Of a Potion which is to be vsed in sundry cures.
The first Chapter.

IN this first Chap­ter, I minde to speake of a Poti­on, or Purgation; which in sundrie cures (as hereafter doth appeare) is to be vsed. And whereas Nature hath brought foorth Purgers of diuers kindes, according to the diuersitie of cor­ruption in mans body; some purging one humor, and some another, &c. I haue made choyce of the best and safest, to be taken in euery kind: also in such sort prepared and corrected them, as they shall be found very fit without all danger, paine, or vexation whatsoeuer, to answere the necessitie of such, whose bodyes of any manner of cor­ruption require to be purged.

I first deuised this Potion about eight yeares since, and seeing the gentle working and good successe therof with few, I grew [Page 2] in further liking of the same. And there­vpon hauing giuen it to many, and that in sundry diseases, I found it to be of such ex­cellencie, the vertue thereof so wonderfull, and so well pleasing my patien [...]es, that I did preferre it before all the rest. For it cu­reth diuers griefes of the Head, also red and watering sore Eyes; it cleanseth the Stomach, & cureth the Heart-burning, it prouoketh a good appetite, & helpeth dige­stion; it is good against the Rheume, the obstruction of the Lunges, the Cough, and shortnes of breath; it cleanseth those who are troubled with Biles, Scabs, Itches, or such like; it cureth the Collicke, & pre­uayleth greatly against Wind; it is good in the blacke and yellow Iaundise; it hel­peth the inflamation of the Liuer; in the Greene sicknesse it is a present helpe, & ex­cellent against al Feuers, and diuers other Diseases. And to conclude, my long expe­rience hath so perswaded mee of the good­nesse thereof, that I thinke I should do my country-men much wrong, if I should any longer keepe frō them so great a treasure.

The vse thereof, shall be declared in eue­rie Chapter, where I intreat of the Disea­ses particularly.

I haue deliuered my Bill for the making [Page 3] of the same, and other things, vnto Maister Clapham in Fanchurch-street at the signe of the Blew-bell & Unicorne, Apotheca­rie; of whose good dealing since M Grayes death, I haue made very sufficient tryall.

It may be kept good, and in perfect ver­tue, three weekes, or a month, contrary to the nature of other Purgers. If any man minde to carry it farre, let him signifie so much to M. Clapham, that it may be pro­uided of purpose.

And here I haue thought very requisite to shew the causes why I haue not publi­shed the manner of making this Potion, for that I am charged by some, that I haue a yearely benefite by the same; and for mine owne gaine, doe keepe it from the multitude: which is most vntrue. For, (as I haue a fayth vnto God) the Apothe­carie hath the whole profit thereof. Nei­ther is it such, as that any man ought to grieue thereat.

1 The first cause is, for that the composi­tion of Medicines doth properly pertaine to the Apothecarie, and that it is great rea­son euery man haue the benefit of his owne profession.

2 The second cause is, the ignorance of the multitude in chosing the simples or in­gredients, [Page 4] wherin is such skill, that the A­pothecarie himselfe (except he be of great iudgement) is often deceiued.

3 The third cause, their ignoraunce in making the Potion, yea, though happily they haue good Simples. But because some, dwelling farre from London, finde themselues grieued, that they cannot haue the Potion conueniently without great charge, hauing sudden occasiō to vse it, nei­ther keepe it so long good as they would; I haue now deuised a Sirup of Lignum aloes, The Sirup of Lignum aloes which may be kept one whole yeare and longer, in perfect strength and vertue. This Sirup is of the like nature with the Potion, and is to be vsed as the Potion. But by the addition of diuers thinges it is of greater vertue, especially against Me­lancholy, the infirmities of the Spleene, and the Diseases proceeding of wind. For the vse hereof, and the quantitie, I referre thee to the obseruations in the third chap­ter, and especially to the 12. Obseruation. Onely this I will thee not to forget, that now being a Sirup, it must be dissolued in some liquor, and taken warme, either in Broth, Wine, or Ale, clarified: in Ale or Broth made thin, and without all Spices, when the disease is hot & cholericke: when [Page 5] the patient is grosse and full of Flegme, in Wine; also in like sort, when the patient is cold, dry, and full of dead melancholy.

Answers to such Obiections as may be made against the vse of this Potion.
The second Chapter.

IT will perhaps be obiected against me, that it is very vnlikely, that one Medi­cine should be good for so many diseases.

To which I answere, that we haue receiued of our old and excellent Writers, diuers Confections, wherein are conteined sundry Purgers; whereof some purge Flegme, some Choler, and others Melan­choly. So that I conclude, of necessitie they are good in al flegmaticke, cholericke, and melancholicke Diseases; which are in­finite. And following their example, I haue made my Potion of like nature.

2 Further it may be obiected, that some require to be purged with strong Purgati­ons; others with gentle: for children, and they which are brought to great weakenes either by age, or by sicknesse, must be mild­ly vsed: but others, as the person & disease require, more roughly. Wherefore, how [Page 6] can one Potion serue for both? Hath it two contrary natures? Is it both strong and gentle?

I answere, that where the disease or per­son require a strong Purgation, I giue it in the greater quantitie, and the oftner: [...] where a gentle Purgation is required I giue the lesse; as hereafter doth appeare.

3 Thirdly, it may be obiected, that in some diseases of the Stomach, especially, the patient is to be purged with Pilles, Electuaries, or such like, which being of more grosse substance then a Potion, con­tinue longer in the place where the corrup­tion is, and worke effectually: whereas a thin Potion slippeth away, leauing the worke vndone.

I answere, when I prescribe my Potion for purging the Stomach, I wish my pati­ent to take it one houre before he rise: for lying in his bed, it cannot more suddainly passe the Stomach, then your grosser sort of purgers; and then no doubt it will farre excell Pilles, Electuaries, &c. For being a thinne substaunce, it will very easily ioyne with the corruption which it findeth in the Stomach, and dissolue the same: whereas these grosser Medicines require first to be dissolued themselues; which is no small [Page 7] trouble to nature.

4 Fourthly, it may be obiected, that I preferre my Potion before the Receiptes of diuers excellent & famous men, which haue been alwayes esteemed euen as Fa­thers of Physicke.

I must needs confesse, that whatsoeuer I haue, I haue it from them. But notwith­standing, I hope no man thinketh nature barren, or that she hath spent her self in our Fathers, & left nothing for their Children. I haue read & practised, according to that which I found in these excellent men, and haue herein only added to their inuentions. So that if you receiue any benefite by this Potion, or by ought else which here you shall find, ascribe the honour vnto them: I craue nothing, but accept my labour as a sufficient recompence for my paines.

Certaine Obseruations.
The third Chapter.

IN taking of my Potion, thou needest not keepe thy Chamber, nor House strictly, as in strong Purgations; but mayst walke abrode, if otherwise thy Disease be no let vnto thee.

2 Thou needest not make any curious [Page 8] obseruation of times for the taking there­of: I onely aduise thee to forbeare euery change and full of the Moone, in which are conteined the Eclipses. For the Eclipse of the Sunne is but y^e change of the Moone, (although of more force then the ordinarie change) neither the Eclipse of the Moone, other then the perfect opposition or full.

3 It may be taken cold, of such whose stomaches cannot beare the sauour of phy­sicke, but haue their natures glutted with often taking of Medicines.

4 If a Child and an elder body be sicke both of one Disease, in which the Potion is to be taken, let the Child take lesse, and haue fewer stooles; but the elder more. For as a small Uessell is sooner emptied then a greater, conteining a greater quan­titie: euen so is the body of a Child sooner purged, then y^e body of one of riper yeares; specially, for that in a Child the humours are more moyst and fluxible.

5 They, whose bodyes are full, and as it were loden with corruption, shal find won­derfull ease, if they take it ten dayes in the fall, and ten dayes in the spring; as also now & then one good spoonfull before sup­per, which will gather togither the relicks of digestion, with other corruption, & cause [Page 9] the patient to haue the next morning one great stoole.

6 Take some broth within two houres, or lesse, after the taking of the Potion, or a Cawdle, or some like supping.

7 The Patient ought not to sleepe, within three houres after the taking of the Potion.

8 A child of three yeares old may take of it very safely.

9 If it offende thy taste, vse Sugar, or wash thy mouth with Wine, or some other like thing, which I referre to thine owne discretion.

