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Take Malaga Raisins freed from the Stalks and Stones 2 pound; Currants pick'd and rubb'd clean with a Cloth 1 pound; Jujubes half a pound; beat all in a Marble Mortar, and boil in a convenient quantity of clear Barly Water, 'till the Goodness be boil'd out into the Liquor, then strain and squeeze it out, and having set it by to settle and decanted the clear, and added to it clarify'd Honey and white Sugar Candy, each 4 ounces; boil again gently, 'till it be reduc'd to a Mellaginous Consistence.
Here I desire the English Reader to take notice once and for all, that our Herbals give such poor, sorry, deficient, false and undistinguishing accounts of the Virtues of Simples, that he must not venture Practice upon their Authority. To instance in Raisins, when they are prescrib'd, Raisins of the Sun are generally made use of, whereas they, and Malaga have their several Faculties and uses no where to be found in such like Books.
For Raisins of the Sun are pleasanter to the Palate, quench Thirst and deoppilate more than Malaga, by reason of a delicate Tartarous Acidity, mixt with the sweet, and so are better in thirsty Fevers, and Splanchnic Cases,
But Malaga Incrassate, Obtund and Maturate more than they, by reason of their mucilaginous Sweetness, and therefore are
[p. 215]
prefrrrable [sic] in Catarrhs, Rheumatism, Small Pox, Stone, and wheresoever a thin, acrid, crude Serum is to be corrected or ripen'd.
Take Raisins stoned and chop'd small 4 pound' Water 6 quarts; macerate them 24 hours; then boil 'till but a third part remains, which strain and boil again, 'till it become as thick as Honey.
Take of the finest Writing Paper cut small 4 Sheets, Naple Biskets 2; Spring Water 2 pints and a half; having boil'd it to 1 pint and half and strain'd it, add Milk 1 pint and half, then boil it again to 1 quart; and at last, season it with fine Sugar and Nutmeg, according as may be grateful.
It edulcorates, incrassates, obstipates; in particular, it succours those that are troubled with Diarrhea, immoderate flux of the Terms or Morning Sweats.
Take Spring Water 6 quarts; Honey 1 quart; when its boil'd to a perfect Despumation, add Juice of red Cherries 1 quart; and boil it a little more, scumming it carefully.
Its a delicate pleasant tasted Liquor, and may serve for usual Drink, to quench Thirst, Dilute and Maturate.
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After the same manner, may be prepar'd Hydromels of Juice of Citron, or any other grateful acid Juices, saith Dr. Lasher.
Take roots of Madder, Fennel, each 1 ounce; Parsly 2 ounces; Bay and Juniper berries, each half an ounce; Daucus and Sweet Fennel Seeds, each 2 drams; boil in Water 2 pints and half to 28 ounces; to the strain'd Liquor add Juice of Pellitory of the Wall and Honey, each 4 ounces; boil it again as long as any Scum ariseth.
Take Zedoary half an ounce; Gum Ammoniac (not strain'd) 2 drams; Flour of Sulphur 3 drams; clarify'd Honey 2 ounces; Water i pint; boil (without scumming it) to 12 ounces; at the latter end, adding Saffron 12 grains; and when its quite cold strain it off.
It very potently incides, liquifies and brings off tough Phlegm, that by stuffing up the pneumonia Passages, causeth an Orthopnaea and moist Asthma. But whenever it be convenient in a dry, convulsive, feverish Asthma, during the Fit I am scarcely satisfy'd; but I am inclin'd to believe in that Case, it may give the Blood too much Fervour, increase the Orgasm of the Humours, and consequently make the Fit greater.
You may give the Patient a spoonful or 2 often.
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Take Liquorice 2 ounces; Malaga Raisins stoned and cut small 4 ounces; boil in depurate Barly water from 3 pints to 1 quart; to the strain'd add Honey 2 ounces, and boil again 'till it be well despumated.
Take Pearl Barley, Malaga Raisins stoned, each half an ounce; Figs 4; Liquorice 2 drams; Roots of Elecampane, Orris, Calamus Aromaticus and dry'd Tobacco, each 1 dram; Colts foot, Ground Ivy, Rocket, Sanicle, each 1 handful; sweet Fennel and Aniseed (added towards the last) each 2 drams; make a Decoction in simple Hydromel 3 pints to 1 quart, and strain it out for use.
It almost equals that of Joel (above describ'd) for inciding and expectorating, but for mollefying, lubricating, digesting and maturating, it goes beyond it. Its eminently beneficial in a deep, laborious Cough, where the inward Recesses of the Thorax are stuff'd up, over-loaded with tough Phlegm. But in a feverish thin, sharp Catarrh, perpetually dropping thro' the guttural Glands, 'twill prove prejudicial; for by fusing, heating and tumultuously exagitating the Humours, 'twill most infallibly increase the Distemper.
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You may give 3 ounces or more, to be supped up as hot as Coffee, three times a Day.
Take pure Spring Water 2 quarts; Honey half a pound; boil it 'till its thoroughly scummed.
Some make it of Water 5 pints, and Honey 1 pint.
This may serve tp prepare any compound Hydromel with, is seldom used alone. Yet might be a good agreeable Drink, during the whole fit of an Asthma, for such as are troubled with an old Cough, or with Gravel or Sand.
Honey consists of a sweet, viscid Principle manifest, and of an Acrid Volatile something occult. From its Acridness, it detergeth and drieth; from its Viscidness, digesteth and healeth.
Take Wormseed bruis'd half an ounce; Mint Water 4 ounces; Gentian Compound and Cinnamon water, each 2 ounces; infuse hot for an hour; then strain and add Syrup of Succory with Rhubarb 2 ounces; Oil of Nutmeg 2 drops; mix.
Give a Child 2 spoonfuls twice a day, for 3 days, and then after it, a proper Cathartic.
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Aegineta (Book 4. chap. 57. page 384.) saith, when Children will not take Medicines if you lay them on their backs and bind them down, and hold open their Mouths, with an Instrument, and put a Glyster Pipe down their Throats, you may inject what bitter you please, in spight of their strugling.
Take ground Pine (dry'd, washed and bruis'd) 1 ounce; Lavender flowers dry'd, Venice Treacle, each half a ounce; stout, strong, red Wine 1 quart; infuse hot 2 hours and strain.
To drive the Gout out of the Stomach and Intestines, let the Patient drink half a pint, and repeat the same Draught, as often as the Physician shall judge needful.
Take common Water distl'd 2 quarts; Brandy half a pint; Salt of Tarter 32 grains; Gentian root 3 drams; tops of Carduus, Centory, Camomile flowers, each 6 drams; Cochineal 2 scruples; infuse in Balneo 12 hours, and strain.
