THE COUNTRYMAN'S Physician. WHERE Is showed by a most plain and easy manner, how those that live far from Cities, or Market Towns, and cannot have the advice of Physicians, may be able of themselves, by the help of this Book, to Cure most Diseases happening to the Body of Man. A Work very useful and necessary for all that understand not the Learned Languages. LONDON, Printed for Richard Chiswel, at the Rose and Crown in St. Paul's Churchyard. 1680. TO THE READER. I Am not Ignorant, that there are several Practices of Physic, already Published in the English Tongue: but truly they are almost all of them so stuffed, either with hard terms of Art, and difficult Descriptions and Definitions, or the Receipts, (the chief thing designed indeed for the Buyer) all in the Latin Tongue; that I cannot at all perceive any, or very little difference from their being continued in the Learned Languages they were written in; so that they must necessarily be something of Scholars to understand those Books, and so of little or no use to those that are none: Whereupon taking the Premises into serious Consideration, I thought I should do a very acceptable piece of Service to my dear Country-folks, that understand no more than their Mother-Tongue; if I should write a very plain method for them, whereby they might be able by the help thereof to Counsel and Administer to themselves, and their friends, and neighbours, fitting and pertinent Remedies for all manner of Curable Diseases, when and where they cannot conveniently have the advice of the Learned Physician or Chirurgeon, living perhaps remote from any Market Town, or City where such commonly inhabit. For the Book itself, I can say that, as the old Proverb is, good Wine needs no Bush; so I am confident thou wilt find it will be able to commend itself, it being a choice Collection of almost infallible experiments from the most Famous Printed Authors, and curious Manuscripts; and I have (for the Reasons before specified) made it so plain and easy, that any though no Scholars, nor at all versed in the Learned Languages, cannot err in following these directions in this Book. A TABLE OF THE DISEASES & CURES, Treated of in this BOOK. CHAP. I. OF the Diseases of the Head, whether caused from Heat or Cold, where likewise of the inveterate pain of the Head, Page 1. CHAP. II. Of the Diseases and Pains of the Eyes; where of the Chataract. p. 2. CHAP. III. Of the Diseases of the Nose, as stinking Ulcers thereof; where of the bleeding at the Nose. p. 13. CHAP. IU. Of the Diseases of the Ears, viz. Ulcers, Worms, noise in the Ears, and Deafness; where also how to Cure the Pain in the Ears. p. 19 CHAP. V Of the Diseases of the Mouth, as the Ulcers thereof; where of a stinking breath; of too much and too little spitting; likewise of the Diseases and Pains of the Teeth, and of the Cure of the Quinsey. p. 22. CHAP. VI Of the Diseases of the Breast, as the Coughs shortness of Breath, Spitting of Blood, and of the Ptysick. p. 27. CHAP. VII. Of the Diseases of the Side, as the Pleurisy, and of the Pains of the Side. p. 33. CHAP. VIII. Of the Diseases of the Heart, as the feebleness thereof, and the beating of the Heart, and swooning away. p. 35. CHAP. IX. Of the Diseases of the Stomach, and first of the weakness thereof, whether from a hot or cold cause, of nauseating meats, and loss of taste, and appetite; where of the Wind in the Stomach, whether before or after eating, and of the Hiccop. Of staying Vomiting, whether from an hot or a cold cause, and of provoking Vomit if there be occasion, and to comfort the Stomach, after Vomiting, and lastly of the pains of the Stomach. p. 37. CHAP. X. Of the Diseases of the Belly, and first of the Diseases of the Liver, whether from hot or cold causes, viz. from Choler or Phlegm, etc. Where of its obstruction. 2. Of the Spleen, of the Diseases; where of its obstruction likewise, and also of the Cure of the three sorts of Jaundice; that is, yellow, green and Black. 3. Of the Colic and Iliac passions. 4. Of the pain in the Kidneys, and difference between that and the Colic; as also of the Cure of their Gravel and Stone, and likewise of the Cure of the Stone in the Bladder, and difficulty and heat in voiding of Urine. 5. Of the Cure of the Three sorts of Fluxes of the Belly, viz. Lientery, Diarrhaea, and Dissentery. 6. Of the Dropsy and Wind, and Gripe of the Belly. 7. Of the both sorts of Hemorrhoids, viz. inward and outward. p. 42. CHAP. XI. Of the Diseases belonging to Women, as of the stopping and provoking their Monthly Courses, and of the Curing of the Fits of the Mother, as also of the falling down of the Womb: Of their Barrenness likewise, and of how to prevent miscarriage, and how to cause easy Delivery of Women in Childbirth, and to ease their Pains after Travel; and lastly how to cause plenty and scarcity of Milk in Women that give Suck. p. 52. CHAP. XII. Of breeding of Worms and Teeth in Children. p. 59 CHAP. XIII. Of the Cure of Fevers, whether continued Quotidian, Tertian, or Quartane. p. 61. CHAP. XIV. Of the Cure of the Pestilence, and its Symptoms. p, 64. CHAP. XV. Of the Cure of the Gout, whether in the Hands, or Feet, or Knees, or Hips. p. 66. CHAP. XVI. Of the Cure of outward pains in any part of the Body. p. 68 CHAP. XVII. Of the Cure of bruises in any part of the Body. p. 70. CHAP. XVIII. Of the Cure of Green Wounds and old Ulcers in any part of the Body. p. 71. CHAP. XIX. Of the Cure of all sorts of swell in any part of the Body, whether they be hot or cold, hard or foft. p. 78. by excessive heat or cold; and often from the infirmities of other Members, in which is contained the Cause of the pain in the head; as the Stomach, the Kidneys, Liver, Spleen, Womb, etc. Now the pain is greater in the forehead than elsewhere when it proceeds from Blood; behind when from Phlegm; when from Choler, the pain is most on the right side the head, and on the left when from Melancholy, whereupon Medicines are to be employed to the purpose, by opposing hot Remedies to the cold, as Phlegm and Melancholy, and cold to the hot Causes; as Blood and Choler. The manner to cure the pain from a hot Cause, is first to let Blood in the Arm; then to apply Linen dipped in Plantain and Rose Water, and Vinegar, or in the Juice of Lettuce with Rose-water and Vinegar: Or Oil of Roses and Poppies, and make a Pultis of Bole-Armenac white of Eggs a Roasted Apple and Vineager, and apply it to the head and forehead and temples, and wash the head with warm water wherein have been boiled, Sage Leaves, Roses and water Lilly-Flowers; and wash the feet with the same, if he have no motion of the rheum; or a Bag of Roses dipped in Rose-water: or dipped in the whites of Eggs, very well beaten with Rose-water. Let them drink Cichory, Endive, Purslain-waters, etc. mixed together, or one alone; or Barleywater with a little Liquorice Boiled in it. And to the intent that your Remedies may be the more Beneficial, you must keep the Belly lose by Glisters, or Suppositories, or loosening Medicines, as Syrups of Violets and Roses of each half an ounce, or so; or Cassia, Lenitive Electuary, or Diaprunes, or Catholicon, etc. For a cold cause apply to the forehead and jaws, wild Time, or Vervain, or Rue, steeped or dipped in Vinegar and Honey of Roses; or Tobacco, or Mint; or water-Cresses, or rub the head with Asarabac-leaves, or the Juice of Melilot mixed with Vinegar and Oil of Roses. To drink water wherein Betony hath been boiled; applying the Leaves to the Temples. To snuff up into the Nose the juice of showbread, or Gith steeped in Vinegar, and Powder of Pellitory of the Wall to make Sneeze: and make a Bag with hot Herbs and Flowers, as Melilot, Sage, Betony, Rosemary; of white Snakeweed; the said Herbs and Flowers having been Perfumed with the Vapours of Betony and Balm, put upon a Plate of Iron, or hot; and cast thereon Vinegar and Rose-water: Perfume likewise the head with dry things, as Roses and Mastich; or with Red-Roses and Salt, but it must be when the spitting comes not; for then for (fear of stopping the breath) you must be content to Perfume the head only, applying them hot to the head; and if the pain ceases not by these Remedies than use hotter things, as Bags made of Margerum, Rue, Bays, Juniper-Berries; or a fomentation of the decoction of the said things; or else anoint the head with Oil of Camomile and Dill, one or both together; or Oil of Rue, Spike, Castor, adding to them a little Pepper, or Mustard Powdered; to draw up into the Nose, the Juice of Marjoram, or Fenel, is an Excellent Remedy; After the Application of these Remedies before spoken of, you must make a Cap of Taffeta doubled, lined with Cotton, which you shall stuff with Flowers of Marjoram, Camomile, Red-Roses, Rosemary, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Cloves, etc. finely Powdered: and if there be a Catarrh, use Myrtle Berries, Frank-incense, and the Gum of the Juniper Tree. The Inveterate pain of the head is cured by Roasting a piece of the outer pill of an Onion under the Cindres, and steeping it in Oil of Bays and Roses, and put into the Ear where the pain of the Head is; Bleeding and Purging first; and you must always keep a Temperate diet without which all is in vain. Eat no windy nor salt Meats; be quiet in his mind, not Writ, nor Read, but bear patiently his pain. CHAP. II. Of the Diseases of the Eyes. FOr the Diseases of the Eyes you must purge the Brain, forasmuch as the greater part of the inward Diseases proceed from the Brain, distilling its superfluous and malignant Humours upon them, or the lower parts furnishing with Causes, whereby the