10 If thy body be dry, and such as a Purgation will hardly worke withall; thou must take the greater quantitie.

11 If thy body be very moyst, and ouer apt to be purged: thou canst not take too little.

12 To finde a proportion betweene thy body and the Potion, take thou first three, foure, or fiue spoonefuls fasting, & marke how many Stooles that quantitie giueth thee. If it giue thee more than thou woul­dest haue, take lesse the next day: if it giue thee fewer, take more. By this meane, when I shall hereafter, in any Disease, ad­uise thee to take so much as shall giue thee [Page 10] foure, fiue, or sixe stooles, more or lesse; thou shalt be able, by this rule, to prescribe thy selfe the quantitie. But for the most part (thy body being neither very dry and melancholy, neither ouer moyst and excee­ding easie to be purged) euery good spoone­full will cause and prouoke one stoole.

13 During the time of taking the Poti­on, especially if thou take it long, to cause a generall euacuation of thy body, abstaine from those things which are very hot; as Wines, Spices, Salt, and salt meates, &c: and also from raw fruites, greene hearbes, and all cold thinges; or at the least, vse of these as little as thou maiest. For thy body being emptied, it is very requisite thou make supply with those thinges, which are of good nutriment, and fittest to breed good blood: For otherwise, it is but vaine to take away that which is bad, and to fill the place with that which is worsse. Wherefore let thy Drinke be Ale, thy Bread of the finest of good Wheate; whereof also eate very little thy Meates for the most part boyled, and such as are fine and light of digestion.

14 In any wise read and marke well these rules, before thou take of the potion.

For the Head-ach, and for such as are much bound, and haue their excrement alwayes hard and dry: also for the swim­ming of the Head, and for red and sore Eyes.
The fourth Chapter.

THe Head-ach proceedeth of diuers causes: First of heate, and chiefely of the Sunne, which heateth the Braine and blood about the Head: and this kind of Head-ach is sayd to be of heat alone, without the mixture of any Hu­mour causing the same.

2 The second kind of Head-ach (contra­rie to the first) is of cold alone, and happe­neth most vnto those, who hauing long vsed to keepe their heads warme, suddainly take cold. But because these two kindes happen seldome, also for the most part stay not long, and the causes being knowne, may easily be preuented, I write nothing tou­ching the cure of the same.

There are also diuers other griefes of the Head; but mine intent is to speake here onely of the cure of those which follow.

3 The third kind of headach is of fulnes, when the partie liuing in great securitie, some & some feedeth his bodie excessiuelie, [Page 12] euen vntill his Eies swell with fatnesse, and his whole Bodie be puffed vp like a bladder,

4 The fourth kind is of corrupt humors, which abounding in great quantitie, are the verie present cause alone of the Headach, without any other accidentall matter.

For cure of this third & fourth kind, take of my Potion, so much as shall giue thee three, foure, or fiue stooles a daie for eight daies or longer, vntill thy head and bodie be well emptied. In this sort shalt thou vse the potion for the cure of the swimming or giddinesse of the head, and for sore and red watering eies.

5 The fift kind is of the fume of corrupt humors, & not of the humors themselues: for that the corruption lying in the stomach, onely casteth vp to the braine euill fumes, which offende the same, being of all other partes the most sensible.

For cure of the fift kind, take of my Po­tion so much as shall giue thee foure or fiue stooles a day, for three dayes, and keepe thy bed one houre after the same; but sleep not.

6 There is also one other kind of head­ach, which proceedeth of the excrement, continuing ouer-long in the body; where­of I thinke it very necessarie to speake. [Page 13] After thou hast receiued thy food, first▪ Na­ture sucketh from it that which is thin and pure, leauing the rest as grosse & corrupt. And if then it remaine longer in the body, the noysome fumes thereof (it being now an excrement, and hauing lost the nature of a nutriment) ascend vp to the Braine, and cause the Head-ach: also otherwise (nature being as yet forced to feede thereupon) it greatly infecteth the body: So that it is in reason a thing vnpossible for him to be long in health, who is much costiue or bound in his body. For cure of this sixt and last kind, take for ten or twelue dayes together (or longer) euery morning fasting, so much of my Potion, as shall giue thee one stoole a day more then ordinarie. And when thou hast brought thy body to good order, take alway lesse and lesse: for by that meanes thou shalt toll nature on to doe her worke without helpe. And in any wise remember, that euery morning, both whilest thou vsest the Potion, and afterwards also, thou offer thy selfe to the Stoole, although thou feele no prouocation.

For Pimples, or other itching humors rising in the face, and for all itches of the bodie, a verie rare ointment.
The fift Chapter.

FOr the Pimpies or other itching hu­mors rising in the face: when you goe to bed annoint the place lightlie euery night, and in the morning moisten it with a litle new milke, and wipe it, for your bodie annoynt when you go to bed by a fire foure or fiue nights, which will kill an itch be it neuer so olde.

For those that are troubled with Biles, itches, scabs, and such like, procee­ding of inward infection.
The sixt Chapter.

SOme by nature, from their Parents, some by long and euill diet, others by companie haue their bodies inclined to Biles, Scabs, itches and such like: all which I will teach thee to cure euenin as perfect an order as thou ma [...]est wash a foule vessell with faire water.

Take of the potion, so much as shal giue [Page 15] thee foure stooles a daie, for three daies. The fourth day take of the rootes of Brio­ny, which thou shalt haue at maister Clap­hams, and boile halfe an ounce thereof, and one whole mase in a pint of ale gently halfe an houre: then adde thereto a little Sugar: And let the Patient drinke a good draught thereof warme, and keepe his Bedde, and sweat three houres; aud during his sweat now and then let him take more of this Ale, vntill he haue taken the whole pint: but if it be a Child, lesse; as the age dooth require. Use this order three daies toge­ther, and longer, if the disease haue beene of long continuance.

Note, that in Sweating, the patient must rubbe his bodie with warme clothes, to take away such corruption as commeth out by sweating.

Note also that by this meanes thou maiest preuent the Pockes and Meazels in Children, and others, in such sort, as they shall be vnapt to take them, as they which haue had them.

For those that are full of Flegeme, also for the Cough and shortnesse of breath, for such as haue taken an heat and cold, and for those which are towards the con­sumption of the Lunges.
The Seuenth Chapter.

THey, whose bodyes are full of flegme, and haue their Lunges stuffed with the same, or other corruption; so that thereby they are troubled with the Cough, are thus to be cured. Take of my Potion for three dayes euery morning fasting, so much as will giue thee foure or fiue stooles a day: for thereby thou shalt finde thy bo­dy vnladen of much Flegme. Then take one handfull of the hearbe called Tussila­go, or otherwise Vngula caballina, Licke­rish scraped and brused 2. ounces, Aniseed brused halfe an ounce, I soppe foure bran­ches: boyle these in three pintes of water gently, vntill halfe bee consumed: then straine & put therto three ounces of Sugar or Sugar-candie, which is better: Drinke hereof a reasonable quantitie, well war­med euery morning one houre before you rise, for ten dayes after your purging, or longer: for it will cause the flegme to come vp easily, and is a wonderfull preseruatiue [Page 17] for the lungs, keeping them from putrifac­tion.

But otherwise, if you will haue a thing of like or greater vertue, also more readie, more pleasant, and which wil last longer in perfect force; take the things aboue men­tioned, in such quantities as before; that is of the leaues of Tussilago one handfull, Lickerish scraped and bruled two ounces, Aniseede brused halfe an ounce, I ssop foure branches, & of the Herbe commonlie called Ros solis, halfe an handfull. Steepe these in a quart of verie good Malmesie, and let it stand in a reasonable heat by the fire side, close stopped 24. houres or more. After take it from the fire, and when it is almost cold, straine it, and put thereto a pound and a halfe of fine Sugar well beaten, and then let it stand in as gentle an heate as you can, vpon a chafing dish with embers, in a faire Pewter vessell, vntill it be verie thicke al­waies stirring it now and then: It will bee well in eight or nine houres. But if thou wilt haue a certaine rule; when it gro­weth to bee thicke, drop two or three drops on a colde Pewter vessell; and if when it is perfect cold, it bee as it were a gellie, and will not run, then it is well. Keepe it in a gallie pot close stopped, somewhat neere [Page 18] the fire.

For the cough, thou shalt vse it in this order. After purging as before, clarifie a draught of Ale, and put to it a spoonefull thereof, drinking it warme and fasting.

If anie man bee sicke of anie disease, wherein he is also troubled with tough and slimie fleame; let him take now and then a litle hereof vppon a kniues point, and hold it long in his mouth: so that it melt downe some & some: For thereby the fume there­of, and part of the substance will passe with the breath into the lunges, loose the fleame, and cause it to void easilie.