Common Water distil'd in an Alembic will keep in the Shop as well as other ditil'd Waters, and may serve as a cheap and general Vehicle in Juleps, Infusions, &c. And is divested of all sorts of Salts.
I choose Carduus tops rather than Seed, because the Seed being Oiley, is apt to make
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the Infusion muddy; but as here order'd, 'twill be diaphanously clear.
Its a little warmer, than the common bitter Draught, because in a quarter of a pint of the Liquor there is about half an ounce of Brandy.
I use to give it either alone, or with bitter Wine, sometimes prescribing equal quantities: Sometimes of the Infusion 12 ounces, and of the Wine 4 ounces, and so varying as I see fit. The Dose is 6 tp 8 spoonfuls, twice a Day.
Take Alexiterial Milk water 1 pint and half; Mint, Genetian compound, Magistral Worm water, each 4 ounces; Gentian root 4 scruples; tops of Carduus, Centory and Camomile flowers, each 8 scruples; after 12 hours warm infusion, run it through a Sieve without Squeezing, so as that it may be pure clear and fine, and mix with it Chalybeat Wine 1 quart.
Take distil'd Water 1 quart; Brandy 4 ounces; Slat of Tarter 2 scruples; Camomile flowers dry'd and bruis'd 2 ounces; infuse warm 12 hours, and decant the clear through a Flannel strainer.
See the bitter Febrile Decoction.
[p. 221]
Take conserve of red Roses 1 ounce; conserve of Borage flowers 2 ounces; candy'd Citron peel, beat to a Mash 6 drams; pour on them Borage water 9 ounces; Meadow sweet water 3 ounces; Damask Rose water 2 ounces; having mix'd all very well in a marble Mortar, and let them stand cold an hour, strain out the Liquor and add to it juice of Kermes half an ounce; juice of Lemon 1 ounce; Syrup of Raspberries half an ounce; and pass it all through Hippocrates's sleeve, 'till it be pretty clear and fine.
It restrains the Fervour, and allays the impetuosity of the too inflammable Blood at the same time, it also clarifies and rouses up the Spirits, darkned and depress'd with atrabilarious Vapours, 'Tis a very grateful and comfortable thing in a burning Fever, especially if the Patient be inclinable to Hypochondriacism and Melancholy. You may give a large Wine glass full thrice a day.
Take dry Peacocks dung (the white part) 4 ounces; Millepedes alive bruised 1 ounce; black Cherry water, white Wine, each 1 pint and half; let them stand cold 24 hours, then having clarify'd it, by often passing it through a Flannel bag; add Langius's Antepileptic water 3 ounces; Spirit of Lavender compound 1 dram and half;
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Oil of Nutmeg 3 drops; Syrup of Piony compound 6 ounces, mix.
It cleanses out the Meatus of the Brain, when choak'd up and grown unpassable, by reason of muddy Feculencies, roborates its Tone when flaccid and suck, and defecates the Animal Spirits, when clog'd and incens'd with an heterogeneous Copula, refreshes and invigorates them when feeble and fainting; discusses the Mists and Clouds of the Head, and procures Serenity and Sun shine. Therefore we employ it with happy Success in an Idiopathic Head-ach, Vertigo, Scotomy, &c. giving a quarter of a pint Nights and Mornings.
Take Zedoary root contused 2 ounces; Canary Wine, Brandy, each half a pint; macerate in a gentle heat 12 hours. To the strain'd add Oil of Juniper 16 drops; Oil of Cloves 4 drops; fine Sugar 1 ounce, mix.
In a Bilious Colic no Medicine will avail much, 'till the Body be wrought thro' with a Purge; and after it is so, this Medicine will be useful. In an Hysteric Colic Dr. Sydenham prescribes Zedoary between the Fits. Two or three ounces are to be taken three or four times a Day.
Take Misselto cut and bruis'd 4 ounces; juice of Rue 1 ounce; Brandy 4 ounces; Spring water
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28 ounces; Salt of Tartar 2 scruples; infuse in a gentle heat 12 hours: Let the strain'd subside, 'till depurated, which decant and sweeten with Syrup of Piony compound 4 ounces.
Mr. Boyle (usefulness of Philos. p. 175) relates an History of a radicated Epilepsy cured by Misselto of an Oak. But for ought I know, its only the Superstition of the Druids, and scarcity of that of the Oak, which gives it the preference before that of Hazel, white Thorn, Lime, Apple or even Crabtree.
Take Senna 1 ounce; white Tartar powder'd half an ounce; Elder flower water, white Wine, each half a pint; infuse warm and close in a glass, or glased (but not Brass) Vessel, 12 hours: To 12 ounces of it clear strain'd, add Syrup of Succory with Rhubabr 4 ounces; Oil of Aniseed and Oil of Nutmeg, each 2 drops, mix.
Senna (saith Fr. Sylvius) is a kindly, gentle Medicine, if given either in Substance or Infusion; but decocted is not so, for then its apt to cause Gripes, especially in such as abound with austere and acid Humours.
This Infusion will fit Children, as well as grown People; for it operates very friendly, and yet effectually. If any Constitution call for it stronger, a few grains of powder'd Scammony may be added (when cold) to each Dose. The Dose to grown Persons, is
[p. 224]
3,4, or 5 ounces. Hence it may easily be proportion'd for all Ages.
Take Diascordium half an ounce; Cochineal 2 scruples; Cloves 1 scruple; red Lisbon Wine 6 ounces; Cinnamon Water 2 ounces; let all stand at the Fire stopp'd close 2 hours. Strain and add Syrup of Quinces (or of Meconium) 1 ounces and half, mix.
Its for 2 Doses against a Diarrhea.
Take green Fig leaves 1 ounce; common Daisy roots 6 drams; Contrayerva 2 drams; Spring water 1 pint; brandy 2 ounces; Salt of Tartar 1 scruple; make a warm and close Infusion, which strain and edulcorate with Sugar.
Its use is to referate the too close compages of the Blood, that it may shed off its Serum and other Recrements.
Take Rhubarb sliced thin 2 drams; yellow Mirobalans bruised 1 dram; Salt of Wormwood 15 grains; Plantain and Cinnamon water, each 2 ounces; infuse warm and close a Nights space, then having strain'd it out, add Oil of Aniseed 1 drop; Syrup of Roses solutive half an ounce; (or 6 drams) mix.
Sometimes where there are Gripes, I prescrib'd thus.
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Take Rhubarb 2 drams, Brandy 1 ounce and half, Cinnamon Water 1 ounce; Infuse (over hot Coals) and Hour; to the strained, add Syrup of Roses solutive 1 ounce, Oil of Nutmeg 1 drop, powdered Rhubarb half a scruple, mix.
