Vertues and Ʋses.

The Sweet-Almonds are temperately hot and moist, do Nourish, Lenify, and are anodine. And there­fore are commonly allowed by Physicians, to be eaten with a few Raisins, for a Supper, by their Gallican Patients. The Bitter-Almonds are hot and dry in the 2 Degree, attenuate, open, cleanse, and provoke Urine.

In After-Pains, arising from the Sharpness of the Blood, Oyl of Sweet-Almonds, drawn fresh with­out heat, is excellent; but our ignorant Midwives give seldom more than one Ounce, when certainly two, would do better; Also two Drams of the same Oyl, beat with a little Sugar-Candy, given to a new born Child, is excellent to cleanse it, and prevent Gripes. Almonds are also the Basis of many sorts of Emulsions, prescribed in Fevers, Pleurisies, Ca­tarhs, &c. according to Indications and Mind of the Physician: And every charitable Lady and Gentle­woman, knows how to prepare Almond-Milk, to nou­rish their poor and languishing Neighbours.

The Oyl of Bitter-Almonds, I have often pre­scribed (the best I find) in Nephritick cases, to the honest Countryman, who boggles at no ill-tast­ed Medicine,▪ when Life lies at stake; for the Truth is, they seldom crave help till then: Some say the [Page 4] swallowing of 5 or 6 bitter Almonds in a Morning fast­ing, prevents Drunkenness that day; but I judge if I should play the good-fellow, they would cheat my Head, and consequently my Feet also.

The Dry-Almond-Cakes (after the Oyl is expres­sed) a thing of small value, are used by some Bar­bers (and ordered by some Physicians as well as the Oyl it self) in Sweet-waters, Fucy's, Sacculets and Beautifying-Medicines. A cheap Cosmetick-Ball, I have often used, framed of the dry Cakes, Oyl of Tartar per deliquium, and a little Camphire, beaten up together in a Mortar to a Paste, Ball or Globulus, which hath cleansed and beautified the Face, far be­yond the extolled Medicines of Mountebanks and Women.

In the Shop [...]. The expressed Oyl of Sweet, and of Bitter Almonds is constantly kept, but is apt to grow rancid and austere; therefore the Oyl drawn fresh, without heat, is the best for Internal or Ex­ternal Uses. A few drops of Rose-water, may be added in the beating of the Almonds, to rarify the Oyl, facilitate its Extraction, and add to its Odor; a Secret not known, or at least not used by every Artist.

In a Hoarsness, ℟ Oyl of Sweet-Almonds, fresh drawn, Syrup of the Juice of Ground-Ivy aa ℥ ss, Sugar-Candy powdered, ℥ ss, shake them well toge­ther till they be well mixt, and look white, and lick it often with a Liquorace Stick: The Syrup of Hedg-Mustard will serve as well with the Oyl, if not bet­ter.

In Fits of the Gravel and Stone, after Clisters the next Potion is admirable. ℟ Ol. Amigd. dulcium recent. extract. vin. alh. a [...]. ℥iss. Succ. Lymon. Syr. Hor. Pap. Dealth. a [...]. ʒvj Decoct. fol. Parietar. vel Rad. Dealth. ℥iiij. Ms. f. haustus.

Ol. Amigdalarum amarum, or Oyl of bitter Al­monds also, any condited Almonds, vulgarly called Almond Comfits, are generally kept in our Country Shops, the last being prepared by the Consectioners more to please the Palate than for any Medicin al use they are put to; the bitter Oyl is good in pains of the Ears, and Cosmetical.

Vertues and Ʋses.

Anise-Seeds are under Jupiter, hot and dry in the 2d. Degree, being accounted one of the 4 hot Seeds in the London Dispensatory, if fresh and not old, they attenuate, discuss, and have an aromatick Taste; so excellent against Wind, and Colds in the Breast. One Scruple of the fine Powder given to New­born Infants in Pap, cleanseth their Bodies from Maternal Dregs, whence arise Gripes, Wind, &c.

In the Swellings of the Throat (vulgarly Almonds) and Palate, I use to order Figs, Liquorace▪ [...]ai­sius and [...]n [...]se-Seeds, each a small proportion, to be boile in Water, for ordinary Drink, and it seldon fails me; a good Cataphasm of green Wormwood▪ and Hogs Grease beat up together, being applied outwardly.

In the Shops. The Power called Dianisum, Anise▪ Seed-Water, and Chymical Oyl of Anise-Seeds.

The common Anise-Seed-Water sold in our Coun­try Shops▪ is the most fulsom and i [...]s [...]lubrious of Strong-waters, being a meer adulterated, and so­phisticated Hodg [...]-Po [...]ge▪ co [...]po [...]mded by the Whole-sale Distillers, of other d [...]c [...]yed Dregs▪ Wa­ters and Spirits, with a few [...]cid [...]n [...] d [...]cayed A­nise-Seeds, and good store of [...]olossus or common Treacle to sweeten it; but if truly drawn, it expel­leth Wind, and warms a cold Stomach bravely.

Author▪ differ about the Distillation of the Oyl of Anise-Seeds, and other like Seeds, some will have them digested before Distillation, and pretend they will yield the more Oyl, the holy of the Seed bieng more opened: But they consider not, that these [Page 7] Seeds do abound with Volatile Salt, which is of a Median Nature; so that the Water cannot attract it to it self by the length of Digestion: 'Tis true Digestion preceding, the Water will be more spirit­ous and effic-cious; but it yields much more Oyl, if the distillation be begun, immediately after the commixtion of the Seed and Water.

The Use and Virtues of Chymmical Oyl of Anise-Seeds are well known, being much more efficacious in all respects than any other Preparation of Anise-Seeds; it chiefly operates on the Breast and Lungs▪ and excellent in the Wind-Choliks▪

Let the plain Countryman, in a Consumptive Cough, and stoppage of the Lungs, take the fol­lowing Electuary, much used by a popular Physici­an in Worcestershire.

℟ The Flour of Fen-greek Seed ℥ss Liquorace-Powder ʒij common Molossus or Treacle ℥iij Oyl of Anise-seeds 6 Drops, mix them, and lick it often, and esteem it (tho a plain thing) an excellent cheap Medicine.

Virtues and Ʋses

The Forreign Apples, and Thorn Apples are all under Saturn, cold in the 3 [...]d Degree. Thorn Ap­ple is sown, fructifies and perisheth the same year, I have sow'd it in March or April, gather'd the thor­ny Apples at September, to p [...]serve Seed for the en­suing year; Nay, I have known it (in some ground) spring again from its fallen Seed.

English Apples are either Acid, so cold and bind­ing: Sweet, hotter and Laxative; or Subacid or Vi­nous▪ which are of a mixt Nature, and are the best Cyder Apples: Cyder once in the year is drawn without fire through so many Trees, as for many huge [...]limbecks, in which 'tis prepared and brewed by-Divine Chymistry, there needs no Furnaces, nor digesting Balneums Matrasses, nor suffocating Smoak, to hasten our consuming Lungs▪ This Connatural Drink varies in its Taste▪ Body, Strength, as it is more or less mixed with Water, or drawn from va­rious commixed Apples▪ or any other ways sophisti­cated: for the Cyder-Sellers have Tricks. In De­vonshire there is in esteem a wholesome, stout Mul­berry Cydor, they mix a black, full-ripe Mulberry, in the Grinding or Pressing with a full bodied Cyder, having a respect to the quantity commixed, for the better Tincture and Relish.

We say the Spaniard is slow at every thing, but they may say the Englishman is more slow, at the best Improvements of our own Country, or else we might have Mulberry Cyder, and Fruit enough in places, remote from the Cyder Countries, where we pay sauce for sophisticated stuff. I am of opinion, that Elder-berries, mixed with a sweet Cyder Ap­ple, would make a wholesome, well coloured Cy­der, proper in many Diseases. As for Mulber [...]ies▪ they are scarce and not improved; as wise King James the First, who first sent for them, did de­sign; but in their stead, your Turnip Cyder is of late years, cunningly imposed upon us for right Apple Cyder, made by Fermentation, yet but a small and weak bodied Liquor, as I found it this last Summer in the West.

It is generally granted if your Apples, be right Cyder Fruit, so that it be full bodied and strong, and kept in large Vessels, the larger the better; it will hold good without decay some years: Sir Jo. Win­ter had a Vessel, contained 30, or at least 28 Hog­sheds hooped with Iron Plates.

Cyder is a kind Vehicle, and proper Menstrum for Medical Matters; the best Pepin Cyder, duly ripen­ed, and kindly fermented, is a peculiar Remedy for a Consumption. All strong and pleasant Cyder, cleanseth and exciteth the Stomach, which if foul, (being the Kitchen of the Body) is the Mother of most Diseases. This English Wine strengtheneth Digestion, and infallibly frees the Kidneys and Bladder from breeding the Gravel and Stone: This is the Excellency of the best Red-Streak, void of all Adulteration. B [...]tle Cyder is commonly more windy than healthful, being generally a great Cheat, especially in Countries remote from the Cyder ones▪

In the Shops. The Altering Syrup; the Magis­tral Syeup, and the Purging Syrup of Apples; the Oyntment called Pomatum.

But I must not forget to recommend to all Apothe­caries and Chyrurgeons the keeping of the vngt. Stra­monis, or Oyntments of Thorn-Apples; for I do affirm from reiterated Experiments, that there is no Plant in the Vegetable Kingdom, doth sooner allay Inflammations, and cure all Sanable Burnings and Scaldings from what cause soever, as this doth. Those that know it, usually keep a Simple Cynt­ment only of the Juice and Hogsgrease decocted, for the first Application, till the Fire is fetch'd out, as they vulgar word it: And 'tis exceeding useful in all hot cutaneous Eruptions, Pustles, Erisepelas and Inflammations, particularly in the [...] and Gou [...]. Also another Oyntment, that doth digest, mundify and incarn is made of the contused Leaves, or Juice; and Oyl Olive decocted to the consumption of the Juice, then strained, and a little Rozin, Turpentine and Wax, being added; which besides Ʋlcerated Burnings, healeth fresh inflamed Wounds, and espe­cially old Ʋlcers, upon the Glandulous Parts of the Penis, and else where. I find Dr. Bates used it, under the title of Ol. Pomosum.

Virtues and Ʋses.

Ash, say Astrologers is governed by the Sun. A late Author saith the Wood of it may be used instead of Guaicum▪ to cause Sweat; the Bark of the Tree is much used in Diet Drinks, and prescribed by a­ble Physicians, for the opening of the Spleen and Liver, in Hypocondriack cases, Dropsies and Jaun­dice, &c.

The immortal Willis in his Chapter de Hemorrha­gia, speaking of Remedies, stopping Fluxes of Blood by Sympathy or Antipathy saith, Hem Ligni [...] fraxino Virgineo, &c. Also a piece of Wood cut from a Young Ash, first sprouting about the time the Sun enters Taurus; the Efficacy of which remedy in the Civil Wars many worthy of Credit a firm, to have tried, and aproved for stopping the Haemarrhagies of wounded Soldiers; yea, some still with much Con­fidence do prescribe it in all Fluxes of Blood. Thus far that learned Man.

The Berries of the Quicken-Tree, or Wild-Ash, are bitter and acid, purge waterish Humors bravely, therefore good in the Sourvy, and in Dropsies in Di­et-Drinks. And it is said, it will yield a Liquor (if Tapt as we do Biroh in the Spring) highly com­mended [Page 13] in Scorbutical and Splenetical Affects.

Some Authors confidently aver, a Serpent will rather creep through a Fire, than over a Twig of Ash; This is an old Imposture of Pliny, who either took it upon Trust, or else we mistake the Tree.

The Ash, and wild Ash. Trees in Calabria (A Country from whence our best Manna is said to come) are esteemed, say Authors, because Manna falleth as a Dew, and congealeth on their Branches in the greatest Heat under the Dog-Star, and is not found on any other Trees; yet Mathiolus saith, it is sometimes found on the Fig-Tree. Vid Chrisostom. Magnenus de Manna.

In the Shops. The Kernels of Ash-Tree-Keys, call­ed Lingua Avis, or Semen▪ Fraxini. and Sal. Fraxini. or Salt of Ash-Wood.

The Seeds are called Lingua Avis, being like the little Tongue of birds; they are hot and dry in the 2d. Deg. open inside, and are specifically appropri­ated to the Spleen; the modern Chymists (Glan­ber especially) highly extol these Seeds, to break the Stone; and the Learned Sir John Floyer saith, they resemble in taste the Jesuits Powder, and are a good Diuretick in the Stone; the fixt Salt of Ash-Wood, is drawn from the burnt Ashes, and made as Salt of Wormwood is, and excels in the aforesaid cases, being usually prescribed in Chalybeal and opening E­lectuaries, and in Ammoniack Pills (as it is in Pil. Tar­tar. Quercitani) in Obstructions in the Hypocondies, Melancholy, Cachexies, or ill habit of Body, Jaun­dice, Scurvy, &c.

℟ Bark of Ash, Tamaris. Ivy, Harts-Horn, Liquo­race, of each ʒi [...] or a Pugill or two, Bottle them up in a Bottle of Ale (or White Wine) for a Drink to be long followed, in the Rickets, Spleen, Jaundice, Worms, &c. This being held, as a great Secret, by some, and called the famous Ricket Wood, or Drink.

℟. Sem. fraxin ʒij. Miles Olis. Coriand. Ppr. Succin Alb. Pul. liqui [...]it. aa. ʒj. Terebint [...] ▪ Venet. vel Cyprian. q. s. f. pil. instar pisorum, dos. iij. vel iiij. quotidie primo & ultimo. This Prescription is the form of an usual Pill much used formerly, by a Fa­mous Doctor in Bristol, in Splenetical, Nephretical, and other Chronical Diseases, altering, and adding to them, other Ingredients, as he saw occasion, as Bac. Junip. Flor. Sulph Mast. Rhabarb. Oc. Cancror. &c. And these generally concluded, a Course of Physick in Chronical Diseases, the cure of which Disease was his Master-piece. And tho these are plain and Galenical, yet great things have been done with them.

Virtues and Ʋses.

Our common Barly is cold and dry in the first Degree, and is under heavy Saturn, and far colder than Wheat; the Flour digests, molifies, and ri­pens hard Swellings in Pultiss [...]s; but it makes but a heavy, black, unwholesome Bread, especially im­proper for Scorbutical and Melancholy Constitutions.

B [...]rly o [...] Co [...]n, when ripe, and reap'l, its fermenting of principally vegitation are shut up, and would, con­stantly remaindormant, till it either be committed to the Ground, in order to fresh vegitation and multipli­cation of its Species, or be Malted. Now by Malting, the vegitative fermentation is perverted, and the same Principles driven on to another design of Fer­menting in Water after Malting, in order to the making our Drink; for Malting is a kind of Fermenta­tion, whereby the internal Spirit and Salt of the Corn (which is the Soul and Life of it) is acuated, exalted and dilated; And then 'tis quite of a more Noble alimental Nature, being fitted for the further Chymical Operation of the Brewer, who, (if the Maulster, who is not the worst of Chymists, if he hath made it Secundum Artem, without an Empy­reumatick Gust or Smath) extracts from it, with a proper Menstrum (Rain-Water is judg'd the best, especially Vernal Rain for March-beer) our old En­glish drink good Ale, which cometh from the Danish word Ocla, and (if without those vile Commixtures, and unwholesome Additions. Some in order to its [Page 16] Energy, and other compotating ends, are accused to use in the Malt-mash or fermenting Vate) is a most wholesome connatural Drink.

Beer (which only differs from Ale, by being well Hopp'd, in order to its Purgation and Preservation) was formerly more used by our old English Gentry and Housekeepers, than in these days, being laid much aside, upon a vulgar erroneous Opinion, pos­sessing the Minds, not only of the Vulgar, but also of some understanding Men; As that Beer high boil'd with Hops, generates the Stone and Gout; which is an absurd mistake, for Hops by Authors, are grant­ed to open, cleanse, and provoke Ʋrine, and are prescribed often by some Physieians in the Stone it self; so that 'tis not the Temperate use, but the abuse of old Beer, in drinking it intemperately, even to Surfeiting, or suffocating the natural Heat, whence Crudities, Phlegmatick Juices and Tartarous Humours are bred, and grow predominant in the Body. Thus Food and other things may perform the same, when taken at unseasonable times, and in such quantities, as to obtund, and over-power the Calidum innactum, and so excite and beget unnatural Heats, even to the calcining and overfixing the Balsamical and Nutritive Juices.

I will grant that too large Draughts of old spark­ling rich and brisk Beer, may put a Nephritick Per­son upon a Fit of the Stone, Gravel (or Gout) by exciting the Humours, and precipitating the serous Salt Matter in the Blood, into the Kidneys, by its active and diuretick Quality; but that it generates Gravel or Stones, I cannot opine: And he that in his young days, accustometh himself to drink his Ale, mixed or dashed with a little Beer shall never, when he is old have occasion to repent; for Beerish drink keeps the Stomach clean, excite; the Appetite, and carries off ill Humours by Ʋrine; whereas, fat, new, [Page 17] ropy and sweet Ale (which too often is none of the clearest) dulls the Appetite, creates Clams in the Viscera, and lodges too long in the Urinary Pas­sages.

And tho 'tis commonly said, that the torturing Malady of the Stone, is grown more frequent and predominant, since that the use of Hops here in England; yet let it be considered that this Disease reigned, and was known here, abundance of Years, before this Vegetable was brought in use amongst us; And that it hath been Intemperance and Luxury, and other Causes, prevailing in these latter days, (and not old Brisk, Spiritous Beer (without Fret and Bitterness) that hath been the Author of this crucifying Malady; for such as throw it upon Hops, are mistaken in the original of Diseases.

Now such as would know more of Brewing, and of Malt Drinks, they may consult Lob. & Jo, Bohi­nus. Lib. 8. Cap 2 where de Malto sive Byne, Beer and Ale are largely discoursed of. And as for my self, it may be concluded that I am a Toper at old Beer, by my appearing such an Advocate for it.

In the Shops. Only French Barly, and a smaller sort of it, call'd Pearl Parly; I forgot to tell you under the first Head, that Hordeum nudum, other­wise called Tritico-Speltum, Naked Barly, is sown at Hamstall Ridware in this County, where 'tis called French Barly, because of its likeness to that in the Shops; so much use [...] by Physicians and Ladies, and at Brocton and Ellarton-Graing, where 'tis called Bare Barly, and Wheat Barly, because saith Dr. Plott, tho its Ear be-shaped like Barly, its Grain is like Wheat, without any Husk.

Ptisan was a Meat of the Antients (which we now call Barly-Cream) made by decocting, cleansed and Par-boil'd Barly, till it bursteth. But Barly boil'd and pulp'd, best represents the Ptisan of the Antients; [Page 18] we now call our Barly-water Ptisan, which every Gentlewoman and Nurse, knows how to prepare, as also the use of it; In France the Apothecaries keep Ptisans ready in their shops, prepared of Barly, Liquorish, and Raisons, for sale, which are ordinarily bought, and drank to cool, moisten, and cleanse; these Ptis [...]ns yield nourishment, as is fit for Cholle­rick and Sanguin people in Feavers, and such as have hot affections of the Liver, Stomach, and Reins.

Virtues and Ʋses.

Astrologers appoint the Bay-tree to flourish under the Dominion of the Sun, and its domestick Sign Leo. And the Laurel they say is a churlish Martial Plant. The leaves of Bayes, are hot and aromatical, used in Baths and [...]omentations, for cold distempers of the Nerves and L [...]mbs, and in hot Oyntments, as in Mar­tiatum; many Barbers use them for their grateful smell, to [...]erfume their Lavatories and Washes.

The leaves of Laurel are of a very hot and biting quality not [...]ed in Physick, only many Countrey people give three leaves dry'd and rub'd to a fine pow [...]er, in [...]osset-drink, in an Ague, three times before the fits, which strongly Vomits and Purges them, and I can testifie, it hath cur'd several; tho' Sir John Floyer saith, The Deco [...]ion of the leaves and Roots, would neither purge nor vomit his Dog; per­haps it operates more freely, being given in sub­stance.

I [...] is too churlish a thing, for silly Women to meddle of, being apt to inflame, and ulcerate the Throat, and produce an Hypercartharis, except it be first prepared as Esula, or Tythim [...]ls are, by steeping the leaves [...]or 24 hour in the best and sharpest Vine­gar, then dry'd and powdered; then two Scruples or a Drachm, mixed with a few Aniseeds, and drank in Posset-drink, sweet Whey, or Wine, will more s [...]fely operate upon libious Serosities; for I have known it purge bravely poor people in dropsies.

The ol [...] Naturalists say, The Bay-tree has a pro­perty not to be bur [...] by [...]tning, and that it defends a Man near it, not only from the violence thereof, but al­so from the Malignity of the Devil and Witches, and therefore say they, the Cock resorts thereto in Tem­pests; [Page 20] This is like many other of their Stories, but agreeable to this, is the Impress or Device of one, who caused a Cock to be painted under a Laurel with this Motto, Sit Evitabile fulmen.

The Laurel or Bay-tree, was consecrated to Apollo, growing plentifully on Parnassus, under which 'tis feigned the nine Muses dwelt; hence 'tis the re­ward of Poesy, and hence our Poet Laureat, For 'tis storied, That Apollo turned his Mistress Daphna, (she flying from his Amors) into a Laurel-tree, whence it hath the name of Da [...]hnoides in the an­tient Herbals. And every School-boy can tell you, how the old Romans dedicated this Tree to Triumphs and Victory, sending to their Generals, after a Con­quest, a Coronet or Garland of Laurel, with which triumphant Token they came home, (the Senators meeting of them) and were received in great Pomp and State; hence also grew Bayes, or Laurel by a Metaphor, signifies a Victor, or denotes a Triumpher.

In the Shops. Bacca Lauri, or Bay-berries. Electua­rium, and Emphastrum de baccis Lauri. Ol. Laurinum, or Oyl of Bayes: and Ʋnguentum Laurinum, or Oyntment of Bayes, these five standing preparations in our Dispensatories, and Shops, demonstrate the great virtues this florishing vegitable doth yield, for the Sanity of us Mortals.

The Bay-berries are hot and dry in the third de­gree: do mollifie and resolve, used chiefly in the Cholick, and pains arising from wind, excellent in paralitical affects, and move Urine. As much of them in powder as will lie on a new Shilling, hath eased the after pains, given in Posset-drink: Expe­rience hath made me greatly to value the Electuary, being excellent in the fi [...]s of the Cholick or Stone, dissolved to an ounce in a Clister, and the Plaster seldom fails in cold flatuous pains, applied to the Belly in the Cholick, or to other afflicted parts.

The Oyl of Bayes, and the Oyntment commonly sold in the shops, are generally a sophisticated hodg­podge, and the Oyntment, vulgarly called Oynt of Bayes and Quick-silver, commonly sold in some Countries to the Countrey folk, to cure the Scabbado or Itch, is a very dangerous Oyntment, and doth of­ten make work for the Sons of Art. And I do here advise all rational persons, that they touch it not themselves, nor Children, seeing that there are many other methods, and far better and more safe Oyntments to conquer that nasty, vexing, and spreading Distemper.

Virtues and Ʋses.

Venus loers Beans, for the distilled water of the Flowers, is much used by Ladies to varnish their beau­ty with, and wash away Freckles Green-beans are Cold and Moist, and excrementious, when dry, cold and dry, binding and windy; of the large Garden Beans is cooked that Excellent dish of Beans and Ba­con, a constant Treat at a Countrey House whilst they are in Season; Field Beans, and Powse do feed Horses, and fatten Swine; the Kidney-beans boiled, shells and all, are so eaten (as a rare dish) at some Tables, and nourish more than the former being hot and moist, in the first degree, of easie digestion. Et Excitat Salacitas: Some Authors forbid the use of Beans, as dulling the senses, and procuring trouble­som rest and dreams; but I have no complaints of them amongst the people.

But that Beans and Pease may be render'd more excellent and useful, by being malted, appears by the good, and well boil'd Beer and Mum, which B [...]an­malt affords to the Inhabitants of Germany; and our English Maulsters and Brewers, do well know the Advantage of mixing a small proportion, with the [...]arly, to be malted together; for say they, it makes Beer to mantle, flower and smile at you, in your Tankard or Glass, and renders it more I risk, Vola­tile and clear, but two many, in Mault gives it an af­frusive Smack and Gust; In some parts of this County, they make Mault of Oats, which mixt with that of Barly is called Dredg- mault in the Morelands, and of it they make a fresh and lively, drink. my old freind and Patient, Mr Tho: Bowyer, [Page 23] who lived and died in the Morelands,) a Gent. that was exceedingly tortured with the Stone and gravel did often Keep Oaten-Ale, which (he said) cleansed the Stomach, raised the Appetite, and provoked Urin, (as I my self found) bravely.

If there were sufficient store of Oates, how profit­able might they be to all Brewers, and middling sort of people, if Maulted, in a dearth of Barly; Altering the Taste a little, with a handful or 2 of Hay, Heath or Ling, Broom, and Ground Ivy, or Robin leaves, which also would preserve it.

The Contemplation on the variety of Vegetables and plants, which the great Ruler of Nature, has provided, and designed, for one and the same end, and usefulness, should put all those, whose Incli­nations lead them to dive and Search into the Secrets of the vegetable Kingdom, upon admiring, praising and thankfully serving the God of all Variety, and also excite them, to a further disquisition, into the Differ­ence, and Nature of Plants, in order to the Sanity, and sustenance of poor decaying Mortal, for tho' now we are crowned with plenty, and variety, yet Dearth and Scarcity may come too soon and if the inevitable Creator, of Nature and all its productions should for our Sinfull provocations, suffer it to fall upon us, most, of the Numberless Sinfall Souls, in this Nation would be glad of Beans and Oates for Bread and Beer which now make our Horses to Caper.

In the shops. Aqua Horum fabarum, or the Water of Bean flowers: Sal stipitis fabarum, or the Salt of Bean stalks and shells.