For those that are troubled with the shortnesse of breath, hauing their lunges drie; so that it is a continuall labour for them to fetch their wind: it is good first to take of my Potion, now and then for a daie or two, asmuch as will giue them three or foure stooles at a time; and afterwards to vse the Medicine before rehearsed made with Malmesie, in this order following. Clarifie a draught of Ale, and put therein the yolk of a new laid egge, and one spoone­full of the medicine, when you are ready to take it from the Fire: and let the patient drinke it fasting, and fast one houre after it. Although thou haue beene troubled [Page 19] with this griefe many yeares, yet if thou vse this medicine it will moisten and open thy lungs or lights, and cure thee. Thou canst not vse it too long, for it is both a nu­triment and a medicine. In this sort also shalt thou greatlie ease them which are en­tring into the consumption of the Lunges. But if they will bee cured, they must with­all abstaine from all Spices, Wines, and Salt meates, which fret or inflame their bodies. Also they must haue a great care, that they vse no violent Exercise to ouer heate their Bodies; and that in Coughing they straine their Lightes as little as pos­sible may bee, least by violent Coughing they teare them. Cheese, nuts, and all rawe fruites also are verie euill for them. They cannot haue too great care in their diet and vsage. For this disease is verie harde, and almost vnpossible to bee perfectlie cu­red.

If any man, by vehement labour or ex­ercise, heate his bodie excessiuelie, and du­ring his heate, either by Drinking, by rest, or any meanes, suddenly coole himselfe ex­treamelie, for the most part he falleth sicke vnto death: and if he escape, yet he remai­neth weake and sicklie during his life, for nature misliketh nothing more than a sud­den [Page 20] passage from the one contrarie, which is extreame heate: vnto the other, which is extreame cold. Now, if the partie thus heating his Bodie, do keepe himselfe so warme that he abate the extremitie by little and little; vntill he come to that state, in which he was before his heate: then he fal­leth not sicke, neither doth nature complain at all. Wherevpon I thinke by great rea­son, and I am sure by long experience I may conclude, that the best meane to cure a man in this extremitie, is to bring his bo­die orderlie againe to the like heate, wherin it was when he tooke cold, and to suffer the same some and some as it were by degrees to passe away: which thou shalt do in this order.

Take a pint of ale, clarifie it, and dissolue therein as much treacle as a walnut, and a spooneful of the medicine before rehearsed, made with malmesie. Let the patient drink a good draught hereof warmed fasting, and keepe his bed, & sweat, foure or fiue hours after it; and during his sweat, now and then let him take of the Ale thus prepared vntill he haue taken all. If it be a Child, lesse quantitie will serue: and in anie wise abate his sweate verie gentlie, and beware he take no cold. For three mornings follo­wing, [Page 21] let him take one draught of the like, two howers before he rise, and keepe his body warme without sweating.

Note, if in the beginning of his sicke­nesse, thou vse the order prescribed for the first day, hee will presently recouer. But if hee haue been long sicke, and so weake that he bee not able to sweate as before, there is no hope of life.

Note, that if the patient be much bound, I wish thee to giue him fiue or sixe spoone­fuls of my Potion, to ease and disburden nature: and let him drinke oft, milde and thin Broth warme.

For a Surfet by ouer eating.
The eight Chapter.

WHen any man, either by long fa­sting, being very hungry, or o­therwise, comming to such dain­tie meates as he is not vsed vn­to, eate ouer much, and cloyeth nature; she refuseth to digest at all: like as one seeing a burden farre too heauie for him to beare, doth not so much as once offer to lift it.

This griefe is in the quantitie of things taken. But there is also the like in the euill [Page 22] quality of meats, although they exceed not in quantitie, as in eating of fresh-herings, fat Pies, Piecrust, heauie Cakebread, and such like: whereof eating but so much, as may well be eaten of better meates, often­times groweth greater sicknes.

For cure, if the Patient complaine, as yet the cause or matter of his griefe being in the stomach: giue him a draught of wa­ter warme as milke from the cowe, with two spoonefuls of Sallet oyle, which will cause him to Uomit: but if it worke not quickly, let him helpe it with his finger, by offering it to his throate. And after his vo­mit, giue him three or foure spoonfuls of a Cawdell; or some Broath reasonably hot; and let him haue great care of his diet, for fiue or sixe daies following: first, that hee eate nothing but what is warme and ea­sie to digest; next, that he eate not at anie time much in quantitie.

But if the matter passe the stomach, with verie slight or no digestion, so that a Uomit will not pleasure him; giue him a draught of sacke fasting, well burned, put­ting thereto as much Tr [...]acle as an Hazell Nut, and Sugar as you thinke sufficient; and let him keepe his bed, and sweat foure houres; more or lesse as you thinke good, [Page 23] according to the strength of the patient: and in his sweat, now and then let him take Ale clarified with a little Mace, wherein also dissolue some sugar: for thus shall you make perfect digestion, through the whole body, of that whereof he did surfet.

For the Heartburning.
The ninth Chapter.

I Thinke it good togither with the mul­titude, to content my selfe with the ordi­narie name of this disease, which is, the heart burning: although it be a disease of the Stomach, and not of the Heart. They which are troubled with this griefe, are for the most part at ease, after they haue eaten, but when their meat is digested, they feele a continual heate or bitternes in the mouth o [...] their stomaches; they often belch, and haue a continuall readines (as it were) to vomit. In some it is of long continuance, in others it riseth vpon euery light occasi­on, especiasly by eating of fat, salt, and cho­lericke meates.

As touching the cure, first I wish thee to marke verie diligentlie, after what meates and drinkes thou art most troubled with [Page 24] this disease, and forbeare the same: for as­sure thy selfe, that they are either very vn­fit to make good blood, or otherwise thy nature hath some speciall mislike thereof. I wish thee also to take this for a generall rule, that what griefe soeuer thou mayest helpe by good diet or abstinence; in any wise take no Physicke for the same. But if thy long euill diet hath laden thy stomach with hot, salt, & cholericke humors, which doe cause the heart burning: then take of my Potion for three dayes euery morning, so much as shall giue thee foure or fiue stooles: so shalt thou cleanse thy stomach perfectly: which is a very sufficient and perfect cure.

For those that haue no appetite to Meate.
The tenth Chapter.

THere are diuers causes of this Dis­ease: but I will rehearse onely two, which are most vsuall. The one is, when the first Ueines doe not sucke, which is their naturall action, whereby they receiue food for the whole body: and this is found in men of diuers constituti­ons. The other is proper vnto fatte and grosse bodyes, which are alwayes stuffed, (as it were) and so full, that nature seemeth contented with that she hath, and hath little desire of more. For cure, take of my Po­tion euery day as much as will giue thee two or three Stooles, and in few dayes thou shalt feele thy selfe exceeding hungry: But if thou haue not good appetite pre­sently after thy purging, take White wine boyled, in such sort, as in the Chapter be­fore is prescribed.

For those, who are troubled with the gnawing of the stomach or guttes: also for the collicke and wind, and all corruption which causeth wind.
The xi. Chapter.

THese griefes rise of such corrupt and slymie humours, as cleaue to the in­ner part of the Stomach and Guts; and are thus very easily to be cured. Take of my Potion so much as shall giue thee three or foure Stooles a day, for fiue or sixe dayes, more or lesse, respecting the age and body of the patient. For when his Stomach & Guts are cleansed, hee is very perfectly cured. Then learne to auoyde all windy and slimie meates, whereby thou shalt be able to preuent these diseases. I muse at the madnesse of such as in this case vse Pepper, Ginger, and other hot spices: also Coriander seed, or any thing of like nature: for that in reason it is farre better to take away the matter of the Disease, in such sort as I haue sayd, then to ioyne one contrarie with another, & to let them both remayne. These hotte thinges are fitter to warme a cold Stomach, and to make it apt to digest▪ beeing moderatly [Page 28] vsed, then to clense it, being full of corrup­tion; and good chiefly for those who are in yeares, and haue naturall heat so decayed, that by Arte they are forced to seeke helpe, where Nature fayleth.

For the Rheume.
The twelfe Chapter.

FOr the Rheume, I chiefly prescribe thee three Rules following: for that the cure thereof consisteth more in the patientes owne good gouernment, then in much taking of Physicke.

For the Yellow Iaundise, and stopping of the Liuer, a very easie and perfect cure.
The xiij. Chapter.

THE yellow I aundise proceedeth of choler, being mixed with blood, and therewith also dispearsed ouer the whole body. There are diuerse cau­ses of this Disease, which make diuerse kindes thereof.

1 The first kind is by the biting of some [Page 33] venemous Beast, whose Poyson ioyneth with the blood, and maketh the same cho­lericke.

2 The second kind is chiefly in the de­clination, or going away of an hot Feuer: for when Nature hath got the vpper hand, she dispearseth y^e yellow choler, which was the matter of the Feuer, and driueth it out of the bodie, by vrine, by stoole, and by the pores: which are the three speciall and most natural meanes, whereby she emptieth the bodie. So that in this kind, the skin, which is ful of pores, or insensible holes, the vrine and Excrementes of the Patient are verie yellow.