It evacuates slimy, bilious, or any other Matter that offends, and provokes the Intestines; takes away the Gripes, dissipates Wind, roborates the Bowels, corrects their Lubricity, fortifies their Tone, and so is throughly furnished with all Requisites, rightly and rationally, to stop and cure a Diarrhea.
Take Red Roses, Balaustines, each 2 drams; oak Bark half an ounce; Spring Water 1 quart; give it a warm Infusion for 12 hours; then strain, and add Barly Cinnamon Water, 4 ounces; White Sugar 2 ounces; Oil of Nutmeg 2 drops.
It astringes potently, and therefore conduceth in a Diarrhea, and Spitting of Blood. But because it may possibly be mischievious in the Hands of the unskillful, or unwary, I am willing to put down here two Cautions worth observing.
1. In a Symptomatic Flux of the Belly, where an Acute Fever is the primary Distemper, its a difficult Case; and it's safer then to set upon it with direct Alexipharmacs, which may be able to grapple with the hostile Venom, and drive it outwards; than
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with Atringents and Opiates, which unhappily concentrate, and shut up the Malignant Humours, hinder the Depuration of the Blood, and ruin the weak Spirits.
2. In a Haemoptysis; after the Eruption of Blood is actually stopt, there may be exetravasated Gore, and grumous Clots remaining in the Lungs; and while there are so, Astringents are bad; forasmuch as they are an Impediment to Excreation, and cause Shortness of Breath, Suffocation, vehement acute Fevers, Inflammation of the Lungs, Death itself.
The Dose is 3 or 4 ounces, to be repeated till the Indication be answered.
Take Conserve of red Roses 4 ounces; Oil of Sulphur 48 drops (or as much as suffices to bring it to a fit acidity) Spring Water 1 quart; macerate warm all Night; in the Morning run it, till clear, through a Flannel Bag.
It doth all that can be looked for from Tincture of Roses; namely, refrigerates over-heated, restrains boiling, corrects salt acrid, and incrassates thin Blood. It tempers Choler, satiates Thirst, refreshes the Stomach, restores lost Appetite, and moderately astringes. 'Tis a pretty pleasant Julep, useful in burning and malignant Fevers, in Heamorrhagies at the Nose, spitting and vomiting of Blood, Flux of the Terms, bilious
[p. 227]
Diarrheas, Dysentary, Pica and Danger of Abortion.
A Wine Glass of it may be taken twice or thrice a Day.
After the same manner may be prepared and Infusion of Conserve of Wood Sorrel, or Violets, against great Heat of the Stomach, or Thirst in Fevers.
Take Spring Water 3 pints; Salt of Tarter half an ounce; Saffron (snip'd small with Scissers half a dram; Spanish Juice of Liquorice, sliced thin, 1 ounce; digest warm, and close 24 Hours; And then strain it.
It edulcorates, maturates, incides, and expectorates. In a thin Defluxion, owzing out of the Glands of the Throat, whose Nature is to return mostly in the Evening, and then molest with a Vexatious Cough, give half a pint cold, just at going to Bed.
But in a true Pectoral Cough, which is owing either to an acrid Lympha incessantly suffused, or to gross heavy Phlegm deposited, obstructing and oppressing the Bronchia, or lobular Appendixes of the Lungs, let a quarter of a pint be drank hot every Night and Morning.
In a Feverish Catarrh, with frequent, uncertain Returns, and Changes of Shiverings and Flushes, Heaviness of the Head, Noise in the Ears, Redness of the Eyes, and thin
[p. 228]
running at the Nose; let it be sipped off hot like Coffee, all day long at times, and let the Patient keep himself up in his Chamber and avoid the cold Air.
Take stinging Nettle-Roots 4 ounces; Salt Prunel half an ounce; Juice of Nettle 2 ounces; Spring water 1 quart; make a warm Infusion for 12 Hours; then strain, and add Syrup of Marsh- Mallows, (or of Meconium) 4 ounces, mix.
Take green Twigs of woody Nightshade (cut like Sarsaparilla) 4 ounce; Cochineal 1 scruple; White-wine 1 quart; infuse hot and close, all Night; then having strained out the Liquor, add Syrup of Ground Ivy 4 ounces; Venice Treacle half an ounce, mix.
It's a singular Experiment in a Contusion; for it dissolves extravasated Clots of Gore, after a marvelous manner, drives it again into the circulating Mass of Blood; and there, partly by Diaphoreisis, partly diuresis, and sometimes by Purging, throws it out of the Body. It operates so powerfully and specifically, that upon the use of it, I have sometimes (not without Astonishment) observed black Urine, which I supposed was made so, by clots of Blood dissolves, absorbed, and mixed in with the Serum. Let
[p. 229]
6 ounces be taken twice, or 4 ounces thrice a day.
Take Dandelion, as much as you think fit, pound it to a Mash, put it into a glazed Pipkin with a Cover, stop it up with Past, set it in an Oven after the Bread is drawn; let it stand in six hours, then putting it into an Hair Seive, let the clear Liquor drain out.
Thus may Juices be extracted from any other juicy Herbs.
Those who have a cold, weak Stomach, apt to Crudities and Belchings, had need abstain from all manner of raw Juices; and therefore the most convenient way of preparing them for such Persons, is thus to bake them in an Oven.
This simple Medicine dilutes the Blood and Humours, corrects their acrid Salt, and is a principle thing in an hot Scurvy, and Cutaneous Affections. I have known where it hath done good, even in a Lepra Graecorum, so far as to keep it from itching, heating, and spreading, and made it tolerable, though it could not cure it.
Let four or six ounces be drank thrice, or oftener in a day.
Take the Juice of Yarrow depurated, 1 pint; White Sugar 2 ounces, mix.
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When the Flux of the Haemorrhoids is seasonable and moderate, it purgeth the Body of feculent gross Blood, and preserves from, and cures many ill Distempers, such as Pleurisie, Scurvy, Leprosie, Cancer, Melancholy, Hypochondriacism, Madness, Scirrhus, Tumours of the Viscera, &c.
But if by the loss of Strength, Pain in the Back and Thighs, failing of the Appetite, squalid Habit of Body, greenish or dusky Colour, and deadness of Look, you are certainly assured that the Flux is too much, and ought to be moderated; then this (easily procured) Styptic, may bring good Assistance; and was the great Secret of a certain great Physician. And Riverius saith, the Decoction of Yarrow, used as a useful Drink, for three Days together, happily takes off the Pain of the Piles. The Dose is 3 or 4 ounces, twice a day.
