A brief Treatise, published by Walter Cary 1587. and now the fifth time 1609. newly imprinted: Wherein are to be found divers good and special helps for many Diseases. And for any thing herein mentioned, as heretofore I referred the patientes to M. Grace, so now (he being dead) I refer them to M. Clapham, at the sign of the Blue bell and the Unicorn in Fanchurch street. Ecclus. 30. 15. Health and Strength is above all Gold; and a sound Body above infinite Treasure. Imprinted at London by W. White, for the company of Stationers. 1609. The Author's Verse. WHo lives in health, and doth despise The mean to keep and gain the same, Let him be sick, force not his cries, His folly makes him too too blame: Else pinch his Purse, and teach him say, This Physic's vain, away, away. Shall he that's flush and feathered, Say moolting time shall never be? The doleful Mew doth not he dread, Who sores as high as thou canst see: Man's health is frail, physicians love, Health got they keep, and griefs remove. Walter Cary. TO THE READER. FOR that I am now fully resolved (gentle Reader) for sundry causes, to leave the practice of Physic, contenting myself with that small portion, wherewithal God hath otherwise blessed me: I have thought it my duty to use some means, whereby I may either in like, or more ample sort (according to my poor talon) benefit my Country. Whereupon I have published this short work, therein revealing divers good and perfect remedies, for many common and ordinary Diseases. My meaning was not to write of all, but of those only, in the which I have had greatest experience. And though both in the description (desiring to be more plain) and cure thereof, I digress somewhat from many writers: yet I wish thee not rashly to condemn me. But if thou mislike any thing herein contained, write thy mind, and deliver it to the Printer, and I will be very willing, by writing again, to satisfy thee: or otherwise thankfully to accept thine advise, and confess my fault. FINIS. The Table. FOr the Headache Cap. 4. For such as are much bound or costive, and have their excrements always hard and dry. cap. 4. For the Swimming of the Head. cap. 4. For sore and red Eyes cap. 4. For rend faces cap. 5. For the Morphew cap. 5. For those that are troubled with Biles, Scabs, Itches, or such like cap. 6. To prevent the Pocks and Measles in Children cap. 6. For those that are full of Fleame cap. 7. For the Cough, and for the shortness of Breath cap. 7. For an Heat and a Cold cap. 7. For those who are toward the consumption of the Lungs cap. 7. For a Surfeit cap. 8. For the Heart-burning cap. 9 For continual Vomit cap. 9 For those that have no appetite to Meat cap. 10. For those who are troubled with the gnawing of the Guts or Stomach; also for the Colic and for Wind, and all corruption which causeth Wind cap. 11. For the Rheum cap. 12. For the Yellow jaundice cap. 13. For the stopping of the Liver cap. 13. For the Black jaundice cap. 14. For the hardness of the Spleen cap. 14. For the Piles cap. 14. For the Green sickness cap. 15. For the quotidian Ague cap. 16. For the quartan Ague cap. 17. For the tertian Ague cap. 18. For the Plague cap. 19 For the Cramp cap. 20. For Burning or Scalding cap. 21. For a Felon and Whitblow cap. 22. For a Ringworm, Tetter, or such like, cap. 23. For the Toothache cap. 24. For the disease of English wantonness ca 25. For Worms of all sorts cap. 26. For presumption of health cap. 27. Three stays of health cap. 28. FINIS. Of a Potion which is to be used in sundry cures. The first Chapter. IN this first Chapter, I mind to speak of a Potion, or Purgation; which in sundry cures (as hereafter doth appear) is to be used. And whereas Nature hath brought forth Purgers of divers kinds, according to the diversity of corruption in man's body; some purging one humour, and some another, etc. I have made choice of the best and safest, to be taken in every kind: also in such sort prepared and corrected them, as they shall be found very fit without all danger, pain, or vexation whatsoever, to answer the necessity of such, whose bodies of any manner of corruption require to be purged. I first devised this Potion about eight years since, and seeing the gentle working and good success thereof with few, I grew in further liking of the same. And thereupon having given it to many, and that in sundry diseases, I found it to be of such excellency, the virtue thereof so wonderful, and so well pleasing my patien●es, that I did prefer it before all the rest. For it cureth divers griefs of the Head, also red and watering sore Eyes; it cleanseth the Stomach, & cureth the Heart-burning, it provoketh a good appetite, & helpeth digestion; it is good against the Rheum, the obstruction of the Lungs, the Cough, and shortness of breath; it cleanseth those who are troubled with Biles, Scabs, Itches, or such like; it cureth the Colic, & prevaileth greatly against Wind; it is good in the black and yellow jaundice; it helpeth the inflammation of the Liver; in the Green sickness it is a present help, & excellent against all Fevers, and divers other Diseases. And to conclude, my long experience hath so persuaded me of the goodness thereof, that I think I should do my countrymen much wrong, if I should any longer keep from them so great a treasure. The use thereof, shall be declared in every Chapter, where I entreat of the Diseases particularly. I have delivered my Bill for the making of the same, and other things, unto Master Clapham in Fanchurch-street at the sign of the Blew-bell & Unicorn, Apothecary; of whose good dealing since M Gray's death, I have made very sufficient trial. It may be kept good, and in perfect virtue, three weeks, or a month, contrary to the nature of other Purgers. If any man mind to carry it far, let him signify so much to M. Clapham, that it may be provided of purpose. And here I have thought very requisite to show the causes why I have not published the manner of making this Potion, for that I am charged by some, that I have a yearly benefit by the same; and for mine own gain, do keep it from the multitude: which is most untrue. For, (as I have a faith unto God) the Apothecary hath the whole profit thereof. Neither is it such, as that any man ought to grieve thereat. 1 The first cause is, for that the composition of Medicines doth properly pertain to the Apothecary, and that it is great reason every man have the benefit of his own profession. 2 The second cause is, the ignorance of the multitude in choosing the simples or ingredients, wherein is such skill, that the Apothecary himself (except he be of great judgement) is often deceived. 3 The third cause, their ignorance in making the Potion, yea, though happily they have good Simples. But because some, dwelling far from London, find themselves grieved, that they cannot have the Potion conveniently without great charge, having sudden occasion to use it, neither keep it so long good as they would; I have now devised a syrup of Lignum aloes, The syrup of Lignum aloes which may be kept one whole year and longer, in perfect strength and virtue. This syrup is of the like nature with the Potion, and is to be used as the Potion. But by the addition of divers things it is of greater virtue, especially against Melancholy, the infirmities of the Spleen, and the Diseases proceeding of wind. For the use hereof, and the quantity, I refer thee to the observations in the third chapter, and especially to the 12. Observation. Only this I will thee not to forget, that now being a syrup, it must be dissolved in some liquor, and taken warm, either in Broth, Wine, or Ale, clarified: in Ale or Broth made thin, and without all Spices, when the disease is hot & choleric: when the patient is gross and full of Phlegm, in Wine; also in like sort, when the patient is cold, dry, and full of dead melancholy. Answers to such Objections as may be made against the use of this Potion. The second Chapter. IT will perhaps be objected against me, that it is very unlikely, that one Medicine should be good for so many diseases. To which I answer, that we have received of our old and excellent Writers, divers Confections, wherein are contained sundry Purgers; whereof some purge Phlegm, some Choler, and others Melancholy. So that I conclude, of necessity they are good in all phlegmatic, choleric, and melancholic Diseases; which are infinite. And following their example, I have made my Potion of like nature. 2 Further it may be objected, that some require to be purged with strong Purgations; others with gentle: for children, and they which are brought to great weakness either by age, or by sickness, must be mildly used: but others, as the person & disease require, more roughly. Wherefore, how can one Potion serve for both? Hath it two contrary natures? Is it both strong and gentle? I answer, that where the disease or person require a strong Purgation, I give it in the greater quantity, and the oftener: 〈◊〉 where a gentle Purgation is required I give the less; as hereafter doth appear. 3 Thirdly, it may be objected, that in some diseases of the Stomach, especially, the patient is to be purged with Pills, Electuaries, or such like, which being of more gross substance than a Potion, continue longer in the place where the corruption is, and work effectually: whereas a thin Potion slippeth away, leaving the work undone. I answer, when I prescribe my Potion for purging the Stomach, I wish my patient to take it one hour before he rise: for lying in his bed, it cannot more suddenly pass the Stomach, than your grosser sort of purgers; and then no doubt it will far excel Pills, Electuaries, etc. For being a thin substance, it will very easily join with the corruption which it findeth in the Stomach, and dissolve the same: whereas these grosser Medicines require first to be dissolved themselves; which is no small trouble to nature. 4 Fourthly, it may be objected, that I prefer my Potion before the receipts of divers excellent & famous men, which have been always esteemed even as Fathers of Physic. I must needs confess, that whatsoever I have, I have it from them. But notwithstanding, I hope no man thinketh nature barren, or that she hath spent herself in our Fathers, & left nothing for their Children. I have read & practised, according to that which I found in these excellent men, and have herein only added to their inventions. So that if you receive any benefit by this Potion, or by aught else which here you shall find, ascribe the honour unto them: I crave nothing, but accept my labour as a sufficient recompense for my pains. Certain Observations. The third Chapter. IN taking of my Potion, thou needest not keep thy Chamber, nor House strictly, as in strong Purgations; but mayst walk abroad, if otherwise thy Disease be no let unto thee. 2 Thou needest not make any curious observation of times for the taking thereof: I only advise thee to forbear every change and full of the Moon, in which are contained the Eclipses. For the Eclipse of the Sun is but the change of the Moon, (although of more force than the ordinary change) neither the Eclipse of the Moon, other than the perfect opposition or full. 3 It may be taken cold, of such whose stomachs cannot bear the savour of physic, but have their natures glutted with often taking of Medicines. 