these parts. I have it for certain, that the Sarcaparillia of these parts, and of the India's, is all one, and the very same that ours is. The which I have experimented many times, & ours worketh the effect that the Sarcaparillia of the new Spain doth, & it is like unto that of the Hunduras, but it is of a bitter taste, and not very sharp, and the water that it yieldeth hath no more savour than barley water hath.  
The use of this herb at the first did differ much from that which is now in experiment, 
H●w it was used in the beginning.  for that they gave it as the Indians did, in the healing of their sick folks, and surely it did work very great effects. But the delicateness of our time doth require that it should be used and given as the water of the wood is. At the beginning they took of the Sarcaparilla much quantity, more than half a pound, & did cut it small and break it, and cast it into a quantity of water, and being well wet they beat it in a Mortar a good while, in such sort that it was made like a jelly, and then did strain it, pressing it very well, for there came out of it the likeness of a thick drink. And of that they took in the morning hot, one good Cup full, and then the Patient clothed himself well. And sweet two hours, and if in the day time they would drink any thing, it should be of the self same thick drink, so made by expression hot, and then they sweet as much in the morning. This order they observed for three days continually, without eating or drinking of other meat, saving only that thick drink, 
Take this for three days.  taken out by pressing or straining of the Sarcaparillia: & after this sort I gave it at the beginning many times, and surely it wrought great effects, and many sick people did better recover, than they do now with this other fashion.  
After there was invented an other form and manner to give it, and is that which is now used, in this sort. 
The ●●s●●on how it is now used and given.  They take two ounces of Sarcaparillia, and wash it and cut it small and then they put it into a new earthen pot, and there upon they pour three Pott●ls of water, and set it in the water to steep twenty and four hours, and af●er the Pot being well stopped, it must seethe on a soft fire of kindled coals, until the two Pottels be sodden away, and the one remain, the which may be known by the order of the measure, that we spoke of, and when it is cold, let it be strained into a glassed vessel, and upon the self-same Sarcaparillia that is sodden, let there be so much water powered in again that the pot be filled, & let it boil a reasonable time, and kept in a vessel glassed.  
Now the sick Man being purged, as it seemeth most convenient, 
The manner how to geu●●t.  and placed in a warm Chamber, he must take in the morning ten ounces, of the first water of the Sarcaparillia, and must sweat at the least two hours, and after sweat he must be made clean from his sweat, and take a warm shirt, and warm clothes, and the like he must do at night, eight hours after he hath eaten his Dinner, changing his shirt and hot apparel. He must dine at eleven of the clock, and sup one hour after he hath sweat, at night eating nothing but Reasinges, Almonds, and Biscuit, and drinking of the second water. Let him keep this order fifteen days, and if he be weak, give him a little roasted chicken, increasing it in process of time, & at the least he must keep his bed niene days at the first beginning, and the rest of the time in his chamber, kept from cold, and from air, and on the fifteen day he must be purged, with a soft and an easy medicine, and likewise on the thirty day, in such sort, that all the order that we have prescribed, be kept, as in the manner of the taking of the water of the wood is already declared. And likewise after the 30. da●es, he must have good government, for other forty days, not drinking any wine, but simple water made of the said Sarcaparillia, and keeping himself from women. This is the ordinary manner in taking of the water of Sarcaparillia, which at this day is used. And because I have experience of other ways that be of great secret, and of great effects, I will write them here, to the end that all the virtues which are in the Sarcaparillia, may be set down and declared, seeing it is the Medicine that is most used, and that we do see in it so great and rare effects.  
I do make a Syrup, that many years hath been celebrated, and had in estimation in this city, 
A Syrup or drink of Sarcaparilla most excellent.  and in all Spain for that it is xxvi. years since I used it first for the disease of the Pox, & for other infirmities: which Syrup doth not heat nor inflame, but with great temperature, according to the graduation, worketh his good effects. The first, for whom this thing was ordained and devised, was for Pantelion de Negro jenoves, who was had in cure by many Physicians, and having taken the water of the Wood, and other Medicines, was well near consumed: and with a grievous swelling sore upon his shin bone, and great pains in it, he took it, and was healed very well. This syrup I have used in many people for the infirmity that the Sarcaparilla doth profit for, and the wood and for many other, and it hath a good effect in working by degrees: for that the dryness of the wood is taken away, and the heat of the Sarcaparilla: and it is made in this form.  
There must be taken two ounces of Sarcaparilla, and four ounces of Paulo Sancto, which is the holy Wood, 
The description of the Syrup or drink.  prepared as it is said, and three Dozen of Acoseifas, a fruit of Spain, without their stones, and two Dozen of Prunes, without their stones, and half an ounce of the flowers of Borage, and an other half ounce of Violets and some grains of Barley made clean, that is too say, the husks taken away. All these things let them be cast into three Pottles of water and let them be sodden on a soft fire, until it come to one pottle, and then let it be strained, and unto ten ounces of this decoction let there be put one ounce of the Syrup of Violets. Let it be taken hot in the morning, and at night in the order above said. In the rest of the water, keeping sweet if there be any, and although there come little, yet they be healed. They may eat a little Chicken from the first day, with the rest of the diet, & drink the simple water of the Sarcaparilla, which is to be made with half an ounce of Sarcaparillia, sodden in four Pott●ls of water, until one or somewhat more, be sodden away.  
This order doth heal all kind of evil of the Pox, and all the infirmities that we have spoken of, 
The diseases that this drink doth profit in.  that the water of the Wood doth heal, and the China, and the Sarcaparillia. Which to repeat, it shall be too long and too prolixious, because it it is sufficiently declared before. For surely in this simple water, and in the foresaid decoction, I have found great effects, a● well in the infirmities wherein is suspected the evil of the Pox, as in large and importunate diseases, in the which the common remedies of Physic have not profited, which although they proceeded not of the French Pox, yet doth it cure and heal them, as it is seen by the work of him that useth it.  
There is an other Syrup to be made of the Sarcaparillia, 
Another drink of the Sarcaparillia  which is: taking eight ounces of Sarcaparillia being broken or cut, and seething it in four pottelles of water, until three be sodden away and the one remain, and into the water that shall remain, to put to four pound of Sugar, and make a perfect Syrup. And of this Syrup too take three ounces in the morning and three at night, eating good meats, and to sup little, and drink only the simple water of the Sarcaparillia, 
The diseases that this drink healeth.  and going abroad out of the house, and doing his business. There are healed therewith many diseases without giving any molestation in the healing of them. And this must be taken till the Syrup be all consumed.  
Also this Sarcaparillia is taken in powder, in this manner. They take the Sarcaparillia, 
Sarcaparillia in powder.  and pluck away from it the hear within it, and dry it and grind it, and then sift it through a sieve of silk, and make it in Powder. Of this Powder is taken in the infirmity of the Pox, or spice of them, the weight of six pence, drinking it with the simple Water of the Sarcaparillia taking it in the Morning, and as night, as much when he goeth to bed. He must eat good meats, and drink no Wine, but the simple water thereof. It shall do well he be purged that shall begin to use it.  
And although that this powder doth heal many diseases large and temporal, one cure it doth marvelously, which is the salt phlegm of the hands and feet, in this form. The sick man being purged, and also without purging, if he cannot otherwise do, he shall take the Powder as it is said, and upon the salt phlegm, he shall lay with a Feather, 
The Salt Fleume is cured herewith.  a little of the water of Sublimatum, delayed with rose-water, that it be very simple, and after it is laid on all parts where the salt Fleume is, then let there be put upon it a plaster, that is called of William Ser●e●tis, or Dia Palma spread abroad thin upon Satin or Taffeta, too be applied in all parts where the simple water of Sublimatum was put. This must be done every day, for that in fifteen days he shall be perfectly whole. This doth mundify and incarnate, and skin without having need of any other medicine, jointly with the Powder and the simple water of Sarcaparillia, which we have spoken of. This is of so great effect, and experimented, as they shall see by the work that shall use it, for surely they shall be whole thereby.  
The use of the water of the Sarcaparillia is so great at this day in this form, as is said, 
The virtue of the water of Sarparillia.  that it is applied in any disease, & it is come into so much credit, that in any manner of rheums or runings, or windiness, the evil of Women, of the Mother, or any other cause or occasion whatsoever, so that it be not in Fevers or other sharp diseases, men take the use of the simple Water of the Sarcaparillia: and this is at this day so put in use, that in like sort you shall find the simple sodden Water of Sarcaparillia in many houses, as ordinary water in earthen vessels, and surely it worketh great effects, and doth remedy large and importunate diseases. Truth it is, that the persons that be hot of complexion, it doth beat them more than is convenient, and so they cannot drink it, and most of all if that their Liver be very hot, for that it heateth too much.  
In women's diseases as well of the Mother, as of cold humours, it worketh good effects, and doth m●ruellously dissolve winds. And in persons that be subject to many evils, and especially of rheums, and old greeffes and diseases caused of the evil humours, if they run this course, with the continuance thereof, they shall receive manifest profit and benefit, and it doth heal all diseases which they never thought to be healed of. The complexion thereof i● hot and dry, well near in the second degree. All these waters must be given in Summer, or in the end thereof: it is better that the season exceed in heat then in cold.   

¶ Of the blood Stone, and of the Stone for the diseases of the Stone of the Kidneys and Reins.  

Of the blood stone.  THEY do bring from the new Spain two stones of great virtue, the one is called the Stone of the Blood, and the other is a Stone for the disease of the Stone in the Kidneys and Rains, The Blood Stone is a kind of jasper of divers colours somewhat dark, full of sprincles, like to blood, being of colour red, of the which stones the Indians do make certain Hearts both great and small.  
The use thereof, both here and there, is for all fluxes of blood in what parts soever it be, of the Nose, or of the Menstrues, or of the Piles, and of Wounds, or of that which is cast out at the mouth. The stone must be wet in cold water, and the sick Man must take it in his right hand, and from time to time wet it in cold water. In this sort the Indians do use them. And as touching the Indians, they have it for certain, that touching the same stone, in some part where the blood runneth, it doth restrain, it and in this they have great trust, for that the effect hath been seen. It doth profit also having it holden, hanged, or tied in the same part where the blood runneth, so that it touch the flesh. Of this stone we have seen great effects, in staunching of blood. And some that do suffer the Hemeroidall flux, have remedied themselves with making Rings of this stone, and wearing them continually upon their fingers. And likewise in the Menstrual flux of women.  
The other Stone, 
The stone for the disease of the gravel & stone in the kidneys or reine●.  which is for the disease of the stone in the Kidneys or Reins, the finest of them are like unto Plasma of Esmeraldes, which are likened to green with a Milkishe colour, the greatest are the best: they bring them made in divers forms and fashions, for so the Indians had them in old time, some like to fishes, other like to the heads of birds, other like to bills of Popingays, other like to round Beadstones, but all pierced through, for that the Indians did use to wear them hanging for the effect to take away the grief of the stone or stomach: for in those two sicknesses it showeth marvelous effects.  
The chief virtue that it hath, is in the pain of the stone in the Kidneys and Reins, and in expelling of Sande and stone. In so much that a Gentleman which had one of them here, the best of them that I have seen, having laid it to his arm, it made him to expel and cast out much sand, insomuch that many times he doth take it away, for that he thinketh that it doth hurt him for to void so much, and in taking it away, he ceaseth to void any from him: and when he feeleth the pain of the stone, laying it too again, it doth take it away incontinent, with expelling of much Sand and small stones. I have seen it carried to persons that have been afflicted with great grief, and pains of the said disease, who putting it to them, do forthwith expel the sand and the little stones, ●●d remain clear thereof.  

A property hidden.  This stone hath a property hidden, by the which means it worketh great effects, to preserve men that they fall not into the pain of the said disease, and after it is come to take it away, or diminish it. It doth make the sand to be expelled in great abundance, and likewise stones. It taketh away the heat from the reins of the back, it profiteth in griefs of the stomach, laid unto it: and above all it preserveth from the said grief.  
My Lady the Duchess for that she had in short space three times, exceeding pains of the stone, she made a bracelet of them, and used to wear it on her arm, and sithence she put them to her arm, she never had more pains of the Stone: and so it hath happened to many other that found the like benefit, for the which these stones are much esteemed: and now they be not so soon had, as at the beginning, for that the gentlemen, and rich men have them only, and with reason, because they do work such marvelous effects. another stone there is that doth heal the salt phlegm, the which I know by hearsay only, but I have seen none of them.   

Of the Wood for the evils of the Reins, and of the Urine.  
ALso they bring from the new Spain, a certain wood that is like unto the wood of a Pear tree, gross and without knots, the which they have used many years in these parts, for the pains of the reins and of the Stone, and for the infirmities of the Urine.  
The first time that I saw it used, may be about xxxv. years past. There was a Pilot that was sick of the Urine and of the Reins, and after that he had used it, he was whole and very well. And sithence that time I have seen that many have brought it from the new Spain, and they do use it for these diseases following.  
For them that cannot piss liberally, 
The diseases which it cureth.  and for the pains of the Reins, and of the stone, and for them that do piss wi●h pain, and for them that do piss little. And now the thing hath extended unto oppilations, for that the water thereof doth cure and heal them, both of the Lungs and the Liver, and this hath been found within these few years, and they do find in it notable profit. The water is made in this form.  
They take the wood, and make it into small pieces very shin: and small as it is possible, 
How the water is made.  and then put them into fair water of the Fountain, & leave it so until the water be sokened into it: and by putting the wood into the water, within half an hour the water doth begin to change itself into a blue colour very clear, and the longer that it lieth in the water, so much the bluer it turneth, although that the would be of a white colour. Of this water they do drink continually, and therewith they use to water their wine, and it worketh marvelous and manifest effects, without any alteration, so that it needeth but only good government and regiment. The water hath no more savour than if there were nothing cast into it, for that the wood doth change nothing. The complexion thereof is hot and dry in the first degree.   

Of the Pepper of the Indias.  
I Will not let to speak of the Pepper that they bring from the India's, 
Of the Indian Pepper.  which serveth not only for Medicine, but it is otherwise most excellent, the which is known in all Spain, for there is no garden, nor Orchard, but that it hath plenty thereof in it, for the fairness of the fruit that it bringeth forth.  

The description of the Plant.  It is a great Plant, insomuch that I have seen in this City some that was equal with many Trees. It doth cast forth the leaves green, after the fashion of basil of the biggest sort. And it casteth forth certain white flowers, out of the which cometh the fruit, the which is of diverse forms: some Pepper is long, other round, others of the making of Melons, others of Cherries, but all is at the beginning when it is not type very green, and being ripe very red, and with a gracious and good colour.  

The use of it.  All the sorts are used in all manner of meats and pottages, for that it hath a better taste than the common Pepper hath. Beaten in pieces, and cast into broth it is an excellent sauce, they do use it in all things that the aromatic spices are used in, which are brought from Maluco, and Calicu●. It doth differ from that of the East India's, for that costeth many ducats, & this other doth cost no more but to sow it, for that in one plant you have spice for one whole year, with less hurt and more profit.  

The virtues that it hath.  It doth comfort much, it doth dissolve winds, it is good for the breast, and for them that be cold of complexion: it doth heal and comfort, strengthening the principal members. It is hot and dry, well near in the fourth degree.  
They do bring from divers parts of our India's many purgative Medicines, 
Note.  that have been found and discovered by continuance, whose works and effects are great: of the which I will give here a short relation, that it may be an entrance for to entreat of the root of Mechoacan, which was our principal intent now to write of.   

Of the Cannafistola.  
THere doth come from the Islands of Sancto Domingo, 
Canafistola.  and from Sancte john de Puerto Rico great quantity of Canafistola, and it is so much, that not only all Spain is provided of it, but all Europe, and well near all the world: for that unto Levant, from whence it was accustomably brought, now there goeth more Ships laden with it, then come with Iron from Biskeye. That which cometh from our India's, is much better in comparison then that which is brought from the East India's to Uenis, and that which the Galleons do carry from thence to Genova, and from Genova to Spain, for when the Merchants brought it hither, it could not be good, for that it was very small, and also it was not type, and with so long time & continuance it became so corrupted, that it did profit little.  
This of ours that they bring from Sancto Domingo and Saint john is ripe, great, full, weighty, honilyke, 
The description of it.  and fresh. In so much that many times it cometh in sixty days after it is gathered, and being fresh, it is of a gracious and good taste, and not of so horrible smell, as that of Levant is, and so it doth his work far better, & with more facility.  
This Canafistola, and the work thereof is of great security, it purgeth gently, without any alteration. 
The virtue of the Canafistola.  And doth avoid principally Choler, and after phlegm, and that which is in the ways and the Guts. It doth temper them much that take it, also it purifieth the blood, it doth many good works in all kind of diseases, in especially in the pains of the Reins, and of urine, being taken two hours before supper. And in rheums it doth much profit, being taken two hours after Supper, and easily it doth cure the evils of the breast, which have be●ne of long continuance, & griefs of the side, being taken with syrups for the breast: and being applied outwardly with the Oil of sweet Almonds, it taketh away the grievous diseases of the Lungs, and griefs of the reins. It is good in hot Fevers, and using it continually before supper or dinner, it stayeth the engendering of the stone, it taketh away the drieth. it is moist in the first degree, it declineth to heat, although it be little, it is dissoluative, it clarifieth the blood, and delayeth the sharpness thereof, and of the red colour. There have been in the India's since it was discovered some thereof so weighty, that one cod weigheth five shillings, being taken out by the Seen, and four ounces in weight the whole cane.   

Of the Purgative Nuts.  
AT the beginning when they discovered the India's, they brought from Sancto Domingo, 
Of the purgative Nuts.  certain Nuts being three cornered, with the which the Indians did purge themselves, and were unto them a familiar purgation. And afterwards the Spaniards, for necessity did purge themselves with them, with hazard enough of some of their lives, for with the use thereof, many thought to lose their lives, for that it is a strong purge. And although that it doth make a great excess of stools, yet doth it also provoke vomit very strongly, and with much violence, with great faintness and heaviness. afterward some did rectify them by costing of them, and then they be not so violent, nor so strong, neither work with so much cause of faintness. 
What these Nuts do purge.  They do purge phlegm very strongly, & after colour. It is an excellent Medicine for the colic, it doth dissolve winds, and put in a glister it doth evacuate reasonably.  
The manner & colour of them is as of our Nuts, with a thin rind, 
The d●scription o●●he N●●●es.  of the colour of a clear Bay, they are three cornered, the carnel within is white, and sweet, insomuch that for their sweetness, many have been m●eked therewith. The Physicians do call them commonly Ben, 
Ben.  of which there are two sorts, one they call great, and the other little. The great Ben be these purgative Nuts, the little Beu be as great as our Peason, of the which in Italy they make that oil of sweet smell, which they call Oil of Ben, with the which they do anoint their hear, and beards for dilicatenesse. Their complexion is hot in the beginning of the third degree, and dry in the second. Their weight is of half a dram unto one, but they must be toasted.   

Of the purgative Pinions.  
THey do bring from the new Spain certain Pinions or Carnels wherewith the Indians did purge themselves: 
The description of them.  they be like to our Pinions, which do grow out of our trees, being great after the fashion of the wheat of the India's, the shalt is not so hard as ours is, they are somewhat more black, they be round, and within very white, fatty, and sweet in taste. They do purge valiantly Fleame and Colour, and any manner of waterishness, they are more easy Medicine, than the Nuts be, they do purge by stool, 
How they purge.  and by vomit, and if they be toasted they do not purge so much, nor with so much faintness. They do purge of their own nature gross Humours: it is a Purgation much used amongst the Indians, being ground and dissolved with Wine, having first taken preparatives that do attennuate the humour, 
How they be taken.  that a man doth pretend to evacuate, and using a convenient Diet. They take of them five or six more or l●sse, conformably to the obedience of the stomach, of him that shall take them.  
Ordinarily they do tossed them: for so they be more gentle and less furious. It is needful that he which doth take them, be kept as one being purged.  
They be given in large infirmities, and where there be gross humours: they be hot in the third degree, and dry in the second with some fatness, which doth take away somewhat of the dryness.   

Of the purgative Beans.  
FRom Cartagena, and numbered de Dios, they bring certain Beans like to the fashion of ours, 
Beans like to ours.  saving that they be somewhat less, and of the colour and making of ours, they have in the midst of the Bean that doth divide the two halves, one little thin skin, like to the skin of an onion.  

How they be t●ken.  They do take them from their shalt, and from the inner thin skin, and toast them and make them into powder, and take them 〈◊〉 Wine: and being made into powder and mingled with Sugar, one spoonful of the powder is taken, and upon that a little draft of wine. They do purge without molestation Choler and Fleame, and gross mixed humours. And amongst the Indians they are of great estimation, for the easiness that they have in the taking of them. Many Spaniards do purge with them with much security, and it is a Medicine more easy and gentle than that aforesaid.  

History.  I have seen many that have come from those parts, purge them therewith, and it succeed with them very well, and purgeth without grief.  

Note.  But they must be advised that there be taken from them that little skin that is in the midst of the two halves of the Beans. For if they take that, the strength of it is so much greater and vehement of Uomites and stools, that they put in great hazard him that shall take them And also they must have care to cost them, for that it doth prepare th●m, and delayeth much of the sharpness, and fierceness, which is general in this Medicine, and in all the rest, for that to tossed them is the true preparation of them. After the taking of any of the foresaid Medicines the patient must not sleep at all: it is needful that he keep great watch being purged, and in all things which in a man purged may be convenient.  
The Beans be given prepared, in Fevers being large and importunate, and in diseases of mixed humours, 
Their work● and effects.  being gross and in the pains of the joints, & they are an universal Purgation: they be hot in the second degree, & dry in the first, there be given of them from four too six, tossed more or less, as the obedience and sufferance of the belly is of him that shall take them.   

Of the milk Pinipinichi.  
IN all the coast of the firm land they take out a certain kind of milk, from little trees. 
Of the Pin●pinichi.  like to Apple trees, which the Indians call Pinipinich●, of the which cutting one bough, there cometh forth whereas it is cut, a certain kind of milk somewhat thick & clammy, and taking three or four drops thereof, it doth purge valiantly by the stool principally Choleric Humours, and Citrine water, and it doth work with much vehemency and force.  
It must be taken in Wine, or dried into powder in little quantity, for that the work thereof is of most strength. 
How it is tak●n.  It hath one property, that in eating or drinking of broth or wine or other thing forthwith it worketh no longer, and he that doth take it, hath need to keep good watch, and good order, It is hot and dry in the third degree.  
All these Medicines which we have spoken of, be violent and of great force, & they have not been much used since the Mechoacan hath come, for that in it there is found a work more sure, 
Note.  and unto this not only we, but all the Indians have run, as unto a purge most excellent, of the which we will treat now.   

Of the Mechoacan.  
THe Mechoacan is a root, that it may be about thirty. years that it was discovered, 
Mechoacan.  in the province of the new Spain, in the India's, of the Ocean Seas, it is brought from a Country that is beyond the great city of Mexico, more than 40. leagues, & is called Mechoacan the which Sir Fernando Curtes did conquer, in the year of our Lord, 1524. This is a country of much riches, of Gold and chief of silver, 
The riches and increase.  and it is understood that in all that Country is, much silver. For more than 200. leagues, here those mines be so celebrated, and of so great riches, that they be called the Cacatecas, & every day they discover in the land very rich mines of silver, and some of Gold. It is a country of good and wholesome air, and doth bring forth healthful herbs for to heal many diseases, insomuch that at the time the Indians had the government thereof, the inhabiters there round about that Province, came thither too heal their diseases and infirmities. For the said causes, it is a country very fruitful, and of great abundance of bread, wild foul, and fruits. It hath many fountains, and some of sweet waters, which have much abundance of fish, the Indians of that country are of a taller growth, 
The s●●●ation of Mechoacan.  & of better faces than the Borderers are, and much more healthful.  
The Principal place of that Province the Indians do call in their language Chincicila, and the Spaniards do call it as they call that Realm Mechoacan, & it is a great town of Indians, situated near to a lake, which is of sweet water, abounding with very much Fish. The same Lake is in fashion of the making of an horse-shoe, and in the midst thereof standeth the Town, the which at this d●y hath great trade of buying and selling, for the great mines of Plate that are in all that country.  
As soon as that Province was gotten from the Indians, 
History.  there went thither certain Friars of Saint Frances order, & as in a Country so far distant from their natural soil, some of them fell sick, amongst whom the Warden, who was the chief Friar of the house was one, with whom Caconcin Casique an Indian Lord, a man of great power in that Country, had very great friendship, who was Lord of all that Country. The father Warden had a long sickness and was brought in great danger of life: the Casique as he saw his disease proceed forward, said that he would bring him an Indian of his, which was a Physician, with whom he did cure himself, & it might be, that he would give him remedy of his disease. The which being heard of the Friar, and seeing the little help that he had there, and the want of a Physician, with other things of benefit, he thanked him, and desired him, that he would bring him unto him: who being come, and seeing his disease, sai●e to the Casique, that if he took a powder, that he would give him of a root, that it would heal him. The which being known to the Friar, with the desire that he had of health, he accepted his offer, and took the powder that the Indian Physician gave him, the next day, in a little wine: with the which he did purge so much, and without pains, that the same day he was much lightened, and much more from that time forward, in such sort that he was healed of his infirmity. The rest of the Friars which were sick, and some Spaniards that were sick also, did follow the father Wardens cure, & took of the self-same powder once or twice, & as oft as they had need of it, for to heal them. The use of the which went so well with them, that all they being healed, the Friars did send relation of this, to the father provincial to Mexico where he was, who did communicate it with those of the country, giving to them of the root and comforting them that they should take it, because of the good relation, that he had from those Friars of Mechoacan. The which being used of many, and seeing the marvelous works that it did, the fame of it was extended all abroad, so that in short time, all the Country was full of the good works and effects thereof, vanishing the use of Ruibarbe of Barbary, and taking the name thereof calling it Ruibarb● of the India's, as all men do now commonly call it. And also it is called Mechoacan, 
Ruibarbe of the India's.  for that it is brought from thence, & gathered in the Province called M●choacan. And not only in Mexico, and in that Country it doth take it as the most excellent purgation, and best of all other, but also in Peru, and in all other parts of the India's, they use no other thing, neither purge they with any other purge, and they take it with so much trust and easiness, that when they take it, they think to have certainly their health, & so they carry it from the new Spain, as merchandise of very great price.  

History.  I● is about thirty and four years past, when I saw it here the first time, when one Pasquall Catano a Genoues, came from the new Spain, who fell sick at his coming, and as I did cure him, at the time that I would purge him, he said to me that he brought a Ruibarbe from the new Spain, that was a very excellent Medicine, with the which all they of Mexico did purge themselves, saying, that it was called Ruibarbe of Mechoacan, and he had been purged many times therewith, and it had succeeded very well with him, and if he should take any purge, he would take that, of the which he had experience. But I caused him utterly to forsake the use of such like n●w Medicines, of the which there was nothing written nor known. And did persuade with him to purge with the Medicines that we had here, of the which there was so great experience and knowledge, in written Authors. And he did grant to my words, and purged himself with a purgation that I gave him, even as it was conu●nient for his disease. By the which although that there did follow unto him notable lightness, and profit: yet he was not clear of the disease in such sort, but that it was necessary to purge him an other time. And when we came to the second purgation, he would take none other but his own Ruibarbe of Mechoacan, with the which he did purge so well, that he remained whole, and without any disease. And although that this ●ffect did like me well, nevertheless I did not remain satisfied, until many other that came at the same time, and fell sick, did purge with the said Mechoacan, and it went very well with them, because they were accustomed to purge therewith in the new Spain: and seeing the good works and so many thereof. I began to consider of it, and to purge many therewith, giving credit to the good effects that it wrought.  
And so with these that I did make experience of here, 
The use in all parts of the Mechoacans.  as also with the relation, and great credit of them, that came out of the new Spain (insomuch that the use thereof hath spread abroad, that it is a common thing in all the world, and they do purge therewith not only in the new Spain, and the Provinces of the Peru, but also in our Spain, all Italy, Almain, and Flaunders) I have sent relation thereof, well near to all Europe, as well in Latin, as in our native tongue.  
The use thereof is so much, 
The gr●ate quantity of Mechoacan that is used.  that they bring it for chief merchandise, in great quantity, and it is sold for great sums of money: Insomuch that a seller of Drugs told me, besides that which he had sold for the City, he had sold forth of the city the last year, more than ten kintalles of it, which is a thousand pound weight, so that now they ask for Ruibarb of the India's, for that it is so familiar, that there is no husband man that doth not use it, as a most sure medicine, and of great effects, because for that kind of purgation, there is no need of a Physician, as being that, unto which all men give most credit, as a thing determined and approved for good.  
I have talked with many of them that have come from the new Spain, and in especially with them that have been in Mechoacan, concerning the fashion of the plant that this root is of, and what form and figure it hath, the which they do bring from the Country, within 40. leagues of beyond Mechoacan, from a country which is called Colima, and they have so little care therein, seeing that their principal intent is unto their interest and gain, that they know no more thereof, but that the Indians in Mechoacan do sell it them, the roots being dry and clean, as hither they do bring them, and the Spaniards do buy them, as a kind of Merchandise, and so send them to Spain.  
And surely in this we are worthy of great reprehension▪ that seeing that there are in the new Spain, so many Herbs, and plants, and other things Medicinable, of so much importance, there is not any that writeth of them, nor is it understood, what virtues and forms they have, for to accord them with ours: so that if men had a desire to search out, and experiment so many kind of medicines, as the Indians do sell in their Market places and Fairs, it would be a thing of great profit, and utility to see and to know their propertie●, and to experiment the variable and great effects, which the Indians do publish, and manifest with great proof amongst themselves, which they have of them: we of our part without any consideration do refuse it, and such as do know their effects, will not give us relation, nor knowledge what they are, nor write the efficacy and manner of them.  
And going too search after the Place of the Root Mechoacan, 
History of the Plant of Mechoacan.  a Passenger that was come from that Province, did advertise me that a France's Friar, that was come from that Country, had brought in the ship where he came, the proper Herb of Mechoacan green, in a great barrel, and with much care, which he brought from beyond Mechoacan, and that he had it in the Friary of S. Frances of the City. And hearing thereof I did receive great contentment, and so I went forthwith to the Friary, and at the door of Infirmerie, or house for the sick people of this Friary, there was a thing like too half a Pipe, in the which there was an herb very green, which they said was the Mechoacan, that the Friar had brought from the new Spain, not with little labour. 
The description of the Mechoacan.  It is an heath that groweth creeping up by certain little Canes, it hath a sad green colour, it carrieth certain leaves, that the greatness of them may be of the greatness of a good Porenge dish, which are in compass round, with a little point, the leaf hath his little Sienewes, it is small, well near, without moisture, the stalk is of the colour of a clear Tawnie. They say that it casteth forth certain Clusters with little Grapes, of the greatness of a Coriander seed which are the fruit, and do wax ripe by the month of September: it casteth out many Bows, which doth stretch a long upon the Earth, and if you put any thing near to it, it goeth creeping upon it. The Root of the Mechoacan is unsavoury, and without biting, 
The manner of the root.  or any sharpness of taste. That which we do see at this present of our Mechoacan, is a root which they bring from the new Spain, from the Province of Mechoacan, made in great and little pieces, of them cut in pieces, of them broken with their hands. It is a white Root, somewhat strong, and mighty, it appeareth that the pieces be of a great root, without any heart.  
The conditions, or elections that it must have, for to be good and perfect is: that it be fresh, which may be known if that it be not worm eaten, 
The elections of the Mechoacan.  nor black, and that it be somewhat white: but the very white is not so good, and if it be somewhat russet, so that it be the uttermost part of the root, for that the inner part is somewhat white. In the tasting or chewing of it, it is without savour, or any manner of biting taste.  
It importeth to make his work the better if so be that it be fresh, 
That it be fresh.  for that the fresher it is, the better it is, and the greater the pieces are, the better they are conserved. And it is true, that that which is brought in powder, is not so good, for that it doth putrefy, and lose much of the virtue, and operation. As also we do see, if we make powder, and keep it, it doth not make so good work, as when the root is ground, and then forthwith taken. The root being old doth turn black, and it will be worm eaten with holes, and become very light. It will keep well rolled in Sere cloth. It is gathered in the month of October, and it never loseth his leaf.  
The Complexion thereof is hot in the first degree, and dry in the second, 
The complexion thereof.  for that it hath subtle parts, with some binding, whereby it seemeth that his work being done, it leaveth the interior Members strengthened, without debilitation and weakness, which the other Purgative Medicines do leave them in: but rather those that do purge themselves therewith, do remain after they be purged, more strong and hard, then before they were purged. It hath no need of rectification, for that we do not see in this root any notable hurt, only the Wine is unto it a corroboration for the work, for being taken with Wine, it maketh a better work, then with any other liquor, for that it doth not cause vomit, and it worketh the better.  
It is given at all times and in all Ages, 
Easy to take and easy to work●.  it doth his work without molestation, and without the accidents that the other Medicines solvative are wont to procure. It is a Medicine easy to be taken, for that it hath no evil cast. Only it hath the savour of that with the which it is taken, for that it is of itself without savour, and so it is easy for Children, for that they may take it without feeling what it is, it is so likewise for persons that cannot take Medicines, for it hath neither smell nor taste. I have purged therewith many Children, and many very old persons, & have given it to men of more than 80. years of age, 
It is given to children and old people.  and it maketh in them very sure and good work with no manner of alteration nor change of body, and without being debilited or weakened.  
This Root doth avoid choleric humours, gross mixed, and also phlegmatic Humours, of what kind soever they be, and humours putrefied and rotten, and of both colo●rs: 
The woork●● and effects be marvelous of this root.  it doth evacuate the Citrine water, of them that have the Dropsy, with much easiness. The principal respect thereof is to the Liver, making it clean, and comforting it, and the Members near adjoining to it, as the stomach and the inner parts. It doth cure all Oppilations of the same parts, and all diseases caused of them: As the Dropsy, the jaundice, and jointly with his good work it rectifieth the evil complexion of the Liver, it dissolveth windiness, and with easiness it expelleth it, and doth open all the hardness of the Liver, and of the Lungs, and of the stomach. It taketh away old griefs of t●e head, and mundifieth the brain and t●e Sinews, and emp●ieth out the humours that be in the head, or p●r●es thereof. In the disease called the Lampa●ones, which is the Rings Evil, it maketh a good work: in old gri●fe● of the head called the Megrim, and the Falling sickness, and in all Distillations, or old runings, in pains of ●he joints, both particular and universal, as in the ●ou● Arthetica, in pains of the stomach, emptying the cause, and consuming windiness. Also in pains of the urine & Bladder, 
In griefs of Women.  in pains of the stone and Colic, of what kind soever it be, it maketh a marvelous work. It cureth the pains of women, and especially the Mother, by emptying and taking away the cause, as namely those causes which come of cold humours & windiness, and in the griefs of the breast, as of an old cough, & shortness of breath, for using this root oftentimes it taketh it away, and healeth it. Also in griefs of the reins caused of gross Humours, for it doth empty and expel them.  

In griefs of the Pox.  In griefs of the Pox it maketh a great work. And it seemeth that for these griefs our Lord did ordain it, emptying the humours of them, which for the most part are cold, and especially when they be waxen old of long time, it purgeth them, and doth expel them without any pains, by multiplying the taking thereof as many times as is necessary, for that in these infirmities that be old, and of long continuance, 
Note.  one evacuation is not sufficient, but it is necessary to have many evacuations, which may be done without danger with this Root: and it is not to be marveled at, if that with one evacuation therewith doth not follow the health that is wished for, but that many times it is needful to make often repetition, to the intent to root up and expel the evil, and naughty humours, that are the cause of the said disease.  

In agues.  This root doth marvelously empty forth the cause of the l●rge Fevers, and importunate, and all Fevers compounded, and chief in old Fevers, as Tertians, Quotidians, phlegmatic, and in s●ch diseases as commonly come of oppilations, using thereof at the time that is needful, for that in the like large and importunate diseases, the Physician must not be content with one evacuation, 
Note.  but with many, digesting by little and little, and avoiding out by little and little, seeing that the avoiding out is done with such assurance by this Medicine so blessed.  
He that hath need of it must have a good heart, 
Note.  and with trust that it will profit him much, which hitherunto we have experimented, in so many, that with just title all credit may be given to the good works thereof. We see with how much easiness & without any accidents, it worketh the effects that we have spoken of. & it is looked for, that every day will be discovered greater matters, that may be added unto these.  
The Rule and order that must be kept in the administration, and giving of the Powders, 
The order that ought to be kept in taking of it.  made of the root of Mechoacan, was learned of the Indian Physician that we have spoken of, and since it hath been used in divers and sundry fashions.  
The first thing that is required of him that shall take this Powder is, that he do prepare himself with good diet, 
It is convenient that there be a preparative for him that shall take it.  & good order, keeping himself from all things that may offend health, and to use these meats which are most convenient for him, & to dispose the humour that principally he pretendeth to avoid out, & with some Syrup, that may have the same respect that the humour is disposed unto the way to be prepared where he may go out. And for this it is good that he take the counsel of a Physician: & he must use Glisters, if the Belly be not obedient at the least the day before he shall take it, and if by chance he shall need letting blood he shall do it with the judgement and opinion of a Physician. The body so prepared and ready to be purged, he shall take this root chosen as we have said, and it must be ground, 
How these powders shall be taken.  making Powder of it, of an indifferent sinenesse, and way of it the quantity that must be taken, as we shall speak of, and put it into white Wine, which is Sack, as much in quantity as is needful for to drink, and it must be t●ken in the morning. Wine is the best liquor that it can be taken withal, and so it is used generally in the India's, for the Wine as we have said, doth corroborate and give strength to these Powders, and because there be some that can drink no wine, in such case they may give it in sodden water, wherein Cinnamon hath been boiled, or Anis or Fenell seed, and if the pure wine do offend them, it may be delayed with any manner of Water, but the quantity of the Wine that shall be taken, is so little, that it cannot offend, nor molest any person. It may be delayed with Endife, or Langdebeefe water, and because this medicine is not given in sharp Agues, but in large and temperate diseases, 
Otherwise to give it.  it doth hear the Wine better than any other liquor.  
Also they give these Powders with Conserua of Violets, and with Syrup of Violets, and it is a good practice: for with his cold and moisture, it doth correct the little heat, and drought that the Patient hath, and let them drink upon it Wine watered, or some water as aforesaid.  
There is made of this Powder pills form with electuary of Roses, 
There are made pills of it.  and surely they make a very good work and purge well.  
Also they do put it in paste of Wafer bread, or in Marchpanes, and as it hath no evil savour, so they do not feel it. 
In Wafer bread.  It serveth much for children and for them that cannot take the like things.  
The Pills that must be made of this powder must be very little▪ 
Note.  somewhat greater than Coriander seed, that they may dissolve the rather, and not heat, and so they work more quickly and better.  
They may be given in the morning and at night, these powders be received with most prosperous success, 
When they shall be given.  being made up with Syrup of Roses of nine infusions, mingling the quantity that thereof shall be taken in two ounces of Syrup, and surely this mixture doth make a marvelous work, 
Wh●t humours the M●choaca● doth avoid.  for that it doth strengthen, and enforce much the work of the powders.  
It avoideth Choleric, gross and fleugmatike humours and permixt, and the fierceness of the blood, and so it is a great Medicine, and of marvelous work: It avoideth also most strongly the Citrine water of them that have the Dropsy, frequenting it many times, giving between one purge and another, that which may corroborate and make strong the Liver: in Broth it is taken many times, and maketh good work.  
This Medicine or purge must be taken in the morning early, and after it is taken, 
When it should be taken.  they may sleep half an hour upon it, before it do purge, for that the sleep doth slay the Uomit, and the natural heat shall make a better work in the Medicine.  
He that shall take these Powders, if he do fear them, or any other Medicine purgative, and if he fear Uomit, 
Note.  may use this one remedy, of the which I have large experience, and is, when he hath taken this purge or any other, let him take the Yolk of an Egg roasted hot, broken between his Fingers, and put into a course Linen Cloth, and so round let him put it into the Throat Pit, and let him hold it there, until that he do begin to purge, for that surely, it will slay the Uomiting and also the Fumes, that do rise of the purge, and this is no small content. After that he hath somewhat slept, if he can, at the time that it beginneth to work, let him not sleep nor eat, nor drink any thing, but be in place where the air do not offend him, nor with much company, for that all the intent shall be for to purge, staying all things that may let the avoiding out. And he shall be advertised, that one of the greatest excellencies that this purge hath, is, that it is in the hands of the sick person to avoid out what quantity of humour he will, the which is a thing that they of old time did consider much of. And weighing which was surest of purging or the letting of blood, they do not allege any other cause more principal, than that the letting of blood is more sure. Forasmuch as in the letting of blood we may take out what quantity of blood we lust, & not in the purge, which once being taken, it is not in the hands of the Physician, nor the sick person to let it to do his work, which quality is not in this our purge of the root of Mechoacan, seeing that with taking of a little Broth, or eating any manner of thing, the working of it seizeth, and it worketh no more, and so it cannot exceed nor hurt the patiented.  

Note.  Surely it is to be holden of much price, that there is found a kind of purge with so much assurance, and that so mightily doth his work, and is at the will of him that doth take it. After it hath done what to the patiented seemeth good, and sufficient, then with a little Broth which he eateth, it shall work and purge no more.  

After that he hath purged.  After that the sick person or Physician perceiveth that it hath made an end of his working, and hath purged that which is convenient, than they must give him somewhat to eat, taking at the beginning of his Dinner a Disheful of Broth, and after a little while let him eat of a Hen, and in the rest let him govern himself as one that is purged, as well in his drink as in his meat, as also in the keeping that he shall have of his person. For that day that he doth take it, let him take heed that he sleep not in the day time nor drink till Supper, the which Supper shall be light and of some good meats.  

What he must do the next day.  The next day let him take a washing Medicine, and some Conserua, and from that time forward let him keep good order and good government, in all that is convenient for him.  
And if that with once taking of these powders, the sick man do not heal, nor avoid from him that which is needful for to be voided, he may take it again, as many times as the Physician shall see convenient, wherein he shall have care after that the sick man is purged, to comfort and to alter the principal members.  

Note.  And in this I can hold no precise opinion, for that there be divers and variable diseases, and it is needful for them to have divers remedies, & my intent is no more than to write the use of the Root of Mechoacan, as a thing of so great importance, and of a purge and remedy so excellent, as nature hath given unto us.  
And if process of time have taken from us the true Myrrh, 
A good digression.  and the true Balsamo, and other Medicines that they of old time had, of the which in our time there is no memory, and with the time are lost: yet time itself in place of them hath discovered and given so many and so sundry things as we have spoken of, as our Occidental India's do send us. In especially the Mechoacan, a purge most excellent and gentle, which doth his work with such assurance, being white in colour, pleasant in savour, and in smell easy to take, without any loathsomeness in working, and without that horribleness, that other purges have, and without those accidents & faintness that come at the time, that they be taken, & without that disquietness which it maketh when it worketh.  
This Root hath over and above that, which is said, other properties, and hidden works, that we do not reach unto, which with the time and use of them shallbe known and discovered every day.  
The weight or quantity that is given of the Powder, made of the Root of Mechoacan, 
The quantity that is given of it.  is conformable to the obedience of the belly, of him that shall take it. Some there be that do purge with little quantity. I know a Gentleman of this Realm, that with the weight of half a Ryall, which is iii. d. doth purge very well, and there are other that have need of the weight of xii. d. and others of the weight of xviii. d. And in this every one ought to measure the quantity, as he hath his belly in obedience, more or less. Even so they ought to limit the quantity conformably to the age of the Patient. For that the Child hath need of little, the Boy of more, and the strong man of much more, and the Lean of less, and for this cause the Physician must measure the quantity as he seethe it convenient. Because to the Child he shall give the weight of iii. d. and to the Boy the weight of vi. d. and to the Man the weight of xii. d. which is commonly so taken, but to the Woman it is not convenient to give less than the weight of twelve pence, & in this there may be had a consideration, seeing that it is in the hand of the Physician to take away his work when he doth see that it exceedeth, it is better to give a little too much, considering that with taking of a few suppings of broth, if it do exceed, the excess may be remedied.  
This is the sum which I have understood unto this day of the Root, which they bring from the Province of Mechoacan, and when I shall know more of it, I will write as the time and the use thereof shall give occasion.   

Of the quick Sulphur.  
WHen I made an end of writing of these last lines, Barnadine of Burgus the apothecary, 
Quick Sulphur.  a man learned and expert in his art, did show me in his shop a piece of quick Sulphur brought from our India's, a thing most excellent as ever I saw, and in our time the like hath not been seen. It was bright like Glass, of the colour of fine gold, taking a little of it, and casting it into the Fire, it doth cast from it a very great smell of Brimstone like to green smoke, 
As it is.  and the piece itself (smelling thereunto) hath no smell.  
They brought it from Quito, with is a place in the province of Peru, 
Brought from Quito.  from a Mine that there was found in certain Hills, near unto the Mines of gold. And it is not in vain that the Alcumistes do say, that the matter of Gold, is the Quicksilver, 
Note.  and the Sulphur, that is to say, the Quicksilver the matter, and the Sulphur the former and maker. And so this which I saw, was like to a piece of gold most fine.  
They bring from Nicaraga, other Sulphur, but it is russet, like to Ashes, congealed without colour or brightness, 
Evil Sulphur.  which is found nigh unto the Uolcan of Nicaraga, the which being cast into the fire doth cast from it the smell of Brimstone, but it is a piece of earth, and in nothing is like to that, of the Province of Quito, more than in the smell, neither hath it that colour of Gold, nor that brightness that the other hath, which is of Quito.  
The same being applied in things, that are convenient for medicine, worketh marvelous effects: 
The thinger that i● profiteth in.  chief being ground, and dissolved with wine, and applied in the night to them, that have their face red inflamed that be like to Lepers, using it certain nights, after they have been at the stool, it taketh the redness away, and healeth it marvelously, of the which I have great experience. It heals the scabs, being dissolved with oil of Roses. Taking the weight of six pence in an Egg, it healeth the colic. and the Palsy. It is good for the pain of the Stone, and being taken, it healeth the jaundice.  
It is hot and dry excessively, which appeareth by the friendship, that it hath with the fire, 
The complexion thereof.  for being touched with it, it inflameth, and maketh a flame. It is the principal matter, of that devilish invention of Gunpowder, which hath been the cause of so many evils, and hurts.   