3 The third kinde is through the infla­mation of the Liuer, which being ouer hot, worketh too vehemently vpon the nutri­ment, which it receiueth, and conuerteth it not into good bloud, according to his office and dutie: but it selfe beeing distempered into a matter of like heat, which is Choler, or rather verie Cholericke bloud.

4 The fourth kind is through the weake­nesse of the Gall, which is not able to su [...]ke or drawe from the Liuer the cholericke hu­mours; but suffereth them together with the Bloud to passe into the Bodie, which thereby is coloured yellow.

[Page 34] 5 The fift kind is through the obstructi­on or stopping of the vessels, that are be­tweene the Liuer and the Gall; which be­ing stopped, the Choler cannot passe into the Gall, but is carried with the Blood in­to the body, and stayneth it.

6 The sixt kind is through the obstructi­on of the passage, from the Gall, into the bowels; for that being stopped, the Gall is not able to emptie it selfe. But the Choler is repelled, and passeth backe into the Bo­die, which otherwise should colour and staine the Excrement yellow. In this fift and sixt kinds therefore, the Excrement of the Patient is white, also he feeleth an hea­uinesse in his right side. These two last kinds of Iaundies are most cōmon, which are thus to be cured. As for the rest, I write nothing: for (to confesse a truth) since I knew the vse of the roote of the white Uine, otherwise called Brionia, a thing not knowne, and yet of speciall vertue, I ne­uer vsed other meane to cure the Iaundise. Whereby I gather, that either altogether, or most commonly, the griefe riseth of ob­struction. Take of the rootes of Brionia halfe an ounce, and Parslie halfe an hand­full: boyle these very gently in a pint of White or Rhenish wine halfe an houre, [Page 35] close couered, then straine it, and let the pa­tient drinke a good draught therof reasona­ble hot, fasting, and keepe his bed, & sweate three or foure houres, as the continuance of his disease doth require, & his strength wil permit, which I refer to his owne discreti­on: and during his sweat, let him drinke of the rest, vntill he haue taken all: and if he desire to drinke yet more in his sweat, giue him Ale clarified, putting therto one whole Mace, and a litle Sugar.

Note, the more he sweateth & drinketh, the more the vessels stopped are opened, the matter digested, and his Iaundise the sooner cured. The next day take so much of my Potion as will giue thee seauen or eight Stooles: for thy sweating doth but open the vessels, and digest the corruption which lieth in them: but the purging doth take it away. It were also more agree­ing with physicke & reason, if thou purge a little before thy sweating, to cleanse thy stomach and guts, least such corruption as lyeth there, be caried into the body. But in the meaner sort, who euer do expect sud­daine helpe, I often haue omitted the first purging: yea, and sometimes also, they feeling ease, haue neuer sought for the se­cond.

[Page 36] Note, if the Iaundise in short time after, shew not himselfe perfectly cured: let the patient sweat againe, as before.

Note also, hereby thou shalt cure the ob­struction of the Liuer.

But the most easie and ready cure of the Iaundise, is by the conserue for the Iaun­dise; of which take euery morning fasting, for ten dayes together, as much as a Wal­nut, and fast one houre after it.

For the Blacke Iaundise, for the hardnesse and swelling of the Spleene or Milt; also for the Piles.
The xiiij. Chapter.

LIke as the Yellow Iaundise procee­deth of Choler; so the Blacke Iaun­dise of Melancholie: which ioyning with the Blood, is dispearsed ouer the whole body. It is knowne by diuers signes, but chiefly by this token, which wil serue for all. They that are troubled with this Disease, haue alwayes dry, withe­red, and blacke bodyes. It is very hard to be cured, and requireth great diligence of the patient: for Melancholie is a very stubborne humour, and (without great di­gestion) will not yeeld to any Purgation whatsoeuer. For cure, take Ceteracke, the [Page 37] inner rine of the Ash, the roots of the white Uine, Parsely; of each foure ounces: hoyle these gently in three gallons of Whey cla­rified one houre at the least, and being cold, keepe it in some cleane vessell vntill the same bee well setled. Take hereof well warmed a great draught or two, euery morning fasting (for thou canst not take too much) and walke after it, vntill the bo­dy be hot: or else vse some other exercise, to stirre thy blood, that the Whey may bee the better dispearsed within thy body. Take it at y^e least thirtie or fourtie daies to­gether, especially in the Spring and Fall. But alwayes remember to take so much of my Potion with the Whey, as will giue thee dayly one stoole more then ordinary.

Note, that the Whey thus prepared, doth digest some & some the melancholy; and the potion doth take it away from time to time, as it is made fit to be purged.

Note also, that it is good for thee to an­noynt thy left side about thy girdle stead, where the Spleene lyeth, with oyle of Wormewood warmed, or oyle of Brionie▪ which is farre better.

Note thirdly, that in this sort thou may­est cure the swelling and hardnesse of the Spleene: also the Piles or Hem [...]rrhoides.

For the Greene-sicknesse.
The xv. Chapter.

THis Disease happeneth, when the Liuer is also weakened, that it is not able to conuert the nutriment into blood; but the digestion thereof is raw, so that the whole body is filled with water and fleame, in stead of good blood. It is found most in Maydens, who either of folly desire to abate their colour, & to be ouer fine; or otherwise of childish appetite, feede vpon such things, as change the state of their bodyes, which are these: Apples, Peares, Plums, Cheries, and generally all raw Fruites and H [...]rbes: also, Ote­meale, Wheate, Barlie, raw Milke, and many other thinges of like nature. They that haue this Disease, are very pale and greenish: if they chaunce to cut a Finger, no Blood, but Water will rather follow. They feele a great paine in their heades, with a continual panting or beating. They are faint also, with shortnes of breath; and haue their naturall course stayed.

For cure, take of my Potion, for foure or fiue dayes, euery day so much as shall giue thee fiue or sixe stooles. The next day [Page 39] after thy Purging, boyle halfe an ounce of the rootes of the white vine in a wine pint of Ale gently, a quarter of an houre, and drinke a good draught thereof, and keepe thy bed, and sweate three or foure houres, more or lesse, as the body of the patient will beare: and in thy sweating, drinke of thy Ale now and then, vntill thou haue taken all, or as much as thou canst. The day fol­lowing, take a good draught of thy Ale in like sort prepared, one houre before thou rise, and keepe thy body warme without sweating vse this last order twelue dayes: But it were farre better to walke after thy draught, or to vse some other exercise; whereof I haue spoken in the Chapter for the Rheume, for one houre to heat & stirre the humors in thy body. Use withall, onely meates of good nutriment and easie dige­stion, & thou shalt haue very speedy helpe, and also perfect health.

For the quotidian Ague, which commeth euery day.
The xvj. Chapter.

TAke Centurie, Burrage, and Beto­nie; of each three handfulles, Fumi­terrae one handfull, Iuie berries one [Page 40] pint: choppe all these very finely together, and put them into a faire Stillatorie, with one pint of White-wine; and distill them with as gentle a Fire as is possible, vntill thou haue all the Water: which keepe in a Glasse close stopped with yellow Waxe.

For the Quotidian Ague, let the pati­ent take seauen or eight spoonefuls of this Water warmed, two houres before his fit, and keepe his bed, and sweat three or foure houres: and in his sweating, let him drinke Ale clarified reasonable hot, now and then: and into euery draught put two spoone­fuls of the Water.

The next day, in like order two houres before his fit, get him into a sweat: and do in all thinges as before.

Note, that the Water is more perfectly made, if the thinges be first digested in a close vessell, in Balneo Marie, or Fimo equino, eight or ten dayes.

Note also, that these thinges orderly doone, and the patient well kept from the ayre, the Ague is cured in two dayes. But if by some ouersight, it chaunce to continue longer, begin againe, and vse the like order for two dayes, as before.

Note thirdly, it will be more easily cu­red, if thou purge before thy sweating, [Page 41] with so much of my Potion as will giue thee fiue or sixe stooles.

If a Child be sicke of a Quotidian or Tertian ague, which being young will not bee perswaded to take inward things: take an ounce of the Rootes of the white Uine, beate them to Powder; also, take halfe so much wheat flower, and boile both in a lit­tle milke vntill it be thicke: then spread it vpon two linnen clothes, & bind it warme to the Wristes of the child; when it is drie, take fresh. In foure daies for the most part the ague is thus cured, it helpeth much also for all others, and in all agues.

For the quartane ague.
The 17. Chapter.