sight is diminished and the Eye pained; and this is the Physicians business to discern the particular Humours that cause the Diseases; and to evacuate them by proper Purgations, as Pills, Glisters, Potions, etc. And for what concerns the outward means you must keep the Head dry and clean, rubbing it well behind every morning, by that means diverting the Humours which fall from the Brain upon the Eyes; it makes much likewise for the preservation of the sight to keep the Feet dry, moderately hot, and not moist; 'tis likewise good for the same purpose not to sleep in the day, nor hold the Head much down; to be bound in the Belly is bad for the sight, wherefore you must keep it soluble, you must shun the Wind, the Cold, Heat, too much looking upon the Sun, and much Light, or great Fire; much Reading and Writing, Weeping, to Sleep or Wake much. As to Eating and Drinking, you must Eat Meats of good nourishment, not Windy, Salt, nor Spicy, little or no strong Drink. The use of Eye-bright is very good against all maladies of the Eyes, Boiled in Pottage, or Drink the Powder, or Boil it in the Drink? The Film or Cataract is Cured by the Powder of Sugar-Candy, Tutty, white Coperas, mixed equal parts and seared, and put into the Eye, Night and Morning; the Powder alone of white Beans hath the same Property. To this end serves likewise a Water made of half an Ounce of Tutty, a quarter of an Ounce of Mace, Powdered and Infused in white Wine and Rose-water of each half a Pint; putting them in a Glass and let them stand in the Sun, in Summer, about a Month, keeping it from Rain and Dew; shaking the Glass often. Another for the same purpose; Take a couple of new laid Eggs, Roasted hard under the Cinders, take away their shells, cut them in the middle and take away the Yelk, and fill up the place with Sugar-candy and Tutty equal parts, then joining them together with a thread, steep them in Rose-water, in a little Vessel: when they have stood twenty four Hours, Strain and Press them through a Linen Cloth; of which Liquor drop a few drops into the Eye Night and Morning. The Distilled Water of these things following cures the Cataract likewise; Plantain, and little and tender Pomegranate flowers, red Roses, sprigs of Fenel, of each an handful, crumbs of white Bread, hot out of the Oven, one Pound, mix them together, and steep them six hours in white Wine, then Distil them. To the same purpose Distil this Water. Take of Fenel, Rue, Verben, Eye-bright, Endive, Betony, red-Roses, Venus-hair, equal parts, steeping them before twenty four Hours in white Wine, the Liver of a Buck, three Ounces, Distil them thrice in Balneo Mariae; and the last Water will be very proper for Cataracts, and all other Maladies of the Eye, preserving the sight to Old Age. Another very Excellent one. Take Snails and Distil them in Balneo Mariae, washing them well first; and in eight Ounces of their Water infuse one of Tutty prepared, Sugar-candy, white Dung of a Lizard, dried Bones, two Drams of each, red Coral, Aloes, Shall Armoniac, of each one Dram; being all well Powdered and put into the Water, must be put into an Alimbec, and the Water that comes from them serves Effectually as before, and also to clear the Eyes of all spots, and Redness; preserving the sight so well and so long, that Ancient People have seen as well as if they had been but 30. This Unguent following is very good for the Eyes, Curing their inflammation and Redness, staying the sharp Defluxions which make them Blear-eyed, Anointing them Night and Morning. Take half an Ounce of Tutty finely Powdered in a Bel-metal Morter, then Grind it on a Marble with Rose-Water, as Painters do, then dry it in the Sun; then Grind it again, with fresh Rose-water; do thus seven or eight times, then mix it with the same weight of fresh Butter; and your Ointment is made. Another singular Unguent for preservation of the Eyes is thus made. Take two Ounces of fresh Porks Grease, steep it in Rose-water six Hours, then wash it again twelve times in the best white-Wine, for the space of five or six Hours; then add to this Grease Tutty well prepared, and very finely Powdered one Ounce, Lapis Haematites well washed, one scruple, Aloes well washed and Powdered twelve Grains, Pearls Powdered three Grains, Incorporate them all well together with Fenel Water, and make an Unguent, whereof put a little into the corners of the Eyes. The last Remedies to divert the importunate Humour from falling from the Brain upon the Eyes, are Cauteries and Seton's; which must be done by the Surgeon by advice of the Physician, or you may try Blisters drawn behind the Neck, or behind the Ear; make them with Leaven, Pigeons Dung, Spanish-flies, and Brandy, mixed well together. Now to Cure the pain of the Eyes and redness that follows come from a blow; Apply a rotten Apple thereto; the Blood drawn from the Wing of a Pigeon: Also the Decoction of Fenel, Camomile, and Melilot made with Water and white-Wine; Applied with Linen . But above all other Remedies, Agrimony alone, as hath been Authorized by often Experience, rubbed between the Hands, and put upon the Eye hurt; and roll it on, Cures it in a short time, though very red with bruised Blood and the sight darkened, it brings it again: For want of the Herb take the Water Distilled in the season of the year. To abate the redness of the Eyes, the first time that you drink every Day, it must be a full Glass of clear Water, and so continue till you be Well. CHAP. III. Of the Diseases of the Nose. THe Diseases of the Nose are divers likewise, inward and outward, as for the inward you must always remove the Cause, by the Advice of a Learned Physician; and for the outward employ these Remedies following. The ill scent of the Nose is Cured by washing it with a Decoction made of white-Wine, Ginger, , Cloves, Calamus Aromaticus, of each equal parts, and after put Powder of Pellitory into the Nose or drawing up the Nose often, Wine wherein Nutmeg hath been steeped four Hours; or Anointing the Nostrils Night and Morning, with Oleum Nardinum; wherein have been Boiled Clovegilliflowers, wood of Aloes, with a little Musk; or with this Composition, or else to make Tents thereof, and put them in the Nose, to wit, Ginger, dried Roses, wood of Aloes, of each two Ounces, Myrrh, Calamus Aromaticus, of each one Dram, mix them well with good Wine, and reduce them to a Paste; adding thereto six Grains of Musk, and make Pills of the bigness of a Pea, dipping it in Oil of Nard when you use it. The Nose being stopped by some Humour that hinders Breathing, is opened with Juices of Beets and Marjoram incorporated in Oil of bitter Almonds, and drawn up the Nose; also by the smoke of Tobacco only taken at Mouth, and make it go out at the Nose. To provoke sneezing, blow up the Nose, Powder of Pepper, Pellitory, and Orris Roots, or mix the Powders with some Liquor, and anoint the Nostrils therewith. To stay the sneezing scratch the Soles of the Feet and Palms of the Hands; rub the Eyes and Ears; smell to white Lily, and Bathe your hands in warm Water. To Cure the Ulcers and Itchings of the Nose, take the Juice of Ivy, and sour Pome-granates mixed together; also the Anointment made of Ceruse, Ashes of wake Robin, and Honey of Roses. The Phlegm that runs from the Nose like Snot is stayed by proper Remedies for the Cure of the Brain, whereby the Spring of such Noisome Humours is dried. Employ then to this end Frictions, Perfumes, Caps, as before; and beside, use some proper Syrup to correct the ill scent of the Snot's abundance, and thinness; as Syrup of Poppies, Diacodium, etc. Also to this purpose you must hold in your mouth little Pills made of Bole-Armenac, Terra-Sigillata, Amber, Dragon's Blood, Cloves and Musk. The Blood flowing disorderly from the Nose is stopped by a Frontal made of the Powder of Sanderac, made into Paste with the whites of Eggs, and applied with a Linen Cloth; by the Juice of Onions, mixed with Vinegar, put into the Nostrils with Cotton, by drinking Mint Water, by Anointing the forehead with an Ointment made of Dragon's Blood, Mastich, Frankincense, and whites of Eggs; by Camphor mingled with the Seeds of dead Nettles, Juice of Plantain and House-Leek put into the Nostrils, by Powder of red Coral, or Terra Sigillata drank; by Bathing the palms of the Hands and soles of the Feet with dipped in Vinegar of Roses, and Plantain water; by Bathing a man's Stones and a woman's Breast with Fountain or Common water; this is of great efficacy according to experience: You may stay the Bleeding at Nose also by putting to the nuque of the Neck a Bag wherein is Toads Powder; which must be made of a great Toad, that is Bred upon the Earth, not the Water; the which you must put in an Earthen Pot alive, and put it into the Oven with Bread, and then Powder it. And the same Powder will serve in the Bloodyflux, or women's Fluxes, and to stay the Bleeding of Wounds, applying it to the opposite of the hurt part. The like Virtue hath the Seed of Flixweed, Powdered and taken a Dram thereof, either in Wine, or with an Egg, or Broth; it serves also to loosen the Belly, and to make great Bellied Women gaily bear their Burden. But contrariwise the Herb Millefoil put into the Nose provokes Bleeding, it being sometimes necessary for discharge of the Brain. But this by thrusting it in the Nose, the point foremost: for the contrary happens if you put the Stem first in. The Smelling corrupted, or almost lost, is regained by the often handling and smelling of Mint, also a Perfume made of the Leaves of Southernwood, Rue, Juniper, mingling Gith-seed therewith. CHAP. IU. Of the Diseases of the