4 If a Child and an elder body be sick both of one Disease, in which the Potion is to be taken, let the Child take less, and have fewer stools; but the elder more. For as a small vessel is sooner emptied then a greater, containing a greater quantity: even so is the body of a Child sooner purged, then the body of one of riper years; specially, for that in a Child the humours are more moist and fluxible. 5 They, whose bodies are full, and as it were laden with corruption, shall find wonderful ease, if they take it ten days in the fall, and ten days in the spring; as also now & then one good spoonful before supper, which will gather together the relics of digestion, with other corruption, & cause the patient to have the next morning one great stool. 6 Take some broth within two hours, or less, after the taking of the Potion, or a Caudle, or some like supping. 7 The Patient ought not to sleep, within three hours after the taking of the Potion. 8 A child of three years old may take of it very safely. 9 If it offend thy taste, use Sugar, or wash thy mouth with Wine, or some other like thing, which I refer to thine own discretion. 10 If thy body be dry, and such as a Purgation will hardly work withal; thou must take the greater quantity. 11 If thy body be very moist, and over apt to be purged: thou canst not take too little. 12 To find a proportion between thy body and the Potion, take thou first three, four, or five spoonfuls fasting, & mark how many Stools that quantity giveth thee. If it give thee more than thou wouldst have, take less the next day: if it give thee fewer, take more. By this mean, when I shall hereafter, in any Disease, advise thee to take so much as shall give thee four, five, or six stools, more or less; thou shalt be able, by this rule, to prescribe thyself the quantity. But for the most part (thy body being neither very dry and melancholy, neither over moist and exceeding easy to be purged) every good spoonful will cause and provoke one stool. 13 During the time of taking the Potion, especially if thou take it long, to cause a general evacuation of thy body, abstain from those things which are very hot; as Wines, Spices, Salt, and salt meats, &c: and also from raw fruits, green herbs, and all cold things; or at the least, use of these as little as thou mayest. For thy body being emptied, it is very requisite thou make supply with those things, which are of good nutriment, and fittest to breed good blood: For otherwise, it is but vain to take away that which is bad, and to fill the place with that which is worse. Wherefore let thy Drink be Ale, thy Bread of the finest of good Wheat; whereof also eat very little thy Meats for the most part boiled, and such as are fine and light of digestion. 14 In any wise read and mark well these rules, before thou take of the potion. For the Headache, and for such as are much bound, and have their excrement always hard and dry: also for the swimming of the Head, and for red and sore Eyes. The fourth Chapter. THe Headache proceedeth of divers causes: First of heat, and chiefly of the Sun, which heateth the Brain and blood about the Head: and this kind of Headache is said to be of heat alone, without the mixture of any Humour causing the same. 2 The second kind of Headache (contrary to the first) is of cold alone, and happeneth most unto those, who having long used to keep their heads warm, suddenly take cold. But because these two kinds happen seldom, also for the most part stay not long, and the causes being known, may easily be prevented, I write nothing touching the cure of the same. There are also divers other griefs of the Head; but mine intent is to speak here only of the cure of those which follow. 3 The third kind of headache is of fullness, when the party living in great security, some & some feedeth his body excessively, even until his Eyes swell with fatness, and his whole Body be puffed up like a bladder, 4 The fourth kind is of corrupt humours, which abounding in great quantity, are the very present cause alone of the Headache, without any other accidental matter. For cure of this third & fourth kind, take of my Potion, so much as shall give thee three, four, or five stools a day for eight days or longer, until thy head and body be well emptied. In this sort shalt thou use the potion for the cure of the swimming or giddiness of the head, and for sore and red watering eyes. 5 The fifth kind is of the fume of corrupt humours, & not of the humours themselves: for that the corruption lying in the stomach, only casteth up to the brain evil fumes, which offend the same, being of all other parts the most sensible. For cure of the fifth kind, take of my Potion so much as shall give thee four or five stools a day, for three days, and keep thy bed one hour after the same; but sleep not. 6 There is also one other kind of headache, which proceedeth of the excrement, continuing overlong in the body; whereof I think it very necessary to speak. After thou hast received thy food, first▪ Nature sucketh from it that which is thin and pure, leaving the rest as gross & corrupt. And if than it remain longer in the body, the noisome fumes thereof (it being now an excrement, and having lost the nature of a nutriment) ascend up to the Brain, and cause the Headache: also otherwise (nature being as yet forced to feed thereupon) it greatly infecteth the body: So that it is in reason a thing unpossible for him to be long in health, who is much costive or bound in his body. For cure of this sixth and last kind, take for ten or twelve days together (or longer) every morning fasting, so much of my Potion, as shall give thee one stool a day more than ordinary. And when thou hast brought thy body to good order, take alway less and less: for by that means thou shalt toll nature on to do her work without help. And in any wise remember, that every morning, both whilst thou usest the Potion, and afterwards also, thou offer thyself to the Stool, although thou feel no provocation. For Pimples, or other itching humours rising in the face, and for all itches of the body, a very rare ointment. The fifth Chapter. FOr the Pimpies' or other itching humours rising in the face: when you go to bed anoint the place lightly every night, and in the morning moisten it with a little new milk, and wipe it, for your body anoint when you go to bed by a fire four or five nights, which will kill an itch be it never so old. For those that are troubled with Biles, itches, scabs, and such like, proceeding of inward infection. The sixth Chapter. SOme by nature, from their Parents, some by long and evil diet, others by company have their bodies inclined to Biles, Scabs, itches and such like: all which I will teach thee to cure evenin as perfect an order as thou ma●est wash a foul vessel with fair water. Take of the potion, so much as shall give thee four stools a day, for three days. The fourth day take of the roots of Briony, which thou shalt have at master Claphams, and boil half an ounce thereof, and one whole maze in a pint of ale gently half an hour: then add thereto a little Sugar: And let the Patient drink a good draft thereof warm, and keep his Bed, and sweat three hours; and during his sweat now and then let him take more of this Ale, until he have taken the whole pint: but if it be a Child, less; as the age doth require. Use this order three days together, and longer, if the disease have been of long continuance. Note, that in Sweeting, the patient must rub his body with warm clothes, to take away such corruption as cometh out by sweeting. Note also that by this means thou mayest prevent the Pocks and Meazels in Children, and others, in such sort, as they shall be unapt to take them, as they which have had them. For those that are full of Flegeme, also for the Cough and shortness of breath, for such as have taken an heat and cold, and for those which are towards the consumption of the Lungs. The Seventh Chapter. THey, whose bodies are full of phlegm, and have their Lungs stuffed with the same, or other corruption; so that thereby they are troubled with the Cough, are thus to be cured. Take of my Potion for three days every morning fasting, so much as will give thee four or five stools a day: for thereby thou shalt find thy body unladen of much Phlegm. Then take one handful of the herb called Tussilago, or otherwise Vngula caballina, Liquorish scraped and bruised 2. ounces, Aniseed bruised half an ounce, I sop four branches: boil these in three pints of water gently, until half be consumed: then strain & put thereto three ounces of Sugar or Sugar-candy, which is better: Drink hereof a reasonable quantity, well warmed every morning one hour before you rise, for ten days after your purging, or longer: for it will cause the phlegm to come up easily, and is a wonderful preservative for the lungs, keeping them from putrefaction. But otherwise, if you will have a thing of like or greater virtue, also more ready, more pleasant, and which will last longer in perfect force; take the things above mentioned, in such quantities as before; that is of the leaves of Tussilago one handful, Liquorish scraped and bruled two ounces, aniseed bruised half an ounce, I ssop four branches, & of the Herb commonly called Ros solis, half an handful. Steep these in a quart of very good malmsey, and let it stand in a reasonable heat by the fire side, close stopped 24. hours or more. After take it from the fire, and when it is almost cold, strain it, and put thereto a pound and a half of fine Sugar well beaten, and then let it stand in as gentle an heat as you can, upon a chafing dish with embers, in a fair Pewter vessel, until it be very thick always stirring it now and then: It will be well in eight or nine hours. But if thou wilt have a certain rule; when it groweth to be thick, drop two or three drops on a cold Pewter vessel; and if when it is perfect cold, it be as it were a jelly, and will not run, than it is well. Keep it in a galley pot close stopped, somewhat near the fire. For the cough, thou shalt use it in this order. After purging as before, clarify a draft of Ale, and put to it a spoonful thereof, drinking it warm and fasting. If any man be sick of any disease, wherein he is also troubled with tough and slimy phlegm; let him take now and then a little hereof upon a knives point, and hold it long in his mouth: so that it melt down some & some: For thereby the fume thereof, and part of the substance will pass with the breath into the lungs, lose the phlegm, and cause it to void easily. For those that are troubled with the shortness of breath, having their lungs dry; so that it is a continual labour for them to fetch their wind: it is good first to take of