THe Quartane Ague is a disease so hard to cure, that it hath beene al­waies accounted the reproach and shame of the Physicians. For it re­sisteth the fore of all their vsuall medicines, and doth in despite of them triumph ouer their patient. Wherefore I shall now take a hard matter in hand, and I know my slen­der receipt shall be greatly suspected, for [Page 42] the working of so rare an effect. But not­withstanding, being greatly incouraged by experience, and reason, hir good Lady and Gouernesse; I will boldly proceed heere­in. Take on thy two good dayes, euery day so much of my Potion fasting, as will giue thee sixe or seuen stooles: The third day, which is thy fit day, passe ouer, as thou thinkest good; for I prescribe thee nothing. The fourth day, take of the Water, where­of I spake in the Chapter before, a reaso­nable draught warmed, early, and keepe thy bed, & sweat moderatly fiue or sixe houres; and during thy sweat, drinke now and then Ale clarified warme, & into euery draught put three spoonefuls of the Water, and one spoonefull of good wine vineger. Use this order foure dayes togither.

If the Quartan forsake thee not in that time (which I thinke almost impossible) vpon thy next fit day, two hours before thy cold, take the like quantitie of the water as before, and sweat vntill the time of thy cold be past, and in thy sweate drinke Ale clari­fied, as before also. Use this order three times, onely vpon thy fit dayes. After thy fits haue left thee, take ten dayes together of my Potion, so much as will giue the [...] dayly two stooles.

[Page 43] Note, that this Water being dispearsed in thy bodie, by naturall heate stirred vp in sweating, doth in wonderfull sort ripen and digest the matter of the quartane Ague: so that it far excelleth all the preparatiues of the world: For thereby alone I haue cured many without purging; but it is farre bet­ter to purge.

For the Tertian Ague, which com­meth euery second day.
The 18. Chapter.

TAke of Centuary sixe handfuls, En­diue twelue handfuls, distill these with a very gentle fire, and keepe the water close stopped in a Glasse; but let the Glasse bee but halfe full, for so it will keepe the better.

For cure, first let the Patient take so much of my Potion, as will giue him fiue or six stooles on his good day: the next day, two houres before his fit will come, giue him a reasonable draught of the Water warmed well, whereunto ad a little sugar, and let him keepe his bed, and sweate three or foure houres: and in his sweat, let him drinke Ale clarified; and in euery draught [Page 44] of Ale, put two or three spoonefuls of the water: vse this order also the second fit, and thou shalt giue the Feuer such a check, that it dareth not assault the patient any more. Be carefull, and thou mayest cure many extreame hot Feuers with this Wa­ter, euen in one fit: but after the fittes bee gone, purge, and so shalt thou deale very orderly: thou mayest make a Water of Celendine alone, which will cure the quo­tidian, tertian, and quartan Agues, is this sort. Take this Hearbe when it bloweth, and is in greatest force, chop it very small, and digest it in a close vessell of Glasse ten dayes, in Balneo Mariae; which done, thou shalt find it blacke and of a very sweete and pleasant sauour; then distill it with a gen­tle heat: and when in thy iudgement thou hast halfe the Water, take it away, & keepe it by it selfe; then increase the heate of the fire, and get as much more Water as thou canst. These Waters are to be vsed as the others, whereof I haue spoken in the cure of these agues: but the first water being of the colder nature doth cure onely the Ter­tian, the second being hotter, cureth the quotidian and quartan.

A generall cure for all Agues.
The 19. Chapter.

TAke a good draught warmed of the Iulip for Agues one houre before your fit, and keepe your Body very warme, and within halfe an houre, take as much also in like sort, take also in the same order the third draught: in three fits this cureth all Agues orderly vsed. If the Patient keepe his Bed, and sweate in taking the Iulip, hee may be the sooner cured.

For the Plague.
The 20. Chapter.

THere be three speciall causes of this disease. The first is the iust iudge­ment of GOD, for the sinnes of the people: And herein I consent with the Diuines, that in this case the Plague commeth as it were by the commandement of God; and then in vaine worketh the pol­licie of Man vnto health, where the po­wer of the Almightie worketh to destroy. Wherefore repentance and amendment of [Page 46] life, is the only salue for the sore. Yet with­all, for that we are ignorant of the determi­nation of God; I wish no man to omit such naturall meanes, as he hath prouided for the preseruation of our natural bodyes, least thereby he tempt him.

The second kind proceedeth of the cor­ruption of the Ayre, which is of two sorts; the one generall, the other particular. The Ayre is generally infected, by the distem­perature of the Heauens, which thou shalt know in this sort. The weather is long darke, cloudy, foggy, stifeling, very hot and moyst: also our bodyes faint, we loath the breath we draw, for it bringeth a most sensible and present offence; it is hard to keepe Flesh sweete, litle Frogs & Todes, also flies, Lobchesters, & Wormes of sun­dry sortes (such as commonly proceed of putrifaction) doe greatly abound: and to conclude, the Heauens do as it were refuse to draw the corruption from the Earth, but rather seeme to yeelde downe againe such as they had taken away before. The Ayre is particularly infected by the sauour of dead Carcases; as it happeneth oft in battaile, where many are slaine, and lie vn­buried: which infecteth the particular [...]lace, onely where the bodyes lie: also, by [Page 47] the euill and putrified sauour of a fennie or marish ground, or such like. And further, by the breath and sauour of the bodyes of such as throng togither in a taynting or stifeling sort, especially in some close or sluttish place: as it happeneth (no doubt) often in London, and such like Cities of great resort, that many lodge together in one small roome, hauing perhaps as many Beds as the place will well containe. And then, after one houre or two, how may any of these draw fresh or sweete breath, but such as his fellowes haue drawne often before, as also the rancke fume of their bodyes? Both which, are so contrary to Nature, that some and some with continu­ance, they infect the vitall spirites, and breed such corruption as bursteth out into the Plague.

The third kind of Plague riseth of the corrupt Humours in mans body, by euill diet ingendred. And these last sorts come by the permission of God, like as y^e first by his commandement. To preuent this hea­uie griefe, first I wish one old order to be renewed; which was, to make Fires in all great Cities & Townes in y^e open streets, vpon certaine dayes euery yeare: which [Page 48] no doubt doth greatly cleanse and purifie the ayre. And although this order was di­ligently obserued by the followers of the Pope: yet I thinke they did it rather of policie then of religion, and therefore being good, it is not to be reiected. Secondly, I thinke it very necessarie for Citizens, and such as liue in a close ayre, now and then to assemble themselues together in the fields in some sweete and open place, there also to vse moderate exercise; which will greatly purifie their bodyes: and in the meane time, to leaue a good huswife at home to see the house made cleane & sweete, by swee­ping, by strowing good Hearbes, by ayring the bedding, by opening the windowes, to let fresh ayre into euery roome, &c.

Thirdly, I wish that through all Lon­don, in euery Ward, there may be certaine appoynted to see, that no House or Roome within any house, be ouer pestered with lodgings or people, and to driue out of the Citie such as vpon examination they shall finde to be vagabondes, or vnnecessarie members. For this is no lesse requisite for such a Citie, then a Purgation for him whose body is full of corruption.

For cure, take Endi [...]e water a quart, Centuarie water a pint, Iuie berries halfe [Page 49] an handfull bruised: Boyle these together gently a quarter of an houre, and when you take it frō the fire, dissolue therein as much Treacle as a Nut, and a litle Sugar; also put thervnto three spoonefuls of Uineger.

As soone as euer the patient doth com­plaine, & nature being yet strong, giue him fasting one good draught thereof warme, and let him keepe his bed, and sweate ten houres or lesse, as the strength of the pati­ent will beare. And in his sweating, giue him now and then Ale clarified, and into euery draught put two or three spoonefuls of the decoction. When he riseth, giue him some Broth not made ouer strong, neither with much Spice; and be very carefull to keepe him from the ayre. This decoction thus vsed, will either force out the sore; or else if the patient sweate throughly well, cure him without any sore. And if thou find he be not greatly eased within viii. houres after his sweating, the next day vse the like order. But whereas in this, and diuers o­ther diseases heretofore, I haue prescribed the patient to drinke in his sweating, I know it doth not agree with many Wri­ters: neither do I take it to be absolutely good; but herein rather I admit a small euill, to auoyde a greater.

For the Crampe.
The 21. Chapter.

FOr the Crampe I wish you to vse Vnguentum Brioniae, (by which name aske for it of M. Clapham, warme it well, and annoynt the place where you are commonly troubled, and rub it vntill it be dry, by the fire side. It is a very present helpe: once or twise annoynting, will serue for a long time. This is also of maruey­lous force for Sinewes that are shrounke, and stiffe Ioyntes: and good for those which haue their Faces drawne awrie, or any other Conuulsion.

For Burning and Scalding.
The 22. Chapter.