Ears. FOr the pain in the Ear, put into it some drops of Oil of Roses, and Vinegar, or the juice of Henbane; besides it will be convenient to apply thereto a Bag stuffed with Camomile, and Melilot Flowers: the juice of dwarf Elder and Rue is very good; making the inward part of the Ear first clear from filth. The water of Honey Distilled; Milk with a little Saffron. The like Virtue hath the Perfume of the Decoction of Camomile, Dill, and Stechas, made in Water wherein hath been put warm Vinegar, wherein burnt Nitre, and Sal-gemm have been dissolved, put in the Ear with a Funnel. The Ulcers of the Ear are Cured by Instilling Oil wherein have been boiled white Leeks, and Earth Worms, to the Consumption of the third part, or by the Oil of Eggs alone. Against the Worms in the Ears the Milk of the Figtree and the figs alone are very proper; also the juice of Capers, of Wormwood, Calamint, Centaury, Germander, juice of the Peels of Walnuts, or the Bark of the Tree; alone or together. Against the noise in the Ears proceeding from wind or other Causes, 'tis good to put into the Ear a tent dipped in Oil of Rue, Castor, or Spike, with juice of Leeks; also in a Morning fasting, 'tis very healthful to receive the Vapour by a Funnel putting into the Ear, water wherein hath long boiled, Margerum, wild Mint, Sage, Camomile flowers, Aniseeds, and Fenelseeds, and a Coloquintida Apple, and to the end the Vapour penetrate the further, let the Patient have some hard thing between his Teeth, as Pease or Beans, chewing them with force; the same will be good at Night going to Bed; and having received it put in the Ear one drop of Oil of Coloquintida, then stop the Ear with Cotten dipped in the said Oil, and lie down thereupon. Deafness is cured by means of an Unguent made of two Ounces of Goose-grease melted with a gentle fire, and two drams of Aloes Soccotrine in Powder incorporated, applied with Cotton, putting it into the Ear; or the juice of Radishes mixed with Oil of Roses; or with the fat of an Eel and Oil of bitter Almonds, or the juice of an Onion, mixed with Honey, or by the Powder of Aloes dissolved in white wine, Instilled warm into the Ear, and after make him sneeze with some Powder of Tobacco, or by the fume of the wood of Oak which you may do by lighting a stick at one end, and putting the other into the hollow of the Ear, but you must have a branch of a tender one of one years' growth, without knots. CHAP. V Of the Diseases of the Mouth. THe Ulcers of the Mouth are Cured by washing the Mouth with a Decoction of the Herbs of Mouseear, Confound and Golden Rod; or Pomegranate flowers, Sumach, Plantain, Agrimony and Roses, adding a little Alum towards the end, or with Wine wherein have Boiled Aniseeds and Cloves; or with the Distilled water of Scolopendrium; or with Treacle water, and the like quantity of Rose-vinegar, and Brandy, wherein hath been dissolved a little Bole-Armenac; or with Honey of Roses, by rubbing the Ulcerate places of the Palate or the Tongue. The Decoction of the Herb Speedwell, in Wine, gargarized dries the Ulcers of the Mouth, and wash therewith in fevers: And for a singular Remedy touch the Ulcer with a drop of Oil of Vitriol. The Super abundance of Spittle is corrected by using astringent and drying Gargarisms, made by boiling Roses, Pomegranate flowers, Plantain and Alum in Water and Wine; 'tis also good to Eat Biscuit, and dry Roasted meats, and Mustard; to eat Cubebs and green Ginger: On the contrary to provoke Spitting; chew Sage, or Mastic, or Tobacco, fasting or at other times. For the Curing a Stinking Breath, from what Cause soever, wash the Mouth with Vinegar of Squils', or a Decoction of Mint, Balm, Fenel and Aniseed; chew Nutmeg, Cloves, Oris Root: hold in the Mouth a Pill made as followeth; Gum-dragon one Ounce, Dragon's Blood two drams, steep them in Rose-water for two days, than put them in a Marble Mortar with six drams of Sugar, three of Cinnamon, five of Starch, a scruple of Musk; all dissolved in Rose-water, mixed together with a Pestle; after it is dry make Pills to hold in the Mouth. To take away the smell of Onions or Garlic, etc. chew Cloves, Aniseeds, Fenelseeds, etc. or wash the Mouth with Rose-water, etc. The Diseases of the Teeth spring from divers causes, hot and cold; if from cold do as followeth, wash them with one of these Decoctions; Wormwood boiled in strong Vinegar, the Leaves of Ivy in red Wine, with Lavender, Sage and Margerum; Cypress Leaves and Nuts, and Juniper-Berries, Roses, Myrtle Leaves in white-Wine, Oil of Cloves, Sage etc. are good dipped in Lint or Cotton to put into the Tooth if hollow. If the pain proceed from a hot cause, then apply the Oil of Poppy, Mandrake, Henbane, or their Decoctions in Wine; or Henbane root boiled in Rose-water and Vinegar; or hold Vinegar in your Mouth wherein hath been boiled Camphor. And from what cause soever the pain proceeds it will be appeased by the Oil of Henbaneseed; made after this manner. Besprinkle Henbaneseed with Brandy, then put it in a Glass Viol., which stop very well, and make this boil in a Pot of water twenty four hours, then take off the Phiol, and pour out the Seeds, while it is yet hot, put them in a Cloth, and strain them with a Press, and so your Oil is made. Hold Milfoil-root between your Teeth, or Pellitory, or Agrimony, or chew Mastic incorporated with new Wax. To preserve the Teeth, wash your Mouth every Morning in fair water, if they be lose rub them with this Powder, Composed of Myrrh, Cinnamon, Alum burnt, Pumice stone burnt, all in equal parts apart; finely Powdered and mixed. Crumbs of Bread with Salt, after Eating to rub with, and then wash them with fair water and a little Vinegar, or red-Wine, Pearls, both Corals, Ivory, Crystal, white Marble, Alabaster, Cubebs, Hartshorn, Mastic, dried Bones, Tartar, white Copporas, Sal-gemm, Crabs Eyes, Eggs-shels, Snails-shels, Oisters-shels, dried Roses, Orris, Tamaris, Spikenard, Dragons-blood, Venice-hair, Pomegranate-flowers, Sumach, etc. all Powdered apart, and mixed. For the Quincey, 'tis good to gargoyle the Mouth with water of Speedwell distilled in Balneo Mariae, or its Flower boiled in Vinegar and Honey, or Mint, Sage, Rue, and Coriander, boiled in Cows or Sheep's Milk; or the Decoction of Figs and Cinquefoil in Water, dissolves the Tumour, or the ashes of a Swallows Nest burnt with the young ones, made into a Pultis, with Oil of Camomile and sweet Almonds is excellent: Peach-Gum boiled in Vinegar, with a little Saffron, or a Lineament made of Boar's Teeth Powdered with Linseed Oil, or to drink a dram of the Powder in Carduus Benedictus water: Here you must send for a Chirurgeon and the first thing you do let Blood, it may be, more than once. CHAP. VI Of the Diseases of the Breast. FIrst, when one speaks low and with pain, take at Night going to Bed two Ounces of Wine wherein have boiled, Figs and Raisins, with Sugar, Cloves and Cinnamon, and the Tablets of Diarios' given Morning and Evening clears the Voice; and Syrup of jujubs. So doth the decoction of Enula Campana, or Oximel wherein Liquorice hath been boiled. For a Sovereign Remedy is this Liquor taken at Night going to Bed; put an Ounce of Powdered Sugar in a Porringer, and pour thereon as much Brandy as will cover it, or a little more; put it upon the Coals, then light your Brandy with a Paper, lighting as often as it goes out, till it will take fire no more, then let the Patient take it all at once. To Cure a Cough, the Remedies before are good, but especially these, boil in water, Raisins and Figs, Hyssop, Anise and Fenel-seed till the third part be wasted, and of this give Night and Morning, two hours before meals 2 or 3 spoonfuls after eating a Tablet of Diaireos, or Diapenidion, or take Night and Morning a spoonful of Sugar-Candy Powdered, and as much of Diaireos, and a quarter of an Ounce of Liquorice, and drink three Ounces of Hyssop or Scabious water after. Or Syrup of Liquorice and Hyssop taken Night and Morning with Ptisane, adding a few Anise and Fenelseeds, and Nettle Seeds; when the Cough presses, 'tis good to take Teasels confected with Sugar, Conserve of Roses, and taking often one or other, or Lohoc Sanans, or de Pino taken with a Liquorice stick, swallowing them by little and little, or take two or three hours in the Morning before Eating, the juice of Quinces, boiled half away with Honey or Sugar, sweeting after it, or an Ounce of this drink two or three hours before Eating; take Cassia newly drawn, two Ounces and an half, Diacarthamus six drams, new Penids and Diaireos simplex, of each half an Ounce, Conserve of Violets three Ounces, sweet Almonds and Liquorice Powder, of each half an Ounce, Syrup of Violets two Ounces; dissolve these in Pullit Broth; and you must remember that you must Eat no sharp, or salt things, etc. Against shortness of Breath called Asthma, these Remedies are good besides those for the Cough; a Lohoc made of an Ounce of Raisins stoned, two great Figs, one Date, dried Hyssop, Venus' hair, Liquorice, Fox Lungs prepared, Scabious water of each one dram, Penids two Ounces, and Syrup of Liquorice as much as will thicken it; the which take with a Liquorice stick, two or three hours before or after meats. And as the Asthma surpasses the Cough in malice, so you must be more observant in your diet; Eating not Sharp, or Salt, or Spices, but Eating Barley boiled in Almond Milk and Sugar, Eating Pullet's and Pigeon's, and roasted Fowls; Figgs and Raisins, Dates, Almonds. Against Spitting Blood, give the Powder of red Coral in Distilled water of the tops of Oak; or Terra sigillata, with Plantain or Knotgrass water. Ambar