my Potion, now and then for a day or two, as much as will give them three or four stools at a time; and afterwards to use the Medicine before rehearsed made with malmsey, in this order following. Clarify a draft of Ale, and put therein the yolk of a new laid egg, and one spoonful of the medicine, when you are ready to take it from the Fire: and let the patient drink it fasting, and fast one hour after it. Although thou have been troubled with this grief many years, yet if thou use this medicine it will moisten and open thy lungs or lights, and cure thee. Thou canst not use it too long, for it is both a nutriment and a medicine. In this sort also shalt thou greatly ease them which are entering into the consumption of the Lungs. But if they will be cured, they must withal abstain from all Spices, Wines, and Salt meats, which fret or inflame their bodies. Also they must have a great care, that they use no violent Exercise to over heat their Bodies; and that in Coughing they strain their Lights as little as possible may be, least by violent Coughing they tear them. Cheese, nuts, and all raw fruits also are very evil for them. They cannot have too great care in their diet and usage. For this disease is very hard, and almost unpossible to be perfectly cured. If any man, by vehement labour or exercise, heat his body excessively, and during his heat, either by Drinking, by rest, or any means, suddenly cool himself extremely, for the most part he falleth sick unto death: and if he escape, yet he remaineth weak and sickly during his life, for nature misliketh nothing more than a sudden passage from the one contrary, which is extreme heat: unto the other, which is extreme cold. Now, if the party thus heating his Body, do keep himself so warm that he abate the extremity by little and little; until he come to that state, in which he was before his heat: then he falleth not sick, neither doth nature complain at all. Whereupon I think by great reason, and I am sure by long experience I may conclude, that the best mean to cure a man in this extremity, is to bring his body orderly again to the like heat, wherein it was when he took cold, and to suffer the same some and some as it were by degrees to pass away: which thou shalt do in this order. Take a pint of ale, clarify it, and dissolve therein as much treacle as a walnut, and a spoonful of the medicine before rehearsed, made with malmsey. Let the patient drink a good draft hereof warmed fasting, and keep his bed, & sweat, four or five hours after it; and during his sweat, now and then let him take of the Ale thus prepared until he have taken all. If it be a Child, less quantity will serve: and in any wise abate his sweat very gently, and beware he take no cold. For three mornings following, let him take one draft of the like, two hours before he rise, and keep his body warm without sweeting. Note, if in the beginning of his sickness, thou use the order prescribed for the first day, he will presently recover. But if he have been long sick, and so weak that he be not able to sweat as before, there is no hope of life. Note, that if the patient be much bound, I wish thee to give him five or six spoonfuls of my Potion, to ease and disburden nature: and let him drink oft, mild and thin Broth warm. For a Surfeit by over eating. The eight Chapter. WHen any man, either by long fasting, being very hungry, or otherwise, coming to such dainty meats as he is not used unto, eat over much, and cloyeth nature; she refuseth to digest at all: like as one seeing a burden far too heavy for him to bear, doth not so much as once offer to lift it. This grief is in the quantity of things taken. But there is also the like in the evil quality of meats, although they exceed not in quantity, as in eating of fresh-hering, fat Pies, Piecrust, heavy Cakebread, and such like: whereof eating but so much, as may well be eaten of better meats, oftentimes groweth greater sickness. For cure, if the Patient complain, as yet the cause or matter of his grief being in the stomach: give him a draft of water warm as milk from the cow, with two spoonfuls of Salad oil, which will cause him to Uomit: but if it work not quickly, let him help it with his finger, by offering it to his throat. And after his vomit, give him three or four spoonfuls of a Cawdell; or some Broth reasonably hot; and let him have great care of his diet, for five or six days following: first, that he eat nothing but what is warm and easy to digest; next, that he eat not at any time much in quantity. But if the matter pass the stomach, with very slight or no digestion, so that a Uomit will not pleasure him; give him a draft of sack fasting, well burned, putting thereto as much Tr●acle as an Hazel Nut, and Sugar as you think sufficient; and let him keep his bed, and sweat four hours; more or less as you think good, according to the strength of the patient: and in his sweat, now and then let him take Ale clarified with a little Mace, wherein also dissolve some sugar: for thus shall you make perfect digestion, through the whole body, of that whereof he did surfeit. For the Heartburning. The ninth Chapter. I Think it good together with the multitude, to content myself with the ordinary name of this disease, which is, the heart burning: although it be a disease of the Stomach, and not of the Heart. They which are troubled with this grief, are for the most part at ease, after they have eaten, but when their meat is digested, they feel a continual heat or bitterness in the mouth o● their stomachs; they often belch, and have a continual readiness (as it were) to vomit. In some it is of long continuance, in others it riseth upon every light occasion, especiasly by eating of fat, salt, and choleric meats. As touching the cure, first I wish thee to mark very diligently, after what meats and drinks thou art most troubled with this disease, and forbear the same: for assure thyself, that they are either very unfit to make good blood, or otherwise thy nature hath some special mislike thereof. I wish thee also to take this for a general rule, that what grief soever thou mayest help by good diet or abstinence; in any wise take no Physic for the same. But if thy long evil diet hath laden thy stomach with hot, salt, & choleric humours, which do cause the heart burning: then take of my Potion for three days every morning, so much as shall give thee four or five stools: so shalt thou cleanse thy stomach perfectly: which is a very sufficient and perfect cure. For those which Vomit continually after meat. THere are two special causes of this Disease▪ the one is, when the first veins which receive the nutriment from the stomach, are stopped: the other, when the body is long bound, and the excrement very hard, so that the patient goeth scarcely once in ten days to the stool. In some it groweth to such extremity, that they never go to the stool: but that which remaineth after digestion, passeth from them by Uomit. For cure, take four spoonfuls of my Potion fasting; and if that work not, take more the next day; and so forth, always increasing the quantity, until it work. The next day, after it hath wrought, boil a pint of good White-wine, with one handful of Parsely, a quarter of an hour or better; then strain it, and put thereto a little Sugar: and let the patient drink a reasonable quantity thereof warm, and keep his bed, and sweat three hours: and during his sweat, let him take now and then more of the same, until he have taken all. Afterwards, let him take fasting, so much of my Potion as will give him one Stool a day. This he must continue in such sort, that he suffer not his excrement to stay long, or to dry in his body; but that he be always soluble. Note, the White-wine thus prepared, together with the sweeting, openeth the first vein, and maketh good passage into the body. The purging dissolveth, & draweth down the excrement, and some & some bringeth nature to her usual course: also cleanseth the stomach of such corruption, as happily is some cause of the grief. For those that have no appetite to Meat. The tenth Chapter. THere are divers causes of this Disease: but I will rehearse only two, which are most usual. The one is, when the first veins do not suck, which is their natural action, whereby they receive food for the whole body: and this is found in men of divers constitutions. The other is proper unto fat and gross bodies, which are always stuffed, (as it were) and so full, that nature seemeth contented with that she hath, and hath little desire of more. For cure, take of my Potion every day as much as will give thee two or three Stools, and in few days thou shalt feel thyself exceeding hungry: But if thou have not good appetite presently after thy purging, take White wine boiled, in such sort, as in the Chapter before is prescribed. For those, who are troubled with the gnawing of the stomach or guts: also for the colic and wind, and all corruption which causeth wind. The xi. Chapter. THese griefs rise of such corrupt and slimy humours, as cleave to the inner part of the Stomach and Guts; and are thus very easily to be cured. Take of my Potion so much as shall give thee three or four Stools a day, for five or six days, more or less, respecting the age and body of the patient. For when his Stomach & Guts are cleansed, he is very perfectly cured. Then learn to avoid all windy and slimy meats, whereby thou shalt be able to prevent these diseases. I muse at the madness of such as in this case use Pepper, Ginger, and other hot spices: also Coriander seed, or any thing of like nature: for that in reason it is far better to take away the matter of the Disease, in such sort as I have said, then to join one contrary with another, & to let them both remain. These hot things are fitter to warm a cold Stomach, and to make it apt to digest▪ being moderately used, then to cleanse it, being full of corruption; and good chiefly for those who are in years, and have natural heat so decayed, that by Art they are forced to seek help, where Nature faileth. For the Rheum. The twelve Chapter. FOr the Rheum, I chiefly prescribe thee three Rules following: for that the cure thereof consisteth more in the patientes own good government, then in much taking of Physic. The first Rule. Use labour and exercise; for thereby thou shalt stir up natural heat, and consume the waterish humours, which do cause the Rheum: but if the weather be such as thou canst not go abroad, either ●osse a great yarn Ball against a wall, or drive a great wooden Top in some convenient place: for both these are very good exercises. Use them twice a day, and continue always one hour; but make an end an hour before meat: and in the beginning, as also a little before thou end, use gentle labour, that thou abate thy heat by little and little: this is the chief and principal mean, both to prevent & cure this grief. Which doth appear manifestly: first, for that they, who labour much, are never troubled with the Rheum: next, that students, and such as use little stirring or motion of their bodies, are most subject thereto: for while they sit still, the outward parts of their bodies are cold; so that their blood, together with their humours, remain within: Neither have they any such evacuation by the Pores, as nature requireth, to consume the Rheumatic humour, which then seeketh another vent: and either the Patient is forced to spit it out, or else it runneth out at his Nose: or thirdly, it slily trickeleth into the Lungs. Here also mayest thou gather, why Students are commonly so lean; for by neglecting exercise, which should disperse the blood, they starve the outward parts of their bodies. The second Rule. Feed most upon hot meats, and especially such as are well roasted: for hot meats warm the Stomach▪ and stir up natural heat through the whole body, which digesteth the humours; chiefly, if at thy meat thou talk and be merry. The third Rule. Keep thy Head and Neck warm, and thy Feet dry. The fourth Rule. Drink little; and touching thy drink also, observe these Rules following. 