The first salt, from the burnt Ashes of bean-stalk's (the method of which I would here insert, but that 'tis so difficult to be well prepared, without [...]cular in­spection) is a great diureti [...]k, used chiefly in the Nephritis and Dropsie.

The Ashes of these stalks, and of Wormwood, Broom, twigs of a Vine, and of the Ash-tree, or any three of them are often prescribed by Physicians, to make a Lixivium or Lie: eight Ounces of them, in­fused four or six hours, or all night, in three or four pints of White Wine, Cyder, Ale, or Water (by such who are poor) close stopt on warm ashes, after fil­trated, or well strained, then taken from four to eight ounces twice or thrice a day, has cured many, by carrying of the cause of a Dropsie by Urine; it being the fixt Salt, contained in the Ashes of these Vegetables, that do the work.

In hard and swell'd Testicles, Hydroc [...]le, or watery Tumors of the S [...]rotum, the farina fabarum, or Meal of Beans mixed up with Vinegar, Water, Honey, and Oyl of Camomile into a Pultiss is excellent: or the Meal may be boiled up in Red Wine, adding Ca­momile and Melilot Flowers powdered gross, some Oyl of Roses [...]and Camomile, so make a Pultiss.

Quaer. Whether the Boona Bean, sive Phaseolut Major, is the Faba of the Antients- Vid. Dod. & Jo. Bauhin.

Virtues and Ʋses.

This is another Sempergreen, the leaves being hot and dry, of a loathsom smell, accounted to be un­der sullen Saturn: It is seldom used in Medicaments, only some Practitioners make it a Succedaneum, to Guaicum, for the Bark of it being bitter and rough, resembles its taste; therefore some use it in these days in Decoctions. and Drinks to Gallican Patients; a piece of singularity and fancy, seeing Guaicum wood is so cheap, and certain in that grand Cure. The leaves chop'd small, are mixed with Provender, to kill the Botts in Horses, or boyl'd for a Drench.

This Vegetable is raised with ease, by slips, and the weighty and hard wood thereof, is much used by Engravers, Carvers, Mathematical Instrument­makers. Pipe-makers, (as si Buxos inflare juvat, Vir­gil,) and other Mechanical persons, as Box-Combs, which, as one saith, bear no small part in the Mili [...]ia of the Female Art. Box-hedges, formerly an orna­ment in Gentlemens Gardens, are quite laid aside, to give way to more exotick and rare Trees; yet I remember, still curiously kept at Bellaport, the Seat of that lover of Antiquity, the learned William Cot­ton Esq a loving Patron, and most noble Benefactor to this most antient Burough.

In the Shops. Ol. Chym. Lign. Buxi, or the Chy­mical Oyl of Box-wood may be had in some shops, being draw'd as the Oyl of Guaicum, and is said to equalize it in virtues, being excellent in Contusions, Ʋlcers, pains and ro [...]enness of the Teeth; and is ac­counted by some to be the Ol. Lign. Heraclei Rulandi, and look'd upon to be highly Narco [...]ical; but Sir John Floyer saith, he cannot perceive my n [...]rcotick qua­lity in this Tree. Box-wood yields more Spirits and [Page 26] less Oyl, than Guaicum wood; four pounds of wood, gratifying your pains, but with one ounce of Oyl, though you have four pound of Spirit or Phlegm; because this wood is fuller of Sulphur than Guaicum, but is not so ponderous and saline.

Schroder saith, The Extract of the wood of Box, is sudoriferous and specifical against the Epilepsy, Worms, and Putrefaction, and the Dose of it a small Pill. [...]ut this is never kept in the shops, and I only name i [...] for Tyro's sake, who may love to try Experiments, finding such a good Author commend it.

Virtues and Ʋses.

Bramble belongs to Dame Venus in Aries, say our Astrological Artists; and 'tis fit it should, conside­ring what excellent Wine is made by Ladies and Gen­tlewomen, of these Berries: The unripe Fruit of the Bramble, are cold and dry, and very astringent; but ripe Black-berries are more temperate, sweet, and subacid, as are Rasp-berries, which are not so binding and rough, but of a more grateful taste: the buds, tender tops, and leaves, dry and bind, are used in Gargarisms and Lotions (with Allom and Honey) for Ulcers and Cankers in the Mouth, and Inflamma­tions of the Throat and Almonds: Rasp-berries are judged more Cordial than Black-berries, and of both, are curiously prepared artificial Wines, very bri [...]k and pleasant, especially of the Raspis. This inge­nious Age being wonderfully improved, so that every Gentleman's House-keeper is become an Eng­lish Vintner, making various Wines, from the different Fruits they propagate in their own Gardens. And these female Artists do strive to excel, and out-do one another, in bragging of their Receipts, each hiding her own, as the best and greatest Secret; when alas, all their Tricks and Methods do terminate in (that great word) Ferment [...]tion; and every Chy­mical and Rational Brain can Elixyrate such Do­mestick Wines, by the dictates of his reason; but to gratifie my Readers, of the Female Sex, I shall set down a way of preparing most excellent Wine, from Black-berries, and Rasp-berries, which method (I am sure) is none of the worst.

Take a gallon of Black berries, pick'd and cleans [...]d from filth and rottenness, white powder Sugar half a pound, pour on them a quart of w [...]ll boil' [...] [...], half [Page 28] cold, into an earthen Stand or wooden Vessel that has a tap in the bottom, and stir it, cover it close, and let it stand for a week, then draw it out into another vessel, let it stand all night to settle, and pour off the clear the next morning, and bottle it with a lump of Sugar in each bottle. You may run the thi [...]ker part through a Flannel, and let it stand to settle and refine.

For the best Rasp-berry Wine, Take of cleansed Raisons of the Sun, four pound, bruise them in a Mor­ter and put them into an earthen [...]ot or Stean, that will hold four gallons, to them add six quarts of ripe Rasp­berries▪ bruised with a large Spoon, and pour upon them two gallons of boiling hot water, that hath boiled an hour, then add one pound and a half of Loaf Sugar, stir it, set it in a Celler for three days, then let i [...] run through a Flannel into a Run [...]let, in which let it stand three days more, to refine: then bottle it with a [...]ump of Sugar: And observe, that your water, (for diver [...] good reasons not suitable here) sed in all your Artificial Wines, should first be very well boiled, even to the consumption of one half of it; for thereby your Wines are more exalted, rich and stronger-bodied, and will keep much longer.

And Note further, That crude Tartar powdered, and stirred in with your fruit, and water (allowing about one ounce to two gallons) hath greatly con­duced (in another Artificial Wine) to the raising of an higher ferment, and the making of a more ex­alted, spirituous, and perfect Wine. And it might be worth while to try it, in a small quantity of these or other sorts; but not too much, for Acids hinder fermentation.

In the Shops. only Syr. Diamoron▪ or Mel Mororum, or Syr. è moris, (which you please) and is the Diamoron Nicolai, made of the unripe juice of [...]lack berries, and Mulberries, of each lb i ss. Honey lb ij. boil'd [Page 29] gently to a due co [...]sistence of a Syrup, and is called Honey, or Syrup of Mulberries, a well known Me­dicine for [...]ore Mouths, a little burnt Allom being added to it; for this Syrup cooleth and cleanseth the Mouth and Throat, from filth and s [...]urfe in Fea­vers and Inflammations, being ordered in Gargarisms, Mouth-Waters, with Plantane Water and other things in the aforesaid cases.

Virtues and Ʋses.

It seems Venus in Aries, loves these sweet though prickly Plants, having a respect for Mars, especially in his own house Aries. Both these Briars yield an Exeres [...]ence▪ or Spongy-Ball, called, tho' falsly, Bede­gaur, or Bedegnar, which is Spina Alba, White Thistle, not White Thorn; and 'tis mistaken also for Spongia quercini generis, or Oak-Balls.

The Rose-leaves of these Briars boiled in Whey, purge as Damask-Roses: Sir J. F. saith▪ The Fruit must lie and pu [...]re [...]ie before the Conserve of Hips be made. Let the Apothecary observe that. And that he had after fermentation, distilled a very fragrant Spirit from them: The Briar-balls dried and powder­ed▪ I have given with good success in spitting of Blood.

In the Shops. Cons. fruct. Cynosbati, or Conserve of Hips, which is pleasant and made like to Marma­lade. It is said by Authors, to be a Lithontriptick, but I know it to be a cooling, strengthening and somewhat binding Conserve, useful in some Feavers, in a hot [...]iver and Kidneys, and excellent in the Rhe [...]ma [...]ism. Willis prescribes it in the Scurvy in a hot constitution, proper also in H [...]morrhoides, Fluxes, and spitting of Blood. You have this Conserve in Pharmacop [...]a Bateana, under the Name of Cons. Hepatica Corallita­na, more curiously made up with Red Wine, and Asterisked, as a thing the Learned Dr. Bates frequent­ly used; a sufficient commendation of its Excellen­cies. vid▪ Aq. Cynosbati comp. Bateani. in morbis nephri­ticis.

An Eminent London Doctor, who is a Knight, pre­scribed this Conserve lately to a worthy Countrey Gentleman, troubled much with the Stone and Gra­vel, and I being consulted about the Bill, told the Patient, That I was of Opinion, it was not pre­scribed as a meer provoker of Urine, or a breaker of the Stone, (for this Gentleman had read much Physick) but to strengthen the Reins and Kidneys, as some peculiar Medicines do; for that Diureticks over much used, did not only heat and debilitate the Kidneys, but also forced away the Serous, and thin­ner part of the Blood by Vrine, and attracted the thicker and impure unto them, whereby the Gravel and Stone was not diminished, but augmented and indurated.

As to Briar-balls, see Dr. Willis, in Exemplis Haemopticorum, cepit (que) bis in die, &c. and took twice in a day, the powder of the tops, and chiefly of the hairy Excrescences of Cynorrhodon, or Dog-briar; which only Medicine a certain Physician renowned formerly, for the [...]ure of spitting of Blood, used with great success; neither did our Patient receive a less happy effect from that Medicine; for present­ly after he escaped altogether free from a Cough, a Catarrh and spitting of Blood.

I have inserted this Observation of Willis, to en­courage young Practitioners, (for the old think they know better things) to the Study and Use of simple and cheap Medicin [...]s for the poor; wh [...]h th [...]y mu [...]t look after as w [...]ll as the rich▪ For Charity is an ess [...]ntial virtue in the co [...]stituting a practical Physi­cian, and visits and advice to the poor, b [...]et Es [...]ma­tion and a good Name; and among them. if ever you would experimentally know the virtues of Sim­ples and cheap Medicines, you have daily opportuni­ty. Joh [...]nnes Praevotius has writ an inge [...]o [...]s [...]ract in Latin, e [...]tituled, Medicina Pauperum, wherein [Page 32] there are plain and simple Medicines for all Diseases in the poor: Paracelsus assigus it for an only cause, why Hippocrates was so fortunate in his Cures, viz. because the common people had a strong conceit of his worth. Spes & Confidentia plus valent quam Medi­cina.

In the Rheumatism, with Phlebotomy, the following Electuary may be an Example to a Practical Tyro. ℟ Cons. Rosar. Rub. ℥j. fruct. Cynosbati ℥ij. [...]pec. Diatrion. Sant. Coral. Rub. Subtil. pulv aa. ʒj. Syr▪ Paralys. q. s. f. Elect Dos. quantit. N [...]ugland. post Phlebotiam, & ter in die, superbibend. cochl. 8 vel 10 Julap. sequent. ℟. Aq. pap. Rb. ℥xij Paralys. ℥iiij. Lumbricor mag. ℥iss. Saccbar. op [...]. ℥j. Ms. f. Julap. Remember a Glister once in two days, and Phleboto­my three o [...] four days till the pain abates.

Virtues and Ʋses.

C [...]lamus is bitterish, of hot and subtil parts, and emitteth a pleasant smell, whence it is attributed in Canticles to the Mystical Spouse. It is used in effects of the Womb and Nerves, is Di [...]retick, and Hepa­tick, being hot and dry in the second degree and acrid.

In the Shops. The Roots: The Volatile virtues fly off, in the poudering of them, without great [...]are.

Acorus condited, is seldom kept.

Electuarium Diacoron. This strengthens the Nerves, and quickens the Senses, useful in all Di­seases arising from the coldness of the Brain, & sum­me venerem excitat. The Dose is half a Drachm, being hot.

Virtues and Ʋses.

The Invention of boiling and baking of Su­gar is not much above 200 years, and the Refining of it, is since that; a Venetian first sound the Art, and got above 100000 Crowns by it, leaving it, and his Son, a Knight, who quickly consumed it. Before our Ancestors used rough Sugar, as it's distill'd from the Canes, and more commonly Honey. Barbadoes carries the Name, chiefly of our Sugars; But in St. Thomas, have been (and now more no doubt) [...]0 Sugar-Houses, called Ingenios, in each of them 200 Slaves to work, which did load yearly 40 Ships.

The Indians grind the Canes, as Tanners do Barke, and in some places, the slaves turn a great Wh [...]el, as Dogs do a Spit; in others, a Water Wheel, as our Iron Mills, the grinded Dust is boiled in great Cauldrons, till it hath lost its Sweetness, then strained through Strainers, made with Matts and Reeds, &c. again boiled and evaporated to the consistence of Honey, which when cold, is granulated to our Clyster or Kitchin Sugar; which is distributed into all parts of the World, and by the Sugar-Bakers here in Europe, is purged and refined; the Faeces or Dregs dreined from it, being our Mol [...]ssus or common Treacle.

The principle Knack, without which, all their Labour were in vain, is in making the Juice, when boiled, to Kerne or Granulate, which is done by ad­ding to it, a small pr [...]portion of Lye: made with (Ve­getable) Ashes; without which it would never come to any thing by boiling, but a Syrup, or an Ex­tract: A little fixt Salt crystallizeth and sixeth as it were, a great quantity of the Essential Salt of this Plant. The finest Sugar of all, is made with Lime-Water [Page 36] (and sometimes Urine) and Whites of Eggs.

In the Shops. Sugar is of continual use, in Sy­rups, Conserves, &c. It is said to be of a tempe­rate quality, but I rather opine it is hot; I look upon it as Procatartick of the Scurvy, and the too common use of it, especially by Children and Youth; insalutary and prejudicial to the whole [...]ody, and is nought in Hysterical Fits, by reason it rais [...]s Va­pors.

In the Pestilence, or time of any [...]pidentical, or contagious Disease, the following Balsam is an ad­mirable Preservative taken from the bigne [...]s of a Pea to a small Nut, in a Morning lasting, dissolved in a Glass of Wine, Cordial Water, or strong Beer or Ale may serve. Fill an Ivory Box, or a Silver one gilt, with well refined Sugar, that is reduced to a very small Powder, upon which let fall drop by drop, some of the distilled chymical Oyl of Angelica Roots, (or any other) until the Sugar be sufficiently im­pregnated and reduced to a consistency, capable to be contained in the box, altho it were turned up­side down.

Let no one wonder, that Sugar should cause Oyl to mix well, and dissolve in Water, for Sugar is a vegetable Salt whose Nature it is to work; so being mixt of Sulphur and Mercury, whereby it is ren­dered perceptible of Oyl, whose Nature it alters, nevertheless so much, that it easily dissolves and unites it self with Water, by reason of the saline Substance of the said Sugar. And those Elec-Saccha­rums you find in Authors, are best prepared (and are properly such) as this Balsam.

The Oyl of Sugar, simple and compound, are standing preparations in some Shops. The Simple Oyl is made with Sugar-Candy, and Spirit of Wine, (or best Brandy, or by some Anise-seed Water) [Page 37] giving it flame to burn to a Syrup, in Coughs, and Consumptions.

Virtues and Ʋses.

The Pulp is temperate, only moistens, beloved by sweet mouth'd Venus, say our Astrologers; it is used to keep the Body Laxative, being familiarly sucked from the broken Pipe, and swallowed in a morning fasting, it doth gently purge Choler and Phlegm, cooling and opening a hot body; an ex­cellent Purge in the Stone, or Hemorrhoids; but is apt to gripe from its moistness, therefore to be cor­rected with a few Aniseeds, &c.

In the Shops. Cassi [...] in Fistula, as it comes to us: Cassia extracta pro Clysteribus, which is used in Gly­sters, Cassia extracta sine foliis Senae: Cassia extracta cum foliis Senae: Diacassi [...] cum manna. These four [Page 38] last mentioned, are Electuaries, usually prepared and kept in Shops, for the use of Physicians: which demonstrate the great Opinion the old Arabians and modern Practitioners have conceived of this exotick Fruit. The simple Pulpe (is never kept ready, but) ought to be freshly drawn whenever 'tis prescribed, in the above-said cases, and the Dose of these Electuaries is from half an Ounce to two Ounces. The Bark of Cassia, called Cassia Lignea, is also kept in the Apothecaries▪ Shops, whi [...]h is acrid and A [...]o­ma [...]ical, like Cinnamon, and often is substituted for it, being near it in Virtues. The Trees from which they are taken, are very much alike, but not the very same, as some will have it.

Virtues and Ʋses.

All say, this is a Solar Tree, delighting most in Torrid Climes; it hath a fragran [...] Turpentine smell, and said to be hot and dry in the third Degree, bit­terish and acrid to the Gust, yielding from its [...]mooth Branches, a most Balsamic Liquor, which the Sun and Air condensates to a white Rosin, called Ce­dria, or R [...]s [...]a Cedrina, subtil and odorous.

And 'tis affi [...]med, that some of our common Tar distils from the prickly Cedars, when they are burnt.

These durable Trees, for their perpetuity, have been put to [...]rofane, as well as Sacred uses, for the Gentiles and Heat [...]ens Carved their Devils and Im [...]ges of it, as well as Solomon and others, then (and since many years) did bu [...]ld their Magnificent Houses, Adorned Places, dedicated to God's Wor­ship, and Wain-scotted Rooms therewith, being a Wood non putrescit, nec cari [...]mse [...]it, so not o [...]noxious to Worms: And its perfuming Odor, corrects the Malignity and Putridness of a Morbifical Air, and consequently useful in all close, and narrow, yet large and populous Towns: Cedar Wood is so dry and brittle, it wi [...]l not well endure Nails, but Pins, and so most precious and everlasting Utensils have been ma [...]e thereof: so Cedro digna, a Saying of old, denoted a thing worthy of Eternity.

In the Shops. There is not any thing in o [...]r Shops, which doth proceed from this renowned Vegetable, except there be any of the Rozin, o [...] liquid pitch, amongst the various sorts that are brought home by our Trading Ships.

This exotick Tree is but little used amongst us, and then for its rarity and preciousness, as above­said; but the antient Aegyptians did Embalm their Dead with the Juice and Rozin of it.

The Salinator, (the [...]mbal [...]er being so called) first filled the Guts Glyster-wise, with the Juice or Oyl of Cedar, then salted without any Incision or un­bowelli [...]g, the whole Body with S [...]l Nitri, (or some other Salt) for 70 days compleat, on the last of which days, they draw out the Glyster, being of such pow [...]rful virtue, that it brings the Guts and Viscera wasted away with it: and the remaining Humidity of the Body were consumed by the Ni [...]re, and the Skin and Bones only left which were well anointed with the Rozin, which preserved it without putre­faction, (is so [...]e of old did Book [...] to preserve them) abundance of years▪ They [...]d two or three other ways more co [...]ly and rich, but this served the poor­er sort of people.

Much more could I say concerning this admirable Vege [...]able, which is in so many places mentioned by the inspired Pen-Men of Holy Writ; but I leave it to any future Expositor, Commentator, or Learned Divine, who will find it a very copious Subject to Animadvert upon. See Almug. & Shittah-tree.

Virtues and Ʋses.

The Fruit is sweet in Taste, the whole Tree rather hot than cold. Galen affirmed it to be the best of all Nuts, nourishing well, but apt to bind, being very dry and windy.

'Tis a Masculine, robust Food, the Bread of the Flour being excee [...]ing Nutritive, and Moufet saith, in places where they abound, Bread is commonly made of them: B [...]uy [...]irus does affirm in his Time (about 100 years since) they were brought with the last Course to the Table of Princes, and the French used to make, and eat Chesnut- [...]ottage. For it is recorded how Chesnuts relieved France in the Extremity of their Civil Wars, when their Ploughs were forsaken. As the Potadoes in Barbados did Ireland from two years Famine, in the me­mory of many living.

In Italy they eat them with Bacon, instead of Beans, and in France they are variously Cooked with Wine, Lemon Juice, Rosewater, Sugar, &c. and are accounted a pleasant and nourishing Treat; but are dyspeptick, and bad in Cholical Habits of Body, if eaten raw; if Roasted, they more easily descend, are less windy, [...]et Astringent. And 'tis certain the Rusticks are sustained by them in Italy, and o­ther Parts, and the Rich eat them decorticated, and prepared as above-said.

The Timber is soft, and esteemed by the Joyners and others next to O [...]; And formerly the Houses of old London were Built thereof. These Trees are raised best by Sowing the Nu [...]s, as the ingenious Mr. Eve­lin hath set down at large, in his Book of Forrest-Trees.

In the Shops. Chesnut is set down amongst the Fruits in the London Dispensatory, as is the Bark; but rarely found in the Apothecary's Shops, being seldom prescribed to them.

In all Fluxes, especially Uterine, the red Skin dried is admirable, being made into Powder, with its equal weight of Ivory. Dos. ʒij. in any pro­per [...].

In a Cough, and spitting of [...]lood, an Electuary is made of the Farina Castaneae, or Flour of Chesnuts and Hony.

And in the heart of Urine, an Emulsion of them, made with a decoction of Liquorish and white Pop­py-seeds, is excellent, saith a late Author. And it were a good and profitable Work if this useful Ve­getable were by some publick spirited and landed Gent. sow'd and propagated, for the Use and Help of the poorer People, especially in scarce and indi­gent Times. They differ much, according to the Soil, as you may observe by those that grow (tho' not common) in some Gardens.

Virtues and Ʋses.

The colour, ill taste, and vices of this Plant, de­monstrate it to belong to the ill natured Planet Sa­turn, being hot and dry in the second Degree. I am unacquainted with its Medical Virtues, but do judge, where it's grinded with our Bread-Corn, (for some have it more than others) it gives the Bread a vertiginous Stupefaction. I find the old Herbals say, The parcked Seeds help the Yellow Jaundice, and be­ing decocted and drank, expelleth the Stone; and Hippo­crates doth order a Pessarium of it in Morbis [...]oe­mini [...]is; so by reciting these virtues, the old Adage is verified, Every Weed is good for something.

In the Shops. 'Tis not used, but the Nigella Seeds are nominated by the Honourable College of Physi­cians in their Pharmacopeia They are hot and dry in the third Degree, accounted to be Pectoral, and Diuretick. And Schroderus saith, They are specifical in Quotidian and Quartan Feavers. They are black Seeds, and usually kept in the Shops, and are an Ingredient in Electuarium de bacc. Lauri. Antidotus Mathioli, &c.

Virtues and Ʋses.

This Plant hath a foetid rank smell, and said to be under the hurtful Planet Saturn, cold and dry, of­fensive to the Head, and its foetor is esteemed ma­lignant: The leaves are proper in Pultisses, in hot Tumors and Inflammations▪

In the Shop [...]. S [...]men Coriandri, or Coriander-Seed. They are hot and dry in the third Degree, of an aromatick and sweetish taste, somewhat Astringe [...], and Carmi [...]ative. They are excellent in weak and tender Stomachs, suppress Belchings and Hiccoughs, being used to chew after Meat, and so defend the Head from Vapours.

These Seeds are condited, and called Coriander Comfits, sold in most retail Shops, both Seeds and Comfits are by Practitioners used in Digestive and Peptick Confections and Powders, to close the Mouth of the Stomach, stay Vomiting, and re­press Fumes; and good in other flatulen [...] cases; be­ing often prescribed in Vernal or Diet-Drinks, to correct other Ingredients, I mean the Seeds (not the Comfits) in Drinks.

These Seeds are, or ought to be corrected and prepared, by steeping them 24 hours in White Wine Vinegar, then dried, to correct their volatile noxious quality, which they derive from the Plant, and is apt to offend the Head: But I fear the Apothecaries (most of them) are careless, and seldom mind it be­fore they use them, tho' ordered to be prepared so, by the College of Physicians.

The Decoction of these Seeds, and likewise of Fennil, Anis [...]ed, &c. doth signifie little, as to their Virtue, for t [...]o' they lose much of their tastes them­selves, yet convey very little of them to t [...]e Li­quors [Page 47] wherein they are boiled; the greater por­tion of their Volatile parts, and so their Virtue and Tastes therewith flying away: Therefore an Emulsion made from them with their own Decoction, is much better, especially if the Medicine be intended to be Carminative. Grew.

Virtues and Ʋses.

This Fruit is to be chosen green, rather immature and not yellow: they are cold and moist, under the Moon, yielding little good nourishment, though Cook'd, and Corrected several ways, by those that [Page 48] delight in them, being eat most simple, they cool hot Stomachs, and Liver, and dull Venus; excellent, saith one, in Ʋlcers of the Kidnies and Bladder.

The Juice or distilled Water is prised in the beau­tifying Art, by some Ladies, and used in deformities of the Skin. Fructus Cucumeris virtute [...]itrosa pr [...] ­ditus, &c. saith Willis, Cucumbers being endowed with a Nitrous virtue, are approved by Experience against the Imp [...]tigo or L [...]prosie; wherefore let them be often eaten instead of a Sallad; and also slice and infuse three or four of them in three pints of water, close stopt all night, and to the clear poured out Liquor, add two or three Drachms of Sal Pruuell [...]. Dose half a pound, thrice or oftner in a day, the Decoction of the Leaves and Fruit do profit also. And let me add to what the Dr. hath said, groun­ded upon Reason and Experience, That the Leaves and Fruit are [...] excellent Antiscorbutick, cooling and p [...]cifying the exo [...]bit [...]nt Sulphurec-Saline Particles of the Blood, in an a [...]ust Dyscrasy of the same, and hot Scorbutical C [...]stit [...]tion: For they move Ʋrine, and fix the vola [...]ile Miasma of the [...]loo [...] by their Nitrous quality, and being waterish and slimy, they obtund the igneous and faline predominancy there­of.