in the Decoction of Confound. Hearts and Goat's horn in one of the Waters. For the Ptisick, let the sick drink every Morning four hours before Eating, two or three quarts of Ass' Milk, or red Cows, newly drawn, putting in each time a Spoonful of Sugar of Roses in Powder. Taking often Conserve or Sugar of Roses, or Diatragacanth, 'tis good to drink each Morning fasting, a good Glass of this Distillation, of the Herb asshoof; the great Confound, Venus' hair, Hyssop, equal parts with Snails discharged of their shells, and well washed. The water if alone is as good, and for all lean and dry Bodies, use Tablets made of two Ounces of Pimpernel in Powder and Sugar, every Morning, dissolved in three Ounces of Pimpernel water. This Powder is very salutary, taken two drams in the Morning, and two Spoonfuls of Syrup of Jujubs after it; or Coltsfoot water, or Ptisane. Take three Drams and a half of each of the four cold seeds which are Gourges, Citruls, Melons, Cucumbers, and as much of Quince seeds, five drams of white Pepper seeds, Juice of Liquorice, Hyssop, Starch, , Diatragacanth, of each one Dram and an half, Penids the weight of them all, Powder all apart then mingle them. CHAP. VII. Of the Diseases of the Sides. THe most dangerous of all is the Pleurisy, and most difficult to Cure, for it will soon kill if not soon cured. To know it, the Patient hath a burning Fever, a great Cough and short Breath, and a great pain in his side, by reason of fiery Blood hath inflamed the membrane that covers the Rib inwardly, which is mighty sensible; now without delay let him be let Blood on the same side; and give to drink a dram of Boar's tooth prepared with some Pectoral Syrup, as Violets, Coltsfoot, Hyssop, etc. If he find no abatement and full of Blood, Bleed again. Then give this, Take three Ounces of Carduus water, a Spoonful of white-Wine, six sperms of new laid Eggs, a dram of Bores-tooth, a scruple of red Coral Powdered, give all together warm. To open the Aposteme if there be occasion, take an Apple cut in two and the Kernels taken out, fill it with Frankincense, or Mastic, tie it with a Thread, Rost it under the Cinders, and give it to Eat, and to void the matter, Drink of the decoction of red Poppies, or a dram Powdered; with Scabius, and Pimpernel water, and Syrup of Hyssop; if the Fever be not great, else Violets. CHAP. VIII. Of the diseases of the Heart. FOr these your Remedies must be according to the causes; the weakness of the Heart coming from heat, give every Morning some Wine and water and Sugar, with Troches of Camphire, one dram; or Diamargariton Frigidum; and Eat often Conserve of Borage, Bugloss, Violets, alone, or with water of Wood-sorrel. If the cause be cold, with sadness and fear, take every Morning, the Electuary called Diamosch, one dram in good Wine, and keep his Breast warm; and once a week take a dram of Venice Treacle, in Wine; or half a dram of Confectio Alchermes, and to have Cloves and Mace and Nutmeg boiled in his drink and diet. For the beating of the Heart, advise with the Physician about Bleeding and Purging, if he have a Fever drink Syrup of Lemons, Violets, Sorrel, with Rose or Borage, or Bugloss-water, or the Syrup with Purslain-water, etc. 'tis good to smell oft of Roses, Violets, and Rose Vinegar; if without Fever give Aqua-Mirabilis, Caelestis, or so, or good Wine, let him smell to Benison, Storax, Musk, etc. For Swooning, first of all throw cold water in the Face, tie the Legs, Arms and Thighs very hard, and rub them hard, pull by the Hair; then give Wine to drink, and hold Vinegar to his Nose. But if from the Womb, let her smell stinking things, as Assa Faetida, Castor, Partridge Feathers burnt, etc. and contrarily Perfumes below with Benzoin, Storax, Musk, Ambar, Civet, etc. but if it come from loss of Blood, sweeting, Flux, etc. then nothing like good Wine, and comfortable nourishment as Jellies, etc. CHAP. IX. Of the Diseases of the Stomach. WEakness of the Stomach proceeds oft from Phlegm descending from the Head like Rheum, and being cold Digests not meat, but with great difficulty; to that the first Remedy must be moderate abstinence, but if Pain press, you must Vomit, with an Ounce of Crocus Metallorum, if a woman, and never above ten drams to a man, and after drink Wine; or Hippocras, etc. and sometime Purge the Stomach with Pilulae Hierae cum Agarico, or Stomachicae cum gummi, and taking two or three Night and Morning; keep his Stomach warm with or Emplasters. If from an hot cause, they will be dry, and little appetite, Headache, sour Belchings and offers to Vomit, then give Syrup of Roses, Sorrel, etc. or Quinces in Endive or Cichory water, etc. The Disdaining of diet comes from too many Choleric or gross and clammy Phlegmatic humours, always dry, sometimes Vomiting yellow Choler; first let Blood, and Purge the Choler with Diaprunes, Catholicon, etc. then give two or three spoonfuls in the Morning of the Decoction of Wormwood or Mint in white Wine, etc. The Windiness of the Stomach from the Mouth before eating comes from clammy Phlegm, or waterish, to Purge with Extractum Rudij, two Scruples, and Pilulae Stomach. cum gummi one, mixed, take three Pills at Night, and three in the Morning, and you need not keep within doors if it be not extreme cold: then take for three or four Mornings two Spoonfuls of Syrup of Wormwood or Mint fasting. The Windiness after eating comes from heat of the Stomach, and being weak cannot digest the meats; for this take anise, Fenel, Cummin and Carway seeds Powdered with Sugar, or Aromaticum rosatum, Dianisum, or Diacyminum, fasting, drinking a little Wine after, or two ounces of Wine wherein the seeds before have been boiled; remembering always to keep the Stomach warm as before, eat no raw fruits, or windy meats; and sleep not in the day time. To Cure the Hiccup, hold the Breath as long as may be, sleep long, sneez, spit, stir, tell them sad stories, and frighten them, it proceeds sometimes from fullness, so they must be moderate in diet; But if it come from weakness of the Stomach after long sickness, or flux of Blood or Belly, etc. you must nourish carefully with Jellies, Eggs, etc. The Stomach Vomits sometimes by the benefit of nature, easily, what offends it; but when by its weakness, it causes violent motion, and the Patient is in pain, as those that have a little and strait Stomach, long Neck and Breast, or weak sight; you must then help nature by giving some warm water and Oil, etc. put your fingers, or feathers dipped in Oil as low as you can; on the contrary to stay excessive Vomiting, caused from an hot weak Stomach, drink Syrup of Roses, Quinces, etc. with water well boiled and cold; if from cold keep the Stomach warm as before, and let him Vomit with Crocus Metallorum, and see before. To comfort the Stomach after Vomiting give Syrup of Mint, etc. for all pains in the Stomach from any cause, take half a pint of Rose water and a quartern of Brandy, an Ounce of Cinnamon Powdered, with enough Sugar, let them steep six hours in the Liquors, and give it to drink. Great pains of the Stomach have been appeased by applying a great Cupping Glass upon the Navel, sticking on an hour; and with hot bread dipped in Oil of Camomile applied to the pain. Drink an hour before eating a glass of good Wine wherein hath steeped two drams of Diacyminum, or Dianysum, or Mastic in the decoction of Mints, with Aniseed, or Cumin; or a little Castor in good Wine. CHAP. X. Of the Diseases of the Belly. THe humours which nourish the members of the Body are made by eating and drinking, and digested by the natural heat of the Liver, aided by that of the Heart; but is sometimes hindered to perform its Office through too much heat, with much pain coming upon the superfluity of Blood and choleric humour, or through diminishing of the natural heat, when phlegm which is cold, abounds. Red Urine, quick Pulse, spittle sweeter than ordinary show Blood is the cause, if choler 'tis yellower and clearer than usual; dry, and hotter than before, and less appetite; if Phlegm, the Urine that's whitish and thick causes a heaviness about the Liver, the face is pale. Now for the Remedies; from Blood let Blood in the Arm, drink cool drinks, as Ptisan, etc. keep the Belly lose by Clysters, or gentle Purges, and abstain from flesh, but eat meats boiled with fenel and purslain, etc. Almond Milk, Pease roasted or sodden Apples, Prunes, etc. if Choler cool also, take a week together an Ounce of Syrup of Endive or Violets in Ptisan, Morning and Night, or of Endive, Cichory or Sorril water, each an Ounce, then take half an Ounce of Cassiia new drawn, a dram of Rhubarb, infused all Night in Whey or Endive water, or an Ounce of Syrup of Violets, instead of Cassia; or a Bolus of half an Ounce of Cassia, as much Electuary of the Juice of Roses, or a dram of Rhubarb; or dissolve it in Whey or Endive water. After he may take every Morning two or three spoonfuls of this julep, half a pint of Rose water, a quartern of Endive, five Ounces of Sugar, and to cool more, two Ounces of Vinegar; who hath the Liver cooled by Phlegm, must for a week take fasting Oxymel compound with the Decoction of Parsley and Fenel, then Purge with an Ounce of Diaphenicum, or Diacarthamum in the decoction of the roots of Parsley and Fenel; he may drink strong Ale or Bear, or Wine, and eat Spices; when the pain of the obstruction of the Liver comes from the Stomach, 'tis cured by laxative medicines; and when 'tis accompanied with pain of the Reins and Back by openers, as Syrup of Venus' hair, etc. and decoctions of Parsley and Fenel Roots. Oft obstructions come to Women by reason