LONDON, Printed for William Barlow, and are to be sold at his shop in Gracious-street. 1595.   

  

❧ To the Heroical minded Gentleman, Master Humphrey King.  
BY the Author's immutable decree, being his last, this book was destinate to you, and upon your allowance, to pass for authorized. What he willed, I have performed. Agreeing in this with the Author's opinion, That the clearest sighted can best judge of colours. What your experience is in this divine herb, all men do know; and acknowledge you to be The Sovereign of Tobacco, and for such they do honour you. If I do not otherwise use those terms of skill, & phrases in your commendation, which are commonly accustomed to be set forth, to the worthy patrons of men's works, which the Author no doubt would have done if he had lived: it is for want of knowledge both of art to do it, and of your perfections, which do merit more than I can give sufficient testimony of; only by the report that runneth of your fame, I do avouch in one word that you are Most-worthie. And for such I do recommend this rare work of a most precious herb unto you. What may either be said for it, or surmised against it, you know right well; and therefore I do leave all men to receive your instruction, and you to God's merciful protection.  
A. I.   

❧ The Printer to the Reader.  
GEntle Reader, this discourse of Tobacco being left in my hands by a gentleman who in his own particular had seen great trial of the effects thereof, and as well by private conference with men of learning, as by the reading of such authors of credit, who have reported the strange and wonderful operations thereof, he was moved to make known unto all men that which the most part did doubt of, touching the use & practise thereof, as well in taking the smoke of it with the Pipe, the leaf being dry, as in applying the green leaf to the cure of many sores and diseases. What he did undertake and give me in charge (as it were by his last Will) I have put in execution, and published the same, according to the request of the party deceased. Which I have done with more willingness, being credibly informed by divers of good credit, that besides the effects reported by the author, of the taking of it with the Pipe; it hath cleared the sight in a knight of great Commandment and Worship: and cured a gentleman that long languished of a Consumption. I doubt not but it hath many other strange virtues which are yet unknown. But these that are already approved, I do recommend unto thy view and use; and so do I wish thee all happiness.   

THE DESTINCT and several opinions of the late, and best Physicians that have written of the nature of TOBACCO: Gathered together for the better assurance, and confirmation of the divers natures and qualities thereof.  
IT is an especial note, which I have observed in all mine authors, that in respect of curing wounds, cuts, or other harms (almost whatsoever) and in which this herb is of virtue to heal, whilst it is yet green, that the same natural operations in it then▪ the very same are to be had in it, when it is now dried, according as the Indians of Trinidade use, in laying it in the shadow, and where no wind or sun come to draw out the power or virtue in exhalations.  
Indeed it would seem somewhat much for any man to say, that if the drying of it were according to the care of them, who here with us make it their trade to gain by, that we might attribute so much power to it, being dried after such a manner: but surely I cannot think, but that coming from those poor people, where covetousness hath not taught the child to cut his father's throat for gain, or to dissemble with any for profit, we may esteem it either as good as the green, or at least as that green which grows here in our clime, which reason persuades us is unapt to bring fo●th the herb in her natural heat and virtue being so hot, and our soil so cold.  
Another thing I have much wondered at, wherefore divers having discoursed so largely upon the applying it to ulcers, burnings, wounds, & such like, they have not longer stayed upon the reports which they might make of receiving it in pipes, as we now use, unless it be for this, (and indeed I judge it one of the chief causes) that time and experience, which both corrects old and brings forth new things, either had not discovered to those writers the manner of receiving it as we now use it, or if they did use it, yet it had been so little time in practice, as they had not seen those conclusions wrought wrought by it which we have, and to say truth, who hath long known it an usual thing in this part of the world, to drink Tobacco? and yet who is he that ever knew it longest and can justly say, that this or that discommodity is come to him by it, unless drinking it extremely, he hath changed the good into a bad effect, since every extreme virtue is a vice: and than who will either deem Tobacco worse since he hath abused it, or not judge him ill deserving so good a benefit, that knows not how to make his profit, having so easy a means as a moderate receipt.  