In the Shops. Semina quatuor frigida m [...]jora. T [...]e four greater cold Seeds, accounted so by Artists, are emen Cucumeris, Cucumber Seed: Semen Ci­trulli (called of the Antients Anguria) Citrul Seed, and Seed of Gourds, and Melons, of which see more forward.

These are used in Emulsions, in Feavours, Pleurisies, Phrensies, Stone, and Inflammation of the Reins, and in cooling Drinks made by Decoction, often prescri­bed by Physicians; particularly they are Ingredients in several Powders in our Pharmacopoea Londinensis, or London-Dispensatory.

Elaterium (also in the Shops) is the bitter Juice of the wild Cucumber, expressed, evaporated an [...] insp [...]ssated to a hard Consistence. In the Election of it the oldest is accounted the best; for it loseth nor its Faculties in two or three years, consisting of a great deal of volatile Salt and Sulphur, which pre­serves its more ample Matter from Corruption, communicating a Colliqua [...]ive and Purgative Virtue; for the whole Plant is hot, bitter and acrid, differ­ing from the Garden Cucumbers, in that this pur­geth strongly, and the Garden not at all; yet in be­ing Diuretick they both agree. It is a violent Hy­dragogue, purging Flegm and Water, and often moves vomiting▪ to be used with Caution, and not▪ at all to Women with Child. Dos. from iij. to x. o [...] ▪ xv Gr.

Praeparatio Elaterii is in the Dispensatory, which is only the depurated Juice inspissated, as I told you before, and ought to be corrected and meliorated, by an Extract in Spir. Vini, &c. To conclude, Take what the Famous Willis saith thereof in Cap. de Remediis ad Asciten. Elaterium Hydragogon potentis­fimum, &c. Elaterium is truly held the most pow­erful Hydragogue, for that it most sharply irritating the Splanchnick Fibres, and together dissolving, by a certain corrosive Virtue, the Blood and Humors, compels whatsoever [...]erosities are contained in the Coats of the Bowels, Membranes, Vessels; also i [...] the Glandules and Flesh, to be cast out into the Ca­vities of the Stomach and Guts. By which Medi­cine, happily operating, the falling of the Abdo [...] doth sometimes follow. The Tincture or Essence may be extracted with Spirit of Wine, or Tincture of Salt of Tart [...]r extracted or thus prepared: it is a Sovereign Cathartick in the Gout, Dropsy, Lues, carrying off all remote malignant Serosities, and o­ther morbifick Humors in Chronical Diseases.

Emplastrum Sicyonium, or Emplaster of wild Cu­cumber Roots, is another Preparation made from this Vegetable, propagated in some Physick-Gar­dens for these uses. This Emplaster is seldom kept ready made by the Apothecaries. I never used it, but Authors say it's purging and drying; and that being laid upon a Dropsical Belly, it drives out the Water by Stool, and dries up the Remainder, being seasonably and methodically applied.

In a Dropsy you have a proper Purge from this Plant the Elaterium, tho it is seldom given of it self, but made up with some other Pill; (Note, the best Elaterium is that which being held near a Candle, sparkles, and puts out the light) Also it yields you a Plaster, which is proper in the same case. Vid. Aqu. Cucumerum comp. Bateani in Nephrit.

Note, when Cucumbers at their first rising, have shot four Joints, you may hasten the Fruit, by pinching of the head of the Stalk.

Virtues and Ʋses

This is a solar Seed, hot and dry in the third Deg­both bitter and swe [...]t, so differ from Coriander, of an Aromatick, but not pleasant Smell; do digest and rarify, dispersing Wind and Flatus's of the whole Body: Useful in the Colick, Tympany, Spleen and Vertigo, is Anodyne, and successfully used in Cataplasms and Fomentations, Clysters, &c. provoke Urine, and warm the Matrix. Being made into a Sacculus or little Bag, with Bay-Salt, heated and sprinkled with a little Vinegar, then ap­plied, helpeth Stitches bravely, and pain of the Spleen.

In the Shops. Semen Cymini, or Cummin-seed are one of the four greater Hot-seeds; the other three being Anise-seed, Caraway and Fenil-seeds; they are not so much given inwardly by Practitioners, as the Coriander and these other Seeds, by reason of their strong, bitterish savor and gust; if they are, they ought to be corrected as Coriander.

The second Thing is the Powder called Diaspoliti­cum, made of Cummin-seed prepared, Leaves of Rue, long Pepper aa. One Ounce, Salt-Peter half an Ounce, beat into a fine Powder; Dose is half a Drachm, or as much as will lie on a Six-pence, in some Syrup, or Cordial▪ Water or Beer: 'Tis excel­lent after Meat to prevent the putrefaction of it, warms the Stomach before Meat, and preventetl [...] Crudities and windy Belching [...] ▪

The third Preparation is Emplastrum de Cymino, or Emplaster of Cummin-seed, excellent in th [...] Colick, if applied to the Belly, as hath been often proved, helpeth old Aches, and painful Tumors, caused by Cold and Bruises▪

The last Medicine this Seed affords us is the Oleum Chym. Sem. Cymini, or the Chymical Oyl of Cummin-seed; the Dose 6 or 8 Drops in Broth, or other Liquor, A great expeller of Wind, if it di­sturb the Spleen, Reins, stop Urine, or in a tor­menting Colick; but in these cases be sure to re­member Clysters.

Virtues and Ʋses.

The Astrologers place it under Jupiter (the Sun I should think) being hot and dry in the second Deg. possessing a subtil, volatil, Sulphureous Salt (as all [Page 53] Aromatical Bodies do) which if animated by a pro­per spirituous Menstruum, yields as great quantity of an efficacious Spirit, as any Vegetable whatso­ever.

The best Cinnamon is that which has the strongest smell, is quick upon the taste, and looks of a red­dish colour. It is good to fortifie the Stomach, to help perspiration of gross Homours, to strengthen and rejoyce the Heart, and in Hysterical cases. Half a Drachm of it fresh po [...]dered, and given to a Woman that languisheth in Labour, is a Medicine worth Gold.

In the Shops. The Water of Cinnamon, the Spirit, the Chymical Oyl, the Syrup, and Powder called Diacinnamomum: All which are great Cordials▪ use­ful in the cold affects of the Ventricle and Matrix, and in other cases, wherein Cinnamon is well known to be proper and useful.

But observe, that the Virtues of Cinnamon are easily (and indeed too often) lost by erroneous pro­cesses, and common Operations, (as in the Syrup and Powder) its cordial subtil Salt being best extracted, and preserved with its fragrancy by Chymistry, and not by common Pharmacy.

The Oyl procures easie delivery to Women, is an admirable Corroborative, one drop being mixed in a little Sugar-Candy (to make the Eleosaccharum, or Balsam) is easily dissolved in any Cordial or Hy­sterical Waters, or Wine. See under Sweet Cane.

The Spirituous Water of Cinnamon, is nothing but a rarified Oyl, whose parts are separated in wa­ter (all Aromatick Essences or Oyls of Herbs, Wool [...], Flowers, and Barks, that are strong Aromatick [...]) by fermentation▪ so as they become imp [...]rceptible, two or three Drachms is a sufficient Dose.

Tinctura Cinnamomi, or Tincture of Cinnamon (and of all other odor [...]ferous Vegetable [...]) may be drawn [Page 54] in Spirit of Wine, in which the more Oyly parts of Cinnamon are exalted. This I have used instead of Spirit of Cinnamon-Water, being an admirable Cordial easily made, therefore I do here communi­cate it to my Reader, whether Practitioners, Ladies, or others.

Take bruised Cinnamon, as much as you please, put it into a Matrass (a Bottle may do) and pour upon it Spi­rit of Wine one Finger above it, st [...]p it close, and set it in Digestion in Horse-dung four or five days, or longer; the Spirit of Wine will be impregnated with the Tincture of Cinnamon, and become red; separate it from the Cinnamon by siltration, and keep it in a Vial close slopt. It must be used in a little smaller Dose than Cinnamon-Water: It may [...]e done in the best Brandy also.

The Cinnamon or Almond-Caudle (Caudela Amygda­lina) much used by the learned Dr. Bates, (as it is in the P [...]armacopoeia Bat.) is very proper for Child-bed-Women that are weak, especially if they are taken with any Looseness, or immoderate Fluxes; and for Children and others, weakened through long Fluxes, or over Purgations, and Vomitings. The Receipt is, ℟. Ale or Beer not hop'd, a quart, Spring­ [...]ater one pint, Cinnamon a little bruised one ounce, boy [...] it till the third part is consumed, strain it, and then add to i [...] of the largest sweet Almonds rubbed clean (but the skin not peeled off) and bruised, threes [...]ore, boyl it a little again, strain it and express it through a Sieve, and sweeten it with two ounces of the best Loaf-Sugar, half an ounce of Cinnamon may serve some times; it is a pleasant and refreshing Cordial, I do assure you.

Lastly, I shall (besides the Caudle) advise all Pious and Charitable Ladies, and Gentlewomen, who often do good amongst their poor Neighbours, to the use of the Cordial Julep (or Syrup as some call it) in our Dispensatories, a thing I have often prescribed to my great content, and satisfaction of my Patients.

℟. Rhenish-Wine a quart, Rose-Water three ounces, Cloves bruised two scruples, Cinnamon half a drachm, Ginger two scruples, White Sugar three ounces, (Am­bergreese three grains, Musk one grain, but these may be left out) infuse it all close stop'd for all night, or two or three hours, setting the Bottle in a Kettle of water over the fire, (Baln [...]o Mariae, as 'tis called) or for haste, on hot embers in a J [...]g, or boyl it presently, as often it is done, but with a gentle fire, 'till about a quarter of a pint is wasted, strain and bottle it. The Ambergreese and Musk ought to be added, if at all, when 'tis strained. So have you tho' a plain, yet an excellent Cordial, White-Wine (or Claret, if binding is required) may serve, nay the best Cyder now, &c.

Vertues and Ʋses.

Astrologers say, (for what reason I know not) Sa­turn governs it; it is accounted dry in the third Degree, and 'tis a very great Astringent: the Fruit (called also Galbuli à Galbo colore) and Leaves smell of Turp [...]ntine, and the Leaves have a bitterish taste, without any manifest heat.

The Chips of Cypress-wood add a flavour to Mus­cadine and other rich Wines; its bitterishness pre­serves it from Worms; and Vitruvius saith, The works of Cypress perman [...]n [...] ad Diuturnitatem. The Timber thereof was in great esteem with the An­cients, the Temple of Diana and other famous Structures have been built therewith: now being used for Chests, Drawers, Harps, and all kind of Musical Instruments (being a sonorous Wood) the valving doors of St. Peter's-Church at Rome, were of this Wood from Constantine till Pope Eugenius IV. almost 600 years, and were then (as sound and fresh as if they had been new made) by that Pope chan­ged into Brass.

Plato chose it, as 'tis said, to write his Laws in it, for its durability, before Brass; and the Athenians used to bury their Heroes in Coffins of this Wood, saith Thucydides; and Semiramis built the lasting Bridge [Page 57] over Euphrates with it. Is. Voss [...]us affirms it not fit for Shipping; but Bochartus, Fuller, &c. have con­f [...]ted him.

The Seeds seldom ripen with us, but are com­monly brought in the Nuts, which being sowed in April, saith Mr. Evelyn, and lightly watered after Sun-set, till they are come up, (then [...]e sparing of it) may after a year be transplanted into sandy, light, and warm Soyl, in which they thrive best; whence Cardan says, juxta aquas ares [...]it, never thriving in boggish cold Earth. It may be cut to the Roots, and yet springs again a fresh, which orethrows that Tradi­tion, viz. It being a Symbol of Mortality, 'tis never to be cut for fear of killing it.

Many will have Noah, Gophir, or Ark-wood, to be the wood of the wild Cypress, as dedicated to the dead, because Cypress used to be worn at Funerals. But of this see more under Gophir and Shittim-wood.

That this Vegetable hath been exceeding plenti­ful in several parts of the World, doth appear by our most authentick Geographers; and I find a vast large Wood of it in Candia, Anno 1400. was fired by malice or accident, and burnt continually fo [...] seven years, being fed so long by the unctuous and resinous nature of the Timber.

In the Shops. Nuces Cupressi, or Cypress Nuts, are hot in the first, and dry in the third Degree; great binders, stopping all Fluxes of Blood: Both the tops and leaves of Cypress (with the Nuts) are of late years, much used in Medicines, and oft pre­scribed by Physicians, as young Students in Physick may observe in practical Authors, Willis, &c. in Dysenteries, Ruptures, Diabetes, Haemoptysis, S [...]ran­gury, Profluv. Catameniorum, & Diaphoresi nimia & depravata Also in Vulnerary Drinks, Gonorrhea's, and other cases that temperate Corroboratives are required in, as in laxative Hecticks, Atrophia's, &c. [Page 58] arising from a hot Scorbutical Blood; in Diet-Drinks, Decoctions, Milk-Waters distilled, &c.

Virtues and Ʋses.

A Saturnine Tree; the Leaves and Bark be mode­rately hot, are mucilaginous, seldom used, and rare­ly mentioned in Materia Medica, but have a cleansing quality, if used in deformities of the Skin, by rub­ [...]ling and washing the part with the Liquor found in the Blisters of the Leaves; the fat scum of the De­coction of the Roots, boiled long, is said to procure Hair on a Bald Pate; and the Decoction of the Bark and Leaves, is a good Fomentation in the hot Gout, indurated Tumors, shrunk Nerves, and easeth and cool [...]th burnings; the Leaves bruised with Vinegar, [Page 59] or the Juice extracted, removes Scurff, Morphew, and Beautifies the Skin and Face.

This Tree is propagated by Suckers taken from the Root of the Mother-Tree in October, or in March, when the Buds appear; for the smallest Suckers will grow when the Sap stirs first. It is un­fit for Copses and Woods, because it loves a spa­ciou [...] place to branch out in; it may be transplanted at twenty years old, but then refresh him with wa­ter, and disbranch him, leaving only the top, of which brave Walks are quickly raised.

The Timber if it lie wet, or dry, in extreams, is of excellent use, saith Mr. Evelyn; our second Char­cole is made of it, and the dried Leaves kept sweet, are good for Cattle in a scarce year of Fodder: Bees are said at their first flying abroad in the Spring, to surfeit on the blooming Seeds, which kill whole Stocks. Let the Bee-masters or good House-wives observe this.

Elm is a fast and hard Wood, its hardness depen­ding on the closeness of the Wood, a cross-grain'd Timber cleaving unevenly and difficultly, to and fro, therefore is best for the Hub of a great Wheel, for Water-Pipes and Pumps, not because it is the most durable Wood, but because it will not split nor crack, therefore also it is used for Coffins, Saddles, and Soles of a Mill-Wheel, the Keel of a Boat, lest they should split. The Leaves may serve for Fodder.

The Planks or Groaning-Boards, exposed as a kind of Prodigy some time ago, to the view and hearing of many people, were of Elm; the Aer-Vessels of this Wood, being more large t [...]an in other Timber, upon the application of the Red-hot-iron, as was usual, the Air and Watery parts in the Timber were rarefied, and every Vessel became as it were, a little Wind-Pipe for their Expiration, and so many Pipes playing together, made a kind of big or groaning noise. Grew.

The acci [...]nts attending Trees, are remarkable, particularly in their excessive growth, but scarce any County ere produced such Monsters as Stafford­shire, as was the prodigious Witch-Elm that grew and was fell'd at Field (within memory) by Sir Har­vey Bagot; the greatness and products of which Tree, I shall (for the diversion of my Reader) take out of Dr. Plot's Natural History of this County, which large Book may not, perhaps, fall into such hands as this lesser Tract may do.

It was so great and tall, that two able Workmen were five days in Stocking or Felling it down.

That it fell 120 foot, or 40 yards in length.

That the Stool was five yards two foot Diameter.

That the Tree at the But-end was 17 yards in Cir­cumference.

That it was eight yards and eight inches, that is 2 [...] foot and a half about by girth-measure in the middle.

That 14 loads of Fire-wood, each as much as six Oxen could draw to the House at Field, being not a­bove 300 yards distant, broke of in the fall.

That there was 47 loads more of Fire-wood, as large as the former, cut from the top.

That they were forced to piece two Saws together, a [...]d put three Men to each end, to cut the Body of it in sunder.

That there was cut of it 80 pair of Nathes for Wheels, and 8000 foot of sawn Timber in Boards and Planks, after six score per Cent. which at 3 s. per Cent came to 12 l. All which is attested (in a Paper) foreseeing it would not be believed in after times, under the Hands of

• Sir Harvey Bagot.
• Will C [...]per, Steward▪
• Roger Shaw, Bayliff.
• Walt. Dixon, Surveyor.
• Cutters.
  • [Page 61]Lawrence Grews,
  • Humphry Chettom,
• Stockers.
  • Francis Marshall,
  • Thomas March,

They computed it to contain 96 Tuns of Tim­ber, a vast quantity for one Tree, requiring good testimonies for its belief.

In the Shops. No standing Preparation; but two things I shall give you worth your knowledge, the first is the Gargarism for sore Mouths, which Dr. Bates much used, as his Pharmacopoeia shews it.

℟. The fresh inward Bark of Elm ℥iiij. boil it in water [...]iij. to one half, strain it (and it will look red) and put to it Syrup of Raspberries and Mulberries, each ℥iss. and mix them well, Syrup of Black-berries or Honey of Roses may serve instead of the other Syrups, or good Honey to sweeten it for the poor; I have pre­scribed it often with good effect.

In the Hip-Gout or Sciatica, take the whole Ba [...]k of this Tree, bruise it well and boil it in water, almost to the thickness of a Syrup, then add to it a third part of Aqua Vitae (or the smaller Brandy.) It is a singu­lar Remedy against the tormenting pain in the Hip, if the part be fomented or [...]athed therewith; as some of my poor Country Patients can attest; and I do here publish it to the World for a great Secret.

Vertues and Ʋses.

I know not of any use in Physick, our English Figs are put to, they are round and long like Pears, and are a Rarity in some great Gardens, and eaten so by Ladies, last Summer (91.) they arrived to a good height of maturity in some well-managed Gardens, particularly at Trenham, but this last Win­ter has killed (through its coldness) many of them, and this Summer there is no mature Fruit.

The Astrologers call it Jupiter's Plant, the Leaves burn the Tongue, of subtil acrid parts, therefore are a hot Caustick, especially its Ashes; the Leaves decocted, may therefore be good to wash sore Heads in the Lepros [...]e, Morphew, and cutaneous running sores.

It is upon Record in the Epistles of the Emperor Julian the Apostate, that the Fig-Trees were seldom or never without Fruit, the old not fully fallen off, till the new come on; which report, if true, (for certainly he did not flatter our Saviour Christ) gives an answer to that difficult Text, where our Saviour curs'd the Fig-Tree for not bearing Fruit, whence 'tis said, The time of Fruits was not yet come.

For tho' the time of new Fruits was not yet come (being early in the Spring) yet our Saviour might, being hungry, expect to find some old; and failing of his expectation, laid that curse upon it.

Becanus affirms, The Indian-Fig was the Tree of Knowledge, and takes the Honour of finding it out: but Moses Bar-Cephas conjectured this 600 years be­fore Becanus was born, who also fancied, the Leaves of this Tree covered the Nakedness of Adam and Eve, and that the large Trunk or Body of the Tree, hid them from the presence of the Lord God; but Sir Walter Raleigh explodes these conjectural fan­cies of Becanus, and saith, It is a shame to repeat what magnitude Strabo, Aristobulus and others give to this Tree, As that 400 Horse-Men might shadow them­selves under it, for that he himself saw 20000 in one Valley in America, not far from Paria, growing in a moist Land, which had no such large Trunk, nor Leaves, nor delicate Fruit as they talk of. But I have dwelt too long upon this Subject, (not in my Province) and shall leave it to any future Commentator, or learned Expositor, a Naturalist, or Divine.

In the Shops. Only d [...]y Figs, and not at all times of the year neither; Figs do dissolve and ripen, are used in the Small Pox, and Diseases of the Lungs, in Pectoral Decoctions, Squinzey, Sore Throats, &c. A Fig sliced and tosted, and applied to an aking Tooth, hath sometimes given ease. And the Milky juice of the unripe Figs, I have known prove a good cleanser [Page 65] and smoother of the Skin; mark that, you Women, and Morphew'd Ladies, that have it in your Gar­dens.

Virtues and Ʋses.

This A [...]omatic [...]l and ever-green Vegetable, be­longs to Mars, and so helps him to a Balsamick Gummy Juice, flowing from the young Trees, cal­led L [...]rym [...] Abietis, the Tears of Firr (which is brought over Sea to us, as a Species of Venice Tur­pentine) to cure his wounds with.

A [...]iegna Rezina, or dry Rosin, flowing from the old Trees, is a Succedaneum to Thus, and some say is really Frankincense: The Leaves have a bitterish Turpentine taste and smell, and the Tops also, much used now in the Scurvy, and Stone, in Diet-Drinks and Milk-Waters, in Wound-Drinks, cleansing and sweetning the Blood: The Cones are seldom used; the Bark dries and binds, the Gummous Juice or Turpentine, and the Rezine are more sharp and clean­sing than those that emanate from the Pine. See Pine-Tree.

The Swedes in a War against the Muscovites, were so orespread with the Scurvey, that their Soldiers languished and wasted away to nothing, till once encamping near Fir-Trees, they began to boil the Tops of them in their Drink, which recovered the Army even to a Miracle, whence called by them the S [...]o [...]b [...]tick-Tree to this day. The Balsam, or Turpen­tine of this Vegetable, proves so effectual in pre­serving (even dead Bodies themselves) from Putre­faction and Corruption: and he that tries the true Ethereal Oyl or Spirit of Turp [...]ntine, shall find it comes not far short of Spirit of Wine, in the con­servation of Bodies from corruption.

In the Shops. Colophony is the Rezine of the Firr-Tree boiled, or Turpentine after the Oyl is distilled, left hardened in the bottom of the Veica or Re [...]ort, [Page 68] which ought to be slowly melted in water, to strain it through a cloth, to purifie it, and then boiled to the Rozin, or Colophony kept in the Shops, which digests, agglutinates, and consolidates, in Salves and Emplasters, and may be used instead of boiled Turpentine, in inward Medicines. But more of Te­rebinthinate and Rezino [...]s Substances in my next Tract, to which they do more properly belong.

That the Tops of Firr, and the shavings of Firr­wood or Deal-boards, are now much used instead of Hops, to preserve & invigorate Drink, is well known; but Dr. Merret, in his Observations upon Wines, affirms, Those [...]iquors in which the shavings of Firr are put, may be apt to create pains in the Head; this may be occasioned by the strong Turpentine odor they give the Drink, if not well boiled, fermented, and aged.

The Inhabitants of Saxony (saith one) a Province of Germany, have so great esteem for the Liquor c [...]lled Mum▪ that they fancy their Bodies can never decay, nor pine away, as long as they are lined and embalmed with so powerful a Preserver, in which this Balsamick Vegetable Firr is the chiefest Ingredient of the Vegetables that are in it. Dr. Willis prescribes Mum in Chronical Distempers, as S [...]u [...]vey, Drop­fey, &c. and Physicians order it against the breeding of Gravel and Stones, in some sorts of Consumptions, cold Stomachs, Gonorrhea's, obstructions: But it is seldom truly made.

And because this Liquor is now much made in England, I shall here set down the Preparation there­of, as it is Recorded among the Secrets of the Fa­mily of Bru [...]swick, a City and Province in Germany, taken out of the Great Dukedom of Saxony, whence our best Mum is called Brunswick Mum.

Boil the water first, to the consumption almost of one half, brew so much, as to sill a V [...]ssel of 16 Gallons, with seven Pecks of Wheat-Malt, one Peck of Oat-Malt, and one Peck of ground Beans, and when it is tun'd, let not the Vess [...]l be too much filled at first, when it b [...]gins to work, put to it of the inner Bark of Firr twelve ounces, Tops of Firr and Birch, each four ounces, Carduus dried, one Physical handful, Flowers of Rosa Solis, half a handful, Burnet, Marjoram, Avens, Penny-royal, Elder-Flowers, wild Thyme, each half a handful, Cardamom-seeds bruised, two drachms; see that the Liquor work over the Vessel as little as may be, fill it up at last with your brewed Li­quor, putting into the Vess [...]l three new-laid Egg [...], not broken, stop all close, and drink it at two years old.

Aegid. Hoffman renders it more effectual in the S [...]urvey, especially in a sort arising from a thick Sa­line Blood, and in cold Constitutions, by adding Water- [...]resses, Brook-lime, and wild Parsly, with Horse-Rhadish roots sliced, each one handful and a half; Bay-berries one ounce. It is a hearty and Stomachical Drink for a mornings-draught. Note, That the Tops of Firr (and other Herbs) ought to be gathered and dried in their proper season, when it abounds most with gummous Balsamick Juice. Vi [...]. Decoctum Scorbuticum in Pharmacopoeia Batean.

Virtues and Ʋses.

Saturn sure claims this Plant, and 'tis fit he should have it, it is so like him in its nature, the Seed [...] be­ing of a heavy, dry, and binding quality, are hard of digestion, and bind the Belly, ingendering a thick melancholy Blood, if eaten in Bread, or as Pease. Chiefly sowed for Cattle, and Horses in some Countries, to which they tedder, or hitch them to eat whilst green, by which the Land is en­riched▪ The Juice of green Fitches is given in the Scurvey, saith Sir J. F. to hinder the great fermen­tation of the Blood.

The bitter Vetch, or Orobus, is hot and dry, clean­sing, cutting, and opening, yet it causeth the Head-Ach, and troubleth the Belly, saith Dioscorides. The Meal takes away Frec [...]es and Sun-burning, being mixed with Honey and applied; and staieth running Ʋlcers, Phag [...]dens, &c. but I know not any thing of these Vegetables experimentally.

In the Shops. There is not any standing or ap­pointed Preparation or Medicine, only the Sem. Orobi, called also Ervi [...], are set down amongst the Catalogue of Seeds in the London-Dispensatory. See Cockle for Melanthium.