Take green Plantain Leaves 4 handfuls; Liverwort, Brooklime, each 2 handfuls, having pounded them in a Stone-Mortar, add Horse-Radish water compound, half a pint, and wring it out hard through a Cloth.
The everlastingly famous Willis asserts, that he hath often prescribed it with Success. The Dose is 3 ounces, thrice a day.
Take Juice of Plantain, Brooklime, Water Cresses, Dandelion, each 1 pint; of Sorrel,
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Lemons, and Whitewine, each half a pint, let it stand (in a Cellar) till the thick part subside; then having decanted the clear Liquor, add to it Horse-Radish water compound, magistral Worm-water, fine Sugar, each 4 ounces; Spirit of Scurvey Grass 6 drams, mix.
The Juices of Herbs egregiously dilute, edulcorate, purifie, and soften salt, harsh, torrid, and irritable Blood; convey off by Urine, Saline, and Bilious Recrements, refresheth the estuating Hypochondria, with a grateful Refrigerium, correct a dry strigose Habit with mollifying Moisture: And (in my Judgement) are the very first in the Family of Antiscorbutics; and so much the more, because they are carried into the Blood in their true natural State, and full and entire Virtues, without being perverted and spoiled by Coction, or any other ill applied Artifice.
But they are more medicinal in the Spring than any other time of the Year, and that not only, because Nature in human Bodies being then of itself upon raising a [Sigma Upsilon Mu Omega Sigma Zeta], and Renovation of the Blood, may be easily assisted in its Work: But also, because the Juices themselves are then, in their own Nature, really much richer, and efficacious, as Simon Paulli observes, saying, An evident Proof that Scorbutic Herbs are enriched with Volatile Salt, most especially in the Spring Season is this; that if we prepare an Essence
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or Tincture of them, at the end of April, or beginning of May, 'twill look red like Chio, or Malvatic Wine, which it will not do in other Seasons of the Year.
Let a quarter of a pint be drank daily in the Morning, and at four in the Afternoon.
Take pure Spring Water (boiled half away) 28 ounces, Syrup of Violets 3 ounces; Syrup of Gilly Flowers (or Raspberries) 1 ounce; Spirit of Vitriol, as much as serves to make it pleasantly tart, mix.
Spring Water (when its Crudity is boiled off) drinks clean in the Mouth, and in many Cases, I prefer it before Barley Water, which being full of heavy, fulsome Mucilage, is often found ungrateful, both to the Palate and Stomach of weak People.
Riverius tells us, Acids should never be omitted in bilious Fevers, because Bitters are dulcify'd by Acids. And if they be intense in their Degrees, they'll destroy the bitterness even of Aloes, and Coloquintida it self: And when Choler is despoiled of its bitterness, its mortified, and can do no hurt.
And at another Place he says, it ought to be minded of Spirit of Vitriol and Sulphur, that the use of them is great in Putrid Fevers, because they notably refrigerate, open, resist Putrefication, hinder Inflammability of Humours, and quench Thirst. Yet not
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withstanding, in a Pleurisie, Peripneumonie, Coughing of Blood, Consumption, and the other Pulmonary affects, in Inflammation of the Ventricle, Dysentery, bloody Urine, and Ulcers of the Kidneys and Bladder, they are very pernicious, and must be forborn.
This (elegant, and delicately pleasant) Julep, may be given cold, in burning Fevers, to three or four ounces, four times a day.
Take Alexiterial Milk Water, black Cherry Water, each 4 ounces; Rue Water 3 ounces; Epidemial 2 ounces; Tincture of Saffron (extracted in Treacle water) 1 ounce; Syrup of Gilly- flowers 2 ounces; Goa, and Contrayerva Stone, each 1 dram; Confection of Alkermes 2 drams, mix.
It's useful and necessary in putrid and malignant Fevers, where the Spirits are overborn, and almost slain, by a deleterious and mortifying Venome, namely, to give them a lively brisk Expansion, and to rouse 'em up, and make 'em able to recover the due Mixture of the Blood, vanquish the Venom, and expel it.
For these Purposes, it may be allowed to 5 spoonfuls, every 8th, 6th, or 3d Hour, as the Case requires.
But it's heedfully to be observed, that as soon as ever the Phlogosis, and Vigour of the Spirits and Blood, is thus regained, we must
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immediately desist, or at leastwise diminish its Dose, and give it seldomer, lest so raging a Fire be kindled, that it ruin the human Fabrick.
Take Waters of Parsley, and Fennel, each 4 ounces; Magistral Worm, and Horse-Radish compound Waters, each 1 ounce; Syrup of the 5 Roots 2 ounces; Salt of Amber half a Dram, mix.
Aperients, Dissolvents, and Diuretics, do much in an Anasarca (tho' not in an Ascites). For this Malady ariseth from a morbose Redundancy of Lympha, soaked into the minute hollownesses, and interstices of the Fibrillae, of which (disposed like little Pipes) the whole System of the Body is wove up and constituted: And 'tis increased by that Lympha's growing thick, gelatinous and sizy; whereupon it dams up the small Aqueducts, and occasions the rest of the Lympha, that comes streaming after, to break over its Banks, and lay all under Water about it.
Therefore such things as have the power to liquifie and thin that same Size, thrust it out from the filaments, bring it back into the circulating Mass, and at last turn it out by Urine, are apparently of mighty Efficacy and Advantage.
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Which things being to be expected especially from Aperients, and volatile Diuretics, this present Julep must be looked upon as a Medicine of much avail against and Universal Dropsie; provided it have not gone too far, and be as yet only as Affusion in, or among the fleshy Fibres, and have not burst the Lymphatics, and fallen into the Cavity of the Abdomen.
Due Purging not omitted, 4 ounces are to be drank thrice a day.
Take Oak Bud, and Barly Cinnamon Water, each 3 ounces; Gentian and Wormwood Waters (both compound), Syrup of lemons, each 2 ounces; Salt of Wormwood 2 scruples; Liquid Laudanum 40 drops, mix.
The constituent Elements of this are, a Fixt Salt put to an Acid, and turn'd into a third neutral Sort, Aromatics, Astringents, and Laudanum. Therefore it obtunds the acrious Ferment, recals the Vigour and Tone of the Stomach, regulates the Furies of the Spirits, charms the Spasme of the Fibrillae, and effectually stops Vomiting.
The Dose is 3 spoonfuls, often repeated; for the recoiling Stomach will bear but small Quantities.
Take Waters of Plantain, and Oak Buds,each 4 ounces; Mint Water half an ounce;
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strong Cinnamon Water 2 ounces; Syrup of dried Roses 1 ounce and half; Diascordium, Bole, each 4 scruples; Japanic Earth 2 scruples; Oil of Nutmeg 2 drops, mix.