And by this means I doubt not but some hath both done themselves wrong, wronged us, and done other injury, who (if they had not heard of some whom unrespective drinking had harmed) would happily have been soon drawn to use it for their health, who now remaining feared with examples, shun it as an inconvenience, which else they had entertained as a public good.  
But here I would not that any man should think I arrogate to myself any title of perfection in physic; far be it from my thoughts that I should interest myself unworthily in that, which by no right I can claim: but salva reuere●●ia, I presume that no man will impute it as an error to me, that I should speak generally in some respects; my experience shall not detract from their studies, and let no man take offence, that since I speak of myself what I have tried on myself, they may think I go about to impriviledge their knowledge of that respect which belongs unto them. I w●i●e not as willing to expose myself to the rude censure of any, i● I thought it would do any man more wrong in particular, than it would do good to 〈…〉 general, I protest I would not be found a man that would do wrong: who entertains my labours is not beholding to me, but to him that commands me to do what I have done, and to him will I attribute all respect and merit.  
But to proceed, before I come to mine authors, you shall have the opinion of a younger Dr. who loves and hath made as far trials of drinking Tobacco as any man that is found: who doubts (saith he) but having leaves of Tobacco brought from the Indians, and purposely dried in the shadow, where the working of the sun nor any otherheat may draw o●t the life and power which is found in it, seeing that that power and virtue which it groweth with, retires itself into the leaf, and as the Parace●sians and Chemists say, is to be distilled and fetched out by fire; who is so fond as to think, that when there is no other means for it to turn into water, or to receive compositions, but that the thing being as it were breathed by the fire into a man's body, should not convey itself in a most subtle and piercing substance, into the distinct parts of our bodies, and not almost work the same effects in a man, which a lightning doth in a corrupt air, cleansing and purifying it from all stenches and bad vapours? and from hence it is, that a stinking breath, proceeding not from any great or dangerous infection, is (by drinking Tobacco fasting in the morning) cleansed away▪ but it is to be ●oted, that in this case we are to receive it in good quantity down, so that it force to cough, and either fetch the corruption off the stomach, which engenders it, or at least wise drieth it up, and so takes away the cause.  
For the headache, proceeding of any cold or wind▪ experienc● hath confirmed examples enough, and our own reasons, if we wanted examples, might be sufficiently strong to persuade us, that nothing should be more sovereign.  
Who but intends to watch extraordinarily, I could wish he had but seen some of the same effects which it hath wrought in divers that would never credit it, till they had made trial, only drinking a pipe full at any time when we find ourselves drowsy & would wake.  
Who hath ever found a more sovereign remedy against coughs, rheum in the stomach, head, and eyes? from whence it will fetch the humour in so strange quantity, as in some is admirable.  
There is a certain kind of people that speak nothing but riddles, they dwell under the hot clime of the still yard, they are somewhat nosie, and very rich in divers white and red excrements, called Alebuttons, I could wish that some of them had the wit after a certain kind of merry assembling, called the Drunkards round, to allay that same distemperate vapour of pure Rhenish, with a draft or two of this Tobacco. There is a reason if they could hit on it, that would persuade wise men, that after they have been in the land of Tanquam, a little of this downward, 〈◊〉 fetch up that same that makes them so mad in the brains, and I doubt not but some honest remembrancer or other, will put it into their heads that haunt those provinces, to use this receipt when they intent good fellowship, and would hold out.  
But for any direction or order of receiving it, I will not take away from men of art so much right, as to say directly, you must use this or that course that which I have seen most used & bringing forth best effect, is to receive it in the morning fasting; for commonly men which use it not idly, find that at that time it doth them most ease. And I would not that any should receive it at any time but when he finds himself not well disposed, or being well, suspects either that he hath surfaited, or something which he hath in his stomach, may make him ill.  