Virtues and Ʋses.

Flags are reckoned under Luna, the Roots being cut, look raw like Flesh▪ and being chewed, burn the Mouth as Orris or Garden Flower-de-Luce doth, are hot and dry in the second Degree, bind, con­dense, and stop Fluxes, strengthen, and may well be preferred before the Galanga Major, or Foreign Acorus in the Shops.

These Flags in Foreign parts, are used to cover Sheds, Cabbins, and Huts, for Sea-Men and Fisher-Men, as some Thatch with them in some places of England.

In the Shops. Radix iridis, or Orris Roots; as there are many kinds of Flower-de-Luces, so the Roots differ, but the Florentine Orris Root is esteemed the best; the green Roots of Flower-de-Luce, are bitte­rish and burning, reckoned almost hot in the fourth Degree; dry Orris Roots are very fragrant, hot and dry in the second Degree, are Pectoral, used in short­ness of Breath, provoke Urine, and give a curious fragrant relish to Beer, if boiled in it, or infused in the Barrel. Outwardly used in Bags, and quilted Caps for the Head, in sweet Powder for Linnen, and Hair-Powder by Barbers.

Species Di [...]ireos Simpl. is a constant Powder in the Shops, prescribed in Linctus's and Electuaries in Coughs, shortness of Breath, and Colds. Succus Ireos nostra­tis, the Juice of our Orris, or Flower-de-Luce (after the French) is most commonly extracted out of that which bears the purple or blue Flower, hath a very hot acrimony, is often prescribed as a Secret by some, as an excellent purger of waterish Humours in Drop­fies, being easie and cheap for the poor. Dose is [Page 73] six drachms to one once and a half, or two ounces of it self, or drawn out with White Wine, or mixed with Posset.

In a Dropsie Mass [...]ria order thus, ℟. Juice of Flower-de-Luce newly drawn with White Wine, three ounces, Manna one ounce and a half, mix them for a P [...]tion.

Platerus gave it with Honey, others with Broth or Gruel corrected with Cin [...]amon. I cured a poor Woman of Stafford formerly, of a Dropsi [...], with no▪ other Purge; it powerfully provokes Urine and Stool, but is not sa [...]e to Children, Old Age, nor Pregnant Women.

In the biting of a mad Dog, the Radices Gladioli▪ or Water-Flag, with the Roots of Morsus Diaboli, or Devil's-bit, are by some boiled in Water, others in Milk, and given for a week or nine days to the Pa­tient; and the learned Physician Sir J. F. of Litch­field, in his Touch-stone of Medicines, says▪ The A­stringency of the Root, hinders the fermentative virtue of the animal Venom from producing a Feaver in the Blood, and probably dulls the activity of the Venom, which consists in a volatil Salt, and the Acrimony of the Root preserves the Blood from co [...]gulation. I▪ the two Roots were powdered with all, or some of the Ingredients in the Pulvis Antilyssus in the Soud. Pharmacopoeia, it would be more efficacious in such Bites.

Because Orris Roots are the [...]asi [...] of Damask, or sweet sce [...]ted Powder, and of Hair Powders, I shall oblige my Female Readers, and Ladies, with the two following Receipts. ℟. Roots of the best Florentine O [...]ris ℥xiiij. Lignum Rhodij ℥ij Leaves of Marjorum ʒiij. Cloves ℥j [...]emo [...] P [...]l ʒv. Cyperus ʒj Calamus Aromaticus ʒvj [...] ℥iiij. Red Ros [...]s ℥ij. Benj [...]min, Storax, a [...] ℥j [...] danum ℥ss, b [...]ise them all to a gross [...] to [...]y among your Cloat [...]es, sowed up in a thin small [...] [Page 74] carry about you) to preserve them from Moths, and give them a pleasant odor.

℟. Starch sifted fine, one pound, Orris finely powdered, four ounces, Apoplectick Balsom, 20 grains, and rub all in a Morter together. So have you an ex­cellent and cheap Hair Powder, correcting ill scents, and infectious Air, and wholsom for the Head and Brain.

Virtues and Ʋses.

Venus no doubt, rules over this good House-Wife Plant; the best way of manuring, and ordering of it, is held to be in this County of Stafford, where they sow it, generally, in April on new-broke ground▪ and some sow their Ground one year with Flax, the next with Hemp, all along succ [...]ssively, so that one piece of Ground serves them (without mucking) finding the Soyl is mended by the one, when im­poverished by the other: When ripe, 'tis pulled and set up in maniples, or large han [...]fuls, to dry them, then ripple it through a double tooth'd Iron Comb▪ or Engine for the Seed; the boles of Seed are dried▪ and kept on a Po [...]rded, or Plastered Floor till March, then threshed and winnowed: When the Flax is well dried, they stake it down in water four or five nights, then spread it on the ground to dry, turning it every three days: when dried, 'tis laid up, and when my Dame pleases, Crack the Country-man comes with his Instrument Brake, to separate the Tow from the course Flax or hurds.

In our Northern parts of this County, some, in­stead of soaking it in water, spread it on the ground, to be watered by Rain, which if long absent, make it look blackish▪ but they affirm it to be stronger Flax▪ In like m [...]ner do they or [...]er their H [...]mp.

Now [...]lax th [...]s ord [...]red and prepared, is (amongst other Ʋses) p [...]t to a no [...]le and most necessary [...]o [...], by the careful and industrious House-Wife, viz. The making of Linen-Cloth for our Corporal and Dome­stick uses, for our [...]e [...]s, and [...]or o [...]r Boards, much encouraged of late in this Kingdom, by the great Example of o [...] Gracious Queen Mary, in whom [...] Virtues do conce [...], who hath Erected a Co [...] ­tion [Page 76] for the Linnen Manufacture, whereby a vast Employment is given to the Poor, and infinite deal of Money kept in the Kingdom, that Holland and France devoured, with other inestimable benefits.

Linnen-Cloth is nothing but that which we call Flax (passing through many hands, and with much pains) curiously twisted, enterlaced, and conjoyned to a large breadth, and length, for the better ser­vice of Man; and our [...]lax or Tow, ready to be spun, is only the Sap-V [...]ssels, or Woody Fibres of the Bark of this useful Vegetable Flax, which through its toughness, is so highly serviceable; And Scotch-Cloth is only the House-Wifery of the same parts of the Bark of a Nettle.

Whence it is very probable, that there are many Plants, whereof might be made good Tow. And of some, especially in some respects, better than of Flax it self, Because, as saith that great Philosopher Dr. G [...]ew▪ (whose Favours I retain with a grateful resentment) That even Hemp, although it will not make so sine a Staple as Flax (for all our fine Hol­lands are made of Flax) y [...]t Flax, which is but of the same sineness as Hemp, will never, by all the Art yet known, be ma [...]e so white as Hemp is made; the qua­lities therefore of the b [...]st Tow that can be in nature, are, that the S [...]a [...]le be long, small, [...]ough, and white. So that if in the [...]ark of any Plant, we can find these qualities, or any of them to excel, we may be sure, it will be of better use, in some respects, for the making of Cloth, or other purpose, than Fl [...]x it self.

Flax (and Hemp also) after much vexation and hardship in its dressing and ordering, being trans­form'd into this curious and useful expansion, called Cloth, rests not so, but is cut, rent▪ and torn▪ for t [...]e conveniencies and service of undeserving Mor­tals, by whom it is at last rejecte [...] (being vil [...] and base) [Page 77] as Rags. yet unwilling to forsake the service of Man, once more presents it self, to the profit of the poor Beggars, who pick up this cast-away, (like them­selves, torn and contemptible) to undergo ten thou­sand times more vexations and contusions by the Hammer, from something into nothing, ad Putrila­ginem; but even to admiration, from this sl [...]ppery and rotten Mucilage, with another artificial help, 'tis again, as it were, revived and transpeciated in­to a quite different and highly useful form, ca [...]ed Paper; in which form▪ it presents it self once more, to be the greatest Messeng [...]r of the World, and to be the chiefest Interlocu [...]or between Man and Man, to out-live all, and be most Mens Executor: so be brief, it is concerned in Sacred, Civil, Foreign, and Domestick Affairs.

No Nation uses more Paper, than we in England, and so little made▪ (except Brown Paper and Past-Board) that is a grand reflection on our National Im­provements, and highly prejudicial to our English In­terest; but if the Linnen Manufacture go on, the Paper Trade as depending and being made thereon, might be improved, for if we made but the W [...]it [...] Paper we use, it would set thousands on work, and much more benefit and profit would it bring to the Nation, if it were made for Exportation.

I know not of any Physical Virtues that are in common Flax. but what r [...]sts in the Linseed. Lin [...] ­ria or Toa [...]-Flax, which is a kind of Snap-Dragons, having such-like Flowers, which are swe [...]t, bitterish, and mucilaginous; an Oyntment may be made of the Flowers, to [...]ase the pain of the H [...]morrhoi [...]s. Also, the old Herbals say, 'tis hot and dry, and com­mend it as Diuretick, and us [...]ful in the Jaundice, and Dropsie, but 'tis seldom used by Physicians in these days, inwardly.

Rags of all sorts laid upon Land, enrich it great­ly, one load going as far as ten of Cow-dung, as 'tis affirmed; for reasons not fit here.

In the Shops. Semen lini, or Linseed, and Oleum li­ni, or [...]ins [...]ed-Oyl, both which, and their Virtues and Ʋses are well known. They digest, mollifie, suppu­ [...]at [...] and ease pain, being hot in the first Degree, and temperate in the rest. Linseed smells ranci [...], and [...]s mucilaginous, used much in Pul [...]ises to discuss, or mollifie [...]ot Tumors; and the Oyl also, and to extend shrunk Sinews, and sometimes ordered in [...]lysters in the Colick, and inwardly in Pleuretick [...]o [...]ghs: but I fancy it not inwardly.

[...]aper has some use also in Physick, for the pieces [...] it l [...]ghted in a Room, relieve Women in Hyste­ri [...]l fits (if they receive the fume of it) as many [...]mes they are, by any di [...]agreeable smell.

Lemery th [...]t honest and ingenious Chymist, draws an Oyl a [...]d Spirit from Paper, the Oyl he com­mends in Deafness, being put into the Ear, with a little Cotton, and in the Tooth-Ach. The Spirit rectified, is an Ap [...]ri [...]ive and Diuretick. So to con­clud, The Wisdom of the Almighty, is wonderfully to be admired, and contempla [...]ed, in the production of this Vegetable [...] so many ways useful to Man­kind, tho' little used in Physick.

Virtues and Ʋses.

Garlick is an Herb of Mars, hot and dry in the fourth Degree, has an acrid taste, and abounds with a volatile Salt, raiseth Blisters, if applied to the Skin. Galen calls it Theriaca Rusticorum, because 'tis good against Infection, and the Plague, resists Poyson, and venomous bitings, used in Colds, and stoppages of the Breast and Breath, for which Di­stempers the Country-Man eats it, as also to warm the Stomach and help digestion; but let those that use it so familiarly, remember, all vehement hot things not only offend the Brain, but are fuel to the fire in hot and cholerick Constitutions, engendering sharp and naughty Blood, and attenuating the hu­mour in melancholick temperaments, thereby inci­ting ireful Passions in the one, and fanciful Chime­ra's in the other part of the Body. The wild Garlick and Ramsons, are much of the like nature▪ the last being often eaten in the Spring by labouring Men, with Bread and [...]utter, and other things.

In the Shop [...] ▪ [...]yr d [...] Allio, or the Syrup of Gar­lick, tho' not appointed in the London Pharm [...]op [...]ia, is kept in many Shops, as being excellent in rotten Coughs, Raucedo's, in the beginning of Consump­tions and Dropsies, especially of the Breast, in Con­vulsive Asthma's, and Chin-Coug [...]s, and Wo [...]ms.

The best Receipt is, ℟ Garlick st [...]ipped from the skins, ten or twelve cloves slice [...]; A [...]is [...]d bruised half an ounce, Ella [...]ampane sli [...]ed, thre [...] [...]r [...]hm [...]; Li­quorish, [Page 80] two drachms; infuse three or four days in a pint and a half of Spirit of Wine (or best Brandy). close stopt, and warm, in B. M. or warm Embers; strain it clear and hot into a Silver Dish standing on hot [...]ls, wherein is one pound a [...]d a half of the s [...]est. Su­gar, give fire to the Liquor, stirring it whilst it burns, then strain it through a Wooll [...]n Strainer, and keep it for use. If it be strained well the first time, it will scarce need it the last.

In Chin-Coughs, let the Soals of the feet of Chil­dren be rubbed with the following Oyntment; which I have long prescribed with great success, and find it amongst Dr▪ Bates's Medicines, under the Ti­tle of Ʋnguent Soleare. ℟. Roots of Garlick bruised, four ounces, Hogs grease eight ounces, boil them till the Juice of the Garlick is wasted, strain it, and add S [...]ff [...]on i [...] p [...]wder one drachm, Spirit of Salt two scru­pl [...]s, mix them into an Oyntment. This also hath eased the pain of the Piles, as the fume of Garlick doth on [...]he hot coals

In the hot Gout, I am assured by an experienced Surgeon, my Neighbour, That a Cataplasme framed of the cloves of Garlick and Houseleek beaten alone, hath dispersed the pain, and relieved the part. See Onions.

Virtues and Ʋses.

This Coloquintida, or bitter Apple, as the Vulgar call it, is extreamly bitter, as he that powders it can well tell, being hot and dry in the third Degree, it purges violently Phlegm and other viscous hu­mours; it consists of a volatile subtil dangerous Salt, which procure strong Colliquations, and Corrosions of the Ventricle and Guts, by Hyper-Catharsis, or over-purgings.

Yet nothi [...] more frequent among the Country-People, than a pennyworth or two of bitter Apple, to purge them, accounting that the best Physick, (poor ignorant Creatures) which gives the most [Page 82] Stools, but it hath purged many into their Graves, and others into languishing Diseas [...]s, to my know­ledge; Decemb. 1st 1674. I was sent for to a Coun­try-man in Salt near Hopton-Heath, who was swell'd like a Barrel, upon the taking of this pernicious Apple, given him by his Wife, which could never be brought to work upward nor downward, but in few hours it killed him; more ill accidents, and mortifical effects of a later date, occasioned by this corrosive and wild Fruit, I could here denote; but where, or by whom committed and suffered, ex­cept I had the consent of them, to whom I profess to owe much respect for their (since) Kindness and Favours, the Reader must excuse me; and remem­ber the old saying, Foelix quem—happy is he, whom other Mens failings and dangers do make to beware.

But tho' this Fruit be so exceeding perilous in the Apple it self, and but little better in the Troc [...]-Alhandle, as they are commonly prepared, yet ex­ceeding useful and safe is the Cathartick Extract there­of, made with distilled Vinegar, impregnated with Sal Tartari Sennerti, which Menstruum fixeth in a great manner, the malignant volatility, which pre­dominates in this Fruit, whereas Spirit of Wine (which is the usual Menstruum) doth rarefie and sub­tilize its volatile Sulphurous Salt, carrying it into the very Veins and Arteries, whence it attracts the best defecated and Spirituous Blood.

Also some, as I have often with good effect, ad­vise the infusion of this Fruit in the Urine of a healthful young Man, all night or longer, according to Riverius, before it is used▪ and Dr. Grew saith, The great Cathartic [...] power of Colocynthis lieth not so in an Alcaly, as an Acid, therefore the best corre­ [...]ors, or refractors of the force of this purging fruit, are some kind of Alkalies, as particularly that of Urine.

In the Shops. Coloquintida. Trochisci Athandle. Pil­ex duobus. The Troches are prepared by some [...] ­thecaries (different from the Dispensatory) by three pulverizations, as often beating it up when dried, with the same Menstruum of Vinegar above-said; without the pretended Correction of it by the ad­dition of Aromatical substances, and Gum Traga­canth, which Troches certainly are the safest and best, and most fit to prepare the highly renowned Cathar­tick Tincture, which is judged to be Rullandus his Spir. vitae deauratus.

The Pil. ex duobus required to be refined, and more elaborately prepared, by the noble Art of the Pharmaco-Chymist. These Medicines are like Swords, not to be trusted in Mad-Mens hands, but require the management of a discerning and expert Artist, therefore I'll leave their further Virtues, Uses and Doses, to such an one.

Virtues and Ʋses.

The small Nut and Fillberd, are reckoned under Mercury, because it may be through his nimbleness, he could skip from bough to bough to preserve them. But Wall-Nuts (the [...], Jupi­ter's Nut, tho' some say it's a Ches-nut) is (as it is fit­ting it should, if a Nut for a God) under the Sun.

The v [...]lgar mean Hasel-Tree, was beyond all other uses exalted, (no [...] in making Hurdles to infold our innocent Sheep, an Emblem of the Church) when its Rods or Branches were interwoven upon Stakes sixt in the ground, to make the Walks of one of the first Christian Oratories in the World, viz. at that venerable Fabrick at Glastenbury, founded, as sto­ [...], by Joseph of Arimathea.

The shells and red skin on Fillberds, bind, and are excellent in Fluxes▪ the Kernels, ordered as Al­mond-Milk, strengthen the Lungs, and help an old Cough: Nuts whilst green, or fresh, are sweet and loosen the Belly; when dry, are cold, dry and bind, of a terrene substance, clogging the Stomach, slowly passing through the Belly, yet probably do absorbe the noxious juices, and superfluous moisture of great Drinkers, being an excellent Junket instead of To­bacco in their compotating humours.

Wall-nuts dry, are hot and dry, the Oyl drawn as Oyl of Almonds, is a Cosmetick. These Kernels, and green Bark or Husk, are Alexipharmacal, the Husks being a chief Ingredient in Treacle-Water distilled. And King Mithridates ▪s Medicine against Poison, Plague, and Pestilential Feavers, was two dry Wall­nuts, two Figs, twenty Leaves of Rue, beaten with a few corns of Salt, and eaten fasting.

In the Shops. Ol. Avellanarum per Expressionem. Aq. Juglandium composita, or Wall-Nut-Water com­pound.

This Water seems to be invented by the College, to facilitate and procure Vomiting, and to that end may be mixed with Vomits; it sends clammy Phlegm and Choler from the Stomach, and adjacent parts, and opens Obstructions thereof: it is good in the Green-sickness, Surfeits, and Aguish Maladies, and Epilepsies arising from the consent of the Stomach, and Pestilence.

Honey of Nuts Diacaryon, or Dianucum may be mixed in Vomits, or given in the cases with the Water.

Rulandus's Ol. lign. Heraclei, with which he de­stroyed Worms, and did other great Cures, prizing it as a great Arcanum, or Nostrum, as they are now term'd, is concluded by some to be the Oyl of Hasel­wood; (others say of Box) for the Fillberd is called, [Page] by some Authors, Nux Heracleoticae, or Nux Pontica, being first transplanted from the City Heraclea, in the Province of Pontus in Asia minor, thence to Greece, and so came into Avellina or Abella as above­said. And Dr. Bates judged it, to be the Oyl of this Wood, as it appears in his Pharmacopoeia, where also you have Emulsio de Avellanis.

Virtues and Ʋses.

It's unsavory, and stinks like Saturn, being cold in the fourth Degree, accounted among the Narco­ticks, and poisonous Vegetables by some of the An­tients; who never gave it inwardly, though Storks, say Naturalists, feed on it: It is outwardly used in pains, mightily discussing hard Tumors, Ganglions; and the Leaves and Roots (or the Juice of it) is ex­ceeding good in Pultisses in all hot Tumors, and In­flammations, St. Anthony's Fire, painful Gouts, as­swaging any violent pain, by its cold stupefying quality; I have used the Juice safely in Collyriums, in Ophthalmia's, and beaten up with Bay-salt, fine bole to a Pultiss, and applied to the wrest, is a common and tried Medicine by many old Women, to cure [Page 87] the Pin and Web in the Eye. A Fomentation of it hath cured a Pri [...]pismus; if mistaken and eaten, (the Roots being alike) for Madneps or wild Ci­cely, which is the Cicutaria vulgaris, or for Pars [...]ips, it is necessary to Vomit, and take an Antidote.

In the Shops. Emplastrum è cicuta cum Ammoniaco, or the Plaster of Hemlock with the Gum Ammoniack. This Plaster is certainly the most excellent of all Spleen-Plasters, excellent in painful Cancers, Scir­ [...]hous Tumors and dolorous Nodes, in all which, and more cases, I have often experienced it.

Dr. Bowle's Secret, imparted by Mr. Ray; Pulv. Radicum ad grana 20 in febribus malignis vel quartana ante paroxysmum exhibitus omnibus, quae Ego unquam expertus sum, Diaphoreticis antecellit. Not fit for vul­gar knowledge, lest any one should prejudice them­selves by it.

In swellings of the Kings-Evil, See Emplast. ad Strumas, Batei.

Virtues and Ʋses.

Hyssop belongs to the benevolent Planet Jupiter, it is bitterish, hot and dry in almost the third De­gree, well known to be a cleansing and opening Pectoral, by those that use the distilled Water, and Syrup for Coughs, Hoarseness, and Rheumatick Distillations.

Mr. Lavers the Eminent Bone-setter in Somerset­shire, told me as a great Secret, in Bristol, That green Hyssop beat into a Conserve with a little Sugar, and ap­plied to a fresh Wound, would presently stop the Blood.

Hedge-Hyssop is like Mars, a violent purger of Choler and aquaeous humours, working both by Stool and Vomit, not safely or vulgarly used, except pu­refied and refined by the Spagyrick Art. Grati [...]la and Sold [...]nella are seldom used by themselves in this re­fining Age, neither are any curious and very effica­cious Medicines, prepared of those Simples, they are usually mixt with other Hydragogues, and chief­ly are Ingredients in compounded Drinks and Apo­zems, saith the Famous Willis. Schroder speaks of the Inspissated Juice of Gratiola, Dose one scruple ad ʒ [...]ss. in Dropsies and yellow Jaundice.

In the Shops. the dry Herb. Hyssop-Water and Syrup of the Juice of Hyssop, and Syrup of Hyssop Compound.

These are all much used in Infirmities of the Breast and Lungs, only it ought to be remembered, that Hyssop is a hot Herb, acrid and Aromatick, and therefore to be left out in Pectoral Decoctions, and other Medicines, where the Patient is Feaverish, or inclined to a Hectick.

There seems a manifest absurdity in the Modus f [...] ­ciendi of the Compound-Syrup; the volatil part of [Page 89] the Roots and Herbs, is lost in the Decoction, the Gum, Fruits, and Seeds render it clammy, and muci­laginous: as he that Clarifies it shall find; and as it can never be well made, according to that prescrip­tion Pharmacop. [...]ond. so it cannot have the Virtues which are attributed to it: In cold Diseases of the Breast, to help to attenuate, and cleanse the crass and viscous matter, which doth obstruct it with viscous and incrassating Ingredients, more like to procure Obstructions, is absurd. Therefore the true and ingenious Apothecary knows how to rectifie the Methodus [...]endis, by leaving out the clammy Ingredients, and adding some Ground-Ivy, Hedge-Mustard, or other proper Ingredients in their stead. Otherwise it were much better to use the simple Sy­rup of the Juice, as I do always, in the place of it, or some other.

For (admir'd therefore be the great Creator) the Materia Medica is large and plentiful; and he is no Real, nor Legitimate Physician, that is not ex abun­danti of the same, (methodized and digested so in his Judgment and Memory, as to be) able ex tempore, (and without flying to his Books and Manuscripss, as I have seen some do) to prescribe such Medicines as are app opriated, answerable, and indicated, to the I [...]dicantia of Diseases: For since the power of Nature and Skill may reach much farther, than ma­ny distrustful, lazy, and timorous Men have imagi­ned, it will not be charitable to relie too much up­on the Prognosticks, even of Famous Writers, when they tell us. That such and such Diseases, or Patients in such and such Conditions, (as one saith) cannot possibly be cured. But rather to follow the sober Councel of Celsus, Oportet (saith he) ubi aliquid non respondet, non tanti [...]putare Authorem quanti aegram, & experiri aliud atque aliud. Where a Medicine or Prescription answers not, we ought not so much to [Page 90] esteem the Author and his Medicines, as the Patient, and to try somewhat farther and farther.

Virtues and Ʋses.

This Balsamick Solar Shrub yields such excellent and useful Remedies, that it deserves no common nor mean [...]ulogies. It hath an Aromatick, Gum­mous and Oleous smell, with a bitterish Astringency if chewed in the Mouth, both in its Wood and Leaves. The Ashes are excellent made into a Lye, in Dropsies. See under Beans. The Wood of Juni­per dries, as S [...]ssafras; and Scaliger denoteth it to be in great esteem for a Specifick Antevenereal among the Africans; and [...]lat [...]rus affirms, He cured many poor Gallican Patients with it; and 'tis by some ordered in drying Drinks to strengthen the Brain and G [...]nus Nerv sum in Palsies, Epilepsie, Gout, Catarrhs. And Sylvius de la Boe much used it in Dropsies of the Breast, Jaundice, bilio [...]s Diarrhea, and other cases: Rasped in Cucup [...]is, quilted Caps, Sacculets. And the Ashes of Juni [...]er are good to rub Scorbutical Gums, and cleanse the Teeth, as I saw the good effects of it in Bristol.

The Berries have an internal substance, of a Bal­samick and viscous consistence, containing small Grains or Seeds, which masticated, yield a sweet Balsamick taste, with no unpleasant bitterness, ari­sing [Page 92] from a subtil Sulphur and volatil Salt, in which two consist the excellency of these Berries, which are reckoned hot in the third Degree, and dry in the second Degree, do attenuate and dissipate in general; are in particular, a great Diuretick, Sudo­rifick, and Alexiterick, used in Distempers of the Womb, dissipate flatus's in the Hypochondriack Pas­sion, in the Colick, and Convulsive Asthma, brave­ly dissolve tartarous slimy substances, and Gravel; driving them forth of the Kidneys and Bladder; being much used in Diet-drinks, and Apozems.