¶ Of the wood aromatic.  
ALso the said Barnardino de Burgus showed me a Wood, which to my seeming, I thought too have been the holy wood, that I mean of Saint john d● Puerto Rico, the which was of this manner, and form.  
Being in the house of a principal Merchant of this city, making a Medicine in a Chimney, where they did burn of that wood, the smoke that came out of the wood did smell much, 
The smell of the wood.  and gave a very sweet savour, of the which he marveled much, and asked from whence they had cast thither that good smell. They of the house told him, that the good smell was of the wood that they did there burn, and it was that which did cast that good smell. He took a stick of the Wood, and from it plucked a slip of the same, which had no smell nor savour, more than other common wood had, than he took away a little of the rind, and smelled unto it, and tasted it, and he found a sweet smell most excellent in it, and a Savour no more nor less than of Maces, or Nutmegs, and much more sharp, and more sweet, and of a more pleasant smell and taste, than any cinnamon that is in the world, and with more liveliness, and sharpness of taste then the Pepper. I tasted it at the taking away of the rind from the said wood, of the which he had a great piece of timber, and surely there is not any thing of so sweet smell and taste, of any thing which we have that with so much pleasantness of smell, and with such liveliness seadeth forth a flavour as this did penetrate me, insomuch that tasting a little of it, I carried all that day the sweet smell and savour in my mouth, being marvelous, as though I had carried there a piece of Nutmeg.  

Histori●.  Of this wood they said, that a Master of a Ship of his, did cut a great quantity, coming by the Havana, and in a mountain, they cut much of it, for the ships provision, and that which did remain they carried to the Owners house, & there wast it, as I have said. Whereby I do consider how many trees and plants there be in our India's, that have great virtues for medicines, that in the fuel of the Chimney they spend wood, of sweet odoriferous savour, the rind of the which being made into powder, there might be done very great effects with it, for comforting the heart and the stomach, and principal members, without seeking after the spicery of Maluca, and the medicines of Arabia, and them of Persia. Seeing that in the fields untilled, and in the Mountains and Deserts, our India's do yield them unto us, the fault is ours that we do not follow after them, nor seek to do the diligence that is convenient, for to profit ourselves in these marvelous effects, the which I trust that Time being the discoverer of all things, and good diligence and experience withal will discover unto us to our great profit.  
¶ The end of the first part. God be praised.    


The second Part of this Book is of the things that are brought from our Occidental INDIA'S, which serve for the use of Medicine, wherein is treated of the Tabaco, and of the Sassafras, and of the Carlo Sancto, and of many other herbs and plants, seeds and licoures, that newly are brought from those parts, of great virtues and marvelous effects.  
Written by Doctor Monardus, Physician of Seville.   

Catholic Royal Majesty.  
THese days passed I wrote a book of all things which come from your Occidental India's, serving for the use of medicine, and surely it hath been taken in that estimation, that the things which in it are entreated of do deserve. And seeing the profit that it hath done, and how many have been remedied and healed with those remedies, I did determine to proceed forwards, & to write of the things, which after that the first part was written, have come from those countries, of the which I have understood, that no less utility and profit shall come, then of those which are past, for there shallbe discovered new things & secrets, which will bring admiration, never to this day seen nor known before. And seeing that these medicinal things which we do treat of, & the Realms and Countries from whence they come, belong unto your majesty, and he also that writeth of them, is your majesties subject: I do desire your Majesty, to receive this travel into your protection, and that the reward may be such, as for the like works dedicated to your Majesty is accustomed to be given.  
Your majesties Subject Doctor Monardes▪   

¶ Of the Tabaco, and of his great virtues.  
THIS Herb which commonly is called Tabaco, is an Herb of much antiquity, and known amongst the Indians, and in especially among them of the new Spain, and after that those Countries were gotten by our Spaniards, being taught of the Indians, they did profit themselves with those things, in the wounds which they received in their Wars, healing themselves therewith to their great benefit.  
Within these few years there hath been brought into Spain of it, more to adornate Gardens with the fairness thereof, and too give a pleasant sight, than that it was thought to have the marvelous medicinable virtues, which it hath, but now we do use it more for his virtues, than for his fairness. For surely they are such which do bring admiration.  
It is growing in many parts of the India's, but ordinarily in moist and shadowy places, 
How it is sown and how it groweth.  and it is needful that the ground wh●re it is sown, be well tilled, and that it be a fruitful ground, and at all times it is sown, in the hot Countries. But in the cold Countries it must be sown in the month of March, for that it may defend itself from the frost.  
The proper name of it amongst the Indians is Picielt, for the name of Tabaco is given to it by our Spaniards, 
The name of it.  by reason of an Island that is named Tabaco.  
It is an herb that doth grow and come too be very great: many times to be greater than a Lemon tree. 
The description of it▪  It casteth forth one steam from the root which groweth upright, without declining to any part, it sendeth forth many Bows, strait, that well near they be equal with and at the time as the herb is in the Mortar a stamping, let there be put to it a few drops of Vinegar, that his work may be made the better, and after the place is rubbed where the pain is, then lay upon it one leaf or two leaves of the Tabaco being hot, and so let it alone till the next day, and then do the like again, or in place of the leaves use a Linen cloth wet in the hot joice. Some there be, that after they have rubbed it with the stamped leaves, do anoint it with ointments, made for the like evils, and upon it they lay the leaves or the juice of the Tabaco. And surely with this cure they have dissolved great and hard oppilations, and very old swellings. In the grief of the stone, of the Kidneys and Reins, 
In the grief of the stone.  this herb worketh great effects, by putting the leaves into Ashes, or Embres, hot, that they may warm well, and then being laid upon the grief, multiplying the use of it as often as it is needful. It is necessary in the seethinges that are used to be made for Glisters to put into them with the other things, 
To put them ●n Glisters.  the leaves of this herb, for that they shall profit much: and likewise for Fomentations and Plasters, that they shall make.  

In griefs of winds.  In griefs of winds they work the like effect, taking away the pains that come of the windiness, applying the leaves after the same sort as is above said.  

The evil of the Mother.  In the grief of women, which is called the evil of the Mother, laying too one leaf of this herb Tabaco very hot, in the manner as it is said, it doth manifestly profit and it must be laid upon the Navel. And under it some do use to put first of all, things of good smell upon the Navel, and then upon that they lay the leaf. In that which they find most profit, is to lay the Tacamahaca, or the oil of liquid Amber, and Balsamo, and Caranna, or any of these unto the Navel, and to keep it too it continually, that it may cleave unto it, and this worketh manifest profit in griefs of the Mother.  
In one thing, the women that dwell in the India's do celebrate this herb, that is, 
For an evil breath.  in the evil breathing at the mouth of children, when they are over filled with meat, and also of old people, anointing their bellies with lamp oil, and laying some of those leaves, in ashes hot to their bellies, & also to their shoulders, for it doth take away there naughty breathing, and maketh them go to the stool, applying it unto the fundament at what time it is needful, and if the leaves be ashed it is the better.  
Worms, of all kinds of them, it killeth, 
For Worms.  and expelleth them marvelously, the seething of the herb made into a Syrup delicately, being taken in very little quantity, & the juice thereof put on the navel. It is needful after this be done to give a Glister, that may avoid them, and expel them out of the guts.  
In griefs of the joints coming of a cold cause it maketh a marvelous work, 
In evil of the joints.  the leaves of this Tabaco being laid hot upon the grief: the like doth the joice laid upon a little cloth hot, for that it doth dissolve the humour, & taketh away the pains thereof. If it come of a hot cause it doth hurt, saving when the humour hath been hot, and the subtle part is dissolved, and the gross remaineth, than it doth profit as if the cause were cold, and it is to be understood, that the leaves being laid, where as is grief of the said cause, in any part of the body, it profiteth much.  
In swellings or in cold Impostumes, it doth dissolve and undo them, washing them with the hot juice, 
In cold s●ellings.  and laying the beaten leaves, after they be stamped, or the leaves being whole of the said Tabaco, upon it.  
In the Toothache when the grief cometh of a cold cause, or of cold Rumes, 
For the tschache.  putting to it a little ball made of the leaf of the Tabaco, washing first the tooth with a small cloth wet in the juice, it taketh away the pain, and stayeth it, that the putrefaction go not forward: in hot causes it doth not profit, and this remedy is so common that it healeth every one.  

For Chilblains.  This herb doth marvelously heal Chilblains, rubbing them with the stamped leaves, and after putting the hands and Feet in hot water, with Salt, and keeping them warm: this is done with great experience in many.  

In Venom & venomous wounds.  In Venom and venomous wounds our Tabaco hath great commendation, which hath been known but a short time since, for when the wild people of the India's, which eat man's flesh do shoot their Arrows, they anoint them with an herb or Composition made of many poisons, with the which they shoot at all things that they would kill, and this Venom is so strong, and pernicious, that it killeth without remedy, and they that be hurt die with great pains and accidents, and with madness, unless that their be found remedy for so great an evil. A few years passed they laid to their wounds Sublimatum, 
Sublimatum in venomed wounds.  and so were remedied, and surely in those parts they have suffered much with this vexation of poison.  
A little whiles past, certain wild people going in their Boots to S. john De puerto Rico, to shoot at Indians, or Spaniards, if that they might find them, came to a place and killed certain Indians, & Spaniards, & did hurt many, & as by chance there was no Sublimatum at that place to heal them, they remembered to lay upon the wounds the joice of the Tabaco, & the leaves stamped. And God would, that laying it upon the hurts, the griefs, madness, & accidents wherewith they died, were mitigated, and in such sort they were delivered of that evil, that the strength of the Venom was taken away, and the wounds were healed, of the which there was great admiration. Which thing being known to them of the Island, they use it also in other hurts and wounds, which they take when they fight with the wild people, now they stand in no fear of them, by reason they have found so great a remedy, in a case so desperate.  
This Herb hath also virtue against the herb called of the Crosseboweshooter, 
Against the herb of the Crossebowshooter.  which our hunters do use to kill the wild beasts withal, which heath is Venom most strong, and doth kill without remedy, which the kings pleasure was to prove, and commanded to make experience thereof, and they wounded a little dog in the throat, and put forthwith into the wound the herb of the Crosseboweshooter, and after a little while, they powered into the self same wound that they had anointed with the crossbow shooters herb, 
History.  a good quantity of the juice of Tabaco, and laid the stamped leaves upon it, and they tied up the dog, and he escaped, not without great admiration of all men that saw him. Of the which, the excellent Physician of the Chamber of his majesty, 
Doctor barnard.  Doctor barnard in the margin of this book, that saw it, by the commandment of his Majesty, writeth these words: I made this experience by the commandment of the kings Majesty. I wounded the dog with a knife, & after I put the crossbow shooters herb into the wound, and the herb was chosen, and the dog was taken of the herb, and the Tabaco and his juice being put into the wound, the dog escaped and remained whole.  
In the venomous Carbuncles, 
In venomous Carbuncles.  the Tabaco being applied in manner as is aforesaid doth extinguish the malice of the venom, & doth that which all the works of Surgery can do, until it be whole. 
In bitings of venomous beasts.  The same effect it worketh in bitings of venomous beasts, for it killeth and extinguisheth the malice of the venom and healeth them.  
In wounds newly hurt, and cuts, strokes, pricks, 
In wounds newly hurt.  or any other manner of wound, our Tabaco worketh marvelous effects, for that it doth heal them and maketh them sou●d. The wound must be washed with wine, & procure to anoint the sides of it, 
The manner of healing.  taking away that which is superfluous, & then power into it the juice of this herb, & lay upon it the stamped leaves, and being well bound it shall continued on until the next day that thou shalt return to dress it. After the same fashion the patientes shall keep good order in their meat, using the diet necessary, and if it be needful of any evacuation by stool, the cause being great, let it be done what shall be convenient. 
Note.  And with this order they shallbe healed, without any need of any more Surgery than this herb only. Here in this Country, & in this City they know not what other to do, having cut or hurt themselves, but to run to the Tabaco, as to a most ready remedy. It doth marvelous works, without any need of other Surgery, but this only herb. In restraining the flux of blood of the wounds it procureth most marvelous works, for that the juice and the Leaves being stamped, are sufficient to restrain any flux of blood.  

In old sores.  In old Sores it is marvelous the works and the effects that this herb doth, for it healeth them wonderfully, making clean and mundifying them of all humours that are superfluous, and of the rottenness, that they have, & bringeth up the flesh, reducing them to perfit health, the which is so common in this City, that every man doth know it▪ and I having ministered it to many people as well men as women, in great number, and being grieved of ten, and of twenty years, have healed old rotten sores in legs, and other parts of the body, with this remedy only to the great admiration of all men.  

The order of the Cure.  The order of the Cure that is to be wrought with this herb, is this following. For the old rotten sores although they be cankered, let the sick man be purged with the counsel of a Physician, and let him blood if it be needful, and then take this herb and pound it in a Mortar, and wring out the juice, and put it into the Sore, and then after the manner of a Plaster lay the stamped leaves upon it, which are the Leaves that the juice is taken out of, and this do once every day eating good Meats, and not exceeding in any disorder, for otherwise it will not profit. And doing this, it will make clean the evil flesh that is rotten, and superfluous, until it come to the whole flesh, and it is not to be marveled at, if the wound be made very great. For the evil must be eaten up, until it come to the good, and in the same cure putting in less quantity of juice it will incarnate, and reduce it to perfect health, in such sort that it accomplisheth all the works of Surgery, that all the Medicines of the world are able to do, without having need of any other manner of medicine.  
This work doth cure old Sores, 
It cureth best the wounds that be rotten & cankered.  with very great admiration: and not only in men, but in brute beasts also. As at this day in all parts of the India's, where there are any cattle having wounds or galls, and the country being hot and moist over much, doth soon rot them, and very quickly they come to be cankered, and for this cause, much great cattle do die: To remedy this and the worms that do increase in the sores, 
Sublimatum doth heal the sores of beasts that be cankered.  they had for remedy to put into the sores, Sublimatum, for that in this remedy they did ●●●de more benefit than in any other, that they had used. And for that the Sublimatum bears there so high a price, m●●y times it was more worth than the cattle that it heal●●. For this cause and for having found in the Tabaco so much virtue too heal new wounds and rotten, they did accord and agree together to use the Tabaco, in the healing of beasts, as they had done in the cure and remedy of men, pouring the juice of the Tabaco into the wounds, & washing them therewith, & laying upon them the stamped leaves of the Tabaco, after that the juice is taken from them. And it is of so great efficacy and virtue, that it killeth the worms, and maketh clean the sore, eating away the evil flesh, and engendering new until it be whole, as in the other things which we have spoken of. The like it doth in the galls of the beasts of Cariege, the juice being powered in, & the beaten leaves whereout the juice cometh of the Tabaco, as it is said: although they be cankered, it doth make them clean, and incarnate them, and cureth and helpeth them. And so the Indians do carry it, when they journey, for this purpose and effect, and it procureth the like profit, that the juice doth.  
I saw a man that had certain old sores in his nose, whereby he did cast out from him much matter, 
History.  which daily did rot and canker inward, and I caused him to take at his nose the juice of this Tabaco, and so he did: and at the second time, he cast out from him, more than twenty little worms, and afterward a few more, until that he remained clean of them, and using it so certain days, he was healed of the sores, that he had in the inner part of his nose: and if he had tarried any longer, I think that there had remained nothing of his nose, but all had been eaten away, as it happeneth to many, which we see without them, And being writing of this, 
History.  a daughter of a Gentleman of this City, had many years a certain kind of drieskabbes, or well near scurvy in her head. I had her in cure and did unto her many benefits, universal, and particular: and also Masters of Surgery had done their diligence, and all did not profit. And a Gentlewoman, which had the charge of her, as s●e heard me speak one day much good of the Tabaco, that 〈◊〉 did good, and profitable, for so many infirmities, sh●e sent for it, and did rub hard the disease that the wench had, & that day she was very evil, and as though she had been foolish: and the gentlewoman did not let, in seeing her after that sor●, to rub her harder, and then the wench did not feel so much grief, but the dry scabs beg●n to fall, and the white scurf of her head in such sort, that it made clean and healed her head, with doing so certain days, so that she was healed of her scurvy disease very well, without knowing what she did.  
One of the meru●lles of this herb, and that which bringeth most admiration, is, the manner how the Priests of the India's did use it, which was in this manner: 
The man●●● how the Prieste● of the Ind●as do use th●● Tabaco.  when there was amongst the Indian's any manner of business, of great importance, in the which the chief Gentlemen called Casiques, or any of the principal people of the country, had necessity to consult with their Priests, in any business of importance: then they went and propounded their matter to their chief Priest, forthwith in their presence, he took certain leaves of the Tabaco, and cast them into the fire, and did receive the smoke of them at his mouth, and at his nose with a Cane, and in taking of it, he fell down upon the ground, as a Dead man, and remaining so, according to the quantity of the smoke that he had taken, when the herb had done his work, he did revive and awake, and gave them their answers, according to the visions, and illusions which he saw, whiles he was rapt in th● same manner, and he did interpret to them, as to him seemed best, or as the Devil had counseled him, giving them continually doubtful answers, in such sort, that howsoever it fell out, they might say that it was the same, which was declared, and the answer that he made.  
In like sort the rest of the Indians for their pastime, do take the smoke of the Tabaco, too make themselves drunk withal, and to see the visions, and things that represent ●●to them that wherein they do delight: and other times they take it to know their business, and success, because conformable to that, which they have seen being drunk therewith, even so they judge of their business. And as the Devil is a deceiver, & hath the knowledge of the virtue of herbs, so he did show the virtue of this Herb, that by the means thereof, they might see their imaginations, and visions, that he hath represented to them, and by that means deceive them.  
Too have Herbs that have the like virtue, 
Herbs which ha●●  is a common I●●ias but is also a common thing in the Oriental India's. And also in the Portug●ll India's, for this effect, they do sell the Opi● in their Shops, even as they sell Conser●●, with the which the Indians use to ease themselves, of their labour that they take, and to be merry, and not to feel pains of any great labour of the body, or mind that may come unto them, and they call it there amongst themselves Aphi●●. This Aphion the Turks do use for this effect. The ●o●l●iers and Captains that go to Wars, when they labour much, after the time that they be lodged, that they may take their rest, they receive Aphion, and sleep with it, and remain lightened of their labour: The most principal people take Bague, and it hath a better cast, and a better smell, for there is put to it much Amber, and Musk an● Cloves, and other spices. And surely it is a thing of admiration, ●o see how these Barbarous people do take such Medicines, and how many of them do take them, and that they do not ki●● them, but rather they take them for health and remedy, for their necessities.  

history.  I saw an Indian of those parts, that in my presence did ask an Apothecary for a quart of Opi●, and I demanded of him wherefore he would have it, and he told me that he took it to put away weariness, when he felt himself over much grieved, and afflicted with labour, and he took the half of that which he carried, for the Apothecary gave him more than a piste for twelve pence, and therewith he slept so sound, that when he awoke from sleep, he found himself very much eased of his weariness, in such sort, that he might continue his labour. I marveled at it, and it seemed to me a thing of Mockery, seeing that five or six grains, be the most that we can give to● sick Person, how strong soever he be, which being very well prepared, doth cause many times Accidents of Death. And many years after standing in the Shop of an other Apothecary of this City, there came an other Indian, of the same Oriental India's, and he asked of the Apothecary, for some Opio called Aphion, the which Apothecary understood him not. And I remembering myself of the other Indian, caused him to show unto the Indian Opio, and in showing it to him, he said that it was that which he asked for, and he bought a quarter of a Pint of it, and I asked of the Indian, wherefore he would have it, and he told me the same that the other Indian did, that it was because he might labour, and ease himself of his weariness for that he did bear burdens, and should help to discharge a ship: wherefore he said he would take the one half that he might therewith labour, and the other half after he had laboured, that therewith he might take ease, and rest. Then I gave credit to the first Indian, of that he said unto me, and since I have believed that which I have seen and read, in those parts to be a thing in common use, for the like effects. And truly it is a thing worthy of great consideration, that five grains of Opio do kill us, and threescore do give them health and rest.  
The Indians do use the Tabaco, for to suffer drieth, and also to suffer hunger, 
The Tabaco taketh away drought.  and to pass days without having need to eat or drink, when they shall travel by any desert, or dispeopled country, where they shall find neither water, nor meat. They receive thereof little balls, which they make of the Tabaco. For they take the leaves of it, and chew them and as they go chewing of them, they go mingling with them certain powder, 
Little balls for hunger and drought.  made of the shells of Cockels burned, & they mingle it in the mouth altogether, until they make it like dough, of the which they frame certain little Balls, little greater than Peason, and lay them to dry in the shadow, and after they keep them, and use them in this form following. 
The manner how to use them.   
When they use to travel by the ways, where they find no water nor meat, they take a little hall of these, and put it between the lower lip and the teeth, and go chewing it all the time that they travel, and that which they chew, they swallow down, and in this sore they journey, three or four days, without having need of meat, or drink, for they feel no hunger drieth, nor weakness, nor their travel doth trouble them. I think that to journey after this sort, is ●he cause they go chewing continually the little balls: for they bring phlegm into the mouth, and swallow it into the stomach, the which doth retain the natural heat, which it doth confirm, and so they maintain themselves thereby, the like whereof we see to happen in many beasts, for that a great part of the Winter, they be shut up in their Caves, & hollow places of the earth, and pass their time there without any meat, for that they have to consume the natural heat, of the foams, which they had gotten in the Summer. The Bear being a great and fierce beast, much time in the Winter remaineth in his Cave, and liveth without meat or drink, with only chewing his paws, which perhaps he doth for the said cause. This is the substance which I have gathered of this herb, so celebrated & called Tabaco, for that surely it is an herb of great estimation, for the excellent virtues that it hath, as we have said.   

Hereafter followeth a further addition of the Herb called Tabaco, otherwise called by the Frenchmen Nicotiane. Which herb hath done great cures in the Realm of France and Portugal, as hereafter at large may appear in thistreatise following. Nicotiane. Chap. 76.  
NICOTIANE, 
Nicotiane the chiefest among other medicinable herbs.  although it be not long since it hath been known in France, notwithstanding deserveth palm and price, and among all other medicinable herbs, it deserveth to stand in the first rank, by reason of his singular virtues, and as it were almost to be had in admiration, as hereafter you shall understand. And for that none such as of ancient time, or of late days, have written the nature of plants, did never make mention thereof, I have therefore learned the whole history touching the same, which I learned of a gentleman my very friend, the first author, inventor, and bringer of this herb into France: wherefore I thought good to publish it in writing for their sakes, that have so often heard speaking of this said herb, and yet neither knew the herb nor the effects thereof.  
This Herb is called Nicotiane, 
Nicotiane wherefore so named.  of the name of him that gave the first intelligence thereof unto this Realm, as many other plants have taken their names of certain Greeks and Romans, who having been in strange Countries, for service of their common Weals, 
The Queen Mother's herb.  have brought into their countries many plants, which were before unknown. Some have called this Herb the Queen's Herb, because it was first sent unto her, as hereafter shallbe declared by the Gentleman, that was the first inventor of it, and since was by her given to divers for to sow, whereby it might be planted in this land. Others have named it the great Prior's herb, 
The grand Prior's herb.  for that he caused it to multiply in France, more than any other, for the great reverence that he bore to his herb, for the Divine effects therein contained. Many have given it the n●me, Petum, which is indeed the proper name of the Herb, 
Petum.  as they which have traveled that Country can tell. Notwithstanding, it is better to name it N●cotiane, by the name of him that sent it into France first, to the end that he may have the honour thereof, according to his desert, for that he hath enriched our Country, with so singular an Herb. Thus much for the name, and now hearken further for the whole History.  
Master john Nicot, Counsellor to the King, being Ambassador for his Majesty in Portugal, 
Master Nicot Ambassador for the king in Portugal.  in the year of our Lord. 1559.60.61. went one day to see the prisons of the King of Portugal: and a Gentleman being the keeper of the sa●e Prisons presented him with this herb, as a strange Plant brought from Florida. The same Master Nicot, having caused the said herb to be set in his Garden, where it grew and multiplied marvelously, was upon a time advertised, by one of his Page●, that a young man, of kin to that Page made a s●ye of that herb bruised both the herb and the juice together upon an ulcer, which he had upon his cheek near unto his nose, coming of a Noli me tangere, which began to take root already at the griffles of the Nose, wherewith he found himself marvelously eased. Therefore the said Master Nicot caused the sick young man to be brought before him, and causing the said herb to be continued to the sore eight or ten days, this said Noli me tangere, 
Experience of the Noli me tangere.  was utterly extinguished and healed: and he had sent it, while this cure was a working to a certain Physician of the king of Portugal one of the greatest fame to examine the further working and effect of the said Nicotiane, and sending for the same young man at the end of ten days, the said Physician seeing the visage of the said sick young man, certified, that the said Noli me tangere was utterly extinguished, as in deed he never felt it since.  
Within a while after, one of the Corks of the said Ambassador having almost cut off his thumb, 
Experienc● for wounds.  with a great chopping knife, the Steward of the house of the said Gentleman ran to the said Nicotiane, and dressed him therewith five or six times, and so in the end thereof he was healed: from that time forward this herb began to be famous throughout Lishebron, 
L●shebron.  where the court of the king of Portugal was at that prison, and the virtue of this said herb was extolled, and the people began to name it the ambassadors herb. 
The ambassadors herb.  Wherefore there came certain days after a Gentleman of the Country, Father ●o one of the Page's of the Ambassador, who was troubled with an ulcer in his Leg, having had the same two years, and demanded of the said Ambassador for his herb, and using the same in such order as is before written, at the end of ten or twelve days he was healed. 
Experienc● of an old ulcer.  From that time forth the fame of that same herb increased in such sort, that many came from all places to have some of it. Among all others there was a woman that had her face covered with a ringworm rooted, 
Experience for the Ringwormes.  as though she had a Uisour on her face, to whom the said L. Ambassador caused the herb to be given, and told how she should use it, and at the end of eight or ten days, this woman was thoroughly healed, who came and presented herself to the Ambassador, showing him of her healing.  
After there came a Captain to present his Son sick of the kings evil to the said L. Ambassador, 
Experience for the king's evil.  for to send him into France, unto whom there was a say made of the said herb, which in few days did begin to show great signs of healing, and finally he was altogether healed thereby of the kings evil.  

The Lady of Montigue dead of a Noli me tangere in her Br●st.  The L. Ambassador seeing so great effects proceeding of this herb, and having heard say that the Lady Montigue that was, died at Saint Germans, of an ulcer bread in her breast, that did ●●rne to a Noli me tangere, for the which there could never remedy he fo●nde: ●nd likewise that the Countess of Ruff, had sought for all the famous Physicians of that Realm, for to heal her face, unto whom they could give no remedy, 
How the Nicotiane was brought into Franc●.  he thought it good to communicate the same into France, and did send it to king Francis the second, and to the Queen Mothe●, and to many other Lords of the Cou●● 〈◊〉 the m●ne● of ministering th● same, and how to apply it unto the said diseases, ●uen as he had found it by experience, and chief to the Lord of jarnac governor of Rogel, with whom th● said Lord Ambassador had great amity for the service of the king. The which Lord of jarnac told one day at the Queen's table, 
Distilled water of Nicotiane, singular good for short breath●. The figure of Nicotiane.  that he had caused the sai●e Nicotian● to be distilled, and the water to be drenke, mingle● with water, of Euphrasio otherwise called eyebright, to one that was short breathe●, who was therewith healed.  
This herb hath the stalk great, bearded and slimy, the leaf large and long bearded slimy, it groweth in branches half foot to half foot, and is very full of leaves, and groweth in height four or five foot. In hot countries it is nine or ten months in the year laden, in one self time, with leaves flowers, & cods full of ripe grains, which is when they are waxed black, and to be ripe, which is when they are yet green. It sprouts forth near the root much, and reviveth by a great quantity of buds, notwithstanding the grain is the least seed in the world, & the roots be like small threads.  

Ground fit for Nicotiane.  Nicotiane doth require a fat ground finely digged, and in cold countries very well dounged, that is to say, a ground, in the which the dung must be so will mingled and incorporated, that it be altogether turned into earth, & that there appear no more dung.  
It requireth the south Sun, and to be planted by a wall, 
The Sun fit for Nicotian●.  which may defend it against the North wind recovering the heat of the Sun against it, being a warrant unto the said herb against the tossing up of the wind, because of the weakness and highness thereof.  
It groweth the better being often watered, and reviveth itself by reason of the water in time of droughts. 
To water Nicotiane.  It hateth the cold, therefore to preserve it from dying in the Winter time, it must either be kept in Caves made of purpose within the said gardens, or else covered with a double mat, 
How to keeps Nicotiane in Winter.  and a Penthouse of Reed made on the Wall over the herb, and when the South Sun shineth, the door of the place must be opened where the herb is on the Southside.  
For to sow it, 
The sowing of Nicotian●.  there must be made a hole in the ground with your finger, as deep as your finger can teach, then cast into that hole 40. or 50. grains of the said Seed together stopping again your hole, for it is so small a Seed, that if there be put in the hole but three or four grains thereof, the earth would choke them, and if the weather be dry, the place must be watered lightly during the time of fiftiene days after the sowing thereof: it may also be sown like unto Lettuce and other such herbs.  
And when the herb is out of the ground, for so much as every Grain thereof will bring forth his twig, 
To remove Nicotiane.  and that the little threads of the Root are the one within the other, you must make with a great knife a great compass within the earth round about the said place, and lift up the earth together with the Seed, and cast it into a pail of water, so that the earth be separated, & that the little twigs may swim above the water, then shall you take them without breaking, the one after the other,  
The Sassafras.   

¶ Of the tree which is brought from the Florida, called Sassafras.  
FRom the Florida which is the firm Land of our Occidental India's, lying in xxv. degrees, 
The Histori● of the Sassafras.  they bring a wood and root of a tree that groweth in those parts, of great virtues, and great excellencies, healing therewith grievous and variable diseases.  
It may be three years past, that I had knowledge of this Tree, & a French man which had been in those parts, showed me a piece of it, and told me marvels of the virtues thereof, & how many and variable diseases were healed with the water, which was made of it. I gave at that time no credit to him, for that in these things of plants, and herbs, which are brought from other places, they say much, and know little, unless it be by a man that hath experience of them, with care and diligence. The tree and the parts thereof liked me well, and I judged that, which now I do find to be true, and have seen by experience. He told me that the Frenchmen, which had been in the Florida at that time, when they came into those parts, had been sick the most of them, of grievous and variable diseases, and that the Indians did show them this tree, and the manner how they should use it, and so they did, and were healed of many evils, which surely bringeth admiration, that one only remedy should work so variable, and so marvelous effects.  
After that the Frenchmen were destroyed, 
History.  our Spaniards began to wax sick, as the frenchmen had done, and some which remained of them, did show it to our Spaniards, and how they had cured themselves with the water of this marvelous Tree, and the manner which they observed in the using of it, showed to them by the Indians, who used to cure themselves therewith, when they were sick of any grief.  
Our Spaniards began to cure themselves with the water of this Tree, and it wrought in them great effects, that are almost incredible: for with the naughty meats & drinking of the raw waters, & sleeping in the dews, the most part of them fell into continual Agues, of the which many of them came into oppilations, and from the oppilations they began to swell, and when the evil came first, immediately it began to take away the lust that they had to their meat, and then happened to them other accidents, and diseases, as such like Fevers are accustomed to bring: and having there no remedy to be healed, they did what the frenchmen had counseled them, doing that which they had done, which was in this form.  
They digged up the root of this tree, and took a piece thereof, such as it seemed to them best, they cut it small into very thin and little pieces, and cast them into water, at discretion, as much as they saw was needful, little more or less, and they sodde it the time that seemed sufficient for to remain of a good colour, and so they drank it in the morning fasting, and in the day time, and at dinner, and supper, without keeping any more weight, or measure, than I have said, nor more keeping, nor order then this, and by this they were healed of so many griefs, and evil diseases, that to hear of them what they suffered, and how they were healed, it bringeth admiration, & they which were whole, drank it in place of wine, for it doth preserve them in health: 
They which we●e whole drank it.  as it appeared very well by them that have come from thence this year, for they came all whole and strong, and with good colours▪ which doth not happen to them that come from those parts, and from other conquests, for they c●me sick and swollen, without colour, and in short space the most of them di●. And these Soldiers do trust so much in this Wood, that I being one day amongst many of them, informing any self of th● things of this Tree, the most part of them took out of their Pockets, a good piece of this Wood, and said: Master, do you see here the Wood, that every one of us doth bring to heal us withal, if we fall sick, as we hau● been there? and they began to praise it so much, and to confirm the marvelous works of it, with so many examples of them that were there, that surely I gave great credit unto it, and they caused me to believe all that thereof I ha● heard, and gave me courage to experiment it, as I have done, and as we shall see in the marvels, which we shall write of it. And now we come to show the description, and form of this Tree.  
The Tree from whence they cut this Wood, 
The description of this Tree.  which they newly brought from the Florida, called Sassafras, is a Tree that groweth to be very great: there be of a middle sort, and lesser sort. The greater sort is of the bigness of a Pine Tree, of a mean height, and well near to the making of it, for it is strait, & casteth out no more but one branch of Bows, after the manner of a Palm Tree, only in the highest part, or sendeth out bows after the manner of a Pine Tree, made clean, making of the Bows which it casteth forth, a form of roundness. It hath a gross rind of a Tawny colour, & upon that an other thin rind, of the colour of ashes, and upon the inner part thereof, the Trees and bows b●e white, and near like to Tawny. The tree and bows are ver● light, the rind being tasted, hath an excellent sweet smell, and it is somewhat like to the smell of Fenell, with much sweetness of taste, and of pleasant smell, insomuch that a little quantity of this Wood being in a chamber, filleth the air contained in it, and the rind hath some sharpness of t●st▪ the inner part hath little smell, the higher part that co●t●yneth the bows hath leaves, the which be green, after the ●u●mer of a Fig tree, with three points, an● when they are little, they be like to the leaves of a Pear tree, in only showing their points. They be of colour a sad●e green, and of a sweet smell, and much more when they be dry. The Indians use to lay them beaten or stampe● upon bruises, or when any man is beaten with dry blows, and being dried they are used in Medicinable things. They l●se no● their leans, they are always green, if any do dry and fall, there springeth other, it is not known that it hath any flower or fruit.  
The roots of this Tree be gross, or slender, conformably to the greatness of the Tree, 
The roots.  they be light, but not so much as the body of the Tree, and the bows, but for the greatness it is notable light.  

Note.  The root of this Tree is very superficial, spreading in the upper face of the soil or ground, 〈◊〉 so they dig them up easily: and this is a common thing in the Tree● of the India's, tha● most of them have their roots of small depth, and if they carry any plants from Spain to plant elsewhere, if they do not set them of small depth in the ground, they bear no fruit.  

The best is the root.  The best of all the Tree is the root, and that worketh the best effect, the which hath the rind cleaving very fast to the inner part, and it is of colour Tawny, and much more of sweet smell then all the tree, and his Branches: the rind tasteth of a more sweet smell, than the tree, and the water being sodden with the root, is of greater and better effects, then of any other part of the tree, and it is of a more sweet smell, and therefore the Spaniards use it, for that it worketh better and greater effects. It is a tree that groweth near unto the Sea, and in temperate places, that have not much drought, nor moisture. There be Mountains growing full of them, and they cast forth a most sweet smell, so that at the beginning when they saw th●m first, they thought that they had been trees of Cinnamon, and in part they were not deceived, for that the rind of thi● tree ●ath as sweet a smell, as the Cinnamon hath, and doth imitate it in colour and sharpness of taste, and pleasantness of smell, and so the water that is made of it, 
The Sassafras as good a● the Cinnamon.  is of most sweet smell and taste, as the Cinnamon is, and procureth the same works and effects as Cinnamon doth.  
The tree groweth in some parts of the Florida, and not in others, for that it is in the port of Saint Elen, and in the Port of Saint Matthew, and not in any other parts: but when the Soldiers did wax sick, 
The complexion & temperature of the tree.  in places where this tree grew not, either they carried them to be healed to the said places, or they sent them the trees, or their Roots chief, and therewith did heal them. The best of the tre● is the root, & ●fter them the bows, and next the tree, and the best of all is the rinds. The complexion and temperature of the tree and of his bows, is hot & dry in the second degree, the rind is somewhat more hot than the rest, for that it entereth into the third degree, of heat, and drieth, and this is manifestly seen in the water▪ and so they tha● shall need of it, must procure to have the roots or bows, which have the rind, for that which is without it, doth no● work so good effects.  
The name of this Tree, as the Indians term it, i● called Pauan●e, and the French Men call it Sassafras. 
The name.  I know not wherefore our Spaniards call it after the same manner, being taught by the French Men, although that some do corrupt it, and call it Sassafragia, by the name that we have from thence, & they of these parts do call it Sassafras.  
The use of the Root, 
The use ●y seething.  or of the Wood of this Tree the which w●e have treated of here, is by the way of seething, & in this form the Indians did show it to the French men, and they unto us: and as the Indians have neither weight nor measure, they have not kept in those parts any order in the making of the water of this wood, for that they do no more there than put a piece of the wood, or of the root at their discretion made in pieces, into the water as they do think best. And they seethe it after their manner, without consuming more quantity, then when they see that the seething is sufficient: 
Variety of seething.  so that all they which have come from those parts, are very variable in their manner of seething, which is no small confusion to them that shall use it, and likewise to the Physician that shall minister it. That which I do herein. I will write. I look upon the complexion, and temperature of the sick person, 
How the author doth order it.  that shall take and use this water, as also the manner and quality of the disease, and conformably I make the water, and give it to the sick person, giving to the Choleric less seething, and less quantity of Wood, and to the Phlegmatic more seething, and more quantity of Wood, and to the Sanguine meanably: and so after this sort too their infirmities, according too the qualities of them, for that if it be not done according to this order, they cannot choose but make many errors in the use of this water, and also it is convenient that for the mo●●e part they keep the use of the diet & government which is necessary for the disease which they pretend to cure. Let none think, that to take this water without order & good consideration, as many doth, there shall follow health: but unto them rather taking it without measure & without order, ●t shall do unto them much hurt: whereby it seemeth to me that when this water shallbe ministered, as well in the diseases that it cureth, as in any other whatsoever they be, it is necessary that they go to some learned Physician, that may dispose the manner and making of the Water, and the order which they shall observe in taking of it, for that in the Winter it should be taken otherwise than in the Summer. And otherwise it must be given to the lean person, than to the strong, and in an other manner it must be taken of the Choleric, than of the fleugmatike, & one order is required in the cold region, & an other order in the hot. Whereby it appeareth, that it is convenient to keep order, measure, & form in the taking of it, for that there goeth no less with it then health & life, considering that we see it have no price in the world, & not to let it alone to the judgement of him that knoweth it not.  
It happened to a gentle woman, 
History.  unto whom for certain i●dispositions of the Mother, proceeding of great cold that she had taken, I counseled her that she should take this water of the wood of Sassafras. And I gave her the order that she should use, in making and taking of it, which was as much as was convenient for her disease, and seeming for her. But she took much of the wood, more than I willed her, & seething the water more than I commanded her, she thought that she should heal the sooner. And as she took it certain days with this strength, she was burdened in such sort with a very great Ague, that not only it stood her upon to leave the water, but it was needful to let her blood five times, and put her life in adventure, & so procured infamy to the remedy. After she was whole, and had prevailed, she returned & took the water with the order that I had first told her, and she healed very well of her disease. It is time now that we come to the virtues of this wood so excellent, whereof let us speak particularly of every one of them, as we have known, and experimented them.  
In general our Spaniards in those parts of the Florida, where they have been and now are, 
T●e virtues thereof.  do use this aforesaid water sodden at their discretion, for all manner of diseases, without making exception of any. An● being sick of any manner of evil which cometh unto th●m, sharp, or long, hot, or cold, grievous or otherwise, they ●ure them all by one manner of fashion, & they heal all with o●e manner of water, without making any difference, and the best is that all be healed therewith, & in this they repose so much trust, that they fear not the evils which are present, nor have any care of them that be to come, & so they use it for an universal remedy, in all manner of diseases.  
In one of the things that they have found most profit in this water, 
It healeth oppilations.  was in Oppilations, in the interior parts, of the which they came to be swollen, and to be full of the Dropsy the most part of them. For of the long and large heats which they had taken, they came well near generally to have these diseases. And with this water both the swelling and the oppilation went away, and therewith they came to be made whole of the Quotidian Agues, which the most part of them had. For in going thither the most part of them fell sick, of these long and importunate Fevers, in the which I have experience by this Water, being taken as it ought too be, for it worketh marvelous effects, and have healed many therewith. For the principal effect that it hath, 
It comforteth the Liver and the stomach, and doth disopilate.  is to comfort the Liver, and to dissolve Oppilations, and to comfort the stomach, which are the two principal things, that are most convenient for the Physician to do, that the sick may be healed of the like diseases. For in these evils it is not to be feared that the humours be corrupted. And if the principal members be hurt, one of the things that these medicines which are brought from our India's do principally, when the water of any of them is taken, is to comfort the Liver, and to amend it, that it may engender good humours, for if this be not done, the cure is in vain. And so our Sassafras hath a marvelous property, to comfort the Liver, and to dissolve the Oppilations, in such sort that it doth engender allowable blood.  
I healed ● young man which had an oppilation of cert●yne Tertians. 
history.  And thereof he was all swollen, in such sort that he was well near full of Dropsy And with purging him many times with Pills of Ruibarbe, and by taking of Dialaca amongst the said Purgations, and drinking the water of this Sassafras, continually without drinking of any other thing, he came to be healed very well, and was clear of his swellings, and oppilations. And he did not let to drink it until he remained perfectly whole.  
The manner of curing with this water made of the Sassafras, for the Tertian agues & long Fevers, I will show you, and what hath passed in this year, that I wrote this. There have been many people diseased with the tertians agues, so importunately, that no manner of medicine was sufficient to take them away, and to root them out, insomuch that we let many alone, with only good order, and good government, without helping them any more. They were opilated, and had evil colour of the face, and some of them were swollen.  
And at that time it was, when the Captain general Peter Mellendis came from the Florida, 
Peter Mellendis.  and brought him in common, this wood of the Sassafras, and when every man did so much praise it, many of them that had Tertians, took water of the Sassafras, keeping the order that the Soldiers gave them, and surely I saw in that great marvels, for that they healed many with the use thereof. Not only of the tertians that so much did molest them, but also of the Oppilations and evil colour that they had. And seeing this, I caused other to take it, that without counsel durst not do it. And it did very well with them, but it must be well seen unto how it should be given, and to whom, that the cause may carry with it both order and measure.  
That which ordinarily was done, was to give one cup full of the Water well sodden, 
How this water must be given.  in the morning with Sugar or without it, and after to drink the water continually, that which was more simple, than the first, and as the Physician shall judge to be most convenient for him that is sick, keeping the conditions in the taking of this water that we shall speak of.  
And surely it is a thing that giveth great contentment to heal only with the drinking of a water, 
Digression.  it being of a sweet smell, and good of savour which is taken, and drunk without any manner of grief, and so to do that work which sharp medicines and syrups of evil savour and taste cannot do. And such as did drink wine, did water their wine with it, & th●y found themselves well with it.  
In one thing it was seen greatly to profit, which is in the use of this water, 
To give appetite to eat.  in them that have lost the lust of their meat, insomuch that it is restored to them, & the loathsomeness taken from them, by the use of it, so that many did amend & come to their health quickly. And the use of this water doth cause lust to meat. The Soldiers do commend it with such admiration, that some came to leave it, and not to drink it, for because that it caused them to have so great hunger, that they could not withstand it. And because there was no such abundance of meats wherewith they might satisfy their hunger, which the water was cause of, they would not drink it, as not having sufficient for their maintenance, for they did all use it for a drink in steed of wine, and it was a great remedy for them, that by it they became whole, as appeareth by them which came from those parts whereas they do use it.  
In the Havana there is a Physician, whom they take for a Man of good understanding in these causes, 
How a Physician of the Havana doth use it.  who did cure many of them which came in the Fleet from the new Spain sick, with only the use of this water, without giving or making for them any other Medicine. And it did very well with them, for that many were healed therewith, and he gave them to drink as much as they would, all the day, and at Dinner and Supper, and in the morning he gave a Cup full warmed, to them that could not go to stool with a little Sugar not very white, and it wrought very well with them, for their going to stool. And to other he gave Medicines of this water only and Honey, & it made a good work. I cured here some that were in cure in the Havana. And being ordered in this manner, they which came not well healed thence, were here fully healed.  
In griefs of the head, and in pains thereof being very old, which proceed of any cold cause, 
In the headache.  the taking of this water hot in the morning well sodden, and at dinner and supper, and in the day time simple with good government as well in the meat that is eaten, as in the rest of all other things, and doing this for many days, it cureth and healeth them marvelously. It is convenient for him that shall do this, that he purge himself first, and in the time that he must take it, that he receive certain Pills of Hiera simplex, & he hath no need to keep himself close neither in his chamber, nor in his bed. He that shall take this, it is enough that he go well clothed, and that he keep himself from the cold and air, and that he use to eat good meats.  
In griefs of the breast caused of cold humours, this water doth profit much, and openeth the ways of the breast. 
In evils of the breast.  It consumeth moisture and fleames, it stayeth the flux, & the running which cometh from the head to the breast. It must be taken in the morning hot, and drink continually simple, for besides the ordinary drinking in the morning, it must be drunk simply for a long tyme. For these simple waters as they do their work by little and little, so it is needful that they be continued for a long season. It is good that there be put some suggar too it, that it may make the better work.  
In griefs of the Stomach when the cause is cold or windy, after that the universal evacuations be made, 
In grie●es of the Stomach.  taking this water in the morning strong, & as it is s●id simple, at other times, it taketh them away and healeth them, chief if there be any old grief, for that I have given it for this effect, to men that many years did suffer most grievous pains in the stomach, and with taking the water in the morning hot for certain days, and continuing with the simple water for a long time, and taking once every week pills of Hiera simplex, many people were healed thereof very well. And thus we have declared how that the use of this water restoreth the appetite lost, and giveth lust to meat.  
In the weakness of the stomach, and in the lack of natural heat, 

For the weakness of the Stomach of them which do not digest their meat, and for them which do vomit their meat.  
In the grief of the Stone.   where that which is eaten is not consumed, it worketh great effects, and helpeth digestion. It consumeth winds, which are the cause of indigestion, it taketh away a stinking breath, and from them that do vomit their meat, it taketh away that evil custom, so that they eat little, and use continually to drink this water without wine. And above all other things, it maketh a good breath, and a good smell at the mouth.  
In the disease of the stone of the Ridneiss and reins, the use of this water hot when they have this grief, doth greatly profit, and much more using it continually simple by itself, or with wine, for that it doth preserve that the pain come not so continually nor so grievously. And also it maketh him that doth use it, to cast out much Sand, where the stones be engendered. 
It causeth to cast out gravel & stones.  And also it causeth the stones that are in the reins to be cast out, and stayeth the engendering of them, for that it consumeth the fleames, of the which they be principally engendered, and the winds that be many times the causes of the pains.  