I have found it very excellent and sovereign▪ being tired and weary with journeying too far, but in this the quantety works the experiment, for as a little causeth wakefulness, so it being taken overmuch, as six or seven pipes full, it will procure a most profound sleep; and I have found it taken away that wearisomeness in one night, which I have thought would not have left me in many days: and this I put in excecution, to try how that was▪ true that a Spaniard writes of the Indians, who reporteth, that after their travels and labours, they will drink unmeasurably of Tobacco, which (after they had slept) took away all weariness of body, and makes them as prompt and apt to business, as if they had been many days without doing any thing, and surely I found it very near the truth, for the next day, I did perceive my weariness almost utterly gone, although not quite, which perhaps might be for want of custom, or because my sickness before was apt to make me feel that longer than I should have done being well.  
But that I may use mine opinion, which I will not confirm by any precise comparison, I think that those writers which have so effectually written of the nature of Tobacco, by outward applications both knew the secret effects of the green leaf, applying it to wounds, and of the dried leaf receiving it by pipes: but hearing of so strange a manner of receiving it, as physic was never guilty to the understanding of, they thought it meet to preserve in a perpetual concealment among themselves, least being known to the world, the inability of other herbs and devices being discovered, and this made known, it might turn to the common detriment and hurt of their Art; for in reason, why should any man lay open willingly, or suffer another to enter into the secret conceits and internetie of our knowledge, when such internetie might make it either les prized, or cause a public cause to receive a general disesteem for a particular occasion. And I doubt not but if an idle Tobacconist, and a hot Physician were met without a moderator, it would prove a hard question in their natural reasons, whether he that first devised this secret of drinking Tobacco, being a physician himself, (as surely I thing he was) was worthy to be accounted a good or an evil person, since he (it is likely) for his own private commodity, did make that known to many, by the which many have received more loss of gold in general, than any of them did receive good, to whom he did first impart it.  
Well, be he what he will, or what he was, I doubt not but he did a more good deed than he was advised of, and therefore deserves in mine opinion to be otherwise requited than according to the quality of his deserts, which if it may be thought infinite in respect of himself, then let not him want his due, for it were sin that since so few men deserve well, any of them should cease to good works, because they want that respect in which their worth may interest them.  
And thus far for drinking of Tobacco, which is more vulgarly received with us now than ever, and although it seems that the Indians use to take this Tobacco in other manner of pipes than we, yet I think we shall not need to think our earthen or ●●●ier pipes more unapt than those which the Indians make of Palm leaves and such like.  
I could stand longer to persuade the world of some wonders that I have seen effected with one draft of excellent Tobacco, but some that are as hard of belief as he that persuaded himself a man could not break his neck with a fall from Paul's, if he fell upon feather beds, I will omit to the opportunity of their own experience, which I myself once trie● upon one that would in kindness face me down that there was no force in such an idle smoke; but of this I could tell you a long story, and I could make you believe he was ready to bewRAY himself, and rend his buttons, and break his points, if not for anger, yet for some thing else that made him afraid of a worse matter.  
But to conclude, I will limit no man to any prescript order of drinking Tobacco, nor wish that any should use it, but as they find themselves cold in their stomach, rheumatic, or having the headache, or for divers other such necessary occasions, for I see not how such unmeasurable drinking should not both harm them that drink it, and wrong others by robbing the world of so singular a treasure as this. I could therefore wish it were a penal law, that whosoever should abuse it by unmeasurable and needless drinking, should forfeit at the pleasure of his Excelsitude, from three times upward, so much as he hath wasted-toward the maintenance of Tobacco in the treasury, and by this means I fear not, but we should make that our singular profit, which we now turn to our disprofit and harm, and that we should not remain in that great want of good Tobacco which we have done of a long time together, but that hoarding Apothicaries might be glad to abate their prizes of their mingle mangle which forsooth they will not sell, under unreasonable rate, when there is scarce good to be got, although that which they have be as bad at the best, as the worst of but indifferent good, when good may be bought.  
That which may be said more I refer to the conceit of them that hold it in her due price, for my self in few, I think that there is nothing that harms a man inwardly from his girdle upward▪ but may be taken away with a moderate use of Tobacco, and in those parts consist the chief reasons of our health, for the stomach and head being clear and void of evil humours, commonly the whole body is the better.  