TAke of your ordinarie gray Sope, a [...]d annoynt the place burned or scalded presently: once annoynting will serue, if you take it as soone as it is done, both to take away the Fire, and to heale it without any further matter. Assuredly, it farre ex­celleth [Page 51] all other Medicines. I haue often seene such helpe hereby onely, as before I thought impossible. But if it be not within a quarter of an houre or lesse annoynted with Sope, then take Goose-grease, which hath been kept from Salt, for it must be such in any wise, & annount the place there­with well warmed twise a day: for this a­lone will heale it; and so, that it shall neuer be seene, except it be burned very deepe.

For a Fellon, and Whitblow.
The 23. Chapter.

TAke Wine-vineger, and Wheate branne; boyle them together in such quantities as you thinke good, till it be thicke, alwayes stirring it well: it is made in halfe a quarter of an houre. Spread it thicke vpon a linnen cloth, & lay it to the Fellon, and aboue it, as hot as the patient can wel abide: dresse it once in xii. [...]oures: vse it iii. or iiii. dayes, or longer, if the Fellon hath been of long continuance. The like order, but lesse time, will serue to cure the Whitblow, or an angry & burning Swelling: it draweth out the corruption, being applyed hot, and driueth it not in, al­though [Page 52] the Uineger be cold. If the Uine­ger be very sharpe, so that it will get off the Skinne, annoynt the place first with a li­tle sweete Oyle, lightly ouer.

For the Ring-worme, Tetter, and such like.
The 24. Chapter.

TAke the iuice of Celendine, and bath the place twise or thrise a day, and in very short time it will helpe thee.

For the Tooth-ach.
The 25. Chapter.

TAke the iuice, or rather milke of the garden Spurge, and temper it with Wheate flower vntill it be an hard Past or Dough. If thy Tooth be hollow, put the quantitie of a Barly corne thereof into it; also put of it in a cloth, and lay it to thy Iaw or Gummes. But if thy body be very moyst, and Rheumaticke withal, then I referre thee to that Chapter, where I haue spoken of the Rheume: for in that case is required a more generall euacuati­on or emptying of thy body.

Of the Disease wherewith our wantons of England are troubled.
The 26. Chapter.

THere is yet one other disease, where­of it is very requisite to speake; wherewith our Wantons of Eng­land are much troubled. For (not respecting the force or helpe of Nature) if they feele neuer so small or litle a griefe, they must presently to Physicke; vntill they haue so filled their bodies with drugs, that they are sicker of their Physicke, then of any Disease. In this griefe, a litle more witte will be a present helpe: for so shall they haue heauier Purses, lighter Hearts, and sounder Bodyes.

For the Wormes of all sorts.
The 27. Chapter.

TAke of the pouder of Centuarie leaues, one ounce, pouder of Sen. Alex. halfe an ounce; Wormeseed finely beaten, one ounce; then take good Malmesie a quarter of a pint or bet­ter; of the best Honie three ounces; dis­solue the Honie in the Wine with a gentle [Page 54] heat, and then put in all the Powders, an [...] stirre it well together: which done, put i [...] into a cleane Bladder, knit i [...] close, & hang it in the chimny, vntill it be an hard lumpe. You may vse it as the Worseseed alone is commonly vsed: giue a Child the weight of a groat at a time; to the elder sort more, as you thinke good: it killeth the Wormes, and causeth them to voyde.

For those which haue their health.
The 28. Chapter.

HE which hath his health, and would so continue, I wish him either to forbeare, or litle to vse those things which greatly digresse from that constitution or mediocritie, in which man is created. Our Physitians doe call euery thing hot, or cold, in respect of the nature of man. For if it be some what hotter then his nature, then it digresseth, and they tearme it hot in the first degree: if yet hotter, hot in the second degree: and in like manner to the third and fourth. Which because it doth so farre exceed his constitution, by dayly proofe is found to be vnto him flat poyson. The like consideration on the contrary side haue they of cold thinges. Whereby you [Page 55] may gather, how like alwaies desireth like, and abhorreth the contrarie. The thinges which are like, & best agree with the nature of man, are good holesome vsuall meates & drinkes: a dry, fresh, & sweet aire; moderate sleepe & trauell, or labour: which although it were allotted to vs as a punishment by God, yet mercifully withall he hath made it a meane to preserue our health. The things which greatly disagree, are wines, spices, salt meates, & all very hot things: which thou shalt know by taste. For either they bite like Pepper, fret like Salt, or else shew some manifest great heate in the mouth. Also on the other side, all rawe fruites, & cold hearbes, with diuers things of like nature. Much vse of sauces, deui­sed by belly Gods, whom God hath puni­ [...]hed, as much by want of appetite, hauing meate at will; as the poore by want of meate, hauing good appetite. To liue in a thicke or foggie Ayre, to liue idlely, and to exceed in eating, drinking, sleeping, wat­ching, or venerie. I would not haue any man to thinke, that I doe vtterly con­demne all very hot and cold thinges: but seeing they are rather of the nature of me­dicine then nutriment, I wish them to bee very discreetly and moderately vsed: for [Page 56] hot things are to be vsed when a mans bo­die is ouer cold; and cold things when his body is ouer hot: but to vse either, the body being not distempered, is meere madnesse.

Now further, for so much as all men are subiect vnto death, and our bodies (as yeel­ding thereunto) from time to time alwaies gather corruption: to preserue our health as much as may be, vntill we haue run that race which God hath appoynted, I com­mende vnto you this receipt.

Take Borage & Parselie, in like quan­titie; boyle them in Whey clarified, and keepe it in some earthen vessell. Use of it warme, in the Spring especially, euery morning fasting, a good draught: and in euery draught, take so much of my Potion▪ as will giue thee two stooles a day more then ordinarie. Some may vse it ten dayes together, others fifteene, or twentie, as the body doth require. By this meanes thou maist preuent many diseases, and keepe thy body in very good state. It maketh women apt to conceiue, if (during the taking here­of) they liue chast: and it hath many other speciall vertues which for breuitie sake I will omit.

The first Chapter.

FOr that Lignum Aloes is one of the chiefest Simples, which is vsed in the making of this Worme-wood Wine, and such as yeeldeth the greatest vertue thereto; I may not let to speake (yet in briefe sort) what I read ther­of. Lignum Aloes is the wood of a tree, which according to some writers, groweth in diuers partes of Babylon; and others affirme, that it is one of the Trees of Pa­radise, [Page 58] growing by one of the waters there▪ whose armes [...]alling into the waters, are carried by the swiftnesse thereof into other places farre from thence, where the inhabi­tantes find them, and send them into diuers partes of the world.

Being cut in small Chips and laid vpon roles, this wood yeeldeth a fume somwhat pleasant, and most healthfull: For it com­forteth the Braine and all the senses woon­derfullie: Also entering into the Lunges with the breath preserueth the same, and ex­pelleth al euill and infectious ayre. It hath beene euer verie rare, of great value, and in effect of the same price with siluer, weight for weight. Princes and great States did vse long since to burne it in their Cham­bers, and to Perfume their bedding there­w [...]th, to the intent that sleeping, they might draw the sauour of the same into their bo­dies. Also the great Prelates (who neue [...] were behinde for preseruation of them selues) vsed the like, in Perfuming the [...], and the vestments which they weare▪ and gaue the meaner sort-leaue to vse onl [...] Frankincense, being a thing of far lesse va­lue. I found in a booke made by a Frier, an Englishman, in Magdalen colledge Libra­rie in Oxford, a great discourse touching [Page 59] the nature and vertues of Lignum aloes, which hee preferreth farre before all the knowne simples of the world. Hee com­mendeth it wonderfullie, being steeped in Wine, and so taken.

Further, hee writeth of an Oyle made therewith, which was sent from Prince to Prince for a most pretious Iewell; but in exceeding small quantitie.

The making thereof hee sheweth not, which somewhat greeued me, and I thinke therein he was ignorant. He reporteth of certeaine Priests which had it, where with they would annoint the Noses and Lips of such as by sicknesse were in great extrea­mitie, vsing also deuout Praiers, and often thereby onely reuiued them; wherevpon in the sight of the People, they were thought to worke great miracles, and were had in maruellous estimation; for they were dee­ [...]ed very Holy Men, and to worke these [...]ffects cheefely by their praiers, which was [...] be attributed vnto the Oyle, and yet as [...] naturall meane prouided by God; For [...]he wonderfull vertue thereof entering at the Nostrils and Mouth, directly vnto the Lungs & Heart (the two principall Mem­bers of Mans Common wealth (I meane his Body) maketh a very strong supplie [Page 60] in the conflict betweene. Nature and the Disease, which is the cause of so sodaine re [...]ouerie. There came at the length of this Oyle vnto the [...]ope, who kept it as a wonderfull treasure, and sent thereof to di­uers great Princes; whose vertue indeede was su [...]h, while it was well and truely ma [...]e, that both the fame and price thereof was great. But after, within a short time, it [...] counterfaited, that there was [...] whole worldes, and the Priestes [...] had of it from Rome; [...] the Priestes vsed as a very holy [...] vnto those that were sicke; but [...] vertue being gone, they ceased to worke [...] thereby. And yet continuing their [...] of extreame vnction, which they [...] vnctionis, [...] diuers Prayers, did annoynt [...], mouth, eares, eyes, the palmes [...] hand [...]s, the soales of the feete, and [...] of the sicke body. For these are [...], whereby sinne entereth [...] s [...]ule of man. But to conclude, who­ [...] will know more of the nature of [...] Aloes, let him read the old wri­ters in Physicke.