The Bark of Juniper is thin, and chops in hot Re­gions, from whence flows the Rezin or Gum Juniperi, (most probably from the Cedar-Juniper) of which some make Varnish, by dissolution in Linseed-Oyl; Of old this Gum was used to preserve Parchments and Manuscripts, with other Books. It is excel­lent against the Defluxions of the Brain, and is an Ingredient in Suffi [...] or Fumigations, and Perfumes (used also as the Wood rasped) especially in cold affects of the Nerves, vid. Scarsius de Junipero.

In the Shops. Baccae Juniperi, or Juniper- [...]erries and Ol. chym. Juniperi, or the Chymical-Oyl of Juni­per Berries, and Sal. Juniperi, or Salt of Juniper.

It may be admired our Dispens [...]tories afford no more standing Preparations of such an efficacious Vegetable, but other Authors supply its deficiency, as the Elix. Juniperinum▪ Extractum▪ Gummosum in Pharmacop. Quercitani. And the simple Extract of the Berries, which is the Treacle of the Germans, and instead of Honey, receiveth the Powders in the famous Orvietan-Antidote, called Electuar. Orvieta­num.

The Aetherial Oyl of the Berries, is excellent in the Colick, the Salt made from calcined Ashes, is an Ingredient in that much used Powder, called pulvis Ari compos. But the best Medicine this Vegetable [Page 93] yields us, through the help of the Chymical Art▪ is the Spirit, which penetrates as in a moment the whole Body, as is evident, in giving the first Urin, made after a small Dose, the smell of Orris or Vic­l [...]ts. The Dose is from thirty to a hundred Drops, in Broth, White Wine, or its own Spirituous Water which is drawn at the same time as the Oyl. But this Spirit and Water is much more exalted and invi­gorated with some four or five drops of its Oyl, (made into an Eleosaccharum with Sugar, so that it may the better dissolve and commix in the Dose.

But (in gratiam Tyronum, and others, who are not skilled in, or else disgust and relish not Spagyrick Pre­parations) I shall set down an Electuary kept as a Nostrum, for the use of Dr. [...]. sometime an Emi­nent Physician in the City of Worcester, in some of the Shops there.

℟. Bac [...]. Junip [...]r▪ opt. lbij cont [...]nd. opt. & In­fun [...]. in A. F. lbiiij, per 24 hor. deinde coq. ad lbss. (and if then pulped, it were cer [...]ainly b [...]tter) tunc [...]dde S [...]cchar albis. lbi [...]. & coq. ad [...]nsistent. Electuar. cui adde z. z. ʒij. Cal. Aromat. Cubebar. aa. ℥ss. in pulv [...]re, & f. El [...]ar.

It is very [...]si [...] to apply, to each of these precited Remedies, the [...]r proper Virtue, for it is common to all, since they ar [...] extracted, and made from this Balsamick Shrub Juniper▪ which contained them.

To bring away the After- [...]i [...]th, give about thirty drop [...], or any number between 25. and [...]5 of good essential Oyl of Juniper in a good draught of any convenient Vehicle. This is in the little Book of (that bull [...] of Learning) Mr. [...]oyle's, called Medici­nal Exp [...]riments: Ma [...]e an El [...]o-Sac [...]harum, with the O [...]l ( [...]s I have shewed how, in this Book) so that it may the better dissolve.

Note▪ g [...]ther the Berries when the Sun is in Virgo, they are used [...] Coffee or Tea in Lapland, and other Northern parts, and adored almost.

Vertues and Ʋses.

Leeks are hot and dry in the 3 deg. like Mars their Captain, from whom they infuse great courage and valour into the Welshmen, especially on St. Taf­fy's day.

This is a Culinary Herb, and seldom mentioned in the Matter of Physick, draws near to Garlick and Onions in virtues and vices; offends through its heat, the Head and Eyes, except boil▪d and eaten with cooling Herbs, cause and increase bad Blood, yet attenuate, open the Breast, and are Diure­tick: Outwardly they help the noise of the Ears, and mitigate and discuss tumid and painful H [...]mor­rhoids, either boil'd to a pultiss, or fry'd with But­ter, or the green Blade applied, as once I knew it to great advantage, in the Piles.

The most antient Aegyptians, whose Religion was the worst of Gentilism, attributed divi [...]e Honour a­mong other Creatures to Leeks, Garlick and Onions, for which they were publickly scorned by the Pens of the Poets.

As well as the Cambro-Britains (to whom I am re­lated) are said to love Leeks, yet I know not of any in all my Travels among them, that is a meer Glut­ton in eating, or over-much delights in them; which if I did, he should change his antient Name, for Ne­ro the bloody Emperour, who being a Glutton in de­vouring Leeks, was in scorn nick-named Porropha­gus.

Virtues and Ʋses.

Lentils I suppose, being so near related to Fitches and that large Tribe, must with them be governed by ill natured Saturn: They are temperate as to heat and cold, yet dry, say our old Herbals, in the second Degree, and a stringent.

Being husked (they lose their binding virtue) and boiled, do loosen the Body, are never used inwardly in these days, and Gallen and the old Authors say, They are hard of digestion, breed Atra Bilis, Leprosie, and Cankers. Mr. Ray saith, They dull the Sight, and are an enemy to the Head and Genus Nervosum.

Outwardly they may be used in Lotions, Fomen­tations and Caetaplasms in Maladies, where Indica­tions call for such qualified Plants. See Fitches, Tares.

Ducks-meat is crud and watery, colde and moist in the second Degree, used in all Inflammations, St. Anthony's Fire, Erysipela's alone, or made into a Pul­tiss with Barley-meal, or with Wheat-flour, in hot Tumors and Phlegmons. Mathi [...]l. saith, The distilled Water cools inward In [...]l [...]mations, and redness of the Eyes. And Mr. Ray saith, Dr. Bates communicated it is him, as an infallible Secret in the Jaundice, being in­fused in White Wine and drank for nine days, but 'tis not remarked in the Pharmacop. Batean. as I can find. It may allay an inflamed Sulphurous Blood, in which Choler prevails, and often gives a Jaundice colour, but not cure, the Jaundice proceeding from obstruction, as Sir J. F. truly and rationally concludes.

Being once called to a Patient, far from better Medicines, I was forced to frame a Cataplasm of Ducks-meat, Peans powdered to Meal, and a little Vinegar, which applied, strangely pacified and eased an Inflammation of the Penis and Priapism.

Virtues and Ʋses.

By reason of the Noble and Great Virtues it doth possess. the Germans give it the Name of Lignum Paradisi, or Wood of Paradise (it's counted hot and dry in the second Degree, refreshing the Vital and Animal Spirits, corroborating the Heart, Womb, and all the Viscera, especially the Brain, and by its bitterness kills Worms, and is an excellent Perfume, being outwardly used in Cucuphis, Cordial Epithems, Pastilli Odorati, or Pomanders.

In the Shops. 'Tis an Ingredient in several Cordial Powders, but there is no preparation denominated from it in the last Pharmacop [...]i [...]. Valerius Cordus has sp [...]c. Diaxyloaloes. A [...]gelus Sala extracts the Re­sine of it with Rose-Water and Spirit of Wine. Quer­cetan with Waters of St. John's-Wort and Centaury, and accounts it a peculiar Remedy against the Worms. And many Pra [...]itioners use the Extract of it, as a great Cordial and Se [...]ret.

Virtues and Ʋses

The Garden Lillies are said to be under the Moon, moderately hot, Mucilaginous and Bitterish, and smell fainty; more used outwardly, than inwardly, every Female Surgeon, and Dame of a Family, knowing, how to make a Pultiss with the Roots, to Ripen and draw a Whitloe, Felon or Impost, using at the same time, a little of the Oyl of the Flowers, which caseth Pain and Moll [...]fies.

The Lilly of the Valley is Mercury's Herb, the Flowers have an Aromatick Odor, and a sharp bit­terish Gust; for making some Sneezing Powder of them, a while since, I often t [...]y'd them; they are Car [...]iack, and a great Cephalick, and prescribed by practical Authors▪ as Willis, in Apoplexies, Palsies, and Diseases arising from the Brain and Genus Ner­vosum; as the Gout, Obliviousness, and in Consti­tutions, rather Cold than Hot; these Flowers being hot and dry in the 2 Degree.

Water Lillies are under the Moon, say some Astro­logical Artist [...], under Venus say others; and so the Old Authors tells us, these Flowers are Cold and Moist; and as such most Practitioners have prescri­bed them in Feavors, Phrensies, Fluxes, Gonorrhea's, heat of Kidnies; and whereas others, that depend more upon the Demonstration of their Sences, and Activity of Vegetative Principles, conclude it not so Cold, as 'tis reputed.

In the Shops 1. Oyl of White Lillies. 2. Cons. Flor. Lill▪ [...]nv [...]ll. or Conserve of the Flowers of the [...]illy of the Valley. 3. And the Water of the same. or Aq. Flor. Nymph▪ or the simple Water of the Flowers of Water Lillies. 5. The Syrup of the same simple. 6. The Syrup of the compounded. 7. The Conserve of the same. 8. O [...] Nenupha [...]inae, of Water Lillies.

I know the Oyl of Lillies is a very proper thing for Mi [...]wives and other good Women, to have by them but how the Root boyled and Drunk, should help sp [...]edy Deli [...]ery, and expell the after Birth I cannot conceive, being accounted, cold and binding, and used in Fluxes, Gonorrheas, Dysury, &c. No­ct [...]nal Polutions, Haemoptys [...], in all which and more Cas [...], the simple Syrup, and compound also are very serviceable to Physicians, and their Pa­tient [...].

The Generality of whom, (if I may a little di­gress) when once they are perswaded or forced to fly unto a Physician, for help, do like Asa King of Juda relie more on the Medicines, and the Physician then on God, for which he was reprehended by the Prophet. A fit caution to be observed by my Reader and all Men. It is repo [...]ted by Suidas (Greg-T [...]olos. To 2 Lib. 28. Cap. 7. speaking of Ezekiah) that there was a great Book of old, of King Solo­mon's Writing▪ which contained Medicines, against all Diseases, and lay sti [...]l open, as they came into the Tem­ple. But Ezekiah Ki [...]g of Jerusalem, caused it to be taken away, because it made the people secure, and to neg­lect their Duties i [...] calling, and relying on God, out of a confi [...]ence of those Remedies.

Minutius that worthy Consul of Rome, in an Ora­tion he made to his Souldiers, was much offended with them, and taxed their ignorance, that in their Misery, they called more on him, than on God▪ A general fault, we all, (the best of us) are too apt to rely more on the means, than on the great El­shaddai, the All-sufficient: and the Speech of Minu­tius concerns us all in the Application.

On the other hand, to pray alone, or rather to trust God and Nature, as the poor ignorant Vul­gar; and too many others term it, and reject ordi­nary means, is to do like him in Aes [...]p, that lay on his back, when his Cart was stall'd, and call'd aloud. Help, Hercules; but to little purpose, except as his Friend advised him, he whipt his Horses, and put shoulder to the Wheel: God work [...] by Means, as Christ cur'd the Eli [...]d man wi [...]h Salve made of Clay and Spittle: The Lord hath created Medicines on the Earth, and of such doth the Apothecary make his Confections, and he that is wise will not abhor them. Eccles. 38. And the same God hath created Physici­ans, to whom he hath given Knowledge and Skill, [Page 102] that he might be glorified in his wondrous Works. [...]erse 6. They are his immediate Ministers, who are the Dispensers of such Treasures, as Medicines of the Earth, and to be honoured for Necessities sake; with such doth he heal Men, being God's hand, as one calls them, to take away Pains; therefore when thou hast need of him, let him not depart from thee, for an hour may come, that their Medicines may have good success. Verse 7. 13. And be so wise, as as to be ruled by him, and vary not a tittle from his Rules. For without this exact obedience, and thy Nurses due Attendance, thou expectest a Cure invain.

Virtues and Ʋses.

Common Mallows are moderately hot and mo [...]st, and the Marshmallows are also hot, but drier than the rest, being all mucilagi [...]ous; I know no reason but that Mallows with us may be as excellent a Pot­herb as they are beyond Sea, but our Ignoramus's condemn it as a Weed, Horace could say,—Et gravi; Malva Salubres corpori.

Mallows, especially the Marsh, by the mucilagi­nous substance are greatly profitable and helpful [...] First in the Stone and other Diseases of the Reins and [...]adder. Secondly, in Distempers of the Lungs, as Coughs, and salt C [...]tarrhs. Thirdly in Fr [...]sions and sharp Fluxes of the I [...]t [...]s [...]ines, (the Decoction of the Roots, and macilage of the Seeds especially.) Lastly, outwardly to [...] Tumors and give ease in Pultesses. Some eat the tender Leaves and Stalks in the Spring, with Water-Cr [...]ss▪s, Mercury, Ne [...]les, Red­leggs, Comphry tops, Leaves of [...], and other Herbs, boiled and Cooked to a piece of ( [...]) Beef, a Dish I much delight in, and the tender Stalks Cooked like Asparagus or Sperage, are hardly distin­guished from it, only it bur [...]s not the Throat as [Page 104] Sperage doth. The first tenderils of Hops may be so Cooked, and pass for a Bastard Sperage.

In the Shops. Mallows and Marsh-mallows dried, and are two of the five Emollient Herbs, nominated in our Dispensatories, and are used frequently in Glisters, Baths, and Fomentations, in the aforesaid cases.

The simple destilled Water of Mallows or Marsh-Millows.

The Syrup of Marsh-Mallows, or Althea; and the Ʋnguentum.

Dialthea, a well known, and much used Oynt­ment.

The Pulvis Dialthea, inserted by the College in the last Edition, and Correction of their Pharm [...]copoeia.

In the Stone or Gravel, or in such Constitutions Inclining to the same; I have often known one ounce of the Syrup taken in six or eight ounces of [...]irc [...]-Water (which flows from the Tree) drank for a month or six weeks, for a mornings draught in the Spring time, not only for preventions sake, but to carry off Gravel and Stones. For this Syrup, and the Pulvis Dialthea, are chiefly appropriated to such Diseases. The Dose of the Powder may be a ʒss. ad ʒ j.

But certainly the Virtues of this useful Syrup might be more exalted, if the modus faciendi were ordained in a more refined and Spagyrick method.

Saccharum Dial [...]hae, or Sugar of Marsh-mallows, is much used (and constantly kept in a great Practical Shop) by two Eminent Doctors in Consump­tions, &c. in a Neighbouring Country, not here to be named. It is made with a strong Decoction of the Roo [...]s and Sugar, bo [...]ed to the consistence of Tablets, and so carried about one, and familiarly used to dissolve in the Mouth, or with Aq. lactis cum her [...]is p [...]ctoralibus & limacibus. Vid. Tabul. Dial­thaeae. B. [...].

Virtues and Ʋses.

By its ill hogo and foetid scent, it should be in­fluenced by Saturn, being cold in the third Degree, if not in the fourth, of a strong Narcotick and S [...]porife­rous nature, never used inwardly that I know of: Lev. Lem [...]ius tells us, How being sate in his Study, a sudden drowsiness seized him, caused by a Mandrake-Apple that he had laid on a Shelf. And it passeth in the old Herbals, for one of the cold poisonous Class, with the Nap [...]llis, or Wolfe-banes, Hen-bane, &c.

I shall only reflect upon two Errors concerning this much talk'd of Vegetable; the first is, that it being carried about one, it procures Love, and ferti­lity, instead of Sterility, for which reason, some have imagined, Rachel desired her Sisters Mandrakes, as the Text is translated: but let them consider, young R [...]uben brought home [...]lores amabiles, amiable and odoriferrous Flowers, for so the Hebrew word in Cant. 7. 13. imports; but in these Flowerr there is no such delectable odor, moreover we do not find she conceived thereupon: But grant it the Flowers of Mandrakes, and that they should stir up Venery, and cause a tickling in the Skin, as Opium, and others of that nature are said to do, and yet stupifie the Members, and lay them asleep, which is not with­out admiration; yet different Countries and Climes vary the nature of Vegetables, and also give diffe­rent qualities and substances, as cold, which may cause stupidity, and hot, which may cause a tickling in the skin: or else we may say, it excites Venery acc [...]e [...]tally by t [...]mperating the excessive heat of the [...]o [...], which is an enemy to Venus: And Avicen and others say, The Apples and Seeds refrigerate a hot Matrix and therefore some have absolutely conclu­ded. [Page 107] That Rachel desired them for her hot and dry Bo­dy, the supposed cause of her Barrenness

But notwithstanding for any one positively to af­firm, these lovely Flowers were Mandrakes (Apples as the Greek translates it) is too magi [...] and sin­gular an opinion; for whereas tho' some of th [...] He­brew Interpreters expound the Hebrew word, which is lovely or amiable, to be Mandrakes, yet others of them say, 'tis Indicum gelseminum, and others the Violet Flowers, or Lillies; which have a far more fragrant smell than Mandrakes; and lastly, some expound it Phil [...]ra amatoria. amatorious Philters: Moreover let it be considered, that it was in Wheat Harvest time, before Gelseminum or Mandrake-Ap­ples could be ripened, and 'tis likely the young Child Reuben would be more fond of the delicate and sweet Flowers of the Fields, than of ill scented and immature Apples. To conclude, (if not too much already) seeing the signification of the word is un­certain; it rather appeareth to me, to be some other Vegetable than Mandrakes.

The next Error is, that it's apparent by the a­bove-said description, that there are no Masculine, nor Feminine shapes belong to this so much admired Plant, tho' some cheating Wanderers have impos [...]d upon, and mocked the credulous Multitude, by shewing a Briony Root carved into humane shapes, for a Mandrake.

And other Imposters cut the Figure of an ugly Image, with a form of a Face, at the top of the Root of Mandrakes, leaving those threds, stringy Roots, or small Fibres which sprout from this Root, and many others, to hang down, and resemble a [...] and long Beard, and so shew it abroad as a Miracle; but see the many false conceptions con­cerning this Vegetable, confuted by Dr. Brown in his Vulg. Err.

The Death most painless, hath been noted to be, saith my Lord B [...]n, upon the taking a Potion of H [...]mlock or Mandrake Apples, which inhumanity was the form of Execution of Capital Offenders in Athens; the cause is, that the torments of death are criefly raised by the strife of the Spirits, and the cold Potions quench the Spirits by degrees, like to the death of an extream old Man: I conceive it, saith that great Man, less painful than Opium, because Opi­um hath parts of heat mixed.

Notwithstanding the apprehensions some have of the no [...]ious quality of this Vegetable, yet old Herbals say, The Apples may be eaten with [...]epper and hot Spi [...]s, and some Practical Authors talk, How a s [...]ruple of the inspissated Juice, was given to those that [...]ere to suffer Amputation, or a Member to be cut off, to render them insensible of pain; but I judge it would not work such an effect; I know not what the Decoction [...] the Root or the Juice of the Apples or Bark and Leaves might do in a large Dose, perhaps take a­way all their Senses for ever.

In the Shops. The Root, Leaves, Apples, and [...], are nominated amongst the Simples in the [...]

[...] Oyl of Mandrakes, called Oleum Mandragorae [...], is also therein, being a Composition of the [...] and most stupefying Ingredients that can be [...] to be put together, but is seldom kept or prepared, nor did I ever see it prescribed. Yet it may be anointed upon the Temples and Noses of those that are in high Frensies, upon the Forehead and Temples in great Head-achs, and upon the Pul­ses and Soals of the Feet in great watchfulness, and in [...] vigili; it will give ease to any Pain, and cool any Inflammation, if there be no other Indica­tions, and Symptoms to prohibit the use of it.

Virtues and Ʋses.

These Pulpy Fruits are held by Galenists, but cold and moist in the 2d deg. if so, then they are not so cold as Lettice and Purslain, and are, as Cu­cumbers (or Cow-cumbers, as the vulgar stile them) under the Moon. The Flesh or internal Substance is slimy and sweetish, yielding crude and waterish Nourishment, of harder digestion than Cucumbers, and are more fit for robust and rustick Bodies, (which are hardly prejudiced by any thing that usually fills the Belly) who eat them boiled in Milk, and butter­ed; others slice the Pulp, and fry it with Butter and some bake the Slices with Apples, the two for­mer ways, being the most wholesom, the latter be­ing more crude and windy, but they are usually cor­rected, with Pepper and Spices.

They provoke Urine, and cool hot Stomachs, good for Hectical Bloods (saith one) that cannot bear A [...]ids: The Spaniards and Italians eat them, to cool the boiling rage of Lust: if they do remain long in the Stomach, they are apt to putrifie, and cause pestilential Fevors, and produce Surfeits and Loosenesses.

In the Shops. Melon-seeds are one of the four great­er cold Seeds, which by their slimy and mucilaginous Substance, do obtund hot acrimonious Humors, and allay, and temper acrid Salts, so good in Emulsions in heat of Urin, Coughs, Consumptions, and pre­ternatural Thirsts.

Vertues and Ʋses.

Garden-Mints are held to be hot and dry almost to the end of the 3 deg. and all the Astrological Writers place it under Venus, who (it may be) gave it the quality (to cross the Milk-Maids) of preventing the coagulation, curdling, or cheesing of Milk, if steeped in it, altho the Coagulum or Ren­net be throughly mixed in the same; And therefore nothing more usual, with some Physicians, who, when they appoint their Consumptive Patients a Milk-Di [...]t, then to order a Sprig of Mint to steep in [Page 112] the Milk, some short time before they drink it: The Stomach of such Patients being too apt (thro' a peculiar degenerated Acid Humor, (Rennet) or Serum, which lurketh therein, raising Flatus's and Eructations) to curdle the Milk, as their too often Vomiting of a cheesy Substance after it, doth make it evident. Now

Mints have a biting, aromatick, bitterish Sapor, with a strong fragrant Smell, abounding with a pungent Volatile Salt, and a subtil Sulphur, which disvig orate and destroyeth Acids: And herein doth lodge the Causation of such Medicinal Virtues in this Herb, and others of the like Nature. And so a Pultiss of Mints mollifieth the hardness of Womens Duggs, arising from the Coagulation of their Milk; the further uses of Mint is in Weaknesses, Flatus's and Crudities of the Stomach, in Vomitings, Co­lick Pains and Indigestion; All which, and more Virtues arise also partly from the great quantity of sixt Lixivial Salt, which may be made from it; for lbj of dried Mint (or that after it hath been distil­led) calcined, hath yielded above half an Ounce of Salt; and therefore must cause this Vegetable to be so excellent a Stomachick.

[...] Calamint is, to my knowledge, used by many Phy­sicians, before the Garden Mint, by reason of its greater Virtues, which its Name, [...] imports Quasi elegans aut utilis Mentha, A choice and profitable Mint, one of the good natur'd Planet Mercury's Herbs (to be found on upland and dry Grounds) respects and operates strongly on the Womb and Feminine parts, warms the Viscera, but especially is a great Cephalick withal, exciting the motion of the Spirits, and heating the Nervous Fibres, as one well observes, and as my self have often experienced: it is al­so [...]ectoral and epatick: It killeth Worms, and expel­leth the Foetus and dead Child, if decocted in Wine, [Page 113] and drank. The other Mints are much of the same Nature as these.

In the Shops. The dry Herbs. 2dly, Mint-water. 3 [...]ly, Spirit of Mints. 4thly, Syrup of Mints. 5thly, The Conserve of the Leaves. 6thly, The Simple Oyl. 7thly, The Chimical Oyl.

Of Calamint, the Powders called Diacalaminthus Sim­plex, and composit.

The Spirit of Mints is a good Cordi [...]l, dispenseth Wind, and stayeth Vomiting, it is very hot, and ought to be given in a small Dose, half a Spoonful or less. The Chimical Oyl, corrects a Dose of Purg­ing Pills, preventing their Griping, and renders them more Stomachical, expelling Wind, if a drop or two be added unto them, when beat up,

The Diacalaminth Simple warms the Stomach, procuring Dig stion, especially in old Age, cutting gross Flegm, expels Wind, and provokes the Men­ses and Ʋrine. The compound Powder is more ap­propriated to Women than the former, expels the Birth, After-birth, and cleanseth them after La­bour. Dos. of each is ʒ ss at a time. If the Mid­wives will take notice hereof, they may give it in a Draught of White Wine Posset-drink, or other-Liquor.

The Syrup of Mints is binding, as made with the Juice of Quinces, it's pleasant comforts the Sto­mach, procures an Appetite, and greatly stayeth Vomitings: The Oyl of Mints Simple doth the same, if the Stomach be anointed therewith.

Virtues and Ʋses.

The Timber of this Tree, for its durableness, is of incomparable [...]se to Joyners, &c. also to make Hoops, Bowes, Wheels, &c. instead of Oak, for it lasts as well in the water, and its Bark will make Bast- [...]opes, no Vermin nor Caterpillar dare attack it, except the curio [...]s Bombyx, the Leaves (for which they are chiefly propagated, producing abundance as well Leaves as Fruit) appear about May or June, the Silk-Worms then seeming, after a Winters sleep, to revive, feed, and work, answerable to the ends of their Creation; the white, rather earlier than the black, being chiefly prized, yielding a Food, producing a finer Webb.

The fairest Mullberries, Rome (when in her height and Luxury) prefer'd before any [...]ruit they had from Africa or Asia, some hundreds of years, before Italy or Naples thought of Aurelian Silk; and France, (which is strange) was ignorant of the Silken Manu­facture, above a thousand years after Italy had made it; yet 'tis prodigious, to consider what a gainful progress, within a hundred years the French have made in it, to our shame be it spoken: since where these Trees prosper, the wonderful Silk-Worms will thrive also

I suppose some may meet with the Tract, who may not read the many large inviting Discourses extant, to the propagation of this famous Tree, and conse­quently of the Silken Trade: Therefore have I been the larger, to invite my Native Country-men and Ladies (who I wish were as willing as witty) to the Planting and Cherishng of it; for we may make it [Page 116] here better, and cheaper, and save the Money sent to France and Italy, if we had but enough to furnish our selves.