And I will expose the censure hereof to many, who I know would prove as adverse to me in any matter, whereof I should desire their opinion, as to their enemies▪ yet let them say, that can say most to envy against it, happily some one as wise as a woodcock will raise his flight on his beck, and cry fie, fie, how it stinks, smell you it not? or tell me he will hire an Irish man to chimney-sweep my stomach, (for woodcocks are a wise kind of wild fools) but can such fools, fellows I mean, tell any discommodity it hath brought, I speak it with an upright fear to God, I think man hath not known an excellenter preservative against the late dangerous infection, than this, and if any one who made use of it in good order, hath died of the infection, I am truly resolved, that for that one which died, it hath saved threescore, whose esteem hereof being less than the merit itself, have preserved themselves by extraordinarily receiving it amongst company, not for any affection or hope they have had to fortify themselves against so dangerous an incident, but by mere power of the herb; how many than shall I think have been saved, who knowing in good order to make their profitable use thereof, have served their necessity, and saved their lives?  
Now to come to the second form of receiving this herb, I have made choice of three especial men which writ most at large, namely, Charles Stephen, and john Liebault, two Frenchmen, & Aegidius Eurartus: There is likewise Monardes, a Spaniard, who hath written very largely of it, but because he is already translated into English, I will refer that which he hath very large to his own volume. One cause (notwithstanding) makes me to take an occasion to leave him, and that is, for that he is a Spaniard of Seville, and yet is found to have gathered some reasons which he hath out of other Authors, and yet reports himself to have been conversant with the Indians, from whence me thinks he might well 〈◊〉 brought confi●●●tions enough▪ to which he 〈◊〉 been an eye witness, to confirm that which he sees almost the great● part of one world to be already conf●●med.  
But that you shall not need to seek far for him▪ that which he hath, he hath it for the most par● to this effect, and thus he prescribes us our order of receiving it.  
The green leaves (he saith) being put into the hot embers, and applied to any place even with the embers, are singular against all aches, opulations in the stomach, swelling pains of the stone, the mothe●, worms gnawing in the belly and guts, carbuncles, and all evils that come of cold causes. And in wounds either on man or beast in the whole cour●● of his direction he presents no other rule but the mere infusion of the ●uic● of Tobacco, being bruised or stamped, and afterward the wound wrapped up in a leaf likewise somewhat bruised. Now for our two Frenchmen, I will write that more at large which they have of it, which thus follows.  

The diversity of names given to this herb.  
THis herb with the French hath been most known by the name of Nicotiana: the first occasion was, that (as the Greeks', Romans, & others, travailing to India or other places, where they found plants, unknown cities, or lands, they usually gave them their own names, to remain in memory to posterity that such an one had done his common wealth that service) so Monsieur Nicot a French man, Ambassador to the king of Portugal, sending this herb first into France gave it his name.  
Others that by tradition have noted the means from whence they received this, have called it Queen mother herb, for that when Monsieur Nicot had sent it commended to her, she first planted it.  
Others have surnamed it of the great Prior, for that such an one receiving this herb from Lisbon, & having first planted it in France, afterward experienced the diverse virtues & singular natures which he found in it, making it known to the world, how much excellent it was: the common people finding it most used by him, and nowhere to be found but in his garden, could give it no distinct title, but would that it should be called his herb.  
Others there want not which call it Petum Masculine, and yet far differing in quality and effect, from that the Portugals and Spaniards have called Petum Feminine, but howsoever or wheresoever this hath received that name, it shall suffice that we remember it to have been most known among the french, by some one of these three names, though now perhaps use and better knowledge hath made it known unto them, as unto us, by the name of Tobacco. But to proceed.  