1 Let thy Drink be reasonable strong, and not small in any wise: for the smallest Drink is most waterish. And if thou take of that continually from time to time, which yieldeth always new matter of thy Disease, it is very hard for thee to have help. 2 Either drink not at all, or very little toward the end of thy meals: for so shalt thou suppress the moisture, which otherwise would ascend. 3 Let not thy Drink be over stale, sour, or sharp. 4 Drink not White or Rhenish wine. 5 If thou drink Claret wine, first look it be no small or hedge Wine: next, take it well Sugared, and in the midst of thy meat one draft. There are divers other rules, but I will not persuade thee to any curious observations of the same: yet will I rehearse them, lest I should seem to contemn that which is allowed of the learned. The sixth Rule. 6 Fast and watch. The reason alleged is, that both these dry the body. But these alone being observed, rather hurt then help: Whereof I take witness; earnest Students, which rise early, fast long, eat little, and sit up late, yet most troubled with the Rheum of all others. Wherefore in steed of these, eat freely, but drink sparingly: also sleep hard, but lie very warm: For then is thy body in like state as when thou usest exercise. But watching is unnatural, maketh a dry senseless Brain, causeth sore Eyes, and a cold waterish Stomach, which are worse than the Rheum. The seventh Rule. 7 Keep thee in a warm Air, and go warm. The eight Rule. 8 Hold thy Breath hard now and then, which forceth the Blood to the outward parts of the Body, and turneth withal the course of the Rheumatic humours. The Cure. Now, to help those which afterwards by these Rules mean to continue their health themselves (for otherwise it is but vain to seek help) first I wish them to take of my Potion two days, & so much at a time, as will give them six or seven stools: the third day towards bed, burn a good draft of Sack, with a branch of Rosemary: and when you have done burning of it, presently brew it with a good quantity of Sugar, and the yolk of a new laid Egg. And let the patient drink it in bed, and keep his body very warm all night: for so shall he digest & consume the Rheumatic humours: use this three nights together. Note, if he be a thin lean body, and full of blood, either delay the Sack the better with Sugar; or use Ale in stead of Sack, lest the Sack inflame his blood. For the Yellow jaundice, and stopping of the Liver, a very easy and perfect cure. The xiii. Chapter. THE yellow I aundise proceedeth of choler, being mixed with blood, and therewith also dispersed over the whole body. There are diverse causes of this Disease, which make diverse kinds thereof. 1 The first kind is by the biting of some venomous Beast, whose Poison joineth with the blood, and maketh the same choleric. 2 The second kind is chiefly in the declination, or going away of an hot Fever: for when Nature hath got the upper hand, she disperseth the yellow choler, which was the matter of the Fever, and driveth it out of the body, by urine, by stool, and by the pores: which are the three special and most natural means, whereby she emptieth the body. So that in this kind, the skin, which is full of pores, or insensible holes, the urine and Excrements of the Patient are very yellow. 3 The third kind is through the inflammation of the Liver, which being over hot, worketh too vehemently upon the nutriment, which it receiveth, and converteth it not into good blood, according to his office and duty: but itself being distempered into a matter of like heat, which is Choler, or rather very Choleric blood. 4 The fourth kind is through the weakness of the Gall, which is not able to su●ke or draw from the Liver the choleric humours; but suffereth them together with the Blood to pass into the Body, which thereby is coloured yellow. 5 The fifth kind is through the obstruction or stopping of the vessels, that are between the Liver and the Gall; which being stopped, the Choler cannot pass into the Gall, but is carried with the Blood into the body, and staineth it. 6 The sixth kind is through the obstruction of the passage, from the Gall, into the bowels; for that being stopped, the Gall is not able to empty itself. But the Choler is repelled, and passeth back into the Body, which otherwise should colour and stain the Excrement yellow. In this fifth and sixth kinds therefore, the Excrement of the Patient is white, also he feeleth an heaviness in his right side. These two last kinds of jaundice are most common, which are thus to be cured. As for the rest, I write nothing: for (to confess a truth) since I knew the use of the root of the white vine, otherwise called Brionia, a thing not known, and yet of special virtue, I never used other mean to cure the jaundice. Whereby I gather, that either altogether, or most commonly, the grief riseth of obstruction. Take of the roots of Brionia half an ounce, and parsley half an handful: boil these very gently in a pint of White or Rhenish wine half an hour, close covered, then strain it, and let the patient drink a good draft thereof reasonable hot, fasting, and keep his bed, & sweat three or four hours, as the continuance of his disease doth require, & his strength will permit, which I refer to his own discretion: and during his sweat, let him drink of the rest, until he have taken all: and if he desire to drink yet more in his sweat, give him Ale clarified, putting thereto one whole Mace, and a little Sugar. Note, the more he sweateth & drinketh, the more the vessels stopped are opened, the matter digested, and his jaundice the sooner cured. The next day take so much of my Potion as will give thee seven or eight Stools: for thy sweeting doth but open the vessels, and digest the corruption which lieth in them: but the purging doth take it away. It were also more agreeing with physic & reason, if thou purge a little before thy sweeting, to cleanse thy stomach and guts, lest such corruption as lieth there, be carried into the body. But in the meaner sort, who ever do expect sudden help, I often have omitted the first purging: yea, and sometimes also, they feeling ease, have never sought for the second. Note, if the jaundice in short time after, show not himself perfectly cured: let the patient sweat again, as before. Note also, hereby thou shalt cure the obstruction of the Liver. But the most easy and ready cure of the jaundice, is by the conserve for the jaundice; of which take every morning fasting, for ten days together, as much as a Walnut, and fast one hour after it. For the Black jaundice, for the hardness and swelling of the Spleen or Milt; also for the Piles. The xiv. Chapter. LIke as the Yellow jaundice proceedeth of Choler; so the Black jaundice of Melancholy: which joining with the Blood, is dispersed over the whole body. It is known by divers signs, but chiefly by this token, which will serve for all. They that are troubled with this Disease, have always dry, withered, and black bodies. It is very hard to be cured, and requireth great diligence of the patient: for Melancholy is a very stubborn humour, and (without great digestion) will not yield to any Purgation whatsoever. For cure, take Ceteracke, the inner rind of the Ash, the roots of the white vine, Parsely; of each four ounces: hoyle these gently in three gallons of Whey clarified one hour at the least, and being cold, keep it in some clean vessel until the same be well settled. Take hereof well warmed a great draft or two, every morning fasting (for thou canst not take too much) and walk after it, until the body be hot: or else use some other exercise, to stir thy blood, that the Whey may be the better dispersed within thy body. Take it at the lest thirty or forty days together, especially in the Spring and Fall. But always remember to take so much of my Potion with the Whey, as will give thee daily one stool more than ordinary. Note, that the Whey thus prepared, doth digest some & some the melancholy; and the potion doth take it away from time to time, as it is made fit to be purged. Note also, that it is good for thee to anoint thy left side about thy girdle stead, where the Spleen lieth, with oil of Wormwood warmed, or oil of bryony▪ which is far better. Note thirdly, that in this sort thou mayest cure the swelling and hardness of the Spleen: also the Piles or Hem●rrhoides. For the Green-sickness. The xv. Chapter. THis Disease happeneth, when the Liver is also weakened, that it is not able to convert the nutriment into blood; but the digestion thereof is raw, so that the whole body is filled with water and phlegm, in stead of good blood. It is found most in Maidens, who either of folly desire to abate their colour, & to be over fine; or otherwise of childish appetite, feed upon such things, as change the state of their bodies, which are these: Apples, Pears, Plums, Cherries, and generally all raw Fruits and Herbs: also, Otemeale, Wheat, Barley, raw Milk, and many other things of like nature. They that have this Disease, are very pale and greenish: if they chance to cut a Finger, no Blood, but Water will rather follow. They feel a great pain in their heads, with a continual panting or beating. They are faint also, with shortness of breath; and have their natural course stayed. For cure, take of my Potion, for four or five days, every day so much as shall give thee five or six stools. The next day after thy Purging, boil half an ounce of the roots of the white vine in a wine pint of Ale gently, a quarter of an hour, and drink a good draft thereof, and keep thy bed, and sweat three or four hours, more or less, as the body of the patient will bear: and in thy sweeting, drink of thy Ale now and then, until thou have taken all, or as much as thou canst. The day following, take a good draft of thy Ale in like sort prepared, one hour before thou rise, and keep thy body warm without sweeting use this last order twelve days: But it were far better to walk after