It's designed against a Diarrhea. Now a Symptomatic Diarrhea (and that is ever such an one which breaks out at the beginning of Fevers) is always bad: 1. Because it impedes the concoction of the Morbifick Matter; or (in other Terms) the legitimate Separation of Humours by natural Fermentation. 2. Because it very much wasts the Spirits, and weakens. 3. Because it's an effect of Febrile Colliquation, as appears by the Excretions, which are then always remarkably fetid. And therefore, such a Diarrhea is certainly to be stopped, or at least, so far restrained, as that it may not grow exorbitant.
You shall commonly have Physicians think, that Purging is then indicated: But Lindamus saith well, they don't rightly consider the nature of it, when it supervenes another Distemper: For since such a Diarrhea is occasioned from extream Crudity and Acrimony, and often Malignity of the Matter, and from the Confusion and Collquative State of the Humours, assuredly it ought not to be irritated, and exasperated more by Purgers; but either be wholly stopt, or at least, kept under, within due Bounds.
[p. 237]
The Dose is 3 ounces, every six hours, or oftener, if need be, until the Symptom be moderated. And after that, twice, or thrice a day, according as the Case shall require.
Take Water of Elder Berries and Black Cherries, each 6 ounces; compound Bryony Water 1 ounce; then fire 4 scruples of Camphire, and quench it in this Mixture; fire and quench it again and again, till the Camphire be quite consumed; at last add Syrup of Elder Berries and Black Cherries, each 1 ounces and half, mix.
Often repeated Experience hath approved this to be one of the most excellent among the Hysterics; for by wonderfully charming the frantic Spirits, restraining the desultory, condensing and fixing the dissipable, it breaks off a present Paroxysm, and prevents the return of any more. Yea, if it used but long enough, it sometimes extirpates it radically. The Dose is two or three ounces.
Take White Wine 4 ounces; Waters of Camomile Flowers and Rue, each 3 ounces; compoud Piony water 1 ounce and half; White Sugar 6 drams; Oil of Juniper 24 drops, mix.
It incides tenacious Phlegm in the Ventricle and Intestines, breaks the Froth and Bubbles in it, occasioned by Convulsive Twitchings and Conquassation, dissipates the Wind
[p. 238]
and Vapours included therein, recals the defective Heat of the Viscera, and take off the Spasmodic Agitation of the Membranes.
'Tis usefully prescribed against Belching, and against Wind distending and racking the Ventricle and Hypochondria's, against the Wind Colic, Womens After-Pains, Vertigo, &c.
The Dose three or four ounces, the Glass being well shaken before it be poured out.
Take Waters of Black Cherries 4 ounces; of Rue 3 ounces; Piony compound 2 ounces; Bryony compound 1 ounce; Tincture of Castor, Spirit of Lavender compound, each 2 drams; Oil of Nutmeg 4 drops; Syrup of Piony compound, 1 ounce and half; Powder called de Gutteta, 4 scruples, mix.
It's used with Benefit, against the Epilepsie, all kinds of Convulsive and Soporose Affections, the Head-ach, Giddiness and Palsey.
Five spoonfuls may be given, before, in, or immediately after a Paroxysm; but for Prevention, near the Lunary Periods; for about these Times the Brain suffers wonderful Alterations; insomuch, that at the Full-Moon, it groweth so turgid (which appears by Wounds of the Head) as to fill up the whole Capacity of the Skull; yea, hath often been seen thrust out through a Wound. And as the Moon waineth, it proportionably
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again subsides to the New, and then it's right in it's least Appearance. Thus we see Oisters, and all Shell Fish, are fuller and better at the Full, and the contrary at the New Moon.
Take Fennel and Parsly Water, each 12 ounces; Salt of Steel 2 drams, having throughly dissolved it at the Fire; set it by 24 hours, and poured off the clear, add to it compound Radish Water, Syrup of the 5 Roost, each 4 ounces; Spirit of Scurvygrass, Elixir Proprietatis, tartarised each half an ounce, mix.
Begin with a small Quantity, as three spoonfuls, and by degrees increase the Dose to six or seven.
Whilst this is a taking, let the Physician observe whether the Steel be carried off, which is to be known by the Blackness of the Stools; and if it be not, he may order a Glyster, or Eccoprotic, to cleanse the Intestines. Yea farther, he may mix Purgers with Chalybeates, to the end, that the Body being open, the Steel may not remain stop'd up, saith Primrose de Morb. Mulier.176.
Take Waters of Baulm, Black Cherries, each 3 ounces; of Barly Cinnamon 2 ounces; Epidemial 1 ounce and half; of Piony compound, Syrup of Gillyflowers, each 1 ounce; Syrup of
[p. 240] < p> Lemons half an ounce; Confection of Alkermes 4 scruples, mix.
As soon as these sorts of Spiritous Cordials come to touch upon the Stomach; yea sometimes as soon as ever tasted in the Mouth, they exert their Virtues; for by a grateful appulse they refresh and restore the Spirits waiting in the first Rooms, or Porch, as 'twere the of Body. And then these Spirits affecting others contiguous to them, and they likewise others successively onward, the pleasing Ovation undulates, in a trice, through the whole System of the Sensitive Soul: And so the Brain and Praecordia being recruited and irradiated with a full Influx of exulting Spirits, perform their Business of Vital Functions, with a new Briskness, and fresh Alacrity; and the Pulse, that lay before weak and wavering, rouseth up, falls a vibrating lustily, and drives round the Wheel of Life vigorously.
But this same ascititious Vigour, wholly depending upon the meer Blast of so fleeting and fugitive a thing, as Spirit of Wine, is found false and fading, and flies off in a moment: And then the poor Sick Man (his fine Julep nothing availing) falls sadly back into his late sick Fits and Languors.
Upon this Consideration (if the common Custom of Practice would permit) I should willingly, in place of these little deceitful Juleps, substitute your generous Electuaries,
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which being rich with Aromatic Oils, would not soon go off the Stomach, but by their gratifying Warmth, and delectable Effluvia, would put as much Joy and Exultation in the Spirits, for the present, as the customary Juleps could, and would continue so to do, a great deal longer than the best of 'em can pretend to.
Take Damask Rose Water 8 ounces; stromg Cinnamon Water 2 ounces; Rhenish Wine 4 ounces; Juice of Orange and White Sugarcandy, each 1 ounce; burnt Harts horn finely levigated 4 scruples, mix.
It brings Comfort and Help in Fevers, when the Sick is parched and scorched up with fervent Heat, and lieth failing and anguishing with unsupportable Thirst. Also when burnt, bilious, acrid Recrements, being scummed off from the boiling Blood, and shed into the Ventricle, cause miserable sick Fits, Torture and Anguish.