This Monsieur Nicot, being of the council of the French king, and by him sent of Embassage to the king of Portugal, whilst he yet was lieger there, would make often resort to see in the records of that country, what diversity of matter, strange accidents, or other matter of note might best fit the memory of a man of his estate▪ among other he found that at such a time this Tobacco had been sent as a present (worthy the gratefullest acceptance) from Florida thither, who happily desirous to try of what truth a thing of such miracle might be, was by a gentleman (keeper of the Records) presented with a root thereof, which he presently planted in his garden, intending to try if the fame of the thing were no greater than the thing itself, which soon he found, by an adventure which happened ere he thought of it, for before himself had made trial hereof to the particular ●se of any, it fortuned that a boy which had long time been wearily tormented and grieved with a dangerous infection or sore, commonly called, Noli me tangere, had gotten some one leaf of this herb, and thinking nothing could make his sore worse than it was, applied it to his face, where the sore had eaten away the flesh most pitifully, and almost rotten his nostrils, and other parts which it wrought on, (as the nature of such a Canker is) having thus applied the herb some few times, report was made to the Ambassador how good effect it had wrought, hereupon Monsieur Nicot, caused the child after he had been with him eight or ten days, to be sent to the king's Physician to have his counsel, if he saw it needful, or at the least to judge and see what good this Tobacco had wrought in so dangerous a sore. The king's Physician (yet all Phisiti●ions will not do so) immediately refused to take the child into his hand to cure, although happily he might have had much money for a little pain: but told the Ambassador that the force of the disease and poison was already destroyed by the applying of this Tobacco, and so it was indeed, for within very short time, the patiented recovered and became very sound and perfectly healed of his sore.  
Afterward, that trial might be made what nature it had in working in other kind of sores, it fortuned that the Ambassadors cook had most pitifully ●ut his hand, with one of those great chopping knives they use to cut or shred meat withal, who almost despairing of help, showed unto the steward of the house how sorely he was hurt, and how much he ●eared the danger of the blow: the Steward forthwith counselled him to take of Tobacco, and to apply it to the hurt, which after he had done half a dozen times, he found his hand very whole and perfectly well, in so much that within few days the quality and nature of this herb was very famous in the kings court, and became as much desired as it was wondered at: and yet that a confirmation hereof might be had, A gentleman of good account who was long time known to have had an ulcer on his leg, for the space of two years, desired that the Ambassador would be pleased to bestow some leaves of Tobacco on him (for he did intend after the trial of much surgery, to see if beyond hope any help might be found in this herb for an incurable evil) who gave him of it, and willed him to apply it 〈◊〉 fir●● 〈…〉 the green leaves, and their ●o bruise them that the juice may come forth, and so to apply it to the place infected, which having done by the space of nine or ten days, he was cured by this, which happily had cost his purse largely, and might have been to his infinite pain, had he not found this remedy, which cost but little, and redeemed health, with the smallest travail that ever Physic found ou●.  
And yet further, to a gentlewoman that had a dart rotten in her face, and was past all cure & care of Surgery, the Ambassador caused to be applied this herb, not presuming it were able to heal her (that had no hope left her of better than that which she endured) but desirous to see if it were possible to be healed with Tobacco, which neither Art nor Physic could prevail with: hoping that at the least if it did no good, yet it could do no ill; and see, he had not applied this a fortnight, but the gentlewoman was restored to her health, and the sore became perfectly healed, for which so good hap, the poor gentlewoman would often repair to the Ambassador, yielding him infinite thanks for his happy endeavour that turned to so good end.  
There was likewise a Captain, whose son had that mortal and almost incurable disease which we call the kings evil, (because thought to be cured by none but the Princes themselves) he often resorted to the Ambassador, bringing with him his son, to whom Monsieur Nicot ministered this 〈◊〉, (ordered as before) and it wa● not long ere he as the rest was made sound and well, without that ever any thing else was ministered unto him than Tobacco.  