For whom the use of this water is not convenient.  
Of the wood for the stone.   To them which have the burning of the Urine, & to such as have great burning at the time that they make their water, do feel great heat, unto such is not convenient the use of this water, for because it is hot.  
All such should use of that wood, which I have written of in the first part of this History, which is excellent, for such as suffer the like burnings and pains. For the stones and sands, for all such evils coming of heat, the work is marvelous that it doth, saving that if there be any stone in the Bladder, from which place proceedeth the like burning, for in such a case none of these waters do take effect: but only the surgeons Razor when the Stone is great, is that which doth profit, as I have seen in many. And while it is said it is a stone, it is no stone, death hath come unto them that had it, whom if they had been opened in time, might have lived many years, as we have seen in divers of sixty years and more who have been opened, and lived until they came to eighty years and more.  
And I advertise you, that this wood, which I call of the urine, and the stone, doth make the water blewe, 
The wood of the Urine will make the water blewe.  for if it do not make the water blewe, it is not the right wood. And now they bring a wood, which maketh the water yellow, and this is not it which doth profit, but that which maketh the water blewe, and this hath the covetousness of them caused, that bring it, because they have seen that it is well sold in this city, for the manifest profits that it doth, in these griefs of the Urine, by tempering the Reins, and the Liver, and procuring many other benefits, & they bring of all the wood that they find, and sell it for wood of the stone. The same hath happened in the Mechoacan, which when it came to be worth twenty Ducats the pound, they laded so much from thence of it, some not being ripe, other not being right, that when it is come hither, it worketh not the effect, that th● good and well seasoned w●s wont to do. Wherefore it is needful to see to that which is taken, that it be the same, and that it be well seasoned. 
●alse Mechoacan.   
That which is very white, is not such as the yellow is, in mine opinion, for that which is yellow, we see that it maketh the better work: it may be that the very white is not of it, or hath not the perfection that the good hath. And coming to our water of Sassafras, 
It provoketh Vners.  it provoketh Urine, it maketh them to urine well, which have the impediment of it, chief if it come by humours of col●e causes. I did know a Priest, which came in this fl●ete from the Florida, who being in those parts, did make water very evil, and cast from him stones, some times with very much grief, and some of them did put him in hazard of his life, & when he was in the Florida, as he drank of the water of Sassafras ordinarily, as many other did in the place of wine: he avoided many great & small stones, without any pains, and after that hither unto he hath found himself whole, and very well of this evil, by drinking the simple w●ter of this wood ordinarily, and watering his wy●e therewith. Many do drink of this water for the same purpose, and they cast out much Sand, and do find themselves cured therewith.  

In them which be lame.  In them that be lame or cripples, and in them that are not able to go, nor to move themselves, as for the most part that infirmity cometh of cold humours: by taking this water hot in the morning, and procuring sweat all that he can, eating things of diet, and drinking the simple water continually, and using it many days: we have seen many healed. And it is to be noted, that in taking of this water, there is nothing to be observed, as in other waters: but when they shall take it hot, if any sweat come, to keep it, and after this they may rise and go well clothed: it is not needful of any thing else, but of this and good order, and to eat good meats, and if they sweat not, it maketh no great matter, but if they sweat not, they shallbe healed: I know a Captain, one of them which came from the Florida: and he certified me that he was so weak in all his body, that his Soldiers carried him upon their shoulders, for that in any other manner he could not stir, and he was in a place where the tree of Sassafras was not, and he sent for it and took the water, and therewith sweat for certain days, and afterward he took it simply, and he was restored to his perfect health, and I did see him whole, and well.  
In the toothache, this wood being broken and chewed with the tooth that is grieved, 
In the toothache.  and leaving that which is chewed in the hole of the tooth, which is grieved, if it have any hollowness, and although that it have none, yet it taketh away the pains marvelously, with experience done upon many.  
In the evil of the Pox, 
In the evil of the Pox.  it worketh the same effects that the rest of the waters, of the holy wood, the China, and the Sarcaparillia doth: taking it as these waters be taken with sweats, putting up more or less, the decoction of the water, and the quantity of the wood, as the complexion is, and the disease of him that shall take it. For that in cold humours Phlegmatic, it maketh a better work, then in them that be Choleric: and so in the Pox that be of a long time, it maketh a better and greater work, than in them that be of small continuance: and more where there be knobs, and moisture of matter, & old griefs of the head, with the order as is aforesaid. 
The simple water.  And in these evils the simple water is continually taken for a great time, and it worketh great effects, chief in them that be lean, which be altogether weakened & debilited, with the use of many Medicines.  
Many which have the Gout, have used, and do use to drink of the Water of this tree, 
In them which have the gout and the evil o● the joints.  some of them taking it hot, as we have said, and others simple continually by itself, and watering their wine therewith. That which I have seen, is that which in the old kind of Gouts, doth neither good nor evil, and if it do any good, it is to comfort the stomach, and to dissolve windiness, & to give them some lust to their meat, & the rest of the benefit that it bringeth, is to them that h●ue been sick but short time, if the cause proceed of cold, unto whom it procureth notable profit, but if the humour and cause be hot, it doth them no good, but hurte●h them, inflaming and causing them to have greater pains.  
In one thing I have seen it in many people to bring notable profit, with the continual use of this water, and it is in them which have foul diseased hands, 
For them that have foul hands.  which cannot exercise them, as they were wont to do. I healed a Gentleman which could not write, that when he went to write, his hand fell down by little and little, and the pen also, after he had begun to write not past five or six letters. And he took a Cup full of that, which was last sodden in the morning, and after he drank it, he continued two hours in his bed, and after he rose and went about his business. And he did eat at his dinner good meats, and at his Supper used diet, and drank the simple water of the self same Sassafras, and he was healed very well: having spent a great sum of money on Physicians and Medicines, which did not profit him any thing, until he came to be remedied in the order as is aforesaid.  

The water h●t maketh a man go to the stool.  Many did certify me that, which now I find by experience, and learned of them that were sick in the Havana, and could not go to the stool, that the Physician which is there, did cause them to take in the morning fasting a good Cup full hot of the water of the Sassafras, and it did soften the belly, and they went to the stool very well, which we have seen here to be true by experience. And there was a Soldier which certified me, and proved it, with others of his company, 
For the going to the stool by indigestion.  that having stools by indisgestion and rawness of stomach, for want of heat, it took them away, with taking of one good cupful of this water every morning fasting, and so with drinking it continually, but that which he drank every morning, he drank it cold, and y●t nevertheless he was healed very well of the flux, which he had many years. 

I● the evil of W●●●n.  
The evil o● the Mo●h●r & 〈◊〉.    
I● griefs of women the water of Sassafras doth greatly profit, and in especially in that which is called the evil of the Mother: and where there is windiness, it consumeth & diss●●●eth it, and also any manner of cold of the bel●y, and it dissolveth the swelling of it, curing any manner of disease which proceedeth of the Mother. And this is so experimented, and so put in use, that many have been healed with this water, that never thought to have recovered health. And in the withhelding the Monthly course that cometh, not to women, this water maketh a marvelous work, by provoking and making it come in them that wholly do lack it, 
In stopping the courses of Women.  taking one Cup full of this water in the morning: & drinking it ordinarily at dinner, and at supper, and in the day time being more simple, then that in the morning, using good regiment, and doing other things which may help the water, that it may be provoked. And unto them also to whom it doth not come well, it bringeth manifest profit, taking the water in form as is aforesaid, keeping them the time that they take it, from such things as may offend them: and being used it doth disopilate, and make a good colour in the face, as it is seen by the experience of them that do use it, having need of it. Let them beware if they have much heat, or be of a hot complexion, 
Where as i● much heat this water i● not convenient.  in such case let them moderate the quantity of the wood, and the seething of the water, as is convenient, and this is easy to be done, by seeing how it goeth with them at the beginning, with the use of it, and according thereunto they may rise or fall, as it seemeth to be necessary.  
Some women do use of this water, for to make them with child, 
To ma●e women with child.  and in some it hath wrought the effect as it is well known. That which I can say, is that a gentlewoman, being many years married, without having children, took this water, for that her husband used it for certain evils of Oppilations, and of an ague that held h●m, with certain sits of a double tertian which he had, and he continued with the taking of it in the Morning hot, and at Dinner simple, and at Supper, and in the day time, keeping a good government, whereby it came to pass, that she was with child, and brought forth a son.  
And I understand, that one of the principal virtues that this water hath, 
Note.  is to drive away the Mother for this effect, for the most part of women that have no children, is for the great cold that is engendered within the Mother, which doth hinder the cause of generation, and as the water riseth it consumeth it, comforting the place and dissolving the winds, that are the let of it: I am sure that it will manifestly profit, as we have seen in them which do not bring forth children, for having too much heat and drieth, to whom permit not the use of this water, for because it will not profit them, and if they do take it and feel hurt thereof, let them not put the fault in the water, but in their complexions, seeing that it is not convenient for them.  

This water doth make fat.  The use of this water doth make fat, and this is certainly known, for we have seen many lean and sick, that have taken it, and have healed of their evils, and have recovered much more flesh, & better colour, as those people that come from the Florida, do praise it very much: & they they all say, that the use of this water doth make fat, and it happeneth so to many, and not only it healeth them of their diseases, but also maketh them remain with a good colour. And so it seemeth by them that come from that country, for that they come all fat, and of a good colour, who I believe as they w●re very sick, so that they were very lean & yellow, when as they were healed of their infirmities which they had, they gathered flesh, and became of a good colour, engendering in the Liver good blood, by the which the members were ●etter maintained, than when they were sick. And surely it i● a great thing that this water should work this effect, considering that it is hot and ●rye, if it were not for the causes that are above said. And I have seen many that entered i●, to ta●e the water of the wood, lean, and with an evil colour, to come forth strong and fat, and of a good colour, eating no ot●er thing than Res●nges, Almonds, and Biscuit.  
In pestilent and contagious diseases, which we have seen▪ 
In P●stil●n● and corru●● ay●es.  in the time of the Pestilence past, there were many that desired to drink it, to preserve them from that evil. And we did see that none of them which used it, were wounded of the disease, that then reigned. Many did use to carry a piece of the Root of the Wood with them to smell to it continually, as to a Pomander. For with the smell so acceptable it did rectify the infected air: I carried with me a piece a great time, and to my seeming I found great profit in it. For with it & with the chewing of the rind of the Cidron nor of the Lemon in the morning, and in the day time, to preserve health it ha●h a great strength and property. And it seemeth to me, that I was delivered by the help of God from the fire, in the which we that were Physicians went in, blessed be our Lord GOD that delivered us from so great evil, and gave us this most excellent tree called Sassafras, which hath so great virtues, and worketh such marvelous effects as we have spoken of, and more which Time will show us, which is the discoverer of all things. It shall do well to show the quantity of the wood, and also the quantity of water, wherein it shall be sodden, & to prescribe a rule in weight and measure, in effects, and temperatures, for them that are hot, and others that are cold.  
I will tell you the order that ought to be kept in ta●ing the water of this excellent wood, 
How 〈◊〉 water ought to be ma●● in general.  which must be made conformably to the disease of him that shall take it, and according to the quantity and complexion of the sick body. For v●to the Choleric Person the water ought to be given less sodden, and with less quantity of wood, and to the phlegmatic more sodden and with more quantity, of wood. So the diseases should be considered of. U●to them that are very cold the water ought to be given more sodden and with more quantity of Wood And unto them th●t be not so col●e, but do participate of some heat: the water ought to be given less sodden, & with less quantity of wood. The like shall be done in the hot or cold times, & in the age of the person, or the most causes making to this respect and proportion. And for the more light, I will here set down the manner how this water ought to be used, the which shall serve to show how that they may rise or fall therein, conformably to the opinion which shall seem good to every one. For in these infirmities that be very cold, they must set up the water in quillates, both in seething and also in quantity of the wood. And in the diseases that are not so cold, or that do participate of any heat, they must set the water lower, in Quillats, seething it less, & putting in less wood, the manner and order of the preparing it is this.  
You shall choose the freshest wood that may be had, and that which hath a rind. 
The manner to make it in particular.  For that wood which hath not the rind, is not good, nor taketh effect, you must procure that it be of the root, for that is the best of the tree for these effects and cures, and for the diseases which we have spoken of. And if in case there be no root, than the bows are the best that grow in the higher part of the Trees, and in case the bowe● lack, then is the tree good, & if so be that the one and the other have the rind of the root, let there be taken less in quantity thereof, & more of the bows, & much more of the tree, which must be double to the quantity of the root. Now let us speak of the bows as of a thing in the midst, between the root and the tree, being that which continually they do bring, of the which you shall take half an Ounce, and cut it as small as may be. And it must be put into three Pottelles of water in a new Earthen pot, 
The order ho● to make the strong water.  and there lie a steeping two hours: and after it must be sodden at a fire of Coals, until the two parts be consumed, and t●e one remain. And after it is cold, let it be strained and kept in a glassed vessel, 
The ●im●le water.  and upon those small cutings of wood that have been already sodden, let there be poured other three Pottels of water, and let it seethe until half a pottle be consumed, and no more, after that it is cold, let it be strained and kept in a glassed vessel. Let the first water be taken in the morning fasting, half a Pint hot, and then keep yourself warm, and procure sweat, then change yourself into hot clothing, and wipe yourself from the sweat. And eat of a Hen roasted, & dry fruit, and Conserua, and drink of the second water at Dinner and Supper, and in the day time. And then rise and go well clothed, and fly from all things which may offend you. And at night make a light Supper, and eat dry fruit and Conserua, but eat no flesh at night, and drink of the second water. And this you may do for as many days as you find yourself grieved: and if you find yourself well with the use of this water taken in this manner, proceed forward until you be whole, & if not, then continued in taking of the strong water every third day, & drink of the simple water continually. After this order it may be given in all diseases, that we have treated of, and it will profit. But many will not submit themselves to this labour, which truly is the best of all others, & that which is most convenient. They may make ●he simple water in this form.  
Let there be taken half an ounce of the wood, little more or less, with the conditions aforesaid, 
The s●mp●e water.  and let it be made into small pieces, and seethe it in three Pottels of water, until half be sodden away, rather more than less. And of this water you may drink continually, at Dinner and at Supper, and in the day time, and surely taken in this order it doth and hath done marvelous works, and most grea●e Cures, in long diseases, and importunate, taking it and ●eeping a good government in your Meat and other things prohibited. And howsoever it be, being drunk so simple, it procureth great profit. They that cannot forbear t●e drinking of wine, may water their wine therewith, for it will rather make it of a better taste and sweetness, for this water hath a most sweet smell, and taste, and above all, it worketh marvelous effects, as we have seen and do see in divers and sundry diseases, in the which ordinary remedies of Physic do not profit, with the great examples which we have hereof.  

Note.  And it is to be considered, that principally it doth profit in long and cold diseases, and where there is windiness, & other evils, that run this course, which shallbe known forthwith by him that shall have need of it, & use it. And one thing is to be understood, that using it in the order as is aforesaid, although that he which taketh it have no need thereof, it can do him no hurt, but rather if it be well considered, it will manifestly profit him in the time that he shall take it, yea, although he leave the taking of it when he seethe that he findeth not the profit which he desireth, nor that it hath done him any hurt or harm during the time that he hath taken it.   

CARLO SANCTO ¶ Of the Carlo Sancto, a root brought from the new Spain.  
THey bring from the new Spain within this three years a marvelous root & of great virtues, 
The root of Carlo Sancto.  which is called Carlo Sancto, the which a father of S. Francis order discou●red and published in the province of Mechoacan, being taught by an Indian of that country that was very wise in such things, and a man of great experience, in the virtues of them. In the fir●te part we have declared that there be many Medicinadle Hearses, which have great secrets, and virtues. 
Where it grows▪  This ●ur Carlo Sancto groweth in that Province, in places which are very temperate, which ●e not dry nor ver● moist. The form and figure thereo● is like to our wild Hop● of Spain, 
The ●●rme 〈…〉.  for it carrieth a Lease as they do, and it runneth up by any ot●er t●ing that is near unto it, and if it have nothing to lea●e v●to, than it creepeth all along upon the ground: the colour is a sad gr●ene, it carrieth neither flow●e nor fru●t, the smell that it hath is little, 
The col●●r. The sm●●●.  and acceptable to some. Out of the Root s●ri●geth a gross tree, and it casteth forth other Roots of the greatness of a finger: it is white in colour, 
The ro●te.  and hath a Rind which falleth from the inner part, the heart of it is marvelously wrought: for it is compounded of certain small boards very thin, 
The heart is marue●●●us.  and they may be divided by one and one, the root hath a pleasant smell, and being chewed, it hath a notable bitterness, wi●h some sharpness of taste: 
T●e virtue is in the rin●e of the root.  this root hath his virtue in the Rind.  
In the ships that he now come, there c●me the satin: p●e of it, and now there is more knowledge of the virtues thereof then before there was. Many of them that came in this fleece from the new Spain, do speak much good of this root. But he that speaketh most of it, is a Gentleman that came from Mechoacan, & brought a good quantity of it with him. That as he reporteth, & also what we have experimented of it, we will speak of, and also of the complexion and temperature thereof, which is hot, & dry, in the first part of the second degree.  

〈…〉.  The principal effect that this Root doth profit in, is in ●●●mes and runings of the head, for it causeth them to flo●e out of the mouth, and bringeth them from the head, ●y 〈◊〉 a little of the Rind of the Root, a good time, but it 〈◊〉 be t●ken in t●e mor●ing fasting, & it boydeth out much 〈◊〉, ● h●mors from the head, that would go to the stomate, 〈◊〉 other parts, but before this be done, it is convenient, that 〈…〉 be purged. 
〈…〉.   
〈◊〉 ●hat chew it, w●ich can easily vomit, do vomit with chewing of it, & it causeth them to cast out much Choler and phlegm, and much more it maketh them vomit, if they take the decoction of it, for it maketh the humour to come up, which is in the stomach with much easiness. The roo●e comforteth the stomach, and also the gums by chewing of it, and it fortifieth the teeth, 

It comforteth the teeth, 〈◊〉, & keep them from worm eating.  
In diseases of women it provoketh Purgation. It dissolveth winds and comforteth the stomach,   and doth preserve them from worms, and that they rot not, nor corrupt. It maketh a good smell in the mouth, and because it is bitter, it is convenient after that you have chewed it, that you wash your mouth with wine, that the bitterness may be taken away.  
In the infirmities of women chief, where oppilations are, and lack of purgation, the powder of the rind of the Root doth dissolve them, and taketh them away, and maketh their purgation to come down well with the use thereof. It must be taken with wine, or with water, sodden with Coriander, and Cinnamon, which they must drink, whiles they do take it: it dissolveth winds, and comforteth the stomach, whiles they use it, they must anoint their Belly with the oil of Liquid Amber, and Dialtea of equal parts, and first they must be purged, and take heed that they keep all good order, and good government.  
In the evils of the heart, 
In the evil of the heart.  chief being joined with the Mother, the said powders and the water sodden with the rind of the Root, do work very great effects. They must take the powder in the order as is aforesaid: and the weight of twelve pence of the root, cut small and sodden in one pottle and a half of water, until half be sodden away: and then they must cast into it the weight of two shillings of the rinds of Cidrous being ●rie, and the weight of twelve pence of cinnamon made in powder, and give it certain seethinges with them, and then strain it: and they must take every morning a small vessel of six Ounces of this seething with Sugar, because it is somewhat what bitter, or without it as you please: and it is to be noted, that before you begin to use it, you must make the universal evacuations, which shall be convenient.  
This Gentleman sayeth which brought this Root, t●at it profiteth much, in the disease of the Pox, 
In the evil of ●●e Pox.  taking it in Powder, or the seething of it: which I have not experimented, for that we have so many remedies for this evil, that we have made no experience thereof: he saith that it is to be taken without keeping, more, than when they be taking the water, or powder, and that then they keep good order and good government in their meats, and in all other things.  
In the falling sickness, a strong disease, and well near incurable, they say that it hath a great property, and worketh great effects: 
In the falling sickness.  taking the powder of the rind of the root, with wine or with water, as is most convenient for him that shall take it. I counseled one here, who was more than forty years of age, and had had it of long time, to take it, and hitherto he hath not felt more than to vomit with the powder, when he taketh it, and he casteth up much Choler, and his faintness is not so great as it was wont to be. It seemeth to me, that it cannot take it away. For it should work that effect in them, that do not pass twenty and five years, who unto that time have remedy. I will prove it upon such: it would be no little good, that it might work the effect that is spoken of it.  
In griefs of the Head, they use this root in those parts, 
In griefs of the head.  as a great and sure remedy. I will tell what hath passed. The first time that I saw this root, was in the power of one which was sick, who came from Mexico, and he brought it for a great thing, saying: that he healed there with and took away the pains of the head, which he had certain days, and he asked me if that he should use it. I tasted of the root, and it seemed to me as I have said, and I counseled him that he shoul● use it, as they had willed him to do in Mexico, and so he did chew it in the morning, and it took away the pains of the head, which a long time had molested him.  
After this, a passenger told me, which came in the Ship, where the Gentleman was that brought a quantity of this root, and he chewed it well, & did disfleume therewith, and immediately it took away the pain, & he showed me a little that remained thereof, which was the same that I saw, and since that, some have used it, and it hath done very well with them.  
In the toothache, they that have brought it into Spain do much esteem of it. 
In the toothache.  And being in the lodging where this man was which brought the root, the host of the house certified me, that having the toothache very grievous, it took it away from him with chewing the rind of the root, on the same side where the tooth was which grieved him, disfleming therewith as much as he could. And I being one day in the Custom house curing a Genoues which was there, an other of the same Nation complained unto me of the toothache, and we caused to be brought some of the said Root, and in the presence of as many as were there, he chewed the rind of this root, having very great pains, and he avoided much phlegm, and in disfleming it began to take away the pains, and before he went from thence he was thoroughly cured. Certain days passed I had a grief in one tooth, so that it pained me all one Night, and part of one day, and I gathered in a garden which I have in my house, c●rtaine leaves of Tabaco, and also the aforesaid root, and I chewed both together, and disfleumed, and the pains went from me, and returned no more to me, being more than six months after I was pained therewith. This is the effect, that I have obtained of this Carlo Sancto, which being so little time known, is sufficient. The time will discover the rest, and as we shall understand more of it, so so we will give notice thereof.   

Of Beads, which be called the Beads of Saint Elen.  

The Beads of the roots of saint Elen.  FRom the Florida they bring certain round Roots which are called the Beads of Saint Elen. And they take this name by reason that they grow in a place of that Country that is so called: they are great large Roots, divided into several pieces, 
The form of them.  and cutings, every piece by itself, they remain round as Beads, which being bored in the midst, they make of them Beads for to pray upon, which the Soldiers do hang about their necks, for a thing of great estimation. They dry them, and they are as hard as a bone, on the outward part they are black, and within white, and the Rind is joined in such sort, that the heart and it is made alone, they are wrought after they be dry, and this Root being tasted, hath a sweet smell, with a good taste. And it seemeth by the taste that it is a kind of spice, for it i● like to Galanga, they are of the thickness of a man's thumb, somewhat less, the Plant hath a great stalk: the Bows do spread by the ground, 
The ●lant.  and cast out the leaves broad and great, and very green. It groweth commonly in moist places, the complexion thereof is hot in the end of the second degree, and more dry the● in th●●ir●t, th● virtues thereof are these.  
The Indians use t●e herb beaten between t●●o st●nes ●hen they pretend to wash themselves, 
〈…〉  ●ubbing ●●l their body with it: for they say that i● knit●eth their fl●●h together, and comforteth them with his good smell. And this they do for the most part every day, for the great profit that they fond in it.  
In griefs of the Stomach, the Indians do use it, 
In griefs of the ●●●ma●ke.  by taking the Powder of it, and our Spania●ds also take it, for the same purpose, receiving it in wine, being ground small, of the which I have seen notable experience in some.  
In the grief of the Stone of the Ridneiss or Reins, the Powder of this Root worketh a known effect. 
In the ●rief● of the ●tone in t●e 〈◊〉 or ●eines.  For that some have taken this root made into Powder in wine, having the grief, and it hath taken it away. And I marvel not at all that his manifest quantity is sufficient, to work the like effects.  
In griefs of the urine of them that cannot piss well, 
In griefs of the V●i●●.  by taking the Powder, it doth profit, and expel it. A thing used of many that have come from those parts, for that they have proved it in the like evils, and here hath been seen the same experience. And one that had a stone which h●e could not avoid from him, used certain days the powder of this root, and did easily avoid the same. A ●●uldier brought Beads at his Neck, made of these roots, and m●t with me● one day, and asked me if I knew tho●e Beads, and of what they were made, & he said it was told him that they w●re ●oote● of Gentiana. But I declared v●to him, that the ●●●des ●ere made of certain roots, that 〈…〉 of ●aint Elen, & that they were not made of Gentiana▪ a●d then he told me great virtues of them, ● t●e 〈◊〉 v●r● rare that the use of them had wrought ●hi●h I did believe: for it seems well, in the root that they ha●e great Medicinal virtues, according to their fashion, and sweet smell, and by that which I had experimented of them.   

¶ Of the Guacatane.  
THey have brought in these Ships ●n herb from the new Spain that the Indians call Guacatane, 
The description of the Guacatane.  and it is like to our wild time, saving that it hath no smell, it is a little herb, whitish, I know not whether it carry Flower or fruit, the herb I have without the root: the name that it hath amongst the Indians, is as aforesaid, and the same name the Spaniards also have given it. The Indians do use it for their infirmities whereof we will speak, and for the same the Spaniards do use it likewise there in the India's, and they also which have brought it hither, with notable profit.  

In the disease of the Piles.  In grief of the piles they use it in this manner: they grind or stamp the herb very small, and wash the Piles with wine, in the which there is sodden this herb, and if there be heat in them, they seethe it in water, & with that hot seething they wash them, and then they dry them softly, and cast the Powder of this herb upon them, & surely the effect that it worketh is marvelous. Thus after I saw the good efects thereof, I much esteemed the herb.  
Whensoever you have any grief of cold or of windiness in any part of the body wheresoever it be, 
In griefs of cold and windiness.  apply Turpentine unto all parts, wheresoever the grief is, and cast the powder of this herb being small ground upon it, and lay a Linen cloth upon that, that it may cleave fast as a Plaster, in such sort, that it be not taken away, until the grief be gone. And of this there is manifest experience, by them of the India's, and also by us of Spain. The powder of this herb cast upon little sores, and especially in the secret places doth mundify, and heal them.   

Of a certain kind of Barley.  
THey bring likewise from the new Spain, a kind of Barley, which they call small Barley: they give it this name, for the likeness which it hath unto our Barley: for it casteth out an ear like unto it, and in the veins, the seed is shut, but it is different from it in qualities & virtues: for that this small Barley, is the strongest poison, 
It is most strong and mighty poison.  which at this day in herb, or plant hath been seen, insomuch that it worketh the same effect, which Sublimatum doth. And wheresoever it is needful to burn, or eat away dead or rotten flesh, putting the powder of this seed thereto, it will do the like work that any burning Iron shall do. It extinguisheth and killeth any canker, how strong soever it be, it killeth and expelleth Worms, 
It killeth th● Canker. It killeth worms.  wheresoever they be, it eateth flesh which is nought and rotten, taking it from the sores, and making them clean from such evil flesh.  
The Indians for that they had no Sublimatum, nor other remedies which we have, 
It eateth rotten fl●sh.  when they should use the like, they had and have this seed most strong, and surely so it is, and they do use it, as a remedy most strong, and of great efficacy. This powder must be laid too, by little and little, more or less, 
How it must be ministered.  conformably to the greatness of the evil, applying things defensive, which is used to be laid too, when as the like remedies are used.  
In old sores and filthy, where it is needful, 
In old filthy sores where it is needful that they be cleansed.  that naughty rotten flesh be eaten away, with taking of this Seed, and grinding it, and dissolving it well with water of Planten, or of Roses, weating in the clear water that shall remain upon it, some small clothes, or in place of the small clothes, lint of fine Linen cloth, wet in the water, it cleanseth the sore, eating the evil flesh in such sort: for how evil, old, and filthy soever that the sore be, it leaveth it clean, and being laid to the flesh, it doth solder and heal them, and after this is done, you must use the Medicines which have virtue to engender flesh. And the effect of this seed is no more than to mundify, & make clean, and to take away the superfluity of the wound.  
The self same effect that this seed worketh in us, it worketh in beasts also, 
In Beasts it worketh the same effect, and better.  which for the most part have very evil sores, that be cankered, and full of Worms, the seed being laid unto them, if the cause be so great, that it doth require it: or the water of it, as it is said, maketh the like work, as we have spoken of, and better, using always the defensives as is convenient, where such Medicines be applied, for that it is a Medicine most strong, and it hath need of them all.  
I will show you what happened to me with it. An Indian brought me this seed with many other herbs, 
History.  and going about to discover them and being come to this seed, I took a grain and put it into my mouth, to prove it. He that brought it, as one which knew it well, kept back my hand, & would not suffer me to prove it: & for all that I parted with my teeth one grain, which is no greater than one grain of hemp seed, but some deal lesser, and beareth some likeness of it: at the time that it came to the point of the tongue, the seed being parted, made me a blister upon it, which dured with me certain days: I commended it to the Devil, and then I believed what they had certified me of it. I began to make experience of it, and it wrought more effectually than was spoken of it. It is hot in the fourth degree, and more if there be any more degrees.  

An herb which healeth the evil o● the breast. An herb which maketh a woman to cast from her a dead child. Two marvellous herbs.  Also I have an Herb which being sodde, and the water of it taken hot, healeth the evils of the breast: I know not the name of it, but in the remembrance of them which came, it was written.  
And an other which enforceth to cast out the dead child of the belly: of thi● the Indians have great experience for this effect, and once in these countries, it hath profited.  
They brought me two dry herbs, which I would have been glad to have seen green: the one of these being in the field in all his force, if a man or woman do put their hands upon him, forthwith he falleth down dead upon the ground. And the other lying abroad upon the ground, in touching it to gather it, it shutteth itself together as a cabbage of the Country of Murcia, Things marvelous, and of much consideration.  
I have black Eleboro, brought from the Province of Mechoacan, like to that of Spain, 
Black Eleboro.  and working the like effect.  
Certain days passed, a young man which took counsel of me, that came from the province of Quito, 
History.  and being with me, there came unto me a neighbour of mine, saying, that his daughter was very sick of the flux, and I had her in cure, and her disease increased with blood, requesting me that I should go to visit her. The Indian which was with me, asked me if they were stools of blood, I said yea: and he said unto me that he would give her a thing, that being made into powder and taken, would take them away forthwith, & that in the Province of Quito, it had been experimented many times. The Father of the sick maiden, went with him to his house, and he gave him certain pieces of a fruit, which seemed to be of a great tree: of the one part they were very smooth, and of colour yellow, and of the other they were very sharp and very red, insomuch that they seemed of a purple colour. They were ground small, and he gave the powder to the sick woman, with the water of the head of Roses, once that Evening, & an other time in the Morning, and immediately the flux did cease, & from tha● time waxed better, whereby she came to be whole.  
And as for the man I never saw him, after he gave it to her▪   

¶ To the right Worshipful, Master Doctor Monardus, Physician in Seville.  
RIght worshipful & famous Doctor, it will seem a new thing to your worship, that I being not learned, not of your profession, do write to you in things of your faculty, being a Soldier that have followed the wars in these Countries all my life: I have done this, because I am affectioned to your worship, by reason of a book which you have compiled of the medicines which are in these parts, & of the virtues & benefits, that by them have been received, which are so great that I cannot declare them, as they deserve. And by means of your book we have order how we should use the remedies which we have here, for before we did use them without rule or measure, so that neither they did work effect, nor with them the people were well remedied, which now is to the contrary, & by means of your books, there hath been people remedied, that never thought to have had remedy nor health. It is more than 28. years unto this day, that I have gone wandering by all these India's, where are many things of those, which your worship doth write of in your book, & other things also which have not been brought thither, for because the Physicians that come to these parts, are nothing curious. They apply not their eye to the universal wealth, but to their own particular, for they come only to enrich themselves, & for the most part they be ignorant people which pass to those India's, they do not esteem of the good which they might do. And though that I have no learning, I am affectioned to men of learning, & so I am to your worship, for that I understood of your books, and for the same that you have in these parts, which is great, although I know you not, yet I was willing to take these pains, which is a contentment to m●▪ You write in your book, giving knowledge of the Bezaar stone, & set down the signs of the beasts which have them: which being considered, we have happened upon a kind of beasts that live in the mountains of this country, which are much like to sheep or kids which your worship speaketh of, which are in the India's of Portugal, which breed & have these stones, of the which there are many in this country, in the mountains, & cold countries. They are for the most of a dark red colour, they are fed with healthful herbs, whereof is great plenty in the mountains, where these beasts do feed they be very swift, insomuch that they cannot be hunted, but with the hand Gun: they have no horns, and in that only they do differ from them of the East India, for in all the rest they are the same.  
The 15. day of june in this year of 1568. 
How they have found the Bezaar stones.  I & certain gentlemen my friends went to the mountains, to hunt, & we were a hunting five days, and we killed some of those beasts, which I have spoken of. And as we went for this purpose, thinking that they were of the kind, of them of the East India: we carried your book with us, & we opened one of them, the greatest that we hunted, and oldest we cold find, & we found no stones in his belly, nor in any other part of him, nor any other thing, whereby we believed that they were not the same kind of beasts with those of the East India. And we asked of certain Indians that went to serve us, where these beasts had their stones, & as they are our enemies, & would not that we should know their secrets, they answered us that they knew nothing of these stones, until one boy which was amongst them being an Indian of the age of 12. years, seeing, that we were so desirous to know the same, showed us the secret of the have been used since that hunting, that I have spoken of, which were the first that have been discovered in the world for the use to heal diseases: & we do trust that with them will be done marvelous works, according as they have begun to do them. & all this is owing to your worship, seeing that by your book we had knowledge to seek them, & to discover them, & to take them out of these beasts, which had them so hidden within them, that surely there is much owing to your worship, for discovering unto us so great a treasure, as this is, which is the greatest that hath been found in these parts, whereby our nation is much bound to you, & likewise all the world, because all men shall profit by them, & the rest of the secrets which you have set down in your book, which bringeth unto us great profit. And in recompense of the benefit which I have received, I send here to your worship a dozen of stones, by the return of john Anthony Corso, the rich Merchant, which if they come thither, your worship may make experience of them, in many infirmities, for you shall find great effects in them. By the same return also your worship may advise me of them, & any thing that shall please you to command me, I will do it, as one that is most affectioned to you, because you are curious and learned, & for doing so much good to the world, in those things which you have written & published. herewithal I send you a small Chest, in the which come certain Frisoles, which you may command to be sown in the beginning of March, that the cold do not hurt them, which send forth a plant like unto beans, but somewhat less, which have certain veins where the seed is. Half a dozen of them eaten with salt, & being of the taste of green beans, they purge valiantly, & evacuate the water of him which hath the dropsy, without pains. The self same effect it worketh if that they be dry, making them into powder, & taking them with wine & it is needful that meat be made in a readiness: for if they work to much, by taking more than they should be, with eating any thing incontinent, the work will cease.  
Also I send you an herb, 
An herb for the rheums.  which groweth in these plain countries, clounge to the ground like unto grass, which is of great virtues for many infirmities, chief for them which are grieved with rheums and phlegms in the throat, taking them away easily with great benefit, and in this, & griefs of the head & rheums chewing it, they do dissleume very much: they call this herb after my name, because I use it for the like evils, for that an Indian did teach it me, which knew much of the virtue of herbs.  
Also I send your worship a fruit of a tree which is of great profit, 
A fruit of a tree of gr●at vertu●s.  & these trees be not found in any country but in this they are of the greatness of an Oak, of those in Spain: it hath many virtues, for the rind, being made in powder, and cast into any sore which is needful to be made clean, it maketh it clean, & afterward causeth the flesh to grow, & healeth it. And rubbing the teeth with this powder, it maketh them clean very well, & being laid upon the gums, if the flesh be taken away, it doth incarnate them, & if the teeth be lose, it maketh them fast. Seething the leaves of this tree well in water, & washing with the water thereof any manner of swelling, which hath any sore, or that is thereof cankered, it taketh away the swelling, and impostume. And making some small linen clothes wet in this seething, & laying them warm upon the medicine, which is laid upon the sore, or upon the powder that is made of the rind: it maketh the sores to heal more quickly, causing that there come no humour to them. Out of the said tree cometh a Rosine, which is of sweet smell, and serveth to perfume in many diseases of the head, & to make plasters for many evils, and here I send it to your worship. Of the fruit the Indians make a certain drink, which is for them very healthful. Your worship may command them to b●e sown, for I would be glad that they should grow, for it will be a thing of much delight, for the profit that it bringeth in Physic, and for the novelty of the tree, for at all times it hath a very good smell. I brought into this country a black woman, which I bought in Xerez de la Frontera, and there did appear upon her when we came hither certain old sores in her legs, which were of long continuance, and coming to the Island of the Margareta, and being very sorrowful for the sores which my black woman had, an Indian told me that he would heal her, and seeing that she had no other remedy, I delivered her to the custody of the Indian, that he might heal her for me, and immediately he took a fruit, which is common in that country, and all people in general do eat it, which is of the greatness of an Orange, & it hath a stone like unto a Peach. This stone the Indian did burn, and made it into powder, for the stone is hard, & can not be ground, without burning of it: and he cast the powder of it into the sores, which she had full of much rotten flesh, and very filthy, which with the powder were made clean and very well, and it took out all the rotten flesh to the bone, and after it was clean, with lint and a little powder laid too it, they began to be filled with new flesh, until they were full of flesh, and she was healed very well. And it is to be considered, that the little kernel of the stone hath so much venom, & malice in it, that if any person or beast do eat it, he dieth forthwith without remedy, as though he had eaten any manner of venom corsive, as Sublimatum, or any other Poison.  
In the Town of Posco where I dwelled certain years, there was an Indian, 
A cure with the sweat of blood.  which did cure the Indians and the Spaniards of any manner of grief or disease that they had, with anointing their joints and the parts which did grieve them, with the juice of a certain herb, & forthwith he wrapped them in many clothes, & they did speate at the joints pure blood. And also in the sick part where he did lay the juice, and as they went sweeting he made clean the blood with a Linen cloth, until he perceived that they had sweat sufficiently, & with this he healed many diseases that were incurable. And I am able to say, that many did think that they had waxed young again, and were more strong and young than they were before. He fell sick, & for all that we could do with gifts and fair words, and fierce words, and threatenings, he would never tell us what herb it was, nor show it to any man in this country. There is found a kind of tree, that is of soft Timber, the Indians will make no fire of it, although you kill them. For that they say, if any of them come near to the fire that is made of this tree, or receive the smoke of it, he remaineth impotent, for women. And they have this so certain in persuasion, and it is so verified, that you shall not make them to come near the fire, that is made of that tree, for any thing in the world, for they are so carnal that they will none of this.  
They heal in these countries any swellings which are in thee feet or legs, caused of cold humours, 
Centella, an herb good for the swelling of the feet or leg●.  with an herb called Centella, which being stamped and laid to the swelling, there arise certain Blisters, by the which there cometh forth great quantity of water & humours, until it leave th● Foot, or the leg dry. I have seen great experience by these evacuations, amongenst the Indians, for they use them much, & I have seen some Spaniards use it, and were healed of th● like diseases.  
In the year 1568. in the Province of Chile, they did cut of from certain Indians being prisoners, the calves of their legs, to eat them, & they roasted them for that purpose, & that which is of more admiration, they applied unto the place where they were cut, leaves of certain herbs, & there came not out a drop of blood, and many did see it. And this was done in the City of S. james, in the presence of the Lord Don Garcia de Mendosa, which was a thing that made all men marvel at it.  
There are to be found here very few herbs and trees like unto those of Spain, for that the earth doth not bear them: but in the new Spain there are more of them than in any other part of the India's. For when it was conquered, they found many trees and herbs and plants like unto those of Castille, and birds and beasts likewise. We ha●e here snakes which bring admiration to such as see them, for they be as great as men, which are for the most part tame, & do no hurt. Here are Spiders as great as Oranges, & very venomous. It raineth Toads as great as those of Spain, which the Indians do eat roasted, for they are a people which eat all kind of venomous beasts. There be so many buytres, which breed in many Islands, that are in the sea, near to the land, that they eat up the cattle, and such numbers of them that it is wonderful, and as the keepers of them be black so they care little for them. One thing doth make me marvel, that the kine which are bread in the mountains, being brought to the plain ground, do all die. I saw a friend of mine that brought 300. Kine to be weayed, & they stayed a time before they were weighed, and by little & little, in one month there remained not one, but all died. And that which is more to be marveled at, is, that they died all trembling, and consumed. Some there be that do attribute it to the mountains which is a country most cold, and it raineth every day, and in the plain country where there is no rain, but it is hot, and as they move from one extremity to an other they die, that truly is a thing worthy of consideration, to see how that in the space of eight Leagues, little more or less, which are of plain ground from the coast to the mountain, by a long vale of more than one thousand Leagues, it never raineth in them, and in the mountains it raineth every day.  
Your worship shall understand, that the eight day of October in this year, there came hither a Cousin of mine, called Alonso Garcia, a good Soldier, 
Against the herb whic● the Indian● do use.  who tell●th us that he hath found an herb which is good against the venomous herb, which the wild people do v●e. Which herb doth kill without remedy, and these valiant people of the India's do use it in their wars. And likewise those that dwell from the Charcas towards Chile, and live like unto wild people, maintaining themselves only by hunting, and flesh of mankind, who have killed with their arrows which are poisoned with these venomous herbs, an infinite number of Spaniards▪ which they say be not good to eat, for that their flesh is hard, so that when they kill them, they keep them to wax tender, three days or four days. But with this herb that is now found, the hurt shall be much remedied, that they do make. Howbeit our people do not much fear them, but only the herb which they shoot withal, for that it maketh them to die by madness, without any remedy. And now with the recountering herb which they have found, they are all gladden. They say it is an herb that carrieth very broad leaves, which are like to the leaves of plantain of Spain: which being beaten & laid to the wound that is poisoned, kill the venom, and immediately take away the accidents, which the venom of the herb procureth. They take it for a great matter in that country, that they have found such a remedy. And you shall understand that the counter herb was found in the same country, where the herb of poison was: & I think it be also in other parts, but there where the hurt is done, our Lords will was to discover the remedy.  
I note unto your worship these things, to the ●nde by them ye may consider, how many more herbs▪ and plante● of great virtues like to those, this our India's have, which we have not yet attained v●to, for as the Indians are a naughty kind of people, and our enemy's▪ so and being tasted and used between the teeth they are pure Earth. The stone hath neither savour nor taste, rather it doth cool then heat, and they be ordinarily as great as beans, or bigger. For the most part there are both great and little of them, and it seemeth well by them that they have medicinal virtues: many persons bring them, which are now come in this Fleet, who come to me as though I were the first discoverer of them. They declare marvelous effects of them, that i● seemeth wonderful. I broke one and gave it made into powder, to a boy, of whom it was said that venom had been given to him. I cannot tell whether any other benefits done unto him, or that healed him, but he was well recovered. I will use it in other infirmities, and what I find of their operation, and the rest of the medicines, which shallbe newly discovered, I will show in the third volume, which I will write of this Medicinal history, wherein shallbe expressed things marvelous, and great secrets of Physic, that may give contentation to all men, and much more to the sick, that shallbe healed with them. Of one thing you must be advertised, that which is here written, part of it we have learned of them that have come from those parts, and brought knowledge of them hither: and part is attributed to their complexion, and qualities, what they may do: and part we have experimented: and in all have this consideration, that all these things which are brought from our India's, be for the most part hot, and see that you use them in this quality, in all causes wherein they shall be needful. And it is needful that there be some advertisement given hereof, since the use of the things doth so import it.   