This Chapter intreateth of the nature of Worme-wood wine, and how it is to be vsed.
The second Chapter.

THe vertues of this Worme wood-wine, are both great, and many. First, it keepeth the body solub [...]e, and is good for such as seldome goe to the Stoole, it cleanseth the Stomach, openeth the Liuer and the Sp [...]eene, and causeth a good and cleere Complection, it strengthneth the Heart and m [...]keth [...] it cleanseth the Braine and k [...]epeth all the senses perfect; also preserueth the Me­morie, it is good for womens weake backs; it is generally an excellent and most [...]ami­liar Medicine, and cleanseth the Body of such corrupt humours as gather therein from time to time. It is a very good pre­seruatiue against the Plague, and may be taken from the quantitie of halfe a pint or better at one time, vnto the quantitie of a quarter of a pint, or lesse: it is good to fast one houre after it, and to vse it onely in the morning; which being obserued, I re­straine you from no further libertie. Mai­ster [Page 62] Clapham the Apothecarie hath directi­on for the making hereof.

The 3. Chapter.

OUr Fathers long since, were wont to vse a very sleight kind of Ba­thing. Now and then they boyled Hearbes in water, and therewith did bath and rubbe their bodyes towardes bed; which now, is greatly neglected. It is a farre greater meane to preserue our health, then that we should so lightly e­steeme thereof. For it taketh away such corruption as Nature casteth out by the pores, which otherwise would happily cause Scabs, Itches, or such like, and kee­peth the body sweete from all rancke sa­uors of sweate. Wherefore I prescribe one generall Bath in this sort, and to that effect. Take Rosemarie, Balme, Isop, and Mallowes, of each two handfuls, boile these in foure gallons of Spring wa­ter vntill there be a third part consumed, then straine and put thereto one gallon of new Milke: bathe your body herewith warme by the fire [...] side two or three houres after supper. It is very good to vse it foure times in the yeare at the least; and in the Sommer once or twice euery month.

The 4. Chapter.

AFter your Bathing, rub your body very dry with a Linnen cloth; and presently vpon, annoint it ouer very lightly with this Oyntment: yet vse no more but that you may easily dry in.

Take Balme greene in the beginning of Iune, or in May, when you shall find it in chiefest strength, and chop it very small: take further very sweete Oyle, and the fact of a Bucke killed in the chiefe of Som­mer; or that which is better, the fatte of a Stagge, in equall quantitie: let these stand in a very gentle heate together eight or tenne houres, then straine and keepe the Oyntment in some clea [...]e vessell. It kee­peth the Ioyntes souple, making the Si­newes nimble and plain [...]: also it cureth the drinesse of the Skinne. They which vse it after Bathing, as before, shall find them­selues the stronger, and more lustie. For it defendeth the body from coldnesse of the ayre, and thereupon auoydeth Aches of the Ioyntes and Sinewes.

The causes of the Stone, and how it is ingendred in mans body.
The first Chapter.

IT is not vnknowne vnto such as haue bestowed any time in the studie of Phy­sicke, that as well the old, as the new Writers, with one consent agree,Two causes the Stone. that there are two causes of the Stone: the one materiall, the other formall. The mate­riall cause is an earthy, grosse, thicke, and slimie humour: the formall cause is the heate of mans body, digesting or baking the sayd humour, vntill it be hard, which then remayneth in the nature of a Stone: this will I make more manifest to you by a familiar example.

Clay of it selfe is an earthy and slimie substance, which I will compare vnto the humor whereof the Stone is ingendered. Also the Fire I wil compare vnto the heat of mans body; whereby you may see how the Stone in ingendred. For this Clay, being baked in the Fire, is made a Stone, and looseth his nature of Clay.

Here also I thinke it good to note, that Nature requireth alway a fit matter to [Page 76] worke vpon. For one onely action of Na­ture at one time worketh diuers and very contrary effects: which happeneth, because of contrarietie of the matters wherevpon she worketh, and not by any diuersity of her action. For as by Fire, Clay is made a Stone: so Chalke being a Stone, by Fire is conuerted into powder. And as Clay by Fire is made a cast and firme substance, which before was soft, and easie to be dis­solued in Water: so Chalke being before, a fast and sound lumpe, is by the same fit to be dissolued in Water, because of the dis­continuitie or separation of his partes.

Whereby you may gather, that this slimie humour, being in mans body, hath a nature very apt to be turned into a Stone, and yeeldeth it selfe to the speedie genera­tion thereof, wherevnto it is naturally in­clined, which otherwise by so small heate, could hardly bee. And therefore I would wish euery man to haue a speciall care in refusing Mea [...]es, and other things, which are apt to breed the Stone, and in vsing the contrary; which hereafter in place con­uenient, touching the preuenting of the Stone, I will not omit,

The difference of Stones ingendred in mans body.
The second Chapter.

I Haue (according to my promise) briefly spoken of two causes of the Stone. Now with like breuitie, I will speake of the difference of Stones ingendred in mans body; which I find by experience, to differ in place, colour, forme, quantitie, and hardnesse.

1 As touching the first, there are two vsuall places where the Stone is ingende­red; the Kidnies, and the Bladder. Unto the stone of the Kidnies, the middle-aged, and they that somewhat decline, are most subiect. And these Stones of the Kidnies are also of two sortes. For they are either ingendred in the hollow vessels of the Kid­nies; or in the substance or fleshie partes. But vnto the Stone of the Bladder, Chil­dren are most inclined: which hapneth, for that all Children (for the most part) first eate often, ere that which they eate before be digested. Next, after they haue eaten, they vse violent exercise, and motion of their bodyes continually, whereby they force a thicker and more grosse iuice or nu­triment, [Page 78] from the stomach into the body, then Nature requireth: and that grosse substaunce, setling in the bottome of the Bladder, by the temperate heate of the child, is conuerted into a Stone. As in the making of the artificiall Wmes, if you let them passe through the strayner gently of their owne accord, they come cleare: but if hastily you force them by wringing, they come thicke, and being setled, will be full of Groundes in the bottome.

2 Secondly for colour, there are some Stones white, some blacke, others yellow; some red, some of ash-colour, & some mixt of diuers colours. Which diuersitie hap­peneth chiefly by difference of the matter, whereof the Stones were ingendred: and somewhat by digestion of the Stones, ei­ther by smaller or greater heat, with either longer or shorter time.

3 The third difference of Stones, is in forme or fashion. For some are round, as a Ball: some like an Egge, some like a Pease, some like a Barlie corne: some sharpe, some piked, & of diuers & sundry o­ther formes, wherof I need not to speake.

4 The fourth difference is in quan­titie: for the Stone differeth in quantitie from the bignesse of a pins head, or lesse, [Page 79] vnto the quantitie of an Egge, or greater. And the smaller sort of Stones are (for the most part) ingendred in the Kidnies, and that either in the hollow vessels of the Kid­nies, as I sayd before: which being but small, the Stone cannot exceed the big­nesse thereof, and therefore must be small also. Or else in the substaunce or fleshie partes of the Kidnies, here and there dis­pearsed, which also are seldome found to be great. But the greater sort of Stones are alwayes ingendered in the Bladder, for that the vessels being great, will also ad­mit the generation of a great Stone.

5 The fift difference, is in hardnesse. For there are some (as I haue often seene) scant congealed or baked, so that one may breake them to grite with this finger & his thumbe. Others somewhat harder, and not easie to be broken. And others so hard, as they will not easily yeeld to the Hammer. The Stone that breaketh gently, is (for the most part) red, or yellow. The middle sort, is of diuers colours. The hardest, white. There is also a mixt kind of Stone, compact of hard stones lightly knit togea­ther by soft Grauell; and this kind is most dangerous and painefull in voyding.

The vsuall way how to preuent and cure the Stone.
The third Chapter.