The fame and esteem of Tobacco being come into so great request among those of the kings court, the Ambassador grew with great diligence and regard to note the virtues thereof, and as it were to foretell unto himself some great wonder of strange import, (such commonly men conceive when their hopes exceeding ordinary bounds, affect that, that happily they find effected, beyond the common course of conceit) and it was even about that time, when Monsieur Nico● having received news that the Lady Monteg●y, a germane borne, did perish, and as it were went after her death to her grave, sorely vexed with an ulcer engendered of the perilous and hellish sore which we before spoke of, and call Noli me tangere; and that at the same instant the Countess of Ruff having her face perished with a dart, (the like whereof we had also before) and she having now long time had the counsel and often advises of the best Physicians that France could afford, which you may think a Lady of such high esteem would try to the highest strain ere she would die, if Physic might save her, and that be had for any money; but when those had left her, and she remained alone left to her last fortune, she used of this herb, and was cured; for it was not long after that king Frances the second, as likewise the queen mother, had received roots hereof, which came commended to them from Lisbon, with the man●r how to use and apply it to the sick.  
Other experiences hereof were made by the lord of jarwicke governor of Rochel, who in a solemn feast made open report at the queen mother's table, to M. Nicot how he had distilled this Tobacco with an ●ther little herb or weed, which he found in the woods, and had thereby cured one extremely pained with the dsease called Asmaticke, the nature of which disease is, to stop the passage of the wind, and make us breath uneasily.  
This herb in form much resembleth Consonde, and is of so near a likeness and resemblance, that you would judge it to be the greater Consond.  
The main stalk of Tobacco groweth upright, & big in proportion, his leaves are velueted, and are in growth bigger and larger at the stalk than towards the end of the leaf, resembling the plain form of any other leaf not ragged, save that you shall have some leaves broader and larger than both your hands, and in length as much as three hands breadth.  
Some you shall have growing very high, sometimes to the height of nine or ten foot, yea sometimes a cubit, but that fortunes according to the ordering of it when it is sown.  
The leaves sometimes grow half a foot distant the one from the other, if it hath any great height.  
The flower of the Tobacco is much like the flower of Niel, sometimes yellow, and sometimes of a carnation colour, and sometimes in form like a bell.  
And when it casteth the flower, it leaves the former proportion, and taketh the semblance of an apple, in which you may find the seeds enclosed very small, appearing not much unlike to jusquiasm seeds, which are yellowish: but when they grow to be toward their full ripeness, than they appear more near to a black. In those regions from whence we received first the knowledge hereof, Tobacco hath both flower, seed, and leaf, at one instant, but the reason is, those countries of the Indians are better and apt to bring forth sooner such hot herbs than a cold climate. In the nine or tenth month it springeth very much at the foot, for than is the root fastened into the ground with a great sort of very weak strings.  
Who would make experiment of the green leaf, to apply it to any ulcer, sore, or cut, shall in bruising of it find a juice thick and slimy, but in the smell it is indifferently well savouring, although such as have no use of the smell would judge it strong and noisome, in taste it is somewhat biting, it is dry in the first degree, and whosoever would have it good, should do well to sow it in the hottest and most fertile ground, for such it requireth.  
The best place wherein it will most prosper and be naturally planted in our countries, is where the sun shineth most, and if it be possible against some wall which may defend it from the North wind, which is an infinite enemy to this herb, and withal it were convenient that no wind at all, being over rigorous, should come near it, for the weakness of the stalk caused by the high growth of the herb, is such, that a small wind will blow it down, unless happily it be deeply rooted. If the weather be over dry, it will desire much watering. Cold kills this, and therefore all means are to be used against it.  
Who would sow it, aught by the opinion of the best skilled in Physic, to take this order, first take a dozen seeds of those which you find enclosed in that part of the seed which resembleth the bell, and put them together into one hole, about three inches deep in the ground, and the cause why you are to plant it deep is because the seeds be very small and little, and might be choked. If the weather be over dry, you shall do well to water it fifteen days together. It may be sown in manner like the herb Laistich, whose seeds are mingled with earth or sand.  
It will seem long ere it appear above ground, but that will be according to the nature of the ground, and yet even than it will be longer than many other seeds, but immediately as soon as you see it begin to spring, you shall cover it as much as you can conveniently, lest that frosts, or cold, or tempestuous rain, nip it away, or wash it down; and after convenient time of growth, you shall take it up by the root, cutting up the ground round about, so that there may none of the strings of the root be broken, which to prevent, you may very well wash away the earth with water, and then replant it again, near some wall, within two or three foot, but if the ground be not good there, (as commonly it may happen) then prepare with apt manuring it.  