¶ Of the Dragon.  
the other the blood of Drago, in bread.  
The one, and the other, have virtue to retain any manner of the flux of the belly, 
The virtue of the blood of Drago.  laid upon the belly, or given in glisters, or taken by the mouth. Made into powder, it stayeth the running of the head, and to the lower parts applied, in any manner of flux of blood, it doth retain and slanch it. It sodereth and glueth wounds together, which be fresh and new made. It letteth that the teeth fall not out, and it maketh the flesh to grow on the bare gums. It is a marvelous colour for Painters. And besides this, it hath many other virtues. I do mean to sow some of the seed, to see if it will grow in these parts. 
It is temperate.  It is thought that the blood of Drago is temperate, with little heat.  
There was a gum given unto me which they bring from the firm land of the Peru, 
Gum to purge them which have the Gout.  wherewith they purge them, which have the Gout in those parts, they put of it as much as a Nut into distilled water, and let it stand all the night in steep, and in the morning they strain and wring it, and take that water, which must be the quantity of two Ounces: and the patient must remain without meat, till the midst of the day, and therewith they purge the humour, which causeth the Gout. I saw a Gentleman who came in this last Fleet, use it, which he brought for remedy of this evil, who was full of the Gout, and with using this evacuation, he findeth himself well, and the Gout doth not come to him, as it was wont to do, for that it came to him very cruelly, and often: and he gave me as much as a small Nut, and would give me no more, and I gave it in the order aforesaid, to one which had the Gout, and he had three stools with it. I know not how it will prove, it were needful to have more quantity, for to proceed forward, in more experience thereof: but it will be brought hither by others, as they have done many other things. It hath a go●d taste in the taking, for that it hath neither smell nor savour, it maketh his work without pains. It is hot in my opinion, in the first degree. I know not what manner of thing the Tree is, whereout they take it, for he which brought it, knoweth not so much himself.   

Of the Armadilio.  
THis beasts portraiture I took out of an other naturally made, which was in the Counting house of Gonsalo de Molina, a Gentleman of this City, in the which there is great quantity of Books of divers Authors, and the fashion and form of many kinds of Beasts, and Birds, and other curious things, brought from the Oriental India's, as also from the Occidental, and from other parts of the world. And great variety of coins and stones of antiquity, and differences of arms, which with great curiosity, and with a noble mind, he hath caused to be brought thither.  
weight than two pound: hollow in some parts, and very white: 
For the grief of the stone in the Kidneys.  they are all somewhat heavy. Of these stones they have in the India's great experience: giving them made into powder, unto those that suffer the grief of the stone in the Kydneys, and to them that cannot piss, and to them that cannot cast out the stone of the Reins, and of the Bladder, being of such greatness that it may not pass out. This is a thing amongst the Indians very common, and well known: and likewise amongst the Spaniards, which dwell in those parts and they which come hither aver it plainly, and affirm it to be so. I have tasted it, and it seemeth a thing unsavoury, but I have not proved it, nor applied hitherto, in time it shall be done, & we will give some reason thereof.  
They bring also from the new Kingdom and from the province of Cartagena, 

Turpentine of Cartagena.  
Better than ours.   a certain Turpentine, very clear, & of sweet smell, much better than that they call de Vetae, which they bring from Venice: it hath all the virtues that the good Turpentine hath, & it worketh the self-same effects, & better, and with greater efficacy and readiness.  
Here hath been used of it in wounds, and it is a thing marvelous to see the good work which it doth, especially in wounds of joints and Sinews, 
marvelous for wounds.  & of Legs, wherein I have seen gre●t works done with it. And it doth mundify being mingled with other things, all kind of old sores, & it is an excellent thing, washed, & prepared, for the faces of Ladies which have need of it.  
Moreover they bring from the self-same parts Caranna, of Cartagena, 
Caranna of Cartagena.  purified so clear that it is like to Crystal, and surely it is better, & it is applied unto much better effect than that which hitherunto hath come, and maketh better works, and is of a more sweet smell, and more excellent in operation.   

Of the Flower of Mechoacan.  
MAny persons of them which came now in this last Fleate from the firm land, 
Mechoacan of the firm Land●.  brought very good Mechoacan, better than that of the new Spain, gathered in the Coast of Nicaraga, and in Quito: yea, since the Mechoacan was discovered, in the new Spain, they have found the self-same herb and root in those parts which I do speak of. And they use it to purge, and it doth marvelous works, and they use it in those countries and in all the firm land, as they did use that which was brought from the new Spain, with marvelous success.  
From the Cape of Saint Elen, 
Furious Mechoacan.  which is in the same coast, they bring another kind of Mechoacan, but it is very strong, and being taken it causeth great accidents of vomits and faintness, with many stools, and for this cause they call it Escamonea, & no man useth it, because it bringeth by incision, which cometh forth like to a white tear or drop, most clear, with a marvelous sweet smell, declaring well the marvelous effects, and Medicinal virtues that it hath, of the which we have treated in the first part. And that Balsamo which is made by seething, as we do there show, we see the marvelous effects that it worketh, with so great and marvelous virtues, that it bringeth admiration to the whole world, with many other marvels which hitherunto we have seen, that be there spoken of. And greater will these works be, that shall be done with the Balsamo which they now bring, made by incision: seeing that one drop of this is more worth than two Gallons of the other, as it is manifestly seen by using of it.  

The Balsamo of the India's which is made by incision, is better than that which was in Egypt.  And surely that which was in Egypt, and failed so many members of years past, I believe that it had not more virtues than this. And I am sure that this is of greater virtue and effects then ever that was of. I have the fruit of this tree, which is little, according to the greatness of the tree, and it is a grain as great as a white Pease, the taste of it is a little bitter, it is shut into the end of a little ●od of the length of a finger, being narrow, white, and thin, of the thickness of vi. d. It carrieth no more but one grain in the end, which is the fruit that the Indians do use, to perfume them withal, in griefs of the head, and in rheums. Surely the Balsamo is a marvelous thing, and it showeth well in itself what it is, 
In griefs of the head.  according to the works thereof.  
They bring moreover from the firm land a Turpentine, or Liquor, 
Turpentine or O●le of Deabeto.  which is called Deabeto, and it is gathered from certain trees of mixture, they be not Pine trees, nor Cypress, for they be higher than our Pine trees, they are as strait as Cipresses trees. In the highest part of the tree, it bringeth forth certain bladders of two sorts, the which are great and small, and being broken, there cometh forth of them a marvelous liquor, which falleth drop after drop, and the Indians gather them with great deliberation, and they receive the same drops which be in the bladder into a shell, and always have shells lying under the bladders, whereout they distill, and it is a thing done with such leisure, that many Indians do gather very little all the whole day.  
The Liquor serveth for all things that the Balsamo doth, 
The virtue thereof.  it healeth very well wounds, it taketh away cold griefs, and windy. Some do take it for the griefs of the stomach, caused of cold humours, or for windiness, with a little white wine. And it is to be understood, that the Balsamo which is made by seething, or that which is made by incision, 
Note.  and this or any other manner of liquor of these of the India's, which is to be taken by the mouth, aught to be taken but in little quantity, which must not be more than four or five drops, and it must not be taken in the Palm of the hand as it is said, but putting a little wine or Rose water into a spoon, and pouring upon that the drops of Balsamo, & putting the spoon well into your mouth, and letting the Liquor fall in, so that it touch not the tongue. For taken with it, or touching it, the savour and taste is not removed away in a long time: & it procureth an evil taste, in such sort, that for this only cause many do abhor it, and will not take it, and from others it hath taken away the lust of their meat, by receiving it and touching it with the tongue.   

Of long Pepper.  

Long Pepper.  ALso they bring from Cartagena, and from the coast of the firm land, from Nata near to Veraga, a certain kind of Pepper, which they call long Pepper, which hath a sharper taste, than the Pepper which is brought from the Oriental India's, and biteth more than it, and is of more sweet taste, and of better smell, then that of Asia, or the Pepper of the East India: it is a gentle spice, to dress meats withal, and for this purpose all the people in that country do use it.  

History.  A Gentleman gave me a platter full of it, for he brought a great quantity of it for the service of his Ritchin, because they use it in place of black Pepper, and they take it to be of a better taste, and more healthful. I have tasted it, and it biteth more than the black Pepper doth, and it hath a more sweet taste than it hath. I have caused it to be put into dressed meats, in place of the Oriental Pepper, & it giveth a more gentle taste unto the meats that are dressed therewith.  
It is a fruit that casteth out a high plant, of the greatness of a gross Packthread, 
The description of it.  and the lower part near to the root, is as great as a little stick, that is very small: and upon it are joined the little grains, very near together, as though they were wrested one within the other, which causeth the greatness whereof we spoke: and being taken away from the little stick, the stick remaineth bare and whole: and it is green being fresh, but the Sun ripeneth it, and doth turn it black, and so they bring it into these parts. It groweth in the coast of the firm land in Nata and in Cartagena, and in the new kingdom: in all these parts they use it, as I have said. It hath the Medicinal virtues, which the Oriental Pepper hath that we use. The complexion thereof is hot in the third degree.  
And going to visit a child, the son of this Gentleman, 
History.  which gave me this Pepper, being diseased of the fire in the face, I commanded him to be let blood, and that to his face they should apply some little cloth with Rose water, and the herb Mora: he said to me that he liked the letting of blood well, because the boy was of Sanguine complexion, but as for that which should be laid to his face, he had wherewith to heal it in short time: and he commanded to be brought forth, a thing like unto a cake, as great as a mean platter, the outside was black, and within yellow, and being brought well near two thousand Leagues, it was moist, and he dissolved a little of it with Rose Water, and laid it to the boy's face. I was desirous to know what it was, & he said, that when the work was seen what it would do, he would tell me whereof it was compounded. The next day I returned to the sick, and his face was so amended, that I marveled at it, and immediately he was washed with Rose water, a little warm, and he remained as though he had not had any evil therein at all.  
The cake was made of certain Worms, which the Indians take out of the ground, 
Of what it was made.  and they make them fat, giving them to eat leaves of a certain kind of corn, that they have there called Maiz, and after they are fat, they put them into a frying pan of earth, and seethe them therein, and as they take of the scum, they strain it, and seethe it still, until it be thicker than an ointment, after the fashion and manner as he had it there.  
They bring also from the Charcas certain Roots, that be like to the Roots of flower de Luce, 
Roots against venom & venomous things.  saving that they are smaller and they smell much like the leaves of Fig tree: they call these Roots in the India's, a remedy against the venomous herb, for being made into powder, and taken with white wine, it is a thing of great strength, and of the greatest virtue, that is there against venom, of what manner or quality soever it be, so that it be not corsive as Sublimatum, 
M●lke good against poison.  or the like: and as for that kind of poison, with only drinking of much Milk they be remedied.  
This Root being taken, causeth the venom to be cast out, which is eaten or drunken, or any manner venomous humour, coming of any evil degree, or cause whatsoever, which is as well done by vomit, as by sweat. If th●re be any small Worms, or long Worms in the body, it killeth, and expelleth them: and if you have any suspicion, that there have been given you any venomous morsel, whether it be venom or witchcraft, it expelleth it: in which there is so much trust in those parts, that they take it for a marvelous remedy, for the things aforesaid. The root being tasted, it hath a sweet relish, with some sharpness. It seemeth to be hot in the second degree.  
From the coast of Nicaraga, and of Nata, they which come in these last ships, from the firm land, bring a certain kind of purge with them, that surely by the taste is easy to be taken, and it worketh well, and without any pain, & principally it purgeth Choler. It is the fruit of a tree very great, after the manner of Thornish Chestnuts, which have within them Chestnuts, saving that they prick not, but be plain▪ within those prickles there be some like to Chestnuts, made clean without shalt, well near square, which divide themselves asunder, by means of a little skin, every one into two parts, and so they are covered with it, and when they be taken & occupied, that little skin is plucked away, & they are made clean from it, for that being taken with it, it procureth most dangerous accidents, and vomits, & much faintness and infinite stools: and without it the Chestnut is a purgation very gentle, and they purge easily, and without pains: if they be toasted, than they will purge less: if they be green they eat them: or being beaten in a Mortar, they take them with wine, or with the broth of a hen: if ●hey be dry, they make powder of them, any manner of fashion. They do their work well, and with much assurance, keeping the order that ought to be kept, by them which be purged, and the humours being prepared, as is convenient. They are hot in the first degree.   

¶ Of the Sarcaparillia of Guaiaquill.  
IN the first part we declared, how that they brought Sarcaparillia from Peru: 
Of the Sarcapari●lia of Guaiaquill.  which we use in some persons, and it worketh great effects. And because there was but little of it and soon done, we returned to that of the H●nduras which is that we have spen● hitherto. And ning as much as they can drink at once, or at divers times, and after they cast themselves into a sweat, and they sweat so much, that it runneth by the Bed in great quantity. After that, they take clean clothes, and eat of a Hen, but they drink of no other thing but of that juice which they took out of the rind of the Sarcaparillia, as well at Dinner, as at Supper, and they must eat very little at Supper, & likewise at Dinner. And they must procure to keep themselves from the Air and from the cold all that they can, although in that village of Guaiaquill, wherein be about fifty houses, or few more, the most of them are Cottages, & of little safeguard, and the Walls be made of Canes, and there be no Chambers on high, but only below: they dwell all in places of little defence. Being in this order and small comfort for lack of Conserua and dry fruit, which were necessary, yet in eight or nine days they are made whole of all the diseases, that are healed with the Sarcaparillia, and of many others which should be very large to speak of. It is sufficient that there go no Man from thence which returneth not whole, although he had never so grievous a disease, so that they be not sharp agues: For in that case the cure hath no place, or in any other sharp disease. All other diseases it healeth with marvelous success, as it is seen by the great number of people which come thither, and go away whole of the diseases, which they bring thither. But it is needful that he which doth enter into this cure, be strong and not weak, for if he be weak, he cannot suffer so great sweat, without great peril of his person.  

Another way to take it.  For these evils they have another manner of Water, that is, taking four ounces of Sarcaparillia, rather more than less, for that there they use neither weight nor measure, but do put all at discretion, and they take away the rind from the Sarcaparillia, and break it, without putting it in Water, if it be green, and if if it be dry, than they break it & put it in water, until it be made soft: this rind being without the heart, they seethe in 4. Pottels of water, little more or less, and they seethe it until half the water be diminished, rather more than less: and of that Water they drink as much as they can in many times, or at one time, and forthwith they betake themselves to sweat, and although they sweat not so much, as they sweat with the first water, yet they will heal, they move their clothes, they eat of a Pullet, they keep themselves from the cold and air, and at Dinner and Supper, they use the self same water, for that in one day they consume one seething: this people take it in this manner fifteen or twenty days, & in this sort also they are healed of all their evils & diseases, to the great admiration of the people. And for the use of this Sarcaparillia they do not except any disease, unless it be fevers or sharp diseases: these people purge not at the beginning, as we do here, nor in the midst, nor in the end of the cure, for there is no other Physician nor medicine, but certain women which be there, that give the water: they are women Physicians, and therefore they take away, and put to as it seemeth good unto them.  
That which I do note in this business, is that they seethe the Sarcaparillia without the heart: & that they use not but of the rind, which seemeth to be very well done, & very conformable to good Physic, for the parts of the roots which be hard, should be taken away, as things superfluous, and without virtue & profit, which rather do let and disturb, that it cannot work that effect which is desired in it, & the virtue is in the rind: and this is that which we do commonly use when we will profit ourselves by it. And so from henceforward, 
The manner how to ma●e the water of the rind of Sarcaparillia  when I shall ordain this water for any that have need of it, I will use the rind only.  
And thus I ordain it at this present. Which is to take four ounces of Sarcaparillia, and too take away the heart,  
BEing in company with john Gotierres Telo, a gentleman very excellent, & Treasurer of the Contratation house, a passenger which came from the Florida, gave him a piece of Ambar Grese, very excellent, saying that he brought it from the Florida. I took it, & broke it, & it was perfect grease, of a very good colour, and in the uttermost part it was black, and I asked him that brought it, where he had it: he said, that he gathered it in the coast of Florida, and that they have it commonly of the Indians, that gather it in that Coast, and they take much pleasure in it with great delight, and contentment anointing their faces with it, and other parts, for the good smell which it hath. And surely it maketh me marvel to see, that in our Occidental India's, there is so excellent Ambar, and that the time hath discovered it unto us, and that there hath come from those parts not only so great riches, of Silver and Gold, Pearls, and other precious stones, but that also now they bring us such excellent Ambar Grise, a thing so esteemed in the world, & so much used for the health of the body, and so necessary to cure and to heal withal, so many and divers infirmities, as we will speak of being a thing which for the delicacy of mankind, is an ornament, & contentment with very much serveth for use. I do understand also that other Passengers brought of the like Ambar, and some in much quantity, of which I was very glad, and the first piece that I saw was very suspicious unto me, and after that I had seen more, 
Ambar is not the seed of the Whale, but a Gum.  than I believed that there was of it, in those parts, which is found cast up unto the coast.  
Some there be which think that it is the seed of a Whale, as it hath been an ancient opinion, which is false, as Simeon Archiatros a Greek author doth show, saying that the Ambar in divers places doth spring, 
Simeon a Greek author.  they be his fountains from whence it doth spring, as those of Pitch Liquor: the worst is that which these fishes do taste, and swallow down, etc. The same it seemeth Serapio doth understand, and besides this Simeon a Greek, and Actio, I find no other Greeks that make mention thereof, but it is treated of by the Arabies with as great ignorance and confusion as may be seen. Whosoever by them will verify what Ambar is, it is to be determined upon, that it is a kind of Pitch, that cometh forth of springs & Fountains, that are made in the depth of the Sea, and coming forth to the air, the Liquor being gross doth congeal, and wax hard, and is made the Ambar which we see, as many things else which are in the lower part of the Sea, are soft & tender, but being brought out into the air are made hard. As we see in the Coral, which in the lower parts of the Sea is soft and tender, 
Coral.  and by bringing it into the air is turned into a stone: and the Ambar whereof the Beads are made, in the low parts of the Sea is white, and being come forth into the air, turneth hard and stony, and is Pitch, 
Ambar congealed.  which cometh forth of a fountain, which is in the German Sea, whereby the barbarous opinions are confounded, that say the Ambar is the seed of the Whale. And the cause whereof this ignorance came, was this, for that Ambar was found in the Whales, and other fishes, 
Amber found in the Whale's Maw.  and therefore men said that it grew of it own nature in their maws, and as this Pitch riseth up to the highest parts of the Sea by reason of the lightness thereof, the Whales do devour it, thinking that it is a thing to be eaten, and so men find it in their Maws. For if it were seed, it would be found in other parts of their bodies, where it is natural to all beasts. In my time was taken a Whale, in the coast of the Canaria that had more than one hundred pound weight of Ambar within him, and after that they killed many, and found none.  
They that come from the Florida say, that there be Whales by those coasts, 
Whales of the Coast of the Ambar.  and that they have killed some of them, and found neither Ambar nor other thing in their Maws, more than fishes: & also in the young Whales which are very great, although they have killed them, that they found nothing in them, for that the Indians do fish for them. and take them with the greatest cunning that may be imagined, which is after this manner. One Indian taketh a long cord, and strong, made with certain gins, and shippeth himself in a little Boat, and maketh toward the Whale where he seethe him coming with his young Whales, and goeth to one of them and leapeth upon him, and casteth his snare upon his snow●. The strong young Whale when he feeleth this, he goeth down to the depth of the Sea & the Indian hampered fast with him, for they are great swimmers, and can abide long in the water: and the young Whale as he hath need to breath, returneth up to the height of the Sea. And in the time that he cometh up ward, the Indian carrying with him a sharp wedge, and putting it through his nose where he breatheth, he striketh the wedge into him with his fist, in such sort, that the young Whale cannot cast it from him, and when he cometh up on heigh, the Indian giveth him cord, and taketh his boat, and goeth after the young Whale, and as he cannot breathe, he choketh him easily, and he cometh to the land. It is surely a delicate and marvelous hunting, wherein they have so much cunning, that a great Lizard or Crocodil of xxiiii. foot, the most horrible and cruel beast that is in the Sea, one Indian doth kill. Some say, that the Ambar is made of certain fruit growing by the Sea side, where Whales be, and in the month of April and May, when it is in season, & of sweet smell, the Whales do eat it, and of that the Ambar is made, as if the fruit so eaten, would be converted into an other thing then into blood and flesh. There be many other opinions, concerning this matter what Ambar should be made of, which are confuted all: and it is to be understood, that it is a kind of Pitch which springeth from Fountains that there are in the depth of the Sea, in particular parts of it, as we see there be of Petrolio, of Napta of Sulphur, and of many other things, as in our Occidental India's, of divers other Licors: 
Which is best Ambar.  the best Ambar is that which is most like to a red colour, the white is not so good, and the worst of all is the black.  
Ambar hath great virtues, and serveth in the world for many things, and so it is a substance of great price: 
The virtues of the Ambar.  for that which is good is worth at this day, twice more than the most fine Gold. For the contentment of man, and for the delicateness of the world, it serveth for many things: 
The medicinal virtues thereof.  with it they make Beads, and fine perfumes, and odorous smells, and water of Angels of most sweet smell, in divers forms and fashions: with it they dress gloves of divers sorts, & make Oils and licors of most sweet and delectable smells: it serveth for meats & drinks, in divers and sundry forms, which to report, would be a large process.  
In medicinal things the virtue thereof is great, and it profiteth very much in our Medicines, for it entereth into the most principal matters of Physic, which are compounded in the Apothecary's Shops, as well Electuaries, as Confections, powders, & pills, Preparatives, Ointments, plasters, & many other things, that receive great virtues thereby: & of the name of it, there is made a confection called Dia-Ambar. The virtues which it hath in particular are great, and of great effects, for that with it are healed divers and sundry diseases. And this the Arabiens did teach us: for of the Greeks only Simeon, and Actio wrote a few words of it, and also Actuario made the like mention of it: These three authors being Greekes, lived after the time that the Arabiens did write, and they made some record of the Medicines, and things which they wrote of, whereof the ancient writers made no mention & one of them is Ambar, which the old Physicians knew not before the Arabiens, for they made no mention of it.  
The virtue thereof is to heal, dissolve, & comfort any manner of way, 
The complexion thereof.  wherein it is applied: For that the complexion thereof is hot and dry, with some fatness, and it hath virtue to mollify, & make soft, with other virtues that it hath beside.  
And being applied to the Brains, in the manner of an ointment, 
It comforteth the brain & Sin●wes.  and melting it with the pestle of a Mortar being hot, and mingled with the oil of the flowers of Oranges, in this sort it taketh away the grief of the head, it comforteth the Sinews, it dissolveth any manner of cold which is in them, with a great prerogative and help, aswell in it own form as in making a plaster of Al●pta M●scata, which is made of certain compounds, that it be applied continually to that part.  

What the smell of the Ambar doth.  Smelling unto it in the piece, or making a Pomander of it, mingled with Musk, and Lign'aloe, it comforteth the brains, and openeth the understanding: in the one sort, or the other, being applied unto it, it maketh a good memory, and helpeth the understanding that it may be better and more perfit. And it is convenient that we use it more than women, for the hurt which the good smell doth unto them, which be grieved with the Mother, for they ought not to use it, if there be not a descending of the Mother to the lower parts: for in such case it were convenient to smell much to it, for it causeth the Mother to rise up to his place, with the good smell, taking some evil savour by the inferior parts. And likewise by smelling unto it, it comforteth the heart, and maketh the Spirits valiant and strong: and for this purpose it profiteth, being carried about one, and smelling to it, in the time of the Pestilence, and in corrupt airs, to resist the corruption, and malice of them, with the virtue and sweet smell thereof.  
It is a marvelous thing to understand how much the Ambar doth profit and secure them, which be old, 
The Ambar is a great remedy for them that be old.  in what manner or sort soever they use it: & although with it excellent smell it comforteth the spirits, and the brains of the head, yet it maketh thin also Phlegmatic humours, which do continually abound. And some say, that the use of it holdeth back age, and conserveth that it go not forward, and it is good that such do use it in their meats, and in sweet smells for their apparel and Chambers, and applied to the brain and heart, and that they hold it to smell in their hands continually: and that it be put into the wine, wherewith they shall wash their hands and face: for it is a marvelous thing how much it comforteth, and giveth strength, wherein I have seen marvelous effects, & they which are old and crooked, and do use it, shall perceive what great good it will do them.  
In pains of women, it is a marvelous remedy, 
In pains of women.  mingled with the Lode stone, and Galuano, made in little plasters laid upon the navel, to keep the Mother in his place, and for the rest of the pains of it. Chief by smelling to it continually, it profiteth women that the mother may come down. And if it rise up, putting into it a Tent of Cotten will, dissolved with oil of Liquid Ambar, it maketh it come down. And being put into the mouth of the mother in women which do not bring forth children, for the coldness that is in them, it is most excellent. I use to take this confection: which is compounded with Ambar two parts, and the scraping of ivory, one part ground small, half a part of Lignaloe made into powder, and a little Musk: of the which make Pills, and they must take three, that may way three pence, from three to three days: applying moreover the little plaster, which is spoken of, to the navel, and the tent into the mouth of the mother: surely it doth profit much, the universal evacuations, being made, and it must be used many days.  

For the evils of the stomach.  The Ambar profiteth much in the diseases of the stomach, and for the coldness of it, if there be a plaster made thereof, and of Alipta Muscata, and of Storacke, after the manner of a breast plate, and laid to the stomach: and likewise of the self same thing pills being made and mingled with wine, of sweet smell, and taken in the morning fasting. For it dissolveth winds, it taketh away any manner of cold which is in the stomach, it helpeth digestion, it giveth appetite, and lust to meat, and this is convenient for him that is cold of complexion, or for that which causeth the hurt of the stomach, that cometh of cold: and therefore it should be convenient for them that be old, and cold of stomach.  
It comforteth the heart, and healeth the diseases thereof, principally if they come of windiness, 
For the evil of the heart.  or of cold humours, being taken by itself, or mingled with Lignaloe & Musk, in manner of powders, or pills. For that the Musk, as Anerois sayeth, comforteth more than all other sweet smells that are in the world, for that the sweet favour, and comforting smell thereof prevaileth more, than all other smells. In what manner of way soever the Ambar is applied, by itself, or with other things, in infirmities of the heart, it profiteth, much applied thereunto outwardly, and in any manner of sort taken, it doth comfort and strengthen, and dissolve any humour that is in the body.  
I do cause Ambar to be ground, which being well mingled with yellow wax molted, and made into a thin cake, and laid to the heart, doth profit much in the evils of the heart, 
Of them that be Melancholic.  chief if they come first of windiness, Melancholy, or of any other cause whatsoever, so that it be not hot.  
The Ambar is very profitable for them that be Melancholic, for it maketh them very merry, taking away the causes of the evil, and dissolving the windiness thereof which there are very many grieved with all: and unto such it is good to be ministered, and to use it after the manner of Medicine, mingled as we have said, in the mornings: and also to use it laid upon the heart, and upon the brains, and in meats, for surely I have seen great effects wrought in them that have frequented it.  
Where there is corruption of air, 
It rectifieth the air.  the Ambar doth rectify it by itself, or mingled with things of sweet smell, the place being perfumed with it, where men should remain, principally in the time of winter, and unto such as do suffer cold Rheums, in cold times: chief perfuming their kercheifes, wherein they sleep, with it, or with some mixture thereof, perfuming the Chamber likewise, for it is a marvelous thing to see the good work it doth make.  
And likewise it doth good to them, which have the palsy, 

For them that have the Palsy.  
For them that have the falling sickness.   or weakness of Sinews, perfuming themselves with it, or with the mixture thereof.  
Those that have the Falling sickness, by giving to them at their noses, when they be in their trance or paroxismos, the smoke thereof, it maketh to awake: and wearing it about them, & smelling to it continually, the trance doth not come so quickly, nor so strong. And unto those which suffer the disease of the Palseye, by anointing their head with it, and all the upper part of the skull, it bringeth manifest profit: for that the Ambar is a thing that comforteth the Sinews and brain, more than any thing that we know.  
One property the Ambar hath, that bringeth admiration, 
The Ambar doth make drunk.  and Simeon Secto a Greek author doth report, that if any smell to it before he drink wine, it maketh him stand as if he were drunken▪ and if it be put into the wine, it maketh him drunk indeed, in such sort that a little wine mingled with Amber, causeth drunkenness, which I have seen by experience, in the house of a great Lord of this Realm, where for delicateness, and daintiness, they had a Salt seller of Ambar, as also Salt to cast into meats: and to a jester there was Ambar cast into his wine, and he was made very drenke with it. Many other things ●here were to treat of Ambar, but because I would not pass the limits of my purpose, I leave 〈◊〉 write of them, and the r●ther, for that in the third part we will declare that which we mean farther to say of them.  
The end of the second part.    


THE THIRD part OF THE Medicinal History, which treateth of the things that are brought from our Occidental India's, serving for the use of Medicine. Wherein there is mention made of many things Medicinal, that have great secrets and virtues:  
¶ Now newly set forth by the said Doctor Monardes, after that he had made the first and second parts.   

¶ Of the Cinnamon of our Indias.  
IN the year of our Lord 1540 Francis Pissarro provided to make toward his brother Gonsalo Pissarro governor of the province of Quito, & the Spaniards went thither with a good will, & they went also unto the country that was called the country of the Cinnamon, with is an other province beyond Quito, and the Cinnamon was much spoken of amongst the Spaniards, for it was understood of the Indians that it was a thing of great riches,  
Gonsalo Pissarro departed with 200. Spaniards, and it happened to him evil in his journey, 
The history of the conquest of the country, where the Cinnamon groweth.  for it was a sharp country, & without victual, & with great travel they came to that province called of the Indians Somaca, where the Cinnamon groweth, which is right under the Equinoctial line.  
The trees which bear it, are of reasonable greatness, they carry a Leaf like to Laurel, they be all the y●re green, and they never lose the leaf, which is a thing common to all the trees of the India's. 
The description of the trees, and of the fruit.  They bear their fruit unto the likeness of a little Hat, that hath his Cup and sides as great as a piece of eight Rialles of Silver, which is four Shillings, and some greater, it is of the colour of a dark tawny, as well without as within, it is smooth in the inner part, and sharp in the utter, in the highest part of the Cup it hath a stalk, whereby it hangeth in the tree, it is as thick in the side, as a piece of eight Rialles of Silver, and the uppermost part is fuller of body, and being tasted, it hath the same pleasantness of taste that the same Cinnamon hath, which they bring from the India of Portugal, and in like sort there remaineth in the mouth the same sweet smell, and taste, that the same Cinnamon of the East India hath, & there remaineth in the mouth the same sweet smell and taste, with some dryness: the self-same it doth being ground, respiring out from it the same smell, which the most fine Cinnamon hath. And in the meats wherein it is put▪ it giveth the same taste & savour that the Cinnamon of the East India hath. The trees have a gross rind, but without taste, savour or smell of the Cinnamon. I cannot tell if the little inner rind have any, only the rind I have seen with the fruit, as it is described: they say that the leaves being beaten, give out s●me smell of Cinnamon, only the virtue, sweet smell and taste, is in the fruit, which is contrary to ●he Cinnamon, that is brought from the Oriental India's, for only the Rind of the tree is that which hath the sweet savour and pleasant smell, as we do all see. And true it is, that some is better and of more sweet smell and taste, than othersome is. For although that they are all one sort of trees, which bring forth the Cinnamon, yet some have the rind thin, and that is the best Cinnamon, and others have it gross, and this is not so good: and thereof it hath come, that there be some which do distinguish the Cinnamon into divers kinds. For one sort they call Cassia, and an other Cinnamon, and an other Cassia lig●●a, and it is all one kind of tree, that bringeth them forth: but that the diversity of the place bringeth forth one more fine than another, and so Cassia and Cinnamon are all one, 
Cassia & Cinnamon all one.  for that they differ not, but only in the names, for all is Cinnamon, thin, and fine, and whereas you find written Cassia, may be put Cinnamon; and where you do find Cinnamon, Cassia.  
This our fruit that is called Cinnamon, profiteth in Medicine for many things: 
Virtues which it hath in medicine.  being taken and made into powder, it comforteth the stomach, and it dissolveth winds, it taketh away the evil smell of the mouth, & it is an important remedy for the grief of the stomach, it is cordial, it maketh a good colour in the face, and Cassia in dressed meats is used even as Cinnamon is, because it worketh the like effect, that it doth: by taking the Powder of this fruit with wine, or water made for the nonce, it provoketh the purgation of women. It is hot in the third degree, and dry in the first, but with notable comforting, by reason of the dry parts that it hath.   

¶ Of the Ginger.  
Done Francis de Mendosa, 
Don Francis de Mendosa,  Son unto the vice Roy Don Anthony de Mendosa, did sow in the new Spain Cloaves, Pepper, Ginger, and other spices, of those which are brought from the Oriental India's, and that which by him was begun, was lost, by reason of his death, only the Ginger did remain, for it grew very well in those parts, and so they bring it green from the new Spain, and other parts of our India's, and some they bring dry, after the manner of that of the East India.  
The Ginger is a Plant which carrieth his Leaf like to L●rio, somewhat more narrow, with the same greenness: 
The description of Ginger.  the Root is as it seemeth, some greater than other, and when it is green, it burneth not in the mouth, wherefore being made small into pieces, it is put into Sallettes, for because it giveth them both taste and smell. They sow it, of the seed that it bringeth forth or of the same little Root, and of the one sort and of the other it waxeth great: and after the Root is grown great, they take it forth, and dry it in the shadow, where no moisture doth come, for that is it which doth corrupt him, and for this cause they bring it in dry earth and made in Conserua, although that here it may be very well made of that which is dry, burying the Root at the foot of a place where many led Imperial, being abroad below and narrow above, and by the mouth of them there groweth out certain Buds, which are his leaves, which cause him to show very fair, and these Buds are sown, and of them grow the plants, which carry the Pinnace, and one Plant carrieth not more than one Pinna, in the highest part thereof: it groweth green, and as it ripeneth, it turneth yellow. They take from it the Rind, which is very thin, for to eat, that which it hath within it is white, and soft, and melteth in the mouth, with a very good taste, and sweet savour: saving that it hath many small karnels round about it, which it is needful that you cast from you when you eat them, which are of a Purple colour. The smell thereof is like to a kind of Quince, and where there is a Pinna ripe, he smelleth like to a Quince over all the House where he is.  

The virtues thereof.  They take them to be good for the stomach, and likewise for the heart, and to restore the appetite lost: it is a general fruit in all parts of the India's, and much esteemed. They are to be eaten at the beginning of meat, & they use to eat them in the hot after Noons: for they say that they do refresh: they are cold in my judgement: they brought two sorts of them, the one dry, & the other in Conserua. The dry did serve for no other purpose, but to see the figure and the form of them: in Conserua, they have a good taste, although somewhat sharp: they ought to be made in Conserua when they are green.   

Of the Guaiavas.  

The description of the tree which doth carry the Guaia●as.  THey brought me from the firm Land the seed of the Fruit which is so much esteemed by the Indians, as also by the Spaniards, which they call Guaiavas. The trees which carry this fruit are of a reasonable greatness, they cast out their bows dispersed. They carry a leaf like to the manner of Laurel, the flower of it is white, according to the fashion of the flower of Oranges, saving that it is somewhat greater, it is of a sweet smell. This tree yieldeth much fruit, wheresoever it be sown, and doth multiply and spread so much abroad, that they take it to be evil for the ground where it groweth, for that in many pastures the people do lose the feeding of their cattle by reason of them. And they weave themselves one together with an other like briars: the fruit which they carry is like to our Apples, of the greatness of a Pippin, it is green when it beginneth first to appear, and as it ripeneth, it turneth yellow. In the inner part it is white, and in colour russet, and being cut, hath four places divided, where it hath the seed, which is like to the seed of Meddlers, being very hard, and of colour tawny, all the stones within have no karnel, they are without any savour. And to eat these Apples, they pare them from the Rind, the fruit is wholesome, and of good digestion: when they be green they are given to them that have the lask, for they restrain and bind much, and when they be very ripe, they make the belly very laxaative when they be of a good seasonable age. They are good roasted for them that be whole, and for the sick, for being so roasted they are more healthful: and better, and of pleasanter taste. And the best of them grow in trees which are tilled. The Indians use the leaves in seething, with the which washing their feet that are swollen, they cause them to abate, and the inner parts of the body being stopped or opilated, being washed with this seating, do disopilate. It seemeth to be a cold fruit, and therefore they give them roasted to them which have hot agues. It is a very common fruit in all the India's.   

Of the Cachos.  
ALso they did send me the Seed of a plant or herb, 
The description of the Cachos.  which the Indians do much esteem, which they call Cachos. The Cachos is an herb very reddish in colour, it carrieth a round leaf & thin, it casteth out a fruit like to a Berengena of Spain, where the seed doth grow: it is very small, and of a Russet colour, it hath a taste without any sharpness, only in the mountains of Peru this herb is found,  
The Indians do much esteem it, for the medicinal virtues that it hath, 
The virtues thereof.  it maketh one to piss well where the lack of urine is, it doth expel the Sand and Stones, which grow in the reins. And moreover they say, that the use of it doth break the stone from the bladder, if the Stones be soft, that they may be dissolved, with taking very little quantity of it, and of this they have so many examples, that they cause me to marvel at it, because I think that the stone in the bladder cannot be expelled, but only to cut it out is the remedy, for that no Physic can dissolve him. They say that taking the seed ground with some water, made for the purpose, causeth it to be cast out in Clay, and being come forth it returneth to be congealed, and turneth itself into a stone.  
Only to a young man I saw this happen who had a stone in the bladder, 
History.  and I being certified of it by the Master Surgeons that had felt him, and of the accidents which he had, caused him to be carried at the beginning of the Summer, unto the Fountain of the stone, and in two months after that he was there, he came whole from thence, and brought in a paper all the clay which he had voided from him at times, being of stone dissolved into pieces. We will sow the seeds, although very little, only to see the effect wrought by them, which as they say is in a cause so great, and if it do grow, we will use of it.   

Of the flowers of blood.  
I Sowed a seed which they brought me from the Peru, 
The description of the herb, and the flower.  more to see the fairness thereof, then for any Medicinal virtues that it hath. The herb cometh to be of the height of two spans, little more or less, bows it casteth out strait with certain round leaves, very green and thin, in the highest of the bows there groweth a flower being yellow, very high in colour, and only it beareth five leaves, and in the midst of every leaf there is figured a drop of blood, so red and so firmly kindled in colour, that it can not be more. This flower hath at the foot of it a stalk very long, which cometh out a good space from the flower. It is a flower very beautiful, which doth adornate gardens, & it groweth very well of the seed, or of the plant, and being tasted, it hath the same savour and taste that the Mastuesso hath: it is notable hot.   

A rind of a tree for the Rheum.  
AMongst the things with they sent me from the Peru, there is a thick rind, which seemeth to be of a great tree, and being tasted, hath a sharpness of taste with some dryness: the trees grow at the side of a river, where this rind is taken of, which is twenty and six Leagues from Lima, and they are not found in other parts of the India's, but only there. The tree is after the fashion of an ●ime, as well in the greatness, as in the leaf. The Indians when they feel themselves laden with rheums, 
The use thereof.  or have the Cough, or any pains of the head, they make powder very small of the rind of the tree, and take it in at their noses, and it causeth them to purge much at them, and with this they clear themselves of the evil: which we have experimented, by taking the powder in at the nose, and it maketh them to purge notably. It seemeth to be more than hot in the second degree.   

Of the Pacal.  
IN the same River there groweth an other tree, 
The use thereof.  which the Indians call Pacal, which tree is lesser than that we have spoken of before: the Indians do use it made in Ashes mingled with Soye, it taketh away any manner of sore or scab in the head, how grievous soever it be, as well those which grow in the head, as in the body: as also it taketh away the marks of the said scabs or sores being never so old. Hither they sent me a little of the wood, wherewith the Ashes are made, that we might make experience of it.   

Of the Paico.  
THey sent me an herb which in the Peru they call Payco: they be certain leaves after the manner of the leaves of Planten, of that making and greatness, and as they come dry they are very thin: and being tasted, they have a notable biting, so that thereby they seem to be very hot. And being made into powder and taken in wine, they take away the grief of the stone in the kidneys, which cometh of windiness or cold causes: 
The vertue● thereof.  and being sodden and made into a plaster, and laid upon the grief, they take it away also.   

An herb for the evil of the Reins.  
LIkewise they sent me another herb, which profiteth much in the evil of the reins, when it cometh of a hot cause. 
The vertue● thereof.  The juice mingled with the ointment of Roses amongst it, and one of the leaves or more, if it be needful, laid upon it, is good for an inflammation, the juice thereof being put, and it profiteth much, for it doth resist the inflammation, and mitigate the pain. The leaves which they sent me, be like to small Lettuce, with the same greatness, and being tasted they are of an evil savour: it seemeth to be some herb notable cold.   

¶ Of a fruit which groweth under the ground.  
THey sent me from the Peru, a fruit very good, that groweth under the earth, and very fair to behold, and of a very good taste in eating. This fruit hath no root, nor doth produce any plant, 
The description of it.  nor plant doth produce it, but that it groweth under the ground as the Turmas do grow under the earth, which are called the Turmas of the earth. It is of the greatness of half a finger round, and round about it is wrought with a very fair work, it is of a bay colour: It hath within it a little kernel, which when it is dry, maketh a sound within, like to an Almond: the rind of it is tawny, and somewhat white, parted into two parts like unto an Almond. It is a fruit of good savour and taste, and eating of it, it seemeth that you eat Nuts.  

Where it groweth.  This fruit groweth under the earth, in the coast of the River of Maronnon, and it is not in any other part of all the India's. It is to be eaten green and dry, and the best way is to toast it. It is eaten always after meats, as fruit eaten last of all, because it drieth much the stomach and leaveth it satisfied, but if you eat much of it, than it bringeth heaviness to the head. It is a fruit in great reputation, as well amongst the Indians, as the Spaniards, and with great reason, for I have eaten of them, which they have brought me, and they have a good taste. It seemeth to be a temperate fruit.   

Of the fruit called Leucoma.  
THey brought me likewise a fruit of a tree which the Indians call Leucoma, 
It is like to chestnuts.  which is like unto a chestnut of these of ours, as well in colour as in the greatness, as also in the whiteness that the chestnut hath. It seemeth that within it is another thing. I did not break it to see what it was, because they brought me but two of them, the one I have sown, and the other I have for to sow at an other tyme. This fruit doth bear a tree of much greatness, for it is of timber strong and hard, it casteth forth the leaves like to Madronno, which is a red berry, growing in the Mountains of Spain. This fruit serveth to be eaten, for that they say it is of a good taste, & good for the lask, because it is very dry: they say it is a temperate fruit.   

Of the Beads stones to wash withal.  
THey sent me a little chest made of Cork full of round beads stones and black, of great beauty, so that they seem to be made of the wood Ebano: and they be a fruit which a small tree beareth, 
How it is fruit.  being more crooked then strait, after the manner of briars: and it carrieth a round fruit as great as a Nut, covered with a certain fleshiness clung thereunto, which being taken away, there remaineth a round Bede stone, and so round that it cannot be rounder, of black colour, most hard, that it can not be broken.  
This fruit serveth in place of Soap, in such sort, that two or three of these with hot water are of more effect to wash withal, and to make clean clothes, 
Sope.  than one pound of Soap: and so it raiseth the foam, and worketh all the effects that Soap doth, and so they proceed washing by little and little, until only the Beadstone do remain, which is that which this fruit is founded on, & all are pierced through: and there are made of them Beads to pray upon, which seemeth to be made of Ebano. They dure a long time, for as they are Beads so hard, that they break not: this fruit is so bitter, that neither beast nor bird cometh too it, for the bitterness thereof. I have sown some of the Beads, and they have grown, and they cast out from them fair leaves very great. I trust that they will bring forth fruit, for now the plants are very little, but in time I hope they will yield it.   

Of the Crabs of that Country.  
A Gentleman which came from the firm land certified me, that having had certain continual Agues in that country, 
History.  he came to be in a consumption, and was counseled to go to certain Islands, which are between Puerto Rico and the Margareta, for that there is in them great quantity of Crabs, and they are the best of the world, because they are maintained by Pigeons Eggs, which go thither to lay, and of the young Pigeons that are there, & that he should eat no other thing but these crabs sodden, and he was healed very well: and although he had eaten much flesh of Popingeys for that purpose, they did not him so much good, as the Crabs did: and in them that are consumed, they have a great property, as Auenzoar saith, and not only they profit such by manifest quality or degree, but also by their particular property which they have, for the same purpose.   