thy draft, or to use some other exercise; whereof I have spoken in the Chapter for the Rheum, for one hour to heat & stir the humours in thy body. Use withal, only meats of good nutriment and easy digestion, & thou shalt have very speedy help, and also perfect health. For the quotidian Ague, which cometh every day. The xuj. Chapter. TAke century, Borage, and betony; of each three handfuls, Fumiterrae one handful, ivy berries one pint: chop all these very finely together, and put them into a fair stillatory, with one pint of White-wine; and distill them with as gentle a Fire as is possible, until thou have all the Water: which keep in a Glass close stopped with yellow Wax. For the Quotidian Ague, let the patient take seven or eight spoonfuls of this Water warmed, two hours before his fit, and keep his bed, and sweat three or four hours: and in his sweeting, let him drink Ale clarified reasonable hot, now and then: and into every draft put two spoonfuls of the Water. The next day, in like order two hours before his fit, get him into a sweat: and do in all things as before. Note, that the Water is more perfectly made, if the things be first digested in a close vessel, in Balneo Marie, or Fimo equino, eight or ten days. Note also, that these things orderly done, and the patient well kept from the air, the Ague is cured in two days. But if by some oversight, it chance to continue longer, begin again, and use the like order for two days, as before. Note thirdly, it will be more easily cured, if thou purge before thy sweeting, with so much of my Potion as will give thee five or six stools. If a Child be sick of a Quotidian or Tertian ague, which being young will not be persuaded to take inward things: take an ounce of the Roots of the white vine, beat them to Powder; also, take half so much wheat flower, and boil both in a little milk until it be thick: then spread it upon two linen clothes, & bind it warm to the Wrists of the child; when it is dry, take fresh. In four days for the most part the ague is thus cured, it helpeth much also for all others, and in all agues. For the quartan ague. The 17. Chapter. THe quartan Ague is a disease so hard to cure, that it hath been always accounted the reproach and shame of the Physicians. For it resisteth the fore of all their usual medicines, and doth in despite of them triumph over their patient. Wherefore I shall now take a hard matter in hand, and I know my slender receipt shall be greatly suspected, for the working of so rare an effect. But notwithstanding, being greatly encouraged by experience, and reason, her good Lady and Governess; I will boldly proceed herein. Take on thy two good days, every day so much of my Potion fasting, as will give thee six or seven stools: The third day, which is thy fit day, pass over, as thou thinkest good; for I prescribe thee nothing. The fourth day, take of the Water, whereof I spoke in the Chapter before, a reasonable draft warmed, early, and keep thy bed, & sweat moderately five or six hours; and during thy sweat, drink now and then Ale clarified warm, & into every draft put three spoonfuls of the Water, and one spoonful of good wine vinegar. Use this order four days together. If the Quartan forsake thee not in that time (which I think almost impossible) upon thy next fit day, two hours before thy cold, take the like quantity of the water as before, and sweat until the time of thy cold be passed, and in thy sweat drink Ale clarified, as before also. Use this order three times, only upon thy fit days. After thy fits have left thee, take ten days together of my Potion, so much as will give the● daily two stools. Note, that this Water being dispersed in thy body, by natural heat stirred up in sweeting, doth in wonderful sort ripen and digest the matter of the quartan Ague: so that it far excelleth all the preparatives of the world: For thereby alone I have cured many without purging; but it is far better to purge. For the Tertian Ague, which cometh every second day. The 18. Chapter. TAke of Centuary six handfuls, Endive twelve handfuls, distill these with a very gentle fire, and keep the water close stopped in a Glass; but let the Glass be but half full, for so it will keep the better. For cure, first let the Patient take so much of my Potion, as will give him five or six stools on his good day: the next day, two hours before his fit will come, give him a reasonable draft of the Water warmed well, whereunto add a little sugar, and let him keep his bed, and sweat three or four hours: and in his sweat, let him drink Ale clarified; and in every draft of Ale, put two or three spoonfuls of the water: use this order also the second fit, and thou shalt give the Fever such a check, that it dareth not assault the patient any more. Be careful, and thou mayest cure many extreme hot Fevers with this Water, even in one fit: but after the fits be gone, purge, and so shalt thou deal very orderly: thou mayest make a Water of Celendine alone, which will cure the quotidian, tertian, and quartan Agues, is this sort. Take this Herb when it bloweth, and is in greatest force, chop it very small, and digest it in a close vessel of Glass ten days, in Balneo Mariae; which done, thou shalt find it black and of a very sweet and pleasant savour; then distill it with a gentle heat: and when in thy judgement thou hast half the Water, take it away, & keep it by itself; then increase the heat of the fire, and get as much more Water as thou canst. These Waters are to be used as the others, whereof I have spoken in the cure of these agues: but the first water being of the colder nature doth cure only the Tertian, the second being hotter, cureth the quotidian and quartan. A general cure for all Agues. The 19 Chapter. TAke a good draft warmed of the Iulip for Agues one hour before your fit, and keep your Body very warm, and within half an hour, take as much also in like sort, take also in the same order the third draft: in three fits this cureth all Agues orderly used. If the Patient keep his Bed, and sweat in taking the Iulip, he may be the sooner cured. For the Plague. The 20. Chapter. THere be three special causes of this disease. The first is the just judgement of GOD, for the sins of the people: And herein I consent with the Divines, that in this case the Plague cometh as it were by the commandment of God; and then in vain worketh the policy of Man unto health, where the power of the Almighty worketh to destroy. Wherefore repentance and amendment of life, is the only salve for the sore. Yet withal, for that we are ignorant of the determination of God; I wish no man to omit such natural means, as he hath provided for the preservation of our natural bodies, lest thereby he tempt him. The second kind proceedeth of the corruption of the Air, which is of two sorts; the one general, the other particular. The Air is generally infected, by the distemperature of the Heavens, which thou shalt know in this sort. The weather is long dark, cloudy, foggy, stifling, very hot and moist: also our bodies faint, we loathe the breath we draw, for it bringeth a most sensible and present offence; it is hard to keep Flesh sweet, little Frogs & Toads, also flies, Lobchesters, & Worms of sundry sorts (such as commonly proceed of putrefaction) do greatly abound: and to conclude, the Heavens do as it were refuse to draw the corruption from the Earth, but rather seem to yield down again such as they had taken away before. The Air is particularly infected by the savour of dead Carcases; as it happeneth oft in battle, where many are slain, and lie unburied: which infecteth the particular ●lace, only where the bodies lie: also, by the evil and putrefied savour of a fenny or marish ground, or such like. And further, by the breath and savour of the bodies of such as throng together in a tainting or stifling sort, especially in some close or sluttish place: as it happeneth (no doubt) often in London, and such like Cities of great resort, that many lodge together in one small room, having perhaps as many Beds as the place will well contain. And then, after one hour or two, how may any of these draw fresh or sweet breath, but such as his fellows have drawn often before, as also the rank fume of their bodies? Both which, are so contrary to Nature, that some and some with continuance, they infect the vital spirits, and breed such corruption as bursteth out into the Plague. The third kind of Plague riseth of the corrupt Humours in man's body, by evil diet engendered. And these last sorts come by the permission of God, like as the first by his commandment. To prevent this heavy grief, first I wish one old order to be renewed; which was, to make Fires in all great Cities & Towns in the open streets, upon certain days every year: which no doubt doth greatly cleanse and purify the air. And although this order was diligently observed by the followers of the Pope: yet I think they did it rather of policy then of religion, and therefore being good, it is not to be rejected. Secondly, I think it very necessary for Citizens, and such as live in a close air, now and then to assemble themselves together in the fields in some sweet and open place, there also to use moderate exercise; which will greatly purify their bodies: and in the mean time, to leave a good housewife at home to see the house made clean & sweet, by sweeping, by strowing good Herbs, by airing the bedding, by opening the windows, to let fresh air into every room, etc. Thirdly, I wish that through all London, in every Ward, there may be certain appointed to see, that no House or Room within any house, be over pestered with lodgings or people, and to drive out of the City such as upon examination they shall find to be vagabonds, or unnecessary members. For this is no less requisite for such a City, than a Purgation for him whose body is full of corruption. For cure, take Endi●e water a quart, Centuarie water a pint, ivy berries half an handful bruised: Boil these together gently a quarter of an hour, and when you take it from the fire, dissolve therein as much Treacle as a Nut, and a little Sugar; also put thereunto three spoonfuls of Vinegar. As soon as ever the patient doth complain, & nature being yet strong, give him fasting one good draft thereof warm, and let him keep his bed, and sweat ten hours or less, as the strength of the patient will bear. And in his sweeting, give him now and then Ale clarified, and into every draft put two or three spoonfuls of the decoction. When he riseth, give him some Broth not made over strong, neither with much Spice; and be very careful to keep him from the air. This decoction thus used, will either force out the sore; or else if the patient sweat thoroughly well, cure him without any sore. And if thou find he be not greatly eased within viii. hours after his sweeting, the next day use the like order. But whereas in this, and divers other diseases heretofore, I have prescribed the patient to drink in his sweeting, I know it doth not