For the time of sowing it in England I agree rather with Monardes then these two, who say it is best sowing it in the midst of April, but I would rather hold it better to sow it in March, for the same occasion that Monardes writeth, howbeit Stephen and Liebault writ that the Spaniards and Indians sow it after harvest.  
It is hot and dry in the second degree, and therefore fit undoubtedly to purge and cleanse, by experience (they affirm) it hath healed Noli me tangere, so named because it resembleth I think a cursed shrew that must not be touched when she is angry.  
It hath healed the disease called the Wolf, the Canker, the kings evil, all old sores, wounds, ●etters, broad biles, Apostumes, pricking of the fish called Vives, (the nature of whose touch is to procure infinite bleeding even to death) and diverse other diseases, which experience hath not yet brought to light.  
These men affirm that who so hath the gout, and when the extremity of the pain beginneth, rubbeth the infected place with oil Olive, and afterwards apply warm leaves of Tobacco, shall find great ease.  
Who taketh the leaves and seethes them in water, and maketh thereof a syrup with sugar, and receiveth of it every morning to the quantity of two ounces, shall find how much power it hath to dissolve gross humours, to ease the hard drawing of the breath, break an old cough or phlegm, & how it causeth dissolution of hard swellings in the body, if before the receipt hereof we receive some universal purge, and then the juice of the leaves unstop the kidney, and softeneth the hardness by being only applied unto the region of the kidny: and in case we want of the leaves, the powder mingled with any ointment proper to such an evil, is available. The same means availeth in coldness of the stomach, the belly, the colic, and the inward parts, being applied to the navel.  
They affirm that in France a man having a sore ulcer, or impostume, caused by the evil of naples, that we call in English the French something, was immediately cured thereof.  
It is a singular remedy against soundings, to receive the smoke as we use with pipes; & that which is more strange than the world would credit, the inhabitants of Florida often nourish themselves four or five days together by the smoke, neither eating nor drinking any thing whatsoever, and this is most certainly confirmed by that which he writeth.  
More than this writeth Liebault, that there are which distill water of the green leaves of Tobacco in a Limbeck of glass, which water is no less singular in all effects, than the very juice, helping all wounds, sores, and bruises, even restoring to men which by some adventure have lost their nails, new ones, by washing that part with the water distilled, and afterward wrapping them up in fine linen clothes, dipped in the water.  
Some there are also who (to speak like a Chemist) do distill oil of Tobacco, per descensum, which oil, these authors (agreeing with the Paracelsians) prefer before all other applications, either of leaves, juice, or powder, because the quintescences and extractions drawn out of the simples, are the subtle spirit, and have the purest virtue and faculty of the substance from the which they are drawn.  
They prescribe unto us this kind of receipt, Take of the choicest and most substantial leaves of this Tobacco one pound, beat them in a mortar of Marble, after take half a pound of sweet hog's grease, refined and clarified, without salt, and this being melted, ad to it the Tobacco, and set it over a soft fire to seethe deliberately, until such time as you find the waterish humour of the Tobacco vapoured away, and that the mingled substances retain the form of a perfect ointment, this reserve for a singular and medicinable good.  
Another is this, Take Rosel, new wax, and turpentine, of each three ounces, melt them together, and then add unto them a pound of Tobacco prepared as before, mingle them together, and after with a slow fire set them to incorporate, seething together five or six hours, until the water of the Tobacco be clean vapoured away, after this is done, strain it through a course linen cloth, that may be very strong: afterward take half a pound of Venice Turpentine, and infuse it into these things beforesaid, without any more boiling of it, but stirring it continually until it be cold, afterwards preserve these as precious ointments: touching their effects; the first of these two is the better for sores, ulcers, carbuncles, tetters, and to dissolve, than the second, because Tobacco hath so much the more efficacy, by how much there are fewer commixions. The second is better than the first, to consolidate any wound, dissolve impostumes and swellings, & to appease their rage.  