Of the Cardones.  
Because I should see the strangeness of this Herb which is the Cardones of the greatness of a torch of eight square, and wreathed like unto it, they brought them unto me. It hath a Medicinal virtue, 
The medicinal virtues thereof.  that being newly beaten in a Mortar and put into Sores, it healeth and sodereth them forthwith. And well near I myself had need of it, for this purpose, for that one of the thorns that it hath, did prick me. They are strong as Needles which did hurt me. It seemeth to be a strange herb.   

Of an herb for such as are broken.  
THey sent me a little of an herb, and by reason it was so dry it came small broken in pieces, so that the figure of it could not be seen, which they wrote was marvelous for them that are broken, whether they be children or men that have that kind of grief, and in those parts they have it for a sure thing, and it is used by one Indian, by applying this herb green, upon that which is broken, being men or children. And it maketh thereupon a certain binding very strange, without need of any manner of Brich, made for the purpose, for they may go so fast and so swift being bound therewith, as though they had a pair of Briches, as one told me that had been healed of the like disease, with the herb, and with the manner of binding. I have understood that if the manner of binding be as good as this man speaketh of, it is sufficient to heal without the herb, or any thing else, by reason that I saw a man of C●rdona which healed all persons that were broken with only the binding that be made of them, without using unto them any manner of brich. And this is certain, that there be some here that were healed and cured by him.   

Of the Vervain.  
ALso the same Gentleman wrote unto me from the Peru, that in the Rivers of the Mountains of that Country near unto them, there groweth a great quantity of Vervain, like unto that of Spain, with the which the Indians do profit themselves in their cures, 
The virtues thereof.  for many infirmities, and in especially against all kind of poison, and for such as say that there hath been given them a morsel, or the like thing.  
I spoke here with a Lady which came from the Peru, and she certified me that having been many years sick, 
History.  and being in cure with many Physicians, she went to an Indian, that was known to be a man that knew much of herbs, 
Worms.  unto whom the Indians did put themselves in cure, & he gave her to drink the juice clarified of Vervain, which she herself made, and within a few days after that she had taken it, she cast out from her a worm, she said it was a very Snake, of more than two spans long, and very great, and his tail was parted, and after she had cast him out from her, she was well and whole. And she counseled a Gentleman which was in the Peru, that was continually sick to take it, and he took it in the morning with Sugar, for so she had taken it, because of the bitterness that it hath, and he cast out a great number of long and small worms. and one like to a white long girdle, and since that time he hath very well his health. And this she counseled other Persons which were sick, to do, that had suspicion, too have worms, and with the use of the said juice they cast from them many, and they were healed. And it was so certainly, and she showed me a Servant of hers, and it was said that according to the grievousness of a disease, which he had, there was given unto him certain things of witchcraft, and with the juice of the Vervain that he took, he cast by vomit many things out of his stomach, of divers colours, and it was said that it was that wherewith he was bewitched, which being cast forth, he remained whole, and of that which toucheth witchcraft I will speak what I have seen. 
Witchcraft   
I saw a servant of john de Quinatna Duenas, being Aburgales, 
A notable history.  who did cast out at his mouth in my presence a great bundle of ●eare, of a brown colour, very small, and he had in a Paper more than twice as much, which he had cast up two hours before, and he remained as though he had cast up nothing at all, more than the alteration that he had, to see, that he had cast up such stuff.  
john Langins an Almaigne Physician, 
john Langius history.  and very well learned, saith that he saw a woman that complained much of pain in her stomach, did cast out many pieces of glass, and pieces of Earthen Platters, and of fish bones wherewith she remained whole.  
another case like unto this Benevenius speaketh of in his book de morbis mirandis, but that which I do most marvel at, 
Benevenius history.  was, that a labouring man suffering great pains in his belly, so that no medicine could profit him, did cut his own throat with a knife, and after that he was dead, they opened him & found in his belly great quantity of hear, the like whereof he that I have spoken of did vomit, with many other pieces of iron. These things I do attribute to the works of the Devil, for that they cannot be reduced unto natural causes. The vervain is like that of Spain, & all the year it is green.   

Of the Mastuerco.  
I have an herb brought from the Peru, which they call Mastuerco, 
The virtues.  it is a little herb, & doth carry certain small leaves that are round, which being beaten in a mortar, and the juice of them put into any manner of wound, doth refresh, comfort and heal, curing it forthwith, and the use of it is not more nor less than the use of the Tabaco, in wounds which he freshly made washing them with the juice, and laying the beaten leaves to them, and being tasted it seemeth that it is notable hot.   

Of the small wild Lettuce.  
LIkewise they brought me from the same parts an other herb, which they call wild Lettuce: the leaves be like to Lettuce, the colour is a sad green, it hath virtue too take away the toothache, 
It taketh away the toothache.  receiving the seething which is made of the leaves, and holding it in the part where the grief is, and putting a little of the juice in the tooth, which is grieved, for so it taketh away the pains, & the leaves which are stamped, after the juice is taken out, must be laid upon it, & being tasted it is most bitter. It seemeth to be hot in more than the first degree.   

Of the liquor which is called Ambia.  
IN a great Cane they sent me a liquor which springeth out of a fountain that is near to the Sea side, it is of the colour of honey, & as thin, the smell is like the Tacamabaca, they say and also they writ, that it hath great medicinal virtues, 
The medicinal virtues thereof.  chief in the healing of old diseases, and those which come of cold causes. It taketh away the pains in any part of the body, proceeding of cold or of windiness. It taketh away the cold in what part soever it be, it doth comfort and dissolve any manner of swelling, and it worketh all the effects that the Tacamabaca and the Caranna do, and so they use it in those parts, in steed of them: you may not touch nor handle it with your hands, unless you have them wet, and wheresoever it be put, it sticketh fast, that it cannot be taken away, unless it be wasted with long time. They sent me this little for a show, because they do esteem it greatly, & therefore they sent it as a thing very precious. It seemeth to me hot in the third degree, with notable clammines.   

¶ Of the tree that showeth whether one shall live or die  
IN the year of our Lord, 1562. When the Earl of Nieba was in the Peru, he had there a gentlewoman which was married that served him, & her husband waxed sick of a grievous disease, & an Indian of great reputation seeing her to be in much sorrow, said to her, if she would know whether her husband should live or die of that disease, he would send her a Bow of an herb, that she should take in her left hand, and hold it fast, for a good while: and if he should line, than she should show much gladness, with holding the Bow in her hand: and if he should die, than she should show much sadness. And the Indian sent her the Bow, and she did as he had willed her to do: and the bow being put into her hand, she took so much sadness and sorrow, that she threw it away from her, thinking that she should have died thereof, and so he died within a few days. I was desirous to know if that it were so, and a Gentleman of the Peru that had been there many years, did certify me and said that it was of truth, that the Indians did this with their sick people. It hath put me in admiration, and in much consideration.   

¶ Of the Granadillia.  
FRom the firm Land they brought me certain Fruits which are herbs which they call in the hills of the Peru where they grow, Gra●a●illias, 
The description of ●he Granadillias'▪  and this name the Spaniards did give them, for the likeness & fashion that they have to our Grana●as, which we call they sent me, is of a red colour, somewhat dark, and it hath a good smell.   

Of the Bezaar stones of the Peru.  
ALthough in the second part I treated of the Bezaar stones, that have been found in the mountains of the Peru, for that they have been sent me by the first discoverer of them, the best of as many as from those parts have come, yet I would say in this third part some thing of them, which he sent me for knowledge, saying: that because I wrote of them they had knowledge of them: and the book which I wrote of them, was the guide to find and discover them, as we have said, as he showeth by his letter, which we have set in the second part,  
Those which he sent me too prove be very excellent in their colour, making, and greatness, whereof I have broken some, and find them as excellent as those of the East India: and so they prove in powder, or in one little grain as the other do, and in colour well near they are the same. Truth it is, that those which have this quality and goodness, and have all the qualities that the Bezaar stones ought to have which are fine, should be those that are taken out of the beasts, that are fed in the Mountains, for those which are taken out of them that are bred in the plain grounds, are not so good, nor have any Medicinal virtues, because the Beasts a●e not maintained by those healthful Herbs, whereby these stones are engendered, for as they be Beasts and chew tha● which they eat of the juice, that proceedeth from the herbs, the stones are engendered. Which thing that Gentleman gave well to understand, who was the first discoverer of them, who did see where they lay, and were bred within the beast, and with his own hands made the Anatomy of him, 
Where these stones do grow.  and wrote unto me that the Bezaar stones are growing in those beasts, after the manner of a guard made of flesh, of the length of two spans, little more or less, and of three fingers breadth, which is joined near unto the Maw of the inner part, and in the guard the stones are set in order one after an other, like unto button holes, in a coat, in this form.   ornamental pattern 

 And they open that guard of flesh being closed, and take out the stones, that surely it is a marvelous thing to see, what Nature hath created there, for our health & remedy of our evils And as I have understood, that these which are brought from the East India, be found after the same manner, so I speak the truth, for they bring very many which are false, that amongst one hundred there are not to be found ten that are true, and their writers of the East India do confess, that there be made many indeed which are false.  
The people of the East India take them cut also of a certain kind of Goats, 
They of the Oriental India's.  that be for the most part red as ours be: they are the best stones which are taken out of the cattle, which go in the Mountains of Persia: and likewise they take them out of other Goats, that go in the plain Countries of Malaca, and these are not had in such estimation, nor have the goodness nor the virtues that they of Persia have, because those Goats of Malaca do serve for cattle to be eaten, and they be not maintained by healthful herbs of the mountains, as they that yet it taketh away the accidents of it, the faintness & sadness, 
In quartern agues.  and the grief of the heart, which in these Fevers are common. Surely they feel with the use of it notable profit, in all long and importunate diseases I do give it, & they find profit in it, 
In long evils.  chief those which stand in fear, of any malice of disease, or windiness, whatsoever it be. For I have seen, that in this it hath a great property, and of this it cometh, that it is good to cast into pourges, some grains of it, that if the purge do carry venomous qualities, it may rectify them, and amend them, and if not, it giveth force, and strength to the heart, and they work the better. In the oriental India's they have a custom to purge themselves twice every year, and especially the noble people of estimation, and after they have purged themselves, they take every morning fasting four grains of the Bezaar stone, 
A custom of the Oriental Indians.  with Rose water, or with water made for the purpose, and they say that this doth conserve their youth, and strengthen the members, and preserve them from diseases: and it is a good use, for it cannot choose, but do them much good. For Worms they give this Stone with most happy success, and surely I have given it to many people, and especially to Children, and Boys, that are tormented with this evil, and I have seen such works as are not to be believed, if they were not seen. I give it by itself, and also mingled with this powder, in this form.  
I do take herb Lumbrigera the weight of twelve pence, 
Powders to be marveled at for the worms, and all kinds of them.  the seed of Santonico the weight of six pence, the Horn of a Heart burned, and the seed of Verdolagas, and Carlina, of every one the weight of three pence, and the Bezaar Stone of the Peru, the weight of three pence: of these things let there be small Powder made, and let them be well mingled. These Powders are marvelous and of great effect, to expel Worms, and very much experimented in many people, and they have wrought in this case great effects, and they must be given in the morning fasting, as to the Physician shall seem good, according to the age of him that shall take them, using some Medicine of Milk, and Sugar two hours after they be taken. And unto children being sick of it, we give this stone mingled with milk; and without it, if they do suck, and it doth a marvelous work: and to them that be in years, by itself, or mingled with other things appropriated for the disease. In conclusion, we give this stone in all long diseases, and importunate, where the ordinary medicines have not profited, in which it doth manifest profit, and if it do no profit, yet it can do no hurt.   

Of the Fig trees of the Peru.  
Fig trees being carried from Spain to the Peru, have increased so well in that Country, that there is great plenty of them, where they carry many and very good Figs, of all sorts. And you shall understand, that in that country there are certain kinds of Uermyn, which are called Spiders, and wheresoever they be, they do spin, and make Nets as they of Spain do. 
Spiders.  These kind of Uermyn be great, and come to be as great as Oranges, and they are so full of poison that which one stinging they kill, unless there be used great remedy. And if it be long time without remedy, and that the Poison go up to the heart, there is nothing that can be done that will benefit, but he must die without remedy: and for this there is found a remedy in the Fig trees, which is a marvelous thing, that as soon as the Indians or the Spaniards do feel themselves bitten by this evil Spider, they go to the Fig trees, and put unto it the Milk which cometh forth of the Leaves of them, two or three times to the place, that is bitten, and this worketh so great effect, that it remedieth it which is so poisoned, with the venom that the Uermine did cast into the sore, and the accidents be remitted which they suffer, to wit, great griefs and soundings, remaining only to heal the place bitten, and as it is little, so it healeth forthwith, although they procure to keep it open a long tyme. And Gods will is, that at all times this remedy should not lack, for the Fig trees never lose their leaves, throughout all the year they are always green.   

Of the Coca.  
I Was desirous to see that herb so celebrated of the Indians, so many years past, which they call the Coca, which they sow and till with much care, and diligence, because they use it for their pleasures, which we will speak of. 
The description of the Coca.  The Coca is an herb of the height of a yard, little more or less, it carrieth leaves like to Arraihan, somewhat greater, and in that Leaf there is marked an other leaf of the like form, with a line very thin: they are soft, and of colour a light green, they carry the seed in clusters, and it cometh to be red when it is ripe, as the seed of Arraihan, when it is type. And it is of the same greatness, when the herb is seasoned, that it is to be gathered, it is known in the seed, that it is ripe when it is of some redness like to a blackish colour, and the herb being gathered, is put into Canes and other things, that they may dry, that they may be kept and carried to other parts. For that they carry them from the high Mountains, to other places, as merchandise to be sold, they barter and change them for mantles, and cattle, and Salt, and other things which run like money amongst us they plant the seed in Almaciga, and from that they take them up and set them in other places, into Earth that is well laboured or tilled, and made convenient to set them in by their lines and order, as we do set here a Garden of beans, or of Peason.  
The use of it amongst the Indians is a thing general, for many things, for when they travel by the way, 
The use of i●.  for need and for their content when they are in their houses, they use it in this form. They take Cokles or Oysters, in their shells, and burn them and grind them, and after they are burned they remain like lime, very small ground: then they take the Leves of the Coca, and chew them in their Mouths, and as they chaw it, they mingle with it some of that powder made of the shells in such sort, that they make it like to a Paste, taking less of the Powder then of the herb, and of this Paste they make certain small bowls round, and lay them to dry, and when they will use them, they take a little Ball in their mouth, and chaw it, rolling it from one place to an other, procuring to conserve it all that they can, and that being done, they take another, and so they go, using it all the time that they have need, which is when they travel by the way, and especially if it be by ways where is no meat, nor plenty of water. For the use of these little Balls taketh the hunger and thirst from them: & they say that they receive substance thereby, as though they did eat meat. At other times they use them for their pleasure, although they labour not by the way, and they use the same Coca alone, chewing it & tossing it in their mouths, from one side to another, until there be no virtue remaining in it, and then they take another.  
When they will make themselves drunk, 
Note.  and be out of judgement, they mingle with the Coca the leaves of the Tabaco, and chew them all together, and go as they were out of their wits, or as if they were drunk, which is a thing that doth give them great contentment, to be in that sort. Surely it is a thing of great consideration, to see how desirous the Indians are to be deprived of their wits, and to be without understanding, seeing that they use thus the Coca with the Tabaco, and all to this end, that they would be without understanding, and have their wits taken from them, as we said in the second part, when we treated of the Tabaco.   

Of the divers colours of the ground.  
A marvelous thing it is, and well to be considered, the divers colours of the grounds which are in the fields, in the countries of the Peru: for that looking a far of you shall see many parts of grounds of divers colours, which seem to be clothes of divers colours laid to dry in the Sun: for you shall see one part of the ground green, and an other Blue, and forthwith an other yellow, and white, and black, and red, and so of other colours, all which are Mineries of divers Earth's. Of the black I can say that they sent me a little that there with I might make Ink, which being cast into water or wine there is made there of very good Ink, wherewith one may write very well, but it is somewhat blue, which maketh it of a better show.  
The red ground hath been a thing of great riches, for that which hath been taken out of it, for it is a Minery most excellent, 
Quick silver.  of which is made quick Silver, and there out is taken such quantity of it, that there are carried to the new Spain, Ships laden with it, which is a riches so great, that it is not known unto the Indians. It serveth them for no other use then to mingle it with certain gums, to paint themselves withal, which they use to do when they go to their wars to show themselves gallant, and fierce. Every day they discover in those country's great Mineries of metals, & such like things, for they have found out a mountain of Ochre, & a mine of Allom, & an other of Brimstone & many other things which they do daily discover.   

Of the Casany.  
I Have caused them to bring me from Sancto Domingo a leaf of that plant whereof they make the Casani, and they brought it me. The Casani is the bread, which the Indians so many multitudes of years have maintained themselves withal, 
Casani ●s bred in the India's.  and do yet maintain themselves, & likewise many Spaniards. It is made of an herb that the Indians do call Yuca, which is of five or six spans of height, 
T●e description o● the herb and the f●u●t●.  it carrieth certain leaves open, spread abroad like to the fingers of an hand, and every one carrieth seven or eight points, they are always green, they are set in a ground well tilled, of pieces cut of from the same plant, the fruit is after the manner of gross Turnepes, they are of colour Tawny without, only in the body, for within they are white, & they par● them to use them: and of this fruit they make Bread in this form.  
They make it clean from the Rind, and grate it in certain Graters, which are made of Needles, 
How they ma●e ●read of the fruit.  and being so grated they put it into a slive of palm, & upon it they hang things of weight, which are great stones, which make the juice run out of it, and being well pressed it remaineth as Almonds beaten: th●y cast this into a plain frying pan of Earth, that they have put to the fire, and there they knead it, and make it like to a little cake of Eggs, turning it from one side to an other, and after it is well kneaded, it remaineth like a Cake, of the thickness of a piece of silver of four shillings, or little more, which they lay in the Sun, that it may dry, and these Cakes they use for Bread, which are of much substance. These Cakes continue long time without corrupting, and they bring them in the ships which come from those parts, into Spain without being corrupted, and serve for Biscuit too all the people. It eateth as a thing sharp, and so it serveth, and they lay it to soak in water, or in broth, or in Pottage, for after this manner they serve themselves better with it, then to eat it dry. It is needful to have a vessel with water, for to soak it in.  
It is a marvelous thing of the juice which cometh out of this fruit, 
Note the marvels of the juice.  which is spoken of, that if any Man or beast do drink it, or any part of it, incontinently he dieth, as with the most strong venom that is in the world: but if this juice do seethe, and be consumed the one half, and so set out too cool, it serveth for very good Vinegar, and it is used as if it were made of Wine: and if you seethe it until it be thoroughly purged and thick, it serveth for Honey, and becometh sweet: you may see how much the seething availeth in these things, seeing that of mortal venom, it maketh meat, and healthful drink. And I will say an other thing which bringeth admiration: that all this kind of Corn, which groweth in the firm Land which is like to that of Sancto Domingo, which they call Cacani, is healthful, and the Fruit thereof is eaten and the Water that cometh of it is drunk, without having any venomous quality, and that of Sancto Domingo, howsoever it be eaten and the juice thereof unless it be sodden, it killeth. And that the disposition of the place is so great a cause, that that which is healthful and allowable sustenance in the firm land, the same is mortal venom in all the Islands: as Columela writeth of the peach, that it was venom most mischievous, 
Colum●la.  which in Persia did kill men and being brought into Italy it lost that malice and property that it had to kill, and giveth unto us health, and a sweet juice.  
Howsoever it be, having in the India's so much Mayes, and so common in all parts thereof, I would not eat Casani, seeing that the Mayes are of as good substance as our Wheat, and in no part hath either venom, 
Ma●is  or poison, but rather is healthful, and maketh a good stomach. There is bread made of it, as of the Casani, 
Bread of Ma●i●.  for they grind it, and with water they knead it, and in a Frying pan of Earth they bake certain Cakes, which they make of it, and it must be eaten fresh, assoon as it is made: for being dry, it is sharp and trouble some to swallow down, and doth offend the teeth.  
The Batatas, which is a common fruit in those Countries, I take for a victual of much Substance, 
Batatas.  and that they are in the midst between flesh and Fruit. Truth it is, that they be windy, but that is taken from them by roasting, chief if they be put into fine Wine: there is made of them Conferna very excellent, as Marmolade, and small Morselles, and they make Potages and Broths, and Cakes of them very excellent: they are subject that there be made of them any manner of Conserua, and any manner of meat: there be so many in Spain, that they bring from Velez Melaga every year to Seville, ten or twelve caravels laden with them. They be sown of the same plants that are set, the smallest of them, or pieces of the greatest in the Earth that is well tilled, and they grow very well, and in eight Months the roots wax very gross, so that you may eat of them: They be temperate, and being roasted, or otherwise dressed, they soften the Belly, and being raw, they are not good to be eaten, because they are windy, and hard of digestion.   

Of the Canes which are good for the shortness of breath.  
THey bring from the new Spain great Canes, of a Cane that are covered within & without with a certain gummme, & to me it seemeth that it is mingled with the juice of Tabaco, & it is heavy. It seemeth that the Cane is anointed, & as a thing that the clingeth fast, it is clunged well to the said Cane, and it is of a black colour, and being hard it clingeth not, they kindle the Cane at that part where the gum is, and the other part of it they put in the mouth, and they receive that smoke, and with it they cast out from them all phlegm and rottenness, that is in the breast: and this they do when they find themselves grieved with the shortness of wind, so that they be all ready to choke. I have seen it done by a Gentleman, who is much pained with it many times, and receiveth by it great profit: and did it first with the Tabac●, taking the smoke of it, and it brought to him the like benefit. And for this cause, I say, that it seemeth, to carry with it the juice of the Tabaco, mingled with the one and with the other. It is done with all assurance, for that we do see it experimented with manifest assurance in many.  
Some being sick of the shortness of breath, that come from the India's, 
For faintness or shortness of breath.  with it I have seen expel, & cast out this rottenness, by taking a little Tabaco green, & chewing the juice of it, with although it be loathsome, it doth them much good to expel the rottenness & phlegms, which are retained within the breasts, so that they be lightened with it notably. It is a marvelous thing, the great virtues, and sundry and divers effects that they do discover of the Tabaco: for besides that which I have written of it in the second part, of the marvelous virtues thereof, I determined to make further trial of it, as I have understood, and seen since that time.   

¶ Of the Carlo Sancto.  
IN the second part we entreated of the virtues of a Root, that then they had brought from the new Spain, which they call Carlo Sancto, & now in these ships they have brought it, with great veneration and estimation: and the root is called Indica, and they bring written many virtues of it more than they are wont too report of the Rosemary. Now that which hath been experimente●, and seen since that I wrote of it, I will speak, 
The virtues thereof.  of this Root, which being made into Powder, given to women that newly brought Children, who for evil keeping have taken great cold and be numb, it profiteth much to provoke them to sweat, and maketh them remain clear: it profiteth much given with Wine, or water of the flowers of Oranges, unto them that have a hard labour. There was a Friar which had pains of the Stomach, 
History.  and no taste of his Meat, but had an evil breath, and much windiness, and all did proceed of cold that he had taken, and little natural heat. He sodde of these Roots in water at his discretion, as the water of the Sarcaparillia is sodden, and so he drank it continually, at dinner & supper for a long time, and it did so well with him, that he amended his stomach, and increased the heat of it, whereby he did digest, and consume his meat very well, and took from him his evil breath, and consumed the winds, and in taken from two to three Ounces of it, it purgeth well and easily, and even as it is good to take, so it is good to work, for that I have purged many people with it, and it maketh a very good work, and purgeth without pains. One thing they do evil in those parts, which is, that they never bring them hither made with good Sugar, if they come so, they would be the better, and of better taste. They be purges for delicate people, they evacuate the same humour that the Canafistola doth. Of the Canes of the small Canafistola there is made an other Conserua very good, which is an excellent purge, 
Of the Canes in Conser●●.  and delicate: for they take the small Canes, which are growing of a small time, and seethe them in Sugar, and with the seething and Sugar, is taken from them the sharpness and the dryness which they have, and they are made tender and soft, and of a very good savour. These being taken, make a very good work, and purge without grief or molestation, and without all accidents and faintness that purges are used to procure, for that they are full of good taste, at the taking of them, and light of working. They are given from two Ounces to three, I have given them many times with very good success, and have taken them being sick, and they have wrought very well with me. Of these Conseruas they bring hither every year from Sancto Domingo, and Puerto Rico many Barrels full. The Canafistola that is perfect and ripe, is the most excellent Medicine for to purge withal, of as many as have been known to this day, and that doth his work best in that which it serveth for, and with most assurance, as it is well known not only to Physicians, but also to all the world, and doth his work without the hurts and accidents which other Purgative Medicines are used too do, and it is a general Medicine, and amongst them that are called blessed, is the most blessed of all, whose virtues and properties we do treat of particularly, in the first part, and that which we have spoken here, hath been to give relation of the leaves, and flowers of it, which they have now brought me.  
One thing I would they should be advertised of, 
Note.  that when we are commanded to give Canafistola, to lighten and soften the belly, and that the common matters may be voided down, is meant that they should take it a small time before meat be eaten, at the most half an hour before, for the meat being mingled jointly with it, worketh with it, and in this order it maketh a very good work, and purgeth very well, & without pains: which is not done with that which is taken any long time before meat, as two or three hours before, as now many do use it, for that the meat being dilated, it maketh an end of working. And as it is a thing without strength and weak, it goeth all into vapours, and so sheddeth itself abroad throughout all the body: & if it tarry long, it is converted into meat, and substance, which I have seen by experience many years wherein I have practised, that always as I gave it half an hour before meat at the most, it maketh a good work, and if it be given many hours before meat, it purgeth, and evacuateth little. Concerning mingling of medicines, which do purge, with the meat, Hipocrates treateth of it in many parts, and Galene in his Commentaries. And truth it is, that when we will that the Canafistola should not evacuate, but that the vapours should be spread abroad by the reins, and all the body, we give it many hours before meat, and then not working, it performeth the effect that we have spoken of.   

Of the Balsamo of Tolu.  
THey newly bring now from the Firm land, from a Province which is between Cartagena, & Numbered de Dios, which the Indians call Tolu, a Balsa●o, or liquor, that is the best thing, and of greatest virtues, of as many things as come from these parts. They gather it from certain trees, 
What trees they are whereof it is gathered.  which are after the manner of little Pines, which cast out many bows to all parts. It carrieth the leaf like to Algarrona, all the year it is green, they are the best which grow in a soft ground well tilled.  

How it is gathered.  This Bals●mo the Indians do gather by way of incision, gibing certain cuts in the rind of the tree, for it is thin and soft, and they set underneath it, near unto the tree, things like to dishes made of wax, which is in that country black, which they take out of Hives, that certain black Bees do make in the chappinges of the ground, & I have seen brought much of this Wax into Spain●, 
Black wax.  and it was spent in Torches, but it was forbidden that none of it should be spent, for the smoke which it cast from it, had so evil a smell, that it could not be suffered. They did use this wax in matters of Medicine, for thereof were made Cerecl●thes, which wrought very good effects, in mitigating grief of any cold cause, it dissolveth any manner of swellings, and worketh many other good effects. Of this wax the Indians do make vessels like to a spoon, and set them close to the tree, that they may receive the liquor that cometh out of it, by the places where the cutting● are made, and from thence they receive it into those vessels: and it is needful that it be done in time of great heat, that the cutings may cast out the liquor, and in this time likewise, there soaketh out of the joints of the said tree some liquor, and it is lost because it is so little, and falleth into the ground: in the night time there cometh forth none.  
This liquor, or Balsamo is very much esteemed amongst the Indians, and is of great value, and with the notable works which therewith are done, and the Spaniards have learned, and by seeing the great works which it maketh, they have brought it hither, as a thing of great estimation, and such a thing as they buy there for a great price: and they have reason so to do: for one of the best things that have come from those parts, which have been brought for Medicine, is this Balsamo, which seemeth to be better than that of the new Spain, and in itself appeareth to have more virtues.  
It is of an Alborne colour, very near like to a thing that is gilded, it is not very thin, nor very thick, 
The colour & manner of it.  it clyngeth fast wheresoever it be laid, and it hath the taste and savour sweet, and although it be taken, it maketh not any horribleness, as the other Balsamo doth: it hath a most excellent smell, like to Lemons, insomuch that wheresoever it be, the good smell thereof giveth great contentment, and it can not be hidden, 

The works & effects of this Balsamo.  
How they cure with it.   for a little of it smelleth much: and if you rub your hand therewith, there remaineth a marvelous smell. The works thereof are excellent and very great, for that it is liquor which is taken out by incision, as they took out in old time the Balsamo in Egypt: and for all those diseases for which that was good, this of ours is as good.  
It healeth all fresh wounds, comforting the parts, and joining them without making any matter, and without leaving any sign of them. The superfluity that is in the wound must be taken away of what sort soever it be, & washed with wine, & joined well in the lips & parts thereof, and then the Balsamo laid to it, when the coldness is out of it, and forthwith a double linen cloth upon it, wet in the same Balsamo, and so bound that the lips go not a sunder, and keeping diet, and using letting of blood if it be needful, and not unbinding it until the fourth day, and they shall find the wound comforted, except that there be any accident, which causeth it to be undone before. And when the cause is such, that it requireth to be dressed every day, by reiterating the wet Linen cloth in the Balsamo, it will be healed: for the virtue of this Balsamo is to cause that there be no matter engendered in the wounds, and especially this Balsamo doth profit in wounds, where there hath been cutings of bones, taking them out that have been divided one from another, and not touching the rest, for that the virtue of the Balsamo will cast them out, and having so done, will heal the wound. One of the things wherein this Balsamo worketh great effects, is in wounds, and joints, and in cutings of Sinews, & in all pricks: for in all these kinds of wounds it maketh a marvelous work, curing and preserving them from extreme cold, and from running together of Sinews, that they remain not lame. The wounds which do penetrate, are healed with this Balsamo, being mingled with white wine, and spouting it into them, and after three hours taking it out again. This must be done in wounds or pricks, once every da●, that it may go with a moderate heat. Likewise this Balsamo serveth to be applied, where have been given dry blows, or bruisings, and for all works of Surgery, where is no notable inflammation, which being taken away with the Medicines, that are convenient for it, the Balsamo may then be used.  

In diseases that belong not to Surgery.  In evils which belong not to Surgery this Balsamo doth profit much, as in him that hath the shortness of breath, by taking a few drops in white wine it profiteth him much: it taketh away the grief of the head coming of a cold cause, and a little Plaster being laid upon the grief, and wet therewith to the Temples of the head, taketh away all runings by those parts, and in especially the evils of the eyes, and rheums that run into them, being laid to the forepart of the head, and it must be good and hot. It taketh away the pains of it, and comforteth it, and remedieth the Palsy. Some that have been in a Consumption have used it, taking some drops in the morning, licking them out of the Palm of the hand, and they have felt notable profit. And it maketh clean the breast very well, it is good to take some drops with Aqua vitae, hot, before any manner of cold in a Quartern Ague, or of a long importunate tertian Ague, anointing with the same Balsamo, mingled with Oil of Ruda, the Temples of the head, good and hot before the cold doth come. If with the Balsamo they anoint themselves from the mouth of the stomach to the Naval, it comforteth the stomach, it giveth a lust to meat, it helpeth digestion, it dissolveth Winds, it taketh away the pains of the stomach, and it worketh far better these effects, if the half of the Balsamo be mingled with another half of Oil of Spike Nard● compounded or simple, and so it is better applied. There is great experience of it in the India's, for swellings that are in the manner of Dropsies: and mingling it with ointment, disopilative of equal parts, and anointing the belly therewith, chief the part near the Lungs, there are seen wrought therewith great effects: it dissolveth any manner of swelling or hardness that is in any part of the body, and being laid upon any pain that cometh of a cold cause, although it be of long continuance, it taketh it away, bringing it to be so small until it fall of itself, the same it doth wheresoever is any wind. And if it be in the belly, or in any part of the body, wetting a Linen cloth hot in Aqua vitae of the best, and applying it to the place, where the grief of the Stone is, and mingled with Oil made for the purpose, it maketh a great work, it taketh away the pains of the Sinews, and when they be shrunk together, in a very hot weather, rubbing them with it, it dissolveth them. The evil called the Lamparones' that are open or shut, it healeth. Many other effects this marvelous liquor worketh which I have not known, but these which I have known I do manifest to all the world, that they may take profit by so marvelous a Medicine, which hath so many virtues as you have heard, and every day the time will discover other greater.  
The end of the third, and last part.    

The Table of the things that these three books do contain.  

In the first Book.  
OF the Anime & Copal. fol. 1.  
Of the Tacamahaca fol. 2.  
Of the Caranna. fol. 4.  
Of the oil of the Fig tree. fol. 5.  
Of the Gum. fol. 6.  
Of the Liquid Ambar and the oil thereof. fol. 6.  
Of the Balsamo. fol. 7.  
Of Guaiacan & holy wood. 12.  
Of the China. fol. 13.  
Of the Sarcaparillia. fol. 15.  
Of the blood stone, and the stone, for the disease of the stone. fol. 18.  
Of the wood for the Urine. fol. 19  
Of the Pepper of the India's fol. 20.  
Of the Canafistola. fol. 21.  
Of the Purgative Nuts. fol. 21.  
Of the Purgative Pinons. fol. 22.  
Of the Purgative Beans. fol. 22.  
Of the Milk of Pinipinichi. fol. 23.  
Of the Mechoacan. fol. 23  
Of the Quick Sulphur fol. 30  
Of Arromatike wood. 31   

In the second Book.  
OF the Tabaco. fo. 34  
Of the Sassafras.  
Of the Carlo Sancto. fol. 57  
Of saint elen's Bedes. 59  
Of the Guacatane. fol. 60.  
Of the small Barley. fol. 62.  
The Epistle from the Peru. fol. 64.  
Of the blood of Drago. 71.  
Of the Armadilio. fol. 73.  
Of the flower of Mechoacan. fol. 75.  
Of the Fruit of Balsamo. fol. 76.  
Of the long Pepper. fol. 77.  
Of the Sarcaparillia of Guaiaquil. fol. 79.  
Of Ambar grise. fol. 82.   

In the third Book.  
OF the Cinnamon of our India's. fol. 88,  
Of the Ginger. 89.  
Of the Ruibarbe of the India's. fol. 89  
Of the Pinnace. fol. 90  
Of the Guaiavas. fol. 90  
Of the Cachos. fol. 91  
Of the flowers of blood. 92  
Of the Rind of a tree for rheums. fol. 92  
Of the Pacal. ibid.  
Of the Paico. ibid.  
Of an herb for the evil of the Rains. ibid.  
Of the fruit which groweth under the ground. 93  
Of a fruit called Leucoma. fol. 93  
Of the washing Bead stones. fol. 94  
Of the Crabs of that country. fol. 94  
Of the Cardones fol. 94  
Of an herb good for them that are broken. fol. 95  
Of the vervain fol. ibid.  
Of the Masluerso. fol. 96  
Of the wild Lettuce. fol. 96  
Of the liquor called Ambia fol. 96  
Of a Tree which showeth whether one shall live or die. fol. 97  
Of the Granadillia. fol. 97  
Of the herb of the Sun fol. 98  
Of a Gum that is taken out from under the ground. fol. 98  
Of the Bezaar stones of the Peru. fol. 98  
Of the Fig trees of the Peru. fol. 100  
Of the Coca. fol. 100  
Of the Colours of divers grounds. fol. 102  
Of the Casavi. fol. 103  
Of the Canes for shortness of breath. fol. 104  
Of the Carlo Sancto. 105  
Of the Stone for the Mother. fol. 105  
Of Canafistola in Conserua. fol. 160  
Of the Balsamo of Colu. fol. 170    

A Book which treateth of two medicines most excellent against all Venom, which are the Bezaar stone, and the Herb Escuerconera. Wherein are declared their marvelous effects & great virtues, with the manner how to cure the said venoms, and the order which is to be used for to be preserved from them.  
Where shall be seen great secrets in medicine and many experiences.  
Newly compiled by Doctor Monardes of Seville, 1574.  
Translated out of Spanish into English, by john Frampton. 1580.   

eases of the body from the top of the head to the sole of the foot may be cured by the same, so as no drug in the world is thought to be comparable to the same. The third book showeth the mischiefs that grow by drinking of drinks hot, and what Benefit doth follow by drinking our drinks cold, etc. And Sir, finding many thankfully to take my said former simple travel too you heretofore dedicated: and your Worship above all desert of my part too recompense the same, and being earnestly and often exhorted, by the learned Physician Master Doctor Hector Nones to translate these said 3. Books also, the remanent of Monardes works, & to make my Countrymen of England Partakers of the benefit of the same, I took it in hand, as inflamed with the great commendations that this Learned Man made of the said three Books, and especially of the Book treating of the benefit of iron and steel in physic. And having now thus finished the whole work, I dedicate the same to your worship, as to the man to whom I am most bound, and that doth of many best deserve the same, requesting you too take it in good part & to bear with the base doing of the same. And calling to remembrance of what moment in sometimes A man of value may be to a common Weal, and how common in the world the practise of poison is, & what malice reigns now among men, & how needful it is that some kind of people should fear & provide for the worst, and weighing that by our Persian merchants and by other means the Bezaar stone this great jewel is brought into the realm, and may be compassed in this our time for a little money: And withal, weighing that Iron and steel be things tending so much to the cure of all diseases, and be the natural home commodities of England and such as are common, and that are both easily and cheaply to be had by every poor subject, I have the rather for the ready benefit that might ensue, taken the dispatch of the translation in hand with purpose no longer to keep the same out of print: and so I most humbly take my leave, from London the xv. of june. MDLXXX.  
Your worship's most bownden john Prampton.   

bewail him hereof: in that so little a Herb can offend him, and so small a fruit or stone may destroy him.  
Against all these venoms as well in general as in particular, the Physicians as well Greekes as Arabiens & Latinistes wrote effectual remedies as well general as particular. Amongst the which they put one in practice, that in times past was had in great estimation, and taken for a present remedy, for the great virtues and marvelous effects, which it wrought against all venoms and accidents thereof, which they called the Bezaar stone. But as time is the discoverer of all things: so is it the destroyer and consumer of every thing: for in having been hid so long from us, we knew no more what the Bezaar stone was, then as if it had never been: and the name thereof was so strange and unknown unto us, even as the Towns in Scitia. Time itself willing to restore again unto us this precious stone hidden from us so many years; not only discovered the same unto us, but jointly therewith hath descried unto us an herb, which hath the like virtues and effects against all manner of venom, which herb is called Escuerconera, having been discovered but a few years passed to our exceeding great profit and commodity.  

The herb Escuerconera.  And because these two things, to wit, the Bezaar stone, and the Herb Escuerconera, be so like in operation, and have so many and the self same virtues against venom, that I determined to write of them both together, and to show the proper virtues of these two things so excellent in medicine: it is needful first to know, and therefore treat of the venoms as a beginning of the work; and to declare what Venom is, and the cause of such as have taken Venom, and then the remedies thereof, and how they may be preserved from them: and therefore we will treat first of Venom, for that it will serve not a little for the intent of that which we mind to write of the Bezaar stone, and the Herb Escuerconera.  
Venom is a thing, which being taken at the mouth, or applied outwardly, doth overcome our bodies, by making them sick, or by corrupting of them, or by killing them: and this is found in one of these four things; in plants, in minerals, in beasts, or in mixtures, the which worketh their effects, either by manifest quality, or by hidden property, or both. These venom's partly do kill us; partly we use them for our profit, and bodily health; and partly the people of ancient tune did use them for a remedy against their great labours. That which doth offend us as well in general, as in particular, Dioscorides in his sixth book of his history of plants doth treat of very exactly, 
Dioscorides.  putting in general these remedies, and in particular, that which is convenient for every one of them: and the same did other Greeks, Latinistes, and Arabians, which are to be seen, who will more particularly know of them.  
These did write of many Medicines, with the which every one may preserve themselves from poison: for the malice of mankind is very great, and many have procured for their interest, and revenge, not only with venom to offend and kill the common sort of people; but also Emperors, Kings, great Princes and Lords; the which in how much more high estate they are appointed and placed, so much the more danger they are in.  
And many notable men of the old Writers fearing this, did compound many and divers Medicines, that by means of them they might not be hurt by venom or venomous things that might be given them. As for example, the Emperor Marco Antonio did use such things, 
The Emperor Marco Antonio.  who fearing to be poisoned, took every morning a little treacle and Mithridate. Sometimes his confection Methridatica, other times certain leaves of Rue, with Nuts and Figs: and so they did use the like medicines because they and inward and outward burning, that it seemeth to them they are fired.  
It is also necessary (to know what venom they took) for too see the vomit, 
To know what venom it was.  and what they do cast up withal, to judge by the colour what Uenome it was: and being known by this way, or by Relation, or otherways being apparent, it must be remedied by his contrary, for to estinguish and kill the malice thereof, as all the ancient Physicians have sufficiently written of, as well in general against all, as in particular against every one of them, for that every one hath his contrary effects for to remedy the malice thereof.  
The tokens that he most evil in them that have taken Uenome, 
Evil signs.  be often soundings, and to cast up the white of their eyes, they do wax very red, and put out their tongue very great, and black, and the pulse fa●●, cold sweet universally throughout all their body, chief in the extreme parts, and in their breasts, and they are desirous to vomit, but cannot, and they have their understanding troubled: and this is in all kind of venom being taken, or by bitings of venomous beasts, in so much that they talk idly as though they had the frenzy which is a mortal sign.  
It is needful, for the better knowledge what Venom it was, 
To know what venom 〈◊〉 was.  that it be seen if there did remain any thing of that which they had eaten or drunken, and to see what was that which was mingled therewith, judging it by the colour, the smell and the taste, or giving it to a Dog, a Hen, or a Cat, and mark how it worketh with them: For if any of them wax sad or heavy, it is a token that there is venom; and if they die, it is a token that the venom was strong.  
And being known to be venomed the first thing that is to be procured, 
The cure.  is, that he which is sick do vomit, which is the thing that doth most profit, because there should be no time for the venom to enter, by the veins, and arteires, for to come to the heart, for if it come thither, it is passed all man's help: and therefore it is convenient that this remedy of Uomite be done with all speed, that it may be expelled, before it pass from the Stomach. And for to cause Uomite, there must be procured things that in very short time will provoke it, as to put the fingers in hot water, and the most common thing is sweet Oil, drinking much quantity thereof in such sort, that they fill their Bellies therewith, that it may the better be expelled: the which having received, they shall with their Fingers, or feather provoke them to vomit, which must be done until that you perceive that all that be expelled, and cast out, which was eaten or drunken, which did hurt. And if the Oil be not sufficient too do this; there may be mad● things for to cause Uomite, beginning by the most Weak, as the seething of Dill, the Seed of radish of Camamell and other like things that do provoke Uomite, adding to the seething, if it be needful, a Dram of Agarico, the which although it do provoke vomit strongly, it hath also the Property to break the strength of the venom. Some for a great secret do give a Pint of Water of the Flowers of Oranges warm, which although it doth provoke Uomite, it hath also a particular virtue too extinguish, and kill the strength of the Uenome, it must be given hot the quantity of a pint. And he●reof it cometh that the Water taken out of the Flowers of Oranges which is a kind of Cydron, hath great virtue against Uenome, as we have written in a little Book which is printed with others of mine in Latin, that doth treat of Oranges. It is very good that with the thing which provoketh Uomite, there be mingled things that have virtue against venom, as treacle, Methridato, and other like things, the which hereafter we will treat of.  
mu●t be given the remedies, that are too be done for the Cures and Diseases that the venom is cause of; not forgetting the principal cause which is to kill and to destroy the malice, that is the cause thereof with the medicines and Remedies that I will speak of hereafter.  
If he that hath taken venom do not perceive nor know what manner of venom it was that he took, nor the Accidents thereof do show; It is to be thought that it was of the venoms which do their work of their own property which is the worst of all kind of venoms: 
Venom of his o●ne property.  than it is convenient that there be had more care procuring vomit, and that it be effectually done, as it is aforesaid. And if any be descended in●o the Guts, let him have a gentle Glister that in all properties hath a known virtue against venom, which remedies are called Bezaarticas, the which must be used at all times with his meat, and drink, procuring the inward and outward comforting of the principal members, and using meats of substance that may give great strength, taken out by a small press and in any other sort that is needful, in the which there must be put things that have virtue against all kind of venom, of the which we will tr●ate of hereafter.  
And this must be done, not only in them that be venomed with unknown Uenome which worketh the malice of it own property, but in such as have taken known Uenome which worketh by quality: for that the Uenome is a thing that doth most of all pull down and weaken nature, making lean very quickly, and overthrowing the virtue and strength thereof. These medicines which have this virtue and special property against these venoms, are many: some be simples and other compounds: and because there are many of the one and of the other, I will speak of them that are most used, and where is seen greater experience of them which are compounded. The principal is the treacle that Andromacho wrote of, the which if it be well made, is the most principal medicine of as many as ever have been compounded against all kind of venom. 
treacle.  And although it be of a true composition, yet there lacketh some medicines always to do that which is possible; we do see that in this case it doth marvelous effects, and not only being taken with some water made for the purpose, but also being put into pricks or bitings of venomous beasts, and likewise in Apostomes' full of poison which are made in the time of the Plague.  
The Mithridate is of very great effect, in this case, and doth serve sometimes for treacle. 
Mithridate and compounded medicines.  That of Cidrons and Emeralds do make a marvelous work, in all venom. The earth Sigillata hath a prerogative above them, especially in fevers which have an evil quality. The treacle Diathesaron, is for the purpose in cold venoms and in bitings of venomous beasts, and in especially in the biting of a beast that is made. And so you have many other compounded medicines that have virtue and property against venom: but these which I have spoken of, are the most principal, and found most true by experience.  
The simple medicines be many, the most principal is the earth Lemnia so celebrated of the old writers, in especially of Galen, who only to see it, 
Medicine●-simples. Lemnia.  and to see how the priests did make it, sayl●d to the Island of Lemnos that at this day is called Estalimene, which is the most principal simple medicine that the Greeks knew.  
The true Diptamo is another which grows in the Island of Creta, which at this day is called Candia, 
Diptamo.  whereunto the people of the Isle do run, when they feel themselves in vain. Likewise it is to be given to them that are bitten w●th venomous beasts, or pricked of them, because it may extinguish and kill the malice of the venom: And although that these powders are of so much virtue as aforesaid, the Bezaar stone is of greater virtue and excellency, for that in it alone is found all the virtues and properties that are in all medicines which we have already spoken of, by his own property hidden and by grace from heaven infused into it against venoms: which you shall find to be the best and most present remedy of all others, as we will show in that which followeth.  