agree with many Writers: neither do I take it to be absolutely good; but herein rather I admit a small evil, to avoid a greater. For the Cramp. The 21. Chapter. FOr the Cramp I wish you to use unguentum Brioniae, (by which name ask for it of M. Clapham, warm it well, and anoint the place where you are commonly troubled, and rub it until it be dry, by the fire side. It is a very present help: once or twice anointing, will serve for a long time. This is also of marvelous force for Sinews that are shrounke, and stiff joints: and good for those which have their Faces drawn awry, or any other Convulsion. For Burning and Scalding. The 22. Chapter. TAke of your ordinary grey Soap, a●d anoint the place burned or scalded presently: once anointing will serve, if you take it as soon as it is done, both to take away the Fire, and to heal it without any further matter. Assuredly, it far excelleth all other Medicines. I have often seen such help hereby only, as before I thought impossible. But if it be not within a quarter of an hour or less anointed with Soap, then take Goose-grease, which hath been kept from Salt, for it must be such in any wise, & annount the place therewith well warmed twice a day: for this alone will heal it; and so, that it shall never be seen, except it be burned very deep. For a Felon, and Whitblow. The 23. Chapter. TAke Wine-vineger, and Wheat bran; boil them together in such quantities as you think good, till it be thick, always stirring it well: it is made in half a quarter of an hour. Spread it thick upon a linen cloth, & lay it to the Felon, and above it, as hot as the patient can well abide: dress it once in xii. ●oures: use it three or iiii. days, or longer, if the Felon hath been of long continuance. The like order, but less time, will serve to cure the Whitblow, or an angry & burning Swelling: it draweth out the corruption, being applied hot, and driveth it not in, although the Vinegar be cold. If the Vinegar be very sharp, so that it will get off the Skin, anoint the place first with a little sweet Oil, lightly over. For the Ringworm, Tetter, and such like. The 24. Chapter. TAke the juice of Celendine, and bathe the place twice or thrice a day, and in very short time it will help thee. For the Toothache. The 25. Chapter. TAke the juice, or rather milk of the garden Spurge, and temper it with Wheat flower until it be an hard Past or Dough. If thy Tooth be hollow, put the quantity of a Barley corn thereof into it; also put of it in a cloth, and lay it to thy jaw or Gums. But if thy body be very moist, and Rheumatic withal, than I refer thee to that Chapter, where I have spoken of the Rheum: for in that case is required a more general evacuation or emptying of thy body. Of the Disease wherewith our wantoness of England are troubled. The 26. Chapter. THere is yet one other disease, whereof it is very requisite to speak; wherewith our Wantoness of England are much troubled. For (not respecting the force or help of Nature) if they feel never so small or little a grief, they must presently to Physic; until they have so filled their bodies with drugs, that they are sicker of their Physic, then of any Disease. In this grief, a little more wit will be a present help: for so shall they have heavier Purses, lighter Hearts, and sounder Bodies. For the Worms of all sorts. The 27. Chapter. TAke of the powder of Centuarie leaves, one ounce, powder of Sen. Alex. half an ounce; Wormseed finely beaten, one ounce; then take good malmsey a quarter of a pint or better; of the best Honey three ounces; dissolve the Honey in the Wine with a gentle heat, and then put in all the Powders, an● stir it well together: which done, put i● into a clean Bladder, knit i● close, & hang it in the chimney, until it be an hard lump. You may use it as the Worseseed alone is commonly used: give a Child the weight of a groat at a time; to the elder sort more, as you think good: it killeth the Worms, and causeth them to void. For those which have their health. The 28. Chapter. HE which hath his health, and would so continue, I wish him either to forbear, or little to use those things which greatly digress from that constitution or mediocrity, in which man is created. Our Physicians do call every thing hot, or cold, in respect of the nature of man. For if it be some what hotter than his nature, than it digresseth, and they term it hot in the first degree: if yet hotter, hot in the second degree: and in like manner to the third and fourth. Which because it doth so far exceed his constitution, by daily proof is found to be unto him flat poison. The like consideration on the contrary side have they of cold things. Whereby you may gather, how like always desireth like, and abhorreth the contrary. The things which are like, & best agree with the nature of man, are good wholesome usual meats & drinks: a dry, fresh, & sweet air; moderate sleep & travel, or labour: which although it were allotted to us as a punishment by God, yet mercifully withal he hath made it a mean to preserve our health. The things which greatly disagree, are wines, spices, salt meats, & all very hot things: which thou shalt know by taste. For either they bite like Pepper, fret like Salt, or else show some manifest great heat in the mouth. Also on the other side, all raw fruits, & cold herbs, with divers things of like nature. Much use of sauces, devised by belly Gods, whom God hath punished, as much by want of appetite, having meat at will; as the poor by want of meat, having good appetite. To live in a thick or foggy Air, to live idly, and to exceed in eating, drinking, sleeping, watching, or venery. I would not have any man to think, that I do utterly condemn all very hot and cold things: but seeing they are rather of the nature of medicine than nutriment, I wish them to be very discreetly and moderately used: for hot things are to be used when a man's body is over cold; and cold things when his body is over hot: but to use either, the body being not distempered, is mere madness. Now further, for so much as all men are subject unto death, and our bodies (as yielding thereunto) from time to time always gather corruption: to preserve our health as much as may be, until we have run that race which God hath appointed, I commend unto you this receipt. Take Borage & Parselie, in like quantity; boil them in Whey clarified, and keep it in some earthen vessel. Use of it warm, in the Spring especially, every morning fasting, a good draft: and in every draft, take so much of my Potion▪ as will give thee two stools a day more than ordinary. Some may use it ten days together, others fifteen, or twenty, as the body doth require. By this means thou mayst prevent many diseases, and keep thy body in very good state. It maketh women apt to conceive, if (during the taking hereof) they live chaste: and it hath many other special virtues which for brevity sake I will omit. FINIS. Here followeth an Addition by the same Author, wherein be declared three special stays of health. The first, by the use of a new kind of Wormwood wine. The second, by Bathing. The third, by Anointing of the body. The first Chapter. FOr that Lignum Aloes is one of the chiefest Simples, which is used in the making of this Wormwood Wine, and such as yieldeth the greatest virtue thereto; I may not let to speak (yet in brief sort) what I read thereof. Lignum Aloes is the wood of a tree, which according to some writers, groweth in divers parts of Babylon; and others affirm, that it is one of the Trees of Paradise, growing by one of the waters there▪ whose arms ●alling into the waters, are carried by the swiftness thereof into other places far from thence, where the inhabitants find them, and send them into divers parts of the world. Being cut in small Chips and laid upon rolls, this wood yieldeth a fume somewhat pleasant, and most healthful: For it comforteth the Brain and all the senses wonderfully: Also entering into the Lungs with the breath preserveth the same, and expelleth all evil and infectious air. It hath been ever very rare, of great value, and in effect of the same price with silver, weight for weight. Princes and great States did use long since to burn it in their Chambers, and to Perfume their bedding therewith, to the intent that sleeping, they might draw the savour of the same into their bodies. Also the great Prelates (who neue● were behind for preservation of themselves) used the like, in Perfuming the 〈◊〉, and the vestments which they wear▪ and gave the meaner sort-leave to use only Frankincense, being a thing of far less value. I found in a book made by a Friar, an Englishman, in Magdalen college Library in Oxford, a great discourse touching the nature and virtues of Lignum aloes, which he preferreth far before all the known simples of the world. He commendeth it wonderfully, being steeped in Wine, and so taken. Further, he writeth of an Oil made therewith, which was sent from Prince to Prince for a most precious jewel; but in exceeding small quantity. The making thereof he showeth not, which somewhat grieved me, and I think therein he was ignorant. He reporteth of certeaine Priests which had it, where with they would anoint the Noses and Lips of such as by sickness were in great extremity, using also devout Prayers, and often thereby only revived them; whereupon in the sight of the People, they were thought to work great miracles, and were had in marvelous estimation; for they were dee●ed very Holy Men, and to work these ●ffects chiefly by their prayers, which was 〈◊〉 be attributed unto the Oil, and yet as 〈◊〉 natural mean provided by God; For ●he wonderful virtue thereof entering at the Nostrils and Mouth, directly unto the Lungs & Heart (the two principal Members of Man's Common wealth (I mean his Body) maketh a very strong supply in the conflict between. Nature and the Disease, which is the cause of so sudden recovery. There came at the length of this Oil unto the ●ope, who kept it as a wonderful treasure, and sent thereof to divers great Princes; whose virtue indeed was su●h, while it was well and truly ma●e, that both the fame and price thereof was great. But after, within a short time, it 〈◊〉 counterfeited, that there was 〈…〉 wholeworlds, and the Priests 〈…〉 had of it from Rome; 〈◊〉 the Priests used as a very holy 〈…〉 unto those that were sick; but 〈◊〉 virtue being gone, they ceased to work 〈…〉 thereby. And yet continuing their 〈◊〉 of extreme unction, which they 〈…〉 unctionis, 〈…〉 divers Prayers, did anoint 〈…〉, mouth, ears, eyes, the palms 〈…〉 hands, the soles of the feet, and 〈…〉 of the sick body. For these are 〈…〉, whereby sin entereth 〈◊〉 s●ule of man. But to conclude, who 〈◊〉 will know more of the nature of 〈◊〉 Aloes, let him read the old writers in Physic. This Chapter entreateth of the nature of Wormwood wine, and how it is to be used. The second Chapter. THe virtues of this Worm wood-wine, are both great, and many. First, it keepeth the body soluble, and is good for such as seldom go to the Stool, it cleanseth