Besides the Leaves nourish Cows, Sheep, and other Cattle, and boiled with Bran feed young Porkers, in Devonshire and those places, where they grow; the blacker sort of Fruit is the most common, and of it they make a sort of Mullberry-Cyder; see Apples. And so leaving you to the larger Discourses of Co­lumella, and his Junior two hundred years Palladias, (both ignorant of the Silken Trade) Mr Lvelyn, &c.

I shall (resuming my own Province) with the Astro­loger, assign it to the mutable Planet Mercury, being as variable in its Uses and Virtues, For the ripe Berries are laxative, being sweet and slimy, and the unripe (especially if dried) bind, stop Fluxes; the Bark of the Root hath a purging quality, and the Bark of the Tree is bitterish, (as is the Root) and hot, and is astringent. Gal. saith, The first Buds have a middle faculty, both to bind and scour; and the Leaves and tender Tops are very temperate. The Berries by their acidity and sliminess, are good to heal sore Mo [...]ths, and an excellent Wine is made of the ripe Fruit in some places.

In the Shops. Diamoron, or Honey or Syrup of Mullberries, of which see more under Bramble.

Virtues and Ʋses.

They are under the sharp and offensive Planet Mars, and in the old way of Physick, which is now exploded; Common-mustard is hot and dry in the 4th deg. but those that more accurately, demonstrate the Virtues of Simples, from their Sapors, Odours, and essential Principles of Plants, do find it to abound with an acrid heat, yielding a volatile Salt, which upon con [...]usion assaults the Nose and Eyes. The Seed being made into Mustard, corroborates the Sto­mach, and provokes an Appetite, and greatly helps Digestion, in stoppages of the Breast; it bravely cleanseth, and causeth expectoration, cutting gross Phlegm, and good in Gargles, in Lethargies and Palsies, to draw humours from the Head, and out­wardly exulcerates the Skin, in Vesicatori [...]s or Syna­pismes, and provokes Sneezing, being infased in Drink, it is a great A [...]tiscorbutick and Diuretick.

Erysinum Lat. & Gr. by Gerhard Bank-Cress, is ac­counted hot and dry in the third Degree, hath Cress-s [...]por, being a wild Acrid, and endued with a volatile Salt, an excellent Her [...] in all Diseases of [Page 118] the Breast, and Lungs, the Decoction of it is given in Hoarsnesses, Jaundice, Pleurisies, and Dropsies of the Breast, in Pectoral Decoctions, &c. Treacle-Mustardseed is also hot and dry in the third Deg.

In the Shops. White Mustard-Seeds are an Ingre­dient in some Antidotes, as Electuarium de ovo: Trea­cle Mustard-Seed, semen thlapsi are in Mithridate, Theriaca Andromach, and Antidote of Mathiolus. For these Seeds resist Poison, break inward Apostems, faetum necat, as Authors say, if followed, and given in a Dose to ℥ij. it purgeth Choler: Syrup de Erysino, is made of the Juice of Hedge-mustard, and deserves for its surpassing Virtues, to be kept in more Shops than it is, having experienced it to be a singular Re­medy in cold Distempers of the Breast and Lungs, Asthma's and Hoarseness, in which there is no better Syrup in the Shops.

Consulting Dr. Dickenson formerly by Letter, a­bout an Eminent Gentleman, who had laboured long under a Nervous Distemper, he ordered, That a draught of the following Ale were drank every morning, and at four or five a Clock.

℟. Mustard-Seed lbj. infuse it in a pottle Bottle of small Ale for three days, strain it as you drink it: and you may fill it up ten times, upon the same Mu­stard-Seed, and it will be rather-stronger than at the first; This Drink also is good in Dropsies, Sciatica, and in­veterate Scurvey.

In the Palsie. ℟. Mustard-Seed dried and pow­dered, ℥v. Nasturtium-Seeds ℥ij. Syrup of the Juice of Sage lbi. or so much as is sufficient to make it into an Electuary. Dose is ℥ss, daily for some months. In cold Paralytical habits, to prevent also. Batean.

In many Shops as I could name, to which famous Physicians do belong, the Leaves of Hedge-Mustard are kept in fine Powder, as also of Ground-Ivy. And Dr. Willis orders in a Consumption, thus. ℟. [Page 119] Powder of the Leaves of Hedge-mustard ℥iss. scum­med Honey ℥iiij. mix them for a Lohoch to be licked with a Liquorish-stick, especially first and last; it is most convenient in a cold Constitution, and new Consumptive Cough.

In Colds, Hoarsenesses, Stoppages of the Breast and Lungs, I am wont for the poor People, to pre­scribe two spoonfuls of good fresh Mustard; with four or six spoonfulls of Honey, Oxymel, Syrup of Hedge-Mastard, or other Pectoral Syrup, and ve­ry often common Treacle or Molossos with a few drops of Oyl of Aniseeds; which though ordinary, I have seen great effects by it, and do here publish it for the sake of the Poor. Or ℟. Bals. Lucatel. ℥ss. flor. Sulphuris ʒj flor Benzoin ℈i. pul. fol. Erysini vel. baederae terr. q. s. f. pil. instar pisor. cap. iij. primo & ultim. for richer Consumptive Patients.

An outward Oyl to rub the Spina dorsi, and Para­lytick Members, called Ol. Paralyticum. ℟. Mustard-Seed lbiij. Castor ℥ss. Cloves ℥ij. Nutmegs ℥iij. Spirit of W [...]ne ℥iiij. bruise them well, and infuse them in Balneo Mariae for 24 hours, then press out the Oyl strongly with a Press. An excellent Oyl in the dead Palsie, in cold Aches, Weaknesses, Pains, and be­nummedness of the Limbs; it also strengthens the Nerves, and Stomach if anointed therewith, and at the same time; give it inwardly from 20 to 60 drops, in a draught of Sage Ale. It hath done wonders, it's somewhat costly, and therefore I re­commend it to the Rich Ladies to keep by them for their Poor Neighbours. It being the Secret of a great Physician, I formerly was Assistant to in his Practice.

Virtues and Ʋses.

This pleasant Vegetable is reckoned under Mer­cury's Government, and generally said, to be tem­perately [Page 121] cold and dry (if any thing can be said to be so) and greatly astringent; but he that tries, shall find, both by smell and taste, it hath a thin warm Essence, emanates from the green fresh Leaves and Flowers, giving a very quick fragrant smell, and a sharp rough aromatick Sapor; the dried Leaves must needs therefore dry and bind more than the fresh; and if you make a Decoction of them, they make a pleasant Drink like Tea: And some do affirm (with Simon Paullus) the Leaves of the Brabant or Dutch Myr [...]le, is prepared and vended hither as the true Tea. It must needs be good (either Leaves or Flowers of Myrtle) against Catarrhs, Rheums, Fluxes of the Belly and Stomach, strengthening the same, and be a refeshing Cordial to the Animal Spirits. Al­so in Haemoptysin and all other Issues of Blood: But I think it is very seldom used (except the Berries) in the Materia Medica, and kept more for the Rarity and curious smell, than for any other use. The Excrescence of this Plant called Myr [...]idanum, is the strongest binder of all, and operates as Acacia.

In the Shops. Myrtle-Berries, Syrupus Myrtinus, or Syrup of Myrtle. Oleum Myrtinum, or Oyl of Myrtle-Berries. These Berries are cold and Earthy, do dry and bind powerfully. The Syrup is com­pounded of such binding Ingredients, as it excess the Syrup of Quinces, and Red Roses, in a binding faculty: yet comforts the Miscera, in Vomitings. Fluxes, Haemoptysis, and Corrosions of the In­trals.

The Oyl is cooling, thickening, and binding, and hath the effects of that of Quinces, strengthens the Brain, Nerves, and Stomach, if used as an Oynt­ment, or in a strengthening Emplaster.

I have said that Myrtle is an Evergreen Vegetable, now an Evergreen is one degree above a Plant, whi [...] is simply Peren [...]al: Of this only the Trunk and [...] [Page 122] live all the Winter; of that also the expanded Leaves. Myrtle, Cypress, Cedar, Juniper, Ivy, Firr-Tree, Pine, Olive, and all Resinous Piants, which for the most part have a fragrant smell, are Evergreens, by reason the Juice wherewith they are nourished, is viscous, and not easily dissipated; In all such, Sul­phur (hence the smell) abounds, with a little Salt and Spirit. But the most pleasant sort of Myrtle, I met with, is the Nutmeg-Myrtle in Trentam-Garden, where the Ingenious Mr. Fleming, the Gardiner, shew'd me not only this, but also several other cu­rious Rarities. As also there hath been some variety of them in the curious Garden and Green-House at Dodington-Hall in Cheshire, the Noble Seat of that favourer of all Ingenuity and Goodness, Sir Tho. De­lues, Bart.

Virtues and Ʋses.

This vexing Vegetable is hot and dry in the second Degree, of subtil acrimonious parts, are l [...]sted un­der Valiant Mars, who hath Arm'd them Cap-a-pe with Flaming Swords, to offend those that dare to lay hands on them. Nettle Roots are aperient, in­cide, absterge and mo [...]lifie, provoke Urine, and ex­pel Gravel; and are held by some good Women, and some Practitioners, a great Arcanum in the Jaundice, which is the Aatictericum Gesneri, thus prepar'd, ℟. Of the greater Nettle Roots sbj. beat them well together with White Wine, (so much as is sufficient) adding one scruple of Saffron to draw out the Juice-Dose is four or six ounces on mornings in [...]ed. be­ing covered well to sweat gently after it. But it will be convenient to purge first.

The Juice and Leaves, Conserve or Syrup, are excellent in the Affects of the Breast, (as also the Seeds are Pectoral) carrying off by Urin, plenty of Serum, and by their Acrimony open Obstructions, and so very proper in Empiema, inward Apostemes, Pleurisies and Peripneumonia's that are ill cur'd, or unskilfully managed; in Orthopnea and old Coughs-The Juice of the lesser Nettle stayeth nasal Fluxes of Blood, if drunk, and used outwardly, and cureth their own troublesome stingings, as Parkinson saith; but I fancy warm Honey or Oyl of Roses doth it better: They are esteemed a peculiar Remedy (especially the Seed) and Antidote against the vene­mous bitings of Dogs, and other mad Creatures, and resist the cold Poisons of Hemlock, Hen-bane, Solanums and Mandrakes.

Winters are generally cold and moist, and if Mars that is hot and dry, hath any thing to do with Net­tles, [Page 124] you may guess at the reason why Nettle­pottage is so much eaten by some in the Spring, while the Buds and Tops are tender; (to wit) to rarefie, and attenuate gross viscous humours, accu­mulated in our Bodies and Blood, by the coldness, and moistness of the Winter, and to open Obstructions, cleanse, and carry off the superfluous Serum of the Blood by Urin.

In the Shops. Common Nettle-Seed, Roman Net­tle-Seed: The Conserve Flor. Lamii. alb. & rubr. These Conserves of the Flowers of Archangel, are prized as a great Secret by some Midwives and o­thers; and by Physicians too, the Conserve of the white Flowers, to cure the White Fluor, and the Conserve of the Red Flowers, to stop immoderate Months. Besides these Flowers are deoppilative, Emollient, open and soften a hard Spleen; and I have been told, that the bruised Leaves applied to the Nape of the Neck, have stopped the bleeding of the Nose.

In exorbitant Haemorrhagies, and effusions of Blood, from any part, proceeding from an acrimo­nious dyscrasy, or the Mouths of the Vessels being over lax, in a Scorbutical Blood, Tyroes may ob­serve, that Dr. Willis use'd to prescribe to the poorer sort, thus, ℟. Tops of stinging Nettles, and Leaves of Brooklime, each four handfuls, bruise them and press out the Juice, and keep it in a Bottle, take two or three ounces in a morning, and also at four a Clock, for some time, as I have ordered, in a Decoction of Plantane Leaves.

Virtues and Ʋses.

Nutmegs and Mace are well known to all people to be hot and dry; some say in the 2d deg. and are Astringent; and according to the Modern Naturalists have an Oyly, Aromatick Smell, and a hot bitterish, and Aromatick Sapor. Being a solar Fruit, chiefly respecting the Head and Stomach, and a refreshing Cordial; the best Nutmeg is that which is most weighty, and fat, so that the Oyl followeth a Nee­dle, when run into one. Mace is like Nutmeg in Virtue, but not so strong; yet I think better for the Stomach, both carminative, and mixed in Hyste­ricals.

The Cocus, Indian Nut, or Coco-Nuts, are formed like a Melon or Date, some are big as a Cabbage. This Tree is said to yield Meat, Drink, Cloaths, Medi­cines, all Utensils for Shipping, and other Building, yea, even the Shell is prised with us for Drinking-Cups, tipt with Silver; various Boxes, as Snush, and for other uses; for these Shells are of different Shapes, greater and smaller, finer and coarser, &c. See Palms.

Earth-Nuts (or as some call them Ground-Nuts) are moderately hot and dry, reckoned to be under Venus, and incite her Frolicks; may be used as Chesnuts, and eaten raw, or roasted; beyond Sea they are boiled, and eaten as we do Turnips: The Powder in Electuaries, helps spitting or pissing of Blood.

In the Shops. The Chymical Oyl of Nutmegs: The Oyl of Nutmeg by Expression: Condited Nut­megs; the Chymical Oyl of Mace; the Oyl of Mace by Expression. The Pistach Nuts; the Vomiting Nuts. The Male-Nutmegs is sometime found at the [Page 127] Druggists, which differs from the common Sort, in that it is longer and weaker.

Pistach-Nuts used in Medicines are hot and moist, concoct humors in the Chest, open the Lungs, are used in consumptive cases, and are an Ingredient in the Analeptick Antidote. It is the Fruit of an exotick Tree.

Vomiting Nuts are the worst (as Nutmegs are the best) of Nuts, are cold in the 4th. deg. belong to the poysonous Class. Some judge it to be the Root, and not the Nut of a Vegetable: 'Tis not to be given inwardly, the Apothecaries sell it to give ravenous Fowls, powder'd and strued on Flesh, and laid to render them stupified and drunk; it also intox­icates Fish, mixed (with other Narcoticks, or of it self) in some proper Paste. A crime against the Law, but too often committed without Punish­ment.

In stoppages of the Breast, and Co [...]s in Infants and Children; the Mothers and Nurses, had better mix the Oyl of Mace, with twice as much Dialthea, or Oyntment of the Flowers of Oranges, melting them together, and apply them warm to the Breast; or drop one Drop of Oyl of Amber to it, or of Anise-Seeds.

Also the distilled Oyl of Nutmegs, helpeth the Gripes in Infants, if the Navel be anointed there­with. Schrod. The Oyl of Mace strengtheneth the Stomach, and stayeth Vomiting, helps Digestion, expels Winds, penetrating more than Oyl of Nut­megs, consisting of thinner parts.

Virtues and Ʋses.

This of old was Jupiter's Tree, called Jovis Arbor, for amongst the Celtae, Heathens of old, a tall Oak was the very Idol or Image of Jupiter: and those Magi of old to the Gauls and Brittains, termed Dryadae Druids, worshipped the Oak, in Greek [...], whence also Druina, a Mystical Name of late for England, which formerly hath contained vast Forrests and Woods of this Royal Tree. And now in New-Eng­land in the inland parts, there are large Forrests of Dwarf-Oak.

The Leaves, Bark, Acorns, and their Cups, greatly bind, and are dry in the third Degree, being very rough if chew'd, and of a cold quality. The Acorn-Kernels are not so cold, nor binding, the Bark is a great binder; the thin skin under the Bark, and that which covereth the Acorn, are best to stop the Bloody Flux, and spitting of Blood, Lasks and Feminine Fluxes. The Decoction of the Bark, and the Powder of the Cups, greatly bind also. I have used 'em in Gonorrhea's with good success.

The Buds of Oaks kept dried, are very proper in Wound-drinks, or the young Leaves. The Acorn binds least of all, if eaten, hath a very rough swee­tish taste; the Austere parts of the Sap, which in a Nut are drained off into the Shell, (so made swee­ter) being here imbibed by the Kernel it self; they [Page 128] [...] [Page 129] [...] [Page 130] are hardly concocted, and of [...]rude and cold nou­rishment, yet Men [...]eretofore (nay Jupiter himself) fed o [...] Ac [...]r [...]s till their Luxurious Palates were de­ba [...]c [...]d; and when the Romans second Course at Table was served up of M [...]st, then Men had Hearts of [...]ak, (i. e) living naturally strong, and healthful by feeding on things easie, parable and plain.

For the Glorious and Wise Romans highly esteem­ed the Oak: for Pliny c [...]omments thus, Glan [...]iferi maxime generis omnes quibus honos apud Romanos per­petuu: Mast- [...]earing-Trees were principally those the Romans held in great esteem, for they had a­mongst their Crowns of Honour and Reward, the C [...] ­rona Civica, which was made of Oak, whence called also Corona quercea.

But to return to the uses of Acorns: In Mast-Countries (as in the Wood-lands in Wor [...]stershire, and other places) where Hogs feed on them the Swines-flesh is rendered hard and sound: One peck of Acorns, with a little [...]ra [...] per diem, 'tis said will augment a seeding Hog one pound a day in weight [...]or two months together: But 'tis good to mace [...]ate first in water: A [...]d▪ if Acorns be powdered, or grin­ded small, they will f [...]t Pigeons, Turkeys, Peacocks, &c. An [...] from the Leaves of Oak, Bees gather Honey­ [...]ews very much, as Mr▪ [...], the great Be [...]-Ma­ster, tells us in his Tract of Bees.

The Oak-Apples bind and stop F [...]uxes also, and [...] [...]alled Omphaci [...], are dry in the third Degree, and cold in the second, very harsh▪ repell Rheu [...]s, and F [...]uxes, especially those of the Throat and▪ [...] but their chief use is for the [...]yers, brough [...] [...]om Italy, Spain, and other Countries, being ga­ [...]ere [...] before they are ripe.

And in Foreign parts, the Scar [...]-Oak is esteemed [...]e [...] the Acorn whereof is eaten in Spain; [...] [...] or Berries are called Chermes (the Juice of [Page 131] which is the Basis of the Cordial Confection called Alkermes) and co [...]cus B [...]ph [...]s, yielding as so [...] [...]ave thought, the Maggot, which is our Cochin [...]l [...], that is such a great Cordial, and colours the fine Scarlets▪ but this opinion of these Berries and Insect, is now of late exploded by the Inge [...]ious.

The Cork-Oak is a courser sort, of it our Cork [...] are made, and those Corks taken out of Wine-Ves­sels, do absorbe and bind, and may well be ordered with other things against the Bloody Flux; And Ri­verius hath an Observation, That a Co [...]k-stopple, lo [...]g used, and drench'd with Wine, burnt to Ashes, [...]nd [...] drach [...] taken with White Wine, cur'd one of the Co­li [...]k pain, that it never return'd again.

The several uses of Oaken-Timber is universally known. The Sap of Oak is more tough than the Heart, although the Heart be more durable, because of its Oyliness, there being a lesser proportion of Oyl in Bee [...]h, Birch, and other Trees, than there is in Oak, so they are apter to imbibe the moisture of a dark Air, and so rot, or breed Worms: for the Oak and all ponderous Woods and Shrubs, as Box, Ash, Elm, have Salt abounding, with a mean of Su [...]phur or Oyl, and a small proportion of Spirit; such flourish to longaevity, and their annual vegetation is [...]aintained by a Nutritious Juice under the Bark, tho▪ their Leaves fall. It is observable, that three years growth in an Oak, (I do not mean in an Acorn that spontaneously grows▪) is as thick as five in an Elm.

The Bark of Oak, which is somewhat Resinous a [...] Dr. Grew sa [...]h, doth exceed all other Barks, for the Tanner and Dv [...] and the young Bough [...] of the lop' [...] Oak in the Spring time, serve the Tanner as well as the Bark, as many Tanners have experienced wi [...]hin these few years: The Saw-dust and Ashes of the Oak also▪ challenge a preference; and for Fire or Cha [...]coa [...] [Page 132] there is no Wood equals it. The Mast exceeds all other Mast of the Forrest-Trees; for the Hams from Westpholia and other parts of Germany, are of those Swine that feed on this Mast; but it is best to give Pigs a few Pease after them: Oates being scarce in the year 1681. Acorns were dried on a Klin, and given to Horses by the poorer sort of People, Col­liers, and such, in some parts of Staffordshire, and Cheshi [...]e, near the famous Hill called Mow-Cop.

It is greatly his Interest, that minds the thriving of young Trees, that they be set that the Roots may run just under the Turfe, in the Surface of the Earth, the higher the better, provided they are kept moist, with some wet Straw, and defended from injuries the first year; for some bury the Roots in a depth of thick Clay or Gravel, so that they can­not shoot a sprig of a span long for many years, for a Tree will thrive as well upon a Stone Wall that is washed with Rain-water, as in a hole a yard deep; this I speak generally, and not of such particular Trees as delight in a singular Minera of Earth.

To conclude with what Rapinus saith,

Thus translated.

In the Shops. Galls. Acorns, and their Cups, [...]ark, and Buds, Misletoe; but no Composition, that derives its Name from any of these. The Bark and Leaves are used by Surgeons in Vulnerary Baths and Fomentations: in Mouth-Waters: and is boiled by the Country-man in Ale, to drench his Cows that [...]ke bloody water.

Misletoe grows on many other Trees besides the Oak; I have used (the Viscus Oxyacanthus) that of the Haw-Thorn in the vertigo, stupidity, and dullness of the Head and Intellectuals, in a Decoction, and found it excellent. Misleto of Haw-Thorn and Crab, I tasted this Summer in Glocestershire, bitterish and acrid, its acrimony overcometh its bitterness. Sir J. F. saith, The Virtues of the Tree and Misleto so much differ, that it cannot be better on one Tree than another; he could find no excellency in that of the Oak above others. It tastes bitter, astringent, hot and acrid, by which it's good for the Epilepsie; it ought to be given forty days. I never had it so as to be able to say it was the true Misleto of the Oak, so never experienced it; but some say they have cured the Falling-sickness with it; and the fa­mous Mr. Boyl (in whom all Learning did concente­rate) tells us of a radicated Epilepsie, That was cur'd by the Powder of it, given as much as a six pence would contain in black Cherry-water, or Beer, for some days near the full Moon. Old Dr. Tristram of Bell-Brough­ton in Worcestershire, a skillful Botanist (and one that understood the Virtues of some Herbs experimen­tally, as well as any Man in England, carrying on a great popular Practice, with Simples, Decoctions, &c.) used that Misleto of the Haw-Thorn, in Cephalick cases with strange success.

Acorns decocted in Milk, help exulcerations of the Bladder, pissing of blood, caused by corroding Medi­cines, Cantharides, or other poisonons corrosive things. And the Powder of them easeth Stitches, and pains in the Colick and Sides: And Dr. Bates had a Pow­der which he called, the Iliack, or Colick Powder, thus made. ℟. Acorns without their Cups ℥iss. Nut­megs ʒij. Sugar ℥ss. mix them, and make a Powder called also Pulvis Lateralis.

Virtues and Ʋses.

Olives are reckoned to please the Palat of Venu [...], and when gathered, they are laid a while to wither, then by g [...]ining, and some water being added, to rarefie and extract the Oyl, it is pressed out; some that yield not much Oyl, are the fittest to eat, and are gathered unripe, and are pickled for use, and called Colymbades; The wild Olives are much de­lighted in, and are gathered to be eaten, and those that yield any Oyl among them, give us a green, colder, and more astringent Oyl than the manu­red.

This Vegetable is of a median temper, the Bran­ches, Leaves, and tender Buds, (especially of the wil [...]) do cool, dry, and bind; but the Oyl of un­ripe Olives, called Oleum Omphacinum, doth cool and bind most; and the ripe Oyl doth mollifie, and is anodyne, and the older it is the more it warms, and discusseth. Its properties are distinguished by its sweetness, and odor, if rancid the worse.

Oyl is used in Sallets, to preserve the Stomach from the corrosive acrimony of the Salts in Vegeta­bles, and to hasten by its slipperiness, the expulsion of cold Herbs out of the Stomach. Olives pickled, do (as all pickles) cause an Appetite, yield little nou­rishment, apt to offend the Head and Eyes▪ the pure Oyl of them, if really sweet and fine, is far more beneficial to those that can eat it eaten with a Toast [Page 136] fasting, it openeth the Belly. And the Mountebanks usually fill their Stomachs with Oyl and fresh Butter, before they swallow poison, to defend the Stomach, and dint the edge of the poisonous Salts, and occa­sion Vomiting. The Faeces or Lees of Oyl called Amurca, is most astringent.

The Timber of this fat Vegetable, is of so cu­rious, smooth and durable a Grain, that without much Polishing, it is made into rich Cabinets, Pen­dulum Cases, &c. and Solomon made the Cherubins and the Doors and the Posts of the Temple with it. And the Jews used to make Booths or Huts, with the Boughs of it, at their Feasts, being an Ever­green, and so pleasant to behold: and hence the Faithful and Godly Men are compar'd to the green Olive-Tree in Psal. 52. 10.

In the Shops. The best eating Oyl, that is fresh old Oyl called Omotribes, and Oyl Omphacine, the several and divers uses these are put to in Pharmacy, and by Trades-Men, and Women, would be ridicu­lous and needless for me to relate.

Olives pickled, are more kept for the Cook, than Medicinal Uses.

Virtues and Ʋses.

This culinary Root is ruled by fiery Mars, and is very offensive like to him; being hot and dry in the fourth Degree, yet not so hot as Garlick; the Juice is of thin, aqueous substance, endued with a biting and acrid volatile Salt, which fumes and of­fends the Eyes, and Nose, like Spirit of Soot. They are very much used several ways in the Kitchen, not­withstanding their rank smell, arising from a rank Oyl in them; but yield little nourishment, only do well tempt down other Herbs in Sallets, and cor­rect the coldness of Lettice and others. They hurt Cholerick and hot Constitutions, causing Head­achs, and Sleepiness, and are more wholesom boll'd than raw.