Of the Bezaar stone.  
THis Bezaar stone hath many n●mes: for the Arabiens do call it Hagar, 
The names of the stone.  the Persians Bezaar, the Indians Bezoar, the Hebrews Belzaar, the Greekes Alexipharm●cum, the Latinistes Against venom, the Spaniards the stone against venom & sounding. Conrado Gesnero in his book that he made of beasts, 
Conra●o.  speaking of the Goat of the mountain, saith that this name Belzaar is an Hebrew name, for that (been) in Hebrew is as much to say as Lord, and (za●) venom, as if ye would say, Lord of the venoms and by good reason it is so named, seeing that this stone is Lady of the venoms, and doth extinguish and destroy them as being Lady, and mistress over them. And of this it cometh that all things that are against poison, or venomous things are called Bezaarticas, for their excellency.  
This stone is engendered in the inner part of a beast, that is commonly called a Goat of the mountain. 
Where they are engendered.  The engendering of stones in beasts is a common thing; and also in man chief, there is no part● in his body, wherein they be not engendered: and likewise in birds, and fishes, & rats of the field.  
Pliny in his 28. book the 9 chapter, sayeth that the wild hearts go to the hollow places where snakes and serpents are; 
Pliny.  and with their breath do bring them forth and eat them. And this is gathered hereby, that they do it either to heal them of some disease; or to wax young again, that they may live many years. The Arabiens do amplify this cause and say, that the wild hearts by eating of these serpents, come to engender the Bezaar stone; and they declare it in this manner.  
In these East parts are bred certain beasts, which are called hearts, 
History.  which for the great heat of the Somm●r go into the caves and hollow places, where the adders and snakes and other vermin being of poison are, which in that country be many, and very venomous, because the country is so hot; and with their breath they drive them out, and tread upon them, and kill them, and eat them; and after they are filled with them, they go as speedily as they can where water is, and they plunge themselves therein, in such sort that they leave no part of their bodies out, but their snout, for to fetch their breath: and this they do, that with the coldness of the water they may delay the great heat of the venom, which they have eaten: and there they remain without drinking a drop of water, until they have allayed and cooled, that fervent heat, wherein they were by feeding upon the venomous vermin. And being in the water there doth engender in the places w●ere the drops of water cometh forth of their eyes, a stone, which being come forth of the water, falleth from them, and it is gathered up for the use of medicine. This is tha● in effect which the Arabiens do write of the manner how the Bezaar stone is engendered. I have procured and with great diligence sought to find out by such as have come fro● t●e India of Portugal, and such as have passed beyond the China to know the truth of this matter: and it is thus.  
In the greatest India, (where Ptolomeo doth write to be found so much goods and so great riches before the River Ganges in certain mountains which do ioyn● with the Country of China, 
How the Bezaar stone is ●ngendered. ) there do breed certain beasts like to Hearts as well in greatness as in swiftness, and are very much like unto hearts, saving in some respect they do participate with goats, as well in their horns which they have like a goat, being turned backward, as in the making of the body: whereby they give them the name of goats of the mountain: wherein in my opinion they are deceived, for they rather ought to be called heart goats, in that they have the parts and likenesses of both, which is of a heart and of a goat. These heart Goats in those parts do use themselves like to the hearts, that Pliny speaketh of, in these places as is aforesaid, that go to the dens of wild venomous beasts, and with their breathing cause them to come forth and eat them: and afterward do go whereas water is, and do plunge themselves therein, until they perceive that the fury of the venom which they have eaten be past, and until than they dare not drink a drop. And being come forth from thence, they go into the fields, and there they eat many healthful herbs, of great virtue, which are against venom, which they by their natural instinct do know: that there do arise as well of the venom which they have eaten, as of the herbs which they have fed on, being engendered by means of the natural heat, and by that virtue which is declared, being infused at the time of the generation in the inner parts of the bowels, & in other parts of their bodies, certain stones, of the greatest and of the smallest sort, which is a thing of great admiration, & of the greatest virtue that to this day is known against venom. It is understood of that venom which is so pernicious and hurtful that they did eat; & of those herbs being so healthful that they fed upon, by a marvelous work, the Bezaar stone is engendered.  
And as they say which come from those parts, and have seen this beast from whom they take out these stones, 
The figure of the beast.  he is of the greatness of a heart and well near of this making, he hath only two broad horns, with the points sharp, turned and falling much backward, his hair is thick and gross of a mingled colour, for the most part, and reddish, and of other colours: you have many of them in those mountains. The Indians do hurt them and kill them with weapons and with snares and gins: and they be so fierce, that sometimes they kill some of them: they are very swift on foot, and leppe much, they live in hollow places of the ground, they go in companies, there be males and females, their voices are roarings: they take out the stones from the inner part of their bowels, and of other hollow parts of the body, and they use much diligence in the taking out of them, by reason the Portugese's that do trade thither, give much for these stones, that they do so take out, and they carry them to the China, to sell; and from thence to Maluco, and from Maluco to Calicut, for there is the greatest utterance of them, and they do esteem so much of them, that one is worth there, being fine, fifty crowns, as they are here.  
And as I was writing this treatise I went to see a beast, that should seem to be the same, 
History.  by reason he hath all those marks which those of that parts have, which I saw in the house of the archdeacon of Mebla, being a worthy Gentleman, which was sent him from very far Countries, by the way of Africa, and is in this form and fashion: He is a Beast of the greatness of a wild heart, he hath the same hair, colour, and horn, 
His figure.  that a heart hath, he hath the face, the head, and the tail like a heart; he is swift in running, like to a heart, his snout is like to the hearts, and likewise his countenance, his body is like to a Goat, for he is like to a great he Goat; and hath two horns turned backward, somewhat falling, with the points wrested, that he seemeth to be like a he goat, and all the rest like to a heart. There is one thing in this beast which is greatly to be marveled, for if he fall from a Tower down to the ground, he lyteth upon his horns, and receiveth no hurt thereby, but rather doth rebound as a ball of wind in the air: he eateth grass, bread, and all that you give him, he is of great strength, and is always tied with a chain, because he breaketh and biteth asunder the cords. I do look still when he will die, or that they will kill him, to see if he have the Bezaar stone.  

The form of the stones.  The making and fashion of the stones be of divers manners for that some be long as the stones of Dates, others be like to chestnuts, others like to round pellottes, of earth, such as are shot in Crossbows, others like to the eggs of Pigeons, I have one like to the kidney of a kid, there are none that be sharp pointed.  
And as these stones be divers in their makings so they do vary in their colors, 
His colour.  some have the colour of a dark bay, others be of an ash colour, commonly they be of a green colour, and with black spots, such spots as the Cats of Algallia have, of a sad grey colour, all which are finely compounded of certain thin scales, or rinds, one upon an other, like to the scales of on Onion, very artificially set, and those rinds are so excellent and so glistering, that it seemeth as though every one of them were burnished by art, and so taking away that which is uppermost of all, that which remaineth is much more glistering, and shining, then that which was taken away: and hereby they are known to be fine, and true, and only for this I took away from that which I have, the uttermost shalt, that was upon him, and that whic● remained was as glistering and more than the ●●rst, these shells are greater or smaller according to the greatness of the stone, it is a light stone and easy to be scraped or cut, like to Alabaster, because it is soft: if it be long in the water, it dissolveth. 
It is light.  It hath no heart nor foundation in the inner part, whereupon he is form, but rather is somewhat hollow, and the hollowness is full of powder of the same substance that the stone is of, which is the best. And this is the best way to know whether the stone be fine and true when it hath that powder, for they which are false, have it not, and by these two things they which are fine and true, may well be known from those which are false and counterfeit. 
Which are fine.  In them that are most true be these thin scales and rinds, glistering and shining one upon another; and the inner part hath that powder which I have spoken of: and those which are not true have neither the one nor the other. For I saw one that was broken, to see if it were fine and it had shells, and in the inner part it had a grain or seed whereby the Indian deceived many.  
Guido de Lanazaris, a man naturally borne in this City, 
Guido de Lanazaris.  which traveled all the round world over, and was in those parts of the China, said unto me, that there were Indians that counterfeited them with a composition that they use and know, but the two things which is aforesaid they could never bring to pass: to wit, the glistering scales, and the powder, that is in the inner part. And he said to me, 
In great estimation.  that they were there much more esteemed then amongst us, because they be healed with them of many diseases.  
Andrew Belunensis ●o●h allege of Tipthas Arabien, 
Andrew Belunensi●.  in a book that he wrote of stones, and sayeth that the Bezaar stone is a mineral, and that it is taken out after the same manner as the other particular stones are, of his min●ries as the Diamonds, Rubies, Es●●raldes, and Agatas: and it seemeth that Serapio doth so understand it, when he spoke of this stone. He said that the Mineral of this stone is in the land of Syria, and of the India, and East Countries, in the which they were deceived: for that it is clearly seen that they are taken out of the said Beasts, which the Indians do take out with great diligence as we have said: and there is seen in them the work and manifest effect which we will speak of.  
Serapio doth show, that in his time there were likewise of these counterfeit stones which he sayeth have not the virtue against Uenome as the true Bezaar hath. 
Serapio.  Of this stone I find no Greek Author which hath written of it, 
The old Writers wrote of this stone.  nor Latinist: only amongst the Arabiens this matter is treated of, and in some late Writers which we will speak of hereafter, and for this cause only the Ancient Writers, being Arabiens that wrote of it, and the late Writers Latinistes and those of our time, amongst the Arabiens, he that did most largely write of it, was Serapio a learned man, in his medicinal History in the 306. Chapter where he writeth many things of this Bezaar stone worthy too be known, 
Serapio of his virtue.  the which of his own authority he showeth how great excellency this stone hath against all kind of Uenome, of what m●nner and quality soever it be, and against the bitings of Uenomous beasts, extinguishing and taking away the ground, and evil quality, that the venoms do infuse into the bodies, delivering them from death that shall use it. It is given in Powder, and they say that it doth the same effect by chewing of it, 
Note.  or holding of it in the Mouth: for after it is taken, it doth provoke sweat and doth expel the venom, and maketh the work sure, saying that being carried about any person, & that it touch the flesh, and bringing it over the left part, it doth preserve him that shall so carry it about him that no venom or venomous thing shall offend him: for being applied to the body, it resisteth venom that it may not offend him: and them that be infected therewith it healeth. And this it doth not only to them that have taken venom, but unto such that have had it put into their Syrup, apparel, or letter, or other part that may offend them. The same Serapio sayeth, that this Stone doth profit much against bitings of beasts that are venomous, and in their Pricks taking the Powder thereof at the mouth, and provoking sweat, it expelleth it from the inner parts: it profiteth much, too cast the powder of this stone in Pricks, or in wounds made by these venomous beasts, for it destroyeth and taketh away the malice of the venom, and although that the soars being so made by these beasts do begin to corrupt, it cureth and healeth them, and the powder of this stone being put upon the venomous beasts doth take away their strength, and if it be put in place where they do wound any, although they make a sore, yet the malice of the venom doth not take hold●.  
And this is seen by experience in the venomous beasts called Adders and Snakes, for the powder being put in place where they do bite, all their venomous strength is taken away and nothing doth remain but the sign thereof. Three grains of this powder we with some liquor, being cast upon snakes and adders they die forthwith. Thus much Serapio sayeth.  
Rasis Simia of Galen a man amongst the Arabiens most learned in the book which he wrote called Continent, 
Rasis. Simia of G●len.  saith thus: the Bezaar stone is that which seemeth some what yellow and soft, without any manner of taste, the which he sayeth that he hath experimented two times, and hath found in it virtue of great efficacy against Napelo the strongest of all venoms. He saith also that he hath seen in this stone the most marvelous effects against all venom that ever he saw in any Medicine, that was against v●nome either simple or compound, or any composition made against venom, as Treacles, or other compositions, for that the Bezaar stone is of more efficacy and virtue than any of them. The same doth agree with the books he made to the King Almasor, saying, The evil Uenoms that do offend the heart and work their effect, O how little profit doth any cure prove in them, if the Bezaar be not taken, for that doth resist it: and he sayeth, Moreover I myself saw that it did resist the venom called Napelo which is the Uenome that doth penetrate more than all venoms: thus much of Rasis.  
another Moor very learned and a great Astronomer that wrote of stones figured under Signs and Planets and the virtues they have, was called Hamech Benreripho: he in his book that he wrote of the virtue of plants and of stones and of beasts, that serve for the use of Medicine, sayeth the Bezaar stone is against all venom, and it hath beside this particular property taken in powder against the bitings of Scorpions, and being carried about one, and graven upon, he is safe against all the bitings of venomous beasts. another Moor called Abdala Narache, a learned man in medicine, sayeth, that the Bezaar stone is against all Uenome, he saw it as a precious thing in the hands of the King of Cordova called Miramamolim unto whom was given strong venom: 
The king of Cordiva.  and having given unto him the Bezoar stone, by means whereof he was delivered wholly of the venom; forthwith the King gave his royal Palace to him that gave him the stone, which delivered him from this imminent death: and surely it was a great gift of a king, the chief Palace of Cordova, at this day day being a thing so notable and of such great value: and the stone was much esteemed, for that so great a price was given for it. 
Auensoar.  Auensoar a Physician of the moors, but a natural spaniard of Penaflore a place lying between Cordova and Seville, gave unto one, who was very much lamented, by reason he had taken very evil Venom, of the Bezaar stone the weight of 3. grains with the water of Goords, for that it was hot venom, & because it did seem to be so. For assoon as he had taken it, there did appear upon him the jaundice very yellow, and he was very well delivered and saved from it.  
Aueroiz a Physician and a Philosopher very excellent, being a spaniard, and borne in Cordova, 
Aueroi●.  saith that the Bezaar stone is in great estimation and very profitable against all venomous bitings, and especially against the bitings of Scorpions.  
Haliabas doth make mention of the Bezaar stone in three places where he treateth of Uenomes, 
Haliabas.  but he passeth it over lightly, only showing that it is soft, and saith that it must be scoured in water and that the water of it must be given to them that are poisoned.  
Rabbi Moses of Egypt, but borne in Spain, a most cunning Physician, who followed Galen in all his works, 
Rabbi Mo●ses.  in the book he made of venoms in the first thing that he treated of in the third Chapter speaking of simple Medicines and the use of them which are convenient for the bitings of Uenomous beasts, sayeth the simple Medicines that we have amongst us of most profit and greatest experience which are of many approved are the seed of the Cidron etc. And the other is the emerald a marvelous medicine against all venom etc. Galen made mention of the third which is the Bezaar stone that is taken out of a beast, the which stone is like to an akorn, the colour thereof is green and doth engender by little and little making itself gross: & for that they find in it o●e scale upon another, some do say that they are engendered in the corners of the eyes of certain sheep that are in the East parts: other do say that they are engendered in the purse of the gall of the said sheep which poisoned, I caused him to take thereof divers mornings the weight of three grains of the same Bezaar stone with the water of Oxetongue, and he was therewith very well healed.  
Many Physicians of late time and in our days have made mention of this Bezaar stone and do very much extol the same in their books with great Prerogatives, 
Physicians of late time.  against all kind of venom and against many other diseases, which we mind to treat of, to see what we find written by every one of them. Amongst whom Andrew Mathiolus of Sienna, a man very well learned, in the Commentaries which he wrote most learnedly upon Dioscorides in the sixth book, 
Mathiolus.  declaring the Medicines that are against venom, by special property, doth write of the Bezaar stone very geeat virtues, and doth approve it to be a medicine and remedy most principal that at this day is known in the World against venom, and he doth refer that, as is said, unto the Authors which we have alleged.  
Andrew de Laguna borne in Segovia, who amongst the learned was named Galen the spaniard for the Commentaries which he made upon the sixth book of Dioscorides in the Spanish tongue, 
Andrew de Laguna.  where he treateth of venoms, he showeth how present a remedy the Bezaar stone is against all kind of venom and against the bitings of venomous beasts, and against pestilent agues of evil quality, and also that it is a great remedy against the falling sickness, that it doth expel the stone of the reins, and being given with Wine, it breaketh the stone in the Bladder. There he noteth how this Stone is engendered in certain Goats of the Mountains of Persia, and how the stones that are the best be bright, and skaley and soft, of the colour of a Fruit of Spain called Beringena, which is a remedy much commended amongst Princes and great lords for the effects aforesaid.  
Valescus de Taranto, a Physician and borne in Milan, 
Valescus.  the scholar of Tornamira, in the 7. book of his experiments, praiseth very much this Bezaar stone, to be of great force against venom and other diseases for his effects, and for the great fame that was of his works, in this time against all venom. Saint Ardonius of Pesauris Physician, in a book which he made of venoms, exceedingly praiseth the Bezaar stone & preferreth it before all other medicines, as well simples as compounds, which have virtue against venom or by●inges of venomous beasts: and sayeth, that he saw it and proved it by great experience.  
Amato Lucitano, a learned man of our time, 
Amato Lucitano.  being now resident in Ragosa, in his commentaries which he wrote upon Dioscorides in the second book of Ceruigenitale, did treat of this Bezaar stone very learnedly, as a man of Portugal, who did much inform himself of those of his nation that came from the East India, and he sayeth that the Bezaar stone is of the making of an acorn, full of spots, declining to the colour of a sad blue, compounded with many shales, the which they call Bezaar, as a present remedy against all manner of venom, and they take them out of certain beasts which are like to wild hearts, that are in the East India, and are called goats of the mountains: they are found in their bowels and inner parts, of the which being given 3. grains with the waters of the flowers of Oranges, it is the present remedy against all Venom, killing and extinguishing, the venoms, and force thereof, it killeth the worms given with water of Verdolagas, & where the fever is, and where there is no fever with white wine: he saith that he hath experience, and hath cured therewith the pleurisy being very sore rooted, it is convenient that it be given to them, that have taken venom, in vomittes, and it will expel the venom, and being given to them that have vomited of beasts speaking of the goat, doth much commend this Bezaar stone to be against all venon. Other authors there be that make mention of this stone, but they pass it lightly over, only praising it to be good against venom, in general and in particular, the which at this present I lightly pass over, for it is sufficiently spoken of by those before rehearsed, whereby it may have authority with all those that thereof will profit themselves.  

That as I have seen by experience.  That which I have seen by experience I will now speak of for the more confirmation of the said cause, and of the marvelous virtues which it hath, whereby it may be understood what is written by these authors aforesaid, with manifest examples. It is about 14. years past that my Lady the Duchess of B●jar was advertised by the Lord don john Mauriques that in the Court was used for such as did sound, a stone that was called the Bezaar, for that my Lady the Duchess had a son very sick of the said disease, well near since the time of his birth, and she being desirous of his health did procure to know what remedy might be had, and seeing the ordinary remedies of Physic which they had ministered unto him being many and divers by the wisest Physicians of Spain, and yet not prevailed any thing; and hearing of the great virtue of this Bezaar stone, they had communication with me thereof: yet was it to me somewhat strange, for that I had no other knowledge thereof then by books, and I thought that it had not been in these parts: then I requested that the stone might be sent for being desirous to ease this Lord, for his virtues deserved the same, and his great knowledge in all kind of learning, and in all things that a noble man might have knowledge in, as also to see the stone which was a thing of me much desired. The stone was sent for to Lishebron by means of a Genoues, and there was brought two of them very fair wrought in gold, and each of them as great as a Date stone and somewhat greater, of colour green and blackish, like to a Beringena which is a fruit of Spain, and the stone being brought, not a little to our contentment, every one gave their judgement, & it was agreed that at such time as he should sound, it should presently be given him: and the sounding being come in the evening he took forth with the appointed order, which was brought from the court, that he should take forthwith the weight of three grains of the powder of the stone, and it should be cast in water of Oxetongue so much as might be sufficient for him, and so it was done. Opening his mouth he swallowed it down, the which he did with much difficulty; within the space of half a quarter of an hour, after he had taken it, he recovered as easily, as though he had not had it. And seeing the virtue that was in the stone, we did esteem it much, and the more for that we saw that every time it took him, he came to himself so easily, and when he took not the stone, the sounding did continue long, and he returned from it with great pains, and in long time it seized not: but when the stone was given him he came quickly to himself and with great easiness, as though he had not had any sounding at all. My Lady the Duchess carried the stone in her purse, and had the quantity that he should take always in a readiness, because when the sounding came to him, it might be given him with more speed, because he should not be long in pain: so that from the time that he received it, his soundings came not to him so continually as they did before. This being perceived, I said one day to my Lady, that it was the doctrine of Physicians, that the medicines which do not heal diseases, cannot preserve that we fall not into them, but that it seemed good to me that we should give unto him every morning the powder of the Bezaar stone, that with the continual use thereof, the vapour might be consumed which did rise up to the brains, so that what seemeth to be venomous and hurtful, the stone would extinguish and kill, and would consume the vapour that riseth up from all the body, and from  
A Child did eat a certain venomous thing, whereby he was in danger of death, and seeing that the common remedies did not profit, I caused to be given to the child the Bezaar stone, and immediately it was well. And for children that have worms, it is likewise very good, for that it causeth them to be expelled by dissolution, marvelously taking away the accidents, that are wont to happen to children. And this it worketh wheresoever you fear any grief or venomous humour. In the things that it hath done most good, hath been in the pestilence, for that there was in Germany a great Plague, and unto all such as had the Bezaar stone given them, immediately was seen the great effect that it did in them that took it. And in an Hospital were four persons infected with this evil, and it was given to two of them and not to the other, and they that took it escaped, and the other two died. And then it was given to many that were infected with this evil, and some of them had two sores, and some had three, and yet they escaped and of this were witnesses many people of great credit that saw it and other meaner persons, as it is very well known to all the Court.  

For them that are sad and melancholy.  This stone doth profit much to them that be sad and melancholic, the Emperor took it many times for this effect, and it is taken of many persons that are melancholic: for it taketh it away, and maketh him glad and merry that useth it and to be of a good disposition. Many I have seen that have been much diseased with faintness, soundings and melancholy, and taking the weight of three grains of this stone with the water of Oxtongue they have been healed presently. In fevers of an evil quality and most pestilent, it is marvelous the good work that it doth: for that it taketh away the malice thereof, extinguishing and killing the evil quality of the venom, which is the first and principal thing that the Physician should do, for if that this be not taken away first, the cure is in vain. Many do use this stone holding a piece thereof in their mouth in the suspected time of a Pestilence, and whereas venom is feared, or any thing that is venomous, and also it doth profit much taking it in water to them that are sick of pestilent Fevers.  
A Gentleman had all his servants sick of agues, 
History.  that are commonly called Modorras, and he put into a pot of water a Bezaar stone that he had, of the which he caused the sick people to drink, and they all escaped and were delivered from death. And many people for this cause, have this stone laid in water continually, that they may drink thereof being sick, for it profiteth much to take away the ague, and giveth strength to the heart, and not only this stone doth profit in venomous things and venoms, but in other diseases, as it hath been proved: & being given to them that have the gidines in the head, it doth much profit, and also against oppilations. And it happened that a Nun that had soundings and great oppilations, by taking the Bezaar stone was healed, and likewise of the oppilations: and being long time without her customed terms, they came very well too her and abundantly. This stone profiteth much to them that have taken Arsenike or other corsive venom, for that it doth kill and consume the force of the venom, and taketh away the accidents thereof. Milk hath in this a great prerogative, and doth work effectually, by taking much quantity, and continually using the same, for although that it be a marvelous remedy, it must be used in corsive venoms, for that it maketh the venoms to be expelled by vomit, and doth extinguish the malice. It is the true Antidote against corsive venom, and after the use thereof, the stone may be given or the powder, or any of the said medicines, that have virtue against venom. Also this stone doth profit much against fevers that bring certain red spots in the body like to Flea-bitings, that commonly do appear in their shoulders, and in their archter parts of the body: these do come in sore agues, that do expel the humours out of the body, and so it is convenient that it be so used that it may come out well, and this must be done by putting bentosit●es, and other like helps, that may expel the humour, whereby nature is helped, forbidding ointments and other things that may disturb the coming out of these things. another thing which is convenient, is to give to the sick, when these small spots do begin to appear, those things which do extinguish and kill the venom: of the which we have treated very largely having respect not to let blood, after that they have appeared, if it come not of too much replection and fullness of blood. One thing I have found for these red Spots and for Fevers of much profit and notable experience in many, which is our Bolearmenike prepared in a dish of earth with Rose water given in all medicines that are too be taken, and in the meats that are too be eaten, and surely in it I have found great effect, chief in one year, wherein reigned many Pestilent Agues, called Moder●as, and many were delivered from them, with the use of it, for that this our Bolearmenike doth differ little from that of the East parts, and this shall be where the Bezaar stone is not to be had, for that it doth exceed all as I saw in a principal Gentleman of this city which had a sore Fever, with soundings, Uomites and other Accidents of an Ague upon whom did appear spots, which before I have spoken of on his shoulders, and in giving him the Bezaar stone with a little of the Unicorns horn, forthwith the Accidents did cease and began to be better, for that it did extinguish and kill the force of the ague, which caused all the hurt. And after this sort I could speak of many here in Spain, that for the space of this fourteen years I have used it, and many have been delivered therewith from many diseases with the use thereof, that surely it seemeth a thing of wonderful effects, that a stone taken out of the belly of a beast like to a wild Harte or Goat in so little quantity given, should work so great effects as we have written of. And for that it is already time to treat of the Herb Escuerçonera, because we have been long and treating of the Bezaar stone, I will speak what is known of it.   

¶ Of the herb Escuerçonera.  
THe Herb Escuerçonera the which we have promised to treat of, is an herb known, and found within these thirty years. For time hath discovered it too us as it hath done many other things, as we see which they bring from the West India's, and they are so many things, as we see every day, as were never seen by those that were before us, nor yet by us, as we have written o● in a Treatise that we made of these things which do treat of all the things that they bring from our India's that doth serve for the use of medicine.  
So it is that in the Country of Cataluina in the County of Vrgell in a town called M●mblan●, 
Histori●.  was the place where the herb Escuerçonera was first discovered & found out, & as all that country i● molested & toubled of certain venomous beasts which are called Escuerços, and likewise of many other and although that they are very Uenomous and full of poison, there are also many in number, as well in the tilled fields as amongst trees, and grass, and especially in the Corn fields, in such sort that they are to them in steed of a Plague, and an uncurable mischief, by reason that the people cannot labour in their vines, nor reap their Corn, nor do their business in the fields, by means that they are so cruelly hurt by them, whose venom and poison is such, that wheresoever they bite, it swelleth forthwith, with great pains, and the swelling riseth up to the heart immediately, and if they be not remedied and suckered forthwith, they die presently: their treacle and other benefits which they had, did serve them to little purpose.  

How this herb was discovered.  And seeing that in this time this Plague was so without remedy, it fortuned that they brought to that place from Africa a young man Captive, which did heal them that were bitten with these so venomous beasts, with giving them to eat of a root, and the juice of an herb that he knew which did them so much good, that it healed the bitings and poison very easily. For the which there came so many people to the Moor, that they did not only make him free, but also rich, and the young man in all this time with all the promises and gifts that they could give and make unto him, would never tell them what root and herb it was, wherewith he healed so great a Plague.  
Two Persons of the Town being very desirous to know the same, by reason it stood them so much upon too know what Herb it was, went after him and dogged him so politicly, that at length they saw where he gathered the herb and took out of the ground, the roots thereof. The Moor being gone, they went too the place where he gathered it, and they found the lack of the grass that the Moor had gathered, of the which they took out a good quantity, because there was much there in that place, and they went therewith too the Town, and so to the house of the Moor, where they found him taking out the herb of a Bag that he brought it in: and the one herb and the other being seen, they saw that it was all one: whereby the Moor could not deny but the thing which had been by himself long time hidden, was now discovered, and the herb that he had gathered and given, and that which the other brought were all one. And from that time forward all the people began to know it, and such as had need of it went to gather it, and used it for the bitings of these venomous beasts, as I have said. They call this herb Escuerçonera because it doth heal and remedy the bitings of this beast, 
Why it is called Escuer●onera.  called Estorçu in the Catalan tongue, and the same root is like too the said beast, and the beast like too the root in figure. This beast or vermin commonly is a Span and a half long, he is small in the tail, and is greater and greater towards the head: his head is great and square with a great mouth, his tongue black and sharp, his teeth small like to a she Adder, with the which he doth bite, and with his tongue he doth prick like to a Scorpion, his colour is full of black spots, with divers colours he goeth evil favouredly, and is continually among plants, and vines, and biteth other beasts, as he doth men, he goeth continually by the ground, and therefore all men look warily too their feet, where they are. He is a fierce beast and ugly too behold, and full of mischief, his biting is worser and more dangerous than the biting of a she Adder of that Country. Only this Herb is contrary to him which is called of his name Escuerçonera: for if they cast the juice upon him, it maketh him fowl, 
The virtue of the herb.  and if they put it into his mouth and that he swallow it down, he dieth. If any man seed, and the seed being gone, than the Leaves of the plants do fall. The Root is like too the root of a Sanahoria fleshy, and weighty, and leaveth with a point, and waxeth greater towards the leaves, it hath a thin rind joined too the root, and is of a russet colour, somewhat blackish, and somewhat sharp, and being cut or broken, it doth cast from it a certain clammy waterishness, like to milk: it is all white within, sweet, and fatty, it groweth for the most part in hitlie places, where some moisture is: the complexion thereof is hot and moist in the first degree.  
The virtues that it hath be such as we have spoken of, the principal virtue is against the Escorçu a beast so venomous, and doth so much hurt, that in this surely it seemeth to be a thing of great virtue. It is good when the juice is taken out of the leaves and clarified, and that the root also be taken, which is a thing of greater virtue.  
And it is to be considered that although you take the juice and the root of this Herb against the Poison that proceedeth of this beast which is so pernicious, it is convenient that great diligence be used, as we have aforesaid, for the remedy of them that are venomed: whereby it would do very well that in the mean time that the juice be a providing or the Root of the said Herb, that four or five finger's breadth above the sore it be bound fast, that the force of the Uenome do not pass too the rest of the parts of the body, and this is too be done in the Leg or arm. And if the biting Bee in any such place where it cannot be bound, then there must be laid too it, plasters of dry and strong things that may dissolve the fury of the venom: and this must be done with speed, before the hurt do enter the inner parts, for if it once do come to the heart, the cure will go hard: and this must be universally in all prickings or bitings of venomous beasts. And if the wound be small it is needful to open it, with a small cut or some other way: and if it be new, let the cutings be small, and if it be of a long time, then let the incision be deep, for that with the much blood that geeth out thereof, there go out a great part of the venom also. And after the cutting let there be applied such things as may draw out strongly the venom, still adding thereunto that as shall be needful. Some there be that do suck out the venom of the pricks or wounds with their mouth, but it is dangerous to them that so do, for some have died thereof: it is better to remedy it with ventosities, or to put too it the hinder part of a Cock, or a Chicken, or a Pigeon being alive, upon the prick, or wound, the feathers being plucked f●om the hinder part thereof, and use it so often as shall be needful, until y●u perceive that they have taken out the venom that is in the wound, and every one of them must be applied thereto so long time until that you may perceive that he doth wax faint, or until he be ready to die. Also it is a good remedy to put them that be a live opened at the back, and let th●m be there as long time as they have any heat: and beginning to wax cold, then take them away & put others to, and the venom being taken out by these means, let there be put upon the wou●d a medicine that hath virtue to keep the wound open. Some do use in the cutings or incisions an actual thing to burn, called a cautery, which doth very much good, extinguishing the venom, and comforting the hurt. The same ●ffect doth the cawterie potential in killing the ven●me, but it is not so good as the actual, but thereby it doth cause that the wound do not close, which is very necessary for the cure.  
The juice of the herb Escuerçonera doth profit very much, being put on venomous ●ytings or prickings, by it self or mingled with other medicines, that have virtue to take away the strength of the venom, as treacle, methridato & other medicines like to these: and if the Bezaar stone might be had casting the powder thereof upon the wound, it will work a marvelous effect. While they are in this case they must be kept with good order, & good government, in all things that are contrary to them, and using evacuations, such as is convenient with wholesome medicines, and there must be mingled with them medicines that are against venom, and when time serveth use letting of blood, and in the rest, to go to the cure of the disease, and unto every one of them, as it is convenient universally, and particularly, having always care to give to them that are sick, in the morning fasting, the conserua of the root of the Escuerçonera, and his water, or the Bezaar stone, or the powder as it is said, or Bolearmenike prepared, he must have care to anoint the heart with things which are temperate, that may comfort with powders and cordial waters, amongst the which let there be put the herb Escuerçonera. And besides the virtues that the herb Escuerçonera hath against the bitings of these beasts in particular, and for the remedy of all in universal, it hath also other particular virtues, the use whereof hath been showed unto us, it is very good against soundings, of the heart, and for them that have the falling sickness, and for women whose matrix are suffocated or stopped, by taking the conserua made of the root, and drinking the juice of the herb clarified, or the water of it distilled. It doth profit much when the soundings are come, but much more before they do come: when they feel that they begin to sound, let them take the root thereof with the water, and it doth hinder the coming thereof: and if it do come it is much less, and it doth not work so vehemently as when it is taken after. Unto them that have the giddiness in the head it doth good, and being continually taken, it maketh the heart merry: it doth take away the sadness which is the cause thereof: the juice taken out of the leaves and clarified, and set in Sun for certain days, taking the clearest thereof, and put into the eyes doth clarify the sight, and taketh away the dimness thereof, if it be mingled with a little good honey, it is good for them that fear themselves to be poisoned. The conserua of the root being taken, and the water in the morning, that day by God's grace they shall be safe. The use and experience of this herb hath been taught without any auctor: for to this day we know not with what name the authors do term it.  
john Odoricus Mechiorius an Almaigne Physician, doth write in an Epistle to Andrew Mathiolo, saying that Peter Carniser a Catalan Physician, sent to him the herb Escuerçonera dry, into Germany: this Physician did ask of Mathiolo what herb it was: Mathiolo did not know what herb it was, neither did any other, until now that it hath been spoken or written of. Some that are curious will say that it is the Condrillia, a spice of Succory which Dioscorides doth make mention of in the second book in the 122. chapter: & although that it hath some likeness thereof, it differeth much in the root: for the Condrillia hath it very woody and unprofitable and very small, and in the flowers: but they differ not in their virtues, for both of them are good for the bitings of adders. And whatsoever that our Escuerçonera is, we see that his effects are great, as well against the bitings of the Escuerçoes which is so evil a beast and venomous, as for other diseases which we have spoken of: which seeing that in so few years there hath been so much thereof discovered, I do trust that much more will be hereafter by wise men, that there may be added to this which I have discovered and written of it.  
And seeing that we have treated briefly and the best that we can of these two medicines so precious, to wit, the Bezaar stone and the herb Escuerçonera, which are two things so precious and of so great effects against venom, now have we to treat of the last part which we promised to do; ●nd how we ought to keep and preserve ourselves, & not to fall into so great a danger, as of them is declared, for that it is better to keep ourselves from danger, than to fall therein. Herein the ancient writers have been very circumspect. Amongst the rest it hath been an ancient custom in Princes Courts & other great estates, to have their tasters as well of their meat as of their drink for the eschewing of poison, and so by the means thereof they assure themselves to be out of peril for that matter, the which surely is allowable and a good custom, and necessary for the safeguard and health of any Prince or Lord, for if there be any hurt in the meat or in the drink, it shall light first upon them that do eat or drink thereof, and not upon the Prince or other high estate, in whose life and health great matters do depend.  
Truth it is that in these days it is done more for a ceremony and estate, then for health & safety of life, & this order is used amongst great estates, more for custom then for any thing else, for this purpose the common people have it in estimation, so that at this present it is used contrary to that end and purpose it was meant, for they use now taking of a little bred and bringing it with the meat and so taste it: that done, they cast it away, and likewise they drink a drop of wine or water: & if it should be used as it ought to be, they should eat and drink thereof thoroughly, for otherwise the poison, if there be any, cannot be discerned before it come in to the Prince's mouth. Also the lord ought to command that there be prepared for him divers meats, for that if he mislike of one, he may taste of another: for being of divers sorts he may taste of each a little, and eating little at once of any that were infected, it would do less hurt than if he should eat of one dish being infected filling himself therewithal, for being either of them infected and eating much thereof, it shall do the more hurt. And note this well, that many times a man is not given always to eat of one meat, nor to see it always tasted before he eat it, and afterward there appeareth in it notable hurt, therefore it is good to take your meat with a fork or a spoon, and that they be made as Jerome Montuo a learned man in Physic had appointed for king Henry of France, which was made to know if that he had eaten any venom, there must be made a little fork and a spoon of one mixture of gold and silver, that the old writers called Eletrum and it must be 4. parts gold and one of silver, they must be smooth, clean & well burnished, with the fork or holder let him eat his meat, and with the spoon his broth: for putting them in the meat or in the broth, if that there be any venom therein, forthwith the gold will have an evil colour, appearing tawny, blue, or black, and losing the beauty that before it had, the which will cause them to look better to the meat, and this is done for trial thereof, and to make further experience by some beast that may eat thereof, and so to see the effect thereof, for that is the greatest experience: the like may be done with the drink to make a cup thereof, or a broad vessel well burnished. For if the wine or water that is put into it, have any venom, the vessel will take some colour thereof as aforesaid: and if it have no poison therein, it will remain in his own colour. And surely it is a gallant and a delicate secret, when you begin to eat any manner of meat, the first morsel that you take let it be well chewed, and mark well if it do bite, or have any evil taste, or if it burn your mouth, or your tongue, or that your stomach abhor it, for in perceiving or feeling any thing of these signs, cast it forth, and wash your mouth with wine or water, and leave that meat, and fall to other: it would do very well to give it to some beast to see the effect thereof, it is good to have in the house some beast to whom it might given, for to make experience thereof. And the effect so appearing they have to judge thereof. And this is to be understood when the venoms come of corsive things, you shall feel a notable sharpness, and they bite and burn forthwith: the best is for them that have suspicion, to eat meat that is roasted or sod, & that they eat neither broths nor pottages, for in them there may be greater hurt: and if any be made, let them not be made with things of smell, as Amber, musk, and sweet spices, and let them not have overmuch sharpness, for in broth or pottage, the poison will sooner lurk then in roasted or sodden, and use no meats, which have much sweetness, therein all poison will lurk the more. He that hath any suspicion when he goeth to his meat, let him not be to greedy to eat forthwith very hastily, but let him refrain himself, and let him eat with leisure, by little and little. The like he must do, in his drinking, being very thirsty, he feeleth not what he drinketh: and so many people being very dry, have drunk in lie, lie, and also water of arsenic, not feeling the same until they have hurt their body, and therefore it is convenient to drink leisurely by little, and little, tasting his drink as he drinketh: surely if men would be ruled by this order, they should easily find if there were any evil thing in that they eat, and drink. You have to consider the colour of your meat, for thereby will somewhat appear. For it will look otherwise, than it ought to do●; see that your vessels wherein you eat or drink be clean, new, and glistering: and if your ability be such, let them be of silver, being clean burnished, for if you have venom in the drink, it is easily espied, and the silver doth turn black or tawny.  
Not many days past a Gentleman of great riches, by drinking in a plain cup of silver, 
History.  perceived the cup stained of a sad tawny colour, and did marvel thereat, he only tasted the wine, and it made his tongue rough, & his mouth also: he looked well on the wine that was put into the cup, & it had not that quickness in drinking that it ought to have had, and he looked on the water, and in the bottom of the ewer there were many grains of arsenyke, with as yet were not dissolved. I was called & I gathered out of the ewer more than xx. small grains of arsenic. & within certain days after the Gentleman fell sick, whereby I did con●ect●re that it was not the first time that they pretended to poison him: & since that, he hath been sick a long time. And thus much I affirm that if the cup had not been altered of his colour ● been infected, it had not been perceived. Therefore it is necessary that the vessels and tinages where wine & water are kept, be stopped, for fear lest any venomous thing fall therein, as spiders, Sallamanquesas and other like venomous beast's, and therefore it is nought to drink with vessels or cups that have narrow mouths: for it is best to see what one drinketh in a clear vessel and broad, for it is good for them that do regard their health. It is good to have a piece of a right Unicorns horn in a small chain of gold, that it may be swilled continually in the water that shallbe drunk. It would do well, for not only it taketh away the suspicion of the venom, but doth put to the drink a marvelous cordial virtue. Also you must not stand by the fire that is made with venomous wood, for the smoke doth poison, as if you should take poison, and to set in the chamber coals when they do begin to kindle, many have died therewith: let your apparel be kept by such as you have trust in, for in them may be put things that may do notable hurt, and for all that, as is said, it doth much profit to have trusty servants, and that they be such whom you may trust, and that they be of a good parentage, and stick not to reward them well. And above all other let the Physician that hath the charge of your health, be learned and experimented, discrete and of a good judgement, and that he be rich and of a good kindred, and being such a one, he will not do any thing that he ought not to do, seeing that in his hands is the life and health of the Master and Lord.  
FINIS.    

THE DIALOGUE OF IRON, WHICH TREATETH OF THE greatness thereof, and how it is the most excellent metal of all others, and the thing most necessary for the service of man; and of the great Medicinal virtues which it hath.  
An Echo for the Doctor Monardes Physician of Seville.  
In Seville in the House of Alonso Escrivano.   

¶ To the most Excellent Lord, the Duke of Alcala, etc. my Lord, the Doctor Monardes your Physician wisheth health, etc.  
FOrasmuch as the metal called iron, is of so great importance in the world, and so necessary for the service of man, it moved me to make this Dialogue, which doth treat of the greatness and marvelous works thereof. Which if they be well considered▪ they will bring admiration unto all that shall read them, by reason it is so necessary for all states, and manners of living. It hath also great and medicinal virtues, and likewise with worthiness, and greatness, it is an Instrument and mean, whereby the most worthy have gotten great Titles, and fame; as we see many of those which in times past have attained unto, among whom the Predecessors of your excellency with their noble minds, and strong arms, the S●eare in the fist, and the sword in the hand, by overcoming battles, by getting towns and places, the name and fame of them have been immortal to this day. And for to augment and increase this the more, and to give to your excellency, and to your chi●d●●n and successors, greater glory, you took to wise the excellent Duchess the Lady Iu●na Curtes that at this day doth beautify the whole world, with ●er worthiness, estimation, quality, and greatness, daughter to that valiant and re●owmed Prince, Don ●ernando Curtes, who with his greatness and infinite Labours is a shorter way, and few people will be there. It seemeth to me, that the great hall of the treasury house is s●utt: ●t may be that whiles I go up to see the sick person, they will open it. Burgus. Your worship may go in God's name, I will tarry here for you, and seeing the great hall is not opened, I will sit down upon the bench, and will see what doth pass until you come.  
Doctor. Master Burgus, I pray you pardon me, if I have tarried long: for the quality of the cause hath caused me to tarry. Burgus. Rather I would have been glad that you had tarried longer, because I would have seen more. Doctor. What have you seen whiles I was absent? Burgus. The great hall being shut, and the pard full of people, and I looking upon them earnestly, it seemeth to me that they are people of estimation, but to my judgement full of cares: for in them I have seen so variable and diverse likenesses of countenance, that I marvel at it. Some of them talking to themselves: others being alone with their heads hanging down, and with great imagination: Others talking by two and two together: Others in clusters treating of the sales of their merchandise: Mariners and soldiers carrying for their payments: Others carrying away their portions of silver, which they had taken out, running with it, as though they had stolen it: Others there were with the Notaries about their suits: Others in the office of the treasurer amongst the Registers. There was also a great noise of much people, delivering and receiving parcels of silver, but they were in a great strife thereupon. The judges were in counsel, and many people tarrying for them in such sort, that I was in great admiration: I being there only to behold, and all the rest to do their business. And it was to me as one that did behold them without grief, as a comedy, with many Pageants.  
And that which did make me marvel more, was to see that none were merry, nor content: rather they seemed to have great care and troubles.  
Doctor. Master Burgus, I am glad you have seen what doth pass in that house, with so much attention: for all that which you have seen, that Gold and silver is cause thereof, which with so great good will you came to see, and this is it which is the cause of their troubles, and cares, and not only it bringeth such as you saw there amazed and astonished, but many others, for they are at this day the instrument of all these things. Some they put down, others they raise up, whereby they have rule, and dominion in the world. These mortal men have put so much felicity in them, that they have and do procure them, by the loss of their lives, and shedding of their blood, and after they have them, they conserve them with much labour, and with greater care keep them, and with much misery they spend them, and with great evil fortune they lose them. These are they that take away quietness and rest. They take away sleep, and many pass the day to keep them, and to increase their afflictions and cares. In the night also they rest with fear, and care: there are in them so many snares and hazards, as we see every day.  
Burgus. For all this I would see the Gold, the silver, and the Emeralds. Doctor. What? master Burgus, have you never seen Gold, silver, and Emeralds? Burgus. Yea, I have seen them, but in little quantity. Doctor. What do you think is there in seeing of little, or much, but to see much earth, or little earth, and most of all without the profit of man, of as many as nature hath created? And if you have so great desire to see precious metals: I will carry you to a place where you shall see one metal much more of price, & of greater estimation, than the gold & silver that you were so desirous to see, & better, & of more profit beginning, and original.  
Trimegisto said, that the earth was the mother of the metals, 
Trimegist.  and the heaven the Father. And Pliny saith these words. 
Pliny.  The inner part of the earth is a thing most precious, for into it, and through it do go, and pierce all the influences of heaven, engendering therein things of great price, as stones and metals: and this is done, as Calcidonio Platonico doth say, by reason of the great heat that is in the inner part of it. 
Calisthenes.  
Calcidon●●.  Calisthenes understood that the form of metals were all one. 
Anaxagoras and Hermes.  Anaxagoras and Hermes said, that the metals had one form in the inner part, and an other in the outward part, one secret, and an other manifest, after the manner as the lead hath within it gold, and the gold lead, and so of all the rest of the metals. See you my masters how many and how variable opinions there are among wise men.  