The Dose is 4 ounces, thrice or oftener in a day.
Take Rhenish Wine 1 pint; depurated Juices of Pellitory of the Wall, and of Lemons each 2 ounces; Cleaver Water, French Brandy, Syrup of the Five opening Roots, each 4 ounces, mix.
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Acid, diuretic Salts, fuse the Blood, and precipitate it into Serum, just as sour Liquors do, when poured into boiling Milk. But this effect is not wrought upon all alike, nor equally upon any. In a sound Constitution, or one that not far from it, the Salt of the Blood is partly fixt, partly nitrous, and partly volatile. Also in some Scorbutic, and some Hydropic Persons, it's mostly fix'd; wherefore in all these recited Cases, your Diuretics consisting of an acid Salt, are used with Success.
But in Rheumatic Affections, and those Scurvies where the Fixt salt Particles of the Blood are carried up to a State of Fluxion, and the Volatile deprest (which is a usual Case) acidulate Remedies are apt to do more hurt than good, forasmuch as they further pervert the Blood (which was too much degenerated before) from an healthy Crasis. And here Medicines that partake of fixt and volatile Salts, ought rather to be made use of.
The Dose is four or six ounces.
Take White Wine 8 ounces; Fennel Water 4 ounces; Radish Water compound 3 ounces; Tincture of Salt of Tarter half an ounce; Oil of Juniper 24 drops; Oil of Aniseed, Oil of Nutmeg, each 8 drops; White Sugar 1 ounce. mix.
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Aromatics, considered as Diuretics, do not operate so much upon the Blood, as upon the Organs themselves: For it seemeth not to be in any wise their Business to unlock the too close Contexture of the Blood, and liquifie it, till it lets go its hold of the Serum. But their principal Ratio Operandi (most assuredly) consists in this, that by their Volatility, Tenuity, and Heat or Activity, they open, deterge and comfort the Reins and Ureters, and encourage and stimulate them to the Performance of their Office.
And therefore this Medicine hath place, not in a Fever, Scurvy, &c. to fuse, and (by that means) depurate the Blood, but most chiefly in Fits of Gravel, to remove Sand and Slime obstructing the Urinary passages, and so to regain a Freedom of making Water. But in a Nephritic Fit, where there's great Incalescence and Dolour in the Kidneys, we must wholly forbear such hot and stimulating things, left to the Membranes and Ureters be driven into spasms and strong Constrictions, and so the Descent for Sand and Stones be quite shut up and stopt.
But it's a good serviceable Medicine in other Cases also besides Gravel and Sand; for being 'tis of subtle Parts and endowed with a Faculty of opening, stimulating and comforting, it liquifies the congealed Lympha, scours out feculent Rubbish deposited in the Recesses of the Canalicular Habit of the
[p. 244]
Body, sweeps it into the Common-Sewer of the Circulating Blood; and so (though but secondarily) evacuates by Diuresis, and is profitable in the Dropsie; and that it is eminently so also in Obstructions of the Menses, hath been found by good Experience.
The Dose is four or six ounces twice or thrice a day.
Take Water of Cleavers 20 ounces: of Horse-Radish compound, Syrup of Marsh Mallows, each 6 ounces; Salt Prunel half an ounce; salt of Amber 2 scruples, mix.
It eliquates the Blood, dilutes the Juices, dissolves and drives out the tartarous Salt, and aggested Mucus, refrigerates, opens, deterges the Reins and Ureters. This seems a safer Medicine, when the region of the Loins rageth with Heat and Pain, than the above-said Aromatic one. But it's to be observed, that too liberal and frequent use of such kind of nitrous Diureticks, useth to weaken the Tone of the Kidneys. Give to drink four or six ounces three times a day.
Take Waters of Pennyroyal 3 ounces; of Bryony compound 2 ounces; Whitewine 6 ounces; Oil of Savine 12 drops; Oil of Cloves 8 drops; white Sugar 1 ounce, mix.
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It moves the Menses, by exagitating the Blood, unlocking Obstructions, and stimulating the Uterus: And it's then especially most convenient, when the Menses are not totally stopt, but flow too sparingly, slowly and uneasily, with Pain of the Back, Belly, and Womb; but where the Blood is much diminished in Quantity, or empoverished, where there is a total Suppression, the Malady confirmed, and of above six Months standing, its wholly in vain to give it.
The Dose is 3 ounces (together with Pil. de Myrra, or the like) twice a day, two days before the expected Term, and during the Evacuation.
Take fine powdered Bark of Peru 6 drams, and Virginia Snake Root 2 drams; Waters of Black Cherries, and Lime Flowers, each 8 ounces; of Rue and Goat's Rue, each 3 ounces; of Piony compound 2 ounces; Epileptic Tinture (after described) 3 drams; Syrup of Piony compound 3 ounces, mix.
The Title indicates its use: This was communicated to me. Let the Patient take three ounces Morning and Evening, before New and Full Moon, shaking the Glass.
Take Canary Wine 1 pint; Cloves bruised half a dram; Saffron clipped small half a scruple;
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digest close in Balneo an hour; to the strained add Spirit of Clary (ennobled with Essence of Ambergrise) half an ounce; Spirit of Lavender compound, 1 dram; Syrup of Gilliflowers 1 ounce and half; Juice of Kermes strained half an ounce; Leaves of Gold 3, mix.
This is a very rich, comfortable Cordial.
Take Frog Spawn Water 8 ounces; Juice of Houseleek depurated, Syrup of Lemons, each 2 ounces, mix.
It powerfully refrigerates, checks the Estuosity of the boiling Blood, recreates a burning Stomach, allieviates Thirst, and heat of the Mouth.
Take Waters of Black Cherries, Mugwort, Pennyroyal, each 3 ounces; of Bryony compound 1 ounces and half; Tincture of Castor half an ounce; Oil of Amber (ground very well together with white Sugar, 1 ounce) 24 drops, mix.
This and other fetid Medicines, take off Hysteric Fits, by handling the Spirits roughly, and driving and dispersing 'em: For when they grow mutinous, and unequally dispersed, running in tumultuous Crowds in some Places, and leaving others almost ungarrisoned; and so either intermit their Duty within the Precincts of the Brain, or Praecordia, or else do it perversely: Then the
[p. 247]
best Course is, to send such a stern Remedy among them, as may use severs Discipline, and lash and scourge them. till they are glad to leave their Disorders, and run to their proper Posts, aud fall to their Charge again. But this Medicine is not equally agreeable to all, for we meet with some, in whom Oil of Amber raises such abominable fetid Belching, and makes them so sick, that they cannot possibly away with it. The Dose is two or 3 ounces.