They are excellent for the first applications in Burns and Scalds, bruised with a little Salt, before blisters arise, which it will prevent, as I have often experienced. For they mightily draw, as you may And, by laying one peeled on a Dunghill, which by, drawing putrefaction to it, will be rotten in less than a days time; it's likely it will do so in a Postilential B [...]bo, and in the bites of mad Dogs, and other venemous Creatures. The Juice snuffed up in the Nostrils, [Page 138] purgeth the Head, in Lethargies▪ The roasted Root will draw and ripen Apostems, and may be good boil­ed in Pultisses: The Juice is droped into the Bars, for to cure pain in them. They are a great Diuretich, sliced and infused in White Wine all night; for a mor­nings draught, hath brought away abundance of Gravel and Stones, or in Rhenish, removes the stop­pages of Urine.

Squills, ought to he fresh and full of Juice, then are hot and dry in the second Degree, more rank and acrid than Onions. All the preparations of them do attenuate, and out viscous humours, strong­ly used in Asthma's, cause Expectoration. The Wine of Squills taken every morning, is said to preserve the Body in health, to a great old Age, cleansing the Stomach of filth, and the Body of excrements, helping Digestion; no doubt 'tis a good Medicine. I fancy it much.

In the Shops. The Root hanging up in the Shop, but not too long, lest it grow dry. The Vinegar of Squills. The Wine▪ Oxymel Simple and Compound, Lohoch Scilliticum. Honey of Squils. Trockisci de Scilla. Scilla [...]ppr. the Wine (which is best for Vomi­ting) Vinegar, and simple Oxymel are most used to mix with Vomits. Dose is from ℥j. to ℥ij. which of it self will Vomit an easie and ticklish Stomach; they are very safe workers, operating by nauseating the Stomach by their taste, and smell, and inciding hu­mours. The Troches of Squills are made for Venice-Treacle, being the first Ingredient in it: They are made of prepared Squill's.

In an old Cough, Stoppage, or shortness of Breath, let the Countrey-man roast an Onion under the Embers, and bruise it with a little Honey, Sugar-Candy, and Oyl, and take it fasting, or at bed­time.

Or take this simple Syrup of Garlick, ordered by a great Doctor. ℟. Cloves of Garlick peeled ℥iiij. boil them till soft, changing the Water twice, pour the water off, and put the Garlick into a Vessel, unto which put Syrup of Vinegar [...] ss. stop it up close, and set it in a Skillet, with Hay under it, and in water, and boil it for half an hour, and so you have a Syrup of Garlick: Eat four or five Cloves every morning, and also a spoonful or two of the Syrup. Good in Con­sumptions, kills Worms bravely, helps Digestion, and provokes an Appetite, good in Dropsies and other cases.

The Preparation of Squills as it is in the Pharma­copoeia, is appointed to o [...]tund the Acrimony of them, being strongly acrid and bitterish, making the Skin smart if rubbed thereon.

In a Suffocating Asthma, to dissolve thick hu­mours, and discuss Vapours. Oxymel of Squills, and Cinnamon-water, equal parts mixed, has done great matters, tho' plain, taken a spoonful or two at a time.

Virtues and Ʋses.

Dates ought to be soft, full, fleshy, and blackish without, or with a yellowish red, in the carnous sub­stance, having a sweet vinous Sapor; being thought to be hot and moist in the second Degree; but if not ripe, hot and dry and somewhat astringent, and Astrologers have given them to Mars, perhaps to please the Lady Venus with. Those that are grown dry, or such as come not to ripeness in colder Re­gions, [Page 142] do greatly bind, are hard of Digestion, and breed gross Humours; but ripe and good, they nou­rish more, and strengthen the Child in the Womb, stop Loosenesses, Fluxes, and Vomitings of such Women; they strengthen the Back, and Venus; our Ladies and Gentlewomen know to what ends to use them very well. As well as the Indians do the Drink call'd Sura, which Linschotens speaks of, that flows from the Blossoms out.

The Boughs and Leaves, 'tis said, do strongly cool and bind, and are used in some Countries to make Garments, Baskets, Matts, and to Thatch Houses. The inward Pith of the Tree is an excellent Sallad, better than an Artichoa [...], which it resembleth in taste. And the Fruit is commouly eaten: the Tree tapt two or three foot above ground, (as the Birch-Tree) yields an excellent Wine called Mignerol, like the white Champain [...], thence are termed Wine-Palms. The Date-stones feed their Goats, whereby they grow fat and yield store of Milk.

In the Journal des Scavans, May 11th 1682. a French Author in the Description of Hispaniola, (where the French had got footing, but formerly the Spaniard) saith, The Palm-Tree is indisputably the most profitable of all Trees, and reckons four kinds there, two most considerable, one whereof yielding Dates for foo [...], the other called Wine-Palm, which Liquor ferments it self so high in few days, that there is no Wine more pleasant.

The Fruit of the Indian Palm, is called Coquos, full of a waterish Liquor, each Date containing the measure of a pint or two, very transparent and plea­sant for Drink; the Pulp within is tender and soft, but after a longer maturation, waxeth harder, and eats like a Hasel-Nut. Finally, this Vegetable is said to yield whatsoever is necessary to the life of Man. And 'tis said to contain Materials for a whole [Page 143] Ship: Its Wood being light and spongy, they cut in­to Planks; of the outward Husks of the Fruit, they make Cordage, the Sails are made out of the Leaves, which the Indians call Olass. Athanasius saith, Anto­ [...]ius the Ermite gave him a Coat of the fine Flax thereof.

It is the nature of this Tree, tho' never so ponde­rous a weight were laid upon it, crescere sub pondere, not to yield to the burthen, but still to resist the heaviness of it, and to endeavour (as doth Chamomile the more 'tis trod on) to lift and raise it self upward, for this cause planted in Church-yards in the Eastern Countries, as an Emblem of the Resurrection; instead whereof we use the Ewe-Tree in these colder Regions: For the same reason, (as also Palm-Leaves being firm and durable) given by the Romans to their Victorious Combatants and Conquerors in their Coronet, called Palma Lemniscata (because the Garland or Coronet was tied about with certain Woolen Ribbands called Lem­tisci) and so from its repugnant Energy, and hardiness, it is the Emblem or Hieroglyphick of a Soldiers Life: Nay,

Heywood in his Hierarchy of Angels, saith, 'Tis the Hieroglyphick of Man, first, because 'tis barren, un­less planted near the Female, a Coitus being imagined, being full of Maesculine Gems, like Seeds. Secondly, because in the upper part thereof, there is a kind of Brain, which the Hebrews call Hallulab, and the Arab, Chedar or Gemmar, which being bruised, the Tree in­stantly withereth, (as Man dieth presently upon the pe­rishing of the Brain) The property only of this Vege­table: On the Top, or Head, there groweth that which resembleth Hair, the Branches resemble the Arms and hands, and the Fruit like Fingers; hence figuratively, 'tis used for precedency, as huic equidem, consilio Pal­mam do, in Terence; sometimes for the Victory it self, as non auferent tamen hanc Palmam, in [...]liny: [Page 144] And plurimarum Palmarum Homo, for a Man that had won many Prizes in the Fenci [...]g-Schools, as in Tull. pro Rosc. more naturally for the sign of Victory, as in that of Hor.

In the Shops. Dates. The Electuarium Diaphoeni­ [...]on, and the two Emplasters, called Diaphoenicon cali­dum, & frigidum, that is the one hot, the other cold.

The Diaphoenicon Electuary strongly purgeth Phlegm and Choler, useful in Glisters, in the Colick, purging all cold and crude Humours, for it warms.

The hot Diaphoenicon or Emplaster of Dates, great­ly strengthens the Stomach and Liver, and helpeth Fluxes and Vomitings, if applied to the Belly or Stomach, being a good Stomach-Plaster in a cold Constitution, or Disease, as the cold Emplaster is in hot Tempers, in the same cases. But I think they are seldom used or kept in many Shops.

The Diacalcitheos Plaster, vulgarly called white-Plaster, is ordered by Galen, and Authors of old, to be stirred with a Slice or Spatula made of a Bough, or Wood of the Palm-Tree, to augment its cooling. and strengthening virtue and efficacy, and thence also formerly called Diapalma in our London-Dispensa­tory.

The Indians make Sugar called Jagra, in the East-Indies, of the Liquor Sura, by boiling the sweet Liquor, and setting it in the Sun to congeal; for the Liquor is sweeter than Whey, as you may see more of it in Linschotens's Voyages, cap. 56.

Virtues and Ʋses.

Pine-Trees are of great use both at Sea and Land, the Timber being well known to Ship-Wrights, Car­penters, and o [...]her Mechanicks—Ʋ [...]ile Lignum, Navigiis Pinos, Geor. 2. Astrologers account this Bal­samick Tree (how truly I know not, for I think 'tis influenced by a far more benig [...]e Planet) under Sa­turn, the whole Vegetable has a Turp [...]ntine sm [...]ll, [Page 147] and has a rough, bitter Sapor, being reckoned cold and dry in the second Degree, and a great astringent, especially the Scales of the Cones and Park of the Tree, the Tops and Leaves being almost of the same temperature, stopping Lasks and Dysenteries, and provoke Urine greatly, through their Turpentine quality.

And indeed the Tops and Twigs of these resinous Plants and Trees, which are a great number, as Firr, Cypress, Pines, Juniper, Ivy, &c. that emit Bal­samical [...]ffluviun [...]s, are of late years often prescribed by Physicians in Diet-Drinks, Decoctions, and Milk-Waters distilled, and others in the Scurvy, Dropsies, Nephri [...]is, inward Ʋlcers and Fluxes: And where they grow about Houses of the Gentry in abundance, do correct the malignity of the Air, by their Balsa­mical and Odorous Emanations. And tho' Barthol. in his Medicina Danorum dissert. 7. disclaims the use of Hops, and substitutes the Shavings of Deal-boards, Tops of Pine, Firr, Sage, &c. the chief end of boil­ing Hops in our [...]nglish Drink, is by their bitterness, to allay the strong sweetness, or lusciousness of the Malt, and so both the [...]itter and sweet uniting them­selves, make a well tasted and wholesom Drink. Now this may be do [...]e by Broom, Ling or Heath, Wormwood, Juniper, Firr, &c.

I know a good Family, that for 16 years past, that hath always used Broom and Robin-Herb, or Groun [...] ▪ Ivy dried, instead of Hops, and it preserveth Drink as well, and as pleasant in taste, provided it hath Age; some in the Morelands, boil the Eri [...]a vulgaris Heath dried, (as Dr. Plott observes they do about Sheuston, not f [...]r off Litch [...]el [...] and [...]a [...]ck-Wood) in their Drink, which I have drank of, and f [...]und no ill taste: And 'tis very strange, seeing other wholesom and bitter Herbs, will as well supply the place of H [...]ps, that People will buy them for their Ale and B [...]er, [Page 148] tho' they are of never so great a price or value. But one great reason of their propagation and gene­ral use, is the advancement of Land, by them, to the highest improvement, usually to 40 l. or 50 l. sometimes 100 l. per Acre, and yet not enough plan­ted to serve us, but have them from Flanders and Hol­land, &c. because our Country-men are loth to be­stow their Labour and Industry about a Plant, that is so subject (beyond all others) to the various mu­tations of the Air, from the time of their Buddi [...]g till plucked, as over much Drought or Wet, Mill­dews often totally destroys them. But those that have any part of a Crop, and the Shop-keepers and Trades-men will never incourage the use of any o­ther herbaceous Plant in their stead, (tho' far more wholesom, no not in such a scarce Summer as this is like to prove) because they get abundance by them, even as some have, vast Estates. And our poorer sort of People, will not go out of their road, but Hops will use at any rate; they are such Ignora­muses.

And indeed, often have I wondered, that Drinks prepared with Elderberries, Juniper, S [...]ge, and 20 other things, are not only more encouraged by our Gentry, but also ushered into Publick-Houses, in­stead of Coffee and other foreign Liquors seeing the simple Decoctions of those Simples, sweetned with Sugar, make pleasant Liquors to the Eye and Taste, and beneficial to the Body; and how much more, if meliorated by Skill and Art.

The Timber of Pine-Trees is lasting and durable, not subject to Worms, nor rottenness, and the Heart of Deal (as the best Deal-boards, which frequently are sawed from Pine) if kept dry, is said to be ever­lasting; and Mr. Evelyn saith, a Pine-Nut, or a Wallnut set, (they are best preserved in Sand) doth usually overtake a Tree of ten years growth, which [Page 149] was planted at the same instant; a worthy Observa­tion, in which the Noble Poet was mistaken, Geor. l. 2. Nam quae, &c.

The wild kinds yield most Rozen, Turpentine, and Pitch, all which flow naturally in very hot Climates, from these Trees, and more is forc'd out by the bur­ning of the Wood and Timber: Pix liquida, or li­quid Pitch in Brabant Teer, in English Tar, is made out of that sort of Pine, in New-England, from which naturally Turpentine extilleth.

The Tar-makers burn the hardest Knots of these Trees, almost as we do Charcoal, or more like a Lyme-Kiln, catching the Tar at the bottom, a kind of Distillation per Descensum; the knots afterwards are an excellent Charcoal; The worst Pitch is Tar boiled up, adding some course Rozin to harden it: from the fuliginous vapors and smoak of these Trees when burnt, the stuff called Lamp-black, and Printers black is gathered, being a light Soot.

I find no noxious quality in this Tree, except that of Pliny be true, lib. 17. cap. 12. where he saith, That no Plant will prosper or thrive under the Branches or shadow of the Pine; but I am confident he was mistaken, or it may be they would not in his Coun­try.

In the Shops. Turpentine of all sorts, Stone-Pitch, Tar, Rezin Burgundy Pitch, Naval or Ship-Pitch. These not properly belonging to Vegetables, I shall leave them (to be discoursed of perhaps in another Tract.)

Pine-Kernels, Nuclei Pinearum: the expressed Oyl, as Oyl of Almonds is drawn. Lohoch de Pino, Ʋn­guentum Resinum, or Oyntment of Rezin.

Pine-Kernels are Ingredients in Antidot. Anale pti­ca, or the restaurative Electuary, much used by [...]ome heretofore in Consumptions, Atrophy. Also in Dia­penidion, Diasatyrion, in Lohoch de p [...]pavere, and o­ther Preparations. They are temperately [...] and moist, being fresh Kernels are very Pector [...] [...]ourish well, and good for such as pine away, also help hot Urin, and Distempers of the Reins. The Lohoch of Pin [...]-Nuts, is also appropriated to Coughs, and Di­stempers of the Lungs, and to Hectical Bodies; for which also the Diapenidion or Penedies are proper (the three Spices being left out) also in Hoarsnesses and Salt Catarrhs.

The Oyntment of Rezin, is made of the best Pine Bezin Turpentine, Wax, and pure Oyl, each equal parts melted together into an Oyntment; and is a curious gentle drawer and breeder of Flesh in Wounds and plain Ulcers, and helpeth Pains, Sprains, and weakness of the Nerves.

TAR PILLS

Are a Nostrum in some Shops. Tar being Pix liquidae or liquid Pitch, is of a hot Balsamick Nature, and these Pills are cheap and easily prepared, yet not the worse to be thought of, in Colds, Stoppages and Stuffings of the Breast and Lungs, and Consumptive Coughs, where there is no Hectick. ℟. Flowers of Brimstone, Aniseeds and [...]iquorish powder each e­qual p [...]ts, and with fine Tar so much as is sufficient, make it into a Mass like Paste, so as you may roul it into small Pills, swallow three, mornings and at night, first and last: A standing Pill, used by great Physicians in a great Town I know. See a more rich Pill in Willis s Pharmacop. Rational. par. fol. 97. made up with Tar.

Virtues and Ʋses.

This vinous Plant is placed under the Sun, by some under Venus, more truly; by others, the Sweet Juice, or Wine is moderately hot, but with us rather cooling and astringent, through its sowrness, plea­sing a hot friguting Stomach, and stays Vomiting, and Fluxes from Choler, useful to Women with Child, yet this Fruit yields little nourishment.

The Cortex or Pomgranate Bark tastes rough, hot­tish and biting, excellent in all Fluxes whatsoever in Man or Woman. The Balaustines also thicken, [Page 153] dry and bind very much, and are good in Decoctions▪ to amend the laxity of the Gums, and looseness of the Teeth, in the Scurvy, especially boiled in Claret with a little Myrrh: Also they are Bark and all boiled in Gargarisms, against the Relaxation, and falling down of the Ʋvula and To [...]sils.

In the Shops. Balaustines, called Flores Bal [...]ustiorum, and Pomgranate Bark; and the Syrupus Granatorum, and Juice or Wine.

If the Wine of Pomgranates do stay the immode­rate Longings of Women with Child (unless the cold­ness of the Stomach hinder) as tis recommended by some to do, why may not the yrup do the same, be­ing only made of the Juice and Sugar and excellent­ly doth quench the thirst in burning Feavers, cuts and fits viscose humours for Expectoration, and corrects the boiling heat of Choler, pleasant to the taste, and useful in Diarrh [...]a ▪s and other Fluxes.

The Bark I have found to render Ink more black and durable, if bruised and put in it with Galls, a little Allom or Sugar▪

The Palate of the Mouth and Ʋvula being (as 'tis vulgarly termed) down, touch them often in a day, with the following Powder, either blow'd up with a Vvula spoon, or with your Finger, ℟. Balaustines, Roots of [...]istort, and Tormentil aa. ℥ss. Allum ʒij. beat them to a fine powder, It was a great Doctor's No­strum, and is very good.

Virtues and Ʋses.

These Trees come under the Aqua [...]ical Class of Vegetables, the Astrologers fall out about it, some say 'tis Saturn's Tree, others the Moon's, the [...] bed Sir is cold and dry, the Noctur [...]al [...] is cold and moist, its no great matter to stand abou [...]; for these Trees in their Medical effects, may be ro [...]ted to both. The Bark of them all is bitter, astringent, and of a L [...]urel-taste, and Sir J. F. saith, They co [...] nearest to the Jesuits-Bark of any English Trees. [...] have found the Buds (called Oculi or Gemmae in [...] Shops) of the black Poplar, clammy and resinous▪ Query, if the Bark be not so too▪

The white hath a cleansing property, saith Galen, and Dioscorides saith, is used chiefly outwardly and in­wardly in the Sciatica, and Schroder in the Strangury, and Burns. Serenus Sammonicus gives it the following [...]ulogy.

And an ingenious Author well known, saith, The Fungi or Mushroms which spring from the putri! Stumps of this Tree, have not a venemous malignity, being gathered after the first Autumnal Rains.

The black Poplar is reckoned more cooling than the white, the Buds of which are well known to the Apothecaries, and gathered early in the Spring, to be macerated in Oyl and Hogs-grease, in order to make the Oyntment called Populeon, when the other Herbs are ready sprung.

The Leaves bruised with Vinegar ease the Gout, and may serve for Fodder in scarce years; the water▪ [Page 156] in the hollow places of this Tree, is said to cure Wa [...]ts, Pushes, Wheales, Ring-Worms, and dry Scabs; the Country-man may▪ easily try it, washing the part often with it for it seems probable.

The shade of this Tree is of antient estimation, and the white Wood is of▪ (besides Fuel for the fire) singular use for the Turner, and sought after by the Sculp [...]or, and for several rustick Utensils, as for the Gardiner, &c.

In the Shops. Oleum, & Ʋnguentum Populeum. The Oyl, and the Oyntment of Poplar Buds.

The Oyl is a fine Cooler, but the Oyntment, which is well known, is much better, being excellent in Burnings, any kind of Inflammations, where unctu­ous applications are proper, in heat of the Reins, a­rising from the Stone, or Gonorrhea, in Feavers or Head-achs, applied to the Temples; it provokes sleep, and gives ease. And is often applied to the Wrists, and So [...]ls of the Feet, in Feavers, burning Agues, especially may be very beneficial to Chil­dren, who will not take many inward Medicines, and also to others; I have often prescribed it as follow­eth: ℟. Oyntment of Poplar ℥ij Telar. aranear. i. e. of Spiders, Cobweb, so much as will make it up to a thick Consistence, to be spread on Leather. This An­sifebrifick Plaster was the Secret of a very great Practitioner, and borrowed no doubt, from Emplast febri [...]ug. Strobelbergeri.

Virtues and Ʋses.

Pease are much like Beans, less windy, but sooner pass through the Body, they have no effectual mani­fest quality, if any, rather cool, tasting slimy, raw, and some sweeter than others, and may be very pro­per to cool hot Scorbutick Bloods, that have lived on Salt meats, nourish not much, and yet old Herbarists say, they excite Venu [...], and Milk in Womens Breasts.

The Pisum album majus, or the great white Garden Rouncival was sown at Milwich in this County in the Field, which did run well upon the ground, and kern well, notwithstanding their length; And he that at­tempted it, had such success, that he sold the Pease to his Neighbours for 10 s, the Bushel.

But the profits and uses of Pulse are so generally known, as well for Men as Beasts, that I shall leave them, and proceed to tell you of One (in a certain Tract published by Mr Hartlib) that pretends to draw from Pease, very good Spirits or Aqua-Vitae, with­out M [...]ulting, thus.

Let Pease be taken and steeped in as much Water as will cover them, till they swell and come, and be so or­dered as Barley is for Malting, only with this diffe­rence, that for this work, if they sprout twice as much, as Barley doth, 'tis the better. The Pease thus sprout­ed, if beaten small, (without drying) and put into a Vessel and stop [...] with a Bung and Rag as usually, will fer­ment, and after two or three or four months, if distil­led, will readily yield a strong Spirituous Liquor; and saith, one Bushel of Pease will yield two Gallons or more of Spirit, as strong as the strongest Aniseed-Wa­ter in London, and better tasted than Malted Grain.

Now this Process is no more than bare Fermenta­tion, by which a Man may draw a Spirit from almost any green Vegetable, being beaten and mashed with a little Water, if not moist enough of it self, (as I have from Elder-Berries, Black-Cherries, and even from that Flower (which is not very Juicy) Red Pop­pey, or Corn-Rose, an excellent Spirit, a thing hardly known or used) Barrelled up and suffered to stand (as the thing I mentioned have done) a quarter of a year before it be distilled of, and rectified.

In the Shops. Red Cicers, Sem. Sesami. Oleum Se­saminum. Cicers are reckoned hot and dry (much like to Bean and Pease when green, but thought to yield a stronger nourishment) in the Shops, and do mollifie, and lenifie, provoking Urine, cleanse the Reins of Gravel, and waste the Stone, being mu [...]ilaginous, and slimy, yet somewhat bitter on my Palate; and are used in Nephritick Decoctions, as Forestus hath one, the Basis whereof are Cicers, which some commend above all Apozems in Distempers of the Reins and Ne­phritis, you may see it in Decker's Notes on Barbetian, prax. cap. 8.

But Dr. Grew saith, He questions not but that in some cases wherein Cicers are esteemed a good Medicine, a Decoction of the better sort of Pease, especially that we call the Sugar-Pease, may go beyond them, as the Meal of Beans doth beyond that of Fenugreek.

The Sesamum Pulse, which some say is Tur [...]y Millet, is moderately hot and moist, and so is the Oyl which is made by expression but seldom or never kept, both being emollient, dissolving the hardness of the shrunk Nerves, and are Paregorick in the Colick, and used in Coughs and Pl [...]urisies, in a Linctus, saith Schrod. And I have heard the Oyl cry'd up as a brave Cosme­tick: But I never knew it used inwardly, I suppose it may nauseate the Stomach.

Virtues and Ʋses.

Raisins and Currants contain not only a sweet Juice, but also a true Sugar, which lies curdled in the Pulp, as the more Saline parts do in green Soap, the like is gathered on the outside of a Fig, saving that 'tis more Nitrous, as being open to the Air. Our great Raisins (called by some, majores Germanicae) which are chief­ly in use with us, do nourish through their sweetness and temperate substance, open Obstructions, cut vis­cous Humors, causing them to be more easily spit up, [Page 161] and are Diuretick, good in P [...]isans and Drinks, in Coughs and Hoarseness: but let it be remembered by Tyro's in practice, that they are rather heating, so not so proper in Medicines given in hot Tempers, Febrile, and Hectical Habits, and Coughs. The Stones are a stringent, and therefore often ordered to be exempted, in many prescriptions: The best Rai­sins have a thin Skin.

Currants are very nourishing also, & open the Bel­ly, are not so hot as Raisins, being beat up with some Rubarb into a Mass, or into an Electuary, and eaten fasting, often cure the Jaundice, and kill the Worms bravely in Children, that will eat it three or four mornings about the change or full of the Moon, good also in Dropsies, Weak Stomachs, Rickets.

In the Turkish Dominions, where Wine properly so called, is forbidden by the Law of Mahomet, the Jews and Christians keep in their [...]averns, a Vinous Liquor made of fermented Raisins; and indeed by the bare fermenting of Raisins and Water in a due proportion, without the help of Barm, Leaven, Tar­tar, or other additament to further their working; the late great Philosopher Mr Boyl saith, He divers times in a few days, prepared a good Vinous Liquor, which being distilled, afforded a great quantity of in­flammable Spirit, like that of other Wine. And I que­stion not, but that the Distillers make use of the Stalks and foulness of Raisins, to a far greater pro­fit than our Country Shop-keepers, who throw them away, as good for nothing, when they might with a little Care and Skill, raise a pleasant Vinous Liquor from them, with some small Additament, as I my self have done; The great Red English Currants make the best artificial Wine, equal to that of Gooseberries, and from both may a strong Brandy be drawn. The Juice of them with equal quantity of Water, makes Vineg [...]r very good.

In the Shops. Lohoch de p [...]ssulis, Mel passulatum, & Electuarium passulatum. The Lohoch, the Honey, and Electuary of Raisins, are Medicines in the Dispen­satory.

The Lohoch is good for Children that have Coughs, and inclined to the Rickets, Consumptions, or Con­vulsion-fits, the Honey of Raisins opens costive Bodies that are Phlegmatick; and the Electuary purgeth curiously Choler and Melancholy, cleansing the Reins and Bladder, evacuates viscous, and salt, sharp Humours from the Breast and Lungs. Dose may be ℥ ss. to ℥j. fasting.