A common opinion.  There is another opinion, which is that which is common, and which for the most certain we do follow, which Avicen wrote in his books of Metheurous, 
Avicen.  and in the books he made of Alcumisto, which were confirmed by Geber and Raymond Lullio, and arnold de Villa nova, 
Geber.  and all the rest that have treated of these matters, even unto our time, 
Raymond.  do say, that the true matter of all metals is engendered of brimstone, 
Arnold.  and quicksilver, the brimstone as the father, and the quicksilver as the mother: and the heat of the brimstone, doth incorporate, and congeal with the quicksilver, in such sort that of these two things are made the metals which are in the bowels of earth: and of the variation of these two beginnings, they come to differ the one from the other, and of the pureness of these two beginnings, some do come to be more excellent than other: and for this the gold is more profitable & more fair than all other metals, for because it is form of his beginning, clean, and pure, which was the cause and original of his perfection.  
And there were Philosophers which said that all metals should have been gold, if it had not been for the imperfection of the sulphur, and the quicksilver. And all other metals besides the gold, they call imperfect minerals, because they had not their pureness, and concoction, that the gold had, with that marvelous friendship, which nature gave unto it. And of this it cometh, that the Alcumistes for to make gold, do pretend to make clean and purify these two beginnings of the which all the metals are made, and being put into their perfection the gold is made by of them, which is the metal most pure and clean, of all other. Thus they d●e work with their distillations and limbecks: and how hard it is to do, let them report and speak that have spent their goods, and also their patrimonies thereupon, and yet in the end have performed nothing at all.  
Such as do write against them, making impossible their works and effects, do say, that in the bowels of the earth, the metals are not engendered, nor made of brimstone, and quicksilver, as they think and hold it for certain, so they cannot make of them by art, for if it were so, that of brimstone and quicksilver they were engendered, there would be some ●ase of them, in the mines of gold, and silver, and of the other metals: for it is seen that there is no sign or vain of them in any of those mines, how deep so ever they be: but rather they are mines of themselves, as we see, that neither in them are found metals, nor in the mines of the metals are found'st sulphur, nor quicksilver. And if it were so as they say that the metals do breed, and are newly engendered of these two beginnings, it must be of force, that one metal were already made, and the other should go a making, for that all could not be made alike: but rather they take out all metals ready made, and perfectioned, and in the meltinges the Iron doth fall down into the lowest part, and so is made a great cake, the which being divided into pieces, they carry them to the forge, where are certain great hammers or sledges of Iron which the water driveth, and they beat them, and there they are forged, and do make these planches that you see there leaning. Truth it is, that there are mines where some Iron is more strong than other some, and likewise harder and stronger to labour. The Iron of Almaigne is softer and gentler to work: That of Flaunders is hard and nought: 
Almaigne.  and therefore it is that many things are soon broken that are made of it. 
Fland●rs.  In Italy you have all sorts, 
Biskey.  that of Biskey is the best, by reason it is good to work, and it is more mighty and strong than all other, and for the goodness it hath, it is carried to all parts.  
Doctor. Do they bring Steel from Biskey as they do from Italy? Ortuno. They do bring a certain kind of Iron so hard and strong, 
Italy.  that being wrought, it serveth for Steel, chiefly with a temperature that is given to it, that doth make it very strong, although that it be wrought with great labour. There is great difference between this, and ●he Steel which they bring from Italy, and chiefly from Milan, for this is very pleasant to work and soft, and is far better, and the crafts men that do work it, for this cause are desirous of it, and do use it more than any other. Doctor. Some will say, that the Steel is a mine a●one of itself distant from the I●on. Ortuno. It is not so, fo● all are mines of Iron, but that some is more strong than other some, and the stronger and harder it is, for the strength and hardness thereof we call it Steel, and there are countries which have no other Iron but this which is hard and strong, as all the country of Mondragon, where all the m●nes that are in it, 
M●n●●ago●.  are of this Iron, strong, & hard, whereby it is called Steel, all that is taken out of them, the disposition of the place doth cause it, but that which they bring from Italy is of another sort. In that country are divers mines of iron, some of soft iron & easy to work, and other of hard & strong iron, & not easy to work. And for to make the steel which they send us, they use it in this sort: they take of the soft iron, the quantity they seem good, and they make it in ●●●aine small thin planches, than they take marble ground small, and also the rust of the iron ground small, and mingling it all together, they put it into a furnace to mel●, prepared for this purpose, 
The mann●● how they make Steel in Italy.  with much quantity of kindled coal, they cast all together into it, & giveth it a strong fire, and after they cast to it some of that hard Iron that is so hard, that it cannot be wrought, and with a strong fire it is all melt, and they make it one piece, of the which they make these bars of steel, that th●y bring to these parts, in so great quantity the which they call st●ele, by reason it is hard to work, and strong, & in Latin it is called Chalibs, by reason of certain small towns that were so called, whereas was iron most strong: & hard. The steel serveth for many things, because it is of greater might, 
Stee●e.  and stronger than the iron, and of more activity, and they make strong & fortify the tools of iron with it, to endure the longer, and may do their work more quickly, with more strength & readiness, for that it is an iron more pure and clean, and for this cause it is more dry, and white, and better to be wrought: & this is to conclude that which I have understood of the original of iron, and of steel. D. Master Ortuno, hath said very well, and not in short speech, but wisely, and discretely. Reason would that many people should buy of these 2. metals. for I have understood that they serve for many things. Ortunno, they which do buy iron of me, are many; but they which do work it, are many more, for I do not know any office or science in all this city whereto iron and steel are not needful, & necessary. D. M. B. & I would be glad that you would tell us in what occupations, principally iron is used & spent. Ortuno. They are so many, that in many days they will not be declared, much less in the little time that we have here. D. Let us be informed as long as time will permit. Ortuno. I will speak of some things which I do remember. One of the things in the which iron is most spent, 
In what things Iron & Steel are spent.  as also a great part of the steel, is in armour, as well defensive, as offensive, so that there is no 〈◊〉 at this day in the world where they are not used, and exercised, and in many Countries they are made. Chief there is spent much iron in making of handguns, the use whereof is so much in the wars, and warlike exercises, that the people of greatest fame and activity, are they which shoot in them: as a thing very principal, and most necessary: but surely it was an invention of the Devil, for to carry many to hell. And to speak of all kind of weapons which are made of iron and steel, it will ask a longer time, than we have. The iron doth profit for the tilling of the earth, and labouring of the fields, and for the benefits of all the works in the Country, to sow, and do other works, a thing so necessary and profitable for all people, seeing that the works of the fields doth sustain all manner of estates, in the world. The iron serveth to make buildings, so many sorts, and divers, that therewith they build Cities, Towns, villages, Forts, Churches, and public places, the which without iron and steel could not be made, as also in the sciences of any manner of handicrafts man, in the which there are so many necessary instruments, for to use, and exercise, that thereby you may see how necessary the iron and steel is, seeing that without them they cannot be made, nor any thing can be wrought. And to express every office, and science by itself, that by means of these two metals are made and exercised, it will never be made an end of. One thing I will speak with truth, that there is nothing in the world, be it by itself alone or with the help of another thing, that hath not need of iron and steel.  
By means of these two metals, kings & princes do get kingdoms, and cities, & by means of them they do make subject their enemies, and do defend their goods and persons. And as Livio saith, that with Iron the country is defended, and not with gold, and with it kings are made strong and mighty, and are esteemed and had in great reverence. By Iron justice is kept and maintained, and by the means of it, evil doers are chastened, and the good conserned. This metal hath so much authority in the world, that it conserveth peace and quietness in common wealths, in cities, in fields, and in the deserts, in such sort that by i● in all places they have all their assurance, and defence: and so much may be said of that which it can do, and the great authority that it hath, and the mean that it is for all things, that my tongue is not able to speak them, nor my memory to express them. One thing I will say, that the auncie●t Romans had by it such estimation, that only the noble people only might wear a ring, & the same to be of Iron.  
Of two needles which are made of steel I will speak, as of the greatest things that may be thought: 
The sowing needle.  the one is the Needle with the which they do sow: how necessary it is in the world, in cities, in towns, in common wealths, in particular houses, in the field, in the Sea, & in all places, yea and to any one particular man alone? And let so many Arts speak thereof, that by means of the Needle are used, and done, and without it, they should not be used nor done: and being so many, it will be a thing incomprehensible to speak of them. Let every man consider thereof, seeing that from the king unto the shepherd, and from the bishop to the sexton, they cannot pass without the use of it. And if we look what service it doth to women in their uses and exercises, in their sowings and works wrought upon linen cloth and silk, things so politic, and delicate, that with the Needle they do work: Imitating also, in things which they work, like unto the work of nature, making b●asts, birds, plants, leaves, and flowers, which do seem with the branches, that they give of silk in colours, as if it were the self same that is growing in the field. I saw the picture of the king's majesty made with a needle so naturally, as if an excellent painter had painted it. Of all this the needle is the instrument: a thing so small that it is hid among the fingers. The Indians were in great admiration thereof at the beginning, when they were first discovered, when they saw Spaniards sow with a Needle, for it seemed to them a thing of wonder, and they gave for a Needle much gold, and they were asked wherefore they would have them, seeing that they were naked: they answered, for the works that the spaniards did with them, they would have them in their power for a thing of admiration. And with them they took out the thorns that can into their feet, better than with any other thing.  
The other Needle is that which serveth for Navigation to sail withal in the Sea, 
The needle for navigation.  and is one of the greatest things that hath been discovered in the whole world, within this little time: and by means thereof, there have been found new worlds, great kingdoms, and provinces, never seen nor known unto us. And if the Needle had not been found, they had never been discovered. When they wanted it, the navigation was very little, and short: they failed only casting about by the banks of the Sea coasts: and now by the means of it, they do engulf themselves, and do sail in such sort, that the ship called the victory sailed all the round world over, as the Sun goeth every day, that it is said, she sailed at one time twelve thousand leagues. And that which is more to be marveled at, that the ship being in a gulf of 800. or 1000 leagues, by means of the Needle they came to the port which they pretended to go unto, without any other knowledge, more than by the means of the Needle, or as we call it the compass, the which is of steel: and they do r●bbe over one part of it with the load stone, and forthwith by particular virtue which God hath given unto it by that part which they did rub over with the load stone, it looketh towards the Pole, which is near to the North, and perpetually it doth this being in the Sea, or on the land, either by the day, or by the night, with the Sun or without it, always it looketh towards the North. With the which Needle, and with the card of Navigation, wherein is placed a distinction for the knowledge of the winds, and the description of the ports, they sail so many milleons of leagues, as at this day we see: and it is done so easily, that it is very wonderful. 
Who f●rst found thi● needle.  The invention of this marvelous Needle was found by a Mariner, who was borne in the city of Melsi●n Italy. Also the Iron & Steel do serve to make clocks, which is a thing of great art, & very necessary to live with rule & order: for by them shall be known the works that are to be made, & the time that shall be spent in them, they serve for all states of people, whereby they may live wisely & discreetly: & where is no clock they live like beasts. they are made at t●is day with so much art & curiousness, that they make great admiration, they purify and make clean these two metals, that they make them as bright as any other: they gyld them, they silver them, & there is given to them other colours, & are made very fair, as we see that there are made chains ●f Steel very delicate and fine: and there are given to th●m diverse s●apes a●d colours, and are more esteemed than those which are made of Gold or Sil●er. Th●se metals a●e distilled ●y t●● w●●e of alchemist: and th●re is ma●e of them Quinta ●ss●ncia, 
Dis●●●●ed.  as of Gold and Sil●er. ●he Alcumis●es too say, t●at the metal mo●●e ap●e f●r th●ir c●uses and effects, is the Iron.  
The Iron doth suffer a grievous disease, ●hich doth consume and make an end of it, w●ich is call●d rust, 
That rust come not.  and because it may not come to it, there are many remedies, that the things which are made of Iron, and of Steel may be continually clean: principally, that they be put into no moist place, and that they be occupied and used, gilding them or silvering them: in so doing they be kept clean from the aforesaid rust, or anointing them with common oil, or with the marrow of a Dear, or with the fat of birds, or with white lead and vinegar, when they are taken with the rust, for to take it away, they must be filled of, 
Remedies when the rust hath taken it.  and put into vinegar, and after into the fire, for with this it is taken away, unless when they be so much eaten, that they are not to be remedied with these benefits. I do not speak of the finesse and delicateness that there is in soldered of it, and closing of it together, and of the using of it in the forge, because I am weary I let it pass, with many other things that I should say thereof, and do conclude, that these two things, Iron and Steel are the most necessary things for the service of man, of as many as are in the world. Doctor. I am very glad with that which master Ortuno hath spoken: for all is to confirm the excellencies, & greatness which I have understood of these two mettales, whereby I do take them to be more necessary than the gold and silver, if we do consider well of it. The gold doth not serve us principally for any other thing, but for money, which is to buy any thing therewith, and for the trade of things, the which any other metal might serve, or any other thing. For in the old time as there was no money, they did barter and change one thing for another: and by reason in this bartering and changing there could not be used any equality and justification between parties; the wise and discreet men of common wealths did agree together to make a thing, which might serve the lack that might be of the one party to the other, that with it the things might be made equal, and there might be a justification of both parts. And for this reason and effect, there was invented and made the first money, which was neither of gold nor silver, but of iron, and of metal, as we see in the money of old tyme. And after that, the Romans made it of gold and silver, for the fairness thereof, but it is sufficient that the first which was made, was of iron and of metal, seeing that the Indians have it to this day, of fruits of trees, and especially of the Cacao, which is the fruit of a tree, like to an Almond, this hath served, and doth serve them for money, to buy, 
Money mad● of fruit of Tree●.  and to sell, and to use all plainness, in their business. And in all Ginea the black people called Negroes do use for money, for the same effect, certain little snails, which they find in the Sea, as also other nations do use of things like to this. B. I have held my peace, hearkening to your worships, with great attention, and surely you have treated in things of great importance, and of great learning: and seeing you go treating so effectually the matter of iron, and so delicately, and with so great learning, I would that Master Doctor might satisfy us one thing, that I have seen decided of learned men, upon the complexion of iron: for some do say it is cold, and upon this I have had so many alterations, that they have amazed me, and seeing that Master Doctor can certify us concerning this matter, we shall take great pleasure, if that he will declare it unto us. D. I thought to have made an end with this saying, and that I had accomplished my promise with Master Burgus: but now he will drive me to a question, the most hard and difficult that is in all Physic, and surely it were need of more time, then that we have to determine it.  
B. Your worship may not escape by that means, for to morrow you may make an end of that, which you cannot do this day. Ortuno. I shall receive great pleasure in it, although it be not my profession: for being a thing touching iron, I shall rejoice therein. D. For to content you, I will own judgement.  
And that we may more apparently see the same, I will speak of such that hold the one opinion, and also of those that are of the other, 

That the Iron is cold.  
Galen.   and the parties being heard, we will judge that which shall seem best unto us. Let us speak first of those that affirm Iron to be cold, and let Galen be the first, who doth say that all those metals of their nature are dry, and so they have great virtue, and strength, to dry up, and that that hath most virtue & strength to do this a●ong all of them, is the Iron, as also with this virtue to dry up: it hath also virtue to make cold. He doth compare it to the stone, saying that the substance of the stone is constant, and steadfast, for the cold, and drieth that it hath: Even so is the Iron, in such sort that it hath the nature of the stone, the which is cold and dry. And this which he sayeth in the ninth of his Methodo, 
Idem.  he doth confirm in that of the natural faculties. The hard bodies do show to ha●e more earthly parts, and as the Iron is most hard, it hath more than all other things, whereby it cometh to be cold and dry.  

Averroes.  Averroes doth confirm the same in the fifth of his C●liget and sayeth: things which are made hard of heat, with the dominion of earthly parts ought to be cold, and dry, 
Alberto Maegno.  as the Iron is. Alberto Magno in the book of the Metheuros sayeth: the Iron when it is kindled maketh itself very read, for because in his principal quality it hath earthly parts, the same he doth confirm in the book● which he made of metals.  
Conciliador in the difference 155. sayeth: in the Iron is not found that virtue which is expressly active, 

Conciliador.  
Idem.   but in the end it is cold and dry. The same words are said in the difference 128. gentle in the same question which he made the Actuatione medicinarum, sayeth, that the Iron is cold and dry.  
Herculano in the chapter de Vomitu confirmeth the same. jacobus de partibus upon the second of the first, 
Herculano. jacobus de partibus. Auic●n.  saith that the iron is cold and dry. We do see that the waters which have quenched hot iron or steel, are cold and dry. Avicen in the second of the first, sayeth that they do restrain the colour, and take away drieth, and the heat, chief in time of very hot weather. And following after this, Menardo saith, that the water which hath cooled hot steel is cold, 
Menardo,  seeing that it taketh away the drieth, and doth mitigate the heat, in time of hot weather: and the drieth being taken away, causeth that the putrefaction of the fevers do cease, and where they are with stools, it maketh an excellent work. Albucasis in the book which he made of cering instruments sayeth, 
Albucasis,  that those instruments wherewith the head should be cered, aught to be of gold, because it is most temperate: & that in no manner of wise they be of iron, because the iron is cold of nature.  
Brasavola in his book of the French disease sayeth, that the iron is cold and dry, 
Brasavola.  which as he sayeth doth show well in his colour and manner of substance, and in the darkness and weight it hath, for these things do always appear, and come into earthly substance, as that which is light in to hot, and airy substance, which is known to be cold and dry for his effects, seeing that it taketh away, and doth repress the choleric stools, it withholdeth the flux, and hot runings. That which this doth, always is cold and dry.  
Sanavarola putteth the degrees of the coldness, which the iron hath, and sayeth; 
Sanavarola.  that it is cold in the second degree, and dry in the third. B. Master Doctor I pray you to pass forward: for unto me, that which is spoken, is sufficient, for I have no doubt thereof, but that the iron is cold and dry, and always I have understood it to be so, and now with the confirmation of such authors, I hold it for more certain and firm. D. Master Burgus hath very quickly  
and determination of this controversy.  

A concord of the difference.  We have said with the opinion of Avicen, and the rest of the authors, that all metals are made of sulphur and quicksilver, the sulphur as the father, and the quicksilver as the mother, the one as the maker, and the other as the matter, and being so, the matter whereof the iron is made, is of these two things, and of these two beginnings, of the most hot sulphur, and of the most cold quicksilver. The which nature hath placed in the inner parts of the earth, and made them metals, and where there was these two beginnings, most pure, it was made gold, and likewise of that which was gross and unpure, according to the degree and quality of every one, there was engendered and made the metal, conformably to the pureness, or grossness that it had: and where these metals are more unpure, more gross, and more dark, the iron did engender. The which being of beginnings not pure nor clean, but gross and filthy, became to be a metal, more hard than all other metals, so that by means of it strength, there might be some who might make it easy and subject to be wrought, as also it might be a necessary instrument that thereof men might profit themselves. And whereas the iron is made and engendered of these two beginnings, which are, sulphur and quicksilver, the one hot, and the other cold: so it hath the complexion, and temperature, and doth participate of both qualities: therefore it is so dry, and for this cause hard and strong. By means of the sulphur it heateth, it consumeth, it drieth, it openeth, it comforteth, it provoketh appetite, and maketh the marvelous works that we will speak of hereafter, and all is done by means of the heat which it hath. And by means of the quicksilver, being gross and unpure, and being form with earthly virtue, wherewith it is mingled, it cooleth, it retaineth, it thickeneth, it congealeth, it withdraweth, and detaineth any manner of flux, or runings by binding, it taketh away stools, it cooleth and tempereth the heat, and it doth many other effects, which are all done by means of the coldness that it hath, in such sort that as by the aforesaid is seen, the effects are contrary which the iron doth: the cause whereof is by reason it is compounded of things that have contrary qualities, which are rooted in it, and do work conformably to the subject where they do work. For where it is need to open, it openeth; and where it is need to shut, it shutteth. Truth it is, that besides these qualities, the iron hath an other most principal, which is, that it is most dry, more than all other metals, by means whereof it doth many of these effects and works, which we have spoken of, and also it hath virtue to heat, to cool, and to dry up. And of this it cometh, that some do say it is hot, because they see that it maketh works of heat, and others say that it is cold, because they see that it doth works to make cold, the reason whereof is, that it is compounded of two contrary beginnings, the one hot, and the other cold, and thereby it seemeth that they may very well defend themselves, who said that iron is cold, and worketh cold effects: And likewise they that said, it was hot, and doth hot effects. Whereby it doth appear that which the one and the other have spoken and treated thereof, to be true. B. Master Doctor hath very well ended the controversy, and contrariety that is in this matter discretely and wisely, whereby we are satisfied: but there remaineth a doubt, if the quicksilver be cold, as he sayeth that some do say that it is, and to prove it, they say that it showeth by his strength, colour, and taste, and the effects which it doth, to make cold, seeing that such as do use of it, it maketh impotent, they suffer weakness, and trembling of sinews, and are utterly void of the use of their members, and many die all together of a disease called Apoplexy, and all this doth come of cold causes. They which say that the quicksilver is hot, do prove it with his effects, for anointing the joints, and other parts, of the body therewith, it maketh great works, and effects of heat, it inflameth their mouth, and throat, their gums, & roof of their mouth, with great heat, and burning: it provoketh sweat most vehement: we see that thereof is made that most strong thing like to fire, that is called Sublimatum, which is most strong fire, 
Sublimatum.  and burneth wheresoever it be put, and all that it taketh, it consumeth, and fiereth. Of it is made that corsive poison, called powder Precipitatoes, in such sort that the cause is doubtful, seeing it hath and doth the works so contrary to make cold, and to make hot. D. The same doubt we have of it, as of the iron, and what is that which Master Burgus will now have? B. Now that you brought us out of the first doubt, we pray you that you will bring us out of the second. D. It seemeth unto me that Master Burgus doth take the matter so earnestly that I must needs do it, because I mean to content him, in all things, & it shall be done very quickly: the evening cometh upon us. The quicksilver is a metal compounded of divers parts, the watery parts that it hath, are mingled with earthy things, which is tha● that giveth it substance and strength. It hath also mingled with it fulfery parts, which seemeth to be very bright: for in chafing the quicksilver between the hands, there remaineth in them the perfect smell of brimstone, & so the quicksilver i● compounded of divers things. The watery & earthy parts giveth it virtue to make cold: by means whereof is done the virtue which we have spoken of, and by means of the sulfur which hath airy parts, it heateth, penetrateth, openeth and maketh thin, and by them it provoketh sweat, it causeth to expel by the mouth, and by stools the humour that doth abound, by hearing and doing other effects of heat. And therefore it is not to be marveled that the quicksilver doth contrary effects, seeing it hath divers operations, which is the self-same that we have spoken of the iron, and so the doubt remaineth discovered which was propounded by M. Burgus. D. I remain sufficiently satisfied of that which is said, but not so satisfied that there doth not remain for me to ask of M. Doctor another thing, which is of more weight than all that is said: which is, to know the virtues that the iron and steel have in the use of medicine: for their works, and effects, as I have hard it reported, are many.  
D. It willbe a trouble for me to reckon, and tell of so many ancient authors as also of late written authors, which do treat of the virtues of iron, and of the steel, by reason they are many, and do treat of great things. And seeing that it shallbe declared, let us lose no time, whereby we may the rather make an end. By that which is said, you have understood how the iron, and steel, are one kind of metal, saving that the steel is more clean iron, and more fine, & for this cause it is hard and strong. They of old time knew not the steel, but only treated of the iron, and to it they attributed the medicinal virtues that we will speak of, and under our talk of iron, we will comprise the steel, seeing that it differeth not from it, in more than in being purer, & cleaner from superfluities: and for this cause the steel doth make cold, and drieth more than the iron. For where it is needful to heat and to open, the iron hath more force, because it is not clean of the sulpherie parts, for there is lost much thereof, when the steel is made in the form as it is above said.  
It is needful before we proceed forward, 
Of the preparation of Iron and Steel.  whereby we may the better treat of the virtue of iron, that we understand how it ought to be prepared. For if it be not prepared, neither can it be administered, nor yet will it work it effects, because ●t is a hard metal and strong. And seeing that we have M. Burgus here, who in his art is one of the excellentest men of all Spain, he may declare unto us how it may be used, and prepared, because we may go forward in this matter. B. I have received great pleasure with ●h●t as I have heard treated of iron, and of steel, and thought that we should have made an end, and not treated any longer of them: but seeing that it seemeth good to Mai●●er Doctor, that I should speak of the preparing of these metals, I will do it, because I would say some thing as well for my part. But if Master Doctor would take pains, he might speak thereof, as well as most men that are in the world, seeing he knoweth it, and that there is nothing in medicine hidden unto him, but seeing that we have of him a good Censor, if any thing do lack, he may speak and supply it. The metals if they be not corrected and prepared every one, 
To correct Metals.  as it is convenient for them, cannot serve in medicine, nor work the effects and virtues, which they have in them, because they are gross of substance, and strong. The Alcumistes have known and do know much in correcting and preparing of them, seeing that we see they use the gold and the silver, in broths, that they may be drouke, and do reduce them into powders, as also they do the like with the lead and copper, and of other minerals and me●als, which they do correct and prepare, for to make them into powders, that they may serve in medicine.  
They do correct and prepare particularly the iron for this effect, but with great difference, from all other metals, as Bulcasis showeth very learnedly, being a Phisiti●n, 
Bulcasis.  and a Moor, who in particular doth show the manner which ought to be had, for to prepare the iron, and he sayeth in this manner, the filing of the iron which is most pure, must be taken without other mixture, for if it be mingled with Copper, or Led, or Glass, and if it be given so mingled to any person for to drink, it will kill them, you may take the quantity you list, of that which is filed, being most pure, and let it be w●shed, and after it is well washed, let it be put into a clean vessel. And let there be put to it vinegar, and put it under some thing, so that it be well covered, let it so remain thirty days, or at the 〈◊〉 se●en, and after that time take it forth, and you shall find that which is filled of the colour of Uerdegrece, the which must be dryad: and after it is dry, it must be ground, and being well ground you may use thereof.  
Some there be that do wash it with fresh water, or with vinegar, and do strain it through a linen cloth, and then put it under a vessel until it wax rotten, and after they ●ash it, and keep it. That which this Moor doth say, seemeth to be of Aueroyes, in the fifth of his gathering, 
Aueroies.  where he setteth down the preparation thereof in this form: After the Iron is ground very small, let it be put many times in to vinegar, or into goats milk, when it is cruddye. This he would should be the preparation. And Christopher de honestis, 
Christ●pher de honesti●.  following this in the commentaries which he made upon Mesue sayeth, Let the filing of the Steel be put into vinegar many days, for in any other wise the use of it will not profit, although that some do put it into milk of Goats, and some into oil of sweet Almonds, and in this sort they take it. 
Clemen● Clementin●.  The same preparation Clement Clementino doth give. It seemeth a hard thing to believe, that the Iron or Steel is penetrate, and doth wax soft with any of these things: only the strong vinegar is that which doth penetrate and soften it, whereby it may be well ground, for to use of it. And for the more certainty I will show how I do prepare it. 
The preparation.  I do take of Steel the purest and whitest I can get, as also Iron, and do cause it to be filed as small as may be, and when it is so filed I cause it to be washed in water many times, until the water do come forth clear, and then I put it into a clean glassed vessel, and do cast to it as much strong white vinegar as may be sufficient to wet through the said filing, and the v●ssell being stopped & put into a close place, I do let it stand xx. days, stirring it well twice every week, and putting to it some vinegar if it b●e needful: and after the twenty days, when it is well s●kened, I take it out of that, and put it into some other brode● vessel, or upon a table, that it may dry in the shadow, and after it is dry, I do grind it in a mortar of metal, sifting it twice through a thick siue of silk, and so being made into Powder, I put it into a fine earthen painted pot, & then with a Pestle I beat it small again, in such sort that being taken between the fingers, it seemeth not too have any manner of substance, neither is it felt between them. And if it be not done in this sort they are never well ground, for it is a thing that they take most care of, so that thereby it may work the effect the better. And being made into powder in this sort, it ought to be kept in a glassed vessel. Some do wet it with Gum Dragagaunt and make it in rolls: and it liketh me very well, because they be the better conserved, and the gum Dragagant taketh away some part of their drithe. And seeing that I have made an end of the preparing of the steel and Iron, that it doth the effect when it is needful as though it were the steel itself, let Master Doctor show unto us the works and virtues that it doth. D. I do rejoice very much to hear the good order of the preparation, that Master Burgus hath given and set down to be used with these metals. And seeing that I am bound to declare the virtues and medicinal works which they have, I will speak of it the best that I know, as well that which I have known and read, as that which experience hath taught me, and the use of so many years, 
The vertue● of Iron and Steel.  These two metals do serve in medicine two manner of ways; the one is, that of them may be made instruments to work with, in causes of Surgery, without the which the Surgeons cannot work their works and effects, nor the barber's without them cannot do their occupations. To declare what instruments those are which serve for the one and for the other occupations, it will be to tedious. The iron and steel do serve in medicine with great effects and marvelous works, by curing and healing divers diseases, and so Pliny in his book of the natural history, treating of this matter of iron, after he wrote great things of it, as well in that which doth profit in the service of man, as other curious things, he treateth of ●he virtues and works which it doth in medicine, showing first the qualities of it, saying: The iron hath virtue too dry up, too retain, and too hold fast, it is good for such as do lack their hear, that it may grow, being prepared and mingled with some liquor prepared and made for the same purpose, it taketh away the roughness of the cheeks, mingled with Vinegar: and being made in an ointment with oil of of myrtles, and wax, it taketh away the blisters of all the vodie: the powder of it mingled with Vinegar, doth heal the disease called Saint Anthony's fire, as also all manner of scabs, it healeth the little sores between the nail and the finger, the powders thereof being applied thereunto with a linen cloth. It healeth also the flux of women of what sort soever it be, being put thereunto with wool or with ●otton wool, and also if they be applied thereunto after the mann●r of a Tent in the lower parts, the powder being mingled with myrrh and put to the sores or wounds new hurt, doth solder them and healeth them: and being mingled with Vinegar and put upon the pil●s, it dissolveth them. It is a great remedy for such as are gouty, being applied with things made for the purpose upon the grief: It sten●heth the blood of such as are wounded, which is for the most part made of Iron. It is given to be drunk to such as are diseased of the lungs, for it consumeth the disease, and healeth him that is sick, it stayeth any manner of flux & the Piles, & doth remedy the sores of them. It healeth sort cheeks, casting the powders upon them it is a great remedy & worthy of estimation. He that doth cause it to be made & doth put it upon a Plaster called Higre, the which doth profit to take away and make clean the sores, and to take away the Fistula and too eat away the Branches and too cause that the sores be filled with flesh: all this is of Pliny in the Chapter of iron. Galen in the Book of treacle to Piso, 
Gale●,  declareth much the necessity of iron, for the life of mankind and for the service of man, and doth account it for a most excellent remedy, for to dry up the moistures & tears of the eyes. In that of continual dissolution, he sayeth, that pieces of burning Iron cast into milk, by taking away that waterishness which the milk hath, is good for over much stoles, and especially for the bloody flix. An● in the tenth of the simple medicines, he commandeth that milk be given, where in pieces of Iron have been quenched, and saith that such kind of milk doth good unto them which have the bloody flix. And in the like case it is better to use of Iron, then of stones or pebble stones, by reason the Iron doth leave more drithe in the milk. 
A●xander Traliano.  Alexander Traliano, adding to this, treatet● how milk should be used in stools. He commandeth to seethe milk with a quarter part of water, until the one half be consumed, and in this sort it may be given to them which have the ague with stools, and it is better in the place of small pebble stones, wherewith they do command it to be sodde●, that there be cast into it small pieces of burning Iron. 
Paulo.  Paulo, well near sayeth that which Galen hath said, and that the powder of Iron mingled with vinegar profiteth m●ch to such as have matter coming forth of their ears, although that it hath been of a long continuance. And also it is a great remedy for such as have taken ●enom, that is called Aconito. And forthwith he treateth of the virtues of the water that have cooled hot Iron, and saith, that it doth good to such as do suffer the pain of the belly, and such as have any choleric disease, and such as have hot stomachs, and such as have the stopping of the lungs.  

Dioscorides.  Dioscorides in the chapter where he treateth of the rust of iron, saith, that the water or the wine, that hath quenched a piece of burning iron, is good for them that have the flux of the stomach, and the bloody flux, it desolveth the hardness of the lungs, and serveth in choleric stools, and in the looseness of the stomach. 
Actio.  Accio, treating of certain rolls which are very excellent for the oppilations of the inner parts, saith, that it is a most convenient remedy for the Lungs, and inner parts of the Body, that the water that hath quenched hot iron be taken for a long time: but such as have a hot disease, must use of the water, and such as are cold if they be weak, of wine that hath quenched iron. Oribacio sayeth, that the water which hath quenched hot style, is an excellent remedy for such as are sick of the lungs. Scribonio, 
Oribacio.  an ancient Physician saith, that the water which hath quenched hot steel, is a great remedy for such as are swollen, 
Scribonio,  and for such as have sores and griefs of the bladder, chief if they use it continually. Rasis in his Continent treating of iron saith, the same as Galen doth. And Paul adding this, 
Rasis.  the iron doth take away the flux being overmuch of the menstruous, and conceiving with child, it healeth the little sores that are between the finger and the nail, it taketh away the Pearl in the eye and the hardness of the eye lid, it healeth the piles outwardly, it remedieth rotten gums, it taketh away the Gout from the feet, and from the hands, it maketh hear grow where it lacketh, although there have none grown a long time. The water that hath quenched iron, is good for the flux of the belly, although that it hath been of a long continuance, and for stools of blood which doth avoid from the body, and the meat which is eaten and not consumed, and for stools of blood: it also dissolveth the hardness of the lungs, it remedieth the runings, and weakness of the stomach. And Macerico an ancient Physician saith, if the powder of iron be taken with sodden Wine called Cute, it comforteth the weakness of the stomach: he taketh for his Author Mese a Physician. And Rasis concludeth the same, saying, I say and certify by great experience, that the iron, doth profit in the disease of the Piles, and for the flux of Urine, and for overmuch flux of the menstrues: this sayeth Rasis.  
Scrapio reciteth all that Rasis saith, word for word: and because I would not say it twice together, 
Scrapio.  I let it alone. Avicen followeth Rasis in all that he hath said, adding this tha● followeth to it: 
Avicen.  The water wherein iron is quenched, maketh strong the inner members by his own property and manifest quality: it comforteth the stomach, for the water which doth quench hot iron, strengtheneth the virtue, and consumeth the superfluities of the stomach, and the superfluous moisture thereof, for those are the things that take away appetite by the looseness of the mouth of the stomach, and they are those which extinguish and kill the natural heat: and the iron by reason of the coldness and drithe, helpeth the knitting which is made in the mouth of the stomach, where the appetite is engendered, it comforteth the Liver and the rest of the interior members, it strengtheneth natural heat, the sinews and powers of the body, and in such sort it doth give them strength, and they take such virtue thereby, that they cast from them the oppilations: by reason of which causes the Lungs are consumed. It comforteth the virtue of generation, and this it doth by consuming the moisture which is that which letteth & troubleth natural heat which is necessary therefore, and if it be not done by his quality yet it is done by his accidents. 
Avicen.  All this is spoken by Avicen, in the second of his first, as also he sayeth in the second Canon where he praiseth the iron greatly for Ring worms, and for swellings, and for the Gout, and mingled with Vinegar and put into the ears that of long time have cast out matter, it healeth them, & for the sharpness of the eye lids, and to take away a web or the whiteness of the eyes: and he saith moreover that the Wine which doth quench ●he Iron doth profit for the Apostumations in the Lungs, and for the looseness of the stomach, and for the weakness thereof, it taketh away the superfluous Flute of the Mother; it drieth the piles it taketh away old stools and the bloody flix, it doth good to such as their fundament cometh forth, and to such as their water doth avoid from them, not feeling it, it taketh away the overmuch Flux of the menstrues of women, and comforteth lustiness in man or woman: all this is taken out of Avicen. Aliabas in the fifth of his Theorica sayeth, 
Aliabas.  the water that cooleth the iron, doth detain the belly; it hardeneth and comforteth the Members, if you bathe yourself with it, it doth good too the Pains and Apostumations of the Lungs. Albucasis sayeth, that the use of iron prepared, 
Albucari●.  taketh away the naughty colour of the yellow face, that is of the colour of Saffron, and the use thereof doth make fat, and it should be used as the sick man doth heal, who being well and whole, doth wax fat.  
Well near all that which I have said, Alzananio and Isaac, do say: which I do leave to relate, 
Alzarania▪ Isaac●▪  because it is showed already. B. Have there been any late writers that have said any thing touching this matter? I think there be none that considereth how that the Ancient Writers have written much thereupon. D. Yes, many and very learned. B. it would do well that you would so much pleasure us, as to show who they are, and what they say, seeing you have begun, and that they remain not unknown. D. I will show you, for some of them with care, and particularly, have written of iron, and the use thereof, and of the great virtues which it hath, and the like they say of the steel. A Physician which was a Cardinal called Vitalis de Furno, treating of iron in a particular Chapter, saith: the filings of iron have virtue to dry up and to make thin, 

What the late Writers say.  
Vitalis de Furno.   and therefore it openeth and healeth oppilations of the lungs: it healeth the bloody Flux, and any manner of Flux of the Belly taken in meat or drink. The Iron that is quenched many times in Wine, is good for the stoppings of the Lungs, and Inner parts, and the milk is good wherein the Steel hath been quenched.  
The iron obeyeth nothing but the Diamond, for it cannot do more than iron: for it doth consume it altogether. There is no metal, which doth receive so much hurt with the rust as the Iron doth, and much more if it be cankered with the blood of mankind, and also after you have made it clean again if you anoint it with the marrow of the dear called the heart, or with Oil olive, or with Vinegar mingled with Alom. This the Cardinal saith.  
Montenana in his Counsel a hundredth sixty one doth put for a great secret to kill or quench fifty times a piece of steel in strong Vinegar and in that Vinegar being made hot, 
Monten̄●na.  to wet a course Linen cloth, and put it upon the lungs and inner parts that are stopped, many days together, Michael Savanarola in the book he made of Baths, 
Sa●anarola.  doth say, the iron maketh cold and drieth up, whereby it is binding, and therefore it doth detain, and the water that killeth or quencheth the iron, hath the said virtues, and all the reft that the iron hath, for the water receiveth into it his quatities, and virtues as Galen saith, that the water receiveth the qualities & virtues of the things that we put into them, 
Galen.  or sodde in them, and they do the same works that the said things themselves will do; the water which killeth or quencheth the iron or steel doth detain, it causeth that the flux or runings do cease, ●nd being put to the ruptures, it doth sodder them together, and shutteth them, it consumeth the old matter of the eyes. The powder made of iron doth lose the swollen eye lids, it taketh away the Rhyme from the eye, and doth make fast the gums that are loss. When there is a tent made and wet in this powder prepared and put into the mouth of the Mother, it witholdeth any manner of flux of it: and the look it doth by putting it into the flux of blo●d: that cometh from the Piles.  
This Powder is good against the Uenome called Ac●z●to. The Wine that quencheth iron or the steel, doth profit for the hardness of the lungs, and the weak stomach and laxative, & any manner of flux, chief if it be choleric, it doth profit much. Such as have the dropsy, and the flux of the urine, and such as have the menstrues, overmuch, and such as their water goeth from them without perceiving thereof, and such as their fundament goeth out: hitherunto Savanarola hath said. Nicholas Florentine, praiseth infinitely steel, 

Nicolas Florentine.  
Bartholomew an English man.   for oppilations of the inner parts of the body, and likewise the water of the steel. Bartholomew Anglicus, greatly praiseth the use of iron, & of steel, and saith, that they are a more excellent medicine, than gold or silver, for the service of a man: for that by them these two metals, that are so greatly esteemed of all men, are kept in safety, because they do defend and sucker them from such as continually do persecute them. They defend justice, they conserve the commonwealths, by them the evil doers are chastened, and the good are conserved and defended: in all offices of handicrafts they are necessary: they labour and work and fields with them, whereby we are maintained, it hath medicinal virtues more than any other metal, for the filing which doth proceed of it, hath virtue to dry up, and to make thin. It undoth oppilations of the lungs, it taketh away any manner of flux of stools, although they be of blood: and it profiteth for many other things. All this the English learned man saith. William of Saliceto, in the cure of oppilations of the lungs, 
Saliceto.  doth command to take the powder of steel, for to lose oppilations, and he taketh it for a great secret. Platerio in the chapter of iron sayeth, the iron and the scales of it, 
Platerio.  and his rust & the steel every one of them hath the like virtue and property, taking two parts of a dr●m of the filing of iron prepared, as it is convenient, with hot wine, it healeth the oppilations of the liver and the lungs, although they be very old. Matthew Siluatico saith the same, 
Matthew Siluatico  that the rust and the scales of the iron have the same virtue that the steel hath, either of them were the lade stone itself, and all this it doth by reason of the great likeness and friendship which it hath with the iron, together in one with the hidden property which it hath therefore. For this virtue, that it hath to draw unto it iron, either it is for the likeness it hath, or for the property, and in this stone ought to be the one and the other. The diamond is his enemy, insomuch as it is said that in his presence, 
Galen.  it draweth not the iron unto it. Galen speaketh of greater power that the load stone hath then the iron, seeing that it draweth the iron to him, being of his own kind, and therefore the ancient writers do give it the same virtue, that they give to the iron, in curing the oppilations of the lungs, and other inner parts. 
Galen.  Galen saith, that the use thereof healeth the dropsy, and doth evacuate the gross humours. Serapio saith, 
Serapio.  that being taken with water and honey, it looseth the belly, chief gross humours: many do praise it for the dropsy, with water and honey. I understand that the lo●● stone ought to be prepared in such sort that i● may bet used, as we have said of the preparing of the iron. B. Doth your worship minister any time the rust of iron prepared'● for I have prepared it by commandment of a Physician, 
The rust of the Iron and his virtues.  being a stranger, and give the powder thereof unto such as had oppilations: and he said to me, that they did better work then the powders of steel D. We have spoken of Plateario and of Matthew Siluatico, 
Plateario.  how they say that the rust of the iron, 
Matthew Siluatico.  and the iron itself, and the filing of it, and the steel, have all one manner of virtue, and therefore the rust of the iron prepared will profit as much for the said purpose, as the rust doth, and I have understood for to consume and dry up the moisture of the stomach and the slimy humours thereof, it will make great effects, for the rust of the iron and of the steel is the most hot parts, & the dryest parts of them. 
Galen.  And so Galen doth command it to be prepared with vinegar, and that there be made of it, powder most small, the which drieth extremely, as he saith in the ninth of simples, and in the fifth of his Methodo. Mesue, 
Mesue.  in that of the ulcers of the ears, he doth put a confection for them wherein in is contained the preparing of the rust, and before that he putteth the same rust prepared in vinegar, and made in small powders, he maketh of them a lineament for the ears that are troubled with ulcers. 
Rasis,  Rasis in the nienth chapter of those things that do comfort the stomach, after he hath showed of many compound medicines, saith, if they do not profit, let there be given the scales of iron, with wine, and he saith the same in the books of the divisions, in the chapter of the diseases of the moist stomach: he commandeth to give a composition called Trifera Minor, and after that, the rust of iron. And in the same chapter before for the weakness of the stomach, and the debilitation of the natural heat, he commandeth that there be given Trifera, and after that the rust of iron: and at the end of the said chapter, for such as do eat earth, clay, and coals, he commandeth them to be purged with Acibar, and after that they eat Trifera made with the rust of Iron.  
B. You have spoken very well, Master Doctor, but I pray you show us how we should minister the powders of these things. D. seeing that there with we shall make an end, I will show it in short time, considering that the time doth no longer give place.  
The cause and original of the disease being known, the sick person ought to be let blood, and purged, 
How these powders are ministered.  if it seem good to the Physician to be so, and if the sick person hath strength therefore: for there are some so lean, that it is not convenient to use of any evacuations in them. This being done, they shall take of the powders that shall seem most convenient for them, of the three things which are spoken of the iron, the steel, or the rust of them, the quantity that shall seem good to the Physician, according to the age virtue, & strength. I do give to them of a mean age a dram, 
The quantity  and from thence I rise or fall, as the age and strength or the continuance of the disease requireth, and that it may not be less than two grains of weight, nor more than a dram & half, I give it many kind of ways, either mingled with suggar of Roses, or with conserua of violets, or with a syrup of Coriander, or of the root, or made in pills, with a syrup made for the purpose, casting them into the mouth, or any manner of these ways, that they be taken: there must be drunk after them a little sack, that it be not cold, nor very strong. And if the person that taketh it, drink no wine, than he may drink water sodden with Cinnamon, although the wine be the better, 
When they should be taken.  it must be taken, fasting in the morning, and immediately after it be taken, they must go and exercise their bodies, two hours after, if they have strength therefore, and if there be not strength to do it, one is sufficient, or the time that they may possibly. The going must be in such sort that the party be not overwearied: and if he be, let him sit down, now and then, and by reason such as do take them have stoppings or oppilations, of any manner of exercise, although it be little, they are forthwith weary, and all the pain is for the first days, for afterward they shall go very well, and shall not be so much wearied.  
This exercise is better to be used out of the house, and by the streets, and in the fields, it doth import very much by the going whereby these powders do make their work, 
That which the going doth import.  and do good, that if they be not well gone with all, they do not the effect that is desired, and the exercise being made, let him take rest in his house, or in the place where he cometh unto, not unclothing himself, but even so appareled, let him lie down upon his warm bed, and rest himself one hour, and let him eat four hours at the least, after he hath taken these powders, or when he perceiveth his stomach to be clear, of them, he shall eat of a Hen, or of another Bird without any sauce, with some dry fruit, or some conseruas, and not to eat any green thing. 
The order that he shall have.  Let the drink be according to the disposition that he hath, wine watered, if it be convenient for him to drink it, or water sodden with cinnamon: let him refrain to that day from all things that may offend him, let him not drink between meals, let him make a light supper, with that as may dry up moisture. I will not counsel that they take these powders every day, but every third day, and chief these first days, and especially such which are lean and delicate, for in taking of them every day, they will be much wearied, and one day that they rest between, they will be restored, and take strength for the next day. The day that it is not taken, if there do appear any fever, it would do well that there were taken a good vessel or great cup full of whey, made of goats milk hot, hot with suggar, & if it be not to be had, then take a small table of rosade of a sweet smell: this day their liver shall be anointed with some ointment made for the purpose, and their lungs with some thing that may unstop them, and the stomach with some thing that may comfort. This shall be done in the morning when he is on his bed, and after the ointments are ended a little time, one hour or two after that they are anointed, receive a common medicine with things that have virtue to evacuate, and this medicine shall not lack, every day when the powders are not taken, for it doth much import, except: if there be not many stools: in such sort it will be better that it be a washing medicine. The day which they take not the powders, they may eat sodde meat with some sauce and green things, and in the one day and the other drink little.  
These powders are given many or few days according to the necessity of the party that is sick, 
The days that they shall take them.  and as it doth him good for to some 15. days are sufficient, and to others 20. and to others 30. some there be which do vomit them up the first two or three days, and they cast up much choler with them, whereby they are notably lightened, and doth i● this sort they give contentment & gladness, I know no other medicinal benefit it can do to them. There are many Physicians which do command to carry to the money house, (which is the house where the money is made) a pot of water corporal, 
Note.  and spiritual, and after he hath done this, he doth moderate it in this manner, saying, But such which have not these eats, and drinketh without them when they are idle, and in pleasure and do not exercise themselves: these people as they have not heat to constrain them to drink cold, let them not do it, neither is it convenient for them to drink, it, let them content themselves with cold water, as nature hath brought it forth, without putting it too cool in any other thing, seeing that they have not need of that which is most cold. And forthwith he sayeth: Although they live idly, and do no exercise, and also without cares if the time were warm, or very hot, they may drink the water cold, I do mean that in Countries where it is not cold, they may put it too be made cold, so that it be not v●ry cold. The self-same is confirmed by Galen himself in his third book of meats and in the book of the disease of the reins, where he saith, That the use of cold water cooled with Snow, unto such as are very hot, and such as are fatty, and such as do excercise themselves and labour much, that such may drink very cold, chief if they be used thereunto, for such as are accustomed to drink it▪ do suffer and carry it better and more without hurt then such as do not use it, for such aught to drink it with more respect and consideration.  
And albeit the water hath so great benefit in it, as we have said, for the conservation of health, it hath greater too heal Fevers and other diseases: and thereupon Hipocrates and Galen treated very particularly, inespecially Galen in the ninth of his Method, doth reprehend there Erasistrat●, 
Galen.  and such as do follow him, which did forbid the use of cold water, unto such as were sick of the Fevers. And in his first book of his Methodo, by the like reason doth reprehend Tesalo. and in the seventh book he doth show that he himself hath healed many sick persons that had the grief of the stomach, with most cold water, and also made cold with Snow. And in the eight, nienth, tenth, and eleventh of the same Methodo, he healeth the Fevers and other diseases with water that is most cold. And it is an excellent remedy taken with the conditions that is convenient. In the xl. he saith, that the sharp Fevers are cured with letting blood and cold water, & especially the Fevers of blood or that have much mixture thereof. By that which is said, is seen how convenient it is, that water be made cold with snow, where there is not to be found any so cold as is convenient for our conservation & contentment, & for to heal us of many infirmities. All the which we have treated of in brief, whereby it may be a beginning of our pretence that shall follow, which is to show the manner how to make told with snow, and because that which shall be made cold is the water, and under is also to be understood the wine, & all the rest that shallbe made cold, we will speak of that which shall be treated, under the water.  
The water is cold two manner of ways, 
Of cold matter.  one naturally as it cometh forth of the springs, and this is as cold as it is convenient, and hath no need to cool it, if it hath as much coldness as will satisfy our necessity, without having need too se●ke any thing that may make it colder.  
There is an other water which is not so cold as is convenient for us, as well for our conservation & health, as for our satisfaction: and by reason it is not so cold as it ought to be, it is the cause of the hurts it doth, that before we have spoken of. Some waters are not so cold as they ought to be by nature, by reason they are in hot countries: Now our intent is to treat of them how they ought to be made cold, because with their heat they hurt us, and being made cold as much as need requireth, they do satisfy us so that we may drink them and use them without any hurt that they can do us: & so we will show of all the means that we may have to make cold, which are used at this day in all the world, and of them we will choose the best, and most sure, setting down the inconvenience that is in every one.  
There are four manner of ways to make cold, which at this day are used in all the world: 
Four ways to make cold.  that is to say, with the air, in the well, with salt Peter, and with snow: every one of these is used at this day.  