IN the two former Chapters, I haue briefely touched the matter whereof the Stone is ingendered, and the difference of Stones. Now I will shew the vsu­all meanes, both to preuent and cure the Stone, which (amongst the Physitians of our time) are now dayly practised. The Stone in those who onely feare the Dis­ease, and are not yet troubled therewith, is preuented by two speciall meanes. The one is, by abstinence from Meates, and thinges which are apt to breed the Stone. Which are of 2. sortes also. For either they breede in the body of a fitte matter, easie to be conuerted into a Stone: as Ueale, Pigge, Lambe, Ling, Greene-fish, Eeles, Cheese, Milke; and generally, all very grosse, slimie, sweete, and fatte Meates. Or else, they cause an vnnaturall heate in the Body, and inflame the Kidnies, and other partes: as, heating the Backe at the Fire, lying much vpon the Backe; also great vse of Pepper, Ginger, and other Spices, or any thing of like nature. The [Page 81] other by purging that humour, which be­ing in the body, is not yet digested to the nature of a Stone: which is done by two meanes also. Either by Purgation, and lexatiue Medicines; or otherwise, by those thinges, which beeing of a very subtile, thin, and piercing nature, do passe sodaine­ly through the Liuer, the Kidnies, and the Bladder, and violently carry with them such slimie and grosse humours, as they finde by the way: as White-wine, & Rhe­nish-wine, with such like, taken fasting: which being not taken fasting, worke not this effect. For being vsed either with, or soone after Meate, they hasten the digesti­o [...], and carry grosse and raw humours into the body, whereby they worke a very con­trary effect, and ingender the Stone, be­ing much vsed.

But the Stone beeing already ingen­dered, by the vsuall meanes is to be cured; chiefely by thinges which cause the Stone to breake & voyde: as Saxifrage, Parsely, Pellitorie of the wall, Gromwell, & other thinges infinite; whereof I haue named foure good, pleasant, & easiest to be taken. There are also diuers other meanes: as letting Blood, Purging, Glisters, Uo­mits, and mollifying or distending the nar­row [Page 82] and strict vessels with Oyles, &c. wherein the Stone sticketh. But for bre­uitie sake, all these I let passe.

The preuenting and curing of the Stone, by a new meane lat [...] deuised.
The fourth Chapter.

I haue hitherto briefly touched the cau­ses of the Stone, the differences of Stones, and the vsuall meanes for pre­uenting and curing the Stone. Now I minde to shew the way, both to preuent and cure the same, by the Quintessence of Goates blood.

The vse whereof, for those that are from their father and mother, or either of them naturally inclined therevnto, or otherwise feare the Disease, and would preuent the same: is, to take twentie or thirtie dayes in the Spring, and likewise in the Fall of the Leafe, two spoonefuls thereof in a good draught of their accustomed drinke fasting, and to fast one houre after it; which will without all question preserue them from the disease.

But vnto those, who are troubled with [Page 83] the Stone, and feele now & then a passion thereof, I haue thought good to prescribe this order. Cause foure or fiue gallons of Drinke to be brewed & tunned vp in a litle vessell fit for the same: and when it is new tunned, adde thereto bound togeather, one good handfull of Parselie, and one handful of Pellitorie of the wall; but for want of Pellitorie, take the more Parselie, though the other were better. And when your Drinke (being either Ale or Beere, as you like best) is stale enough, drinke therof eue­ry morning fasting a good hearty draught, adding thereto two spoonefuls or more of the Quintessence (for in great quantitie you cannot erre) and fast one houre after it, as before. But whiles you take it, vse no violent motion of your body, but gentle walking, or such like: least the Stone be­ginning to breake, the peeces thereof fall into the narrow vessels betweene the Kid­nies and the Bladder; or from the Bladder into the Yard, to your great torment: and this order I wish you to vse, as long as you finde any Grauell to voyde. But be­cause oftentimes the Grauell doth voyde, and yet not to be discerned, as my late ex­perience hath taught me, I thinke it requi­site here to shew the strange working of the [Page 84] Quintessence. If you put into a cuppe of Wine a peece of light, hollow, & soft Su­gar, the Wine presently entreth into all partes thereof, and causeth it to fall like a sandie substance. But if you put into the same cup of Wine, a peece of white, hard, and perfect good Sugar, it resisteth the Wine, and suffereth onely the outwarde parts in long time, some & some to be dis­solued. So likewise, if the Quintessence finde in the body an hollow, soft, & grittie Stone, it entereth presently into the same, dissolueth it, and causeth it to voyd in Gra­uell, being not able to suffer the long action or working of the Quintessence. But the Stone being hard, long digested, and ha­uing his substance fast and soundly com­pact together, the Quintessence can not enter into the same, but worketh vpon the outwarde partes thereof; and the more strongly it abideth and resisteth, the more perfectly the Quintessence resolueth the same. For manifest proo [...]e thereof, if in ta­king the Quintessence, you find no grauell to voyde, [...] your Urine first m [...]de, after the taking of the Quintessence, in some open vessell, vpon the Embers in a tempe­rate heate; and suffer it so to stand vntill all the Water be breathed away, & that which [Page 85] remayneth be perfect dry, which you shall finde a grittie substance, if you were trou­bled with the Stone. And this is a very perfect tryall. Now I thinke it good to note, that if the Stone be great in quanti­tie, and in the Bladder, you must vse the Quintessence the longer, and not looke to be cured miraculously with the vse thereof a weeke or two. And against this kind spe­cially, I wish that Parsely be vsed (as be­fore) for that it is a great opener, and will helpe y^e Quintessence to passe more swift­lie vnto the Kidnies & the Bladder, where it ought to worke; which otherwise conti­nuing long in the stomach, loseth part of his vertue, and worketh no [...] so effectually. But if the partie be very olde withall, and hath his Kidnies and Bladder exulcerat, or either of them, yet chiefly the Bladder; then I wish him not only to vse the Quin­tessence as before, but also to obserue very diligently this Diet. Abstaine from all Wine, Aqua vite, Aqua-composita, Be [...]re, Ueriuice, Uineger, Aliger, Perrie, Cider, Salt and salt Meates; all Spices, Oren­ges, Lemmons, Mustarde; and all raw Fruites, and generally from all thinges which cause the Urine to be hot, sharpe, or fretting. For then, although the Stone be [Page 86] cured, yet the partie hath litle ease, for that the sharpe Urine, hauing accesse to the sorenesse and rawnesse of the Kidnies or Bladder, wil not suffer the partes infected to heale, but rather increaseth the griefe. If you be troubled with the exulceration of the Bladder, the manifest and continuall paine thereof will declare the same: also, the griefe in making water, and hardinesse of making water, which rather droppeth then runneth, because the force expuisiue is decayed: and if with the exulceration of the Kidnies, then haue you paine in your Loynes. But if you be grieued with either of any continuance, with your Urin, there voydeth often slimie corruption, like the white of an Egge, or filthy Blood, & such like: I wish those who remaine in this case, especially troubled with the exulcera­tion of the Bladder, not to torment their bodyes with much Phisicke. For although eased, yet cured they cannot be. Onely I counsell them (as before) to remooue the Stone, and to auoyde (by abstinence from the thinges afore recited) the sharpnesse of Urin, which are the causes efficient of their griefe; and that done, to vse for healing of their sore Kidnies and Bladders, as neere as may be, a reasonable quantitie of Gotes [Page 87] milke, euery morning fasting: also, the sirup of Plantine is a speciall thing in these griefes, vsing one spoonefull thereof in the morning in Ale clarified.

And now to end this my short worke, I let passe that which a number of writers set foorth of the nature of the Gote, and the vertue of his bloud against the stone. On­ly I alleadge one sentence of Fuchsius▪ an excellent, wise, and learned Physitian, which I finde in his Booke De medendis morbis. Writing of the Stone, and the cure thereof, after he had shewed diuers remedies, he endeth thus: Sanguis denique hircinus, ad calculos cùm renum, tùm vesicae praesens remedium est. Nam praeexistentes sol­uit, & per vrinam excernit, & vt alij ampliùs non generentur prohibet, ac dolor [...]m sedat. And to conclude, Goates Blood is a pre­sent remedy, both for the Stone of the Kidnies and the Bladder. For it dissolueth those that are there already, and voydeth them by Vrine, and suffereth no more to ingender; also taketh away the paine.

But least this most excellent Medicine should be slaundered, I haue thought good to signifie, that if any person hauing vsed the Quintessence, in such sort as is requi­site, both for time and order, finde not such [Page 88] remedie as I haue promised, & he looked for: let him (if it seeme good) repaire to my house in Wickeham aforesayd, where hee shall finde me readie without either penny [...] to doe what possible I may [...] cure. And if by taking ought [...]n, I breake my promise, let mee be rather thought a deceauer, then one see­king to benefit my Countrie.