Further you may make a singular Balm, by cutting green leaves of Tobacco and putting them into a glass well stopped, if you set it a good time in hot water, or in the sun, or buried in Ventre equino, by the space of forty days, and doubtless you shall find so singular a balm as shall not be less admirable (say mine authors) than that oil which is made by the Paracelsians for all kind of uses that shall be desired in a herb of that nature.  
AeGidius Eurartus in his discourse De herba Panacaea, writeth, how a certain woman had given her cat a very strong poison, when the poor cat was now in that taking that she could not stand with dissinesse, and strived to void forth the poison in vain, the woman remembering herself, found means to open her jaws, and making a little ball of bruised Tobacco, mingled with butter, thrust it into her mouth, and so swallowing it down, within a short time she cast up all the poison and so was saved.  
L●o 〈◊〉 wills that we should gather the leaves in the month of july, and then bruise and distill them in a double Limbeck, with two spouts of glass, and keep this a year, for (saith he) this received to the quantity of an ounce, for the increasing of health in a sick stomach, is most effectual.  
There is likewise a Salt and an Oil to be made of Tobacco, both of them more singular and effectual for all diseases, than either the leaves, or juice, or water, which the Paracelsians and Chemists generally agree in, because they will that in this oil should be contained the true life and natural virtue in greater substance and better quality than any of the other.  
jacobus Gohorius a Parisien, teacheth us this manner of making of the Salt. First (saith he) calcine this Tobacco, and afterward dissolve it; pour it into a pipkin, and let it vapour according to reason, this shallbe singular for ulcers, and such like, and this is the manner of drawing salt out of all vegetable things, burn your herb first in the fire, (yet some use to dry it in the shadow) but being even burnt to ashes, you have the more salt; afterward taking a leaden vessel full of most pure clear water, infuse these ashes, which being set to the fire, let it boil some quantity, and then pour it into an other vessel, where receiving it in a clean cloth, let it hang a while by the fire, that the water may dry itself clean away, and not to have any moisture remaining, and in this cloth being so dry, shall you find that Salt.  
Another manner is this, take the herb being dried, and put it into a close pipkin, under which you shall make fire, until it be burnt into a fine white ash, then let it boil in rain water, or distilled water, until the fourth part be consumed, then let it stand a while, and after pour it into an other vessel, which shall be full of pure and clear water, and that which shall go out of the pipkin, evaporate with a slow fire into a glas-bottle, and the Salt shall remain in the bottom.  
Leonardus Fier●nantus a famous Physician of our time, writes that he took the root and seed of Tobacco, and bruised them together, in a mortar, the leaves weighed (saith he) four pounds, afterward he went and laid them in Ventre equine, by the space of thirty days, and to the end that it might not corrupt, he put in some Salt, with six ounces of Aqua vitae, then distilling it in Balneo Mariae, even to the extraction of all the moistness, and to the end he might the better conserve it, he added so much oil of Sulphur that it even smelled of it, and with this composition he served his turn in sundry occasions: those which were troubled with agues he was wont to cure hereby, giving them but one spoonful at once, those which were wounded or otherwise hurt, if they did either drink hereof, or bathe their wounds in some quantity of it, not without great admiration, he used to to cure.  
These be the opinions that be termed Receptiores of this plant, i. that be more received than the rest; and these I have delivered therefore, not of mine own (otherwise than of mine own collection) but from the best Physicians that have written latest thereof: if therefore the natures of Tobacco, and the diverse qualities it hath, be more confirmed than before, it is well, if not, it is never the worse, I mean it shall never the more nor disable nor derogate from it: this I say, because there be so many heads as there be bodies to bear them, & so many wits, and so many judgements will follow; some of knowledge, some of experience, some of fancy, some one way, some another, every man according to his humour: well, the plant hath grown, the Physician written, and the author of this work hath gathered, who wisheth every one his due, the planter, the writer, and the reader.   
FINIS.