Purging Plums or Raisins,

Which are fine, and pleasant laxative Medicine [...] for young Children, and other squeasie Stomachs▪ and weak Bodies that are costive, being a proper thing for a Charitable Ladies Closset. ℟. Sena well pick [...] one Ounce, Ginger and Cinnamon each one Scruple, Spirit of Wine lb ss. steep them warm and close stopt, for six hours, all night on warm Embers, or in B. M. then when cold, strain it, and to the Liquor add of white Sugar one Ounce, best Raisins of the Sun four Ounces, boil or stew them gently rather, till the Plums are soft, and so keep them together for use, a Child may eat half adozen in a morning. [...]o [...]runes may be preserved also, or you may take out the Raisins, when you take it off the fire, sprinkle them wi [...]h Sugar, and dry them, and then they are a Candied Loosning Plum The best Brandy may serve for Spirit.

Physicians ought to study in prescribing their M [...] ­dicines, how to please the Palates of their Patients in some degree and measure, (as 'tis said the Ladies Doctor, the famous Dr. Tbo Cox did) for thereby the Dose is swallowed more willingly, stays with the Stomach more quietly, and obliges the Patient to a [Page 163] good Opinion of his Doctor, which, by the way, is no small adjuvant matter, in order to a Cure; for where the Patient has a high Opinion of his Physician, it is happy for them both, the Physick having thereby the better effect.

Vertues and Ʋses.

The common Reeds in the old Herbals, are said to be hot and dry in the second Degree, I know not any thing of their Medicinal Virtues, and am loth to go into the Water, this wet Summer, to taste the Roots. But old Authors say, The Roots stamp'd, draw forth Thorns and Splinters out of the Flesh, and that burn [...] Ashes of Reeds, mixt with Vinegar, cure the Scurff and falling off of the Hair: The smallest Reeds (for they differ in magnitude) serve for Thatching of Houses, and Sheds of Water-men and Fishermen, and do stop the Chinks of Ship [...], better than Glew or Pitch, saith a famous Author.

Matt-Reed is only useful to Mechanicks, of which also are made Matrs, and Frailes or Thrailes, in which the Grocers send their Fruit to the Country-Shop-Keepers. And of Cane-Reed are our Hand-Canes and Angling-Rods or Canes, made, also Slears for Weavers sundry sorts of Pipes, &c. as also certain divisions in Ships to divide and preserve Oranges and Lemons; and in China to beat Offenders on their Thighs. These Reeds belong to the terraqueons Plants, be­ing nourished with a mixture of Earth and Water, by the smoothness of the Bark or Cutis (it being the smoothest of all others) and by the concavity of the Bo [...]y they seem to draw their vegetative nourish­ment from Water.

Paper-Reed yields out of its Roots a nutritive pleasant Juice to the People of Aegypt. 'Tis judged by some Expositors, that this plant is the same Reed mentioned in the 2d Chap. of Exod. called there Flags, whereof the Mother of Moses made that Basket, which was daubed with that Country Slime or Mud, called Bitumen Judaicum, wherein Moses was found by Pharoah's Daughter.

But certain it is, that in preceding times, Paper was made of Papyri, these Sedgy Reeds in Aegypt, which was a rarity of Art and Nature mixt. They divided [...]t into thin flakes (into which it naturally separates) then spread it on a Table, moistening with the gluti­ [...]ous Waters of the Nile, then it was compressed, dried, and polished in the Sun: By means of which inven­ [...]ion. (Books being easier to be transcribed and reser­ [...]ed than formerly) P [...]olomy Philadelphus made his [...]amous Library at Alexandria; and hearing how At­talus King of Pergam [...], by the benefit of this Ae­ [...]ytian Paper, strived to excel him in Manuscriptal Magnisicence, prohibited the carrying of it out of Aegypt: Hereupon Attalus invented the use of Parchment, made of the Skins of Calves and Sheep, from the Materials called Membranae, and from the place where it was invented Pergamena, and in short time then did Aegyptian Paper grow out of use, and our Paper made of Rags (of which see more under Flax) succeeded, the Authors of which excellent In­vention our Ancestors have forgot to commit to Me­mory; great pity it is, so useful a Child cannot so much as name its Father.

Before Paper or Parchraent, the Antients writ first on the inward side of the Bark of a Tree, in Lat. Liber, whence a Book is Liber. Secondly, on Ta­bles fam'd out of the main Body of a Tree, in Lat. Caudex, which gave the Latines occasion to call a Book Codex. Thirdly, they used to cover their Ta­bles with Flux, and writ [...] thereon from whence a Letter-Carrier was named Tabellarius; the Pen they wrote with Iron, sharp pointed, thence called Stylus, Style now (thence derived) the peculiar kind of Phrase which any Man useth, as Negligens Stylus in Qu [...]n [...]ilian, & Exercitatu Stylus in Cicero. 'Tis re­corded also, they use [...] sometimes to write in Leaves, and that the Sibyl's Oracles being so written, w [...]re [Page 166] thence named Sibyllae folia, and from thence we call a Leaf of Paper.

The Sugar-Reed, is Sweet Cane, of which see before; Sugar is the Essential Salt of this sweet Reed, which is purified by Dissolution, Filtration and Eva­poration, then put up into Casks, or Chests, thence called Cassonnad or Castonnade. It differs in colour, as red, brown, or white, according as it has been more or less purified; if refined or made whiter, it is cast into Moulds of a Pyramidal form, which we call Loaves.

Sugar-Candy is only Sugar Crystallized; it is made by boiling Sugar in Water to a very high Syrup, then pour'd into pots, where Sticks are laid across, so let stand some days, and the Sugar-Candy clings fast to those Sticks. The sweetness of Sugar doth pro­ceed from a natural mixture of the Essential acid Salt, and an Oyl, for neither of these two substan­ces, if separated, will prove at all sweet: Hence it is so good in infirmities of the Breast and Lungs, by the one it attenuates and cuts Phlegm, by the other it mollifies and smooths the passages, and sharpness of Humours; so 'tis time to leave it, for the gene­ral uses in the Shops.

Virtues and Ʋses.

As these perfuming Flowers differ in the kinds so they do in their qualities also; thence Astrolo­gers give the Red Rose to the friendly Planet Jupi­ter, Damask to Venus, and the White to the Moon. Red Roses are bitter and astringent, they stop Fluxes, and yield a good cooling Cordial. Damask, are bit­ter, Mucilaginous and Astringent in Sapor, there­fore are Purgarive. Sir J. F.

The strong smell of Roses shews an Acrimony in them, which helps the bitter Mucilage in purging; Red-Roses have the same Acrimony, yet for want of Mucilage▪ and a higher degree of Bitterness, the binding quality prevails: And 'tis plain it is so, for the bitter Juice in the Roses, whilst fresh, purgeth, but that heat which caused the Bitterness, being vanished by drying of them, their binding quality is advanced, from whence it is evident how much the Virtue of Herbs depends on divers different Principles of Plants, and the Absence of one, or a difference in degree, alters the Virtue considerably; and therefore all Compositions alter the Nature of the Simples much.

All this demonstrates, that Roses are (as the old Authors taught) partly earthy, other parts moist and Aqueous, and the rest Airy, and Aromatical, yet all of them are cold, as saith Mesue in the first. And from the preceding Discourse, it appears, how the Red buds do both cool and bind more than the full blown: And how the Red-Roses make the best cool­ing Cordials, refreshing the Animal and Vital Spirits; either in Conserve, Water, Syrup or Powder, they do strengthen and bind, used in all Fluxes of Blood▪ and humoral Defluxions, Vomitings, Inflamations of [Page 170] the Mouth, &c. The Astringency is least in Damask-Roses, for the Reasons aforesaid; the Juice, the In­fusion, or Decoction of a handful of the Damask­leaves, in Whey, or the Syruy, do purge Phlegm and Choller.

One Ounce of the Syrup made with Agarick, will operate more effectually than two or three Ounces of the simple Syrup; it may be taken in Whey. The White-Roses, are thought to be as cooling and bind­ing as the Red, but they are never used, only the distilled Water, is vulgarly used to sore Eyes, though the Red is as good, if not better. The Anohera, or Threds, do greatly bind. In the Red-Roses, there is a better proportion'd mixture of their Salt or Sul­phur, so more Cephalick and Stomachal. In the paler Roses, the Sulpher and Sult, are over ballanc'd by their moisture, or abounding Mercury, which gives them a more fragrant Smell and Laxity, and the Leaves of these are dry'd with some difficulty.

Nature seems to have bestow'd no greater Care on any Flower, the Vegetable Family supplies us with, then the Rose, which one calls the Queen of Flowers, for the beauty and pleasingness of the Colour and Smell; yet Cardinal Caraffa, one of great fame, as Scheneki­ [...]s tells us, abhor'd the smell of Roses so much, that he stirr'd not out of doors in Rose-time, and exami­ned all Passengers that came into his House. Such power there is in Smells, that the Ancients ascribed a Divinity to them; and because good Odours chear the Spirits, and Animal Functions; hence they were used in Temples, both amongst Jews, Gentiles, and Christians: Homer describes his Juno by the sweet­ness of her Smell, and so doth Virgil his Venus; Am­brosiaeque come divinum vertice odorem spiravere; And so doth Ovid, Mansit Odor, possis scire fuisse

The Ancients in their Drinking-matches, used to wear Rose-Garlands, and to lie on Beds of Rose▪ leaves for Refrigeration, Mitte Sectari Rosa quo locoru [...] ser a moretur, Horat. But there may be some mani­fest Causes why the Smell of Roses may be offensive; Some Brains are extraordinary cold, some dry, whose olfactive passages are wider than usually; to such the smell of Roses may be hurtful, because a Rose hath but a weak heat, rather refrigevative, (as Di­oscorides thinks) which may comfort the hot, but not the cold Brain. In a dry Brain, and wide passa­ges, the Odour doth too suddenly affect it, and so di­sturb it by a king or otherwise; but Histerical Wo­men, feig [...]t, and are disturb'd at them, and other sweet Odours, because the Matrix delighteth in such Smells, and doth rise towards them, to the danger of Suffocation; whereas it is suppressed by strong and unpleasant Odours.

But the Rose deserves also the prime place in the Family of Flowers, not only for its beauty, form, and odoriferous Scents, but because it is the Honour and Ornament of our English Scepter, as appeareth in the uniting of the two Royal Houses of York and Lancaster, and claims the chiefest places in Crowns and Garlands: And the Turks have that Estimation for Roses, that they frown to see the Leaves of them fall to the Ground, because one among them dream­ed, the first Rose sprang from the Blood of Venus; and other Mahomet ans say it arose from the Sweat of Mahomet. But that which adds to its deserts and preference, among Flowers, is because it supplies Physick and Pharmacy with good Employment and Medicines: For one exact Author, that hath exami­ned all ancient and modern Physicians, reckons up 37 several Operations, single or compound, which this noble Flower lends to their Art; therefore I [Page 172] wonder the Greeks should give the Name of Flower ( [...] in their Language) to the Rosemary Flower by Antonomasia, a Rhetorical Speech, (putting one Name for another) and as it were by Excellency, since this Flower doth not furnish us with so great a Harvest of Remedies, as now you'll find the Rose doth.

In the Shops.

• 1. Dried Roses, Red, and Damask.
• 2. Lignum Rhodium.
• 3. distill'd Water of all three sorts.
• 4. Syrup of Roses Solutive.
• 5. Syrup of Roses with Agarick.
• 6. Syrup of Roses with Hellebore.
• 7. Syrup of Roses with Senna.
• 8. Syrup of the Juice of Roses.
• 9. Syrup of dry Roses.
• 10. Honey of Roses foliated.
• 11. Honey of Roses colated.
• 12. Honey of Roses solutive.
• 13. Honey of Roses common.
• 14. Conserve of Red-Roses.
• 15. Conserve of Damask-Roses.
• 16. Julap Alexandrin.
• 17. Julap. Rosatum.
• 18. Vinegar of Roses.
• 19. Electuary of the Juice of Roses.
• 20. Species Elect. Rosat. Noveilae.
• 21. Diarrhodon Abbatis.
• 22. Sugar of Roses.
• 23. Aloes Rosated.
• 24. Aromaticum Rosatum.
• 25. Spirit of Roses.
• 26. Oyl of Roses Chym.
• [Page 173]27. Oyle of Roses Omphacine.
• 28. Oyl of Roses Compleat.
• 29. Oyntment of Roses.
• 30. Ol. Lign. Rhodii.

These are all appointed by the Honorable and most Learned College of Physicians, in their Pharmaco­paea Londinensis, or London Dispensatory of the last Edition, which are denominated from the chief­est Ingredient in them, Roses: Besides which there are several other Preparations of them in other old Dispensatories, and Chymical Authors, as Essence of Roses, &c. Tincture of Roses.

The Uses of the Water, Syrup, Conserve, Sugar, Honey, and Oyl of Roses, are not only well known by every Practitioner, but also to all Understanding Gentlewomen, and ordinary People; And for the rest, I'll leave them to the Investigation of Tyro. And though the Number, at the first sight, may seem to be almost enough to fill a Country Apothecary's Shop, yet it must must not be thought, that all these Pre­parations are kept ready in every Shop, but such as are most commonly used, and prescribed by Physi­cians on the place. I shall only observe, that where­as Conserve, and Sugar of Roses, of old, were cele­brated Remedies in Consumptions, insomuch as some emaciated and ptisical Bodies, have been said to have been restored, or long preserv'd by the Use of them; so still in these days doth the Conserve (especially if three or four Year old) keep its famous Reputation among Practitioners, as well as good Women, and others, being the Basis of many Prescriptions, and Balsamick Eiectuarys, used in Consumptions and other Diseases.

But the Apothecary, and others ought (that these Cordial Flowers may the better yield those virtuous [Page 174] Advantages, which Nature hath placed in them) to be careful and circumspect, as to the time, in which Roses are to be gathered; which seems to be most proper before Sun-rising, or a little after break of Day, when they yet retain some small re­mains of the Balsamick Moisture, which the cool of the Night, did as it were gather and concentrate, both without and within these Flowers; but be sure not after a rainy Day, especially when you intend them for Conserve, or to dry them: Nor ought they to be gathered long after the Rising of the Sun, because that Universal Planet, seems greedily to suck the Balsam and Nectar of all the Flowers, which are of an aetherial and delicate Substance, as Roses are, above all others.

Virtues and Ʋses.

This excellent Balsamick, Solar, Vegetable, is hot and dry in the 3^o. under the Sign Leo, the Sun's House; it's of subtil parts, strongly discussing Wind, cutteth and digesteth, so hot in Taste, and acrid, that it will almost blister the Lips upon chewing it, and scent a large Room with its strong rank Smell.

Mithrilates King of Pontus in Asia, (who in­vented Mithridate) who lived in Pompey's days, is recorded to admire the Leaves of Rue, being mixt with Figs, Walnuts, and a little Salt, as an incom­parable Antidote; this Learned Prince did particu­larly apply his Mind to the knowledge of things to resist Poyson, and took the aforesaid Mixture, or a dose of his Mithridate, every Morning fasting, in­somuch that when he was over come by Pompey, lest he should fall into his hands, he endeavour'd to Poyson himself, but his Constitution being rendred Poyson-proof, he commanded a Slave to run him through; but his Receipts were found by Pompey, in his Coffers; and Damocrates, Physician to Mi­thridates, writ poetically on them, as you may see, Galen, lib. 2. de Antidot. More concerning this fa­mous Prince you may read in Plutarch, Appian, and others.

We account Rue also to be Cephalick, respecting the Genus Nervosum, and the Womb. It is an In­gredient in Plague-Waters; I have found it excellent in Clysters in the dolorous Chollick, and very often have experienc'd its Goodness to destroy Worms in [Page 176] Children, and have seen some strong Bodies eat it with Bread and Butter, for to kill the Maw-worms as they call them, and against Wind and Chollick.

I have given some drops of the Juice fasting to In­fants and other Children, which have cur'd and pre­vented Convulsion Fits, and sometimes the Powder of the Leaves dry'd, but not too near the fire, but more often I have prevented and cur'd convulsive and other peculiar nervous and histerical Maladies, by a Preparation of it advanc'd by the Noble Chimia. And at the writing hereof have cur'd a Neighbour's little Son, whose Fits were Epileptical, and very terrible to behold, having but two Fits after the first Dose of this Medicine; And that after other success­less Medicines.

The Learned Sir J. F. gives us the following, as Sir Theodor Mayhern's Receipt, with which he cur'd Convulsions; Give half a Spoonful of the Powder'd Leaves of Rue, for nine days, in drink fasting, and at Night 24 Grains of the same: Take White-Hen­bane-seeds two Ounces, Sugar half an Ounce, make it into Powder, take twenty Grains of it in a Spoon­ful of the Syrup of House-leek for forty days, espe­cially at the Full and New-Moon.

Bath the Feet in the following Decoction, and wash the Temples and Forehead: Take Rue and Henbane-roots each a handful, boil them in Spring­water for a quarter of an hour, and so make a Bath: Take White-wine one pound two ounces, Juice of Rue, inward Bark of Elder, and the Leaves, of each two Ounces; boil them in the Wine to half the quantity, then take two or three Spoonfuls in the Morning fasting: The whole Virtue of these Medi­cines lies in Narcotick Faculty, and the Rue. These Medicines being easily made, I have inserted them here for the good of the plainest Reader.

Rue is externally used also with good Success. Take and beat the White of an Egg to Oyl, Leaves of Rue beaten to a Conserve, and mix them well, and apply them on a Pledget of Lint or Flax, to any Bruise in or about the Eye, is an excellent Pultiss, and as it's used internally in all Pestilential Fevors, and malign Affects, both to preserve and cure, so is it successively used in venemous Bites, Carbuncles, and has been apply'd to the Wrists, with Bay-salt in Agues, and to the Feet, with Rhadishes, Salt, Black­soap and Vinegar, beat up to a Cataplasm in the high­est Fevours, for Revulsion sake.

Wild-Rue, called also Harmel, is hotter, causeth Blisters, and is not to be used in Meat or Medicines. Goats-Rue is hot, and Alexipharmick also. Lem­nius instit. cap. 58. admires Rue, and commends it to have an excellent Virtue, to expel vain Imagina­tions, Divels, and to ease afflicted Souls; this sure he fancies it might do by Corroborating, and Re­ctifying the Aberration of the Animal Oeconomy, and Functions of the Brain.

In the Shops. The simple distill'd Water: The Seeds of Rue: The Conserve of the Leaves: The Oyntment of Rue, and Oyl of Rue.

Dr. Willis in his Chapter of Convulsions in adult Persons, recommends the Conserve of the Leaves fresh made, with equal parts of Sugar, for the poor­er sort of People, and orders the quantity of a Nut­meg to be taken twice a day, drinking after it a draught of the Decoction of the Seeds and Roots of Burdock, made in Whey, prepar'd with White­wine.

The Oyl of Rue kills Worms, being used to the Belly, expels Wind, good in Palsies, wither'd Limbs, Cramps, cold Aches, and is used with good Success in Clisters in the Chollick. vid. pulv. Anticolicus Batean.

Virtues and Ʋses.

Rushes are of an earthy and aqueous Essence, as the [...]ogs and moist places they grow in seems to in­dicate, tasting rough and raw, as they smell, be­longing, [Page 179] 'tis like, to that infortunate Planet Saturn. They may bind and be soporiferous as Bull-rushes, but are more useful to the Milk-maids, Basket, and Mat-makers, than to the Materia Medica: They serve the Tallow-chandlers, especially the Juncus laevis Vulgaris, called Candle-Rush, or common soft Rush, for Watch-Lights; also are used very be­neficially to cover Cabbins, Sheds, and Thatch with, and when dry'd, are platted for divers Uses, Frails, Matting to face Walls, Benches; and a Rarity not far off me at Park-hall, is a Rope that passes between the runners of the Oat-mill, made only of the Peel­ings or Rinds of Candle-Rushes, which doth not only last longer than one of Hemp, bur will not stretch as Hempen ones do, which is a great convenience in the working of such kind of Mills. Bull-Rushes make Bosses and Bed-mats best. And thus we see, the meanest of Vegetables may be useful one way or other to Mankind; For the Great Creator made not one thing in vain.

Sweet Rush, Camels-hair, or Scaenanth, is mean­ly hot, somewhat Astrictive and Aromatick, smell­ing like a Rose, by its thin parts discusseth, openeth Obstructions in Women, Liver, Spleen, and dis­cusseth inflations of the Stomach; it is useful in the pain of the Reins, Bladder and Womb, in pissing and spitting of Blood. Outwardly it corrects Ulcers of the Mouth, and Tumors of the Ʋvula, and streng­theneth the Stomach, Womb and Head: It is sel­dom used by Physicians in their ordinary Prescrip­tions, but is to be found in several Compositions.

In the Shops. Scaenanth. It is an Ingredient in Treacle, Mithridate, Emplast [...]m, Histericum, &c.

Virtues and Ʋses.

Rye is more forcible in heating than Wheat, be­cause through its Clamminess and Moistness it is less easie for Digestion, yet yields good Nourishment to Rusti [...]k Bodies; Its general Use is to make Bread, alone, or mixed with Wheat, (so called Muncorn, or Masiline, by some) with which it is often Sown, as well as alone; it makes Bread moist, and gives it a pleasant Taste to most Appetites.

Through its clammy M [...]silage▪ Rye bread is not good in obstructed Bodies, Hypochondriack Cases, Melancholy, Dropsie, and the Scurvy, arising from the thick Blood; bad for those that are apt to the Grief called vulgarly Heart-burning. It is more Nu­tritive than that made of Barly, more solid, course and dispeptick than that of Wheat.

The Leaven of Rye is best for Vesicatories, the Meal being more moistning▪ than Wheat-meal in Pultisses, it digests, ripens, breaks, and draws all Apostems and Biles better than Wheat.

Rye delights in d [...]y sandy warm Land, usually termed Rye-land, it is quickly up, sooner in the Ear, (usually in April) and sooner ripe than other Grain, being Sown as Wheat in Autumn, and some in March; but if I mistake Johannes de Monte will correct me, a most Loyal Skilful Husband-man.

Virtues and Ʋses.

Saffron is a Solar Herb under the Sign Leo, thence Astrologers plead for its Cordial Virtue. It is said to [Page 183] be hot in the 2^o. and dry in the 1^o. but the hot qua­lity doth so over▪ rule in the best Saffron, that in the whole Essence of it, I judge it to be hotter. Our own English Saffron is esteem'd the best in the World; it expels Venom from the Heart, strength­ens the Stomach, and furthers Digestion, quickneth the Senses, concocteth raw Humours in the Chest, and opens the Lungs; proper in Malignant Cases, Feigntings, Histerical Fits, and expelleth the Months and Child; It often cureth the Jaundice, and excellent in Consumptions and Asthma, being chiefly Cardi­ack and Pulmonick.

It will effectually do the Heart more good, (saith a late ingenious Author) then a thousand precious, or not pretious Stones, whither they come from the Indies, or are trod under our Feet. The Stones are Cordials accidentally, not essentially; They serve as natural and good Alkalies to absord that Acidity in the Body, which sometimes causeth grievous Pains and Oppressions. But Saffron is intrinsically, and in its proper Nature an admirable Cordial, of the first rank; and it is pity the Turks and Barbarians should esteem it better than us, who are beholding to Providence for the best in the World.

Nay, Dodon [...]us esteem'd it such a Cordial Virtue, as too opine; it can bring back Consumptive Peo­ple, for several days to Sense and Life again, when they are just departing, and in their last Agony; if ten Grains or a Scruple be given in Wine: Yet taken immoderately it is injurious to the Head, and per­verts Functions of the Brain; It will so dissipate the Spirits, ut in magnâ quantitate sumptus mor­tem inferre valeat, That it will kill, like a Poison, when used beyond measure.

Some say two drams taken, brings death, and the common People think a small Sprig of Saffron will [Page 184] do the same, if it should go to the Heart, which is true enough in a sly Sense; for when that which is impossible is done, when a Sprig hath passed through the Concoction of the Stomach, through the small passages of the Vena Lacte [...], and the Ductus Thora­cicus into the Veins, and has slipt through such Val­lies, as will only receive a certain sort of Liquor, when all this is done, it will be a Poison sure enough as also when the Sky falls we shall catch Larks.

Many of the best and most serviceable things in the Creation, for want of a due Disquisition into the Intrinsick Nature, and regular Use of them, become oftentimes great Enemies, and most disserviceable to us purblind Mortals; and this in the Medicinal Pro­vince occurs often. Thus Saffron, by the too fre­quent and lavish Use thereof in the Small-Pox, hath posted several to their long homes; for by its ex­pulsive force, and strong Cordial Energy, it is as a pair of Bellows, or Fuel to the Inslammatory Particles, which molest the Blood, in the beginning of this destroying Disease: And thereby the Fevourish Ebullition is exalted too high, even sometimes to a Phrensie; and Nature hurried to a violent Expulsion of the Morbifick Matter, which she is as it were suffocated with, having not time to perform a due Separation;

Or if the Patient should bear through it with Head and Shoulders, as we use to say; yet a cruel, indistinct, confluent, Pox, with most dangerous Symptoms, doth besure consequently to harrass and torture the Body, and Taint the Blood of the Patient. And this, as I have often observed, is the Effects and Product, not only of Saffron as 'tis vulgarly used, but also Methridate, dioscordium, Treacle­water, and other hot Cordials.

Indeed the whole World is beholden in his rebus, and ought never to forget the Industry and practical Discoveries of the Worthy and Learned Dr. Sy [...]enham, who did make it a great part of his Study and Pra­ctice to conquer this grievous Disease; who saith, That the longer Nature is in working and perfecting Separation, so the Ebullition be not quite dulled and impeded, so much more certainly and univer­sally the Separation i [...] perform'd; for of a forc'd Expuision, by a hot Regimen▪ or by hot Cordials comes no good, as from over-hasty Fruit no true nor certain advantage;

And I shall only to confirm his Sentiments. say, That I have, (in my poor Practice) in some Years past, more especially in the late Epidemical Year 87. found wonderful good Success in the Small-Pox, by advising the People to a cold Regimen, and not to use Saffron, and other hot Cordials, as they are wont extravagantly to do.