of stopping of their motnhs, then bleed them in the Arm first, after in the Foot if need; and take for a week opening decoctions as before, with as much white Wine, added. The Spleen is the receptacle of Melancholy and clearer of the Blood making one jocund, but if it be obstructed by too much melancholy, all the Body becomes dry, 'tis known by a pain in the left side after eating, and a blackish colour of the face, and sadness; and cured by letting blood in the Arm and Haemeroid Veins; and if the pain be accompanied with drought, and loss of taste, it shows it proceeds from an hot cause, then besides bleeding give cool things as before, or decoction or Syrup of Scholopendria and Endive; then Purge with half an Ounce of the Juice of Roses, and three Ounces of the decoctions of the roots of Capers and Scholopendria; with Cassia and Diassenna of each half an Ounce. The Jaundice proceed from the Diseases of the Liver and Spleen, and as their Diseases are divers, so are the Jaundice, to wit, Yellow, Green, and Black, the last from the Spleen, the other from the Liver. For the Yellow and Green, drink in the Morning Syrup of Violets with House leek water, or Syrup of Endive with Cichory water, then Purge Choler as before, in the Liver; let the ordinary drink be Ptisan made with Barley, Liquorice and Prunes, or Tamarinds; Earth worms washed and Powdered and given in white Wine, is good: also the waters or decoction of Venus-hair, or Queen of the Meadows; For the Black Jaundice, after all as before, clap a large Cupping glass to the Spleen, often Night and Morning. The Colic is a Violent pain all over the Belly, for which first drink a good draught of Scabious water with a little Treacle, then give a Clyster made of Mallows, Mercury, Violet leaves, with Anise and Cassia, Hony and Salled Oil, and this often, and a Purger of Choler as before; when 'tis caused of wind it runs up and down, then give to drink Wine or Ale wherein Anise and Fenel and Cumin Seeds have been boiled; or the water or decoction of Camomile, also the Powder of old Acorns or Chestnuts in white Wine. The pain of the Kidneys which comes from the Stone or Gravel is like the Colic, in that in both is Vomiting, and binding in the Belly, and wind: but the Colic gins in the lower part of the right side going to the higher part of the left side of the belly, inclining more before than behind; but the Reins begin contrary, and the pain is stronger before than after eating; the contrary in the Colic: and it commonly comes suddenly but the reins by degrees, with a pain of the back, and difficulty to make water: To cure which use opening things to void the stone, if little; for there are no Medicines in the world to break it; but first loosen the belly by an ounce of Cassia, and Clysters made with Mallows and Marsh-mallows and Beets, giving Syrups and Decoctions thereof also at mouth; Turpentine Pills taken with White-wine, or the Decoction of Camomile flowers in wine and water. Difficulty of Urine is cured by the same means; and Heat of Urine by a Bolus of an ounce of Cassia, and a dram of Prunel and drinking cooling Emulsions of the four cold Seeds and Almonds with Barley water: and note that in all these distempers of the Reins, and almost in all other, the cure depends for the most part chief upon a good order of Diet. The Fluxes of the Belly are three, whereof the most dangerous is called Lienteria, which is when meats are voided in the same sort they were taken at mouth, with very little alteration, and without any stink; and Diarrhaea, when there is a Flux of flegmy and waterish humours only: last Dissenteria, when blood is voided alone, or with excrements. For the first, you must quickly consult the Physician; in the mean time, let only comfortable things be given, with Syrup of Woormwood, Mugwort, with Honey of Roses, of each a spoonful, or dissolved in Betony, Fenel, or Mugwort-water, or provoke vomiting by taking an ounce of Oxymel of Squils', and as much Syrup of Wormwood, or two ounces of Oxymel; then take Marmelad of Quinces before he eat, or Aromaticum Rosatum. For the Diarrhaea note it is sometime beneficial to nature, when it is without Fever, and quickly gone, and Bloodyflux not feared; so that you may let it alone for three or four days; then if you shall spy a few drops of blood threatening a Dissentery, or the Patient be feverish, then give astringent Clysters made of Sage, Mint, Borage, etc. In the streining put some juice of the Shepherd's purse, or Bole-armenac, without any Sugar or Syrup, and in little quantities. For Dissentery in the beginning let blood in the arm, and give lenitive Clysters made of milk wherein steel hath been quenched; or with two or three yolks of eggs; give three or four a day; then purge with a dram of Rhubarb, infused in Endive or Cychory-water strained, and putting thereto half a dram of torrified Rhubarb; then eat Marmalade of Quinces, Rice-milk, Sheep's and Calf's feet, and Red wine alone, or with Steel-water. The Dropsy is a moist swelling beginning in the feet, than the legs and thighs, then in the belly, and if neglected mounts to the heart: It is known by pressing the part with your fingers, and if a mark remain it is the Dropsy, else not: For cure you must purge first, for which nothing is better than Jalap, a dram more or less in powder with White-wine; then drink White-wine with Anniseeds powdered; eat biscuit and meats dry roasted, drink as little as may be, forbearing all broths and fruits, and liquid meats; sleep as little as may be, walk much, rise early. For Gripes and Pains in the belly drink of the decoction of Mint, wormwood, Camomile, Roots, Herbs and Flowers, in White-wine and water, or each alone. Here note for a general rule, that if you boil any things in white or other wine, you must infuse them first over hot coals, letting them boil a walm or two first, and so stand, then boiling them very little again, strain them out; for the wine loses its virtue by boiling. Touching the Hemorrhoids, they are inward, or outward; flowing or not. For the inward swelling apply a Cataplasm of the white bread and milk, with two yolks of eggs, a little Safron, and Vnguentum Populeon: but above all other a Pultis made of Verbaseum and Trifolium Hemorrhoidale, with fresh Butter, whether they be inward or outward: If you will have them flow apply Horseleeches; and if they flow too much apply a Pultis of the white of an Egg and Bole-armenack, or burnt Paper, or Tinder, or powder of red Coral a dram, in Plantain water or Red-wine inwardly; or the decoction of Yarrow and Rest-beef. CHAP. XI. Of the Diseases belonging to Women. TO provoke women's Courses drink a dram of yellow Ambar powdered fasting, in White-wine: use moderate exercise; drink a dram of the powder of the root of Dittany in the decoction of the herb, a dram of the Troches of Myrrh in White-wine: These will do ordinarily, but if not, you must consult the learned Physician: To stay their too much flowing, what I said in Bloody-fluxes may be good here; or drink a dram of the troches of white Amber in Plantan-water and Beer; You must not stir much, but sleep much; rub the arms and shoulders well; apply Cupping-glasses to the dugs; eat little and often; keep the belly lose. For the Fits of the Mother, rub and tie the thighs and legs well; let her smell stinking things, Wool, Partridge feathers burnt, Assa soetida; but below sweet perfumes of Civet, Roses and Musk, etc. Give her Mithridate to drink dissolved in Wormwood-water or Peony-seeds powdered in White-wine. For the Falling of the Womb, use contrary Remedies to cause it to remount to its place, to wit sweet scents at nose, & stinking one's below for the Womb; and so quite contrary in all the rest. Vomiting is here requisite; afterwards give powder of Hartshorn or Bay-leaves to drink in Red-wine. But because from the Womb proceed most diseases in women, in any difficulty neglect not to advise with the learned Physician; as likewise in case of Barrenness of women in time of fertility, for conservation of Mankind under the benediction of God; and forasmuch as their barrenness proceeds for the most part from cold causes, we will begin with that, leaving the search of other causes both of men and women to the Physician. After she hath been well purged, the Womb must be fomented and perfumed with the decoction of Mugwort, Wormwood, Savin, etc. the day after take Electuar, Aaromatick, Nutmeg, and Sugar of each one dram; or take night end morning in good wine a Tablet of the powders of Mugwort, roots of Bistort, Nutmeg, incorporated together with Sugar dissolved in Balm-water. The women accustomed to miscarry aught to use often the Conserves of Orange and Sage-flowers, Marmelade of Quinces, Dates, etc. As soon as she perceives the least suspicion of miscarrying, apply to her navel a hot loaf new out of the oven out in the middle, dipped in Malaga wine, and sprinkled with powder of Cloves and Nutmegs, and bind it close on; apply to the loins this Plaster, Mastic two ounces, Labdanum three drams, Bistort root, Dragon's blood, Bole-armonack, Goats-horn burnt, of each half a dram, Terra sigillata one dram, Frankincense, liquid Storax, , of each one dram and half; Red Coral two scruples, Wax washed in Rose-water, and Turpentine two ounces: beat all in a Mortar with a hot Pestle, pouring on oil of Myrrh and Turpentine, stirring it still with a hot Pestle till it be thick enough, then spread it upon leather, and apply it to the reins and loins. You must take off the Plaster every day, and wash the loins and reins with equal portions of Rose-water and White-wine, and lay it