Take Waters of Damask Roses 6 ounces; of Orange Flowers, Piony compound, each 1 ounce; of Barly Cinnamon 2 ounces; Calestis half an ounce; Musk, Ambergrise (both ground with Salt of Harts-horn 1 grain) each 2 grains; Saffron (clipped small, and tied up in a Muslin Rag) 1 scruple; Confection of Alkermes 2 drams; Oil of Cloves 1 drops; Syrup of Gilly flowers 1 ounce and half, mix.
Its delectable Gas, wonderfully gratifieth the Spirits, allureth them plentifully into the Stomach, and refresheth them when harrased and languid. 'Tis a temperate indeed, but a most noble Cordial; and I never knew a better Medicine in Fevers of suspicious ill kind, which sending dileterious Vapours into the Ventricle, insult the sick Spirits, push them into Confusions and Convulsions, and so excite an Hiccough. But to be ingenuous,
[p. 248]
though this Remedy hath sometimes (like Succour from Heaven) totally vanquished a Singultus; yet I must confess, I have more often observed this Symptom, so desperate and deadly, that neither this nor any other Means I could find out of my self, or learn of others, was able to grapple with it: And when we had strove with all our Strength, we found it in vain to struggle with the Fates.
Let five spoonfuls be admitted every third hour; or else (which I think more adviseable) let one spoonful be given every half hour; so shall the weak Stomach not be overcharged with Quantity, and be continually imbued with the Medicine.
Take Black Cherry Water 2 ounces and half; compound Piony Water half an ounce; compound Spirit of Lavender 12 drops; Musk (ground on a Marble with Salt of Harts-horn 1 grain, and white Sugar candy 1 dram and half) 6 grains; Pearl well levigated 1 scruple, mix.
Let two or three drams be given to a new born Infant, thrice or oftner a day, against Convulsion; and so more proportionably to the respective Ages of Children two or three Years old, for the Chin Cough.
Take Waters of Fennel 6 ounces; of Pennyroyal, Hysop, each 2 ounces; Sweet Tincture ,
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and Tincture of Saffron (made in Treacle Water) each 1 ounce; Oil of Anniseed 12 drops; white Sugar 6 drams; Spirit of Salt Armoniac 12 drops, mix.
I commonly add Tincture of Gum Ammoniac (made in Spirit of Wine) to twelve or twenty four drops.
It consists of Volatile, Oleose, and Balsamic Particles, lodged in, and incorporated with a pulpous Body of Sweets: Upon which accounts its Operations are divers and different; it incides, yet lenifies, attenuates, yet maturates, corrects salt Serum, melts down thick Phlegm, roborates the Springey Tone of the Lungs, frees the Bronchia from stuffing: In a word, it's the most excellent Thoracic, and convenient in any sort of Cough. The Dose is two spoonfuls, presently after every Fit of Coughing.
Take of our Pectoral Snail Water 8 ounces; Barly Cinnamon water 6 ounces; Syrup of Balsam 2 ounces; Pearl prepared 4 scruples; Oil of Nutmeg 1 drop, mix.
Barly Cinnamon Water, is Cinnamon Water without Vinous Spirits in it: And I look upon Barly Water not much better for that use, than common Water would be.
It's useful to refresh the Spirits, support Strength, retund the acid of the Stomach, and preserve its Tone; to dissolve the crude
[p. 250]
Tubercles in the Lungs, conglutinate the Mouths of the Vessels, sweeten the Acrimony of Humours, correct the colliquative Diathesis of the Blood: Lastly, to extinguish Hectic Heats, and hinder the Lympha's being plentifully spewed out of the Glands, into the Trachea and Lungs. The Dose is four ounces thrice a day, or 5 spoonfuls in sick Fits.
Take waters of Borage, Woodsorrel, each 4 ounces; Damask Rose, and Barly Cinnamon water, each 2 ounces; Pearl prepared 1 dram; white Sugar candy 3 drams; Oil of Nutmeg 1 drop, mix.
It brings and exceeding grateful and present Relief to those that are troubled with sick Fits, and Anxieties in Fevers; For it neither exagitates nor rarifies the Blood; neither doth it promote or increase its effervescence; and yet nevertheless, succours the Ventricle, labouring and almost sinking under the oppression of sharp Feculencies, and adult Humours flowing from the Blood, endeavouring Despumation, and excocted by preternatural Fermentation: And all this it does, by imbuing the Stomach with a sweetly pleasing Gust and Flavour, whereby it being recreated and rejoiced, the Spirits (both indwelling and inflowing) through the whole Machine, are inspired with fresh Vigour, at
[p. 251]
an instant recruited, and mightily supported. The Dose is 6 spoonfuls at pleasure.
Take Black Cherry, and Alexiterial Milk water, each 4 ounces; Barly Cinnamon water 2 ounces; Epidemial, compound Piony water, each 1 ounce; Pearl prepared 1 dram; white Sugar candy 3 drams, mix.
It hath the Virtues of the last foregoing; but because it's a little warmer, spirituous and active, it's fitter than it to be prescibed, when not only the Stomach is grieved and sick; but moreover, the due Fermentation of the Blood declines, the Pulse fails, the Spirits droop, and the Animal Regimen universally languishes. Let 5 spoonfuls be given in the sick Fits.
Take waters of Black Cherries, and Mugwort, each 3 ounces; Pennyroyal, Rue, Bryony compound, each 2 ounces; Pearl prepared 1 dram; white Sugar candy 3 drams, mix.
The use of this is indicated, not as the two last, when the Stomach or Blood are primarily affected; but when the Spirits themselves, being either inordinately clustered together, are spasmodically exploded, or being over-prest with heterogenous Combinations, sink under it, and give out; as it happens when vaporous and hysteric
[p. 252]
Languors, trembling, twitching and convulsive, or comatous Affections, either assault or threaten in Fevers.
Let 5 spoonfuls be taken, thrice or oftner a day, as the occasion shall call for it.
Take Erratic Poppy water 6 ounces; Coltsfoot Water 4 ounces; Syrup of Erratic Poppies 2 ounces; Salt of Prunel, Goats Blood, each 4 scruples, mix.
To alleviate Thirst, refrigerate the Blood, dissolve sizy Coagulum, break through Obstructions thence proceeding, relax dolorific Crispations of the Membranes, recover due Circulation through the part, and promote Expectoration and Diuresis. Let 4 ounces be offered thrice a day.