the Stomach, openeth the Liver and the Spleen, and causeth a good and clear Complexion, it strengtheneth the Heart and makes 〈…〉 it cleanseth the Brain and keepeth all the senses perfect; also preserveth the Memory, it is good for women's weak backs; it is generally an excellent and most ●amiliar Medicine, and cleanseth the Body of such corrupt humours as gather therein from time to time. It is a very good preservative against the Plague, and may be taken from the quantity of half a pint or better at one time, unto the quantity of a quarter of a pint, or less: it is good to fast one hour after it, and to use it only in the morning; which being observed, I restrain you from no further liberty. Master Clapham the Apothecary hath direction for the making hereof. The 3. Chapter. OUr Fathers long since, were wont to use a very sleight kind of Bathing. Now and then they boiled Herbs in water, and therewith did bath and rub their bodies towards bed; which now, is greatly neglected. It is a far greater mean to preserve our health, then that we should so lightly esteem thereof. For it taketh away such corruption as Nature casteth out by the pores, which otherwise would happily cause Scabs, Itches, or such like, and keepeth the body sweet from all rank savours of sweat. Wherefore I prescribe one general Bath in this sort, and to that effect. Take Rosemary, Balm, Isop, and Mallows, of each two handfuls, boil these in four gallons of Spring water until there be a third part consumed, than strain and put thereto one gallon of new Milk: bathe your body herewith warm by the fire● side two or three hours after supper. It is very good to use it four times in the year at the least; and in the Summer once or twice every month. The 4. Chapter. AFter your Bathing, rub your body very dry with a Linen cloth; and presently upon, anoint it over very lightly with this Ointment: yet use no more but that you may easily dry in. Take Balm green in the beginning of june, or in May, when you shall find it in chiefest strength, and chop it very small: take further very sweet Oil, and the fact of a Buck killed in the chief of Summer; or that which is better, the fat of a Stag, in equal quantity: let these stand in a very gentle heat together eight or ten hours, than strain and keep the Ointment in some clea●e vessel. It keepeth the joints souple, making the Sinews nimble and plain●: also it cureth the dryness of the Skin. They which use it after Bathing, as before, shall find themselves the stronger, and more lusty. For it defendeth the body from coldness of the air, and thereupon avoideth Aches of the joints and Sinews. FINIS. The Hammer for the Stone: So named, for that it showeth the most excellent remedy that ever was known for the same. Imprinted at London by W. White for the company of Stationers. 1609. TO THE READER. COnsidering with myself (gentle reader) how common a disease the Stone is, and how little help the parties grieved have by usual means in this our time, and of long time have had: and also hearing it divers times objected, that the most learned Physician can neither prevent the Stone in those who naturally are inclined thereunto, neither cure it in those in whom it is engendered, I did endeavour myself with all study and diligence, to find out some special thing, which might far excel the remedies now daily used, for the cure of that grievous disease. Whereupon taking mine invention from Etius, who used very much the powder of goats blood for cure of the same: also being further persuaded thereunto by authority of divers writing of the nature of goats blood: I did draw a pure & clear liquor out of the blood of the male Goat, which I have thought good to name the Quintessence for the Stone. And having made experience thereof now two years and better, with divers, I thought good to publish the same, to the relief of many, which are grieved with that infirmity, and that in such sort, as it shall appear unto the world▪ that I rather seek herein to benefit my Country, than any private gain to myself. For whereas no man troubled with that disease, can have the help of the Physician, without his great charge: I have devised that mean, that any man so diseased, may have such ease with very small charge, as I dare boldly avouch, can not be had by any usual means. But● for the commendation hereof, I leave it rather to be commended by the help & ease of those, who fear & feel the passions of that most terrible disease, then use any long rhetorical persuasions, knowing that the good Wine needeth no Garland; and that the fairest Garland can be no long credit to sour Wine. And now that this my Quintessence may take the better effect, I think it very necessary, to signify unto such as are inclined to the Stone, and to those that are already troubled with the same. First, the causes of the Stone, and whereof it is engendered. Secondly, the difference of Stones engendered in man's body. Thirdly, the usual way both to prevent & cure the Stone. And fourthly, the way or mean now late devised, for preventing and curing of the same. Wherein being somewhat instructed, they shall be the better able to govern themselves in avoiding and curing the disease, as not needing the Physicians continual counsel, but being Physicians to themselves. Yet I would not have any man think that I mind to make any long or curious discourse of the Stone, touching all the deepest points of the same, as endeavouring to make the readers perfect Physicians herein; but only to show them a superficial knowledge, sufficient to direct them in the taking of my Quintessence. And thus (gentle Reader) have I divided that, whereof I mind to write, into four parts; wherein I will not endeavour myself to speak whatsoever may conveniently be spoken: but rather to speak nothing that may conveniently be le●t out. W. C. The Author to those that are vexed with the Stone, in verse as followeth. 1 THy Silver, Gold, thy precious Stone. Thy Muck, thy worldly wealth, Nought helpeth now thy grievous groan, No ease it gives to Health. Now dost thou lie. 2 Amidst thy friends a prisoner, a piece of pining Clay: Thy hope for want of hearts desire, Doth fail, and vade away. Thou seekest to die. 3 Thy friends eye-teares, thy hearts drops blood, Thy limbs and joints do quake: Thy stomach vomits that is good. Whose force makes bedstead shake. An endless woe. 4 Thy doleful life, is but a death, And death were life to thee: For pain death cease with thy last breath, But life heaps misery. Come death; why so? 5 What, what, sends God a malady, And not a mean for ease? No Physic good? No remedy This raging grief t'appease? Though Physic fail. 6 Behold a faithful friend unknown, (To do his Country good) Will ease this grief and heavy groan, With water of goats blood. Then do not quail. 7 Though dreadful Death an actien brought, This Goat thy bale will be, And though the cause be slily wrought, The verdict goes with thee. Lift up thy heart, 8 His harm, thy hope: his woe, thy wealth: His heart receives the knife: He yields his blood to bring thee health, His death, shall be thy life. And end thy smart. Lo thus the Author greets thee well, Thy friend without desert: He craves but thanks, and so doth sell A salve for wounded heart: He seeks good will, gives ease of pain, Good words for ware: an easy gain, Vale. The causes of the Stone, and how it is engendered in man's body. The first Chapter. IT is not unknown unto such as have bestowed any time in the study of Physic, that as well the old, as the new Writers, with one consent agree, Two causes the Stone. that there are two causes of the Stone: the one material, the other formal. The material cause is an earthy, gross, thick, and slimy humour: the formal cause is the heat of man's body, digesting or baking the said humour, until it be hard, which then remaineth in the nature of a Stone: this will I make more manifest to you by a familiar example. Clay of itself is an earthy and slimy substance, which I will compare unto the humour whereof the Stone is engendered. Also the Fire I will compare unto the heat of man's body; whereby you may see how the Stone in engendered. For this Clay, being baked in the Fire, is made a Stone, and looseth his nature of Clay. Here also I think it good to note, that Nature requireth alway a fit matter to work upon. For one only action of Nature at one time worketh divers and very contrary effects: which happeneth, because of contrariety of the matters whereupon she worketh, and not by any diversity of her action. For as by Fire, Day is made a Stone: so Chalk being a Stone, by Fire is converted into powder. And as Clay by Fire is made a cast and firm substance, which before was soft, and easy to be dissolved in Water: so Chalk being before, a fast and sound lump, is by the same fit to be dissolved in Water, because of the discontinuitie or separation of his parts. Whereby you may gather, that this slimy humour, being in man's body, hath a nature very apt to be turned into a Stone, and yieldeth itself to the speedy generation thereof, whereunto it is naturally inclined, which otherwise by so small heat, could hardly be. And therefore I would wish every man to have a special care in refusing Meres, and other things, which are apt to breed the Stone, and in using the contrary; which hereafter in place convenient, touching the preventing of the Stone, I will not omit, The difference of Stones engendered in man's body. The second Chapter. I Have (according to my promise) briefly spoken of two causes of the Stone. Now with like brevity, I will speak of the difference of Stones engendered in man's body; which I find by experience, to differ in place, colour, form, quantity, and hardness. 1 As touching the first, there are two usual places where the Stone is engendered; the Kidneys, and the Bladder. Unto the stone of the Kidneys, the middle-aged, and they that somewhat decline, are most subject. And these Stones of the Kidneys are also of two sorts. For they are either engendered in the hollow vessels of the Kidneys; or in the substance or fleshy parts. But unto the Stone of the Bladder, Children are most inclined: which happeneth, for that all Children (for the most part) first eat often, ere that which they eat before be digested. Next, after they have eaten, they use violent exercise, and motion of their bodies continually, whereby they force a thicker and more gross juice or nutriment, from the stomach into the body, than Nature requireth: and that gross substance, settling in the bottom of the Bladder, by the temperate heat of the child, is converted into a Stone. As in the making of the artificial Wmes, if you let them pass through the strainer gently of their own accord, they come clear: but if hastily you force them by wring, they come thick, and being settled, will be full of Grounds in the bottom. 