on again. The Time of Delivery being come, and it be with difficulty, give her presently a drink made of two scruples of fine Cinnamon, Wood-cassia Bark, Troches of Myrrh of each one scruple, round Birthwort root half a scruple, Confectio Alchermes half a dram, syrup of Mugwort an ounce, Waters of Mugwort and Motherwort of each two ounces; or the decoction of Mugwort, Rue, and Dittany; or the juice of Parsley drawn with Vinegar or White-wine: Hippocras is good, or the decoction of Hartshorn and Ivory: It is good to make her sneeze, with fine powder of Pellitory of Spain, and Tobacco, Oris, etc. For the Pains after Travel, the Oil of sweet Almonds is very good to prevent them, and being come is cured by distilled water of Peach flowers; or this powder in White-wine, roots of great Confound, Nutmeg and Ambar, finely powdered, with a little Ambergris added. Too much milk sometimes troubles them newly delivered, for which a Pultis of the great Celendine, Rue, Mint, Fenel, boiled in water and vinegar, will be good: If the dugs be inflamed anoint them with oil of Poppies, or Henbane, and the next day apply a Pultis made only of Bean meal and Vinegar, anointing the dugs and parts about with an Ointment made of an ounce of Bole-armenac, Bistort root as much, with oil of Roses and Myrrh, and Vinegar. This Pultis is very proper, made of two small handfuls of dried Mint, one of Wormwood, boiled a good while, then add Bean, Lupins, and Orobe meal of each one ounce, with oil of Lilies. If the blood be clotted dissolve it by this Pultis; take four ounces of Smallage, Oxymel simple two ounces, Red chices meal two ounces, as much of Lupins: If it will not dissolve, and that the kernels of the dugs are hard, and tend to ripen, take Marshmallow and white Lily roots of each four ounces, twenty figs, boil them till they be soft, then add fresh Porks grease, or Butter enough for a Pultis. Now if you would procure a great quantity of milk, boil Barley and a little Fenel-seed in her broth, or Posset-drink. CHAP. XII. Of breeding of Worms and Teeth in Children. AS in the diseases of Women the Womb is for the most part concerned, so are Worms in Children the greatest enemy; wherefore 'tis good in all their diseases to add some Medicine contrary to the vermin: so that it is to use Children betimes to take Medicines, to the end they may the more easily be cured of their diseases; than you must not wait till the worms be grown, but prevent them by giving them every new Moon some Wormseed in a Fig, or Honey, or Treacle, or pap of an Apple; the Juice of Orange is good with its Rind powdered, giving one or other apart with a spoonful of Salad-oil. Syrup of Lemons kills the worms; so doth Hartshorn powdered mith Sugar; Mint powdered with Wine; Corianderseed with the Juice of Lemons or Pomegranates: but Rhubarb is very effectual given in fine powder in Scabious water; or to little Children a scruple in Milk, or a little Honey of Roses. The great worms that are voided by Children, dried and powdered are excellent to drive out the same, drank in milk, wine or broth. Outward applications serve much to this effect; such are Wormwood bruised and fried and applied to the stomach, and mole of the head. Here note that Syrup of Cichory with Rhubarb is not only excellent in this case, but in all other diseases of Infants. Children are apt to vomit, for which let them wear upon their stomach an Emplaster of Mastic thus made; spread some Virgin's wax upon leather, and in the middle make a hole, wherein put melted Mastic. For Teeth rub them with Butter and Honey, etc. if nothing will do, open the gums with a Groat or Lancet. CHAP. XIII. Of Fevers. HItherto of Remedies for certain particular diseases; now for those proper against Fevers that afflict the whole body. For the cure of a Continued Fever let blood if you can presently, then eat very little, and drink Ptisan or small Beer, giving cool Clysters, as you may see before; to abate great drought wash his mouth with Vinegar and Rose-water, and chew Sorrel leaves, or drink the juice. The Quotidian Fever is combated with before the fit with the Juices of Betony and Plantain mixed, or the decoction of Cinquefoil, Scolopendria, Middle bark of Elder, Betony leaves, roots of Smallage, Parsley, Radish, etc. For the Tertian Fever the Proverb is found true, Ill luck is good for something; two or three fits thereof being good to purge the body of superfluous humours in the Spring, but more are prejudicial; and dangerous in the Autumn, for fear it turn to a Quartane: You may lose your Tertian Fever by these Remedies, Take the Bark of a young Walnut-tree, that next to the wood; bruise it in a Mortar, and steep it in White-wine eight or ten hours, strain it and drink it oft; this is for strong bodies. Likewise steep in White-wine, Plantain, and Monks-Rubarb; give it when the fit's upon them. The juice of Plantain, Purcelan, Pimpernel are good apart: And in all Fevers remember it is a chief matter to let blood, and keep the body lose by gentle Purges or Clysters, etc. as Catholicon, Lenitive Electuary, Diaprunes, etc. For the Quartane Fever many things are given, but few to purpose; these following are found good from experience; The seeds of Dwarf-Elder, one dram finely powdered for weak bodies, a dram and a half for strong ones, and half a dram for Children, steeped an hour in White-wine or Claret, and given when the fit seizes; or dried Nutmeg upon the hot pan and powdered, half a dram given every morning; but on the Fit day in White-wine; or bind Pigeons cut in two to the soles of the feet. In this Fever you must not drink water but wine, with very little water or strong drink. CHAP. XIV. Of the Pestilence. IN time of such miserable calamity two things are to be done, to wit to preserve one's self as much as may be from the disease, and to seek, under God, for a cure, if possessed therewith. The most assured way of preservation is not to communicate with the infected, but dwell in a sound place, the air cold and dry, rather than moist and hot; and to remember the commands of our Ancestors, citò, longè, tardè; that is, to go quickly from the place infected, and to go a long way to a healthful place, from whence to be slow in returning till all danger be passed: But if they must remain in an infected place, then to prevent, if possible, the Disease; you must Bleed and Purge, and Sweat, and keep all things sweet and clean, and good Diet; keep Fires by night if in Summer, and all day in Winter; burn Frankincense and Benjoin, and Storax; never go out fasting. Take Pill. Ruffi, 3 or 4 or 6 Pills going to Bed, for cure and prevention; and Mitridates his Remedy composed only of one Figg and Walnuts, and Rue six Leaves, and a little Salt beaten together: comfortable Wines, and Waters, and Brandy are good, having a care there be not a great Fever; than you must give Juice, or Syrup of Lemons with Barleywater, etc. in Bleeding, you must have a care not to Let Women Blood in their last Month, or newly Delivered, or weak and decrepit Folks, or those that have Swell: In lieu of Bleeding may be used Cupping-glasses to the Shoulders and Thighs; after Bleeding give Cassia or Manna the next day: Now for outward applications you must here use no repercussive Medicines: After Bleeding apply to the Bunch a Pultis made of Figgs, Raisins stoned, and Leven beaten together with Oil of Camomile, or Bread and Milk, and Lily Roots boiled together, or Diachilum cum Gummi, or Paracelsus Plaster, or Ammoniacum, or Galbanum, and open the Aposteme before it be quite ripe; then dress it with Vnguentum Basilicum with Tents from first to last. CHAP. XV. Of the Gout. FOr the Gout, whether in the Hands or Feet, or Knees, or Hips, the chief remedy is to Let blood in a hot cause more than once if occasion be, & purge gently as you have been taught before, if they be Feverish, and give Clysters, and then cool drinks as in Fevers, then use Ointments to appease the pain; and Cataplasms, and Plasters, and Oil of Roses and Lilies, & a Pultis of Whitebread and Milk, and Oil of Roses; and to boil Hemlock and Henbane in Milk, and make a Pultis with Whitebread and Vnguentum Populeon, Vnguentum Anodynum, and bathe with Milk and warm Water, and apply Diapalma Plaster softened with Oil of Lilies or Roses; and Emplastrum de Ranis; or if from a cold cause use Paracelsus Plaster, and Oxycroceum, Diachylon cum gummi, cicuta, & Ointments and Plasters of Tobacco are excellent in all Gouts and Sciatica's, so is Oil of Exeter, and Oil of Spike and Turpentine. CHAP. XVI. Of the Cure of outward pains in any part of the Body. FOr pain o'th' Members the Oil of Dwarf-elder is very proper, anointing the place first therewith, if it be from a cold cause, and then apply hot Emplasters, as Paracelsus, etc. as before in the Gout. Also Brandy and fresh Butter, or Porkgrease, never forgetting if the Patient have need to Let blood i'th' Arm, more than once if there be occasion, and to purge gently two or three times together; as you have been taught before sufficiently if you be ingenious. The Oil of Elder-flowers, and Earth Worms mixed together are excellent good, and this following; take Pitch and Rosin, new Wax, of each half an Ounce, fresh Butter half a Pound; melt them gently over the Fire in an Earthen Glazed Vessel, all but the Rozin, which is to be cast in, in small pieces when the other have boiled a little, or begin to boil; then stir them well with a Wooden stick to incorporate them; with this composition being warm anoint your parts pained, and rub them as long as they can endure it, then lay an Emplaster of the same thereon, and