Take Canary Wine 10 ounces; Mint water 2 ounces; compound Gentian water 4 ounces; powdered Cloves 2 scruples; Spanish Angelica Root 4 scruples; give it a warm and close Infusion for 2 hours; to the strained, add Elixir Proporietatis Tartarised 2 drams, mix.
To excite an Appetite, take off Nauseousness, and assist Digestion, drink 2 ounces half an hour before, and immediately after Dinner daily.
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Take Canary Wine 4 ounces; Orris-root sliced thin 4 scruples; infuse in a gentle heat an hour; to the strained add waters of Damask Roses 4 ounces; of Barly Cinnamon 2 ounces; Calestis, Spirit of Clary, Juice of Kermes strained, each 2 drams; Syrup of Raspberries 1 ounce and half; Leaves of Gold 2, mix.
This is a good pleasant and temperate Cordial, proper against sick Fits, Swooning, and Palpitation, where they proceed from meer lowness and poverty of Spirits, and not from hysteric Depression.
Take waters of Purslane, Borage, Wood Sorrel, each 4 ounces; Damask Rose water, Juice of Lemons (fresh drawn, clear, and not musty), 1 ounces; Syrup of Raspberries 2 ounces, mix.
It's a very desirable Medicine in Fevers, to temper Adult Filth and Relicts in the Ventricle, incide its tough Phlegm, extinguish its Fervour, alleviate unquenchable Thirst, and repress enormous Ebullitions of the Blood.
But too much of any thing is never good; for of the Juice of Lemons (saith Riverius) this is to be noted, that we ought to be cautious in the use of it; because if it be given too frequently or liberally, it makes Aphthae in the Stomach, and Excoriations, whence
[p. 254]
succeeds Lienterie which thing may much more be said of strong Mineral Acids. The Dose is 3 or 4 ounces thrice a day.
Take Elder Flower water 20 ounces; Horse Radish water compound, Syrup of Elder-berries, each 6 ounces Spirit of Scurvygrass half an ounce; Oil of Sassafras 4 drops, mix.
The Title points out its Virtues. Of the Ratio Operandi of Scorbutics, see Scorbutic warm Ale, Decoction against the Scurvy, warm Scorbutic Electuary. The Dose is 4 ounces twice a day.
Take waters of Cuckowpint, Fumitory, Elder Flowers, each 6 ounces; Gentian compound, magistral Worm water, Syrup of the 5 opening Roots, each 4 ounces; Tincture of Salt of Tartar 1 ounce and half; Spirit of Scurvygrass, Elixir Proprietis tartarised, each 2 drams, mix.
It corrects the acid nidorous Juice of the Ventricle, cuts its Phlegm, confirms its Tone, cures the Scurvy. But as to it's other Effects in the region of the Viscera, and mass of Blood, that I may not make Nauseous Repetitions, I remit the Reader to the Splanchnic Ale, and Decoction. The Dose is 3 or 4 ounces, Mornings and Afternoons, to be continued for some Weeks.
[p. 255]
Take Sherry Wine, Barly Cinnamon water, each 4 ounces; waters of Mint, Gentian compound, Wormwood compound, Syrup of Quinces, each 2 ounces; Oil of Cloves, Nutmegs, each 2 drops, mix. Venice Treacle 2 drams, may be added upon occasion.
It incides and removes heavy Slime, and putrilaginous Filth, sticking in the Folds and Villae of the Ventricle, polluting, and loading it, imbues its feeble and flaccid Fibres with volatile oleous Salt, and corroborates them, encourages Spirits to flow in plentifully, and refreshes them; and by so doing, repairs the Tone of the Stomach, restores its natural Heat, recals lost Appetite, helps Concoction, cures Belching, dissipates Wind, takes off Loathing and Vomitting.
Let 3 or 4 ounces be drank half an hour before Dinner, to raise Appetite in a cold Stomach, or immediately after it to help Digestion.
Take Plantain water 6 ounces; Frog Spawn water 4 ounces; Syrup of Coral compound 2 ounces; Japanic Earth, Astringent Crocus of Mars, each 2 scruples; Sugar of Lead 6 grains; Liquid Laudanum 40 drops, mix.
It takes down the inordinate Turgescence of the Blood, and gives a stop to its mad
[p. 256]
Career, corrects the too sharp Serum, by Precipitation, makes it rough and austere, and so prevents its Erruption, and closeth up the Gapings and Apertures of the Vessels: And therefore is available in Haemorrhagies at the Nose, coughing up of Blood, flux of Haemorrhoids, Menses, and bloody Urine. Let 3 ounces be given cold twice or thrice a day.
Take waters of Baulm, and Black Cherries, each 3 ounces; of Barly Cinnamon, and Dr. Stephens's waters, and Syrup of Meconium, each 2 ounces; Liquid Laudanum 40 drops, mix.
It's a blessed and well-experimented Remedy for Puerperial After-Pains: And none here need fear stopping the Lochia, for that most frequently is occasioned by intense Pain, which by troubling the orderly Motion of the Spirits, convulsing the Fibres, constringing the Membranes of the Uterus, and Vagina, and pursing up the Mouths of the Vessels, suppresses the efflux by these ways: And therefore, Opiates that take off those Pains, hurry of Spirits, and Constrictions of Fibres, must needs promote the Purgation, and render it placid and plentiful.
And this is not a Practice only excogitated in a Study, and there deemed Rational; but is sufficiently vouched by undoubted
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Experience; and particularly my own. I know many are against it, and especially a late Author, whom I must for ever Honour, and therefore shall not name. But Dr. Willis saith, If there be a Suppression of the Lochia, together with violent Perturbation of the Blood, Vomiting, Thirst, and Watching; I have often known Luadanum (mix'd with Saffron) given with happy Success.
Dr. Sydenham, after trial of Emmenagogues to no purpose, gives one single Dose of Laudanum, joined with Emmenagogues, and saith however Astringent Laudanum may be of its own Nature; yet since it composeth the Perturbation of the Spirits, that interrupted the due Evacuation; it sometimes helps mightily, and recovers the desired Flux, when forcing Things would do nothing. But (which ought to be heeded carefully) if upon giving it once, the Lochia do not follow, the Opium is not to be repeated; for if it be, 'twill so perfectly stop them up, that they cannot be provoked again by any Art.
Perhaps this Caution of his may be right enough, in case a total Suppression from loss of Spirits, and Failure of Nature, occasioned by an hard Labour, and Flooding. But otherwise, when the Catemenia flowed not freely enough, and Strength was not wanting: I have seen where Laudanum
[p. 258]
daily repeated, hath brought them down fresh again, quelled Hysteric Vapours, Caused Rest, and supported more, than the highest Cordial could do. The Dose is four ounces, to be repeated as the Occasion requires.