2 Secondly for colour, there are some Stones white, some black, others yellow; some red, some of ash-colour, & some mixed of divers colours. Which diversity happeneth chiefly by difference of the matter, whereof the Stones were engendered: and somewhat by digestion of the Stones, either by smaller or greater heat, with either longer or shorter time. 3 The third difference of Stones, is in form or fashion. For some are round, as a Ball: some like an Egg, some like a Pease, some like a Barley corn: some sharp, some piked, & of divers & sundry other forms, whereof I need not to speak. 4 The fourth difference is in quantity: for the Stone differeth in quantity from the bigness of a pin's head, or less, unto the quantity of an Egg, or greater. And the smaller sort of Stones are (for the most part) engendered in the Kidneys, and that either in the hollow vessels of the Kidneys, as I said before: which being but small, the Stone cannot exceed the bigness thereof, and therefore must be small also. Or else in the substance or fleshy parts of the Kidneys, here and there dispersed, which also are seldom found to be great. But the greater sort of Stones are always engendered in the Bladder, for that the vessels being great, will also admit the generation of a great Stone. 5 The fifth difference, is in hardness. For there are some (as I have often seen) scant congealed or baked, so that one may break them to grite with this finger & his thumb. Others somewhat harder, and not easy to be broken. And others so hard, as they will not easily yield to the Hammer. The Stone that breaketh gently, is (for the most part) red, or yellow. The middle sort, is of divers colours. The hardest, white. There is also a mixed kind of Stone, compact of hard stones lightly knit together by soft Gravel; and this kind is most dangerous and painful in voiding. The usual way how to prevent and cure the Stone. The third Chapter. IN the two former Chapters, I have briefly touched the matter whereof the Stone is engendered, and the difference of Stones. Now I will show the usual means, both to prevent and cure the Stone, which (amongst the Physicians of our time) are now daily practised. The Stone in those who only fear the Disease, and are not yet troubled therewith, is prevented by two special means. The one is, by abstinence from Meats, and things which are apt to breed the Stone. Which are of 2. sorts also. For either they breed in the body of a fit matter, easy to be converted into a Stone: as Veal, Pig, Lamb, Ling, Greene-fish, Eels, Cheese, Milk; and generally, all very gross, slimy, sweet, and fat Meats. Or else, they cause an unnatural heat in the Body, and inflame the Kidneys, and other parts: as, heating the Back at the Fire, lying much upon the Back; also great use of Pepper, Ginger, and other Spices, or any thing of like nature. The other by purging that humour, which being in the body, is not yet digested to the nature of a Stone: which is done by two means also. Either by Purgation, and lexative Medicines; or otherwise, by those things, which being of a very subtle, thin, and piercing nature, do pass suddenly through the Liver, the Kidneys, and the Bladder, and violently carry with them such slimy and gross humours, as they find by the way: as White-wine, & Rhenish-wine, with such like, taken fasting: which being not taken fasting, work not this effect. For being used either with, or soon after Meat, they hasten the digestion, and carry gross and raw humours into the body, whereby they work a very contrary effect, and engender the Stone, being much used. But the Stone being already engendered, by the usual means is to be cured; chiefly by things which cause the Stone to break & void: as Saxifrage, Parsely, Pellitory of the wall, Gromwell, & other things infinite; whereof I have named four good, pleasant, & easiest to be taken. There are also divers other means: as letting Blood, Purging, Glisters, Uomits, and mollifying or distending the narrow and strict vessels with Oils, etc. wherein the Stone sticketh. But for brevity sake, all these I let pass. The preventing and curing of the Stone, by a new mean lat● devised. The fourth Chapter. I have hitherto briefly touched the causes of the Stone, the differences of Stones, and the usual means for preventing and curing the Stone. Now I mind to show the way, both to prevent and cure the same, by the Quintessence of goats blood. The use whereof, for those that are from their father and mother, or either of them naturally inclined thereunto, or otherwise fear the Disease, and would prevent the same: is, to take twenty or thirty days in the Spring, and likewise in the Fall of the Leaf, two spoonfuls thereof in a good draft of their accustomed drink fasting, and to fast one hour after it; which will without all question preserve them from the disease. But unto those, who are troubled with the Stone, and feel now & then a passion thereof, I have thought good to prescribe this order. Cause four or five gallons of Drink to be brewed & tunned up in a little vessel fit for the same: and when it is new tunned, add thereto bound together, one good handful of Parsley, and one handful of Pellitory of the wall; but for want of Pellitory, take the more Parsley, though the other were better. And when your Drink (being either Ale or Beer, as you like best) is stale enough, drink thereof every morning fasting a good hearty draft, adding thereto two spoonfuls or more of the Quintessence (for in great quantity you cannot err) and fast one hour after it, as before. But whiles you take it, use no violent motion of your body, but gentle walking, or such like: lest the Stone beginning to break, the pieces thereof fall into the narrow vessels between the Kidneys and the Bladder; or from the Bladder into the Yard, to your great torment: and this order I wish you to use, as long as you find any Gravel to void. But because oftentimes the Gravel doth void, and yet not to be discerned, as my late experience hath taught me, I think it requisite here to show the strange working of the Quintessence. If you put into a cup of Wine a piece of light, hollow, & soft Sugar, the Wine presently entereth into all parts thereof, and causeth it to fall like a sandy substance. But if you put into the same cup of Wine, a piece of white, hard, and perfect good Sugar, it resisteth the Wine, and suffereth only the outward parts in long time, some & some to be dissolved. So likewise, if the Quintessence find in the body an hollow, soft, & grittie Stone, it entereth presently into the same, dissolveth it, and causeth it to void in Gravel, being not able to suffer the long action or working of the Quintessence. But the Stone being hard, long digested, and having his substance fast and sound compact together, the Quintessence can not enter into the same, but worketh upon the outward parts thereof; and the more strongly it abideth and resisteth, the more perfectly the Quintessence resolveth the same. For manifest proole thereof, if in taking the Quintessence, you find no gravel to void, 〈◊〉 your Urine first m●de, after the taking of the Quintessence, in some open vessel, upon the Embers in a temperate heat; and suffer it so to stand until all the Water be breathed away, & that which remaineth be perfect dry, which you shall find a grittie substance, if you were troubled with the Stone. And this is a very perfect trial. Now I think it good to note, that if the Stone be great in quantity, and in the Bladder, you must use the Quintessence the longer, and not look to be cured miraculously with the use thereof a week or two. And against this kind specially, I wish that Parsely be used (as before) for that it is a great opener, and will help the Quintessence to pass more swiftly unto the Kidneys & the Bladder, where it ought to work; which otherwise continuing long in the stomach, loseth part of his virtue, and worketh no● so effectually. But if the party be very old withal, and hath his Kidneys and Bladder exulcerat, or either of them, yet chiefly the Bladder; then I wish him not only to use the Quintessence as before, but also to observe very diligently this Diet. Abstain from all Wine, Aqua vite, Aqua-composita, Be●re, Uerivice, Vinegar, Aliger, Perrie, Cider, Salt and salt Meats; all Spices, Oranges, Lemons, Mustard; and all raw Fruits, and generally from all things which cause the Urine to be hot, sharp, or fretting. For then, although the Stone be cured, yet the party hath little ease, for that the sharp Urine, having access to the soreness and rawness of the Kidneys or Bladder, will not suffer the parts infected to heal, but rather increaseth the grief. If you be troubled with the exulceration of the Bladder, the manifest and continual pain thereof will declare the same: also, the grief in making water, and hardiness of making water, which rather droppeth than runneth, because the force expuisive is decayed: and if with the exulceration of the Kidneys, then have you pain in your Loins. But if you be grieved with either of any continuance, with your Urinal, there voideth often slimy corruption, like the white of an Egg, or filthy Blood, & such like: I wish those who remain in this case, especially troubled with the exulceration of the Bladder, not to torment their bodies with much Physic. For although eased, yet cured they cannot be. Only I counsel them (as before) to remove the Stone, and to avoid (by abstinence from the things afore recited) the sharpness of Urinal, which are the causes efficient of their grief; and that done, to use for healing of their sore Kidneys and Bladders, as near as may be, a reasonable quantity of Goats' milk, every morning fasting: also, the syrup of Plantine is a special thing in these griefs, using one spoonful thereof in the morning in Ale clarified. And now to end this my short work, I let pass that which a number of writers set forth of the nature of the Goat, and the virtue of his blood against the stone. Only I allege one sentence of Fuchsius▪ an excellent, wise, and learned Physician, which I find in his Book De medendis morbis. Writing of the Stone, and the cure thereof, after he had showed divers remedies, he endeth thus: Sanguis denique hircinus, ad calculos cum renum, tùm vesicae praesens remedium est. Name praeexistentes soluit, & per urinam excernit, & ut alij ampliùs non generentur prohibet, ac dolor●m sedat. And to conclude, goats Blood is a present remedy, both for the Stone of the Kidneys and the Bladder. For it dissolveth those that are there already, and voideth them by Urine, and suffereth no more to engender; also taketh away the pain. But least this most excellent Medicine should be slandered, I have thought good to signify, that if any person having used the Quintessence, in such sort as is requisite, both for time and order, find not such remedy as I have promised, & he looked for: let him (if it seem good) repair to my house in Wickeham aforesaid, where he shall find me ready without either penny 〈…〉 to do what possible I may 〈…〉 cure. And if by taking aught ●●●●n, I break my promise, let me be rather thought a deceiver, than one seeking to benefit my Country. FINIS.