so roll it up, if it be in a place that may be rolled; after it hath lain on twenty four hours, take the Plaster off, and anoint and rub it again, and lay it on again, and do so every twenty four hours till they be well. The Ointment and Plaster of Tobacco hath done great good to many. CHAP. XVII. Of Bruises in any part of the Body. FOr Bruises, whether from blows, or falls, or any other cause, these remedies following are very good: Lupine-meal boiled a little in Wine to the consistence of a Pultis; Bean-meal boiled in Vinegar, Radishes beat with Hony takes away the marks of the Bruise. The leaves of Confound mixed with Oil of Saint-Johns-worth, dissolves the clotted Blood in any part of the Body that comes from Bruises. This Oil following is excellent good for all Bruises, and shrunk Sinews also. Take a young fat Fox, take off his Skin, then open him, and take ou● his Garbage, then boil him who●… in common Oil with Bay-berries, and Sage-leaves, and Marsh-mallow-roots till the Flesh part from the Bones; and after you have broke the Bones put them into the Vessel again, to boil the Marrow out, and let them boil a little, then press all hard out and keep it in Earthen Glazed Vessels for your use. CHAP. XVIII. Of green Wounds and old Sores. FOr Wounds from what cause soever you have several cheating Mountebanks that go up and down the Country, promising you Infallible Cures by their Balsams forsooth. But if the Wound be of any moment, you'll find them most commonly deceive you, and so you have work made for the Chirurgeon, and that which perhaps if at first artificially handled, might with ease have been Cured, becomes it may be desperate, or difficult, with hazard of Life or Limb: So that I thought good to give you this caution, and withal to give you the most approved way of Curing green Wounds, and Ulcers, and old Sores. First, Then if any one happen to be wounded, be sure to have in a readiness always i'th' house, that most incomparable Balsam called by the name of Linimentum Arcei, to be had at the Apothecaries, and if the wound be not hollow, spread some of it upon Lint, and apply to the wound, and bind it up; but if it be hollow, you must melt it in a Spoon, and pour it warm into the wound, or dissolve some in Oil of Turpentine, and pour it in, or inject it in with a Syringe, or you may make this Sovereign Balsam yourself, thus. Take Gum Elemi and Turpentine, of each an Ounce and a half, Ram's Suet old and tried two Ounces, old Hogs Fat tried one Ounce; the manner of making this Lineament is this, dissolve the Gum in Sack, and let the Sack cimmer away gently over the fire, then put in the Fats, and lastly the Turpentine. Others make great esteem of Tobacco in the Cure of green Wounds and old Sores; either boiling the Leaves, or Juice alone thereof in Wine and Oil, or by adding Turpentine, Wax, and Gum, and Rosin; and so making Balsams, and Unguents, and Emplasters thereof for the said use; as for example, take this Receipt from the College of Physicians of London, of an Unguent of Tobacco. Take two pound of the Leaves of Tobacco bruised, let them steep all night in Red Wine, and in the morning boil them with a pound of Pork Grease till the Wine be wasted; then strain it, and add to the streining half a pound of the Juice of Tobacco, Rosin four Ounces; then boil them again to the wasting of the moisture, and towards the end sprinkle in, of the roots of round Birthwort powdered finely, two Ounces, and as much Wax as will suffice to make it of the consistence of an Unguent. Or this way. Take four pound of the Juice of Tobacco, and boil it in a Skillet or Glazed Pipkin, with half a pound of oil-olive till the Juice be wasted; then put thereto of Rosin and Bees-wax, of each half a pound; when they are melted and mixed together, take them off the fire, and stir them continually with an Iron Spathula, and adding thereto half a pound of Venice Turpentine, put them again over the Coals, and stir them very well together; lastly take them off the fire, and pour them into a Glazed Earthen Vessel, and let it stand till it be cold, then stop it and cover it close, and keep it for the uses aforesaid; this will last for many years. Another Balsam of Tobacco. Take the Leaves of Tobacco, as many as you can hold between your two Hands, clean them well with a Linen Cloth Leaf by Leaf without washing them, beat them in a Marble Mortar, with a Wooden Pestle, then strain the Juice through a Linen Cloth, the which put into a Posnet or Glazed Pipkin, with Rosin and Burgundy Pitch, of each a quarter of a pound, half a pound of Bees-wax, as much fresh Porks Grease: all these mixed together shall be put upon a gentle fire, for about the space of an hour, skimming it always with a Scummer, or till it be boiled enough, which you will know by dropping a little upon a Board, and if it be of the consistence of boiled Honey it is enough; then take it off the fire, and add thereto four Ounces or half a pound of Venice Turpentine, then mix it over the fire, and so pour it out as before. Or thus, Take three Ounces of new Bees-wax, and as much Rosin, melt them in a Posnet or Pipkin, as before, over a Charcole-fire; when they begin to boil, throw in a pound and a half of the Juice of Tobacco, boil them altogether over a gentle fire, for five or six hours, in which time the moisture will be consumed, then strain it through a strong Linen Cloth, and put it into the Pipkin again, adding thereto half a pound of Turpentine, mix them over the fire, and so keep them for your use as before: The simple Balsam of Tobacco may be made this way, Take what quantity of Leaves of Tobacco you will, bruise them as before, and put the Juice into a thick Glass Bottle, with as much Oil of Olives, and put the Glass well stopped into Horse-dung, and deep covered for forty days, at the end take it out, and you will find a Balsam swimming o'th' top, the which pour very gently off from the dregs, and keep it in a Glass for your use. These Compositions of Tobacco, are likewise good for Bruises and old Ulcers, and cold tumors, etc. Another excellent Balsam: Put into a glazed Earthen Veffel, Brimstone finely Powdered and Salted, pouring thereon as much Oil as will swim above the Brimstone four fingers breadth; put them i'th' Sun and let them stand till they be thick, by stirring them once or twice every day, then pour off the clearest for your use. Another excellent Ointment for green wounds: Take an Ounce of Oleum Petroleum, half an Ounce of Venice Turpentine, and as much Oil of Olives, two drams of Mastic; mix them all together, and boil them over a gentle fire, till they come to the consistence of an Ointment or Balsam; and keep it in an Earthen Glazed Vessel close stopped for your use. CHAP. XIX. Of Swell and Apostumes. FOr any new Swelling, apply presently a Pultis made only of the Crumbs of White-bread, boiled in Milk, and when it is boiled to the thickness of a Pultis, add some Oil of Roses, or fresh Porks Grease, or fresh Butter thereto: or Marshmallow and white Lilly-roots, and Figs boiled in Water with Oil, fresh Butter, or Pork Grease as before, will break it if it must be broken. Also Bean and Barly-meal boiled in Hony and Water, dissolves Swell, and brings them to Ripeness. The Leaves of wild Clary, steeped in Vinegar, and applied with Honey resolves Apostumes. If these do not you must Advise with the expert Chirurgeon, and remember always to roll the part swelled with Linen Roulers. Those kind of Apostumes we call Felons, may be ripened and softened by these means following: Take Wheat-flower, and Pork Grease, Hony, and the Yelk of an Egg, mix them hot over the fire, and apply it to the Felon. Or this, take Bean-meal, Leven, Figgs, Raisins stoned, mix them together as before, and apply it; or Plantain Leaves beaten in a Mortar with Oil of white Lilies, and applied thereto; or Sheep's Dung steeped and mixed with Vinegar. To conclude this Chapter, I will give you the Receipt of a most excellent Plaster of Tobacco, against all kinds of Cold and hard Swell whatever, and to heal old Ulcers. Take half a Pound of the Juice of Tobacco, of the Juice of Wormwood three Ounces, Oil of St. Johnsworts simple, Oil of Elder, of each an Ounce and a half, of the Leaves of Wormwood, Confound, and Figwort of each one handful, White-wine a quarter of a Pint: Let the green herbs boil in the Juices, and Wine and Oils in a Posnet, stirring them continually with a wooden Spathula to the bottom, that they burn not to; but let them not boil till they be too thick and no moisture left; then taking them and streining them hard with your hands or a Press, dissolve in that Liquor you strained, four Ounces of Bees-wax, and two Ounces of Bucks Grease or Suet; then take it off the fire, and Incorporate therein two Ounces of Venice Turpentine, Frankincense, Mastic and Myrrh, of each one Ounce, finely Powdered apart, and so when 'tis cold enough, make it up into rowls of plaster, to be spread upon leather when you have occasion to use it. CHAP. XX. Of Burn and Scaldings. FOr any kind of Burning or Scalding, whether directly by Fire or boiling Water, or Oils, Pitch, Fats, or scalding Lead, or Gunpowder, etc. these Remedies following you will find to be profitable, and proper for the purpose: First of all you must see to take out the fire that is in the part, as well to advance the cure, as to prevent blisters and crusts which may follow, without proper remedies, and indeed the marks of the bourn that appear after the cure. First then, as soon as 'tis burnt anoint it with Salad-oil and Water beaten well together, and strew thereon Wheat-flower; and dip