The first with the air in the cold of the night.  The first is, to make cold with the air, although it be a common thing, and used in all places, yet it hath been and is most used of the Egyptians, by reason they have neither wells, nor snow, and that of the salt Peter they never knew. Galen maketh a large relation of the manner how to make cold with the air, and saith thus: they of Alexandria and Egypt for to make their water cold, 
●alen.  that they may drink it in time of hot wether, do warm it first, or do seethe it, & then they put it into earthen vessels, and set it in the cold air, or dew in the night in windows, or in the gutters of houses, and there they set it all the night, and before the Sun riseth, they take it away, and wash the said earthen vessels in the outside with cold water, and then they roll them with the leaves of a vine tree, and of lettuce, and other fresh herbs and they put them in the ground in the most cold part of the house, that there the cold may conserve it. This manner of making cold is used at this day in all the world, although not with so much curiosity, by reason they seethe not the water and they content themselves with putting it in the cold air, and in the dew, as commonly it is done.  
Likewise they do make cold the water with hanging it in the air, 
To make cold with hanging in the air.  having certain skins full of water in the air and moving them continually: the which is used in all the Country called Estremadura. Others do make cold by putting the vessels with water in the draw, and before the Sun come forth, they drappe them in cloth or in skinne●, and this the Shepherds and other people of the field do.  
This manner to make cold with the air hath many inconveniences, 
The hurt to to cool in the air.  because the air is a subtle element subject to any manner of alteration and corruption: and therefore it may be infected with some evil quality, easily: & being infected, it may infect the water that so is made cold, infusing thereinto his malice. The which Avicen showeth very well in the second of the first saying, The air is an evil thing, by reason it is mingled with evil things, as Uapors, and smells, 
Avicen.  and evil smokes, chief that which is put in between two walls, and especially that which passeth by places where are rotten plants, and naughty Trees, and where dead bodies are, for it altereth at every one of these things, and of them receiveth an evil quality. And for this cause the ancient Physicians did forbid that in time of the plague the water should not be put into the air to be made cold, because the corrupt airs should not infect it. There is likewise an other inconvenience, that you cannot every night set the water too be made cold in the Air, for some nights and the most part of them, in the Summer time are so hot, that not only the air doth not make cold, but the water that is set in the air, is hotter than it was before, and if it be made any whit cold, it dureth no longer than the Morning, when it is not needful, and likewise in the time between Winter and Summer, or in the Winter when the air would make cold, than the rain, the tempests and clouds and other alterations will not suffer the air to do it. All these things experience doth show at this day.  
There is an other manner of way how to make cold with the air, which is the most wholesome, and more without hurt than any of all the other: wherein there is no occasion of any evil quality. And there are many people of estimation which do use this way to make cold that, which they should drink, the which they put into vessels of earth, or metal, and do always make wind and air to the vessels with a wet linen cloth. And it must be so, that it be in the air continually without ceasing, as long as you are at meat. And in this sort it will be made cold to purpose, and the hot air that is joined to the vessel is taken away, and in place of it cometh fresh and cold air, even as it doth when there is gathered wind to the face, and taking away the hot air that is joined to it, and with fresh air it maketh it cold and refresheth.  
The other way to make cold, is in a well, wherein they do put the vessels with water or wine, 
The second manner how to make cold which is in wells and the hurt that cometh thereof.  and there they remain the most part of the day. This kind of making cold hath also many inconveniences, as well of the part of the water, wherewith it is made cold, as of the part of the place where it is put, chiefly in the wells of the cities and towns, that for the most part are fowl and full of filthiness. The water of these wells is an earthly water, gross and hard, because it is continually standing in one place, and shut within the bowels of the earth. And as it is a standing water, it must of force he putrefied, for that the beams of the Sun do not pierce it, nor yet the air doth visit it, and therefore continually it is full of evil vapours, whereof they do easily rot, and they are foul waters full of dirt and clay, and of other mischiefs of an evil quality.  
And seeing the water or wine is so put a long time into this foul standing water, what can come of it, but that it participateth of the evil quality that it hath? And so Galen sayeth, 
Galen.  that the vessel which must be put into the well, aught to be full: for if it lack of his fullness, than the water of the well doth penetrate it, or the vapour of it goeth into that which is empty: and therefore it is convenient that the vessel be filled full, and that it be well stopped, for that which is said. 
In the well the vessel ought to be well stopped.  And he sayeth the contrary, when we shall make cold in the air: for then the vessel shall not be put full, but some part thereof remain empty: for the cold air in the night season entering into that which is empty, doth make the water more cold. 

and in the air unstopped and not full.  
To cool in metal, i● evil.    
Ordinarily they are vessels of Copper, or of the lease of Milan, which are put in wells for to make cold. The Copper, if it be not well tinned within, doth suffer too enter into that which is to be made cold an, evil quality: for with the moisture of the well, there is grown in it immediately, a certain greenness that is seen upon it, after it hath stood a few days, which is a thing very evil and hurtful.  
The leaf of Milan is made of Iron, the which with the moisture of the well is taken forthwith with rust, which is a black thing that is seen upon it after a few days, which is an evil thing, which doth infuse an evil quality into that which is drunk. And therefore I am of the opinion that that which should be made cold in the water of a well, should be in a glassed vessel or of silver, 
The best manner how to make cold with the water of a well.  although the best way is to take out water of a well, and put it into a vessel, in the which should be put that which should be made cold, moving the water many times: for by taking the water out of the well, it looseth much of his evil vapours, by reason it is visited of the air, which as is said, doth show the inconvenience that there is by making cold in a well.  
And besides that, we see that the water hath ever a taste of earth, or of some evil taste, that is perceived notably, after it is drunk, besides the evil smell which we see tha● it taketh.  
The third manner and fashion to make cold, is with saltpeter, 
The third way or manner how to ●ake cold with saltpetre.  the which is an invention of merchants, and in especially of such as go in the Galley, by reason that there the air doth not make cold, and especially in the time of calms, and there is neither wells nor snow. Necessity did teach them this remedy, although it is not good, for the great inconveniences which it hath. It doth cool, as some say, the cold running unto the inner parts of that which it doth make cold, for the excessive heat which the saltpetre hath, the which is done with the strong force of the saltpetre with the water, which the saltpetre being entered into the inner parts maketh to be cold, coming from the heat of the saltpetre working upon the strong force thereof. Other say, that the water doth make itself gross with the saltpetre, and being made more thick and gross, it hath more cold virtue, the which being helped with the heat of the saltpetre, the cold maketh a greater pearling, through the water, for all things that are cold, the more thick parts that they have, 
Galen.  the more they cool. And so Galen saith in the books of the simple medicines, that nothing can be very cold, which hath subtle thin parts, by the which how more thick the things are the more force they are of. Other there be which say that the saltpetre hath an actual virtue, very cold, and working with the water, is made more cold: as is seen by the brine, that after the salt is very much stirred in the water, it is most cold. The self-same is seen in the water of Allom, 
The hurt it doth.  and of saltpetre. This manner of making cold doth cause many diseases, it doth heat the liver, it causeth continual heat, and a hot burning, it inflameth the lungs, it taketh away the lust of meat and other evils, which would be tedious to treat of.  
There are other ways to make cold, which are in rivers, and most cold fountains, 
Other ways to make cold.  whereof Galen speaketh, of the which it is not needful to treat of, for whereas are most cold waters, it is not needful to put them to be made cold, but to use of them as they are.  
We have showed how the water that should be made rain with the coldness of the middle region of the air, 
snow and rain water doth differ in little.  did freeze, and was made snow, and therefore is little difference from the rain water, and that which cometh forth of the snow, for both of them are engendered of one manner of matter, saving that the water which proceedeth of the snow, is somewhat more gross, for the compulsion it hath, of the coldness of the air, in such sort that it is not so evil, as they say it is. And we see the Scythians do drink it continually, as Hypocrates saith. We see that of the snow which doth melt, are made great and mighty rivers, of the which the people that inhabit near to them, drink continually without doing to them any manner of hurt, or benumbing of them. And of these are many in Spain, Almanie, and many more in the west India's, where most of the rivers are of snow, which doth melt from the hills and mountains, and all people in general drink of them, for there is no other water in all the Country.  
The Romans for delight and curiosity, drank the water that came forth of the snow, the which they strained through stones to make it more thin. Atheneo, 
Atheneo.  doth rehearse certain verses of Sopita, an ancient Poet, in the which he saith, that in his time they drank snow, and the water which came forth of the snow. Pericrates, Historiographer being a Greek most famous, saith that in his time, 
Pericrates.  they drank snow, not only in the Cities but in the camps. Euticles a man very learned, 
Euticles.  in one of his epistles doth reprehend those that were in his time, that they did not content themselves to drink that which was made cold with snow, but that they drank the snow itself. Sciates, maketh mention of the snow, used at times convenient, 
Sciates.  with much care and delight. Xenophon in the things of memory which he wrote, 
Xenophon.  maketh mention of many people that did not only drink snow, but the water thereof continually.  
The Romans did use it much, and so Pliny in the 31. book of his history saith, 
Pliny.  that Nero was the first that sodde waters, to cool it in snow. The which Galen in the seventh of his Methodo doth recite of him, saying, Nero was the first that sodde the waters, and afterward cooled them with Snow: for the water being made cold in this sort, receiveth more quickly the cold, and more effectually. And it is a water more healthful, for by the seething of it, is avoided the earthly parts from the water, and it remaineth more subtle, and more thin, and so it descendeth more speedily from the stomach.  
Pliny in his natural history, in the nineteenth book, complaineth of the care that those of his time had, 
Pliny.  in keeping the Snow of the Winter, for the hot weather in Summer, saying, that they did overthrow the mountains by keeping the snow from warm weather, making it to pervert the order of nature, that in the months which are most hot, in the which there is nothing but heat & drithe, that the curiosity of the people is so much that at that time, there is such abundance of snow, as in the months in the which there doth naturally fall upon the ground great quantity thereof. This Pliny saith, for in his time and after, it was a common thing to keep the snow of the winter, for the summer. Heliogabalo Emperor had made a great cave in a little mountain, 
Reliogabalo.  from a garden of his own, where he gathered in the winter very great quantity of snow, bringing it from the mountains that were nearest to Rome, whereof they used in time of heat, in their banquets.  
Chares Militineus, in the history that he writeth of King Alexander sayeth, 
Chares Militineus.  that in the City of Petra, a most populous City in Asia, there was, ordinarily thirty caves, that in the winter time were filled with Snow, for the hot weather, for the service of Alexander, & such as were retainers to him.  
At this day it is done, not only in Asia, 
snow is kept by many people.  but also in many parts of Africa, and in all Europe, chief in all the Countries which are under the dominions of the great Turk, and especially in Constantinople, where the snow is so much used, that all the year it is sold in public market, and they use of it all the year. The self same is done at this day in all the states of Almanie and of Flaunders, Hungary, and Bohemia, and other places, where they keep the Snow, in houses, and baw●es in the Winter, for to make their drink cold therewith in the summer.  
They carry from Flaunders to Paris, the water that is frozen, which is more than three score leagues distance. Likewise in our country of Castille it is kept in houses, and they gather it in the winter: and when winter is past, they conserve it for the hot weather. And there are many Lords and great men, which have in the mountains particular houses, where they command that it be put in the winter, for this effect: and many of them do use it, and do make cold therewith as well in the winter, as in the summer, as there are chief in Castille in the time of winter, waters that are most cold.  
They which drink that which is made cold with snow, say that it doth not offend them, 
The cold which doth proceed of Snow, doth not offend as o●her cold doth.  as that which is made cold with the weather, for it is seen that a cup of cold water being drunk, that cometh forth of a well, or of a cold fountain, hurteth such as do drink it, and drinking that which is made cold with snow, they feel no such hurt.  
I do much marvel at one thing, 
How careless people are that they have not had Snow in S●●uill.  that this City of Seville being one of the most famous of the World, wherein always have lived many great personages of very high estate, and many people of great estimation as well of the natural people of the Country, as strangers, that there hath been none which have brought thither snow in the time of hot weather for to make cold that which they drink, seeing that the heat of this country from the beginning of Summer, until it be well near towards Winter, is so great, that it is not to be suffered, and all the waters are most hot, that they cannot scarcely be drunk. And besides that the most part of the people of this City are people of much business and cares. And seeing that in a Country so hot where business and cares do abound where the water is hot, 
An exhortation.  and nothing wherewithal to cool it; with just Title it may be admitted and used that it may be cooled with snow, seeing that the coldness is so sure, as we have said, and it doth make the benefits which Galen and Avicen have showed unto us.  

Note.  Let every one look upon his disposition that being whole, although he be not altogether in health, in time of hot wether he may drink cold more or less as it is convenient for him. For the drinking cold doth temper the Liver, it mitigateth the heat, it giveth appetite to meat, it comforteth the stomach, 
The good that drinking cold doth.  it giveth strength too all the four virtues, that may do their works the better, the meat is eaten with appetite, and with gladness it taketh away the drithe in the day time, it causeth that the stone doth not engender in the reins, by keeping temperate the heat of them, it taketh away loathsomeness, and likewise it doth many other good effects, that the use and thereof experience ode show us.  
And because it is the best manner too make cold with Snow as we have said, 
Avicen.  let us a●●we thereof with grave Authors: and let Avicen be the first, in the third of the first, where he saith, The water that is made cold with snow, unto such as are of a temperate complexion, whereas coldness hath been made with Snow, yea although the snow be fowl and not clean than it serveth to make cold the water without: and that as is good and clean, is to be put in, to that which shallbe drunk, as Avicen himself showeth in the second part of the first book, the 16. chapter, where he saith, the snow and the frozen water, when it is clean, and that the Snow hath not fallen upon evil plants, or that it be not mingled with earth, or other superfluities, and the frost not made of evil infected waters, but that the water which come forth of the snow, be clear and clean, and the water that cometh forth of the frost, be also good and clean, if any part of the water of the snow or of the frost be put into the water that must be drunk, or with them the water be made cold without doubt it is good: for the waters which come forth of them, be not strange from other waters.  
This doth Avicen say, giving to understand that these waters which do proceed of snow and of frost being clean, do not differ from the goodness of other waters: only the difference is, that the water of the snow and of the frost are grosser than other waters, by reason that the vapour is congealed in the middle region of the air, as we have declared. Rasis amongst the Arabiens the best learned, 
Ras●●.  in the third book of those which he wrote to the King Almasor sayeth thus, The water of snow cooleth the Liver that is hot, being taken after meat, it strengtheneth the stomach, it giveth appetite and lust to meat, but that which is drunk may not be much. And immediately after he saith, the water which hath not so much coldness, that it giveth not contentment to him that drinketh it, filleth the belly, & taketh not away the drithe, it destroyeth the appetite, it taketh away the lust of the meat, it consumeth the body, and concludeth, in saying, that it is not a thing convenient to be drunk.  
I do understand it for the preservation of the health of man, of the which Rasis, 
Ide●.  treating in that book himself in the 4. of Almasor, speaking of the preservation from the and there cometh to him hurt and poison, which destroyeth and corrupteth him: believe you me, and suffer not such which are sick, to spend their money to cast gold in medicines which they take, nor let them quench gold that is hot in wine, nor in water, for of the one and of the other, there remaineth no medicinal virtue, that will remedy their evils. Only the gold being made money, hath great virtues and properties, for that is it that maketh the heart glad, and taketh away sadness and melancholy, and repaireth all the virtues and strength of man, it giveth strength whereas is none, it is an universal remedy of all things, unless it be of death: for against that, nothing can prevail. And seeing that night is come, and time giveth not unto us any longer liberty, and although that it gave us; yet age doth his office, for I feel myself weary. God be with you Master Ortuno, and likewise to you Master Burgus, and I go to take rest.  
The end of the Dialogue of Iron.   

THE BOOK WHICH TREATETH OF THE SNOW, AND OF the properties & virtues thereof: And of the manner that should be used to make the drink cold therewith: & of the other ways wherewith drink is to be made cold: Whereof is showed partly, in the latter part of the second Dialogue of iron.  
With other curiosities which will give contentment by other ancient things worthy too be known, which in this treatise shallbe declared.  
Written by Doctor Monardes Physician of Seville. 1574   

To the excellent Lord the Earl of Barajas assistant of the city of Seville etc. the Doctor Monardes your Physician wisheth health.  
MOst excellent Lord, the fair & white snow doth complain unto me, saying: that she being so ancient, and of so many ages, celebrated of so many Princes, Kings, wise and valiant m●n, and being had in so great estimation and price, that with great care they seek after her, & with greater care they do conserve her, for to give health & contentment to all persons: yet for all this, many people with little consideration, & not knowing what they say, do persecute her, putting undecent names to her: and that which doth most grieve her is, that some Physicians, either for ignorance, or for malice, do speak evil of her, not perceiving what so many learned men have treated & said of the great utility & profit which she doth to many, as experience doth show, & all people do understand, chief when they do drink their drink most cold with the benefit which doth remain to them thereof, they do praise & extol her. Moreover she saith, that she forceth no person to use her: but if any will use her, she can give such order & manner to make cold the drink, as is convenient for all persons, giving the degrees of coldness which every one would have, & which doth best appertain to them, & this with all assurance with only leaving or placing the vessel wherein the drink is joined near to her, the which none of the old writers nor of the late did speak against, or forbidden. And especially let this manner of making could not be done with stinking water of a well, nor with the most burning Saltpetre, but with pure water being clean and clear. These complaints & many other the fair lily white Snow hath uttered unto me, & in the end she lastly said to me, that since that I had praised her so much, and taken in hand to favour h●r, that I should lie the fire hath no mixture of other Elements, and amongst these Elements the air is very principal, which is divided into three parts, one is the supreme, and near to the Region of the efire, which is hot and dry for the fellowship that it hath therewith, taking much of his quality, which is clear and pure, from whence do not proceed any winds, nor clouds: and this they call the celestial Region and the parts more low which are near too the water and earth be grea● and troubled full of Uapours, pierced and visited with the beams of the Sun, whereby it cometh too be hot and the supreme and middle Region of the air doth come too be very cold, because it standeth in the midst of the two extremities, being so hot. And in it, is increased the cold as in the middle part fleeing from the extreme parts of heat, as we have spoken of before. This middle part hath parts more or less cold, for the part that is joining near unto us is not so cold, as that which is near to the superior parts of the fire. And how much more the vapours do rise up on height, the more they do congeal, and hold fast. In the middle region of the air do engender the clouds, the small rains, the drops, the frost, the rain, the Snow, the Hail, and other impressions as the Thunder, lightnings and sharp showers, and comets. The Clouds be the principal matter which do engender the Rain, the Snow, and the Hail, and the other impressions which we have spoken of, that are made of many Uapours which do rise up from the lower parts unto the middle Region of the air: and so being joined, they make one body, and they wax thick with the cold of the said place: and for this the cloud is like to a mother, and is the common matter of all the impressions that are made in the air. And so it is of the snow as a thing engendered of it, in the middle Region of the air. And the Snow is no other thing but a Uapour, cold, and moist, which came into the middle Region of the air, being engendered, in the body of the Cloud with a mean coldness which is not so strong as that which doth cause the Hail, nor so soft as that which doth cause the water, and in the like Uapour before it be made water, it both, congeal and freeze, and doth fall broken in pieces and are white, because there do rain in them more cold then in the water.  
The which Galen doth show unto us in the book of the Philosophical history of Anaximenes the Philosopher. Of the congealed air, 
Galen.  
Anaximenes.  he saith that the clouds are made; and of the same, being more thick, the rain is engendered, and the same is congealed and frozen, and by the coldness of the Air it is made Snow: and being more congealed it is made Hail. And the same Galen doth say in his book de Vtilitate respirationis, the Clouds congealed are made Snow: which is the matter that the rain is made of, the Snow doth fall in the high places, which of their own nature are cold places, and thereby it is much conserved, and very seldom it falleth in the Ualleyes, and if it do fall there, it is very small, & forthwith it dissolveth. It falleth in the Sea but seldom times by reason of the heat which it hath, & for the winds that are continually in it, for heat & moisture are contraries & much more the wind accompanied with the sun. Galen in the ninth of his simples, saith, that there were Philosophers that said the snow had hot parts for being taken in the hand, 
Galen.  it heateth & burneth like to fire. And so the said Galen in the 4. of the said Books, sayeth as he went upon snow, his feet did burn: the cause of this is not that the snow is hot, nor that it hath hot parts, but with his cold it doth shut the pores of the hands or feet and causeth that the heat which is in the inner parts have not where to come forth: & so being shut in, do cause so great a kindlying, that seemeth to burn: the which we see contrary if the hands do burn & be put into hot water, as the pores drinking of the coldest water they were healed, as Galen saith in the 7. of his Method, 
●alen.  that he saw in one day, ye● in one hour, with a draft of cold water many diseases were healed, and some of these were weak of stomach, not only, with cold water of a fountain, but with water cooled in snow, 
Cornelio Celso.  and in Ro●●e it is used. And so Cornelio Celso in his first book, unto such as were weak of stomach, commanded them to drink, after they had eaten, the coldest water they could get, and in choleric stools, should be drunk water, that was most cold, and in runings of hot humours, it should be used, for to stay the flux. Avicen in the said chapter saith, 
Avicen.  that the cold water doth comfort all the ●ertues in his works that is to say the virtue digestive, attractive, retentive, and expulsive. And so he goeth declaring every one of them, giving us to understand how much the cold water doth corroborate and make strong all these virtues, whereby they do their works the better. 
Avicen.  And the said Avicen in the second of his first treaty of water, saith, the cold water is the best of all waters, and it is convenient for them which are whole, for it giveth lust to meat, & maketh the stomach strong. And a little before he saith, that which is not cold doth corrupt digestion, and causeth the meat to swim in the stomach, it taketh not away the drithe, it causeth the dropsy, by reason it corrupteth the first digestion, & consumeth the body with his heat. Avicen himself confirmeth this in the third of the first part, 
Avicen.  saying, the cold water is convenient for them that have a temperate complexion, for being hot, it causeth the stomach to be sick. Isaac Aliabas, 
Isaak.  and Rasis, say the same, that Avicen saith, the which he did let to write of, 
Allabos.  because he would not be long in his sayings. 
Rasit.  One thing Avicen would have in the third of the first part, 
Aui●en  that he which should drink very cold, must first make a good foundation, eating first a good portion of meat, before he drink. Also he saith that the cold drink may not be drunk much at one draft, but by little and little, by reason it doth bring two benefits, which is, that there is taken more taste in that which is drenke, 
Who drink cold, let them drink little and little.  and it doth not kill the natural heat, as it is seen by the pot that boileth, if you cast into it much water at one time, it doth cease boiling, but if it be cast by little and little, it ceaseth not his working. And therefore Avicen himself sayeth, when that you will drink cold, that you drink with a vessel which hath a strait mouth, that the drink run not in hastily, the said vessel being a limet, or a yewre, with a point, surely it is a great benefit, for them which are affectioned to drink with the like vessels: if they ought first to take out the wind or not, I do remit me to the Doctor Villalabos, who treateth largely of this matter.  
And by that it is seen how Avicen would that those which would drink very cold, 
You must ●ot drink cold at the beginning of meat.  they should not drink forthwith at the beginning of their meat. For s●me there be, that as soon as they begin to eat, forthwith they will drink, that as is very cold, the stomach being empty without meat, which cannot choose but hurt: and so the hurt which doth come to them by this, they do attribute it, forthwith to the cold of the drink, and not to their evil order: the which Avicen saith, speaking of cold water, that to drink it without order, is the cause of many diseases, & if it be drunk in order, as well in time, as in quantity, it profiteth as he hath said. Therefore let every one look to that which is convenient for him, and let him make experience in himself, and if that it be convenient for him to drink cold, that he may bear, it without that it do offend him that do it, for thereof will follow the benefits which we have spoken of, but if he be sick, and fall into any disease, whereby he saith, that the drinking of cold drink doth offend him, in such case let him not use it, for my intent is to sh●w and persuade them that do drink cold, that if it do them no hurt, nor offend them that they drink it so, a●d such as do use it of custom and have experience that it do not offend them, unto such i● they drink not, that which they drink cold, the lust of their meat is taken away from them, for they take no taste in that which they eat, and they eat it with grief, and with an evil will, for that which they drink doth not satisfy them, & the hot drink doth fill the stomach full of windiness, and cannot make therewith a good digestion.  
But what is he that hath a reasonable health, being in the time of great heat, 
He doth counsel to drink cold.  or in the hot summer, that coming to eat, being weary of exercise, or of great labour having the tongue dry, the breath short, that doth let to drink cold, seeing that to do it, there do follow the benefits that I have said, and doth succour his necessity, and remain content and glad without having offended his disposition, and health. Unto the which Galen doth animate and exhort v●, in the book which he made of good and evil meats, saying. In the time of hot weather, when our bodies are hot and sometimes inflamed, than we must use of things that may refresh us: although that they be evil meats, as Plums, Apples, Cherries, Melons, Goords, & of other cold fruits, in these like times. Galen saith, that we may use cold meats, as the feet of a pig or hog sodden in vinegar, and crudded milk: and the same meats must be made cold, and likewise the drink must be made cold, as the water, and the wine watered with cold water, or made cold in snow, the one and the other must be made cold in the most cold water of a fountain, and if it be not to be had, let it be made cold in snow, chief the drink. 
Galen.  And after that Galen hath made a large digression, as it is convenient so much in the time of great heat to eat and to drink cold things, he doth describe who they are that should drink cold, and saith in this sort, those that should drink cold are such, as have much buzines, and have care of many things, as those which are governors of cities, and common wealths, and the ministers which do help them, and do participate of such cares and troubles, and those that are much exercised in bodily buzines, in especially the sowldierlyke exercises, or other great exercises, and they which do journey, and inespecially long journeys, giving to understand all corporal exercises. Here I do see many being sick, and having great occasions of sickness, after that they drink cold, they are whole: and when they use it not, they become sick again. And although experience do show it, yet Galen doth teach it us, in many places, being the Prince of Physic. 
Galen.  For in the third degree of the substance of meats, he saith, that unto them which are hot of stomach, it is convenient that their drink be made cold with snow: the same he doth confirm in the book of good and evil meats. And in the 7. of his Methodo, it hath been seen, as he saith, that diseases have been healed, 
Galen.  and the griefs of the stomach with cold water, made cold with snow, and in the 6. of the Epidimias he doth use much of water, first sodden and after cooled with snow, 
Galen.  and in many parts he doth put to cool in snow the medicines, which he doth use of: and the same do the Arabiens, for that, as it is said, it doth seem that the snow was had in reverence, by the ancient writers, and that they did use of it in the preservation of their health, and in the healing of their diseases, for that it was the best manner how to take it cold, more clean, and more without scruple. For the cold that proceedeth of snow, is healthful without receiving hurt, by that which is cooled with it, nor causeth any alteration because it is a very good congealed water, and doth make cold.  
Truth it is, that it is not convenient to use of the said snow continually, if it be not in time of need, 
How it ought to be used.  by the way of medicine: for the use of the said snow drunk in water or in wine, or putting the snow into them, doth engender many kind of diseases, which if presently they be not felt, they come to be felt in age: Of the which Galen doth make a large relation, in the book of diseases of the reins, and in the book of good and evil meats. And because that Avicen did expound them, I will show what he writeth, in the third part of the first book, in the 8. chapter: He which doth drink snow, and the water that doth proceed out of the same snow, if he do use it continually there will follow much hurt thereby: it doth offend the sinews, and it is nought for the breast, and for the inner members, and especially for the breathing: and there is none that do use to drink it, but it will do them hurt, unless he be of a sanguine complexion which if he do not feel hurt presently, he shall feel it afterward. Whereby it appeareth how evil the use of the said snow is, and the water which doth come out of it, if it be not by the way of medicine, only so it may be used to cool therewith, for in such sort it doth not offend, as is said. For in this neither the ancient writers did put any doubt of hurt, nor any scruple, and now we see that it hurteth not, but bringeth health, and benefit, as we have said.  
And as Pliny also saith, of the delight and flintiness of the cold, 
Pl●nie.  without offence of any malice of the Snow. And martial doth show the same, 
Martial.  in the 4. book, where he saith, the snow must not be drunk, but that liquor which is made very cold with it. And this was showed and taught unto us, by the most ingenious drithe.  
And unto such as are very cold, it cometh not well to pass, for them to drink that, which is made cold with snow, or that which is very cold, if he be not accustomed thereto: for by custom, they may use and drink it without any offence to them, but it is good that they moderate themselves in drinking that which is very cold, and that they con●ent themselves that it be made cold, after a mean sort, although it be with snow. Also it is not convenient for children, nor boys, that their drink be made cold, with snow, for the weakness of the sinews, and interior parts, and for the tenderness of their age, and chief they may drink no wine, but water, for that their age doth not suffer, that they may drink it: and drinking water very cold, it doth them very much hurt. The wine which is made cold with snow, doth not offend so much as the water which is made cold: one of the things which taketh away the fury and strength of the Wine, is the making of it cold.  
And so there are three things which do abate the fury of the wine, that is, 
Three things which aba●e the fury of the wine.  to water it a good time before you drink it. Also to cast a piece of bread into it, that it may suck the vapours, and subtlety of the wine. The third is, to put it to cool some reasonable time in water, that is most cold, or in snow, for the more it is cooled, the more the strength and vapours are repressed, and so it will less offend the head, and it will less penetrate the joints, which is seen in the said wine, and being made cold there is abated much of his strength, in so much that if it be very cold, it seemeth as though that it were water. Some people there are which do say and publish much evil of the cooling with snow, without knowing if it be good or evil: and as it is a new thing, and especially in this Country, they fear that there will come hurt to them by the use of it. And I being at the table of a Lord, there was brought a platter full of Cherries with snow upon them, and there was a Gentleman that durst not take any one of them, saying that they would hurt him, 
History.  because that they were made cold with Snow. And as it was a thing used a long time, to cast snow upon fruit, 

snow vpo● fruit.  
Galen.   as Galen doth say that it was cast upon the Mulberry, the cause of this is for lack of the use thereof, by reason it hath not been used nor seen in these parts, and always they take it for suspicious.  
And here are none that do use it, but the noble men, and not all, but such as have been Courtiers and such as have proved the benefit and commodity that doth follow of it: for the rest say, that without know they have loved, and without it, they will pass on their tyme. And they do not consider that to live they may pass with Beef, and Garlic, and Leeks, but these kind of meats do engender evil humours: for it is one thing to eat the partridge, & the veal at his time, and mutton & birds at another tyme. And there is differince to eat the flesh with sauce, & the partridge with a Lemon, for the one is to eat without taste rustically, and the other is to eat as men do, choicely and delicately. And so it is in the drinking of cold, or hot, for of the drink that is made cold with snow, there followeth health, taste & contentment: and of the drink that is hot, cometh evil diseases, distyl●ing, & discontentment. Let us consider vow the old writers took great felicity to drink cold, 
The old writers did use much to cool with snow.  and chief that which was made cold with snow, and they were people both wise and discrete, and with much care that preserved their health. For in this and in their estimations, & in their manner of subtle living, they did put their whole felicity▪ & seeing that they with so much care as we have before declared, did drink that which they made cold with snow, in countries that was of lesser heat than this, wherefore should we not enjoy this benefit, and contentment, seeing that thereof cannot follow unto us, but great benefit of health, using thereof as I have said?  

Note.  Let every one look to that it is convenient for his health, age, use, and custom, and let him have respect to that which doth agree with him: for the use will show him what he shall do, seeing that of the hurt or benefit, he may soon perceive if it ought to be used, or no, & he must be advised that at the beginning when he doth use to drink cold, that which is made cold with snow, the first days he shall feel in the day time drithe, but being past 7. or .8. days, it is taken away, rather they go between dinner and supper without dryth, & without having any need to drink.  
They do bring the snow to this country, from the mountains whereas is much snow 6. leagues beyond Granado. The snow hath many things to preserve it, 
From whence they bring the snow.  because the way is long and it cometh by a hot country, by reason whereof it doth much diminish, & very little cometh hither of that which they take out there: and therefore it is so dear.  
It is a marvelous thing that these mountains of Granado, are always full of snow, 
Mountains of Snow.  & that in them it is durable and perpetual, and for great heats, and sun, that shineth upon them: yet the snow continueth in one state, and we see that it doth not change. In the mountains Pirineos, which are filled with snow every winter, but the summer being come, all is melted, in such sort that there remaineth in them no snow. The kings of Granado, being in all their royal authority did use in the months of great heat and time of summer, to drink these waters which they drank made cold with snow, as our history writer Alonso de Palensio doth refer himself too tha●●hich he wrote of the wars of Granado.  
Let the snow be kept in cold and dry places, for the moisture and heat are his contrary, 
The conservation of the Snow.  & the wind which cometh of the si●ne, much more, because it is hot & moist. They do tread or press the snow, when they put it in sellers to keep, that it may the longer endure & melt less. Charles Militineus doth say that the snow must be kept trodden & covered with leaves and bows of an Oak, 
Charles Militineus.  because in this sort it is most conserved. That which is brought to this city, they bring it in straw, for it doth conserve it more than any other thing, & it doth melt the less: which the glorious S. Augustine doth show us in the first book of the city of God, where he saith, who gave unto the straw a cold virtue so strong, 
Saint Augusti●e.  that it keepeth the snow which is most cold and conserveth it? and who gave it likewise so hot & fervent a virtue, that the green fruit not being ripe, as apples and other like, 
The properties of straw.  it doth ripe and season them that they may be eaten? in the which it is seen what divers virtues the straw hath, seeing that it doth contrary effects which doth conserve the snow, ● doth make ripe the green fruit, and doth more than the water, which is made cold in the dew, or in other thing: by putting any vessel with it amongst straw, it doth conserve his coldness all the day.  
There were used two principal ways in these times too make cold with snow: the one is, to put the bottelles or the vessels of that as you will make cold, buried in the snow, this is done where there is much snow, & this doth make very cold and quickly: the same is likewise done with the water frozen. There is another way to make cold which is more easy and it is done with little snow, which is to fill a vessel of that which is to be made cold, and put upon it a little platter of silu●r or glass, or of ●hin Plate called the leaf of Milan & that it may be made so deep, whereby it may penetrate through that which shallbe made cold, and upon that deep vessel let the snow be put, and from time to time, the water which doth melt from the snow must be taken away, 
With a little platter.  for if it be not taken away, it heateth the snow, and it melteth the more. After this sort it doth cool much, and maketh it as exceeding cold as you would drink it: and it is a way that every one may use more or less, as cold as he will, or as he hath need of it. The self-same is done with a long cave made of the leaf of Milan, putting it full of snow, into the thing that you mind to make cold continuing in it still, and this is to make any thing cold in an earthen pot or any other great vessel. 
In a cave.   
This manner of way is long or it be cold, and it is needful that it be put long time before you go too meat, and for all this it will not make it very cold. Others there be that do put the snow in a little basket, laid upon a little straw, for this doth conserve the snow much, putting in one goblet with that as you will drink, leaning hard too the snow: after this sort there followeth much benefit, for it is not needful to go taking away the water from the snow, by reason that it goeth away through the basket. And the other is, that the snow doth not melt so much, let every man do as he hath the quantity of Snow to do it withal, and likewise in the cooling of it, more or less as his necessity and health doth require, and can bear well the use thereof: of the which we have made a large relation, although that my intent and purpose was for no more than too defend that the best way too make the drink cold, and more healthful is to make cold with snow, and as for the other manner of ways and uses too make cold, they have many inconveniences which I have spoken of, and only too make cold with Snow, is that which is convenient, seeing that the snow doth not touch the thing, only the little platter that is made cold with it, is only that which doth make cold. All other ways which doth make cold, doth not come near to the cooling with snow by a great way, for that is most cold which is cooled with it, and all other ways do seem hot, being made cold in the dew, in wells, or with saltpetre, in comparison of that which is made cold with snow. And so it is a great thing, and too be much esteemed that in the time of hot weather, when we● are made a burning coal, of the extreme heat of the time, when the drithe is so great, that it maketh us to sound and our bodies are so burning and sweeting, that we have so easy a remedy with a little Snow, we may drink so cold as is convenient for us, and as cold as we will, with all assurance of health giving us so much delight and contentment, that there is no price to be esteemed too it, nor understanding that can expound it, of the which every one that doth drink cold with snow may be judge of my Apology when they do make an end to drink by means of the most cold snow.  
By that which is said, it is seen what a thing snow is, & how the use of it was esteemed amongst the people of old time for to make cold therewith, & as the best manner of these which are to make cold withal, and more agreeable to our health and necessity, is that which is done therewith; & also as the drinking cold doth bring so many benefits and commodities, & the drinking hot so many hurts & discommodities, seeing that to use it is to make lean, and debilitate the stomach, it doth make the meat to swim in it, & it doth corrupt the digestion, whereby it doth consume and weaken the body, it engendereth winds, it is the cause that the Liver is debilitated, & weakened, it causeth continual drithe, it doth not satisfy our necessity, it giveth pain and grief and other hurts, that he which doth use it, shall quickly feel them in himself. The which is contrary to them that do drink cold being cold of his own nature, or made cold with snow, for that it doth comfort the stomach if it be weak, & strengtheneth it & doth stay the flux, & runings of hot humours to it, & therefore it taketh a way stools and vomits being choleric, it doth comfort all the 4. virtues, it taketh away the driche, it giveth lust to eat, it maketh the digestion better, & you drink less & that with more contentment & gladness, satisfying us more to a little cold drink, then much which is hot. It doth let the engendering of the stone unto them which are hot of complexion, it maketh temperate the heat of the liner, it taketh away the kindling of the fire of them that are too hot, or inflamed of what cause soever it be, it tempereth the excessive heat of the summer, it preserveth from the plague in the time of it, and being taken upon meat it strengtheneth natural heat, that it may make better his digestion & work, it taketh away the sharp pains which cometh of any hot cause, it taketh away the trembling of the heart, it maketh glad them that are melancholy, it taketh from wine his fury & vapours, & the fruits put in snow, & cause, that they do not corrupt, he that drinketh cold doth enjoy the daintiness of the cold that it doth make, which is a thing that cannot be expressed and the understanding of man cannot comprehend it. They which may liberally drink cold & being made cold with snow, are such as be temperate of complexion & full of flesh, & those which are of a choleric complexion, hot & inffamed, the which are hot of the liver, and of the stomach, they which are sanguine and do exercise themselves and labour as men of great business, they which have many cares, the governors of cities & common wealths: & the ministers of them, which do participate of the like cares and troubles, they which do exercise themselves in warlike affairs, and other great business, they which go much and have laboured much, they which do suffer burning Agues, and evils of great heat and inflammations, & above all, those which are accustomed to drink it herein, let every man drink cold, or most cold as he hath necessity, and as it is most convenient for him: & to such as it is not convenient to drink cold, nor most cold, are they that are very old, and such as do live idly, without exercise, and without care, they which have rawness in their stomachs, they which suffer griefs of cold humours, they which are sick in the breast, they which have diseases of the sinews, they which cannot taste that they eat for humours or cold causes, they which do suffer muc● ventosity, children, and such as are of young age, and others to whom time and use have showed what is convenient for them. And thus we en● our Apology.  
Finis.