Linen clothes or Flax Tow in the said Oil and Water, and lay them on; or Rose or common water with the whites of Eggs beaten to water, and oil of Roses, or Lilies, or Poppies; or for all use Snow-water if you have it; and indeed you should never be without it. If notwithstanding all this through the malice of fire blisters shall arise, you must then cut them with Scissors, and lay thereon fresh butter boiled, oil of Roses and yolks of Eggs beaten together: The Vnguentum Basilicum will cure them perfectly, or this Unguent following: Take half a pound of fresh Butter well boiled and strained, Ceruse and Tutty, washed both in Plantain or Rose-water, of each half an ounce, burnt Led a quarter of an ounce, with four yolks of Eggs, mix them all together to the form of an Unguent. A Pultis made of the leaves of Bur-dock with the whites of Eggs cures burns; also Hen-dung mixed well with honey of Roses, or oil of Roses: The decoction of Mallow leaves and fresh Butter beaten a great while together, and applied in manner of a Lineament, with a Colewort leaf, a little warm, is good to separate the crusts, if any: so are yolks of Eggs with oil of Violets mixed together. To appease the pain coming from burns, imply this Unguent; Take old Bacon grease melted in an earthen glazed Vessel, and pour it into Rose-water, then strain it through a linen Cloth, then wash it five or six times in Plantan-water; to four ounces of Lard so prepared add two yolks of Eggs, and make them into an Ointment. The oil of the yolks of Eggs is singular to appease the pains; and that the marks of the bourn may not be seen after the cure, you must wash the part often with Plantain water, with a little Alum dissolved therein. To remove such Cicatrices likewise a Lineament made of the herb called Porks bread, beaten with Housleek is very proper. CHAP. XXI. Of a Scald-head. THis is a loathsome disease, and requires skill to cure it well. Out of many sound Experiments make use of these following: Take two handfuls of the herb Celandine, four ounces of Bay salt, and as much quick Brimstone finely powdered; beat the herb well in a stone or wooden Mortar, with a wooden Pestle; that done boil them in sweet Oil altogether; then take them from the fire, and strain them through a Linen Cloth, to extract their substance; wherewith anoint the head of the Patiented night and morning. Another Remedy. After having washed the head with Beef Piss, and rubbing it therewith till blood come almost, then lay on the powder of Hens-dung dried in the Oven, and thereon an Emplaster made of the Soot of a Furnace mingled with strong White-wine Vinegar. Another is this. Take two ounces of common Turpentine well washed first in common water, then in Fumitary water, fresh. Butter one ounce washed in Rose-water, Bay-salt half an ounce, two Yolks of Eggs, the Juice of Lemons and Oil of Roses, of each one ounce, a scruple of Camphir, and mix them together, and make an Ointment. Another for the same is made of Roch-allum, Vitriol, and Verdigreese, and quick Brimstone, Soot of a Furnace, of each three drams, Camphir two drams, Oil of sweet Almonds, and Porks Marrow of each half an ounce; incorporate them well together, and make them into an Unguent. Sometimes it happens that we search for that a great way off which is nigh at hand; and that Medicines of a small price do as much good as dear Drugs; or as we say in the English Proverb, Far fought and dear bought is good for Ladies; as may be seen in this matter; for Juniper-berries boiled in Vinegar and Honey, and applied in manner of a Pultis, is excellent good. In Infants it is much more easy to cure the Scald-head, than in those of riper years; and in these more easy than in old folks, the time rendering it incurable; wherefore it is very convenient to distinguish between age and age, and remedy and remedy, to go artificially to work; that is to say, for the young use gentle remedies, and to others stronger. Note here that in little children this Disease is commonly healthful, it delivering them from the Falling, sickness and Convulsions, and other fearful distempers, by purging them from the impure blood they contracted in their Mother's womb. The difficult sort of Scaldheads are distinguished into dry ones and moist ones: For the dry one begin with this decoction: Take two handfuls of Fumitary, Monks-rubarb, and roots of Mallows, flowers of Melilot and Camomile, of each two small handfuls, Linseed, Beans and Lupins, of each a quarter of a pound; boil them in Lee made of the ashes of a Vine-tree, or Figtree; bathe and wash the head therewith twice a day, then anoint it with this Unguent following: Take a pound of Lard, Fumitary, Monks-rubarb, and Ivy, one handful, slice them very small; then add two ounces of oil of Bays, four ounces of oil of Mastic, half an ounce of Turpentine, four ounces of the juice of Col●…orts; beat all these well together, and then let them steep twenty four hours, then let them boil till the juice be consumed; then strain it, and anoint the head therewith, laying on after a Colewort leaf. For the moist Scald-head wash and bathe it with a decoction, as before, wherein you have dissolved Roch-Allum; then anoint it with the Unguent called Vnguentum de minio, to be had at the Apothecaries; then take Verdegreese, with Alum, Honey, and Vinegar, of each two ounces, a dram of Arsenic, two of Sublimate, all in powder; boil them together till they begin to be thick enough for an Ointment, and you will find this a miraculous Ointment. Here you must remember to cut the hair close, or shave it away first of all: some apply a Cap of pitch to tear it up by the roots. CHAP. XXII. For the Scabs and Itch in the hands. FOr these in the hands the water of a Smith's Forge to wash and bathe the hands well in is good; or Allum-water, or the juice of Lemons alone, the brine of salt Bacon, or brine of Pickle-herring, or Anchovies, the Lee made of Oak-ashes: then anoint with Vnguentum Nicotianum, or Enulatum cum Mercurio, or flower of Brimstone mixed with either of them: and so if the whole body, letting blood first, and purging, use those Ointments to anoint withal, using a temperate diet, and drinking as little strong drink as may be. CHAP. XXIII. Of the Tetters and Ringworms. THey are an unhandsome sight, and therefore to quit yourself of them, note that against them are employed divers Remedies, according to the diversity of the nature of them: those that are not rebellious may be cured with gentle and mild remedies, but the rebellious and malignant with more difficulty, by application of more violent and stronger remedies, as in the Chapter before. For the not rebellious do thus; wash and bathe them in the decoction of Beans and Wheat in Vinegar: or take a thin slice of Veal, Beef, or Mutton, lay it upon the coals or Gridiron, then beat it with Vinegar and Mustard, and apply this to the Tetter. Or take Frankincense, Oil of Roses and Vinegar, and make an Ointment and anoint: Now if these will not do, being first applied to rebellious ones, then apply yourself to these following; First wash and bathe them with a decoction of Lupins and Marshmallow roots, made in Vinegar to the consumption of half; or with Plantan-water wherein hath been infused white Vitriol and Alum. Or make an Unguent of two drams of Aloes dissolved in distilled Vinegar. Oil of Wheat alone is excellent for this purpose; it is made by putting Wheat between two hot irons and the Oil will drop out; or else thus; Take some Wheat beaten and put it into a glass Vessel, and stop it close, and put it into a Kettle of water upon the coals, to keep the water hot, and not to make it boil, and so let stand three days together; at the end thereof take out the powder and you will find it moist; the which put into a Linen Cloth, and press the oil hard out. CHAP. XXIV. Of Corns in the feet and toes. THese often hinder people from going in ease; and so ought to be considered, and to have remedies laid down for their help: for which are divers used, but these following may prove most effectual: some and wash them first in a Decoction of herbs, and then cut them with a sharp Penknife, or Razor, as far as they can possibly go, then apply a Plaster of soft Wax red or green, having been first steeped 24 hours in strong White-wine Vinegar; for the Cinabar and Verdigreese, wherewith these Waxes are coloured, will kill and take away the roots of the Corns. The same will these remedies following do effectually, sometimes one, sometimes another, according to their divers properties; of which you may choose which will be best for your purpose, and make use of them, Galbanum and new wax mixed together; some take Lily roots well boiled, and then beaten with Porks marrow and apply it: some use only Emplastrum de ranis cum mercurio. CHAP. XXV. Of the Ruffness and Chaps in the hands and lips. THe Chaps in the hands and lips coming from cold winds, or other causes inward or outward, are cured by these Remedies following; having first washed them with Barleywater, then anoint them with Vnguentum rosatum, or Pomatum at the Apothecaries, or Capon's Grease, or Oil of Wax is excellent, for it will cure them in a short time. CHAP. XXVI. Of Warts in any part of the body. THe juice of Lemons kill Warts in any part of the body; or the same juice distilled, or distilled Vinegar; or the juice of the leaves and flowers of white Mullein: Oil of Vitriol & Brimstone are infallible, but you must use them warily: The juice of the stocks of Purselain and Housleek bruised in a Mortar with Bay-salt, and the Warts rubbed therewith often, cures them in three or four days. FINIS.